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Introduction: The treatment options for moderate to severe psoriasis (msPsO) in China have been greatly increased with the approvals of biologics. However, the unmet needs and treatment preferences of systemic treatments for msPsO in China remain unclarified. Methods: Fifty dermatologists and 300 patients with msPsO (41% with severe psoriasis) were surveyed for effectiveness, safety, treatment convenience, and treatment preferences (using a choice-based conjoint questionnaire). Descriptive statistics and conjoint simulation analyses were employed to summarize survey information and assess treatment preferences. Results: Both patients and dermatologists reported shorter treatment duration for oral drugs (2.7–6.2 months) than that for biologics (9.5–17.0 months). The most frequently reported treatment discontinuation reasons by the surveyed patients and dermatologists were unsatisfactory effectiveness (average 84.5%) for oral drugs and loss of efficacy over time (average 68.5%) for biologics. Commonly reported treatment inconveniences included regular lab tests for traditional oral drugs (average 71.5%) and administration assistance for biologics (average 58.0%). Injection site reactions (average 51.5%) and needle fear (average 35.5%) were frequently reported for biologics among the surveyed patients and dermatologists. Once-daily oral treatment was preferred over biweekly subcutaneous injection treatment when the two had comparable attributes (average in patients 87.1% vs. 12.9%; average in dermatologists 93.4% vs. 6.6%). Conclusions: Unmet needs of systemic treatments remain for msPsO in China. Once-daily oral treatment is preferred over biweekly subcutaneous injections to treat msPsO when other treatment attributes are comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tight sandstone and shale oil and gas are the key targets of unconventional oil and gas exploration in the lake-delta sedimentary systems of China. Understanding the coevolutionary diagenesis of sandstone and shale reservoirs is crucial for the prediction of reservoir quality, ahead of drilling, in such systems. Thin-section description, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fluid inclusion analysis, porosity and permeability tests, high-pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI) measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance tests (NMR) were used to reveal the coevolutionary diagenetic mechanisms of a sandstone and shale reservoir in the Lianggaoshan Formation of the Eastern Sichuan Basin, China. The thermally mature, organic-matter-rich, dark shale of layer3 is the most important source rock within the Lianggaoshan Formation. It started to generate abundant organic acids at the early stage of mesodiagenesis and produced abundant hydrocarbons in the early Cretaceous. Porewater with high concentrations of Ca2+ and CO32− entered the sandstone reservoir from dark shale as the shale was compacted during burial. Potassium feldspar dissolution at the boundary of the sandstone was more pervasive than at the center of the sandstone. The K+ released by potassium feldspar dissolution migrated from the sandstone into mudstone. Grain-rimming chlorite coats occurred mainly in the center of the sandstone. Some silica exported from the shale was imported by the sandstone boundary and precipitated close to the shale/sandstone boundary. Some intergranular dissolution pores and intercrystal pores were formed in the shale due to dissolution during the early stages of mesodiagenesis. Chlorite coats, which precipitated during eodiagenesis, were beneficial to the protection of primary pore space in the sandstone. Calcite cement, which preferentially precipitated at the boundary of sandstone, was not conducive to reservoir development. Dissolution mainly occurred at the early stage of mesodiagenesis due to organic acids derived from the dark shale. Calcite cement could also protect some primary pores from compaction and release pore space following dissolution. The porosity of sandstone and shale was mainly controlled by the thickness of sandstone and dark shale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle Permian Qixia Formation in the southwestern region of Sichuan (SW China) has experienced multiphase fluidisation, resulting in an unclear understanding of the reservoir reconstruction effect. In this study, a systematic analysis of the Qi2 member in Wulong Town was carried out by combining field outcrop petrology and geochemistry. The results demonstrated that multiple sets of crystalline dolomite-bioclastic limestone cycles were stacked vertically in the Qi2 member, accompanied by the development of fractures and karst channels. The dolomite was mainly composed of silty-fine dolomite (D1) and recrystallised dolomite (D2). Furthermore, obvious multiphase dolomitic cements (Cd1-Cd2) were present in the fractures and pores. Early karst is known to have lithologic mutation surface development and karst channel development at the top of several secondary cycles. The vadose silt dolomites (Cd1) having karst channels developed dull luminescence