bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age and low levels of circulating vitamin D are associated with impaired innate immune function
Authors: Alvarez-Rodriguez Lorena , Lopez-Hoyos Marcos , Garcia-Unzueta Maite , Amado Jose Antonio , Cacho Pedro Muñoz , Martinez-Taboada Victor Manuel 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT
This study investigated in vivo the influence of age and vitamin D status on innate immune function in HC. Serum 25OHD was measured in 71 HC. TLR expression on various subpopulations of PBMCs, as well as TLR function by stimulating PBMCs with specific ligands, was assessed by flow cytometry. Circulating cathelicidin levels were determined by ELISA. Serum 25OHD levels decreased with age, and there was a significant inverse correlation between 25OHD levels and age. There was a negative correlation between serum 25OHD levels and MFI expression of TLR7 on B cells, T cells, and monocytes. TLR7 function, addressed by in vitro stimulation with a specific agonist, was significantly correlated with serum 25OHD levels, and this was especially a result of the results in HC older than 60 years. MFI expression of TLR5 on T cells and TLR2 on monocytes was also negatively correlated with serum 25OHD levels. TLR1 (monocytes) and TLR2 (monocytes) expression was positively correlated with age. Furthermore, TLR4 and TLR8 function was negatively correlated with age. Circulating cathelicidin levels decreased with age and were positively correlated with 25OHD levels. Aging is accompanied by changes in expression and function of several TLRs. Serum 25OHD levels decrease with age and are also associated with a change in expression and defective function of certain TLRs, especially those involved in viral response.
An ordered pathway for the assembly of ESCRT-containing fungal ambient pH signalling complexes at the plasma membrane
Authors: Galindo Antonio , Calcagno-Pizarelli Ana María , Arst Herbert N. , Peñalva Miguel Ángel 
Published: February 2012

The fungal pal/RIM signalling pathway, which regulates gene expression in response to environmental pH involves, in addition to dedicated proteins, several components of ESCRT complexes, which suggested that pH signalling proteins assemble on endosomal platforms. In Aspergillus nidulans, dedicated Pal proteins include the plasma membrane receptor PalH and its coupled arrestin, PalF, which becomes ubiquitylated in alkaline pH conditions, and three potentially endosomal ESCRT-III associates, including Vps32 interactors PalA and PalC and Vps24 interactor calpain-like PalB.
We studied the subcellular locales at which signalling takes place after activating the pathway by shifting ambient pH to alkalinity. Rather than localising to endosomes, Vps32 interactors PalA and PalC transiently co-localise at alkaline pH-induced cortical structures in a PalH-, Vps23- and Vps32-dependent but Vps27-independent manner. These cortical structures are dramatically more stable in Vps4 deficiency, indicating that their half-life depends on ESCRT-III disassembly. Pull-down studies revealed that Vps23 interacts strongly with PalF, but co-immunoprecipitates exclusively ubiquitylated PalF forms from extracts. We demonstrate that Vps23-GFP, expressed at physiological levels, is also recruited to cortical structures, very conspicuous in vps27Δ cells where the more prominent endosomal localisation of Vps23 is prevented, in a PalF- and alkaline pH-dependent manner. Dual-channel epifluorescence microscopy showed that PalC arrives to cortical complexes before PalA. As PalC recruitment is PalA-independent and PalA recruitment is PalC-dependent but PalB-independent, these data complete the participation order of Pal proteins in the pathway and strongly support a model in which pH signalling takes place in ESCRT-containing, plasma membrane-associated, rather than endosome-associated, complexes.
Sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced release of TIMP-2 from vascular smooth muscle cells inhibits angiogenesis.
Authors: Mascall Keith S. , Small Gary R. , Gibson George , Nixon Graeme F. 
Published: February 2012

Following myocardial infarction, as a result of thrombus formation, angiogenesis occurs and permits reperfusion of damaged myocardium. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a naturally occurring lipid mediator released from platelets and is found in high concentrations at sites of thrombosis. S1P may therefore be involved in regulating angiogenesis following myocardial infarction and may influence reperfusion. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of S1P in human coronary arterial cell angiogenesis and delineate the subsequent mechanisms.
