bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrocarbon Reservoir Characterization of ‘UDI’ Field, Western Niger Delta
Authors: Osuya N. E. , Ayorinde J. O. 
Published: March 2020

The increasing demand for petroleum products has posed a challenge to the search for oil and gas. This search for hydrocarbon has developed due to advances in computational techniques to evaluate the probability of hydrocarbon proneness of a basin, thereby limiting the risk factor associated with hydrocarbon. This study was therefore designed to assess the hydrocarbon potential and generate a static reservoir model of UDI Field, Onshore Niger Delta.
Well, the correlation was carried out to establish stratigraphic continuity of the reservoir sand bodies. The identified potential reservoir intervals were tied to the seismic data using available check shot survey data. With a good match achieved, seismic events were interpreted through paying attention to reflection continuity, amplitude and frequency. Interpreted horizons were converted to surfaces using a convergent interpolation algorithm. Faults within the Field showed a dominant East-West trend with two (2) major faults and five (5) minor ones. A Pixel-based facies model was built based on the normal distribution of the upscaled lithofacies log using the Sequential Indicator Simulation algorithm. Petrophysical models were built by constraining the petrophysical logs to the facies models using Sequential Gaussian simulation algorithm.
Four potential reservoir intervals, A100, A125, A150 and A200 were delineated. Average petrophysical parameters were computed for all the four intervals and the results revealed the reservoir intervals to be of good quality. Sand A100 has the highest average porosity value of 29.4%, while Sand A200 has the lowest value of 25.3%. Net-to-gross ratio also follows the pattern of decreasing value with depth. Sand A150 has the highest average gross thickness value, 170.4 m, while Sand A200 has the least thickness of 80.5 m. The net-to-gross ratio preserved the pattern of gross thickness and this resulted in Sand A150 still having the highest Net thickness and Sand A200 having the least Net sand thickness. The relatively large net sand thicknesses, high net-to-gross ratio values and the high porosity values all support the reservoir intervals within UDI Field to be of good quality.
Extrapolations of reservoir properties away from good control honored the geological interpretation of reservoir Sand A125 thereby reducing the subsurface reservoir uncertainties.
The availability of pressure data of the reservoir will help in establishing whether the reservoir is compartmentalized and hence the model can be updated to accommodate the effect of compartmentalization.
Clinical characteristics of Taiwanese patients with Hereditary spastic paraplegia type 5
Authors: Chou Cheng‐Ta , Soong Bing‐Wen , Lin Kon‐Ping , Tsai Yu‐Shuen , Jih Kang‐Yang , Liao Yi‐Chu , Lee Yi‐Chung 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the clinical, electrophysiological, neuroimaging characteristics and genetic features of SPG5 in Taiwan.MethodsMutational analysis of the coding regions of CYP7B1 was performed by utilizing targeted resequencing analysis of the 187 unrelated Taiwanese HSP patients. The diagnosis of SPG5 was ascertained by the presence of biallelic CYP7B1 mutations. The SPG5 patients received clinical, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging evaluations. Disease severity was assessed by using the Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale (SPRS) and the disability score. Two microsatellite markers as well as 18 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers flanking CYP7B1 were genotyped to assess the founder effect of the CYP7B1 p.R112* mutation.ResultsNineteen SPG5 patients from 17 families were identified. They typically presented an insidious onset progressive spastic paraparesis with proprioception involvement beginning at age 8 to 40 years. Their MRIs often showed white matter abnormalities in bilateral occipito‐parietal regions, spinal cord atrophy, and mild cerebellar atrophy. Six different mutations in CYP7B1 were recognized, including three novel ones (p.N131Ifs*4, p.A295V, and p.L439R). CYP7B1 p.R112* was the most common mutation and present in 88.2% of the 17 SPG5 pedigrees. The patients with homozygous CYP7B1 p.R112* mutations had a milder clinical severity. Detailed haplotype analyses demonstrated a shared haplotype in the 25 individuals carrying at least one single allele of CYP7B1 p.R112*, suggesting a founder effect.InterpretationThis study delineates the distinct clinical and genetic features of SPG5 in Taiwan and provides useful information for the diagnosis and management of SPG5, especially in patients of Chinese descent.
