Accelerating Subsurface Data Processing and Interpretation with Cloud-Based Full Waveform Inversion Systems

Understanding the earth's subsurface is critical to the needs of the exploration and production (E&P) industry for minimizing risk and maximizing recovery. Until recently, the industry's service sector has not made many advances in data-driven automated earth model building from raw exploration seismic data. But thankfully, that has now changed. The industry's leading technique to gain an unprecedented increase in resolution and accuracy when establishing a view of the interior of the earth is known as the Full Waveform Inversion (FWI). Advanced formulations of FWI are capable of automating subsurface model building using only raw unprocessed data. Cloud-based FWI is helping to accelerate this journey by encompassing the most sophisticated waveform inversion techniques with the largest compute facility on the planet. This combines to give verifiable accuracy, more automation and more efficiency. In this paper, we describe the transformation of enabling cloud-based FWI to natively take advantage of the public cloud platform's main strength in terms of flexibility and on-demand scalability. We start from lift-and-shift of a legacy MPI-based application designed to be run by a traditional on-prem job scheduler. Our specific goals are to (1) utilize a heterogeneous set of compute hardware throughout the lifecycle of a production FWI run without having to provision them for the entire duration, (2) take advantage of cost-efficient spare-capacity compute instances without uptime guarantees, and (3) maintain a single codebase that can be run both on on-prem HPC systems and on the cloud. To achieve these goals meant transitioning the job-scheduling and "embarrassingly parallel" aspects of the communication code away from using MPI, and onto various cloud-based orchestration systems, as well as finding cloud-based solutions that worked and scaled well for the broadcast/reduction operation. Placing these systems behind a customized TCP-based stub for MPI library calls allows us to run the code as-is in an on-prem HPC environment, while on the cloud we can asynchronously provision and suspend worker instances (potentially with very different hardware configurations) as needed without the burden of maintaining a static MPI world communicator. With this dynamic cloud-native architecture, we 1) utilize advanced formulations of FWI capable of automating subsurface model building using only raw unprocessed data, 2) extract velocity models from the full recorded wavefield (refractions, reflections and multiples), and 3) introduce explicit sensitivity to reflection moveout, invisible to conventional FWI, for macro-model updates below the diving wave zone. This makes it viable to go back to older legacy datasets acquired in complex environments and unlock considerable value where FWI until now has been impossible to apply successfully from a poor starting model.

Pyruvate Kinase M1 Regulates Butyrate Metabolism in Cancerous Colonocytes

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells shift metabolism toward aerobic glycolysis and away from using oxidative substrates such as butyrate. Pyruvate kinase M1/2 (PKM) is an enzyme that catalyzes the last step in glycolysis, which converts phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate. M1 and M2 are alternatively spliced isoforms of the Pkm gene. The PKM1 isoform promotes oxidative metabolism, whereas PKM2 enhances aerobic glycolysis. We hypothesize that the PKM isoforms are involved in the shift away from butyrate oxidation towards glycolysis in CRC cells. Here, we find that PKM2 is increased and PKM1 is decreased in human colorectal carcinomas as compared to non-cancerous tissue. To test whether PKM1/2 alter colonocyte metabolism, we created a knockdown of PKM2 and PKM1 in CRC cells to analyze how butyrate oxidation and glycolysis would be impacted. We report that butyrate oxidation in CRC cells is regulated by PKM1 levels, not PKM2. Decreased butyrate oxidation observed through knockdown of PKM1 and PKM2 is rescued through re-addition of PKM1. Diminished PKM1 lowered mitochondrial basal respiration and decreased mitochondrial spare capacity. We demonstrate that PKM1 suppresses glycolysis and inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha. These data suggest that reduced PKM1 is, in part, responsible for increased glycolysis and diminished butyrate oxidation in CRC cells.

A Simulation-Based Evaluation of a Cargo-Hitching Service for E-Commerce Using Mobility-on-Demand Vehicles

