Compositional Spectrum Research Articles

Characterization and origin of high-Al chromitites: A case study of chromite deposit in the Kudi ophiolite in the NW Tibetan Plateau

Chromitite occurrences in ophiolites are commonly classified into high-Cr (Cr# > 60) and high-Al (Cr# < 60) varieties. High-Cr chromitites have been extensively studied, whereas the origin of high-Al chromitites remains enigmatic mainly due to strong alteration of the relevant rocks. This study undertook a comprehensive examination of alteration-free high-Al chromitites and their hosting peridotites from the Kudi ophiolite in the NW Tibetan Plateau, complemented by a synthesis of global data of high-Al and high-Cr chromite deposits. Our results reveal that harzburgites, hosting both types of chromite deposits, exhibit similar major oxide compositions in their constituent minerals. In contrast, the constituent minerals in the dunite envelopes and chromitites display distinct major and trace element compositions, which are probably controlled by the compositions of infiltrating melts. For both chromite deposits, the forsterite (Fo) contents of olivine increase from harzburgite (90.0–91.6) to dunite (89.9–94.6) and chromitite (90.0–97.2). Mineral compositions of olivine show significant variabilities at the contact boundaries between densely disseminated and sparsely disseminated chromitites. These features suggest that fluid immiscibility plays an important role in the formation of high-Al chromitite. A continuous spectrum of major oxide compositions of chromite from high-Al to high-Cr chromitites suggests a progressive shift in the parental magma compositions from mid-ocean ridge basalt-like to boninitic melts, implying a rapid tectonic transition during subduction initiation.

Mineral chemistry, petrography and crystallization conditions of the Middle Eocene Kazıkbeli Pluton (Eastern Pontides, NE Türkiye)

The Eastern Pontides host a diverse suite of plutonic rocks spanning a wide range of ages and compositions. Among these, the Middle Eocene Kazıkbeli pluton, located in the Kürtün district of Gümüşhane, stands out due to its distinctive petrological characteristics. This study aims to unravel the petrological implications of petrographic and mineral chemical data to constrain the physicaydınçakırochemical conditions (temperature, pressure, oxygen fugacity) under which the Kazıkbeli magma crystallized and was emplaced. By integrating mineral chemical data, we seek to quantify emplacement pressure, crystallization temperature, and oxygen fugacity. A comprehensive understanding of the genetic relationships and physicochemical properties of the Kazıkbeli pluton rocks, as determined through geological, petrographic and mineral chemistry, is crucial for elucidating the geological evolution of the Eastern Pontides. The Kazıkbeli Pluton exhibits a predominant NE-SW orientation and encompasses an area of roughly 46 km². Modal mineralogical analysis reveals a compositional spectrum ranging from gabbroic diorite to monzogranite, with granodiorite and tonalite being the most prominent rock types. Textural variations encompass fine- to medium-grained, porphyritic, poikilitic, and occasionally graphic textures. The primary mineral assemblage of the pluton comprises plagioclase, orthoclase, quartz, amphibole, biotite, and Fe-Ti oxides. Accessory minerals include zircon, apatite, sphene, and allanite. Plagioclases are labradorite to oligoclase (An26 to An66) in composition. K-feldspar minerals exhibited an orthoclase composition (Or80 to Or97). All amphiboles belong to the calcic amphibole field and exhibit a magnesio-hornblende (Mg#=0.63-0.73) composition. Biotites crystallized as solidified melt products with compositions between annite and phlogopite endmembers, plotting close to the magnesium-rich (Mg#=0.52-0.58) end of the phlogopite solid solution series. Calculated crystallization temperatures derived from amphibole and biotite data range from 712°C to 824°C. Pressure estimations calculated using amphibole-plagioclase, amphibole and biotite suggest a range of 0.04 to 2.06 kbar. Oxygen fugacity (ƒO2) values calculated using amphibole and biotite fall between -12.5 and -16.1. Amphibole-based water content estimations indicate a range of 3.7% to 5.7% for the pluton. Biotite compositions within the studied Kazıkbeli pluton rocks exhibit characteristics suggestive of a potential mantle origin. Geobarometric calculations based on mineral chemistry data with geological and petrographic features indicate the emplacement of the Kazıkbeli Pluton at relatively shallow depths within the crust (~1 to 8 km).

Individuality and generality of intratumoral microbiome in the three most prevalent gynecological malignancies: an observational study.