An in vitro model of angiogenesis was developed using a co-culture of human coronary artery endothelial cells, human coronary smooth muscle cells and human fibroblasts. In this model S1P inhibited angiogenesis and this was dependent on the presence of smooth muscle cells. The mechanism of the inhibitory effect was via S1P-induced release of a soluble mediator from smooth muscle cells. This mediator was identified as tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). TIMP-2 release was dependent on S1P-induced activation of Rho-kinase and directly contributed to incomplete formation of endothelial cell adherens junctions. This was observed as a diffuse localization of VE-cadherin leading to decreased tubulogenesis. A similar inhibitory response to S1P was demonstrated in an ex vivo human arterial model of angiogenesis.
In summary, S1P-induced inhibition of angiogenesis in human artery endothelial cells is mediated by TIMP-2 from vascular smooth muscle cells. This reduces the integrity of intercellular junctions between nascent endothelial cells. S1P may therefore inhibit the angiogenic response following myocardial infarction.
Synthesis of Dibenz[a,h]anthracenes by Pd-Catalyzed Intramolecular Double-cyclization of (Z,Z)-p-Styrylstilbenes
Authors: Umeda Rui , Miyake Satoshi , Nishiyama Yutaka 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene (1a) and its dimethoxy derivatives 1b and 1c were synthesized by the Pd-catalyzed intramolecular double-cyclization of the corresponding (Z,Z)-p-styrylstilbene derivatives 2–5, which were readily prepared by the Wittig reaction. The optical properties of the dibenz[a,h]anthracenes 1a–1c are also presented.
Selective Reduction of Carboxylic Acids to Aldehydes by a Ruthenium-catalyzed Reaction with 1,2-Bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene
Authors: Miyamoto Konoka , Motoyama Yukihiro , Nagashima Hideo 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Novel transformation of carboxylic acids to aldehydes is achieved by a one-pot procedure consisting of a ruthenium-catalyzed hydrosilane reduction with 1,2-bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene (2) followed by hydrolysis of the resulting cyclic disilylacetals 4.
The obese woman with gestational diabetes: effects of body mass index and weight gain in pregnancy on obstetric and glycaemic outcomes
Authors: Ip Flora , Bradford Jennifer , Hng Tien-Ming , Hendon Susan , McLean Mark 
Published: February 2012

Background Obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) represent a high-risk group in pregnancy, although the effects of increasing degrees of obesity and weight gain in pregnancy in this group is poorly defined. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 375 singleton pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity and GDM. Women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30–35 kg/m2 were compared with those with a BMI of ≥ 35 kg/m2. Additionally, women were categorized according to weight gain in pregnancy: Group A (<0.18 kg/week), Group B (0.18–0.27 kg/week), Group C (>0.27 kg/week). Results Obstetric outcomes did not differ between the groups; however, postpartum dysglycaemia was more likely in women with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR] 3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–8.9). Group B and Group C had higher odds of LGA (OR 3.8, 95% CI: 1.3–11.3; OR 5.0, 95% CI: 2.0–12.1, respectively) compared with Group A. Group C also had a lower risk of SGA (OR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–1.0) and a higher risk of postpartum dysglycaemia (OR 6.8, 95% CI: 1.7–26.9) compared with Group A. Conclusion Greater degrees of obesity are associated with higher risk of abnormal metabolic outcomes after pregnancy. Excessive weight gain in pregnancy in obese women increases adverse obstetric and glycaemic outcomes. Our findings suggest that targets for weight gain in pregnancy for obese women should be reduced from current recommendations.
Perforating Technique Produced Best Gas Flow Rate Ever Measured in Devonian Reservoir in Algeria
Authors: Toussaint Fabrice , Dalton Jim , Gama Cesar , Koundjou Simon , Ali Simon Moge 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Laminated sandstone reservoirs of 5 m or less in thickness with low permeability and low reservoir pressure in a North African Devonian formationr conventionally require hydraulic fracture stimulation after selective perforation to provide economically attractive production results.