Fluorescence‐Based Quantification of Messenger RNA and Plasmid DNA Decay Kinetics in Extracellular Biological Fluids and Cell Extracts
Authors: Zhang Heyang , Rombouts Koen , Raes Laurens , Xiong Ranhua , De Smedt Stefaan C. , Braeckmans Kevin , Remaut Katrien 
Published: March 2020

AbstractExtracellular and intracellular degradation of nucleic acids remains an issue in non‐viral gene therapy. Understanding biodegradation is critical for the rational design of gene therapeutics in order to maintain stability and functionality at the target site. However, there are only limited methods available that allow determining the stability of genetic materials in biological environments. In this context, the decay kinetics of fluorescently labeled plasmid DNA (pDNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) in undiluted biological samples (i.e., human serum, human ascites, bovine vitreous) and cell extracts is studied using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and single particle tracking (SPT). It is demonstrated that FCS is suitable to follow mRNA degradation, while SPT is better suited to investigate pDNA integrity. The half‐life of mRNA and pDNA is ≈1–2 min and 1–4 h in biological samples, respectively. The resistance against biodegradation drastically improves by complexation with lipid‐based carriers. Taken together, FCS and SPT are able to quantify the integrity of mRNA and pDNA, respectively, as a function of time, both in the extracellular biological fluids and cell extracts. This in turn allows to focus on the important but less understood issue of nucleic acids degradation in more detail and to rationally optimize gene delivery system as therapeutics.
Spontaneous Adsorption of Graphene Oxide to Oil–Water and Air–Water Interfaces by Adsorption of Hydrotropes
Authors: Turpin Geosmin A. , Holt Stephen A. , Scofield Joel M. P. , Teo Boon M. , Tabor Rico F. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe interfacial adsorption of graphene oxide (GO) is crucial in phenomena such as emulsification and froth flotation, where presence of 2D nanomaterials facilitates Pickering stabilization. This process usually requires the input of high amounts of shear energy, or is aided by surfactants in order to make it possible at room temperature. In this work, a surfactant‐free method for interfacial enrichment through the use of a family of tetraalkylammonium hydrotropes, the most effective being tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC), is demonstrated. As both GO and hydrotropes do not spontaneously enrich to interfaces on their own, this synergistic, spontaneous effect highlights that hydrotropes adsorb to GO sheets, decreasing their negative charge while rendering them more amphiphilic and therefore making it thermodynamically favorable for them to adsorb to the interface. Evidence for this adsorption includes increases in surface pressure, as well as emulsion and froth stability when both GO and hydrotropes are present in a system. Hydrotropes perform as well as or better than surfactants. Adsorption is irreversible, with XRR and AFM studies demonstrating that roughness increases with compression of the air‐water interface, showing that GO sheets are crumpling at the interface rather than desorbing, providing new routes to patterned and structured GO layers.
Titanium as an Instant Adhesive for Biological Soft Tissue
Authors: Okada Masahiro , Hara Emilio Satoshi , Yabe Atsushi , Okada Kei , Shibata Yo , Torii Yasuhiro , Nakano Takayoshi , Matsumoto Takuya 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA variety of polymer‐ and ceramic‐based soft‐tissue adhesives have been developed as alternatives to surgical sutures, yet several disadvantages regarding the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and handling hinder their further application particularly when applied for immobilization of implantable devices. Here, it is reported that a biocompatible and tough metal, titanium (Ti), shows instant and remarkable adhesion properties after acid treatment, demonstrated by ex vivo shear adhesion tests with mouse dermal tissues. Importantly, in vivo experiments demonstrate that the acid‐treated Ti can easily and stably immobilize a device implanted in the mouse subcutaneous tissue. Collectively, the acid‐treated Ti is shown as a solid‐state instant adhesive material for biological soft tissues, which can have diverse applications including immobilization of body‐implantable devices.