Growing evidence have indicated the crucial role of intratumor microbiome in a variety of solid tumor. However, the intratumoral microbiome in gynecological malignancies is largely unknown. In the present study, a total of 90 Han patients, including 30 patients with cancer in cervix, ovary, and endometrium each were enrolled, the composition of intratumoral microbiome was assessed by 16S rDNA amplicon high throughput sequencing. We found that the diversity and metabolic potential of intratumoral microbiome in all three cancer types were very similar. Furthermore, all three cancer types shared a few taxa that collectively take up high relative abundance and positive rate, including Pseudomonas sp., Comamonadaceae gen. sp., Bradyrhizobium sp., Saccharomonospora sp., Cutibacterium acnes, Rubrobacter sp., Dialister micraerophilus, and Escherichia coli. Additionally, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Paracoccus sp. in cervical cancer, Pelomonas sp. in ovarian cancer, and Enterococcus faecalis in endometrial cancer were identified by LDA to be a representative bacterial strain. In addition, in cervical cancer patients, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (correlation coefficient = -0.3714) was negatively correlated (r = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.7) with Rubrobacter sp. and CA199 (correlation coefficient = 0.3955) was positively associated (r = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.7) with Saccharomonospora sp.. In ovarian cancer patients, CA125 (correlation coefficient = -0.4451) was negatively correlated (r = -0.4, 95% CI: -0.7 to -0.09) with Porphyromonas sp.. In endometrial cancer patients, CEA (correlation coefficient = -0.3868) was negatively correlated (r = -0.4, 95% CI: -0.7 to -0.02) with Cutibacterium acnes. This study promoted our understanding of the intratumoral microbiome in gynecological malignancies.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we found the compositional spectrum of tumor microbes among gynecological malignancies were largely similar by sharing a few taxa and differentiated by substantial species owned uniquely. Certain species, mostly unreported, were identified to be associated with clinical characteristics. This study prompted our understanding of gynecological malignancies and offered evidence for tumor microbes affecting tumor biology among cancers in the female reproductive system.

Famatinian magmatism in the SW Gondwana margin: A review focused on the Sierras Pampeanas (Argentina)

The Famatinian orogeny along the proto-Pacific margin of Gondwana, from Venezuela to northeastern Patagonia, was of the accretional type during the Paleozoic (Ordovician to Silurian). Information gathered from the Sierras Pampeanas (Argentina) reveals magmatism (plutonism and volcanism) between 490 and 465 Ma, with a peak at 473–467 Ma, similar to other regions along the margin. Metamorphic events in the middle crust occurred between 484 and 465 Ma, and at ca. 440 Ma. Recent reviews propose a lithospheric extension phase (>480 Ma) before contraction episodes (ca. 470 and 440 Ma). Magmatism transitioned from peraluminous to metaluminous intrusions, with prolonged mafic magmatism throughout. Mafic intrusions show a broad spectrum of isotope compositions (87Sr/86Srt = 0.705 to 0.711 and ƐNdt = +5 to −6) but with general trends toward isotopically enriched magmas. The main arc consists of tonalite-granodiorite magmas (ca. 480–470 Ma) with <25% crustal contamination but crustal-like isotopic signatures (87Sr/86Srt = 0.707 to 0.711 and ƐNdt = −4 to −6). The wide isotopic variations in granodiorite-monzogranite (and volcanic equivalents) (87Sr/86Srt = 0.705 to 0.711 and ƐNdt = +3 to −6) suggest two origins: differentiation and contamination of tonalite-granodiorite magmas (AFC model) for the most evolved, and differentiation from juvenile mafic additions for the isotopically juvenile ones. Regardless of depth (∼1–6 kbar) and position within the magmatic arc, analyzed areas display north-south striking and steep magmatic fabrics. These fabrics may have rotated by no more than 20–28° from its original position. The petrogenetic model involves isotopically diverse sub-arc mantle sources. Famatinian magmatism ceased abruptly around 465 Ma (magmatic lull), correlating with arcs along the SW Gondwana margin, indicating significant geodynamic changes in the subduction regime.