A recent perforating program performed with guns deployed by wireline and tubing conveyance in two Devonian wells followed an engineered perforation design and provided the best gas flow rates ever measured for this formation even without any further fracture stimulation.
Although formation pressures at about 1300 psi were at a marginal level for the application of dynamic underbalance perforating technology, the perforating design considered the downhole dynamics and theoretical wellbore hydraulic movement, ensuring successful job design. Well testing analyses conducted on both wells after the perforating program provided an estimation of permeability-height and skin and indicated no need for fracture stimulation.
This paper describes the formation, reservoir, and well parameters as well as the perforating program and well testing results that provided a flow rate of 16.7 MMscf/D dry gas through a 96/64-in. surface choke.
Production Optimization in QPC Fields
Authors: Nasser Abu Elfotouh , Ghareeb M.. , Gawad Ashraf. Abdel 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
With continuous instability of oil prices it became necessary to reduce the cost of lifting the crude oil from the wells. This cost reduction is not feasible for each stage of the total oil production system; therefore the optimization of each component in the production system is a must.
Production optimization meant to apply an optimum analysis and comprehensive investigation of well production system; including the artificial lift system that expected to increase the oil production and reduce the operating costs.
The artificial lift systems are essentially in all Qarun Petroleum Company (QPC) fileds to transports reservoir fluid to the surface. Production optimization found to be an essential for the life cycle of each system in order to extend run life, decrease cost and increase the cumulative production per well. The applied artificial lift systems in QPC fields include Sucker Rod Pumps (SRP) and Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP). The failures and problems related to ESP and the success resulted from the applications of the system optimization is encouraged us to be selected to be the subject of this paper.
This paper will discuss in full details the successes results of using the Variable Speed Drive (VSD) with ESP. Statistical failure analysis has been conducted for the applications of ESP wells with and without VSD to evaluate their performance in order to optimize the applications.
Second-Generation Interval Control Valve (ICV) Improves Operational Efficiency and Inflow Performance in Intelligent Completions
Authors: Rahman Jameel , Allen Clifford , Bhat Gireesh 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Intelligent completions were introduced over a decade ago to address completions and reservoir management challenges arising from highly-deviated, extended-reach, multi-targeted, or multilateral wells. Recent advances in exploration and drilling technology are enabling the oil and gas industry to target reservoirs with stratigraphic and depositional complexities in deepwater, subsalt, arctic, and other extreme environments, resulting in the need to develop a new generation of intelligent completion tools. These reservoirs also may be characterized by HPHT, extreme HPHT, or ultra-HPHT environments with multiple components contributing to the uncertainty of recovery.
This paper describes how the requirements of current and future reservoir environments and a decade of operational experience have shaped the functional design and qualification of a new-generation Interval Control Valve (ICV) for intelligent completions. The new-generation ICV has higher pressure and temperature tolerances to cater to the new harsher environments while simplifying its operating mechanism and improving inflow performance and debris tolerance. The qualification program included metal-to-metal seal qualification, life-cycle testing, API 14A SCSSV class II-sand slurry based tests, flow coefficient (Cv) test, seal stack qualification, and erosion testing. Descriptions of each qualification test, acceptance criteria and test results that demonstrate the capability of the new generation of ICV to perform in severe service conditions are presented in this paper.
Some field applications of the new-generation ICV are also presented. Technologies, such as real-time ICV position feedback, have further aided in maximizing efficiency. Finally, the paper outlines the operational limits of the current design and discusses the design enhancements planned for the next-generation ICV.
