Interpretación automática de ensayos de flujo bifásico en medios porosos. Comparación de técnicas de optimización

Se aplica una técnica de regresión automática para obtener las curvas de permeabilidades relativas y de presión capilar a partir de datos de caudales medidos durante un ensayo transitorio de desplazamiento de petróleo por agua a través de un testigo de roca. Estas curvas desconocidas están descritas por funciones potenciales, cada una de ellas conteniendo dos parámetros como máximo. Los parámetros se encuentran minimizando una función objetivo que es la suma pesada de los cuadrados de las diferencias entre los datos de caudales medidos experimentalmente y los simulados numéricamente. La minimización se realiza aplicando tres técnicas de optimización: Levenberg Marquardt (en dos versiones diferentes, LM1 y LM2) y Aproximaciones Quasi- Newton para el problema de mínimos cuadrados (AQN). El propósito principal de esta publicación es comparar el comportamiento de dichas técnicas. AQS es siempre convergente a la solución óptima a costa de una importante inversión de tiempo de máquina. LM1 es más rápida pero a veces se estanca siendo incapaz de encontrar el óptimo. El problema se debe a la forma en que esta técnica aproxima la matriz hessiana de la función objetivo. LM2, si bien converge al óptimo en la mayoría de los casos, consume un tiempo de CPU análogo (y aún mayor en los casos más complejos) que el de AQN, lo que la hace desventajosa frente a los otros dos algoritmos. Además, al incorporar la curva de presión capilar, se observan mejores ajustes con los datos experimentales que cuando los términos capilares son ignorados.Peer Reviewe

Interpretación automática de ensayos de flujo bifásico en medios porosos. Comparación de técnicas de optimización

Se aplica una técnica de regresión automática para obtener las curvas de permeabilidades relativas y de presión capilar a partir de datos de caudales medidos durante un ensayo transitorio de desplazamiento de petróleo por agua a través de un testigo de roca. Estas curvas desconocidas están descritas por funciones potenciales, cada una de ellas conteniendo dos parámetros como máximo. Los parámetros se encuentran minimizando una función objetivo que es la suma pesada de los cuadrados de las diferencias entre los datos de caudales medidos experimentalmente y los simulados numéricamente. La minimización se realiza aplicando tres técnicas de optimización: Levenberg Marquardt (en dos versiones diferentes, LM1 y LM2) y Aproximaciones Quasi- Newton para el problema de mínimos cuadrados (AQN). El propósito principal de esta publicación es comparar el comportamiento de dichas técnicas. AQS es siempre convergente a la solución óptima a costa de una importante inversión de tiempo de máquina. LM1 es más rápida pero a veces se estanca siendo incapaz de encontrar el óptimo. El problema se debe a la forma en que esta técnica aproxima la matriz hessiana de la función objetivo. LM2, si bien converge al óptimo en la mayoría de los casos, consume un tiempo de CPU análogo (y aún mayor en los casos más complejos) que el de AQN, lo que la hace desventajosa frente a los otros dos algoritmos. Además, al incorporar la curva de presión capilar, se observan mejores ajustes con los datos experimentales que cuando los términos capilares son ignorados.Peer Reviewe

Influencia de la permeabilidad vertical en el flujo de petróleo hacia un pozo productor

Se describe el flujo bidimensional de petróleo a través de un reservorio heterogéneo mediante una ecuación parabólica en derivadas parciales, que es una extensión de la denominada ecuación de difusividad. Este modelo tiene interés práctico en ingeniería de reservorios: se utiliza para predecir la producción de un pozo de petróleo y también en la interpretación de ensayos de presión en pozos. La solución numérica de dicha ecuación se obtiene mediante una familia de esquemas de diferencias finitas que dependen de un parámetro 8, O 5 8 5 1. Una técnica basada en la expansión en serie de Taylor de funciones matriciales (TSMF) es usada para resolver el sistema de ecuaciones lineales resultante. El simulador numérico descrito se aplica para estudiar el comportamiento de reservorios de dos capas con valores típicos de permeabilidad vertical iguales o menores que los de permeabilidad horizontal. Específicamente, para un pozo de petróleo que produce a caudal constante, se analiza la influencia de la permeabilidad vertical en las respuestas de presión y caudal de cada capa. Se concluye que la permeabilidad vertical influye en las respuestas de presión y caudal a tiempos cortos e intermedios, por lo que debería ser tenida en cuenta tanto en el diseño como en la interpretación de los ensayos de presión en pozos.Peer Reviewe

Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission in Zanzibar: Baseline Findings before the Onset of a Randomized Intervention Trial.