First-principles and cluster expansion study of the effect of magnetism on short-range order in Fe–Ni–Cr austenitic stainless steels

Short-range order (SRO), the regular and predictable arrangement of atoms over short distances, alters the mechanical properties of technologically relevant structural materials such as medium/high entropy alloys and austenitic stainless steels. In this study, we present a generalized spin cluster expansion (CE) model and show that magnetism is a primary factor influencing the level of SRO present in austenitic Fe–Ni–Cr alloys. The spin CE consists of a chemical cluster expansion combined with an Ising model for Fe–Ni–Cr austenitic alloys. It explicitly accounts for local magnetic exchange interactions, thereby capturing the effects of finite temperature magnetism on SRO. Model parameters are obtained by fitting to a first-principles data set comprising both chemically and magnetically diverse face-centered cubic configurations. The magnitude of the magnetic exchange interactions are found to be comparable to the chemical interactions. Compared to a conventional implicit magnetism CE built from only magnetic ground state configurations, the spin CE shows improved performance on several experimental benchmarks over a broad spectrum of compositions, particularly at higher temperatures due to the explicit treatment of magnetic disorder. We find that SRO is strongly influenced by alloy Cr content, since Cr atoms prefer to align antiferromagnetically with nearest neighbors but become magnetically frustrated with increasing Cr concentration. Using the spin CE, we predict that increasing the Cr concentration in typical austenitic stainless steels promotes the formation of SRO and increases order–disorder transition temperatures. This study underscores the significance of considering magnetic interactions explicitly when exploring the thermodynamic properties of complex transition metal alloys. It also highlights guidelines for customizing SRO through adjustments of alloy composition.

Provenance of low-grossular–high-pyrope detrital garnets from beach sands of East Coast of India between Gosthani and Vamsadhara rivers

Major element compositional spectrum, formation in diverse magmatic and metamorphic rocks, and relative stability during sediment transport, burial, and diagenesis make garnet an important indicator of sedimentary provenances. However, a fundamental question yet to be answered is whether the low-grossular–high-pyrope detrital garnets reflect source characteristics or record sedimentary processes. To address this problem, we have analysed garnets from the beach sands of the East Coast of India and in the source lithologies of the catchment area within the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt. Investigated garnets show a broad compositional spectrum; most garnets are dominated by almandine49–86% with variable contents of pyrope9–47%, minor grossular0.8–15%, and low spessartine0.5–4%. Using multiple proxies, including a state-of-the-art machine-learning-based garnet discrimination scheme, we found that 96 % of analysed beach sand garnets are of metamorphic origin and 4 % igneous. Amongst the metamorphic garnets, 85 % were derived from granulite facies, 5 % from eclogite/ultrahigh-pressure facies, 5 % from amphibolite facies, and 1 % from blueschist/greenschist facies rocks. Concerning host-rock bulk composition, 93 % of garnets belong to intermediate–felsic/meta-sedimentary class and 7 % belong to the mafic category. The chemistries of the beach sand detrital garnets of the East Coast of India are readily coupled with the compositions of the garnets from source rock lithologies of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt. Very low-grossular garnets are derived from meta-pelitic rocks (khondalites) and mafic granulites, whereas slightly grossular-rich garnets are derived from charnockites. The present study indicates that the low-grossular–high-pyrope detrital garnets are vital signposts of sedimentary provenances. We advocate that the high P-T granulite facies mobile belts are distinctive sources for the low-grossular–high-pyrope detrital garnets.

Major, trace and platinum-group element geochemistry of Mesoarchean komatiites from the Banasandra greenstone belt, Western Dharwar Craton (southern India): implications for multi-stage plume magmatism in generating compositionally diverse komatiites

ABSTRACT The early Archean Al-undepleted komatiites (AUK) from two locations (Kunikenahalli, Kodihalli) of the Banasandra greenstone belt in the Western Dharwar Craton are studied for understanding their petrogenesis. The field distribution, mineralogy and geochemistry indicate their cogenetic nature. The samples are mainly cumulates (MgO: 37–45 wt%), now completely serpentinized, while the spinifex zone is obscure. Using geochemical modelling, the MgO content of the primary undifferentiated magma is estimated to be nearly 25 wt%. The depleted LREE values from this study, and the positive εNd values from previous studies suggest that the komatiites are derived from a depleted mantle source. Trace-element and PGE geochemistry eliminate the possibility of crustal contamination and sulphide-saturation in these komatiites after emplacement. Modelling results estimated in this study suggest ~45% melting of a deeper mantle (~6 GPa) to generate the komatiites. Fractionation of olivine (Fo94) from the parental melt and their accumulation formed the mesocumulates in Kodihalli, and the more fractionated orthocumulates in Kunikenahalli. The compositional spectrum from AUK through Al-depleted (ADK) to Al-enriched (AEK) varieties in the Banasandra greenstone belt reported in this study and others, are proposed to be a product of melting of a single mantle plume at different depths.