Hexahedral LED Arrays with Row and Column Control Lines Formed by Selective Liquid‐Phase Plasticization and Nondisruptive Tucking‐Based Origami
Authors: Kim Gi‐Gwan , Kim Yeongmin , Yoo Seonggwang , Jang Hun Soo , Ko Heung Cho 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOrigami/kirigami of flexible electronics is a promising way to produce 3D electronics because well‐developed silicon‐based technologies can be used for the planar circuitry layout. However, it is still a challenge to enable general row and column control lines to develop 3D addressable sensory and display systems. This study addresses this issue via selective plasticization of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) film with N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) through polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channels. The use of DMF provides plasticization in a controllable manner because of the fast absorption of the DMF in the liquid phase during the plasticization process, a prolonged retention time of DMF in the ABS film at room temperature during the transformation process, and fast desorption at 60– 80 °C for the deplasticization process. The use of microfluidic channels allows high‐resolution selective plasticization to enable extreme cases of local bending or even folding inward and outward, thereby enabling tucking‐based origami with no crack generation. The lamination of membrane‐type electronic devices to an ABS film followed by selective plasticization and transformation enables nondisruptive tucking‐based origami at the electronics level, such as for the demonstration of a hexahedral light‐emitting diode (LED) array with general row and column control lines.
Controlling for selective dropout in longitudinal dementia data: Application to the SveDem registry
Authors: Handels Ron , Jönsson Linus , Garcia‐Ptacek Sara , Eriksdotter Maria , Wimo Anders 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntroductionLoss to follow‐up in dementia studies is common and related to cognition, which worsens over time. We aimed to (1) describe dropout and missing cognitive data in the Swedish dementia registry, SveDem; (2) identify factors associated with dropout; and (3) estimate propensity scores and use them to adjust for dropout.MethodsLongitudinal cognitive data were obtained from 53,880 persons from the SveDem national quality dementia registry. Inverse probability of censoring weights (IPCWs) were estimated using a logistic regression model on dropout.ResultsThe mean annualized rate of change in Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) in those with a low MMSE (0 to 10) was likely underestimated in the complete case analysis (+1.5 points/year) versus the IPCW analysis (−0.3 points/year).DiscussionHandling dropout by IPCWs resulted in plausible estimates of cognitive decline. This method is likely of value to adjust for biased dropout in longitudinal cohorts of dementia.
Preparation and performance analysis of polypropylene fiber‐reinforced concrete composite
Authors: Dong Hong 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe existing single concrete composite material mainly consists of sand, cement and water reducer, thus having poor anti‐freeze and anti‐collision capacities. In this study, polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete composite is prepared by adding polypropylene fiber into composite material. Therefore, the polypropylene fiber added to the concrete method of composite materials There are two methods of adding polypropylene fiber, i.e. adding polypropylene fiber first and polypropylene fiber later, and the fiber distributions of as‐prepared polypropylene fiber concrete composites under two method were compared. In this work, the method of adding polypropylene fiber first was selected.The amount of allocation of strength in the process of operationBy selecting the cement, aggregate and polypropylene fiber materials needed for the preparation of polypropylene fiber composites, and calculating the strength, water‐binder ratio, the amounts of polypropylene fiber and water‐reducing agents in the process of configuration, polypropylene fiber concrete composites is successfully prepared in this work.The experimental results show that the concrete composite made of polypropylene fiber has a high improvement in the antifreezing and anti‐collision ability.
Plasma‐polymerized cyclohexane coatings for ethanol and ammonia vapors sensing
Authors: Antony Ananth , Seo Hyeon Jin , Boo Jin‐Hyo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this study, plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition of cyclohexane thin films was prepared for application towards ethanol and ammonia vapor sensing between the range 100 and 1,000 ppm. The deposited film exhibited stable, uniform coating and smooth surface morphology with minor surface roughness. The thickness of the coatings was 40–46 nm. The gas‐sensing behavior against the experimental parameters such as coating thickness, operating temperature, and gas concentration was investigated. It was noted that increasing the coating thickness reduced the sensor's electrical conductivity. Increment in the operating temperature from 75°C to 100°C increased the sensor performance linearly. The ethanol and ammonia concentration effects were mainly influenced by the above two factors. The results demonstrated that the cyclohexane thin films can be used to fabricate low‐cost gas sensors in addition to its conventional use as a low dielectric material.
