215 research outputs found
Investigation of polymer and surfactant-polymer injections in South Slattery Minnelusa Reservoir, Wyoming
No full textThis paper presents an investigation of the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) potential in the South Slattery Minnelusa formation. The South Slattery Field, which is characterized by low permeability and high saline brine, is stepping into the economic limits of secondary waterflood. A chemical flooding simulation model which was based on experimental parameters was set up for the potential investigation of EOR. Both polymer and surfactant-polymer floods were investigated. The recoveries of these EOR methods are presented, and the development efficiencies are analyzed. © 2011 The Author(s)
Contractual Choice of Law Issues on the Outer Continental Shelf
No full textSlattery's article examines how contractual choice-of-law provisions operate within the unique statutory framework governing the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). It explains that the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) incorporates state law as surrogate federal law only when federal law is silent and when state law is not inconsistent with federal interests. Slattery analyzes the tension between parties’ contractual autonomy—particularly in selecting governing law—and OCSLA’s mandatory choice-of-law structure designed to ensure uniformity in offshore operations. Through case law review, the article highlights courts’ differing approaches to enforcing choice-of-law clauses when they conflict with OCSLA’s provisions. Ultimately, the author concludes that clearer judicial standards are needed to balance contractual freedom with OCSLA’s federal statutory mandates
Mechanisms of calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity in chronic allograft injury
No full textThe first successful transplantation of a human kidney was performed more than 50 years ago by Murray and colleagues in 1954 between identical twins. The success of this transplantation was due to the fact that no significant rejection occurs between genetically identical twins and therefore immunosuppression was not necessary in this particular case (Merrill et al., 1956).
However, solid-organ transplantation could not be considered truly successful until the 1970’s after significant technical and pharmacological advances. In particular, the discovery and development of the calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) has made allograft transplantation routinely successful with greatly reduced risk of acute rejection. In the absence of pharmacological agents to address the primary pathological mechanisms involved, renal transplantation has now been the standard management of end stage renal failure for the past four decades (Wolfe
et al., 1999). Short-term renal allograft and allograft recipient survival rates have increased significantly during the last decade largely due to improved patient monitoring. However, allograft half-life beyond 1 year post-transplant remains largely unchanged. While rates of early allograft failure have significantly reduced, late renal allograft dysfunction remains a significant problem in the transplant population (de Fijter). Chronic allograft injury (CAI) is the most prevalent cause of allograft dysfunction in the first decade after transplantation. The term CAI is used to describe deterioration of renal allograft function and structure due to
immunological processes (i.e. chronic rejection) and/or a range of simultaneous nonimmunological factors such as CNI-induced nephrotoxicity, hypertension and infection. This chapter will outline the pathophysiology and etiology of CAI and the role that CNI nephrotoxicity plays in this disease process. It will also review experimental studies that have identified important molecular mechanisms involved and discuss strategies utilised to minimise the development and progression of CAI.Science Foundation IrelandHigher Education AuthorityIrish Research Council for Science, Engineering and TechnologyEuropean Research CouncilHealth Research BoardEnterprise Irelandti, ke, ab, de - TS 29.03.1
Sirolimus enhances cyclosporine a-induced cytotoxicity in human renal glomerular mesangial cells
No full textEnd Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is an ever increasing problem worldwide. However the mechanisms underlying disease progression are not fully elucidated. This work addressed the nephrotoxicity induced by the immunosuppressive agents’ cyclosporine
A (CsA) and sirolimus (SRL). Nephrotoxicity is the major limiting factor in the long
