Quadrant geometry with permeability and wettability contrast occurs in different events, such as faults, wellbore damage, and perforation zones. In these events, understanding the dynamics of ...immiscible fluid displacement is vital for enhanced oil recovery. Fluid flow studies showed that viscous fingering occurs due to viscous instabilities that depend on the mobility of fluids and capillary forces. Besides, the porous domain heterogeneity is also effective on the formation of fingering. So, the purpose of the current research is to numerically investigate the effect of heterogeneity in wettability and permeability, and flow properties in Saffmann-Taylor instabilities. Numerical simulations with different flow rates in the permeability contrast model illustrated the nodal crossflow, growth of viscous fingering in the nodal part, and bypass flow in the second zone. In the wettability contrast model, a capillary fingering pattern is observed and fluid patches are isolated because of capillary force and the end effects are trapped within the quadrant. Moreover, the consequences of wettability on apparent wettability that alters the fluid-front pattern and displacement efficiency are shown.
Fractured reservoirs have always been of interest to many researchers because of their complexities and importance in the oil industry. The purpose of the current study is to model the fractured ...reservoir based on geomechanical restoration. Our target is the Arab Formation reservoir which is composed of seven limestone and dolomite layers, separated by thin anhydrite evaporate rock. First of all, in addition to the intensity, the dip, and the azimuth of the fractures, the magnitude and the direction of the stresses are determined using wireline data e.g. photoelectric absorption factor (PEF), sonic density, neutron porosity, a dipole shear sonic imager (DSI), a formation micro imager (FMI), and a modular formation dynamics tester (MDT). Then, the seismic data are interpreted and the appropriate seismic attributes are selected. One of our extracted attributes was the ant tracking attribute which is used for identifying large-scale fractures. Using this data, fractures and faults can be identified in the areas away from wells in different scales. Subsequently, the initial model of the reservoir is reconstructed. After that, the stress field and the distribution of fractures are obtained using the relationship between the stresses, the strains, and the elastic properties of the existing rocks. The model is finely approved using the azimuth and the intensity of fractures in the test well. Our findings showed that the discrete fracture network (DFN) model using geomechanical restoration was positively correlated with real reservoir conditions. Also, the spatial distribution of fractures was improved in comparison to the deterministic-stochastic DFN.
The role of coagulation factors on the inflammatory effect of adenovirus (Ad) is an unresolved question that was considered herein. Adenovirus-36(Ad36) and adenovector-5-GFP(Ad5-GFP) were prepared; ...then, they were loaded with VII or FX factors. The size/charge parameters and transduction efficiency were evaluated using fluorescent microscopy and Zetasizer, respectively. The Ad36-coagulation factor complexes were added on the stellate cells, LX-2. Thereafter, the expression levels of inflammatory and fibrotic genes including PKR, IL-1β, TNF-α, TIMP-1, collagen, and TGF-β were measured by qPCR and ELISA assays. The loading of FVII or FX factors not only increased the size/charge of Ad5-GFP but also enhanced the transduction rate up to 60% and 75%, respectively, compared to the controls (45%). The PKR expression analysis showed an upregulation following treatment with all Ad36 forms (
P
= 0.0152). The IL-1β and TNF-α cytokines analyses demonstrated that the Ad36-FVII complex elicited the highest inflammatory response (
P
= 0.05). Similarly, the fibrosis-related expression analysis revealed a more inductive role of FVII when loaded on Ad36, compared to the FX factor. The findings suggested that adenovirus elicited the innate inflammatory and activation state in the hepatic stellate cell. In addition, adenovirus shielded by FVII exhibited more innate inflammation as well as activation of the stellate cells than the FX-loaded virus.
Knowledge about normoxic hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α stabilization is limited. We investigated normoxic HIF-1α stabilization and its consequences using live cell imaging, immunoblotting, ...Bio-Plex multiplex immunoassay, immunofluorescence staining, and barrier integrity assays. We demonstrate for the first time that IL-8 and M-CSF caused HIF-1α stabilization and translocation into the nucleus under normoxic conditions in both human coronary endothelial cells (HCAECs) and HIF-1α-mKate2-expressing HEK-293 cells. In line with the current literature, our data show significant normoxic HIF-1α stabilization caused by TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-1β, and IGF-I in both cell lines, as well. Treatment with a cocktail consisting of TNF-α, INF-γ, and IL-1β caused significantly stronger HIF-1α stabilization in comparison to single treatments. Interestingly, this cumulative effect was not observed during simultaneous treatment with IL-8, M-CSF, and IGF-I. Furthermore, we identified two different kinetics of HIF-1α stabilization under normoxic conditions. Our data demonstrate elevated protein levels of HIF-1α-related genes known to be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Moreover, we demonstrate an endothelial barrier dysfunction in HCAECs upon our treatments and during normoxic HIF-1α stabilization comparable to that under hypoxia. This study expands the knowledge of normoxic HIF-1α stabilization and activation and its consequences on the endothelial secretome and barrier function. Our data imply an active role of HIF-1α in vivo in the vasculature in the absence of hypoxia.
