Relationship Between Wetting Properties and Macroscale Hydrodynamics During Forced Gravity Drainage and Secondary Waterflood

Abstract

In order to relate the wetting properties at the pore scale to the macroscale prevailing forces, a series of experiments was performed in vertical porous media under forced gas invasion at various wettability conditions with partially spreading oil. To describe the dynamics of oil recovery in a three-phase flow condition, the downward gas flood experiments were continued by water injection from the bottom. Experimental results obtained in situations where the magnitudes of viscous, capillary, and gravity forces are comparable. We study the transition from flow configurations where the interface is stable with respect to viscous instability to flow configurations where viscous fingering occurs. The results also have been analyzed using a dimensionless number.     

Electropolymerization and characterization of 3,4-ethylenedioxy thiophene on glassy carbon electrode and study of ions transport of the polymer during redox process

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOTh) films were deposited on glassy carbon (GC) electrodes from organic electrolytes containing the monomer in a solution of acetonitrile (AN). The effect of the supporting electrolyte used during electropolymerization, on the redox behavior, surface morphology, and degree of crystallinity of the films has been investigated by FTIR, cyclic voltammetry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The use of LiPF₆ leads to a higher electropolymerization efficiency and an increase of electroactivity and crystallinity of the polymer. On the basis of voltammetric studies of the Nernst and Butler–Volmer equations, we concluded that BF₄⁻, ClO₄⁻, and PF₆⁻ anions are the mobile species during the redox process of the PEDOTh films. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir weld of dissimilar AZ31-O magnesium alloy to 6061-T6 aluminum alloy

Dissimilar friction stir welding between AZ31-O Mg and 6061-T6 Al alloys was investigated. 3 mm thick plates of aluminum and magnesium were used. Friction stir welding operations were performed at different rotation and travel speeds. The rotation speeds varied from 600 to 1400 r/min, and the travel speed varied from 20 to 60 mm/min. Defect-free weld was obtained with a rotation speed of 1000 r/min and travel speed of 40 mm/min. Metallographic studies showed that the grain size in the stir zone is much finer than that in the base metals. Complex flow pattern was formed in the stir zone. Microhardness measurement revealed an uneven distribution in the stir zone. Tensile test results indicated that the tensile strength of the welded specimen is about 76% of AZ31 Mg alloy and 60% of the 6061 Al alloy in tensile strength. SEM fracture surface image of the welded specimen indicated that the welded specimen failed through brittle-mode fracture.     

Second Comment on: ‘‘Characterization of Micro-roughness Parameters in Titanium Nitride Thin Films Grown by DC Magnetron Sputtering’’ [J Fusion Energ DOI 10.1007/s10894-012-9534-4]

At recent comment written by [A. Gelali, A. Shafiekhani, A. Ghorbani, A. Ahmadpourian. J. Fusion Energ. DOI: 10.1007/s10894-012-9542-4] that is a comment on [S. Solaymani, A. Ghaderi, N. B. Nezafat. J. Fusion Energ. DOI: 10.1007/s10894-012-9534-4] some clear and unavoidable errors can be seen. These issues will be discussed by the present brief communication.     

Antimicrobial, water vapour permeability, mechanical and thermal properties of casein based Zataraia multiflora Boiss. Extract containing film

Hydrophobic sodium caseinate based edible films were prepared by incorporating stearic and oleic acids. Films were produced with a protein/lipid ratio of 1.05. Antimicrobial films were produced based on the hydrophobic films by adding the essential oil of Zataraia multiflora Boiss. Water vapour permeability, microstructure, antimicrobial, mechanical and thermal properties of these films were studied. Water vapour permeability decreased from 2.18 × 10⁻⁹ to 7.81 × 10⁻¹¹ gPa⁻¹s⁻¹ m⁻¹ on the addition of lipid compounds to film. Scanning electron microscopy showed a partial phase separation of lipid compounds and protein. This fact was confirmed by obtaining two endothermic peaks for lipid containing films during Differential scanning calorimeter. The incorporation of fatty acids into the film structure increased the total specific thermal capacity. The presence of lipids and essential oil decreased tensile strength but increased the elongation at break. Films containing essential oil exhibited a large inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, as compared to Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7.     

Tilting the Balance: Therapeutic Prospects of CD83 as a Checkpoint Molecule Controlling Resolution of Inflammation

Chronic inflammatory diseases and transplant rejection represent major challenges for modern health care. Thus, identification of immune checkpoints that contribute to resolution of inflammation is key to developing novel therapeutic agents for those conditions. In recent years, the CD83 (cluster of differentiation 83) protein has emerged as an interesting potential candidate for such a “pro-resolution” therapy. This molecule occurs in a membrane-bound and a soluble isoform (mCD83 and sCD83, respectively), both of which are involved in resolution of inflammation. Originally described as a maturation marker on dendritic cells (DCs), mCD83 is also expressed by activated B and T cells as well as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and controls turnover of MHC II molecules in the thymus, and thereby positive selection of CD4⁺ T cells. Additionally, it serves to confine overshooting (auto-)immune responses. Consequently, animals with a conditional deletion of CD83 in DCs or regulatory T cells suffer from impaired resolution of inflammation. Pro-resolving effects of sCD83 became evident in pre-clinical autoimmune and transplantation models, where application of sCD83 reduced disease symptoms and enhanced allograft survival, respectively. Here, we summarize recent advances regarding CD83-mediated resolution of inflammatory responses, its binding partners as well as induced signaling pathways, and emphasize its therapeutic potential for future clinical trials.     

The Potent Phytoestrogen 8-Prenylnaringenin: A Friend or a Foe?

8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) is a prenylated flavonoid, occurring, in particular, in hop, but also in other plants. It has proven to be one of the most potent phytoestrogens in vitro known to date, and in the past 20 years, research has unveiled new effects triggered by it in biological systems. These findings have aroused the hopes, expectations, and enthusiasm of a “wonder-drug” for a host of human diseases. However, the majority of 8-PN effects require such high concentrations that they cannot be reached by normal dietary exposure, only pharmacologically; thus, adverse impacts may also emerge. Here, we provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review on this fascinating compound, with special reference to the range of beneficial and untoward health consequences that may ensue from exposure to it.     

A critical review on spark plasma sintering of copper and its alloys

Journal of Materials Science - Copper and its alloys have been in the service of humankind earlier than any other metal throughout history. In the present review, all aspects of the SPS of copper...