Porosity and pore structure evolution during the weathering of black shale.

Pore type and pore structure evolves systematically across continuous black shale weathering profile. However, the extend and process of pore structure change is still an enigma. In this study, we try to unveil the pore structure evolution during weathering process through studying Cambrian Hetang shales in southern China. Fourteen shale samples, from protolith zone (PZ), fractured and weathered shale zone (FWZ), and saprolite zone (SZ), were collected to elucidate how porosity and pore structure develop during black shale weathering under subtropical condition. Through low pressure argon (Ar) gas adsorption (LP-ArGA), high pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) observation, the results reveal significant differences in physical properties and pore structures among the PZ, FWZ, and SZ samples. Specifically, compared to PZ, FWZ and SZ samples are characterized by higher clay mineral content, lower organic matter (OM), and the absence of carbonates and pyrite. Total porosity, determined through HPMI and NMR, exhibits a gradual increase from PZ (6.70 % and 6.41 %) to FWZ (20.47 % and 13.45 %) and SZ (23.22 % and 12.48 %). Ar adsorption isotherms indicate a change in pore type from predominantly ink-bottle and slit-shaped in the PZ to mainly slit-shaped in FWZ and SZ. Integrated analysis of LP-ArGA, HPMI, NMR and SEM observation suggests a substantial decrease in the contribution of micropores to total pore volume (PV) and a concurrent increase in larger pores (meso-macropores) with the increase of weathering intensity. This results in smoother surfaces of micro-transition pores but rougher surfaces of macropores. Changes in mineralogy composition during weathering play a crucial role in influencing pore structure of shales and further accelerating the release and migration of toxic elements in black shale. Our study provides the essential theoretical foundation for the remediation of soil and water environmental pollution caused by black shale weathering.

A case report of a patient with Turner syndrome who develops catatonia secondary to psychotic symptoms.

RATIONALE: Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder associated with partial or complete monosomy X abnormalities; some patients may have a higher risk of psychiatric symptoms. Catatonia is associated with a wide range of life-threatening complications with complex pathogenesis; However, It very rare for patients with TS to develop psychotic symptoms and eventually progress to catatonia. This case report describes the diagnostic and therapeutic course of catatonia-associated TS. PATIENT CONCERNS: In this study, we report the case of a patient with TS who initially developed sudden hallucinations, delusions, and emotional instability, followed by catatonia. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with: unspecified catatonia; TS. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment included administering a combination of esazolam injections and olanzapine tablets, placing a gastric tube and urinary catheter, and providing nutritional support. OUTCOMES: After treatment, the patient's hallucinations, delusions, and catatonia disappeared, with no residual sequelae, and social functioning returned to normal. LESSONS: For patients with TS who present with psychotic symptoms and catatonia, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary, and treatment with antipsychotics and benzodiazepines is effective.

An Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Block Proportion on Bimrocks, Considering Different Block-to-Matrix Strength Ratios.

The rock block proportion is one of the most important factors affecting the mechanical properties of bimrocks. Under different block-to-matrix strength ratios, the influence of rock block proportion is different. To explore the influence of rock block proportion on the mechanical properties of specimens under different block-to-matrix strength ratios, a new indoor test method for making bimrocks was proposed. A uniaxial compression test and a direct shear test were carried out on specimens with different rock block proportions. The results show that this method can control the block-to-matrix strength ratio well, and the influence of rock block proportion is obviously different under different block-to-matrix strength ratios. The strong matrix sample will decrease significantly after reaching the peak compressive strength, while the weak matrix will decrease slowly after reaching the peak strength. The rock block proportion is negatively correlated with the uniaxial compressive strength of strong matrix samples (the reduction was 12.53%) and is positively correlated with the uniaxial compressive strength of weak matrix samples as a whole, but it changes when block proportion is more than 50%. With the increase in normal stress and rock block proportion increases from 30% to 60%, the shear failure zone of the weak matrix sample increases, and the cracks are inclined, while the strong matrix sample has more secondary cracks. The results of this study also show that the effect of volumetric block proportion (VBP) on the internal friction angle and cohesion of the sample is less related to the block-to-matrix strength ratio.

Thermodynamic Properties Investigation of Process Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Its Transport Impact Factor in Oil Sands Management.

This paper presents a new approach for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) characteristics and their migration influencing factors in oil sands management processes and reveals the relationship between different asphaltene content and different solvents. Specifically, thermodynamic (i.e., partitioning coefficients, Kr, specific retention volume, Vg, the activity coefficients, γ and enthalpy of solution, ΔH0) and their impact factors are discussed. Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) experimental measurements were used as the test data. A range of solvents (nC5, iC5, nC6, nC7, and Toluene) has been tested in different asphalt contents (0, 2.56, 9.93, 36.86, 53.67 wt%). There are temperatures in the range of 333.2-393.2 K (with 10 K increase) were conducted, respectively. The dynamics properties of asphalt mixture are calculated, and the relation between dynamics properties of asphalt mixture and absolute temperature, asphalt content and solvent type is discussed. The results show that within the acceptable error range, partitioning coefficients, Kr, specific retention volume, Vg, and enthalpy of solution, ΔH0 and other thermodynamic properties have a good tendency to predict, they decrease with the increase in asphaltene content and temperature and increase with the increase in solute carbon number.

An Acute Manic Episode During 2019-nCoV Quarantine.

BACKGROUND: The 2019-nCov pandemic is currently a stressor for the general public worldwide. In China, people who have a history of contact with infected or suspected individuals need to quarantine for at least 2 weeks. Many people experienced anxiety, panic and depression in the quarantine period. However, acute manic episode triggered by stressful events is not common and was neglected. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old woman with direct contact history with her infected colleagues showed elevated mood and increased activity when she was identified negative of nuclear acid amplification test, after experiencing extreme stress in quarantine. She was diagnosed with acute manic episode finally. The social zeitgeber and reward hypersensitivity theoretical models have attempted to use psychobiological perspectives to determine why life stress can trigger a mood episode, including (hypo)mania. Besides, the temporal correlation between her somatic symptoms and psychological stimuli indicated a possibility of functional disturbance under acute stress. CONCLUSION: Quarantine is a major stressful event disrupting social zeitgebers for people who have had contact with infected individuals, especially for vulnerable individuals with a hypersensitive reward system. Stress could act as a trigger in the onset of manic episode, so psychological support should be more targeted at the vulnerable individuals in the initial phase of emergent crisis.