Case-file backlogs were identified as one of the cause factors affecting the competitiveness of the forensic science laboratory (FSL). Backlogs represent case-files?that remain unprocessed or unreported within a selec...Case-file backlogs were identified as one of the cause factors affecting the competitiveness of the forensic science laboratory (FSL). Backlogs represent case-files?that remain unprocessed or unreported within a selected time interval (year, week or month) which leads to increased customer complaints, rework, cost of analysis, degradation of biological samples, etc. Case-file backlogging was quantified in three consecutive years (2014 to 2016), using the following parameters: case-files received and case-files processed, difference of which gives case-files backlogged. There was a need to define time interval for a case-file to be regarded as backlogged (that is, one week), results of which can translate into backlogged case-files per month or year. A data collection tool was established and used for three work stations (forensic chemistry, biology/DNA and toxicology laboratories). The tool includes starting and ending date for each?time interval, in which the numbers of case-files received and processed were entered followed by computing the backlogs. It was observed that, case-files reported?increased between 2014 and 2016 leading to a decrease in backlogged case-files.?The annual percentage of the case-files backlogged was highest for forensic?toxicology. The highest number of case-files backlogged was observed for forensic?chemistry, followed by forensic biology/DNA. The number of case-files?backlogged per analyst per year was highest in 2014 and dropped continuously?towards 2016, being comparably higher in forensic biology/DNA and chemistry.?Probability density functions (PDFs) and cumulative distribution functions (CDFs)?of backlogs data indicated that a large number of backlogs created in previous?weeks were eliminated. It was concluded that the effect of case-file backlogging on FSL competitiveness can be minimized by continued management effort in backlog elimination.展开更多
This study investigates the application of carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration to address challenges in water-drive gas reservoirs, specifically focusing on improving gas recovery and mitigating water invasion. Traditi...This study investigates the application of carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration to address challenges in water-drive gas reservoirs, specifically focusing on improving gas recovery and mitigating water invasion. Traditional methods like blow-down and co-production have limitations, including sand production, water coning, and inefficiency in strong aquifers. To overcome these issues, this research explores CO2 injection near the edge aquifer, aiming to reduce water influx and enhance gas recovery through the propagation of a CO2 plume in the gas-water contact zone. Both synthetic and real compositional reservoir models were studied, with CO2 injection performed while maintaining reservoir pressure below 90% of the initial level. Results show that CO2 sequestration significantly improved recovery, particularly in higher permeability reservoirs, where it reduced aquifer influx and increased gas production by 26% under challenging conditions. While CO2 dissolution in water decreased aquifer influx by 39%, its adverse effect on sweep efficiency led to a reduction in gas and water production by 4.2% and 10%, respectively. The method's effectiveness was not significantly impacted by aquifer permeability, but it was sensitive to vertical-to-horizontal permeability ratios. When applied to a real gas reservoir, the proposed method increased gas production by 14% compared to conventional techniques, with minimal CO2 production over a 112-year period. This study demonstrates the potential of CO2 sequestration as a comprehensive solution for enhancing gas recovery, reducing water production, and mitigating environmental impacts in water-drive gas reservoirs.展开更多
Glymphatic flow has been proposed to clear brain waste while we sleep.Cerebrospinal fluid moves from periarterial to perivenous spaces through the parenchyma,with subsequent cerebrospinal fluid drainage to dural lymph...Glymphatic flow has been proposed to clear brain waste while we sleep.Cerebrospinal fluid moves from periarterial to perivenous spaces through the parenchyma,with subsequent cerebrospinal fluid drainage to dural lymphatics.Glymphatic disruption is associated with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury.Therefore,investigating its structure and function may improve understanding of pathophysiology.The recent controversy on whether glymphatic flow increases or decreases during sleep demonstrates that the glymphatic hypothesis remains contentious.However,discrepancies between different studies could be due to limitations of the specific techniques used and confounding factors.Here,we review the methods used to study glymphatic function and provide a toolkit from which researchers can choose.We conclude that tracer analysis has been useful,ex vivo techniques are unreliable,and in vivo imaging is still limited.Finally,we explore the potential for future methods and highlight the need for in vitro models,such as microfluidic devices,which may address technique limitations and enable progression of the field.展开更多
