Microstructural characterisation of organic matter pores in coal-measure shale

      To gain the insight into the nature of organic matter (OM) micro-nanometer pores and fractal features of coal-measure shale from the OM macromolecular evolution perspective, 28 Taiyuan formation shale samples are collected from Qinshui Basin and characterized with Rock-eval, Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), low-pressure N2 gas adsorption (Lp-N2GA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that OM is in the high-over mature stage. Pore size ranges from 5.7 to 26.7 nm and pores less than 4 nm are dominant. Two pore fractal dimensions D1 and D2 are obtained from Lp-N2GA with the Frenkel-Halsey-Hill method, which are in the range of 2.272-2.617 and 2.561-2.799, respectively. A series of FTIR structure parameters are obtained by peak fitting the FTIR spectra to describe the microstructure of OM molecules, such as length of aliphatic chain, degree of aromatic carbon condensation and hydrocarbon generation potential. Micro-nanometer OM-related pores in FE-SEM images can be classified as OM hydrocarbon-generating pores, OM structure pores, OM intergranular pores and micro- cracks, with the first being most developed. Both hydrocarbon-generation and condensation of aromatic nucleus have positive effects on D1 . Hydrocarbon-generation is more effective for the development of micropores, while the condensation of aromatic nucleus is more conducive for the development of mesopores (<10 nm). The higher the total organic carbon content, and the more the micropores and mesopores (<10 nm) develop, the higher the value of D1 .Cited as: Li, K., Kong, S., Xia, P., Wang, X. Microstructural characterisation of organic matter pores in coal-measure shale. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2020, 4(4): 372-391, doi: 10.46690/ager.2020.04.0

Experimental study of drying characteristics and mathematical modeling for air drying of germinated brown rice

In view of existing problems in the drying process of germinated brown rice (GBR), the self-made hot air drying test system was utilized. The drying medium temperature and wind speed were selected as the drying parameters, and different constraints were set for the test. The effects of the drying medium temperature and wind speed on the drying rate and unit energy consumption were examined, and the drying mathematical models of GBR were established. The results perceived that as the temperature rose, and the wind speed increased, the drying rate increased accordingly. When the temperature was above 95°C, wind speed exceeded 3.6 m/s; the drying rate would not change deliberately. When the temperature of the drying medium rose, the change rate during the drying preheating stage and the deceleration stage increased sharply, whereas the drying rate in the constant-speed drying stage increased, and the drying time was greatly shortened. Unit energy consumption decreased with the increase of temperature and increased with increasing wind speed. Furthermore, when the drying temperature was ranged between 50°C and 80°C, the unit energy consumption changed meaningfully; when the medium temperature was between 80°C and 110°C, the unit heat consumption turned slowly. Wang and Singh’s model could best simulate the drying process of GBR within the experimental settings. And then comparing the RMSE and under the various dry conditions, the data of Wang and Singh model were between 1.6% - 2.8% and 2.5×10-4 - 5×10-4. The R2 values of the model were higher than 0.98

Ru doping induced spin frustration and enhancement of the room-temperature anomalous Hall effect in La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 films

In transition-metal-oxide heterostructures, the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) is a powerful tool for detecting the magnetic state and revealing intriguing interfacial magnetic orderings. However, achieving a larger AHE at room temperature in oxide heterostructures is still challenging due to the dilemma of mutually strong spin-orbit coupling and magnetic exchange interactions. Here, we exploit the Ru doping-enhanced AHE in LSMRO epitaxial films. As the B-site Ru doping level increases up to 20 percent, the anomalous Hall resistivity at room temperature can be enhanced from nOhmcm to uOhmcm scale. Ru doping leads to strong competition between ferromagnetic double-exchange interaction and antiferromagnetic super-exchange interaction. The resultant spin frustration and spin-glass state facilitate a strong skew-scattering process, thus significantly enhancing the extrinsic AHE. Our findings could pave a feasible approach for boosting the controllability and reliability of oxide-based spintronic devices

Generation of dual-gRNA library for combinatorial CRISPR screening of synthetic lethal gene pairs

Combinatorial CRISPR screening is useful for investigating synthetic lethality (SL) gene pairs. Here, we detail the steps for dual-gRNA library construction, with the introduction of two backbones, LentiGuide_DKO and LentiCRISPR_DKO. We describe steps fo

