bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Oil on Foam Generation and Propagation in Porous Media
Authors: Simjoo M.. , Zitha P. L. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Foaming of nitrogen stabilized by C14-16 alpha olefin sulfonate in natural sandstone porous media, previously subject to water flooding, was studied experimentally. Foam was generated in-situ by co-injecting gas and surfactant solution at fixed foam quality. Effect of surfactant concentration on the foam strength and foam propagation was examined. X-ray CT scans were obtained to visualize the foam displacement process and to determine fluid saturations at different times. The experiments revealed that stable foam could be obtained in the presence of water-flood residual oil. CT scan images, fluid saturation profiles and mobility reduction factors demonstrated that foam exhibited a good mobility control in the presence of water-flood residual oil. This was further confirmed by a delay in the gas breakthrough. The experiments also proved that immiscible foam displaced additional oil from water-flooded sandstone cores, supporting the idea that foam is potentially an effective EOR method. Foam flooding provided an incremental oil recovery ranging from 13±0.5% of the oil initially in place for 0.1 wt% foam to 29±2% for 1.0 wt% foam. Incremental oil due to foam flow was obtained first by a formation of an oil bank and then by a long tail production due to transport of dispersed oil within the flowing foam. The oil bank size increased with surfactant concentration, but the dispersed oil regime was less sensitive to the surfactant concentration.
Enhancing Oil Recovery of Low-Permeability Berea Sandstone through Optimized Nanofluids Concentration
Authors: Hendraningrat Luky , Li Shidong , Torsaeter Ole 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Current global demand for fossil fuel such as oil is still high. This encourages oil and gas industries to improve their effort of finding new discoveries, developing technique and maximizing recovery of their current resources including in low-permeability reservoir. Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a technique to enhanced ultimate recovery. Since technology has been continuously developed such as nanotechnology/nano-size material, EOR methods have improved. One of them is Nano-EOR that triggered great attention in last decade. Nanoparticles may alter the reservoir fluid composition and rock-fluid properties to assist in mobilizing trapped oil. Most of observation from lab-scale reported that it seems potentially interesting for EOR.
Since reservoir management is very essential for the success of all improved/enhanced oil recovery (IOR/EOR) methods, optimizing nanofluids concentration is a proposed reservoir management to maximize oil recovery using Nano-EOR in this paper. Low-permeability water-wet Berea sandstones core-plugs with porosity ranged 13-15% and permeability ranged 5-20 mD were tested. A hydrophilic silica nanoparticles with primary particle size 7 nm was employed without surface treatment. Nanofluids with various concentration ranged 0.01 - 0.1 wt.% were synthesized with synthetic saline water for optimizing study. The wettability alteration due to nanofluids was observed; coreflood experiment was conducted and compared its displacement efficiency.
The results observed a range of nanofluids concentration that could maximize oil recovery in low-permeability water-wet Berea sandstone. Although contact angle of aqueous phase decreases as nanofluids concentration increase which means easier of oil to be released but we observed that higher concentration (e.g. 0.1 wt.%) has a tendency to block pore network and will decrease or even without additional oil recovery.
This study provides if concentration of nanofluids has an important parameter in Nano-EOR and could be optimized to maximize oil recovery of low-permeability water-wet Berea sandstone.
EOR: Challenges of Translating Fine Scale Displacement into Full Field Models-Part 2
Authors: Moreno J.. , Flew S.. , Gurpinar O.. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Accurate realistic modeling of the physics governing the process occurring during an EOR displacement is an important challenge the industry is facing when trying to understand and evaluate the potential enhanced-oil-recovery may bring to a given reservoir. Numerical models have been widely used for this task, displacing the traditional analytical techniques under the premise of more reliable results as a function of a detailed representation of the reservoir recovery mechanisms within the models, and often time models which, typically were designed for primary and/or secondary depletion processes are used directly for the tertiary evaluation. This paper is a continuation of an early investigation aimed to address the main challenges of modeling the fine scale displacements with a full field numerical model.