Low-Concentration Gelatin Methacryloyl Hydrogel with Tunable 3D Extrusion Printability and Cytocompatibility: Exploring Quantitative Process Science and Biophysical Properties.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting of hydrogels with a wide spectrum of compositions has been widely investigated. Despite such efforts, a comprehensive understanding of the correlation among the process science, buildability, and biophysical properties of the hydrogels for a targeted clinical application has not been developed in the scientific community. In particular, the quantitative analysis across the entire developmental path for 3D extrusion bioprinting of such scaffolds is not widely reported. In the present work, we addressed this gap by using widely investigated biomaterials, such as gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), as a model system. Using extensive experiments and quantitative analysis, we analyzed how the individual components of methacrylated carboxymethyl cellulose (mCMC), needle-shaped nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp), and poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate (PEGDA) with GelMA as baseline matrix of the multifunctional bioink can influence the biophysical properties, printability, and cellular functionality. The complex interplay among the biomaterial ink formulations, viscoelastic properties, and printability toward the large structure buildability (structurally stable cube scaffolds with 15 mm edge) has been explored. Intriguingly, the incorporation of PEGDA into the GelMA/mCMC matrix offered improved compressive modulus (∼40-fold), reduced swelling ratio (∼2-fold), and degradation rates (∼30-fold) compared to pristine GelMA. The correlation among microstructural pore architecture, biophysical properties, and cytocompatibility is also established for the biomaterial inks. These photopolymerizable bio(material)inks served as the platform for the growth and development of bone and cartilage matrix when human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are either seeded on two-dimensional (2D) substrates or encapsulated on 3D scaffolds. Taken together, this present study unequivocally establishes a significant step forward in the development of a broad spectrum of shape-fidelity compliant bioink for the 3D bioprinting of multifunctional scaffolds and emphasizes the need for invoking more quantitative analysis in establishing process-microstructure-property correlation.

Models to predict nitrogen excretion from beef cattle fed a wide range of diets compiled from South America.

The objective of this meta-analysis was to develop and evaluate models for predicting nitrogen (N) excretion in feces, urine, and manure in beef cattle in South America. The study incorporated a total of 1,116 individual observations of N excretion in feces and 939 individual observations of N excretion in feces and in urine (g/d), representing a diverse range of diets, animal genotypes, and management conditions in South America. The datasetalso included data on dry matter intake (DMI; kg/d) and nitrogen intake (NI; g/d), concentrations of dietary components, as well as average daily gain (ADG; g/d) and average body weight (BW; kg). Models were derived using linear mixed-effects regression with a random intercept for the study. Fecal N excretion was positively associated with DMI, NI, nonfibrous carbohydrates, average BW, and ADG and negatively associated with EE and CP concentration in the diet. The univariate model predicting fecal N excretion based on DMI (model 1) performed slightly better than the univariate model, which used NI as a predictor variable (model 2) with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 38.0 vs. 39.2%, the RMSE-observations SD ratio (RSR) of 0.81 vs. 0.84, and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of 0.53 vs. 0.50, respectively. Models predicting urinary N excretion were less accurate than those derived to predict fecal N excretion, with an average RMSE of 43.7% vs. 37.0%, respectively. Urinary and manure N excretion were positively associated with DMI, NI, CP, average BW, and ADG and negatively associated with neutral detergent fiber concentration in the diet. As opposed to fecal N excretion, the univariate model predicting urinary N excretion using NI (model 10) performed slightly better than the univariate model using DMI (model 9) as predictor variable with an RMSE of 36.0% vs. 39.7%, RSR 0.85 vs. 0.93, and CCC of 0.43 vs. 0.29, respectively. The models developed in this study are applicable for predicting N excretion in beef cattle across a broad spectrum of dietary compositions and animal genotypes in South America. The univariate model using DMI as a predictor is recommended for fecal N prediction, while the univariate model using NI is recommended for predicting urinary and manure N excretion because the use of more complex models resulted in little to no benefits. However, it may be more useful to consider more complex models that incorporate nutrient intakes and diet composition for decision-making when N excretion is a factor to be considered. Three extant equations evaluated in this study have the potential to be used in tropical conditions typical of South America to predict fecal N excretion with good precision and accuracy. However, none of the extant equations are recommended for predicting urine or manure N excretion because of their high RMSE, and low precision and accuracy.