under cathode luminescence (CL). Both the geochemical indicators of elements and rare earth element (REE) content indicated dysoxic-oxic environmental conditions. The hydrothermal solution displayed tectonic carniole characteristics in the strata burial stage. Fractures and pores were filled with hydrothermal minerals such as coarse dolomites-saddle dolomites (Cd2, with some caused by recrystallisation of the Cd1 hydrothermal solution) and fluorites. Coarse dolomites-saddle dolomites developed dull-red luminescence with a bright-red rim under CL and their δ18OVPDB values were more negative than those of middle Permian limestone samples. Both the geochemical indicators of elements and REE content indicated the suboxic-anoxic environmental conditions. Karstification had minor constructive impact on the reservoir of the Qi2 member in Baoxing in southwestern Sichuan. Most products of karstification were distributed as fillings in channels. Aside from creating certain networked fractures, the hydrothermal solution was mainly filled with hydrothermal minerals along the fractures, pores and early karst channels. Karst and the hydrothermal solution mainly damaged the middle and upper parts of the middle Permian Qixia Formation in Southwest Sichuan. The impact of episodic fluid on the restoration of the carbonate reservoir was mainly restricted by channels for fluid migration and thickness differences among the reservoir. However, certain thick-layered and massive crystalline dolomite may hold promise for exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal landfill is a common waste treatment method employed in rural areas of China, and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are one of the typical pollutants in landfill leachate. However, there is no corresponding theoretical basis for whether microbial treatment technology can be used to reduce environmental risk of PAEs in informal landfills. Thus, a typical informal landfill site in northern China was selected and approximately 1,133,023 effective sequences were obtained from 21 samples collected from three layers (different deposit depths) of the landfill. This research explored the correlation between PAEs and the composition and distribution of microbial community in specific environments of informal landfill sites. Here we found that dis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) were positively and significantly correlated with Bhargavaea, Planococcus, Virgibacillus, and Oceanobacillus, respectively. The redundancy analysis demonstrated that moisture content, pH, N O 2 − - N , and SUVA254 among the seven physicochemical factors (pH, TN, N O 3 − - N , N O 2 − - N , N H 4 + - N , SUVA254, and moisture content) significantly affected bacterial communities. The research conclusion can provide theoretical basis for the degradation technology of PAEs by microorganism and research basis for the treatment of informal landfill sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shale gas mainly exists in organic-rich shale in the form of free gas and adsorbed gas. Shale gas content has a direct impact on the productivity and life of the gas well, and is also an important indicator for areal selection and reservoir evaluation. Through the study of gas content experiments of shale gas, we can better guide the exploration and development of shale gas. According to the isothermal adsorption and desorption experiments of Wufeng-Longmaxi Formations in Jiaoshiba block of the Fuling shale gas field in Sichuan basin, China, 7 core samples from isothermal adsorption experiment and 30 core samples from desorption experiment were analyzed. The experimental results show that the isothermal adsorption experiment is an effective way to obtain Langmuir Volume (V L) and Langmuir Pressure (P L). The total gas content obtained from shale desorption experiment in the drilling site is mainly adsorption gas content, and the free gas content is relatively small. The desorption rate is different in different desorption stages, and the samples with higher total organic carbon (TOC) content have faster desorption rate and higher total desorption gas content. The carbon isotope value of methane gradually increases with the increase of desorption time. The results of methane isotope analysis in the desorption experiment are compared with the results of carbon isotope monitoring in the producing process. The findings reveal that after years of development in Jiaoshiba block of the Fuling shale gas field, the methane isotope in gas wells has basically remained unchanged, and the current gas production should be dominated by free gas. • Compare the analysis results of isothermal adsorption and desorption experiment. • The change law of carbon isotope with time in desorption process is studied. • The producing status is determined for the first time by using this law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lower Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation shoal dolostone reservoir in Sichuan Basin is currently an exploration and research highlight in China. Reservoir rocks mainly consist of crystalline dolomite with