The effects of model resolution, relative permeability up-scaling and force balance for immiscible displacements were investigated in our first paper. Here we concentrate on the effects of reservoir heterogeneity together with model resolution for both miscible and immiscible displacements. Up-scaling challenges are presented as a function of the displacement type and force balance, as well as the effect of fine level heterogeneity and viscous and capillary forces balance during EOR injection processes.
IL-1β Inhibits Human Osteoblast Migration
Authors: Hengartner Nina-Emily , Fiedler Jörg , Ignatius Anita , Brenner Rolf E. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBone has a high capacity for self-renewal and repair. Prolonged local secretion of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), however, is known to be associated with severe bone loss and delayed fracture healing. Since induction of bone resorption by IL-1β may not sufficiently explain these pathologic processes, we investigated,in vitro, if and how IL-1β affects migration of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) or osteoblasts. We found that homogenous exposure to IL-1 β significantly diminished both nondirectional migration and site-directed migration toward the chemotactic factors platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in osteoblasts. Exposure to a concentration gradient of IL-1β induced an even stronger inhibition of migration and completely abolished the migratory response of osteoblasts toward PDGF-BB, IGF-1, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and the complement factor C5a. IL-1β induced extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) activation and inhibition of these signaling pathways suggested an involvement in the IL-1β effects on osteoblast migration. In contrast, basal migration of MSC and their migratory activity toward PDGF-BB was found to be unaffected by IL-1β. These results indicate that the presence of IL-1β leads to impaired recruitment of osteoblasts which might influence early stages of fracture healing and could have pathological relevance for bone remodeling in inflammatory bone disease.
TRPV1 Gates Tissue Access and Sustains Pathogenicity in Autoimmune Encephalitis
Authors: Paltser Geoffrey , Liu Xue Jun , Yantha Jason , Winer Shawn , Tsui Hubert , Wu Ping , Maezawa Yuko , Cahill Lindsay S. , Laliberté Christine L. , Ramagopalan Sreeram V. , DeLuca Gabriele C. , Sadovnick A. Dessa , Astsaturov Igor , Ebers George C. , Henkelman R. Mark , Salter Michael W. , Dosch H.-Michael 
Published: July 2013

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive, demyelinating condition whose therapeutic needs are unmet, and whose pathoetiology is elusive. We report that transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) expressed in a major sensory neuron subset, controls severity and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice and likely in primary progressive MS. TRPV1−/−B6 congenics are protected from EAE. Increased survival reflects reduced central nervous systems (CNS) infiltration, despite indistinguishable T cell autoreactivity and pathogenicity in the periphery of TRPV1-sufficient and -deficient mice. The TRPV1+neurovascular complex defining the blood-CNS barriers promoted invasion of pathogenic lymphocytes without the contribution of TRPV1-dependent neuropeptides such as substance P In MS patients, we found a selective risk-association of the missense rs877610 TRPV1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in primary progressive disease. Our findings indicate that TRPV1 is a critical disease modifier in EAE, and we identify a predictor of severe disease course and a novel target for MS therapy.