term use of CsA. SRL causes less nephrotoxicity than CsA. Therefore investigations into the differential effects of these agents may identify potential mechanisms of nephrotoxicity and possible means to prevent ESRD induced by therapeutic drugs. Using ELISA, western blotting, quantitative PCR and a reporter gene assay we
detailed the differential effects of the immunosuppressive agents CsA, and SRL in
human renal mesangial cells. CsA treatment increased profibrotic TGF-β1 secretion in
human mesangial cells whereas SRL did not, indicating a role for TGF-β in CsA toxicity. However we observed a synergistic nephrotoxic effect when CsA and SRL were co-administered. These synergistic alterations may have been due to an increase in CTGF which was not evident when the immunosuppressive drugs were used alone. The CsA/SRL combination therapy significantly enhanced Smad signalling and altered the extracellular matrix regulator matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). Inhibition of the ERK 1/2 pathway, attenuated these CsA/SRL induced alterations indicating a potentially significant role for this pathway.Science Foundation IrelandHigher Education AuthorityIrish Research Council for Science, Engineering and TechnologyHealth Research BoardOther funderEnterprise Irelandau, sp, ab, li - TS 16.04.1
The evolution and stratigraphic architecture of fluvio-lacustrine deltas: reservoir characteristics from the Red River Delta, Lake Texoma and the Denton Creek Delta, Grapevine Lake, TX
No full textElongate, single-channel, non-bifurcating deltas are currently forming in many lakes throughout the United States. The Red River Delta forms an elongate, single-delta into Lake Texoma, sourced by a sand-rich, bedload dominated river system. Current models of delta formation suggest muddy rivers can form elongate deltas due to a lack of sand to form mouth bars, driving bifurcation, but do not explain a mechanism for a sandy river to form a non-bifurcating delta. We propose a model for elongate, single-channel deltas based on a process of grain-size separation within the delta channel, resulting in a sand starved river mouth that cannot bifurcate. Our results indicate that elongate, non-bifurcating deltas should be formed by muddy and sandy rivers alike, and therefore may represent the default delta. Field mapping at Lake Texoma and Grapevine Lake show that these single-channel deltas are found to be associated with overbank sand sheets that emanate laterally from the channel axis. These wings are interpreted to be blowout wings (after Tomanka, 2013) and are a modern example of lacustrine hyperpycnites (after Zavala, 2006). These wings are thin (10-40 cm) and laterally continuous, with lengths and widths spanning several hundred meters from the channel, and aspect ratios reaching 2,480 m wide per 1 m thickness. Blowout wings are found to scale to the formative depositional system, with dimensions corresponding to 5 times the channel width. The recognition of blowout wings greatly increases the potential static connectivity of fluvial bodies by connecting otherwise isolated channels through a network of laterally extensive wings. Adding blowout wings into the lexicon of high-accommodation fluvial depositional models should be considered for subsurface exploration
HMGB-1 - a novel mediator of inflammatory-induced renal epithelial mesenchymal transition
No full textBackground: High mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB-1) is a chromatin binding protein that bends DNA thereby facilitating gene transcription. HMGB-1 has also been observed as an extracellular secreted protein in serum of patients with sepsis and has putative intracellular signalling effects regulating the production of interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor in a number of inflammatory conditions.
Methods: We established a model of immune-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs). PTECs were cultured with conditioned medium containing supernatant from activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (aPBMC). The model was characterised using phenotypic and transcriptomic approaches and suppression subtractive hybridisation was performed to identify differentially regulated genes.
Results. Activation of PBMCs resulted in increased secretion of HMGB-1. In addition, treatment of PTECs with aPBMC-conditioned medium resulted in significant upregulation of HMGB-1 in PTECs. Direct treatment of PTECs with recombinant human HMGB-1 induced alterations in epithelial morphology consistent with EMT including reduced E-cadherin expression, increased α-SMA expression and enhanced cell migration. HMGB-1 effects were mediated at least in part by the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and through induction of TGF-β1 secretion from PTECs.