A combined differential scanning calorimetry‐dynamic mechanical thermal analysis approach for the estimation of constrained phases in thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Soudmand Behzad H. , Shelesh‐Nezhad Karim , Salimi Yaghob 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPoly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) nanocomposites reinforced with different weight fractions of montmorillonite (MMT), and nanoprecipitated calcium carbonate (NPCC) were prepared by a two‐step melt compounding method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses were employed to explore the effect of nanofiller inclusion on the crystalline structure of PBT nanocomposites. The mobile amorphous fraction (MAF) and the rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) were first measured using the specific heat capacity (Cp) and melting enthalpy data. However, the contributors to total RAF, including interfacial RAF (RAFint) and crystalline RAF (RAFc), could not be discerned using only DSC. A novel and simple method was hence developed by employing a combined DSC‐dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) approach (CDDA) to disentangle the RAF components and determine the fractions of constrained volume constituents. To validate the results, the MAF calculated by CDDA were compared to those of DSC. The values obtained using CDDA were relatively higher, owing to the more significant sensitivity of this approach to polymer chain mobility.
Electronic Finetuning of a Bio‐inspired Iron(II) tetra‐NHC Complex by trans Axial Isocyanide Substitution
Authors: Schlagintweit Jonas F. , Hintermeier Carolin , Anneser Markus R. , Esslinger Eva‐Maria H. J. , Haslinger Stefan , Kühn Fritz E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe synthesis of trans axially substituted mono‐ (1 a) and bis(tert‐butylisocyanide) (1 b) derivatives of the highly active homogeneous bio‐inspired iron(II) olefin epoxidation (pre‐)catalyst 1 bearing an equatorial macrocyclic tetra N‐heterocyclic carbene and two trans axial labile acetonitrile ligands is reported. NMR spectroscopy and SC‐XRD indicate a considerable π‐backdonation from the iron(II) centres to the isocyanide ligand(s). The impact of isocyanide substitution on the electronic features of the complexes is studied by cyclic voltammetry revealing a significant increase in half‐cell potential assignable to the reversible Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple with an increasing number of isocyanides as a result of their π‐accepting properties: E1/2=0.15 V (1), E1/2=0.35 V (1 a), E1/2=0.44 V (1 b).
Formation of α‐synuclein aggregates in aqueous ethylammonium nitrate solutions
Authors: Takekiyo Takahiro , Yamada Natsuki , Nakazawa Chikako T. , Amo Taku , Asano Atsushi , Yoshimura Yukihiro 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe effect of adding ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), which is an ionic liquid (IL), on the aggregate formation of α‐synuclein (α‐Syn) in aqueous solution has been investigated. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate changes in the secondary structure of α‐Syn and in the states of water molecules and EAN. The results presented here show that the addition of EAN to α‐Syn causes the formation of an intermolecular β‐sheet structure in the following manner: native disordered state → polyproline II (PPII)‐helix → intermolecular β‐sheet (α‐Syn amyloid‐like aggregates: α‐SynA). Although cations and anions of EAN play roles in masking the charged side chains and PPII‐helix‐forming ability involved in the formation of α‐SynA, water molecules are not directly related to its formation. We conclude that EAN‐induced α‐Syn amyloid‐like aggregates form at hydrophobic associations in the middle of the molecules after masking the charged side chains at the N‐ and C‐terminals of α‐Syn.