Fluid Identification in Light Hydrocarbons Using NMR and Downhole Fluid Analyzers
Authors: Van Steene Marie , Ardila Mario , Nelson Richard , Fekry Amr , Farghaly Adel 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIn hydrocarbon reservoirs, fluid types can often vary from dry gas to volatile oil in the same column. Because of varying and unknown invasion patterns and inexact clay volume estimations, fluid types differentiation based on conventional logs is not always conclusive. A case study is presented utilizing advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques in conjunction with the latest downhole fluid analysis (DFA) measurements from wireline formation testers to accurately assess the hydrocarbon type variations.The saturation profiling data from an NMR diffusion-based tool provides fluid typing information in a continuous depth log. This approach can be limited by invasion. On the other hand, formation testers allow taking in-situ measurements of the virgin fluids beyond the invaded zone, but only at discrete depths. Hence, the two measurements ideally complement each other.In this case study, NMR saturation profiling was acquired over a series of channelized reservoirs. There is a transition from a water zone into an oil zone, and then into a rich gas reservoir, indicated by both the DFA and the NMR measurements. Above the rich gas is a dry gas interval that is conclusively in a separate compartment. Diffusion-based NMR identifies the fluid type in a series of thin reservoirs above this main section, in which no samples were taken. NMR and DFA both detect compositional gradients, invisible to conventional logs.The work presented in this paper demonstrates how the integration of measurements from various tools can lead to a better understanding of fluid types and distribution.
A Proposed Design of Multi-Lateral Wells Technology Application in Block 15-Red Sea Offshore SUDAN
Authors: Altoum Bukhary S. , Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Idress Khalid M. , Mohamed Muhanid I. , Abdlgadir Sofian M. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The Multi-lateral Wells Technology applied in myriad applications worldwide and provides intelligent solutions of many challenges faces the industry, But it doesn't applied in Sudanese fields yet.
By study of Block 15 Sudanese offshore field conditions we can find that multi-lateral technology is useful technology which achieves many advantages by reduce the cost in both exploration and development stages of the field life.
In this paper the authors providing a proposed design of Multi-lateral Wells Technology application to re-enter Tokar-1 well which located in Red Sea offshore Sudan region in Block 15 authorization area of Red Sea Petroleum Operating Company (RSPOC).
The Design of Tokar-1 multi-lateral application made depends on several considerations about the targets of this application and the geological background of the area of study.
The Directional Wellpaths planning of this application planned using Landmark Compass® Software. And after completing the design of the application drilling and completion techniques manually the authors devised guidance software to help the multi-lateral designer to select his optimum option among multi-lateral wells drilling and completion techniques depend on his field conditions, and made analysis of the manual design of Tokar-1 Multi-lateral well using this software and made a comparison between the results.
Multiphase Pumping in Heavy Oil Applications
Authors: Saadawi Hisham 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
According to the US Geological Survey, the world has over 430 billion barrels of technically recoverable heavy oil. There are several hurdles that hinder the large scale development of heavy oil. These include; high energy consumption for thermal recovery; poor recovery in cold production; environmental issues, transportation issues, refineries upgrade and high investment costs.
Over the past decade, multiphase pumping has emerged as a best practice in the many of the oil producing areas around the world. It has been used successfully in pumping both light and heavy crude oil. Multiphase pumping offers many advantages in heavy oil production. Multiphase pumps provide a single system for gas, steam and produced fluids. They reduce the back pressure or the well head flowing pressure, which results in higher production. Multiphase pumps have been used to recover annulus gas in cold oil production. Thermal vent energy is transferred to the produced fluids and thus reduces the overall energy consumption.
This paper presents an overview of the application of multiphase pumping technology in heavy oil production.
How Precise are Size-Based Age Estimations in the Sand Lizard (Lacerta Agilis)?
Authors: Borczyk Bartosz , Paśko Łukasz 
Published: February 2012

How Precise are Size-Based Age Estimations in the Sand Lizard (Lacerta Agilis)?Reptiles show a positive correlation between age and body size and it is common practice to infer the age of an animal from its size. However, the growth rate often differs between individuals, thus such practice may lead to false conclusions. Because age of an animal is a very important factor in many ecological studies, it should be determined with a minimum of error. Here, we compare the body size distribution among different age classes of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) to infer if it is possible to correctly determine their age on the basis of the body length. Our results show that the average error in age estimation on the basis of the lizard size is 1.36 year which is approximately 1/3 the average sand lizard life span.
