Modelización de la inundación química de yacimientos petrolíferos

Se desarrollan dos modelos que predicen el petróleo recuperable mediante la inyección de sustancias químicas. Ambos consideran dos fases (acuosa u oleosa) y tres componentes (agua, petróleo y especie química). El flujo es horizontal, unidimensional e incompresible. La roca tiene propiedades uniformes y puede adsorber la sustancia química. Se supone equilibrio termodinámico a través de las fases. La dispersión y los gradientes de presión capilar son despreciables y además la composición de inyección es constante. Los modelos están gobernados por un sistema de ecuaciones diferenciales parciales no lineales: la ecuación de continuidad de cada componente y la ecuación de Darcy para el flujo bifásico. En el modelo más riguroso se resuelve el sistema de ecuaciones aplicando una técnica en diferencias finitas. En el modelo más simple se adicionan restricciones con el objeto de hallar soluciones analíticas. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la utilidad y las limitaciones del modelo simple. Se concluye que si bien las restricciones adicionadas no responden a la realidad, el modelo simple es capaz de representar los mecanismos físicos de desplazamientos más importantes y permite obtener una primera aproximación del petróleo recuperable que es el valor máximo de la recuperación verdadera.Peer Reviewe

Modelización de la inundación química de yacimientos petrolíferos

Se desarrollan dos modelos que predicen el petróleo recuperable mediante la inyección de sustancias químicas. Ambos consideran dos fases (acuosa u oleosa) y tres componentes (agua, petróleo y especie química). El flujo es horizontal, unidimensional e incompresible. La roca tiene propiedades uniformes y puede adsorber la sustancia química. Se supone equilibrio termodinámico a través de las fases. La dispersión y los gradientes de presión capilar son despreciables y además la composición de inyección es constante. Los modelos están gobernados por un sistema de ecuaciones diferenciales parciales no lineales: la ecuación de continuidad de cada componente y la ecuación de Darcy para el flujo bifásico. En el modelo más riguroso se resuelve el sistema de ecuaciones aplicando una técnica en diferencias finitas. En el modelo más simple se adicionan restricciones con el objeto de hallar soluciones analíticas. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la utilidad y las limitaciones del modelo simple. Se concluye que si bien las restricciones adicionadas no responden a la realidad, el modelo simple es capaz de representar los mecanismos físicos de desplazamientos más importantes y permite obtener una primera aproximación del petróleo recuperable que es el valor máximo de la recuperación verdadera.Peer Reviewe

Requirements for CD1d Recognition by Human Invariant Vα24+ CD4−CD8− T Cells

A subset of human CD4−CD8− T cells that expresses an invariant Vα24-JαQ T cell receptor (TCR)-α chain, paired predominantly with Vβ11, has been identified. A series of these Vα24 Vβ11 clones were shown to have TCR-β CDR3 diversity and express the natural killer (NK) locus–encoded C-type lectins NKR-P1A, CD94, and CD69. However, in contrast to NK cells, they did not express killer inhibitory receptors, CD16, CD56, or CD57. All invariant Vα24+ clones recognized the MHC class I–like CD16 molecule and discriminated between CD1d and other closely related human CD1 proteins, indicating that recognition was TCR-mediated. Recognition was not dependent upon an endosomal targeting motif in the cytoplasmic tail of CD1d. Upon activation by anti-CD3 or CD1d, the clones produced both Th1 and Th2 cytokines. These results demonstrate that human invariant Vα24+ CD4−CD8− T cells, and presumably the homologous murine NK1+ T cell population, are CD1d reactive and functionally distinct from NK cells. The conservation of this cell population and of the CD1d ligand across species indicates an important immunological function