residual grain texture, and dolarenite of which the arene is mainly composed of muddy to micritic dolomite with some crystalline grain directionally aligned. The trace element indicates that the dolomites of Longwangmiao Formation may be related to the high salinity of sea water. The oxygen isotope values of crystalline dolomite and dolarenite are both similar to that of the Early Cambrian marine dolomites, and the carbon isotope values of every kind of dolomites are completely overlapped with that of the seawater in Early Cambrian, indicating the dolomitization fluid is originated from the Early Cambrian sea water. The restricted marine biological communities and a small amount of gypsum pseudonodule seen in muddy to micritic dolomite indicate that the sea water in Early Cambrian was restricted and evaporated. However, the general lack of massive evaporite mineral and gypsum karst breccia indicates that the salinity of sea water during dolomitization was lower than the value of gypsum's precipitation. The Longwangmiao Formation consists of several high-frequency sedimentary cycles, indicating frequent sea level changes. This study indicates that massive dolomitiza-tion may also occur in underwater palaeohigh in carbonate platform through the reflux of penesaline sea water driven by a combination of high- and low-frequency sea-level changes. This kind of dolomiti-zation can explain the generation of massive dolomites in the absence of evaporite precipitation, and further indicates that replacement dolomites can be produced by sea water with a wide range of salinity (normal, penesaline to hypersaline). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentary facies is an important factor influencing shale gas accumulation. It not only controlls hydrocarbon generation, but also affects reservoir characteristics and distribution. This paper discusses the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the south of the Sichuan Basin. Outcrop, core, drilling and logging data identify the sedimentary facies of the formation as continental shelf facies, which is divided into two subfacies: an inner shelf and an outer shelf subfacies. These two subfacies can be further divided into seven microfacies: muddy silty shallow shelf, calcareous silty shallow shelf, muddy limy shallow shelf, storm flow, muddy deep shelf, silty muddy deep shelf and contour current microfacies. Vertical and horizontal distribution of microfacies establishes a sedimentation model of the continental shelf facies. Combined with analization or calculation of geochemical, mineralogical, physical and gas-bearing properties of samples, sedimentary microfacies is evaluated using nine parameters: total organic carbon content, effective shale continuous thickness, vitrinite reflectance, kerogen type, mineral components, porosity, permeability, water saturation and gas content. The evaluation revealed that the most favorable facies for shale gas exploration and development are the muddy deep shelf and part of the silty muddy deep shelf microfacies, with TOC more than 2%, siliceous component over 50%, clay less than 30%, porosity more than 3%, water saturation lower than 40%, gas content greater than 2 m/t. These results provide a theoretical basis for deciston-making on the most promising areas for shale gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin and for marine shale gas exploration and development in South China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large volume of water is required in shale gas development, especially for large-scale hydraulic fracturing in horizontal wells. This study focuses on 334 shale gas wells in the largest production field Fuling in China. Models are formulated to estimate the water use at each stage of the development process, including pre-drilling preparation, drilling and cementing, fracturing, gas testing, production testing. Domestic water used by employee community of shale gas companies are also fully considered. The results show that the average fracturing water use per well was 34,756.0 m3 in Fuling, which accounted for 98% of the total water use. By the end of 2017, the total fracturing water used in Fuling was 1.09 × 107 m3, and a total of 2.28 × 106 m3 of flowback fluid was achieved with 2.16 × 106 m3 of water reused. In addtion, the domestic water used by the employee community was found to be 2.19 × 106 m3, which was equivalent to the water saved from the flowback fluid. China's special "development campaign" mode for shale gas extraction is the reason. The results improve the understanding of water use in China's shale gas development and also provide important implications for water management. Image 1 • The water use at each stage is analyzed. • Domestic water used by the employee community is fully considered. • Fracking water accounted for 98% of the total water consumption. • The reuse rate of fracking water increased to 67.26% in 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to effectively evaluate shale gas reservoirs with low porosity, extra-low permeability, and no natural productivity, dipole array acoustic logging, which can provide various types