The Use of Episodic Pools by Amphibians in Lowland Habitats of Southwestern Poland
Authors: Majtyka Tomasz 
Published: February 2012

The Use of Episodic Pools by Amphibians in Lowland Habitats of Southwestern PolandEpisodic pools are one of the most unstable water habitats. They arise rarely, at least once every few years and last a relatively short period (in principle one vegetative season). They are characterized by a lack of water flora and fauna. Later, a few aquatic organisms inhabit them. Of the 15 amphibian taxa inhabiting Polish lowlands, six anurans use episodic pools for mating and larval development;Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Epidalea [=Bufo] calamita, Pseudepidalea [=Bufo] viridis, Hyla arborea, andPelophylax [=Rana] esculentuscomplex [probably onlyPelophylaxkl.esculentus].
Imaging of grain-level orientation and strain in thicker metallic polycrystals by high energy transmission micro-beam Laue (HETL) diffraction techniques
Authors: Hofmann Felix , Abbey Brian , Connor Leigh , Baimpas Nikolaos , Song Xu , Keegan Sinéad , Korsunsky Alexander M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractFor high performance, safety-critical applications, such as aerospace components, in-depth understanding of the material's response to complex loading conditions is essential. Moreover, it is vital to know how the material behaviour may be modified as a consequence of fatigue loading and how its eventual failure occurs. Unlike bulk properties, such as stiffness, yield stress, etc. that depend on the average response of the grains in a polycrystal, material failure is determined by “weakest link” type mechanisms. These depend strongly on grain-level deformation behaviour and grain-to-grain interactions. Micro-beam Laue diffraction is a powerful tool to probe these phenomena. However, the classical setup is limited to the study of sample surface regions or thin sections, due to the limited penetration into the sample at photon energies of 5 – 25 keV. A much more useful tool for the material scientist and engineer would allow the probing of grain-level orientation and stress in thicker sections of engineering components. To this end, we have developed the high energy transmission Laue (HETL) technique, an extension of the micro-beam Laue technique to significantly higher photon energies (50 – 150 keV). For the imaging of lattice orientation and elastic strain in three dimensions, we propose two alternative approaches: Laue orientation tomography (LOT) and high energy differential aperture X-ray microscopy (HEDAXM). In this paper an overview of the recent progress in HETL, LOT and HEDAXM measurements will be given and some first results illustrating the potential of these techniques presented.
Beyond imaging: on the quantitative analysis of tomographic volume data
Authors: Redenbach Claudia , Rack Alexander , Schladitz Katja , Wirjadi Oliver , Godehardt Michael 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTomographic techniques are a valuable analytical tool as they deliver 3D spatial information on a given specimen. Both computed tomography with high spatial resolution and quantitative volume image analysis have made enormous progress during the last decade. In particular for materials and natural science applications the combination of high-resolution three-dimensional imaging and the subsequent image analysis exploiting the fully preserved spatial structural information yield new and exciting insights.In this paper, field-tested and up-to-date methods for tomographic imaging of microstructures, for processing and for quantitatively analysing three-dimensional images are reviewed. By selected applications from materials research, we shall underline the importance of volume image analysis as a crucial step in order to go beyond the images: it allows determination of spatial cross-correlations between different constituents of a specimen, investigation of orientations or derivation of statistically relevant information such as object size distributions. The core part of this work consists, besides the exemple application scenarios, in the processing chain, the tools and methods used.
Neutron Bragg-edge mapping of weld seams
Authors: Kardjilov Nikolay , Manke Ingo , Hilger André , Williams Scott , Strobl Markus , Woracek Robin , Boin Mirko , Lehmann Eberhard , Penumadu Dayakar , Banhart John 
Published: February 2012

AbstractCold neutrons have a wavelength that is in the same range as the lattice spacings of most polycrystalline metallic materials. Imaging of such materials with monochromatic cold neutrons of different wavelengths provides a unique contrast due to coherent Bragg scattering. Additionally, the spectral positions of the Bragg edges can be mapped for each point of an image by using the transmission data of corresponding wavelength scans. We present investigations of welded components with such energy-selective neutron radiography around specific Bragg-edges in the transmission spectrum. Features in the local microstructure of the weld have been visualized.