Molecular Expression and Characterization of Erythroid-Specific 5-Aminolevulinate Synthase Gain-of-Function Mutations Causing X-Linked Protoporphyria
Authors: Bishop David F. , Tchaikovskii Vassili , Nazarenko Irina , Desnick Robert J. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractX-linked protoporphyria (XLP) (MIM 300752) is a recently recognized erythropoietic porphyria due to gain-of-function mutations in the erythroid-specific aminolevulinate synthase gene (ALAS2). Previously, two exon 11 small deletions, c.1699_1670ΔAT (ΔAT) and c.1706_1709ΔAGTG (ΔAGTG), that prematurely truncated or elongated the ALAS2 polypeptide, were reported to increase enzymatic activity 20- to 40-fold, causing the erythroid accumulation of protoporphyrins, cutaneous photosensitivity and liver disease. The mutant ΔAT and ΔAGTG ALAS2 enzymes, two novel mutations, c.1734ΔG (ΔG) and c.1642C>T (p.Q548X), and an engineered deletion c.1670–1671TC>GA p.F557X were expressed, and their purified enzymes were characterized. Wild-type and ΔAGTG enzymes exhibited similar amounts of 54- and 52-kDa polypeptides on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), whereas the ΔAT and p.F557X had only 52-kDa polypeptides. Compared to the purified wild-type enzyme, ΔAT, ΔAGTG and Q548X enzymes had increased specific activities that were only 1.8-, 3.1- and 1.6-fold, respectively. Interestingly, binding studies demonstrated that the increased activity Q548X enzyme did not bind to succinyl-CoA synthetase. The elongated ΔG enzyme had wild-type specific activity, kinetics and thermostability; twice the wild-type purification yield (56 versus 25%); and was primarily a 54-kDa form, suggesting greater stability in vivo. On the basis of studies of mutant enzymes, the maximal gain-of function region spanned 57 amino acids between 533 and 580. Thus, these ALAS2 gain-of-function mutations increased the specific activity (ΔAT, ΔAGTG and p.Q548X) or stability (ΔG) of the enzyme, thereby leading to the increased erythroid protoporphyrin accumulation causing XLP.
Differential microRNA Profiles and Their Functional Implications in Different Immunogenetic Subsets of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Papakonstantinou Nikos , Ntoufa Stavroula , Chartomatsidou Elisavet , Papadopoulos Giorgio , Hatzigeorgiou Artemis , Anagnostopoulos Achiles , Chlichlia Katerina , Ghia Paolo , Muzio Marta , Belessi Chrysoula , Stamatopoulos Kostas 
Published: July 2013

AbstractCritical processes of B-cell physiology, including immune signaling through the B-cell receptor (BcR) and/or Toll-like receptors (TLRs), are targeted by microRNAs. With this in mind and also given the important role of BcR and TLR signaling and microRNAs in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we investigated whether microRNAs could be implicated in shaping the behavior of CLL clones with distinct BcR and TLR molecular and functional profiles. To this end, we examined 79 CLL cases for the expression of 33 microRNAs, selected on the following criteria: (a) deregulated in CLL versus normal B-cells; (b) differentially expressed in CLL subgroups with distinct clinicobiological features; and, (c) if meeting (a) + (b), having predicted targets in the immune signaling pathways. Significant upregulation of miR-150, miR-29c, miR-143 and miR-223 and downregulation of miR-15a was found in mutated versus unmutated CLL, with miR-15a showing the highest fold difference. Comparison of two major subsets with distinct stereotyped BcRs and signaling signatures, namely subset 1 [IGHV1/5/7-IGKV1(D)-39, unmutated, bad prognosis] versus subset 4 [IGHV4-34/IGKV2-30, mutated, good prognosis] revealed differences in the expression of miR-150, miR-29b, miR-29c and miR-101, all down-regulated in subset 1. We were also able to link these distinct microRNA profiles with cellular phenotypes, importantly showing that, in subset 1, miR-101 downregulation is associated with overexpression of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) protein, which has been associated with clinical aggressiveness in other B-cell lymphomas. In conclusion, specific miRNAs differentially expressed among CLL subgroups with distinct BcR and/or TLR signaling may modulate the biological and clinical behavior of the CLL clones.
Impact of Seawater on Distribution of Fluoride and Other Ions in Groundwater of Diplo Area, Thar Desert Pakistan
Authors: Rafique Tahir , Naseem Shahid , Usmani Tanzil Haider , Bhanger Muhammad Iqbal , Shirin Khaula 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT: The role of seawater dilution, along with other water‐quality components, has been studied to determine the causes of spatial distribution of high fluoride concentrations in the groundwater of the Diplo sub‐district, Thar Desert, Pakistan. Fluoride ion concentration ranges of up to 7.60 mg/L were discovered, with mean and median values of 1.66 and 1.34 mg/L, respectively. Estimates based on the total dissolved solid (TDS) ratio show the impact of seawater intrusion at a percentage of around 8.05% in the groundwater. The major ion chemistry of water in the central diamond shape of the Piper diagram precisely demarcates the phenomenon of the intrusion of seawater into the study area. The plots of Na+K vs. Ca+Mg (meq/L) and log Cl (mg/L) vs. log Ca+Mg/Na+K (meq/L) indicate a mixing of freshwater with seawater. The molar Na/Na+Cl and Ca/Ca+SO4 ratios of the groundwater, and correlation matrices of major ion chemistry, also show a blending of groundwater with seawater. Mutual relationships among Li+, Sr2+, and Cl− ions further substantiate the marked influence of the marine environment on the groundwater in the study area.