Time-sensitive parcel deliveries—shipments requested for delivery in a day or less—are an increasingly important aspect of urban logistics. It is challenging to deal with these deliveries from a carrier perspective. These require additional planning constraints, preventing the efficient consolidation of deliveries that is possible when demand is well known in advance. Furthermore, such time-sensitive deliveries are requested to a wider spatial scope than retail centers, including homes and offices. Therefore, an increase in such deliveries is considered to exacerbate negative externalities, such as congestion and emissions. One of the solutions is to leverage spare capacity in passenger transport modes. This concept is often denominated as cargo hitching. While there are various system designs, it is crucial that such a solution does not deteriorate the quality of service of passenger trips. This research aims to evaluate the use of mobility-on-demand (MOD) services that perform same-day parcel deliveries. To test the MOD-based solutions, we utilize a high-resolution agent- and activity-based simulation platform of passenger and freight flows. E-commerce demand carrier data collected in Singapore are used to characterize simulated parcel delivery demand. We explore operational scenarios that aim to minimize the adverse effects of fulfilling deliveries with MOD service vehicles on passenger flows. Adverse effects are measured in fulfillment, wait, and travel times. A case study on Singapore indicates that the MOD services have potential to fulfill a considerable amount of parcel deliveries and decrease freight vehicle traffic and total vehicle kilometers travelled without compromising the quality of MOD for passenger travel. Insights into the operational performance of the cargo-hitching service are also provided.

Capacity optimization of renewable energy microgrid considering hydropower cogeneration

This paper proposes a renewable energy system based on photovoltaic power generation, wind power generation and solar thermal power generation, combining thermal power plants with low-temperature multi-effect distillation. Through the electric heater and the thermal storage system photovoltaic and wind power will spare capacity in the form of heat energy, at the same time by thermal power generation system to maintain the stability of the power supply, run under constant output scheduling policy, to the levelling of the smallest energy cost and the design of power rate of maximum satisfaction as the goal, using multi-objective particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to find the best combination of capacity, this system is established. At the same time, combined with low-temperature multi-effect distillation, compared with reverse osmosis seawater desalination cost is lower, reduce energy consumption, has a good application prospect.

Intelligent host engineering for metabolic flux optimisation in biotechnology

Optimising the function of a protein of length N amino acids by directed evolution involves navigating a ‘search space’ of possible sequences of some 20N. Optimising the expression levels of P proteins that materially affect host performance, each of which might also take 20 (logarithmically spaced) values, implies a similar search space of 20P. In this combinatorial sense, then, the problems of directed protein evolution and of host engineering are broadly equivalent. In practice, however, they have different means for avoiding the inevitable difficulties of implementation. The spare capacity exhibited in metabolic networks implies that host engineering may admit substantial increases in flux to targets of interest. Thus, we rehearse the relevant issues for those wishing to understand and exploit those modern genome-wide host engineering tools and thinking that have been designed and developed to optimise fluxes towards desirable products in biotechnological processes, with a focus on microbial systems. The aim throughput is ‘making such biology predictable’. Strategies have been aimed at both transcription and translation, especially for regulatory processes that can affect multiple targets. However, because there is a limit on how much protein a cell can produce, increasing kcat in selected targets may be a better strategy than increasing protein expression levels for optimal host engineering.

Differences in Glycolysis and Mitochondrial Respiration between Cytotrophoblast and Syncytiotrophoblast In-Vitro: Evidence for Sexual Dimorphism

In the placenta the proliferative cytotrophoblast cells fuse into the terminally differentiated syncytiotrophoblast layer which undertakes several energy-intensive functions including nutrient uptake and transfer and hormone synthesis. We used Seahorse glycolytic and mitochondrial stress tests on trophoblast cells isolated at term from women of healthy weight to evaluate if cytotrophoblast (CT) and syncytiotrophoblast (ST) have different bioenergetic strategies, given their different functions. Whereas there are no differences in basal glycolysis, CT have significantly greater glycolytic capacity and reserve than ST. In contrast, ST have significantly higher basal, ATP-coupled and maximal mitochondrial respiration and spare capacity than CT. Consequently, under stress conditions CT can increase energy generation via its higher glycolytic capacity whereas ST can use its higher and more efficient mitochondrial respiration capacity. We have previously shown that with adverse in utero conditions of diabetes and obesity trophoblast respiration is sexually dimorphic. We found no differences in glycolytic parameters between sexes and no difference in mitochondrial respiration parameters other than increases seen upon syncytialization appear to be greater in females. There were differences in metabolic flexibility, i.e., the ability to use glucose, glutamine, or fatty acids, seen upon syncytialization between the sexes with increased flexibility in female trophoblast suggesting a better ability to adapt to changes in nutrient supply.

