Proteomic Analyses Reveal Functional Pathways and Potential Targets in Pediatric Hydrocephalus.

Introduction: Hydrocephalus is a common pediatric disorder of cerebral spinal fluid physiology resulting in abnormal expansion of the cerebral ventricles. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown.

Methods: We performed proteomic analyses of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 7 congenital hydrocephalus and 5 arachnoid cyst patients who underwent surgical treatment.

TopoRoot: a method for computing hierarchy and fine-grained traits of maize roots from 3D imaging.

Background: 3D imaging, such as X-ray CT and MRI, has been widely deployed to study plant root structures. Many computational tools exist to extract coarse-grained features from 3D root images, such as total volume, root number and total root length. However, methods that can accurately and efficiently compute fine-grained root traits, such as root number and geometry at each hierarchy level, are still lacking.

Synthesis and Characterization of Montmorillonite Supported Zero-Valent Bimetallic Fe/Ni Nanoparticles for the Removal of Triclosan.

As an important industrial material, triclosan is widely used in manufacturing, and similar to many materials of its kind, triclosan causes significant environmental pollution, especially water pollution. In the organic pollutant degradation field, iron nanoparticles are among the most popular catalysts and have been successfully applied in various kinds of environmental modification, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. As we will show in this study, combined with nickel, the montmorillonite-supported Fe-Ni bimetallic nano-systems gained better organic contaminant degradation ability and stability than iron nanoparticles.

Experimental Evidence and Characteristic Recognition of the Nanoweakening of Slip Deformation Zones.

A central issue in the study of fault evolution is to identify shear weakening and its mechanism; currently, studies of fault weakening in narrow slip deformation zones, including those of various slipping planes such as schistosity, foliation, cleavage, joints and faults in rocks, are ongoing. To verify the nanoweakening in shear slipping, we carried out experiments: triaxial compression experiments on sandstones and uniaxial compression experiments on granites. Furthermore, on the basis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations and experimental data analyses, we suggested three kinds of nanoweakening in terms of the corresponding strain stages: (1) The slip nanoweakening caused by the strain hardening deformation stage of the shear slip, which creates nanograins with dense coatings that may be due to the nanocoating on the shear planes, can result in rolling friction rather than with sliding friction, and the former is a principal mechanism of sliding nanoweakening.

Effect of Composition on the Micropore Structure of Non-Marine Coal-Bearing Shale: A Case Study of Permian Strata in the Qinshui Basin, China.

The nanopore network in organic-rich shale plays a key role in shale gas storage and migration, and micropores are an important structural unit in connecting the migration channel. In this study, we selected six non-marine coal-bearing shales from the Qinshui Basin to investigate the effect of composition on micropore structure using X-ray diffraction, total organic carbon (TOC), vitrinite reflectance, and CO₂ adsorption methods. The results indicate that non-marine shale with higher TOC content possesses more micropores, leading to a more complex pore structure and improving the heterogeneity of shale reservoirs.

The Gas Content Characteristics of Nanopores Developed in a Normal Pressure Shale Gas Reservoir in Southeast Chongqing, Sichuan Basin, China.

To evaluate the gas content characteristics of nanopores developed in a normal pressure shale gas reservoir, the Py1 well in southeast Chongqing was selected as a case study. A series of experiments was performed to analyze the total organic carbon content, porosity and gas content using core material samples of the Longmaxi Shale from the Py1 well. The results show that the adsorbed gas and free gas content in the nanopores developed in the Py1 well in the normal pressure shale gas reservoir range from 0.

Pore Size Distribution and Fractal Characteristics of the Nanopore Structure in Organic-Rich Shales Using the Neimark-Kiselev Fractal Approach.

Shale gas has been playing an increasingly important role in meeting global energy demands. The heterogeneity of the pore structure in organic-rich shales greatly affects the adsorption, desorption, diffusion and flow of gas. The pore size distribution (PSD) is a key parameter of the heterogeneity of the shale pore structure.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Evidence of the Nanoscale Structural Jump in Medium-Rank Tectonic Coal.