High entropy alloys and methods for synthesis

High entropy alloys (HEA) are now a well-known group of materials, which has been studied intensely in the past decade. Due to the high complexity of the various HEA structures and the wide compositional spectrum, the research in the field continues with important discoveries and high work volume. Numerous articles presented various modalities to describe the thermodynamics and atomic arrangement in HEA structures and develop specific criteria for the selection of compositions with predicted solid solution structures. The next step towards the industrial use of the new category of alloys needs to be taken and implies the necessity to describe the implications of methods for alloy synthesis, as the structures obtained would be the closest to the theoretically assumed equilibrium. A succinct review of the methods and results were presented in the article.

Arc magmatism associated with continental convergence in the SE segment of the UDMA, Iran: Insights from zircon geochronology and Hf–Sr–Nd–Fe isotopes

Magmatic suites provide the keys to evaluate the growth and reworking of continental crust. Late Cretaceous to Pleistocene convergence in the Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic arc (UDMA) of Iran produced continental-arc magmatism that traces the transition from subduction to collision. The extent and origin of some magmatic segments in the SE UDMA remain poorly understood. The Oligocene (31 to 25 Ma) Jiroft plutonic rocks here investigated encompass the compositional spectrum from gabbro to granodiorite. Zircon εHf(t) (−1.3 to +8.1), whole rock εNd(t) (+0.8 to +3) and δ56Fe (0.07‰ to 0.16‰) are intermediate between values of depleted mantle and arc-related magmas, and indicate low degrees of oxidization of metasomatized mantle. Modelling indicates that the trace element patterns of Jiroft parental melts can be closely replicated by 4% partial melting (i.e., F = 4%) of a mantle source which was metasomatized by 2% of sediment melt. The parental melt fits well with a model pattern of ∼97% batch melt (i.e., 98% DM + 2% sediment at F = 4%) and contaminated with ∼3% upper crustal components. The 31–25 Ma magmas of the SE UDMA formed before the main collision event (< 20 Ma) between Arabia and Iran, in conjunction with changing tectonic regime from extensional to compressional. Compilation of the Cenozoic magmatic front (i.e., UDMA) and rear-arc (NE Iran and Alborz–Azerbaijan) data reveals variable degrees of crustal cannibalization during the flare-up episodes. We find that individual segments of the UDMA experienced different geodynamics conditions, further documenting the diachronous collision and correspondingly non-uniform crustal thickening across the UDMA.

Re-evaluating stoichiometric estimates of iron valence in magmatic clinopyroxene crystals

Clinopyroxene is a major rock forming mineral capable of incorporating diverse metal cations. As a consequence, clinopyroxene preserves valuable archives of magmatic processes. Understanding clinopyroxene is thus essential for understanding Earth’s wider chemical evolution. However, knowledge about the relative abundances of ferrous and ferric iron in magmatic clinopyroxene remains sparse because it is not currently possible to routinely measure the valence of iron in clinopyroxene crystals without either separating single crystals for bulk analysis or securing access to Mössbauer spectroscopy or a synchrotron radiation source to perform in-situ microanalysis. This is despite magmatic clinopyroxene crystals often containing appreciable quantities of ferric iron that affect its stability and behaviour in currently ill-constrained ways and limit our ability to exploit its chemistry to robustly reconstruct conditions of magma storage and evolution. Here we integrate optimised electron probe microanalysis and Mössbauer spectroscopy on endmember and single-crystal clinopyroxene samples to re-evaluate previously discredited approaches for estimating clinopyroxene ferric iron contents by stoichiometry. By ensuring that we measured all major and minor elements in clinopyroxene crystals with sufficient precision, we show that it is possible to readily obtain stoichiometric estimates of clinopyroxene ferric-to-total iron ratios with similar precisions to those derived from Mössbauer spectroscopy (1σ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\sigma }$$\\end{document}∼\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\sim$$\\end{document} 3.5% absolute). Being able to robustly determine clinopyroxene ferric iron contents enables us to propose a new empirical scheme for assigning clinopyroxene components that explicitly accounts for ferric iron, which is primarily hosted within esseneite component (CaFe3+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{3+}$$\\end{document}AlSiO6\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$_{6}$$\\end{document}) in clinopyroxenes dominated by quadrilateral components and aegirine component (NaFe3+\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{3+}$$\\end{document}Si2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$_{2}$$\\end{document}O6\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$_{6}$$\\end{document}) in alkali clinopyroxenes. Our new scheme provides a framework for documenting the full spectrum of clinopyroxene compositions in both natural and experimental systems when analyses are performed with sufficient precision.

