No abstract

Diagenetic reactions, characterized by the dissolution and precipitation of minerals at low temperatures, control the quality of sedimentary rocks as hydrocarbon reservoirs. Geochemical modeling, a tool used to understand diagenetic processes, is performed through computer codes based on thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. In a comparative study, we reproduced the diagenetic reactions observed in Snorre Field reservoir sandstones, Norwegian North Sea. These reactions had been previously modeled in the literature using DISSOL-THERMAL code. In this study, we modeled the diagenetic reactions in the reservoirs using Geochemist's Workbench (GWB) and TOUGHREACT software, based on a convective-diffusive-reactive model and on the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters compiled for each reaction. TOUGHREACT and DISSOL-THERMAL modeling showed dissolution of quartz, K-feldspar and plagioclase in a similar temperature range from 25 to 80°C. In contrast, GWB modeling showed dissolution of albite, plagioclase and illite, as well as precipitation of quartz, K-feldspar and kaolinite in the same temperature range. The modeling generated by the different software for temperatures of 100, 120 and 140°C showed similarly the dissolution of quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase and kaolinite, but differed in the precipitation of albite and illite. At temperatures of 150 and 160°C, GWB and TOUGHREACT produced different results from the DISSOL-THERMAL, except for the dissolution of quartz, plagioclase and kaolinite. The comparative study allows choosing the numerical modeling software whose results are closer to the diagenetic reactions observed in the petrographic analysis of the modeled reservoirs.KEYWORDS: dissolution; precipitation; sedimentary basins; TOUGHREACT; Geochemist's Workbench. RESUMO: Reações diagenéticas, caracterizadas pela dissolução e precipitação de minerais a baixas temperaturas, controlam a qualidade de rochas sedimentares como reservatórios de hidrocarbonetos. A modelagem geoquímica, ferramenta utilizada para compreender os processos diagenéticos, é feita através de códigos computacionais com base em parâmetros termodinâmicos e cinéticos. Em um estudo comparativo, foram reproduzidas as reações diagenéticas observadas nos arenitos-res-

Allogeneic dermal progenitor fibroblasts constitute cytotherapeutic contenders for modern cutaneous regenerative medicine. Based on advancements in the relevant scientific, technical, and regulatory fields, translational developments have slowly yet steadily led to the clinical application of such biologicals and derivatives. To set the appropriate general context, the first aim of this study was to provide a current global overview of approved cell and gene therapy products, with an emphasis on cytotherapies for cutaneous application. Notable advances were shown for North America, Europe, Iran, Japan, and Korea. Then, the second and main aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis on the various applications of dermal progenitor fibroblasts and derivatives, as clinically used under the Swiss progenitor cell transplantation program for the past three decades. Therein, the focus was set on the extent and versatility of use of the therapies under consideration, their safety parameters, as well as formulation options for topical application. Quantitative and illustrative data were summarized and reported for over 300 patients treated with various cell-based or cell-derived preparations (e.g., progenitor biological bandages or semi-solid emulsions) in Lausanne since 1992. Overall, this study shows the strong current interest in biological-based approaches to cutaneous regenerative medicine from a global developmental perspective, as well as the consolidated local clinical experience gathered with a specific and safe allogeneic cytotherapeutic approach. Taken together, these current and historical elements may serve as tangible working bases for the further optimization of local and modern translational pathways for the provision of topical cytotherapeutic care.

No abstract

The process of collecting biological data is a continuous activity, specially in field work for university projects and courses. Data from these collections needs to be properly stored in order to be readily available for future analysis. This is particularly important since a significant amount of data tends to be lost when the students responsible for collection leave their undergraduate or graduate programs and do not share their contributions for future projects. These students are frequently worried about storing their work on a public database. TaxonomyBrowser is a biodiversity information system developed to manage data collected by biologists during field work, as well as specimens registered in museum collections. This work describes a new approach on the TaxonomyBrowser's user interface, focusing on providing an easier and more intuitive method of visualizing and managing the database information. The interface layout was based on Shneiderman's Visual Information Seeking Mantra: overview first, zoom and filter, then details on demand. We limited the access to certain specimen's information depending on the user's authentication by altering the original database structure in order to associate each specimen created to accounts or groups of users.

No abstract

No abstract

TaxonomyBrowser is a biodiversity information system developed to manage data collected by biologists during field work as well as data resulting from further analyses. It was developed as a web application and stores data on a database organized according to the taxonomic tree of leaving species, i.e., specimens collected or observed during field work are recorded in the database classified as pertaining to some level in the taxonomic tree. In its first version, TaxonomyBrowser had a common, form-based user interface for managing the database. This work presents the new visualization-based interface of the system, describing the features that are available for entering data from collected specimens as well as accessing data through different visualization techniques. The interface was assessed by means of a survey with remote users in order to evaluate the provided features and validate the concept of a visualization-based interface for such kind of system. Participants considered the application to be intuitive, and most of them provided positive feedback.