Coal is a pressure-sensitive organic rock. The effect of tectonism on the structural evolution of medium-rank coal has been confirmed by the change in the crystal state of tectonic coal, but the organic molecular level response has not been reported. In this paper, three sets of medium-rank tectonic coals and symbiotic nontectonic coals were selected.

Small Angle X-ray Scattering Test of Hami Coal Sample Nanostructure Parameters with Gas Adsorbed Under Different Pressures.

The complexity and multiscale structure of coal pores significantly influence the gas diffusion and seepage characteristics of coal. To apply small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to study the coal pore structure parameters within the scale of 1-100 nm in the methane adsorption process, the X-ray window was optimized and a gas adsorption chamber was designed to interface with the small angle X-ray scattering platform. The fractal dimension and porosity of Hami coal samples under different methane pressures were studied using the small angle X-ray scattering platform and adsorption chamber.

Micro-Nano Fine Characterization of Coal Fracture Evolution During the Triaxial Compression Creep.

The production and evolution of fractures during coal creep will directly affect the occurrence, extraction and flow law of gas in a coal seam. The coal fracture evolution under creep conditions was studied by qualitative analysis and quantitative characterization. At a room temperature of 24 °C, triaxial compression creep tests of coal samples from the Zhaogu No.

Micro-Nanostructure of Coal and Adsorption-Diffusion Characteristics of Methane.

The adsorption and diffusion characteristics of coal are important parameters for coalbed methane (CBM) extraction and mine gas control. However, the adsorption test can only obtain the apparent adsorption amount, and it cannot obtain the actual adsorption amount, which leads to a large error during the calculation of the coal diffusion coefficient. Taking the anthracite coal in the Jiulishan Mine as the research object, the micro-nanostructure and instantaneous apparent methane adsorption isotherms of the primary structure coal and tectonic coal were determined by low-temperature CO₂ adsorption, mercury intrusion and methane diffusion kinetics tests, and the instantaneous apparent adsorption isotherms of methane were corrected to the instantaneous actual adsorption isotherm by the Langmuir model.

Investigation on the Structure and Fractal Characteristics of Nanopores in High-Rank Coal: Implications for the Methane Adsorption Capacity.

The structure and fractal characteristics of nanopores of high-rank coal were investigated using an approach that integrates N₂ adsorption and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The results indicated that the high-rank coal of the Shanxi Formation has a complex pore-fracture network composed of organic matter pores, mineral-related pores, and microfractures. The pore type of high-rank coal tends to be complicated, and the main pore types are inkbottle pores and open pores, which are more conducive to methane enrichment.

Pore Structure Characterization of Tailing Bed and Dewatering Mechanism at nm-µm Scales Under Shearing.

The preparation of high-density tailings is a prerequisite for cemented paste backfill technology, and the flocculated fine tailings of sealed water leads to challenges in the slurry thickening of tailings. Shearing conditions can compact the micro floc structure to improve the underflow concentration. The nm-μm scales of pore characteristics and connectivity are essential for the dewatering process.

Characteristics of Micro/Nano Pores and Hydrocarbon Accumulation in a Continental Shale Oil Reservoir-A Case Study of the Lucaogou Formation in the Jimsar Sag, Junggar Basin, Northwest China.

This paper comprehensively studies the micro- and nanometer-scale pore characteristics and structure of the Lucaogou Formation shale oil reservoir in the Jimsar Sag using high-pressure mercury analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy and nano-CT scanning technology. In addition, the occurrence states of crude oil in pores are analyzed combined with macro-micro characteristics. The results show that there are various reservoir types; the main reservoir pore structure is on the micron and nanometer levels, with other void spaces including intergranular pores, interparticle dissolution pores, intercrystalline pores and microfissures.

Micro-Nanoscale Characteristics of Pyrite and Its Implications for Gold Mineralization: Two Cases of Gold Deposits in the Youjiang Basin and Southwestern Tianshan Mountains.