Performance Evaluation and Modeling of Synthetic‐Fiber Barrier in the Treatment of Turbid Water
Authors: Yu Jianghua , Kim Youngchul 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT: A synthetic‐fiber barrier for the removal of turbidity in water was developed and tested using a laboratory scale channel. The effects of hydraulics (flow rate and exchange rate); density current caused by temperature and turbidity difference; barrier conditions (thickness, number and shape); and particle size were analyzed. The experimental results indicated that removal efficiency was positively related to barrier thickness and number, was inversely related to the strength of the density current, and was also negatively affected by the flow rate and exchange rate. A wedged barrier was found to work better than a rectangular one when the same amount of fiber was used. Based on the experimental work, empirical models for the removal efficiency and barrier design were established using dimensionless groups. The modeling results indicated that the predicted values were consistent with the experimental work and the increases and decreases in the performance were suitably simulated.
Hydrochemical Status of an Acidic Mining Lakein Çan‐Çanakkale, Turkey
Authors: Okumusoglu Deniz , Gündüz Orhan 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT: An acidic mining lake located in Çan, Turkey was investigated to assess its water quality status and potential risk for environment. Morphological studies and water quality sampling were conducted to determine vertical and areal distributions of numerous water quality criteria and to assess the general status of the lake. The results revealed that the lake had an average pH of 2.28 and an average electrical conductivity value of 5925 μS/cm. The dissolved oxygen ranged between 0.83 and 6.45 mg/L and demonstrated a significant vertical profile. Sulfate was found to be the dominant anion with an average level of 5912.5 mg/L depicting the extent of pyrite oxidation. Similarly, aluminum, iron and manganese levels were extremely high with averages of 290155, 172344 and 91342 μg/L, respectively. With these levels, the lake is classified to be a Class 4 water resource according to pertinent regulations and is in need of immediate action for rehabilitation.
Critical Review: Regulatory Incentives and Impediments for Onsite Graywater Reuse in the United States
Authors: Yu Zita L.T. , Rahardianto Anditya , DeShazo J.R. , Stenstrom Michael K. , Cohen Yoram 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT: Graywater is a potential water source for reducing water demand. Accordingly, a review was undertaken of graywater reuse regulations and guidelines within the 50 United States. Major issues considered included acceptability for graywater segregation as a separate wastewater stream, allowable graywater storage, onsite treatment requirements, and permitted graywater use applications. Existing regulations and plumbing codes in the different states suggest that there are impediments to overcome but also potential incentives for graywater reuse. It is encouraging that regulations in 29 states promote safe graywater reuse, but there are also inconsistencies between plumbing codes and other regulations within and among the 50 states. Impediments to graywater reuse include disallowances of graywater segregation or collection, and restriction of graywater reuse to mostly subsurface irrigation with limited indoor use permission. Ease on restrictions and guidelines to promote development of low‐cost and proven treatment technologies are needed to promote graywater reuse.
Parenteralna Uporaba Protibolečinskih Zdravil Pri Bolečini V Križu V Družinski Medicini / Parenteral Use of Analgesics in Low Back Pain in Family Medicine
Authors: Petek Šter Marija , Švab Igor , Kalan Živčec Gordana 
Published: July 2013

Izvleček
Izhodišča: Parenteralna uporaba zdravil za lajšanje bolečine v križu se zaradi odsotnosti dokazov o njihovi večji učinkovitosti in dodatnem tveganju za zaplete odsvetuje. Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti, kolikšen delež in kateri bolniki z bolečino v križu so dobili zdravilo v injekciji.