Gaining and sustaining control of schistosomiasis and, whenever feasible, achieving local elimination are the year 2020 targets set by the World Health Organization. In Zanzibar, various institutions and stakeholders have joined forces to eliminate urogenital schistosomiasis within 5 years. We report baseline findings before the onset of a randomized intervention trial designed to assess the differential impact of community-based praziquantel administration, snail control, and behavior change interventions. In early 2012, a baseline parasitological survey was conducted in ∼20,000 people from 90 communities in Unguja and Pemba. Risk factors for schistosomiasis were assessed by administering a questionnaire to adults. In selected communities, local knowledge about schistosomiasis transmission and prevention was determined in focus group discussions and in-depths interviews. Intermediate host snails were collected and examined for shedding of cercariae. The baseline Schistosoma haematobium prevalence in school children and adults was 4.3% (range: 0-19.7%) and 2.7% (range: 0-26.5%) in Unguja, and 8.9% (range: 0-31.8%) and 5.5% (range: 0-23.4%) in Pemba, respectively. Heavy infections were detected in 15.1% and 35.6% of the positive school children in Unguja and Pemba, respectively. Males were at higher risk than females (odds ratio (OR): 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-2.03). Decreasing adult age (OR: 1.04; CI: 1.02-1.06), being born in Pemba (OR: 1.48; CI: 1.02-2.13) or Tanzania (OR: 2.36; CI: 1.16-4.78), and use of freshwater (OR: 2.15; CI: 1.53-3.03) showed higher odds of infection. Community knowledge about schistosomiasis was low. Only few infected Bulinus snails were found. The relatively low S. haematobium prevalence in Zanzibar is a promising starting point for elimination. However, there is a need to improve community knowledge about disease transmission and prevention. Control measures tailored to the local context, placing particular attention to hot-spot areas, high-risk groups, and individuals, will be necessary if elimination is to be achieved

Soil-transmitted helminths and haemoglobin status among Afghan children in World Food Programme assisted schools

In recent years there have been major socio-economic changes within Afghanistan such that the present public health burden of soil-transmitted helminths (STH), especially that within school-aged children, remains to be determined. A baseline parasitological survey was therefore carried out in four defined areas of Afghanistan to better assess the distribution, prevalence and intensity of STH infections prior to a nationwide de-worming campaign beginning within World Food Programme assisted schools. A cross-sectional examination of 1001 children aged between 8 and 15 years old revealed that approximately half (47.2%) were infected with at least one STH. Infections with Ascaris lumbricoides were most widespread (40.9%) and elevated prevalences were detected in urban environments; for example, schoolchildren in Kabul were more likely to be infected (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.6-3.0) than elsewhere and these infections were often of higher intensity (OR=7.6, 95% CI 4.9-11.8). Trichuris trichiura (9.9%) and hookworms (0.7%), previously unknown from Afghanistan, were encountered. The blood haemoglobin concentration of surveyed children was also assessed: 4% resulted to be anaemic (Hb<11 g dl−1), and 0.4% to be severely anaemic (Hb<7 g dl−1

Study and implementation of urogenital schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar (Unguja and Pemba islands) using an integrated multidisciplinary approach

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that continues to be a major public health problem in many developing countries being responsible for an estimated burden of at least 1.4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in Africa alone. However, morbidity due to schistosomiasis has been greatly reduced in some parts of the world, including Zanzibar. The Zanzibar government is now committed to eliminate urogenital schistosomiasis. Over the next 3--5 years, the whole at-risk population will be administered praziquantel (40 mg/kg) biannually. Additionally, snail control and behaviour change interventions will be implemented in selected communities and the impact measured in a randomized intervention trial. METHODS: In this 5-year research study, on both Unguja and Pemba islands, urogenital schistosomiasis will be assessed in 45 communities with urine filtration and reagent strips in 4,500 schoolchildren aged 9--12 years annually, and in 4,500 first-year schoolchildren and 2,250 adults in years 1 and 5. Additionally, from first-year schoolchildren, a finger-prick blood sample will be collected and examined for Schistosoma haematobium infection biomarkers. Changes in prevalence and infection intensity will be assessed annually. Among the 45 communities, 15 were randomized for biannual snail control with niclosamide, in concordance with preventive chemotherapy campaigns. The reduction of Bulinus globosus snail populations and S. haematobium-infected snails will be investigated. In 15 other communities, interventions triggering behaviour change have been designed and will be implemented in collaboration with the community. A change in knowledge, attitudes and practices will be assessed annually through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with schoolchildren, teachers, parents and community leaders. In all 45 communities, changes in the health system, water and sanitation infrastructure will be annually tracked by standardized questionnaire-interviews with community leaders. Additional issues potentially impacting on study outcomes and all incurring costs will be monitored and recorded. DISCUSSION: Elimination of schistosomiasis has become a priority on the agenda of the Zanzibar government and the international community. Our study will contribute to identifying what, in addition to preventive chemotherapy, needs to be done to prevent, control, and ultimately eliminate schistosomiasis, and to draw lessons for current and future schistosomiasis elimination programmes in Africa and elsewhere.Trial registrationISRCTN4883768