Frakturirana ležišta oduvijek su bila zanimljiva istraživačima zbog njihove složenosti i važnosti za naftnu industriju te postoji više metoda razvijenih posebno za proučavanje ovoga tipa ležišta. ...Svrha je ovoga istraživanja modeliranje frakturiranoga ležišta na temelju geomehaničke obnove. Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno ležište Arab unutar strukture koja se sastoji od sedam slojeva vapnenca i dolomita razdvojenih tankim slojem anhidrita. Prvo su osim podataka o intenzitetu, kutu nagiba i azimutu fraktura određene magnitude i smjerovi djelovanja naprezanja u stijeni korištenjem karotažnih podataka, poput fotoelektričnoga apsorpcijskog faktora, gustoće dobivene zvučnom karotažom, šupljikavosti dobivene neutronskom karotažom te podataka s dipolnoga akustičnog skenera, mikroelektričnoga skenera i modularnoga dinamičkog uređaja za ispitivanje stijene. Zatim su interpretirani seizmički podatci te odabrani odgovarajući seizmički atributi. Jedan od izdvojenih atributa bilo je obilježje seizmičkoga atributa koji se koristi za identificiranje velikih fraktura i rasjeda. Upotrebom tih podataka moguće je identificirati različite frakture i rasjede u područjima udaljenim od samih bušotina. Nakon toga je rekonstruiran i početni model ležišta te je dobiveno stanje naprezanja i raspodjela pukotina u stijeni na temelju odnosa između naprezanja, deformacije i elastičnih svojstava postojeće stijene. Model je u konačnici potvrđen uporabom podataka o azimutu i intenzitetu pukotina izmjerenih u testnoj bušotini. Dobiveni rezultati upućuju na dobru povezanost između modela diskretne mreže fraktura koja se koristi geomehaničkom rekonstrukcijom sa stvarnim uvjetima u ležištu. Također je poboljšana i prostorna raspodjela pukotina u usporedbi s determinističko-stohastičkom diskretnom mrežom. Obnovljeni (restaurirani) model poboljšao je i prostornu raspodjelu te doveo do boljega donošenja odluka kod bušenja, projektiranja bušotine te simulacija toka fluida.
Geometrija kvadranta s razlikama u propusnosti i močivosti pojavljuje se kod rasjeda, oštećenja pribušotinske zone ili u zonama perforacija. Kod takvih pojava razumijevanje dinamike istiskivanja ...nemješivoga fluida bitno je za povećanje iscrpka nafte. Studije protjecanja fluida pokazale su kako se viskozno probijanje događa zbog nestabilne viskoznosti fluida, a koja ovisi o mobilnosti i kapilarnim silama. Osim toga, heterogenost šupljikavosti također utječe na probijanje fluida. Stoga je cilj bio numerički istražiti utjecaj heterogenosti močivosti i propusnosti te svojstava protoka na Saffmann-Taylorovu nestabilnost. Numeričke simulacije s različitim protjecanjima i propusnostima prikazale su križni protok i porast viskoznoga probijanja u čvorištu modela te zaobilazni protok u susjednoj zoni. Kod modela s različitom močivošću uočen je oblik kapilarnoga probijanja i sloj izoliranoga fluida, ovisno o kapilarnoj sili i obliku pojave unutar kvadranta. Na kraju je opisan utjecaj prividne na ukupnu močivost te je prikazana posljedica močivosti na prividnu močivost kao silu koja utječe na oblik fronte fluida i efikasnost istiskivanja.
The application of soil constitutive models helps to predict the behavior of different soil types under various loading conditions. Different basic and advanced soil models have been developed for ...this purpose. The most common soil models that have proven to show accurate estimation of soil behavior under loading conditions are Mohr-Coulomb, Plastic Hardening, and Modified Cam-Clay models. Each of these models require certain parameters from the soil to be able to perform the analysis of various structures. The primary objective of the current research is to develop a clear method or for utilizing the advanced soil constitutive models alongside the simple soil constitutive models commonly used by geotechnical engineers. Consequently, three soil constitutive models, which are Mohr-Coulomb, Plastic Hardening, and Modified Cam-clay, are introduced. Then, a comprehensive and applicable procedure in the forms of summary tables are introduced to use these simple and advanced models by having only the parameters of one of the soil constitutive models. In addition, since some of the conventional test methods for deriving certain soil parameters are fairly expensive, time-consuming, or not applicable in-situ, other alternative methodologies, which are easier, more repeatable, cheaper, and more accessible, are introduced to estimate these parameters. As a result, two new methods are explained and applied to estimate the slope of virgin compression line, λ, a parameter in Modified Cam-clay model. Later, the soil constitutive models with the corresponding parameters and the testing procedure and numerical modeling is explained. The one-dimensional consolidation, fall cone, and miniature vane shear tests were performed in this study. Finally, Mohr-Coulomb, Plastic Hardening, and Modified Cam-clay constitutive theories were used in the FLAC 2d software to predict and compare soil behavior under various numerical tests. For this purpose, four case studies are studied in this thesis and the parameters of two soil constitutive models are derived from the parameters of the soil model that is available. These soil model parameters are used to perform undrained triaxial compression test, one-dimensional consolidation test, plane strain test, and loading on an embankment. The results are presented as the evolution of deviatoric stress versus shear strain, pore pressure versus shear strain, gradual applied load versus void ratio in one-dimensional consolidation test, assessment of various soil constitutive models in estimating the settlement in drained conditions on loading on an embankment.
The melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (Mda-7)/interleukin-24 (IL-24) is a tumor killing cytokine, the bystander effect of which can be enhanced through tethering to tumor homing peptides ...(THPs).
After fusing tLyP-1, RGR, and buforin as THPs to
, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the secretion potency of the recombinant proteins. The killing potency of plasmids expressing IL-24, IL-24.tLyP1, IL-24.RGR, and buf.IL-24 were assessed, using MTT, Annexin/PI staining assays, as well as measuring the expression level of
and BCL2-associated X (
) on Huh-7 cells. Three-dimensional structural analysis and protein-receptor interaction were also evaluated by modeling.
The ELISA result showed that contrary to IL-24.RGR and buf.IL-24, IL-24.tLyP-1 retained the secretion potency, similar to the native form. The viability assessments showed that IL-24 and IL-24.tLyP-1 had the most growth suppressive effects in comparison with the control group (
< 0.0001). Furthermore, IL-24 and IL-24.tLyP-1 had the highest apoptotic activity and significant upregulatory effect on the GADD-153 and BAX genes (
< 0.0003). The modeling showed that peptide modifications left no detrimental effect on IL-24 attachment to the cognate receptor.
IL-24 can tolerate tLyP-1 peptide modification by retaining its secretion potency. Tethering tLyP-1 to IL-24 can induce more apoptosis than its modified versions by RGR or buforin.
Background and objectives: Hydatidosis is an important zoonotic disease with widespread distribution. For unknown reasons, some cysts are unable to produce protoscoleces, and little is known about ...the mechanisms involved in infertile cyst production. Therefore, characterization of hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) components could help clarify the host-parasite relationship and the fertility process of cyst. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify biochemical components of HCF of fertile and infertile cysts from different hosts. Methods: A total of 35 HCF samples were obtained from the liver and lung of 16 cattle, 16 sheep and three humans. Fertility of cysts was determined by examination of cysts’ content. Then, total fluid was aspirated aseptically from each cyst. The samples were centrifuged at 10000×g for 15 min at 4°C, and then concentrated and dialyzed against phosphate buffer saline using an Amicon Ultra-15 5000 MWCO centrifugal filter device (Millipore, USA). All biochemical components were quantified by an automatic analyzer. Results: The value of lactate dehydrogenase, potassium, calcium, cholesterol, glucose, urea and uric acid differed significantly in cysts collected from different hosts (P<0.001). There was also a significant difference in the amount of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and cholesterol between fertile and infertile cysts (P<0.039). Conclusion: Due to the differences in biochemical composition of HCF of different host origin, it is possible that the host plays a crucial role in determining the type of biochemistry in hydatid cyst as well as in hydatid cyst fertility.
The effects of feeding Artemia nauplii enriched with or without poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and/or highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) on Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) larvae were ...investigated. Feeding larvae with PHB‐enriched nauplii (PHB, PHB + HUFA) decreased the growth performance of the larvae. PHB affected the body composition by increasing the lipid content of the whole body and decreasing total saturated, monoenoic, n3, n6 and decosahexanoeic acid (DHA) in the larvae, indicating that the PHB addition affected lipid metabolism. A high activity of pepsin was observed in the digestive extracts of PHB treatments (PHB, PHB + HUFA), while PHB suppressed amylase activity in the intestine of the larvae. Based on molecular analysis, PHB changed the microbial community in the distal intestine of the larvae. The highest counts of goblet cells were observed in the HUFA‐containing treatments (HUFA, PHB + HUFA), indicating that HUFA addition may improve the mucosal barrier defence system. The overall quality of the larvae was evaluated by exposing them to different salinities and ammonia stress levels. PHB decreased survival rates in these challenges. Our results show that optimal PHB doses for bio‐encapsulation into Artemia remain to be determined for further application at the earliest larval stages of sturgeon.
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