Metode: V presečni študiji smo med 12.596 zaporednimi obiski pri 42 naključno izbranih zdravnikih družinske medicine analizirali vse obiske zaradi bolečine v križu. Na vzorcu bolnikov v starosti med 18 in 65 let smo analizirali pogostnost in dejavnike, ki vplivajo na odločitev za uporabo protibolečinskih zdravil v injekciji.
Rezultati: Zaradi bolečine v križu je zdravnika obiskalo 819 (6,5 %) vseh obiskovalcev ambulante, 300 (2,4 %) bolnikov z akutno in 519 (4,1 %) s kronično bolečino v križu. Injekcijo je prejelo 132 (20,7 %) obiskovalcev z bolečino v križu, starih med 18 in 65 let. Med dejavniki, ki so se v multivariatnem modelu izkazali kot pomembni pri odločitvi za injekcijo, so bili dejavniki bolnika (višja starost, nižja stopnja izobrazbe), vrsta bolečine v križu (akutna radikularna bolečina) in dejavniki zdravnika (zdravnik specialist, nižja starost). Razlike v odločitvi za injekcijo so bile med zdravniki zelo velike: 8 od 42 zdravnikov injekcije ni dalo niti enemu bolniku, medtem ko se je en zdravnik za injekcijo odločil pri 19 od 32 (59,4 %) bolnikih.
Zaključki: Velike razlike med zdravniki v pogostnosti odločitve za uporabo protibolečinskih zdravil v injekciji pri bolečini v križu kažejo na potrebo po usmerjeni intervenciji, katere cilj bi bil poenotiti delo zdravnikov ter povečati kakovost in varnost obravnave bolnikov.
Latin America from crisis to sustainable growth: image change and new development paradigms
Authors: Kholina Veronika N. , Massarova Alyona R. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
The aim of the article is to identify the role of Latin America in the global economy between 1990 and 2010. The analysis is based on the indicators that define social and economic potential (regional GNI, GNI per capita, growth rates, share in global production output, etc.). The article examines in detail the structural and regional shifts in Latin America’s foreign trading: the share of manufactures in Latin American exports has shrunk sharply since 2000; primary commodities have become more important for the region’s trade; China has become a privileged trading partner for Latin America; the region’s resilience to the crisis has renewed trade interest from the EU ; the USA’s share in the region’s trade has reduced. The analysis allowed a proposal for decision methods addressing major issues in the region’s trade through the diversification of Latin American export and the intensification of intra-regional trade.
Structured Outpatient Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Insertion is Safe and Cost-Saving
Authors: Salonen Tapani E. , Saha Heikki 
Published: July 2013

Background Data about outcomes and costs for peritoneal catheter insertion on an outpatient basis are scarce. Methods Using patient files, all peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertions performed between 2004 and 2009 in a single-center tertiary care institution for adult patients were located. Patient demographics, complications, hospitalizations, survival, and treatment modality changes were recorded. Procedure-related expenses were valued as actual production costs. Results During the study period, 106 PD catheters were inserted. In 46 cases, the patients were admitted electively for catheter insertion; 19 catheters were placed during admission for other medical reasons; and 41 catheters were placed on an outpatient basis. Among the study patients (54.7 ± 16.0 years of age), 45% were diabetic. Early (<30 days) catheter-related complications occurred in 22% of patients. The incidences of technique failure and any complication within 90 days were 10% and 38% respectively. The occurrence of complications was not statistically significantly different for outpatients and electively admitted patients. Average costs for catheter insertion were higher in electively hospitalized patients than in outpatients (€2320 ± €960 vs €1346 ± €208, p < 0.000). Conclusions Compared with an inpatient procedure, outpatient insertion of a PD catheter results in similar outcomes at a lower cost.