An idea to explore: Use of augmented reality for teaching three‐dimensional biomolecular structures
Authors: Peterson Celeste N. , Tavana Sara Z. , Akinleye Olukemi P. , Johnson Walter H. , Berkmen Melanie B. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBiology and biochemistry students must learn to visualize and comprehend the complex three‐dimensional (3D) structures of macromolecules such as proteins or DNA. However, most tools available for teaching biomolecular structures typically operate in two dimensions. Here, we present protocols and pedagogical approaches for using immersive augmented reality (AR) visors, specifically the Microsoft HoloLens, to reinforce learning with large scale 3D holographic structures. We developed a novel workflow to render vividly colored custom biomolecules in AR visors. In addition, we developed AR exercises to review concepts relevant to protein or DNA structure and then implemented the exercises in four different biology and biochemistry courses. Surveys showed that students reported greater interest in biomolecular structures after the exercise. We also highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of the software and hardware of this upcoming technology.
IUBMB/PSBMB 2019 Conference/Plenary: Mentoring in postgraduate training and the role of Organization for PhD Education in Health Sciences in European System
Authors: Orer Hakan S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA vibrant and sustainable research environment is essential to establish a thriving PhD program. Organization for PhD Education in Health Sciences in European System, a European platform to promote best practices in PhD education in health sciences, published a guideline entitled “Best Practices for PhD Training.” The guideline includes comprehensive recommendations and suggestions on different components of the PhD program, of which supervision is an essential one. A working supervisor–student relationship based on mutual respect, responsibility, and participation is essential for the success of a PhD thesis. Supervisors should be active researchers and receive training to develop their supervising skills. They serve as role models in academic life, both scientifically and ethically. The appointment of a co‐supervisor, besides the principal one, is strongly encouraged not only to increase the efficiency in monitoring the student progression but also to defuse interpersonal conflicts. Institutional regulations should include the duties and responsibilities of the supervisor. A contract prepared by the institution and signed by the supervisor and the student could help specify the task and may serve as a starting point. In case of a conflict, grievance mechanisms also need to be clear and explicit. Supervisors ought to assist the career development of the students and guide them to become independent researchers. Unfortunately, different surveys showed that there is widespread discontent among the students about their supervisors. Performance pressure on both students and supervisors create enormous tension. Students feel stressed about their career prospects. Institutional policies should consider these stress points to enhance the wellbeing of students as well as the faculty.
Chan‐Evans‐Lam C−N Coupling Promoted by a Dinuclear Positively Charged Cu(II) Complex. Catalytic Performance and Some Evidence for the Mechanism of CEL Reaction Obviating Cu(III)/Cu(I) Catalytic Cycle
Authors: Akatyev Nikolay , Il'in Mikhail , Il'in(Jr.) Mikhail , Peregudova Svetlana , Peregudov Alexander , Buyanovskaya Anastasiya , Kudryavtsev Kirill , Dubovik Alexander , Grinberg Valerij , Orlov Victor , Pavlov Alexander , Novikov Valentin , Volkov Ilya , Belokon Yuri 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn the present study, we report the synthesis of a series of copper(II) complexes with a wide range of ligands and their testing in the copper catalyzed Chan‐Evans‐Lam (CEL) coupling of aniline and phenylboronic acid. The efficiency of the coupling was directly connected with the ease of the reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) of the complexes. The most efficient catalyst was derived from 4‐t‐butyl‐2,5‐bis[(quinolinylimino)methyl]phenolate and two Cu(II) ions. Depending on the counter‐anion nature and the concentration of the reaction mixture, the reaction can be directed to predominant C−N‐bond formation. Forty‐three derivatives of diphenylamine were prepared under the optimized conditions. The proposed mechanism of the catalysis was based on the reduction potential of a series of complexes, molecular weight measurements of the catalytic complex in MeOH and the kinetic studies of aniline and phenylboronic acid coupling. In addition, an 1H NMR experiment in a sealed NMR tube, without external oxygen supply available, proved that no complete Cu(II) to Cu(I) conversion was observed under the condition, ruling out the usually accepted mechanism of the C−N coupling, which included the oxygenation of the intermediately formed Cu(I) complexes after the key step of C−N conversion had already been completed. Instead, a mechanism was proposed, involving an oxygen molecule coordinated to two copper ions in the key C−N bond formation without any detectable conversion of the Cu(II) complexes to Cu(I).