Unusual Phase Behaviour for Organo-Halide Perovskite Nanoparticles Synthesized via Reverse Micelle Templating

Micelle templating has emerged as a powerful method to produce monodisperse nanoparticles. Herein, we explore unconventional phase transformations in the synthesis of organo-halide perovskite nanoparticles utilizing reverse micelle templates. We employ diblock-copolymer reverse micelles to fabricate these nanoparticles, which confines ions within micellar nanoreactors, retarding reaction kinetics and facilitating perovskite cage manipulation. The confined micellar environment exerts pressure on both precursors and perovskite crystals formed inside, enabling stable phases not typically observed at room temperature in conventional synthesis. This provides access to perovskite structures that are otherwise challenging to produce. The hydrophobic shell of the micelle also enhances perovskite stability, particularly when combined with anionic exchange approaches or large aromatic cations. This synergy results in long-lasting stable optical properties despite environmental exposure. Reverse micelle templates offer a versatile platform for modulating perovskite structure and behavior across a broad spectrum of perovskite compositions, yielding unique phases with diverse emission characteristics. By manipulating the composition and properties of the reverse micelle template, it is possible to tune the characteristics of the resulting nanoparticles, opening up exciting opportunities for customizing optical properties to suit various applications.

Osmium Isotope Heterogeneity of the Upper Mantle: Evidence From the Bay of Islands Ophiolite Complex, Newfoundland

AbstractUnderstanding and determining the composition and evolution of the upper mantle is valuable to unravel Earth's evolutionary geodynamics. The compositions of oceanic basalts are inevitably biased by the preferential melting of fusible mantle components and the pooling of melts from multiple sources. Here we present whole rock and mineral chemistry as well as Re‐Os isotopic systematics of the Table Mountain ophiolitic mantle massif from the Bay of Islands ophiolite complex, complemented by thermodynamic models of melt extraction. The Table Mountain lherzolites were formed by moderate degrees (5%–15%) of shallow polybaric melting. We divide the harzburgites into two types. Type I harzburgites represent residues of high‐pressure melting, and Type II harzburgites appear to have been further modified by second‐stage flux melting above a subduction zone induced by slab sediment‐derived aqueous fluids. The Table Mountain peridotites display highly variable “initial” 187Os/188Os485 Ma isotope compositions, including 0.1252–0.1253 for the Type I harzburgites, 0.1217–0.1236 and 0.1192–0.1198 for both lherzolites and Type II harzburgites. These Os isotopic variations cannot be generated by different degrees of partial melting of a homogenous fertile mantle immediately prior to obduction, and hence must have been inherited from ancient melting events. The Table Mountain lherzolites with inherited ancient melting signals are of particular significance because they demonstrate that the record of earlier melting events is not limited to ultra‐refractory harzburgites but is also present even in relatively fertile lherzolites. Our observations underscore the ubiquity of ancient melting signatures in the entire compositional spectrum of the depleted upper mantle.

Synoptic Singularity? The Chronicler’s Redaction of Samuel-Kings and Gospel Composition

One of the puzzles facing scholarship on gospel relationships is explaining the high yet varying degree of verbatim agreement among the Synoptics. On antiquity’s compositional spectrum, this high but inconsistent verbatim agreement appears anomalous to many. Some scholars point to the Synoptists’ scribal education to make sense of the data. This article highlights the fact that the Chronicler’s use of Samuel-Kings exhibits a similar dynamic, a phenomenon that has received little attention from scholars investigating the use of sources among ancient authors. Given this compositional overlap, I propose that the Synoptists, having been immersed for years in the warp and weft of sacred Jewish texts in a Greek-speaking synagogal school, took note of and ultimately imitated the Chronicler’s redaction of Samuel-Kings in composing their gospels. After presenting the evidence of the Chronicler’s varying compositional technique, the study concludes with implications and indicates further how attention to the Chronicler’s redaction of Samuel-Kings sheds light on the question of the feasibility of scribal reordering of sources in antiquity.