The morning burst: Shifting daily patterns of ATP production in Drosophila and temporal windows for their improvement in ageing

Mitochondria produce energy for cell function via adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and are regulated by a molecular 24h clock. Here we use Drosophila melanogaster to reveal shifts in whole animal ATP production over 24h, showing a marked peak in the morning that declines around midday and remains low from then through to the following morning. Mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production has been shown previously to improve after long wavelength exposure, but apparently not at all times. Hence, to explore this further we exposed flies to 670nm at different times. Exposures between 08.00 and 11.00 resulted in a significant increase in ATP, while exposures at other times had no effect. Within the morning window, not all times were equally effective, however, 670nm exposure mid-morning when ATP production was maximal did not increase ATP, possibly because mitochondria lacked spare capacity at this time. Hence, in the morning there is a complex dynamic relationship between long wavelength light and mitochondria. Mitochondrial function and the influence of long wavelengths are conserved across species from fly to human, and determining the time points for light administration to improve function in ageing and disease is of key importance. Our data progress this search and reveal the outline of these times.

Implementation of 5.1 Sidra Intersection Software for Appraisal of Road Corridors under Current Form

The major goal of this study was to compute the flow appearances of the chosen midblock and to evaluate the road sections using various performance metrics that analyzed these road sections in both current and future conditions. Performance measure of flow parameters was at the operational period of the road. Therefore, this work examined the 2-way 2-lane roads with various performance measures. The capacity of mid blocks was also determined by plotting capacity curves and the level of service arrived and Sidra Intersection 5.1 tools were used for the analysis. All midblock evaluated with different performance measures both in current and future conditions with basic considerations. The analysis was done by adopting Sidra Intersection 5.1 tool and showed that 2-way 2-lane roads in future conditions were studied and the result indicated that their average travel speed, degree of saturation, practical spare capacity, total effective capacity, demand of flow, and level of service (LOS) displayed major changes from the base condition. HIGHLIGHTS Compute the flow appearances of the chosen midblock To evaluate the road sections using various performance metrics that analyzed these road sections in both current and future conditions Performance measure of flow parameters was at the operational period of the road. Therefore, this work examined the 2-way 2-lane roads with various performance measures The capacity of mid blocks was also determined by plotting capacity curves The level of service arrived and Sidra Intersection 5.1 tools were used for the analysis GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Intramuscular Injection of miR-1 Reduces Insulin Resistance in Obese Mice

The role of microRNAs in metabolic diseases has been recognized and modulation of them could be a promising strategy to treat obesity and obesity-related diseases. The major purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that intramuscular miR-1 precursor replacement therapy could improve metabolic parameters of mice fed a high-fat diet. To this end, we first injected miR-1 precursor intramuscularly in high-fat diet-fed mice and evaluated glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and adiposity. miR-1-treated mice did not lose weight but had improved insulin sensitivity measured by insulin tolerance test. Next, using an in vitro model of insulin resistance by treating C2C12 cells with palmitic acid (PA), we overexpressed miR-1 and measured p-Akt content and the transcription levels of a protein related to fatty acid oxidation. We found that miR-1 could not restore insulin sensitivity in C2C12 cells, as indicated by p-Akt levels and that miR-1 increased expression of Pgc1a and Cpt1b in PA-treated cells, suggesting a possible role of miR-1 in mitochondrial respiration. Finally, we analyzed mitochondrial oxygen consumption in primary skeletal muscle cells treated with PA and transfected with or without miR-1 mimic. PA-treated cells showed reduced basal respiration, oxygen consumption rate-linked ATP production, maximal and spare capacity, and miR-1 overexpression could prevent impairments in mitochondrial respiration. Our data suggest a role of miR-1 in systemic insulin sensitivity and a new function of miR-1 in regulating mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle.

A Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Initiative in Ethnic Communities of Northern Thailand: Local Perspectives and Future Prospects

Background: Nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) interventions can contribute to improved food security and household dietary diversity. As well as undertaking trials, contextual factors that influence sustainability need to be scoped. Objective: To explore locals’ views of an NSA initiative, designed to improve food security and reduce malnutrition in children younger than 5 years, scoping future prospects 6 months after the conclusion of the trial. Methods: The initiative that was formally trialed over 6 months (November 2014 to April 2015) entailed keeping hens and home gardens. It occurred in the ethnic hill tribes of northern Thailand. In November 2015, 20 in-depth interviews were undertaken with villagers who had been involved in the initiative. Dialogue occurred in Thai with assistance of a translator and was recorded, transcribed, and translated to English. A detailed thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: Eggs produced by the hens were appreciated and fed to children, and the message of providing children with an egg a day was widely remembered. Subsequently, the hens ceased laying or died. The home gardens had seasonal scarcity of water. Less visible, but fundamental, women lacked time for these activities due to heavy burdens of farm labor. Conclusion: Keeping hens has potential to become a sustainable activity. Home gardens need water infrastructure to be viable. Women do not necessarily have spare capacity for such initiatives. The required labor needs deliberation by villagers.