Effect of salt gradients on DNA translocation through solid-state nanopores

Aiming at the issues of controlling the translocation speed of DNA through a solid-state nanopore and enlarging the signal-to-noise ratio of ionic current modulation, which are challenges for the application of nanopore technology in DNA detection, salt concentration gradients are applied across the nanopore to investigate their influence on the DNA translocation time and signal-to-noise ratio. Experimental data demonstrates that, in symmetric concentration conditions, both the current blockade and dwell time for A-DNA translocation through a solid-state nanopore increase along with potassium chloride concentration. When the concentration in the trans chamber is decreased from 1 to 0.1 mol/L, keeping the concentration of the cis chamber at 1 mol/L, the normalized current blockade is found to be increased by one order. The increased dwell time and enhanced signal-to-noise ratio are achieved with salt gradients across the nanopore, which can improve the sensitivity when detecting DNA samples.

Mathematical modeling of salt-gradient ion-exchange simulated moving bed chromatography for protein separations

The salt-gradient operation mode used in ion-exchange simulated moving bed chromatography (SMBC) can improve the efficiency of protein separations. A detailed model that takes into account any kind of adsorption/ion-exchange equilibrium, salt gradient, size exclusion, mass transfer resistance, and port periodic switching mechanism, was developed to simulate the complex dynamics. The model predictions were verified by the experimental data on upward and downward gradients for protein separations reported in the literature. All design and operating parameters (number, configuration, length and diameter of columns, particle size, switching period, flow rates of feed, raffinate, desorbent and extract, protein concentrations in feed, different salt concentrations in desorbent and feed) can be chosen correctly by numerical simulation. This model can facilitate the design, operation, optimization, control and scale-up of salt-gradient ion-exchange SMBC for protein separations.

Numerical Analysis of the Influence of Buoyancy Ratio and Dufour Parameter on Thermosolutal Convection in a Square Salt Gradient Solar Pond

Revise the abstract as follows:This work aims to investigate numerically the influence of the buoyancy ratio and the Dufour parameter on thermosolutal convection in a square Salt Gradient Solar Pond(SGSP).The absorption of solar radiation by the saline water,the heat losses and the wind effects via the SGSP free surface are considered.The mathematical model is based on the Navier-Stokes equations used in synergy with the thermal energy equation.These equations are solved using the finite volume method and the Gauss algorithm.Velocity-pressure coupling is implemented through the SIMPLE algorithm.Simulations of the SGSP are performed for three values of buoyancy ratio(N=1,2 and 10),three values of Dufour parameter(Df?0,0.2 and 0.8)and some sample meteorological data(Tangier,Morocco).Results show that the highest dimensionless temperature of the storage zone is found for N=10.In the same zone and for the same value of N,the dimensionless salt concentration decreases very slightly versus time(unlike for N=1 or 2).Moreover,increasing Df from 0 to 0.8 causes a decrease in the dimensionless temperature of the SGSP storage zone and this decrease is more pronounced for N=1 and N=2.

Fracture gradient prediction:an overview and an improved method

The fracture gradient is a critical parameter for drilling mud weight design in the energy industry. A new method in fracture gradient prediction is proposed based on analyzing worldwide leak-off test(LOT) data in offshore drilling. Current fracture gradient prediction methods are also reviewed and compared to the proposed method. We analyze more than 200 LOT data in several offshore petroleum basins and find that the fracture gradient depends not only on the overburden stress and pore pressure, but also on the depth. The data indicate that the effective stress coefficient is higher at a shallower depth than that at a deeper depth in the shale formations. Based on this finding,a depth-dependent effective stress coefficient is proposed and applied for fracture gradient prediction. In some petroleum basins, many wells need to be drilled through long sections of salt formations to reach hydrocarbon reservoirs.The fracture gradient in salt formations is very different from that in other sedimentary rocks. Leak-off test data in the salt formations are investigated, and a fracture gradient prediction method is proposed. Case applications are examined to compare different fracture gradient methods and validate the proposed methods. The reasons why the LOT value is higher than its overburden gradient are also explained.

Plant assemblage and diversity variation with human disturbances in coastal habitats of the western Arabian Gulf

Knowledge about plant diversity along disturbance gradients is essential for conservation and management of fragmented coastal habitats.This study examined the effects of human disturbance intensity in coastal habitats of Kuwait on diversity,composition,identity and assemblage of vascular plant species.Plant survey data from 113 plots （5m×5m each） were randomly selected in 51 sites at coastal fragmented habitats at three levels of disturbance intensities （high,moderate and low） and were statistically analyzed.The results revealed that about 76% of the recorded species are considered threatened species in Kuwait,most of which are being lost in high disturbed habitats.Disturbance led to the dominance of Zygophyllum qatarense,Cornulaca aucheri and Salsola imbricata,which are species of disturbance indicators.Richness,total plant cover and species diversity were higher in moderate and low disturbed habitats than in high disturbed habitats.Beta diversity between high and low disturbed habitats was higher than either between high and moderate,or between moderate and low disturbed habitats.Cluster analyses showed statistically significant differences in composition of plant assemblages,which indicate high beta diversity between the habitat types.Intensive urbanization and industrialization are among the most serious threats that contribute to declines in biological diversity and rapid fragmentation of coastal habitats in Kuwait.Establishing protective enclosures in the disturbed habitats,planting endangered and vulnerable species,and establishing a natural reserve at Nuwaiseeb are recommended conservation actions to avoid loss of the fragmented coastal habitats and to facilitate restoration of native plants.

Effects of symmetric and asymmetric salt conditions on a selective solid-state nanopore assay

Conventional solid-state nanopore measurements sense all translocating entities,necessitating meticulous analysis to differentiate target biomolecules.To address this,we have established a selective assay with the platform that has shown utility in quantifying several nucleic acid biomarkers.However,limited detection efficiency and intrinsic noise have so far limited assay resolution to 10 nM.Improvements in this value require manipulation of translocation dynamics.Here,we report the effects of NaCl conditions on assay performance.We first investigate symmetric conditions,finding sensitivity increases with salt concentration but selectivity is maximized at 1.0 M NaCl.We then probe asymmetric conditions,showing a remarkable impact on assay sensitivity and selectivity when measurement buffer NaCl concentration in the reservoir with the translocating molecules is low and the opposite reservoir is increased.Using optimum conditions,we demonstrate detection of target biomolecules down to a concentration of 100 pM which is an improvement of 2 orders of magnitude over past results.

Elucidating the dynamics of polymer transport through nanopores using asymmetric salt concentrations

While notable progress has been made in recent years both experimentally and theoretically in understanding the highly complex dynamics of polymer capture and transport through nanopores,there remains significant disagreement between experimental observation and theoretical prediction that needs to be resolved.Asymmetric salt concentrations,where the concentrations of ions on each side of the membrane are different,can be used to enhance capture rates and prolong translocation times of electrophoretically driven polymers translocating through a nanopore from the low salt concentration reservoir,which are both attractive features for single-molecule analysis.However,since asymmetric salt concentrations affect the electrophoretic pull inside and outside the pore differently,it also offers a useful control parameter to elucidate the otherwise inseparable physics of the capture and translocation process.In this work,we attempt to paint a complete picture of the dynamics of polymer capture and translocation in both symmetric and asymmetric salt concentration conditions by reporting the dependence of multiple translocation metrics on voltage,polymer length,and salt concentration gradient.Using asymmetric salt concentration conditions,we experimentally observe the predictions of tension propagation theory,and infer the significant impact of the electric field outside the pore in capturing polymers and in altering polymer conformations prior to translocation.