Isotope Sm‒Nd Characteristics of the Juvenile Crust in the Central Mongol–Okhotsk Orogenic Belt

In the Phanerozoic, the production of continental crust was associated with convergent geodynamic settings [1] and, therefore, with intracontinental orogenic belts developed after the closure of paleooceans. Evaluation of the proportions of the juvenile crust versus older recycled material is a key parameter for understanding how the crust in orogens formed and evolved. The Mongol–Okhotsk orogenic belt is one of the major structural parts of Central Asia. Its central (Transbaikalian) part contains well-reserved fragments of an island-arc system, as well as the entire spectrum of accretionary prism formations, allowing us to evaluate the proportions of juvenile versus recycled sedimentary material in the crust of this orogen. In this part of the belt, the most representative fragments of the juvenile crust are volcanogenic–sedimentary sequences of the Late Paleozoic Kamenka and Urtui formations. The former is an indicator of a subduction zone along the northwestern margin of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean, with a dip beneath the Siberian Paleocontinent, whereas the latter marks the subduction zone along the southeastern margin, with a dip beneath the Argun superterrane. The entire spectrum of compositions for volcanism of the Kamenka Formation, from basalts to rhyolites, is characterized by positive values of ɛNd(254 Ma) = +1.4–(+3.8) and by TNd(DM) = 896–920 Ma. Basalts of the Urtui Formation also have positive values of ɛNd(350 Ma) = +1.7–(+6.0) at TNd(DM) = 773–939 Ma. This gives us grounds to evaluate the characteristics of the juvenile crust of the Mongol–Okhotsk orogenic belt: it is characterized by positive ɛNd(t) and by model ages TNd(DM) < 1000 Ma. The composition of metasedimentary rocks from the accretionary wedge of the Mongol–Okhotsk orogenic belt is considerably dominated by older recycled crustal material, the likely source of which is Late Riphean rock complexes of the Argun superterrane.

Nanoparticle Imprint Lithography: From Nanoscale Metrology to Printable Metallic Grids.

Large scale and low-cost nanopatterning of materials is of tremendous interest for optoelectronic devices. Nanoimprint lithography has emerged in recent years as a nanofabrication strategy that is high-throughput and has a resolution comparable to that of electron-beam lithography (EBL). It is enabled by pattern replication of an EBL master into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), that is then used to pattern a resist for further processing, or a sol-gel that could be calcinated into a solid material. Although the sol-gel chemistry offers a wide spectrum of material compositions, metals are still difficult to achieve. This gap could be bridged by using colloidal nanoparticles as resist, but deep understanding of the key parameters is still lacking. Here, we use supported metallic nanocubes as a model resist to gain fundamental insights into nanoparticle imprinting. We uncover the major role played by the surfactant layer trapped between nanocubes and substrate, and measure its thickness with subnanometer resolution by using gap plasmon spectroscopy as a metrology platform. This enables us to quantify the van der Waals (VDW) interactions responsible for the friction opposing the nanocube motion, and we find that these are almost in quantitative agreement with the Stokes drag acting on the nanocubes during nanoimprint, that is estimated with a simplified fluid mechanics model. These results reveal that a minimum thickness of surfactant is required, acting as a spacer layer mitigating van der Waals forces between nanocubes and the substrate. In the light of these findings we propose a general method for resist preparation to achieve optimal nanoparticle mobility and show the assembly of printable Ag and Au nanocube grids, that could enable the fabrication of low-cost transparent electrodes of high material quality upon nanocube epitaxy.