of information including P-wave slowness (DTC) and S-wave slowness (DTS), is widely used. As the dipole array acoustic logging tool has a larger investigation depth and is suitable for complex borehole environments, such as those with a high wellbore temperature, high drilling fluid column pressure, or irregular borehole wall, it has been mainly applied to the evaluation of lithology, gas potential, fractures, and stimulation potential in shale gas reservoirs. The findings from a case study of the Sichuan Basin in China reveal that the acoustic slowness, S-P wave slowness ratio (RMSC), and S-wave anisotropy of the dipole array acoustic logging can be used to qualitatively identify reservoir lithology, gas potential, and fractures. Using the relationship between DTC and the total porosity of shale gas reservoirs, and combined with the compensated neutron (CNL) and shale content (Vsh) of the reservoir, a mathematical model for accurately calculating the total porosity of the shale gas reservoir can be established. By using the relationship between the RMSC and gas saturation in shale gas reservoirs and tied with density log (DEN), a mathematical model of gas saturation can be established, and the determination of gas saturation by the non-resistivity method can be achieved, delivering a solution to the issue that the electric model is not applicable under low resistivity conditions. The DTS, DTC, and DEN of shale can be used to calculate rock mechanic parameters such as the Poisson's ratio (POIS) and Young's modulus (YMOD), which can be used to evaluate the shale stimulation potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wufeng-Longmaxi Formations are the focus of shale gas exploration in China. Their sedimentation is affected by global and regional geological events, and the resulting heterogeneity hinders the expansion of exploration results. This study combines logging, mineralogy, and geochemistry to reconstruct the sedimentary mechanisms of shale in the southern Sichuan Basin and discusses its implications for exploration. The shale can be divided into third-order sequences, in which the Wufeng Formation and lower Long-1 Member are transgressive systems tracts (TST1 and TST2), and the Guanyinqiao Member and the middle-upper Long-1 Member are highstand systems tracts (HST1 and HST2). Volcanic eruption and glaciation evolution are the driving factors of the sedimentary environment during the TST. The area is in a cold-warm climate, characterized by anoxic conditions, slow sedimentation, booming productivity, and low terrigenous influx, thereby depositing four types of siliceous shale. The siliceous shale is rich in biogenic microcrystalline quartz and high TOC, which are the keys to becoming the "sweet spot" of shale gas. Microcrystalline quartz fills the intergranular pores to support the entire pore network framework. The organic matter undergoes thermal evolution to produce abundant organic matter pores, which constitute the main place for adsorbed gas and free gas. For the highstand systems tract, HST1 is the product of the peak of glaciation, mainly composed of calcareous shale and carbonate rocks. The sedimentation of HST2 is affected by turbidity currents and violent orogeny. The area is in a warm climate, characterized by high terrigenous influx, dysoxic-oxic conditions, medium productivity and rapid sedimentation rates. The lithofacies gradually changed from siliceous shale to mixed shale and argillaceous shale. Excessive clay minerals and low TOC make it difficult for HST2 to realize the commercial development of shale gas. • The Wufeng Formation-Long 1 Member was divided into two 3rd sequences, and four geological events were identified. • Volcanism and postglaciation created conditions for the enrichment of organic matter and microcrystalline quartz. • Kwangsian Orogeny and turbidity currents led to the formation of organic-poor shale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A typical informal landfill in a rainy area of southern China was taken as an example in this study. The comprehensive control ideas and processes of the informal landfill site were systematically reviewed. The basic situation for the early stage of the government survey and investigation was provided, including a waste stock survey, water volume measurement, and a waste source survey. The main contents and key factors of a comprehensive investigation of the environmental quality status were briefly summarized. The water quality in the landfill, groundwater quality inside and outside of the site, and heavy metals in the bottom sediment were all determined. A low-cost practical landfill technology was explored to reduce the Chemical Oxygen Demand COD Cr concentration of polyaluminum ferric chloride (PAFC), and NH 4 + -N was removed by calcium hypochlorite. Soil backfill was replaced, such that the informal landfill site was immobilized, which was perfectly suitable for this southern rainy area. This study proposes rules for a comprehensive improvement scheme for a landfill, and provides a reliable theoretical basis and practical experience for the treatment of similar informal landfills.

