3D seismic structural and stratigraphic interpretation of the TUI-3D field, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

Identifying seismic structures and stratigraphy are important for exploration of hydrocarbons. The purpose of this study is to discover seismic structural and stratigraphic features and to utilize the results for interpreting depositional environments. A 3D seismic dataset from the Tui-3D Field, the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand with well data were used to visualize structures, to detect stratigraphic features, to identify main lithology, to understand depositional environment, and to describe seismic facies and reflection patterns of the target horizons. The major formations are in the Kapuni Group. Seismic structural interpretation indicates thirty-two minor faults, which may play an important role in oil migration from the Farewell F Sand to the Kaimiro D Sand, and many anticlines for possible oil traps. Depth maps show that the dipping of the Kapuni Group is toward the north. Seismic stratigraphic interpretation reveals features such as lineaments, gullies, and channels, which provide an understanding of evolution of the formations. The Kahu channel was identified in the Farewell F Sand, which may be a potential trap for oil accumulation. Gullies, which were discovered within the Giant Foresets Formation, are NW-SE oriented, straight to low sinuous, U-shaped, roughly parallel to each other, up to 12 km long, 10-50 m deep, and 20-500 m wide. NW-SE oriented and high to moderate sinuous channel complexes were found in the Moki A Sand. Lineament features and a canyon, which is NW-SE oriented, straight to low sinuous, approximately 2 km wide, 260 m deep, and 10 km long, were detected in the shallower part of the area. Petrophysical analysis demonstrates high porosity range from 10% to 25%, and high permeability up to ~322 md for the Kapuni Group --Abstract, page iii

Fullerene-Attached Polymeric Homogeneous/Heterogeneous Photoactivators for Visible-Light-Induced CuAAC Click Reactions

In this work, a visible-light-induced copper­(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction via an electron transfer reaction employing fullerene (C₆₀) containing linear polystyrene and network polymer as homogeneous and heterogeneous activators, PS-C₆₀ and Gel-C₆₀, respectively, is described. Various low molar mass organic and polymeric azide and alkyne compounds are used to conduct the click reaction, and almost quantitative yields are attained. Compared to the bare C₆₀, the polymers with C₆₀ units exhibited a much higher promoting effect to catalyze CuAAC reactions

Tandem Photoinduced Cationic Polymerization and CuAAC for Macromolecular Synthesis

A novel synthetic strategy involving sequential photoinduced cationic and copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click processes for the synthesis of complex macromolecular structures such as side-chain functional polymers, graft copolymers, and organogels is described. In the approach, first a set of copolymers possessing side-chain alkyne or halide functionalities, namely, poly­(cyclohexene oxide-<i>co</i>-glycidyl propargyl ether) (P­(CHO-<i>co</i>-GPE)), poly­(cyclohexene oxide-<i>co</i>-epichlorohydrin) (P­(CHO-<i>co</i>-ECH)), and poly­(tetrahydrofuran-<i>co</i>-epichlorohydrin) (P­(THF-<i>co</i>-ECH)), were synthesized by photoinitiated free-radical-promoted cationic copolymerization of the corresponding monomers using phenylbis­(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)­phosphine oxide (BAPO) and diphenyl iodonium hexafluorophosphate (Ph₂I⁺PF₆^–) as free radical photoinitiator and oxidant, respectively. While P­(CHO-<i>co</i>-GPE) readily contained clickable alkyne side-chains, the halide groups of P­(THF-<i>co</i>-ECH) were converted to azide groups by conventional azidation procedure using NaN₃ in DMF. Model side-chain functionalization, grafting onto, and organogel formation were demonstrated by using P­(CHO-<i>co</i>-GPE) and azidated P­(THF-<i>co</i>-ECH) via photoinduced CuAAC reactions. The intermediate polymers formed in various stages and final polymers were characterized by spectral analysis and gel permeation chromatography

Counteranion Sensitization Approach to Photoinitiated Free Radical Polymerization