Late Eocene slab retreat, extension, and mantle upwelling inferred from mantle signatures in potassium-rich magmatism in NE Iran

ABSTRACT There is considerable debate regarding the petrogenesis of K-rich magma, which are believed to occur in subduction settings. The districts of the potassic rocks in the rear-arc of the Cenozoic Iran have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we investigate Late Eocene K-rich rocks of the Roshtkhar area of NE Iran. We employ whole-rock geochemistry, Sr-Nd-Hf-isotopes and zircon U-Pb age data of intrusive rocks to identify the mantle signature, evaluate the timing of emplacement, and determine the geodynamic setting. The Roshtkhar intrusive rocks (RIR) encompass a narrow compositional spectrum from syenite to monzonite, belonging to K-rich series, and are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements such as Cs, Rb, Ba, Th, and U, with positive K, Pb, and Sr anomalies. U-Pb LA-ICP-MS dating of zircon from two samples yielded ages of ca. 38 Ma. Epsilon Hf values for investigated Eocene zircons display a variable range from +0.3 to +6.5. The RIR show relatively homogeneous initial epsilon Nd values ranging from +0.64 to −1.31 and modest variation in initial 87Sr/86Sr from 0.7048 to 0.7052. The data show mantle contribution with small involvement of Cadomian upper crustal material of up to 12% and an approximately 3% contribution fluid derived from subducted sediment into the mantle source. The lack of rocks that are purely derived from the lower crust in the study area further argues against the partial melting of lower crust that delaminated into the mantle. We suggest slab retreat, extension, and mantle upwelling as the main mechanisms for the generation of the primitive melts of RIR. Accordingly, decompression melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle (e.g. phlogopite, apatite, and/or pargasite-bearing lherzolite) would be a plausible mechanism for the forming of K-rich basic melt in the mantle source.

ISOTOPE Sm–Nd JUVENILE CRUST CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CENTRAL PART OF MONGHOL-OKHOTSK OROGENIC BELT

In the Phanerozoic, the production of the continental crust was associated with convergent geodynamic settings and, therefore, with intracontinental orogenic belts developed after the closure of paleooceans. Evaluation of the proportions of juvenile versus older recycled material is a key parameter for understanding how the crust in orogens formed and evolved. The Mongol-Okhotsk orogenic belt is one of the major structural part of Central Asia. Its central – Trans-Baikal part contains the well-reserved fragments of island-arc system as well as the entire spectrum of accretionary prism formations, allowing evaluation of the proportions of juvenile to recycled sedimentary material in the crust of this orogen. In this part of the belt, the best preserved fragments of juvenile crust are the Late Paleozoic volcanogenic-sedimentary sequences of the Kamensk and Urtui suites. The first suite is an indicator of the subduction along the northwestern margin of the Mongol-Okhotsk Paleocean beneath the Siberian paleocontinent, and the second one is an indicator of the subduction along the southeastern beneath the Argun superterrane. The entire compositional spectrum of volcanics from basalts to rhyolites demonstrate positive values εNd(254МА) = +1.4–(+3.8) and TNd(DM) = 896–920 MA. The basalts of the Urtui formation are also characterized by positive εNd(350МА) values, lying in the range of +1.7–(+6.0) at TNd(DM) = 773–939 MA. Therefore, the juvenile crust of the orogenic belt is characterized by positive ɛNd(t) values and model TNd(DM) age of 1000 Ma. The meta-sedimentary rocks of the accretion wedge of the Mongol-Okhotsk orogenic belt are significantly dominated by older recycled crustal material, whose source is likely the Late-Riphean formations of the Argun superterrane.

Mineral diagenesis in a carbonate-rich mudstone: the Lower Carboniferous Hodder Mudstone, UK

Abstract Mineral authigenesis in mudstones responds differently across the compositional spectrum of fine-grained rocks, resulting in a complex array of possible rock fabrics that affect the mechanical capacity of mudstones. Within carbonate-rich mudstones, geochemical controls on silicate and carbonate mineral reactions are variable and poorly understood. Here we analyse the diagenetic minerals of the carbonate-rich Hodder Mudstone from the Carboniferous Bowland Basin, UK, using SEM petrography combined with X-ray-based inorganic geochemical data. Our findings show that up to 90% of quartz cements in the samples are diagenetic, originating mainly from biogenic silica dissolution and clay mineral reactions. It is also evident that due to the varying diagenetic silica-yielding reactions, authigenic silica overgrowths and isolated authigenic quartz crystals are localized in argillaceous samples, while calcareous samples are characterized by silica replacement textures and quartz/calcite intergrowths. Moreover, euhedral dolomite crystals are concentrated within argillaceous units, whereas calcareous units are characterized by anhedral dolomite precipitation and replacement textures. These finding presents a case for facies-selective cementation, as both early and burial diagenetic alterations were observed to be controlled by primary depositional components of biogenic debris and extrabasinal silicate detritus that resulted in complex and variable precipitation of authigenic minerals.