We aimed to assess the association of cognitive dysfunction with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among older adults in China. We analyzed community-based cross-sectional data of 5,557 Chinese individuals aged 60 years and above in the Weitang Geriatric Diseases Study. Cognitive dysfunction and HRQOL were assessed using the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) and the European Quality of Life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), respectively. We estimated the impacts of cognitive dysfunction on the EQ-5D index and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores using linear regression models, and the association between cognitive dysfunction and self-reported EQ-5D health problems using logistic regression models. The EQ-5D index and VAS scores were significantly lower for individuals with cognitive dysfunction than their counterparts. After controlling for covariates, the differences in EQ-5D index and VAS scores between individuals with and without cognitive dysfunction were -0.016 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.024, -0.008), and -3.4 (95% CI: -4.5, -2.4), respectively. Cognitive dysfunction was associated with reporting of problems in pain/discomfort (odds ration [OR]: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.69), and anxiety/depression (OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.41, 3.23). The negative impact on HRQOL increased with the severity of cognitive dysfunction. The results indicate cognitive dysfunction was associated with worse HRQOL in older adults.

Objective: To assess the impact of visual impairment (VI) on health-related quality of life and to compare the health burden of VI and other health conditions in Singapore., Design: Population-based cross-sectional study., Participants: We studied the 10 009 adults (3353 Chinese, 3397 Indians, and 3259 Malays) who underwent a comprehensive eye assessment and completed the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire in the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Disease Study., Methods: We estimated the effects of VI, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia on the EQ-5D index score using linear regression models and the association between VI and self-reported EQ-5D health problems using logistic regression models. We compared prevalence-based quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) loss associated with VI and other health conditions. For each condition, QALY loss was calculated for 100 000 persons in 1 year using associated reduction in EQ-5D index score estimated in regression analysis as disutility., Main Outcome Measures: The EQ-5D index score and annual QALY loss., Results: The EQ-5D index score decreased with increasing VI severity in all 3 ethnicities. For example, after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, the difference in EQ-5D index score between adults with bilateral severe VI and those without VI was -0.044 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.089 to 0.001) in Chinese, -0.127 (95% CI, -0.237 to -0.017) in Indians, and -0.085 (95% CI, -0.148 to -0.022) in Malays. In all 3 ethnicities, VI was associated with reporting of problems in mobility (e.g., odds ratio [OR], 3.69 for Chinese with bilateral severe VI; 95% CI, 1.21-12.13) and usual activities (e.g., OR, 6.51 for Chinese with bilateral severe VI; 95% CI, 1.59-26.58). In Indians, VI was also associated with anxiety or depression (e.g., OR, 2.68 for bilateral severe VI; 95% CI, 1.11-6.50). The annual QALY loss associated with VI was 511.8 in Chinese, 608.8 in Indians, and 706.7 in Malays, greater than that associated with other health conditions examined in this study., Conclusions: Visual impairment is associated with substantial health burden among Asians in Singapore. The relatively high burden of VI highlights the importance of VI prevention. The ethnic difference exhibited in this burden warrants further study., (Copyright © 2014 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)