A novel polymeric type II photoinitiator, namely poly­(ethylene oxide) dimethylammonium thioxanthonemethyl-carboxylate (PEO-NH⁺(Me)₂ TX-CH₂COO^–), possessing both photochromophoric and hydrogen donating groups in the structure was synthesized and characterized. In contrast to existing type II photoinitiators, the present photoinitiator initiates free radical polymerization by counteranion excitation even in the absence of added hydrogen donors. The photoinitiator can be applied to the polymerization of monomers soluble in organic solvents or water

Photo‐induced controlled/living polymerizations

Application of photochemical protocols to polymer synthesis are of interest due to the unique possibilities such as topological and temporal control, rapid polymerization processes and environmentally benign features provided finding application in adhesives, coatings, adaptive manufacturing, etc. In particular, utilization of photochemistry in controlled/living polymerizations offers the precise control over the macromolecular structure and chain lengths in addition to advantages associated with photochemistry. Herein, the latest developments on photocontrolled living radical and cationic polymerizations and their combinations for macromolecular syntheses are discussed. The review summarizes and spotlights the recent studies in the emerging area of photoinduced controlled/living polymerizations. A discussion of mechanistic details highlights differences as well as parallels between different systems for different polymerization methods and monomer applicability

Synthesis and pyrolysis of ABC type miktoarm star copolymers with polystyrene, poly(lactic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol) arms

An ABC type miktoarm star copolymer possessing polystyrene (PS), poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) arms was synthesized by combining Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) and Ring Opening Polymerization (ROP) with two click chemistries, namely thiol-ene and copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). For this purpose, a core 1-(allyloxy)-3-azidopropan-2-ol with allyl and azide functionalities was synthesized in two steps. Then, clickable polymers, polystyrene with thiol functionality (PS-SH) and poly(ethylene glycol) with alkyne functionality (PEG-acetylene) were independently prepared. As the first step of the grafting onto process, PS-SH was thiol-ene clicked onto the core to yield PS-N-3-OH. The second arm was then incorporated onto the core by the Ring Opening Polymerization (ROP) of 1-(-)-Lactide (LA) using as PS-N-3-OH initiator and tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate as catalyst. Finally, alkyne-PEG-acetylene was bonded to the resulting PLA-PS-N-3 using CuAAC click reaction. All intermediates, related polymers at different stages and final PS-PLA-PEG miktoarm star copolymer were characterized by H-1 NMR, FT-IR, SEC and DP-MS analyses. Direct pyrolysis mass spectrometry, (DP-MS) analyses of PS-PLA-PEG and all intermediate polymers indicated that the decomposition of PS and PEG chains occurred almost independently, following the degradation mechanisms of the corresponding homopolymers. On the other hand, during the pyrolysis of PS-PLA-PEG, elimination of H2O during the decomposition of PEG chains at the early stages of pyrolysis caused hydrolysis of PLA chains and increased the yields of CO2, CO and units involving unsaturation and/or crosslinked structure

Plexin C1 marks liver cancer cells with epithelial phenotype and is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and Aims. Hepatocellular carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy of the liver and is ranked as the sixth most common cancer worldwide. There is still room for novel markers to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of HCC. Our observations in cancer databases that PLXNC1 is upregulated in HCC led us to investigate the expression profile of Plexin C1 mRNA and protein in HCC cell lines and tissues. Methods. A recombinant protein encompassing part of the extracellular domain of Plexin C1 was used as an antigen for monoclonal antibody development. Transcript and protein levels of Plexin C1 in HCC cell lines were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. In vivo evaluation of Plexin C1 expression in HCC tissues was accomplished by immunohistochemistry studies in tissue microarrays. Results. A monoclonal antibody, clone PE4, specific to Plexin C1, was generated. In silico and in vitro analyses revealed a Plexin C1-based clustering of well-differentiated HCC cell lines. Staining of HCC and nontumoral liver tissues with PE4 showed a membrane-localized overexpression of Plexin C1 in tumors (p=0.0118). In addition, this expression was correlated with the histological grades of HCC cases. Conclusions. Plexin C1 distinguishes HCC cells of epithelial characteristics from those with the mesenchymal phenotype. Compared to the nontumoral liver, HCC tissues significantly overexpress Plexin C1. The newly generated PE4 antibody can be evaluated in larger HCC cohorts and might be exploited for the examination of Plexin C1 expression pattern in other epithelial malignancies.</p