Conclusions. These results suggest that HMGB-1 is a key mediator of immune-mediated EMT of PTECs and a potentially important signalling molecule in the development of renal fibrosis.Science Foundation IrelandHigher Education AuthorityHealth Research BoardOther funderEnterprise IrelandIrish Nephrological SocietyAmgensp, ab, ke, li - TS 15.05.1
Using a Coaching Model To Develop Lead School Counselors’ Leadership Self-Efficacy
No full textThe supervision role and responsibilities of lead school counselors vary widely across and within schools and school districts. One role is increasingly significant – the role of clinical supervisor. The researcher used a case study design to investigate the leadership self-efficacy of three lead school counselors working in a major suburban school district. The intent of this record of study was to examine whether and how the implementation of a leadership intervention impacted counselors' sense of self-efficacy related to their ability to lead and supervise other school counselors. The findings suggest that a lead school counselor professional development model, based on a conceptual framework that includes leadership and coaching principles, resulted in positive changes in lead school counselors’ leadership self-efficacy. Recommendations for further research include examining the model with a broader range of lead school counselors and involving school administrators in the conception and use of the clinical supervision model
Alice Carey Inskeep (1875-1942): A Piioneering Iowa Music Educator and MENC Founding Member
No full textabstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the professional contributions of Alice Carey Inskeep (1875-1942), who contributed significantly to music education through her positive and effective teaching, supervising, community service, and leadership in music education. Inskeep was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, and taught for five years in that city's school system after graduating from high school. She served as music supervisor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for most of the remainder of her career, when she provided progressive leadership to the schools and community. She was one of three people appointed to plan the initial meeting in Keokuk, Iowa, for what eventually became MENC: The National Association for Music Education, and she was one of sixty-nine founding members of the organization in 1907. The Keokuk meeting served as an impetus for Inskeep to to travel to Chicago, where she studied with several notable music educators. Later, she sat on the organization's nominating committee, the first Educational Council (precursor to the Music Education Research Council) board of directors, and provided leadership to two of the organization's affiliates, the North Central Division and the Iowa Music Educators Association. She served as a part-time or summer faculty member at Iowa State Normal School and Coe College in Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, respectively, and the American Institute of Normal Methods in Evanston, Illinois, and Auburndale, Massachusetts
Aboriginal Sovereignty and Imperial Claims
No full textIt is commonly assumed that Indigenous American nations had neither sovereignty in international law nor title to their territories when Europeans first arrived; North America was legally vacant and European powers could gain title to it simply by discovery, symbolic acts, occupation, or treaties among themselves. It follows, on this view, that current Indigenous claims to internal sovereignty or a third order of government have no historical basis. This paper argues that this viewpoint is misguided and cannot be justified either by reference to positive international law or basic principles of justice. The author\u27s view is that Indigenous American nations had exclusive title to their territories at the time of European contact and participated actively in the formation of Canada and the United States. This fact requires us to rewrite our constitutional histories and reconsider the current status of Indigenous American nations
Localization practices in trading card games: Magic the Gathering from english into portuguese
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Comunicação e Expressão, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Inglês: Estudos Linguísticos e Literários, Florianópolis, 2014.Abstract : The localization of a Trading Card Game of long durability and frequent updating such as Magic the Gathering (USA, 2003-present) requires a specific and detailed translation in relation to consistency, while following certain policies. This study presents a parallel, bilingual corpus created to observe technical constraints and localization policies which may pertain to the translation of such type of material from English into Brazilian Portuguese. In order to do so, the textual spoiler of 249 cards in each language has been extracted, aligned, and analyzed using Wordsmith 3.0 and Notepad++, with theoretical support of the translation description model created by Lambert & Van Gorp (1985) adapted for this genre. Macro analyses and subsequent micro analyses have both resulted in the observation of a translation product in Portuguese that is linguistically adequate to the target system, but not acceptable in the target cultural system. Additionally, certain sections of the product which require less rigidity in relation to the game rules could gain from the use of transcreation.A localização de um Jogo de Estampas Ilustradas de longa duração e atualização frequente como Magic The Gathering (EUA, 2003-atual) requer tradução específica e detalhada em relação a consistência lexical, ao mesmo tempo em que certas políticas devem ser seguidas. Este estudo apresenta um corpus paralelo e bilíngue criado a fim de observar restrições técnicas e políticas de localização que possam ser pertinentes à tradução de tal material do inglês ao Português do Brasil. Para tal fim, o texto de 249 cards em cada língua foi extraído, alinhado e analisado utilizando os programas Wordsmith 3.0 e Notepad++, com aporte teórico do modelo descritivo de traduções criado por Lambert e Van Gorp (1985) adaptado para o gênero. Ambas macro e micro análises resultaram na observação de um produto tradutório linguisticamente adequado ao sistema-alvo do Português, mas que não é aceitável em seu sistema cultural. Além disso, certas seções do produto que requerem menos rigidez em relação às regras do jogo poderiam ganhar em qualidade com o uso da transcriação
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