Modeling of CO<SUB>2</SUB> storage in aquifers

Storage of CO2 in geological formations is a means of mitigating the greenhouse effect. Saline aquifers are a good alternative as storage sites due to their large volume and their common occurrence in nature. The first commercial CO2 injection project is that of the Sleipner field in the Utsira Sand aquifer (North Sea). Nevertheless, very little was known about the effectiveness of CO2 sequestration over very long periods of time. In this way, numerical modeling of CO2 injection and seismic monitoring is an important tool to understand the behavior of CO2 after injection and to make long term predictions in order to prevent CO2 leaks from the storage into the atmosphere. The description of CO2 injection into subsurface formations requires an accurate fluid-flow model. To simulate the simultaneous flow of brine and CO2 we apply the Black-Oil formulation for two phase flow in porous media, which uses the PVT data as a simplified thermodynamic model. Seismic monitoring is modeled using Biot's equations of motion describing wave propagation in fluid-saturated poroviscoelastic solids. Numerical examples of CO2 injection and time-lapse seismics using data of the Utsira formation show the capability of this methodology to monitor the migration and dispersal of CO2 after injection.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Evaluation of the health-related quality of life of children in Schistosoma haematobium-endemic communities in Kenya: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis remains a global public health challenge, with 93% of the ~237 million infections occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Though rarely fatal, its recurring nature makes it a lifetime disorder with significant chronic health burdens. Much of its negative health impact is due to non-specific conditions such as anemia, undernutrition, pain, exercise intolerance, poor school performance, and decreased work capacity. This makes it difficult to estimate the disease burden specific to schistosomiasis using the standard DALY metric. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In our study, we used Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), a modular instrument available for ages 2-18 years, to assess health-related quality of life (HrQoL) among children living in a Schistosoma haematobium-endemic area in coastal Kenya. The PedsQL questionnaires were administered by interview to children aged 5-18 years (and their parents) in five villages spread across three districts. HrQoL (total score) was significantly lower in villages with high prevalence of S. haematobium (-4.0%, p<0.001) and among the lower socioeconomic quartiles (-2.0%, p<0.05). A greater effect was seen in the psychosocial scales as compared to the physical function scale. In moderate prevalence villages, detection of any parasite eggs in the urine was associated with a significant 2.1% (p<0.05) reduction in total score. The PedsQL reliabilities were generally high (Cronbach alphas ≥0.70), floor effects were acceptable, and identification of children from low socioeconomic standing was valid. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We conclude that exposure to urogenital schistosomiasis is associated with a 2-4% reduction in HrQoL. Further research is warranted to determine the reproducibility and responsiveness properties of QoL testing in relation to schistosomiasis. We anticipate that a case definition based on more sensitive parasitological diagnosis among younger children will better define the immediate and long-term HrQoL impact of Schistosoma infection

A model for CO₂ storage and seismic monitoring combining multiphase fluid flow and wave propagation simulators : The Sleipner-field case

The main objective of this paper is to use a flow simulator to represent the CO₂ storage and combine it with a wave propagation simulator in order to obtain synthetic seismograms qualitatively matching time-lapse real field data. The procedure is applied to the Utsira formation at Sleipner field. The field data at the site available to us is a collection of seismic sections (time-lapse seismics) used to monitor the CO₂ storage. An estimate of the CO₂ injection rate and the location of the injection point are known. Using these data, we build a geological model, including intramudstone layers with openings, whose coordinates are defined by performing a qualitative match of the field seismic data. The flow simulator parameters and the petrophysical properties are updated to obtain CO₂ saturation maps, including CO₂ plumes, so that the synthetic seismic images resemble the real data. The geological model is based on a porous-media constitutive equation. It considers a poroelastic description of the Utsira formation (a shaly sandstone), based on porosity and clay content, and takes into account the variation of the properties with pore pressure and fluid saturation. Moreover, the model considers the geometrical features of the formations, including the presence of shale seals and fractures. We also assume fractal variations of the petrophysical properties. The numerical simulation of the CO₂-brine flow is based on the Black-Oil formulation, which uses the pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) behavior as a simplified thermodynamic model. The corresponding equations are solved using a finite difference IMPES formulation. Using the resulting saturation and pore-pressure maps, we determine an equivalent viscoelastic medium at the macroscale, formulated in the space-frequency domain. Wave attenuation and velocity dispersion, caused by heterogeneities formed of gas patches, are described with White’s mesoscopic model. The viscoelastic wave equation is solved in the space-frequency domain for a collection of frequencies of interest using a finite-element iterative domain decomposition algorithm. The space-time solution is recovered by a discrete inverse Fourier transform, allowing us to obtain our synthetic seismograms. In the numerical examples, we determine a set of flow and petrophysical parameters allowing us to obtain synthetic seismograms resembling actual field data. In particular, this approach yields CO₂ accumulations below the mudstone layers and synthetic seismograms which successfully reproduce the typical pushdown effect.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica