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Gas chimneys, fluid-escape pipes, and diffused gas clouds are common geohazards above or below most petroleum reservoirs and in some CO2 storage sites. However, the processes driving the formation of such structures are poorly understood, as are the time scales associated with their growth or their role as long-term preferential fluid-migration pathways in sedimentary basins. We present results from a multidisciplinary study integrating advanced seismic processing techniques with high-resolution simulations of geological processes. Our analyses indicate that time-dependent rock (de)compaction yields ascending solitary porosity waves forming high-porosity and high-permeability vertical chimneys that will reach the surface. The size and location of chimneys depend on the reservoir topology and compaction length. Our simulation results suggest that chimneys in the studied area could have been formed and then lost their connection to the reservoir on a time scale of a few months.

This paper demonstrates how an operator mitigated a hazardous pore pressure drilling risk using a technology that was new to the operator. The Seismic While Drilling (SWD) increased safety and efficiency at lower cost over commonly used alternatives. In 2019 MOL Norge AS drilled a deviated exploration well in the southern part of the Norwegian North Sea. The large 300 bar pore pressure uncertainty in the reservoir made it necessary to land the 9 7/8-in casing shoe as close as possible to the reservoir to maintain a safe kick tolerance. The pre-drill depth uncertainty of +/- 75m at the reservoir made it necessary to find a reliable technology to significantly decrease this depth uncertainty. Borehole seismic technology enables measurement of seismic velocities, which is the main culprit in seismic depth uncertainty. Measuring the time taken for a seismic pulse from a surface airgun to reach a downhole sensor provides velocity information which can provide a significant reduction in depth uncertainty while drilling. The closer the seismic sensor is to the formation of interest then the more accurate the depth prediction of the formation top is. In addition, seismic reflections from the formation top can provide a lookahead capability extending to hundreds of meters. SWD technology coupled with 3D ray-trace modelling allowed a survey to be designed for this deviated well using rig deployed airguns rather than deployment from a costly additional vessel. The survey design included real time data during drilling to significantly reduce the depth uncertainty and also image the reservoir top. The 12.25in hole section was drilled with a seismic logging while drilling (LWD) tool in the BHA, acquiring data during the drilling connections. Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP) processing of the real time data allowed the drilling team to see seismic reflections from the reservoir top during the approach from over 600m away. The decision to stop drilling occurred when the lookahead image indicated the reservoir was at a depth of 3,426 m TVD (+/- 13m), 50m shallower than the predrill plan. The casing point was set at a depth of 3,402 m TVD, approximately twice the depth uncertainty above the lookahead prediction. The actual reservoir top was subsequently logged at 3,425.6m TVD, less than 1m from the predicted depth.

A multi-purpose, wide-angle, visible overview video diagnostic, based on the EDICAM camera, was designed for JT-60SA superconducting tokamak, in order to fulfill both machine protection and scientific observation purposes. The detector is located inside the ‘port plug’ (a ca. 3 m long re-entrant tube), relatively close to the plasma boundary; the EDICAM can tolerate the magnetic field at this location as well as the radiation levels in the early phases of the experiment. A rail-and-carriage system is used to move the detector between the opening of the port plug and the measurement location. A 4-point docking system ensures the precise and robust positioning of the optics, firmly holding the detector also in the event of disruptions or earthquakes. The camera is running under atmospheric condition, separated by a sapphire window from the plasma vacuum. The vacuum window is protected by a water-cooled pin-hole from mechanical impacts and plasma heat; the pin-hole is also the first element of the detector’s optical system. The optics consists of two lens groups and a prism; the housing is made of stainless steel, in order to reduce eddy currents and thus avoid large forces acting on the system in a disruption.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) research involves invasive and destructive sampling procedures that are often incompatible with anthropological, anatomical, and bioarcheological analyses requiring intact skeletal remains. The osseous labyrinth inside the petrous bone has been shown to yield higher amounts of endogenous DNA than any other skeletal element; however, accessing this labyrinth in cases of a complete or reconstructed skull involves causing major structural damage to the cranial vault or base. Here, we describe a novel cranial base drilling method (CBDM) for accessing the osseous labyrinth from the cranial base that prevents damaging the surrounding cranial features, making it highly complementary to morphological analyses. We assessed this method by comparing the aDNA results from one petrous bone processed using our novel method to its pair, which was processed using established protocols for sampling disarticulated petrous bones. We show a decrease in endogenous DNA and molecular copy numbers when the drilling method is used; however, we also show that this method produces more endogenous DNA and higher copy numbers than any postcranial bone. Our results demonstrate that this minimally-invasive method reduces the loss of genetic data associated with the use of other skeletal elements and enables the combined craniometric and genetic study of individuals with archeological, cultural, and evolutionary value.

Measuring high-level corruption is subject to extensive scholarly and policy interest, which has achieved moderate progress in the last decade. This article develops two objective proxy measures of high-level corruption in public procurement: single bidding in competitive markets and a composite score of tendering ‘red flags’. Using official government data on 2.8 million contracts in twenty-eight European countries in 2009–14, we directly operationalize a common definition of corruption: unjustified restriction of access to public contracts to favour a selected bidder. Corruption indicators are calculated at the contract level, but produce aggregate indices consistent with well-established country-level indicators, and are also validated by micro-level tests. Data are published at http://digiwhist.eu/resources/data/.

Measuring high-level corruption and government favouritism has been the object of extensive scholarly and policy interest with relatively little progress in the last decade. In order to address the lack of reliable indicators, this article develops two objective proxy measures of high-level corruption in public procurement: single bidding in competitive markets and a composite score of tendering ‘red flags’. Using publicly available official electronic records of over 2.8 million government contracts in 27 EU member states plus Norway in 2009-2014, it directly operationalizes a common definition of corruption: unjustified restriction of access to public contracts to favour a certain bidder. Corruption indicators are calculated at the level of contracts, but produce aggregate indices consistent with well-established country-level corruption indicators. Due to the common EU regulatory framework, indicators are consistent over time and across countries, while WTO regulations underpin global generalisability. Indicator validity is supported by correlations with well-established perception-based corruption indicators, and novel micro-indicators such as prices and supplier registration in tax havens. The utility of the novel indicators is demonstrated by using them to explain the effect of deregulation on corruption risks at the country level. In order to facilitate wide use of the data and indicators by researchers, journalists, NGOs, and governments, they are made publicly available.

We report the case of a melioidosis-like abscess of the liver caused by Stenotrophomonas (Xanthomonas) maltophilia infection in a Chinese man living in Hungary. Although this appears to be the first documentation of a liver abscess of this origin in a nonimmunocompromised patient, our case report demonstrates that this common facultative pathogen can also cause liver abscess and sepsis. After repeated negative blood cultures, histological examinations of liver biopsies suggested the possibility of chronic melioidosis, but the microbiological examination performed directly on the same specimen identified a Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection. Surgical drainage was performed and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim therapy was commenced, after which the patient recovered fully. The facultative pathogen S. maltophilia, which most often causes nosocomial infections, may cause severe sepsis and liver abscess. We wish to draw attention to the fact that the antibiotic sensitivity of S. maltophilia is not necessarily the same in vivo and in vitro. This can create difficulties in both diagnosis and treatment.

Background and aims. In a search for the optimal management of nonparasitic liver cysts, a study was made of the effectiveness of different methods. Patients and methods. Between 1 January 1982 and 15 December 2001 we treated 132 patients with nonparasitic liver cysts. In 72 patients 31 cysts were treated with enucleation, 60 with deroofing, and 24 with stitching by laparotomy; two liver resections were also performed. In a further 34 patients 36 cysts were treated with deroofing by minimally invasive surgery. In an additional 26 patients 32 cysts were treated with various interventional radiological methods. Results. There was no mortality. The morbidity rate after laparotomy was significant (22.2%). The rate of recurrence after enucleation and deroofing was 6.5% and 13.8%, respectively, but there were no recurrences after stitching and liver resection. The recurrence rate following laparoscopic deroofing was 19.4%, and that following interventional radiological procedures was 50%. Conclusions. Treatment is required only if cysts are highly symptomatic or if growth is detected. Interventional radiological methods do not prove more favorable than surgery. Laparoscopic fenestration is preferred because of its low morbidity and the short period of hospitalization. Traditional surgical methods should be reserved merely for cases in which laparoscopic deroofing is not feasible.

Injection of solid, cryogenic hydrogen isotope pellets in tokamaks is used for particle fuelling as well as for ELM control. The efficiency depends on technical control variables such as pellet size, velocity, frequency and poloidal launch position. Recently developed image processing methods have been improved and adapted in order to evaluate some of these key parameters. An optical flow method has been used for the determination of the ice extrusion velocity based on the image sequences provided by a CCD camera viewing the ice at the exit of the nozzles of the extrusion cryostat. The reconstruction of pellet volume has been performed using images provided by another CCD camera, coupled to a set of optical barriers used for pellet velocity measurement. A Bayesian statistical analysis has been applied, calculating the probability distribution function of the pellet volume based on three measured parameters of the pellet shadow: area, smallest dimension, largest dimension.

Impaction of maxillary canines is a frequently encountered clinical problem. Patients' refusal to a long orthodontic treatment or ankylosis of the impacted tooth results in various treatment difficulties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of miniscrews in the management of impacted upper canines. In a series of 28 consecutive patients with a total of 31 impacted maxillary canines (12 men and 16 women aged from 14 to 63 years, mean 24 years), each impacted tooth was surgically exposed and an attachment was bonded. An intraosseous screw (1.5 mm in diameter and 8-10 mm long) with an endosseous body and intraoral neck section was inserted into the premolar-molar interradicular space. Following soft tissue healing, orthodontic traction was initiated. After correction of the angulation of the canine, the mini-screw was removed and traditional orthodontic therapy was completed. Twenty-seven canines were extruded successfully (87%), the duration of the orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances was decreased. In the 3 cases that failed due to ankylosis, the skeletal anchorage spared the patients and the clinicans the disappointment of a long-term unsuccessful traditional orthodontic treatment. In one patient, the mini-screw was removed because of inflammation and pain before the beginning of the orthodontic traction. This study shows that mini screw anchorage should be taken into consideration when extrusion of an impacted canine is planned.

The aim of this study is to give an audit of the experiences in the Institute of Experimental Surgery, at the University of Szeged, over the past 2 decades in the form of a retrospective study.Between January 1982 and December 2001, 132 patients with benign liver tumor (adenoma: 22; focal nodular hyperplasia: 27; hemangioma: 83) were treated. A total of 112 patients underwent surgery, while 20 asymptomatic cases were merely observed. The mean age, the female/male ratio and the size of the tumor in the adenoma cases were 38.2 years, 20/2 and 7.7cm, while for focal nodular hyperplasia they were 39.4, 24/3 and 6.3cm, and for hemangioma 49.0, 62/21 and 6.5cm. The results were compared and analyzed statistically.Enucleation was performed in 45.4% of the patients, nonanatomical resection in 35.6%, segmentectomy in 7%, lobectomy in 3.8%, extended lobectomy in 1.5%, stitching in 4.5%, exploration in 2.3% and liver transplantation in 0.8%. The mortality was 0.8%. Complications occurred in a total of 23.5% of the cases.Patients with asymptomatic focal nodular hyperplasia or hemangiomas must be excluded from surgery. Surgery is indicated only when growth or severe complaints are observed. Adenomas must be resected because of the precancerous behavior and the danger of bleeding from a rupture.

I am 41 years old, 180 cm tall, and I weigh 100 kg . I love sports and the outdoors, and work out with my friends every week, even playing some mild contact sports occasionally.

Our aim is to give an audit of our experience over the past two decades in the form of a retrospective study.Between 1 January, 1982 and 15 December, 2001, 133 patients with benign liver tumor (adenoma: 22, focal nodular hyperplasia: 27, hemangioma: 83, lipoma: 1) were treated. A total of 113 patients underwent surgery, while 20 asymptomatic cases were merely observed. The mean age, the female/male ratio and the size of the tumor in the adenoma cases were 38.3+/-10.2 years, 20/2 and 7.7+/-2.4 cm, while for focal nodular hyperplasia they were 39.5+/-12.4, 24/3 and 6.3+/-2.7 cm, and for hemangioma 49.01+/-10.7, 62/21 and 6.5+/-3.6 cm. The results were compared and analyzed statistically.Enucleation was performed in 53.1% of the patients, non-anatomical resection in 24.8%, segmentectomy in 6.2%, lobectomy in 4.4%, extended lobectomy in 1.8%, stitching in 5.3%, exploration in 3.5% and liver transplantation in 0.9%. The overall 30-day postoperative mortality was 0.9% (1/113). Minor or major complications occurred in a total of 27.4%.Patients with asymptomatic focal nodular hyperplasia or hemangiomas must be excluded from surgery. Surgery is indicated only when growth or severe complaints are observed. Adenomas must be resected because of the precancerous behavior and the danger of bleeding from a rupture.

Treatment of cleft palate patients demands a well coordinated work of medical and dental specialists. In spite of the surgical and orthodontic therapy a prosthetic rehabilitation is often necessary because of missing teeth, maxillary hypoplasia, malocclusion and palatal defects. The prosthetic phase begins immediately after the orthodontic treatment. In this way the fixed partial denture replaces the retention appliance and stabilizes the achieved status. The aim of the prosthetic treatment is to improve the function of the masticatory apparatus, speech and aesthetic appearance of the patient. An important task of the prostheses is to support and lift up the upper lip and the base of the nose. There are several factors, which make the treatment difficult, like underdeveloped and collapsed maxillary arch, retrognath position of the maxilla, missing alveolar ridge, defects of the bone and mucosa, scars and stiffness of the upper lip. The maintenance of the oral hygiene with the fixed restorations is often difficult because of the stiffness of the upper lip, therefore the design of the pontic is very important especially in the cases, when the missing processus alveolaris has to be replaced in order to improve the harmony of the face.