文摘Case-file backlogs were identified as one of the cause factors affecting the competitiveness of the forensic science laboratory (FSL). Backlogs represent case-files?that remain unprocessed or unreported within a selected time interval (year, week or month) which leads to increased customer complaints, rework, cost of analysis, degradation of biological samples, etc. Case-file backlogging was quantified in three consecutive years (2014 to 2016), using the following parameters: case-files received and case-files processed, difference of which gives case-files backlogged. There was a need to define time interval for a case-file to be regarded as backlogged (that is, one week), results of which can translate into backlogged case-files per month or year. A data collection tool was established and used for three work stations (forensic chemistry, biology/DNA and toxicology laboratories). The tool includes starting and ending date for each?time interval, in which the numbers of case-files received and processed were entered followed by computing the backlogs. It was observed that, case-files reported?increased between 2014 and 2016 leading to a decrease in backlogged case-files.?The annual percentage of the case-files backlogged was highest for forensic?toxicology. The highest number of case-files backlogged was observed for forensic?chemistry, followed by forensic biology/DNA. The number of case-files?backlogged per analyst per year was highest in 2014 and dropped continuously?towards 2016, being comparably higher in forensic biology/DNA and chemistry.?Probability density functions (PDFs) and cumulative distribution functions (CDFs)?of backlogs data indicated that a large number of backlogs created in previous?weeks were eliminated. It was concluded that the effect of case-file backlogging on FSL competitiveness can be minimized by continued management effort in backlog elimination.
文摘This study investigates the application of carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration to address challenges in water-drive gas reservoirs, specifically focusing on improving gas recovery and mitigating water invasion. Traditional methods like blow-down and co-production have limitations, including sand production, water coning, and inefficiency in strong aquifers. To overcome these issues, this research explores CO2 injection near the edge aquifer, aiming to reduce water influx and enhance gas recovery through the propagation of a CO2 plume in the gas-water contact zone. Both synthetic and real compositional reservoir models were studied, with CO2 injection performed while maintaining reservoir pressure below 90% of the initial level. Results show that CO2 sequestration significantly improved recovery, particularly in higher permeability reservoirs, where it reduced aquifer influx and increased gas production by 26% under challenging conditions. While CO2 dissolution in water decreased aquifer influx by 39%, its adverse effect on sweep efficiency led to a reduction in gas and water production by 4.2% and 10%, respectively. The method's effectiveness was not significantly impacted by aquifer permeability, but it was sensitive to vertical-to-horizontal permeability ratios. When applied to a real gas reservoir, the proposed method increased gas production by 14% compared to conventional techniques, with minimal CO2 production over a 112-year period. This study demonstrates the potential of CO2 sequestration as a comprehensive solution for enhancing gas recovery, reducing water production, and mitigating environmental impacts in water-drive gas reservoirs.
基金supported by the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme(Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 847419)supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council via a Discovery Fellowship(BB/W00934X/1)+6 种基金the Aston University RKE Pump Priming Programmefunded by UKRI’s Research England as part of their Expanding Excellence in England(E3)fundsupported by a UKRI Frontier Research Grant EP/Y023684/1(following assessment as an ERC Advanced grant,FORTIFY,ERC-2022-ADG-101096882 under the UK Government Guarantee scheme)acknowledged a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Pioneer Award(BB/Y512874/1)MMS was supported by a Medical Research Council Career Development Award(MR/W027119/1)acknowledged support from the BHF Centre of Research Excellence,University of Oxford(grant code:RE/24/130024)a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Pioneer Award(BB/Y512874/1).
文摘Glymphatic flow has been proposed to clear brain waste while we sleep.Cerebrospinal fluid moves from periarterial to perivenous spaces through the parenchyma,with subsequent cerebrospinal fluid drainage to dural lymphatics.Glymphatic disruption is associated with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury.Therefore,investigating its structure and function may improve understanding of pathophysiology.The recent controversy on whether glymphatic flow increases or decreases during sleep demonstrates that the glymphatic hypothesis remains contentious.However,discrepancies between different studies could be due to limitations of the specific techniques used and confounding factors.Here,we review the methods used to study glymphatic function and provide a toolkit from which researchers can choose.We conclude that tracer analysis has been useful,ex vivo techniques are unreliable,and in vivo imaging is still limited.Finally,we explore the potential for future methods and highlight the need for in vitro models,such as microfluidic devices,which may address technique limitations and enable progression of the field.