Increased Energy Expenditure, Dietary Fat Wasting, and Resistance to Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice Lacking Renin

An overactive renin angiotensin system is associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome. However, mechanisms behind it are unclear. Cleaving angiotensinogen to angiotensin I by renin is a rate-limiting step of angiotensin II production, but renin is suggested to have angiotensin-independent effects. We generated mice lacking renin (Ren1c) using embryonic stem cells from C57BL/6 mouse, a strain prone to diet-induced obesity. Ren1c-/- mice are lean, insulin sensitive, and resistant to diet-induced obesity without changes in food intake and physical activity. The lean phenotype is likely due to a higher metabolic rate, and gastrointestinal loss of dietary fat. Most of the metabolic changes in Ren1c-/- mice were reversed by angiotensin II administration. These results support a role for angiotensin II in the pathogenesis of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of silver@carbon nanocomposites

Abstract In this work, hollow multiple-Ag-nanoclustes- C-shell nanocomposites (Ag@C) were synthesized by using silane coupling agent to graft carbon dots (CDs) with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). CDs act as coating and stabilizing agent, protecting AgNPs from aggregation and oxidation. The resulting Ag@C nanocomposites demonstrate strong bactericidal effect against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria in the disk diffusion test. Cellular toxicity evaluation was performed using MTT assay. Meanwhile, the as-prepared Ag@C nanocomposites show a good biocompatibility

Dye stability of dye-sensitized solar cells with a conducting and a non-conducting electrode

Dye-sensitized solar cells with thin film TiO2 electrodes were fabricated. The TiO2 films were prepared on conducting and non-conducting glass substrates. A high-intensity laser was shining on the dye/TiO2 electrodes to excite the dyes and inject electrons to the conduction band of the TiO2 electrode. The dye degradation rate showed much difference for the dyes adsorbed on the TiO2 films on conducting and non-conducting glass substrates. On non-conducting glass substrate the injected electrons gathered near where they were injected. This increased the local Fermi level of the TiO2 conduction band and consequently the electron injection efficiency was decreased, leading to a relatively high degradation rate for the dyes when they were radiated by a high-intensity laser. The experimental results showed that dye stability is sensitive to the local electro-chemical environment

Management of acquired rectourethral fistulas in adults

Rectourethral fistula is an uncommon but devastating condition resulting from surgery, radiation, trauma, inflammation, or occasionally anorectal anomaly. Because of involving the urinary and the digestive system, surgical repair can be challenging. More than 40 different surgical approaches were described in the literature. However, no standardized management exists due to the rarity and complexity of the problem. Spontaneous closure of fistula is rare and most cases need reconstructive procedures. Appropriate preoperative assessment is crucial for the decision of operation time and method. Gradually accumulating evidence indicates surgeons should take fistula size, tissue health and vascularity associated with radiation or infection, urethral stricture, and bladder neck sclerosis into consideration and make a proper treatment plan according to the features of various approaches. Accurate preoperative evaluation and proper approach selection would increase success rates. Multiple surgical team corporation, including colorectal, urological and plastic surgeons, would optimize the outcomes. Keywords: Rectourethral fistula, Prostate cancer, Radical prostatectomy, Radiation therapy, Diagnosis, Managemen

Hydrocarbon gas-generating potential and pyrolysis characteristics of Yuanbao coal and its macerals, China

2155-2162The present study consists of the pyrolysis behaviors, evolution characters of pyrolysis products and hydrocarbon gases-generating potential of Yuanbao coal and its macerals (including vitrinite, liptinite and inertinite). The results show that the thermal stability follows the order of liptinite>inertinite>coal>vitrinite. Vitrinite has the maximum gases-generating potential, but liptinite has the greatest hydrocarbon gases-generating potential. Carbon content rises, while the hydrogen and oxygen content decrease with the rise of pyrolysis temperature. Carbonification rate is in the order: inertinite>vitrinite> coal >liptinite. Differences in chemical composition and structure character between coal and macerals chars decrease with increasing temperature. The S1+S2 and TOC of samples reach the maximum value in pyrolysis experiments at about 300 oC, and they decrease slowly when the pyrolysis temperature is higher than 500 oC. [300 oC, 500 oC] is the main temperature range of hydrogen-producing for coal and macerals. Ro, max (the maximum vitrinite reflectance) between 1.02 and 2.97% is main section of generating hydrocarbon gases for coal