The mineralogical and compositional characteristics of gold-bearing minerals and the occurrence of gold are not only of great significance to exploring the sources of ore-forming materials and their formation mechanisms but also helpful for designing reasonable beneficiations and smelting schemes and achieving remarkable economic benefits. This paper presents an integrated study on the crystal characteristics, elemental composition and distribution of pyrite (the main gold-bearing minerals), on the basis of electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and nano-secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). The occurrence of gold in the Shuiyindong gold deposit and Ashawayi gold deposit has been studied by means of microscopy, SEM, and EPMA images, elemental correlations, S-Fe-As ternary diagrams, logAs-logAu diagrams and Au/As ratios.

Micro-Nanopore Structure and Fractal Characteristics of Tight Sandstone Gas Reservoirs in the Eastern Ordos Basin, China.

The complex pore system in tight sandstone reservoirs controls the storage and transport of natural gas. Thus, quantitatively characterizing the micro-nanopore structure of tight sandstone reservoirs is of great significance to determining the accumulation and distribution of tight gas. The pore structure of reservoirs was determined through polarizing microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the combination of mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments on Late Paleozoic conventional and tight sandstone samples from the Linxing Block, Ordos Basin.

Nanopore Formation and Structural Changes in Black Shale During the Initial Weathering Stage: A Longmaxi Formation Profile in Northwestern Hunan, China.

Understanding the controls on composition changes and porosity evolution in the critical zone of shale remains a major challenge. The aim of the present study is to develop a model of the changes in mineral compositions, chemical compositions and nanopore formation in shale during the initial weathering stage. To understand these processes, we selected a Silurian shale profile rich in pyrite and organic matter located in South China.

Nanopore Structure Distribution of the Upper Paleozoic Tight Sandstones and Its Controls on Gas Production Performance in the Shenfu Area, Northeastern Ordos Basin, China.

Based on X-ray diffraction, thin section and scanning electron microscopy observation, helium porosity and permeability tests and high-pressure mercury intrusion experiments, the pore and throat distributions of tight sandstone reservoirs were revealed on a nm-μm scale, and their control on gas productivity in the Shenfu area, northeastern Ordos Basin, China was discussed. The results show that lithic sandstones are the main rock types. As the burial depth increases, the quartz content increases, while the feldspar content decreases.

A new approach to estimate fugitive methane emissions from coal mining in China.

Developing a more accurate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory draws too much attention. Because of its resource endowment and technical status, China has made coal-related GHG emissions a big part of its inventory. Lacking a stoichiometric carbon conversion coefficient and influenced by geological conditions and mining technologies, previous efforts to estimate fugitive methane emissions from coal mining in China has led to disagreeing results.

[Spectrum Research on Rheology of High Rank Coal].

Aiming to discuss the change characteristic of macromolecular structures of high rank coal in different rheological conditions, the high rank undeformed coal from southern Qinshui basin and the coal after variable temperature and variable pressure rheology experiments were investigated and analyzed in detail through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and laser Raman spectra analysis. The result shows that the texture and composition of different types of rheological coals under different temperature and pressure exhibit significant differences. Experiments of variable temperature and pressure of high rank coal (temperature: 300-400 °C, confining pressure: 50-100 MPa, strain: less than 10% and strain rate: 10(-4)-10(-7) · s(-1) will distort their macromolecular structures and recombine the chemistry structures.

[Infrared Spectrum Studies of Hydrocarbon Generation and Structure Evolution of Peat Samples During Pyrolysis and Microbial Degradation].

Hydrocarbon generation and structural evolution would be occurred in the process of from coal-forming material (i. e. peat sample) transforming to the coal.

[Assessment of groundwater quality of different aquifers in Tongzhou area in Beijing Plain and its chemical characteristics analysis].

In order to evaluate the groundwater quality of Tongzhou area in Beijing Plain and to discuss the characteristics of its distribution by the view of hydrochemistry, a total of 151 groundwater samples, collected within study area in the dry period of 2008 according to the geological and hydrogeololgical condition of Tongzhou area, were classified as shallow, middle and deep groundwater, respectively. Based on the data, the groundwater quality was evaluated by the method of F value. The mean and variance of main chemical constituents of groundwater samples were presented.