An Overview of Mitochondrial Protein Defects in Neuromuscular Diseases

none8noNeuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are dysfunctions that involve skeletal muscle and cause incorrect communication between the nerves and muscles. The specific causes of NMDs are not well known, but most of them are caused by genetic mutations. NMDs are generally progressive and entail muscle weakness and fatigue. Muscular impairments can differ in onset, severity, prognosis, and phenotype. A multitude of possible injury sites can make diagnosis of NMDs difficult. Mitochondria are crucial for cellular homeostasis and are involved in various metabolic pathways; for this reason, their dysfunction can lead to the development of different pathologies, including NMDs. Most NMDs due to mitochondrial dysfunction have been associated with mutations of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism. This review is focused on some mitochondrial routes such as the TCA cycle, OXPHOS, and β-oxidation, recently found to be altered in NMDs. Particular attention is given to the alterations found in some genes encoding mitochondrial carriers, proteins of the inner mitochondrial membrane able to exchange metabolites between mitochondria and the cytosol. Briefly, we discuss possible strategies used to diagnose NMDs and therapies able to promote patient outcomeopenMarra Federica, Lunetti Paola, Curcio Rosita, Lasorsa Francesco Massimo, Capobianco Loredana, Porcelli Vito, Dolce Vincenza, Fiermonte Giuseppe and Scarcia PasqualeMarra, Federica; Lunetti, Paola; Curcio, Rosita; Lasorsa Francesco, Massimo; Capobianco, Loredana; Porcelli, Vito; Dolce, Vincenza; Fiermonte Giuseppe and Scarcia, Pasqual

The predictive role of pelvic magnetic resonance in the follow up of spontaneous or induced puberty in turner syndrome

Puberty is a critical age for patients with Turner syndrome (TS): infertility is reported to be linked to karyotype and spontaneous puberty and menarche occur in approximately 30% of patients, especially in mosaicism. However, it is not always predictable considering hormonal pattern and pelvic transabdominal ultrasound scan (US). The aim of the study is to compare the accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and US to evaluate uterine and gonads volume, to visualize the presence of follicles and to predict spontaneous puberty and menarche in girls with TS. In a retrospective study, we evaluated 19 TS patients (age: 9-16 years), who underwent transabdominal pelvic US and pelvic MRI as required by parents. We correlated pelvic imaging with karyotype, hormonal data and pubertal outcome, and we compared US resolution to MRI. MRI revealed a higher accuracy in the study of uterus and ovaries, and permitted to measure ovaries not visualized by US. Ovarian volume, the presence of follicles and the occurrence of spontaneous puberty were not related to the karyotype; spontaneous puberty started in one patient with a karyotype 45,X and in two patients with mosaicism (45,X/46,XX; 47,XXX/45, X). Ovarian follicles were relieved by MRI in patients with a spontaneous menarche and the persistence of menstrual cycles correlated with an ovarian volume corresponding to Tanner stage 3-4. We stress the role of MRI in the follow-up of TS adolescents, guide in the choice of the timing of treatment

Measurement of the Resonant dμtd\mu t Molecular Formation Rate in Solid HD

Measurements of muon-catalyzed dt fusion ($d\mu t \to ^4He+n+\mu^-$) in solid HD have been performed. The theory describing the energy dependent resonant molecular formation rate for the reaction $\mu t$ + HD $\to [(d\mu t)pee]^*$ is compared to experimental results in a pure solid HD target. Constraints on the rates are inferred through the use of a Monte Carlo model developed specifically for the experiment. From the time-of- flight analysis of fusion events in 16 and 37 $\mu g\cdot cm^{-2}$ targets, an average formation rate consistent with 0.897$\pm$(0.046)$_{stat}\pm$ (0.166)$_{syst}$ times the theoretical prediction was obtained.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Muon Catalyzed Fusion in 3 K Solid Deuterium

Muon catalyzed fusion in deuterium has traditionally been studied in gaseous and liquid targets. The TRIUMF solid-hydrogen-layer target system has been used to study the fusion reaction rates in the solid phase of D_2 at a target temperature of 3 K. Products of two distinct branches of the reaction were observed; neutrons by a liquid organic scintillator, and protons by a silicon detector located inside the target system. The effective molecular formation rate from the upper hyperfine state of $\mu d$ and the hyperfine transition rate have been measured: $\tilde{\lambda}_(3/2)=2.71(7)_{stat.}(32)_{syst.} \mu/s$, and $\tilde{\lambda}_{(3/2)(1/2)} =34.2(8)_{stat.}(1)_{syst.} \mu /s$. The molecular formation rate is consistent with other recent measurements, but not with the theory for isolated molecules. The discrepancy may be due to incomplete thermalization, an effect which was investigated by Monte Carlo calculations. Information on branching ratio parameters for the s and p wave d+d nuclear interaction has been extracted.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, submitted to PRA Feb 20, 199