Mineralization Process Research Articles

Techno-Economic Analysis of Mineralization and Utilization of CO2 in Recycled Concrete Aggregates

Considering the dangers and risks posed by climate change, many countries and organizations have pledged to achieve “net-zero emissions” by 2050. The present work introduces a new approach that addresses the growing global carbon emissions issue by integrating CO2 capture and sequestration through the carbonation of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs), producing an alternative sand (AS) product. This study explores the capture of low-concentration CO2 and its suitability for sequestration into RCA. The integration of RCA in the process allows concrete manufacturers to reduce their reliance on mined sand, thereby minimizing its impact on the environment. A techno-economic analysis (TEA) was conducted on the CO2 absorption and mineralization process to assess its economic viability across various processing scales, from 150 kt CO2 per year to 1 Mt CO2 per year. Initial bench-scale experiments show that RCA samples have a carbonation capacity of 10% by mass—these experimental results were used to conduct a TEA using Aspen Plus and an Aspen Process Economic Analyzer (APEA). The TEA results reveal a cost of 11.02 USD/t AS at the smallest scale and 8.02 USD/t AS at the largest scale.

Traditional techniques in Rajata Shodhana: A comprehensive review of classical methods

Introduction: The traditional Ayurvedic process of Rajata Shodhana (silver processing) is essential in preparing silver for therapeutic applications, transforming it from a raw metal into a safe, bio available from known as Bhasma. This review comprehensively examines classical methods of Rajata Shodhana, focusing on techniques that involve various herbal, mineral, and heating processes to detoxify and enhance the metal’s medicinal properties. By analyzing these traditional practices, the review aims to highlight their scientific underpinnings and relevance. Material and Methods: A detailed analysis of the following 14 classical Ayurvedic texts on were undertaken for this study: Anandakanda, Rasendra Chudamani, Rasarnava, Rasa Paddhati, Sharangdhara Samhita, Rasaprakash Sudhakara, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya, Rasendra Chintamani, Rasendra Sara Sangraha, Rasa Manjiri, Ayurveda Prakash, Rasa Jala Nidhi, Rasa Tarangini, and Rasamrita. Results & Discussion: The primary techniques employed in the Shodhana of Rajata include Nirvapa, Dravana, Dhalana, Dhamapana, and Swedana, with Nirvapa being the most frequently used. The quenching process ranges from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 21 repetitions. Various Shodhana media are detailed in Rasashastra classics, with Naga (lead) being the most commonly used, appearing 14 times in the reviewed texts. The processes of Dhmapana or Dravana often incorporate Naga, along with Kharpara and Tankana, as purifying media. Conclusion: These varied media illustrate a comprehensive approach to metal processing, combining chemical reactions, traditional practices, and therapeutic properties to achieve the desired processing of Rajata. The choice of media depends on the specific requirements of the processing of the traditional knowledge embedded in the practice.

Quartz textures, trace elements, fluid inclusions, and in situ oxygen isotopes from Aktogai porphyry Cu deposit, Kazakhstan

Abstract The Paleozoic Aktogai Group in Kazakhstan ranks among the 30 largest porphyry Cu deposits globally. The Aktogai deposit is the largest one in the Aktogai Group and is characterized by intensive potassic alteration where the dominant orebody occurred. However, its mineralization processes still need to be clarified. Our investigation focused on the texture, trace elements, fluid inclusions, and in situ oxygen isotopes of the quartz from the ore-related tonalite porphyry and associated potassic alteration at Aktogai to trace the deposit’s mineralization processes. Ti-in-quartz thermobarometry, fluid inclusion microthermometry, and geological characteristics indicate that the ore-related magma at Aktogai originated from a shallow magma chamber at ∼1.9 ± 0.5 kbar (∼7.2 ± 1.9 km) and intruded as the tonalite porphyry stock at ∼1.7–2.4 km. The potassic alteration and associated Cu mineralization comprise five types of veins (A1, A2, B1, B2, and C) and two types of altered rocks (biotite and K-feldspar). Among them, nine types of hydrothermal quartz were identified from early to late: (1) VQA1 in A1 veins and RQbt in biotite-altered rocks; (2) VQA2 in A2 veins and RQkfs in K-feldspar altered rocks; (3) VQB1 in B1 veins and VQB2E in B2 veins; and (4) quartz associated with Cu-Fe sulfides (VQB2L, VQBC, and VQC) in B and C veins. Titanium contents of the quartz decreased, while Al/Ti ratios increased from early to late. Fluid inclusion microthermometry and mineral thermometers reveal that VQA1, RQbt, and hydrothermal biotite formed under high-temperature (∼470–560 °C) and ductile conditions. VQA2, RQkfs, VQB1, and hydrothermal K-feldspar formed during the transition stage from ductile to brittle, with temperatures of ∼350–540 °C. The rapid decrease in pressure from lithostatic to hydrostatic pressure led to fluid boiling and minor involvement of meteoric water (∼11–14%) in the mineralizing fluid. Extensive recrystallization in VQA1 to VQB1 was associated with repeated cleavage and healing of the intrusion. With cooling, K-feldspar decomposition and hydrolysis increased. Fluid cooling and water-rock reactions resulted in the co-precipitation of Cu-Fe sulfides, white mica, chlorite, VQBC, and VQC at temperatures of ∼275–370 °C and brittle conditions. The Paleozoic Aktogai deposit exhibits formation depths and fluid evolution processes similar to Mesozoic and Cenozoic porphyry Cu deposits worldwide. The close association between Cu-Fe sulfides and later quartz formed under intermediate-temperature conditions at Aktogai implies that Cu-Fe sulfides are not precipitated under early high-temperature conditions in porphyry Cu deposits.

From brushite to hydroxylapatite: A study on phosphate mineral transformation and the fate of oxytetracycline.

Livestock manure, a common fertilizer in Chinese agriculture, can lead to environmental contamination and potential health risks due to elevated antibiotic and phosphorus levels. Importantly, the high phosphorus levels initiates transformations of phosphate minerals in soils, especially calcareous soils. These variations in phosphate mineralogy can significantly impact the migration and fate of antibiotics within the soil. However, the impact of the transformation process, particularly involving the metastable phase brushite (DCPD), on the fate of antibiotics remains unclear. In this study, we synthesized DCPD and hydroxylapatite (HAP) and examined their transformation process to assess their removal capacity and investigate the migration and fate of oxytetracycline (OTC). The findings reveal that HAP exhibits a maximum immobilization capacity for OTC of 20.10mg/g, surpassing that of DCPD by 2.56 times (7.86mg/g). This disparity in immobilization capacity between DCPD and HAP leads to a redistribution of OTC between the solid and liquid phases during the transformation process. Notably, the introduction of OTC also inhibits the transformation process, potentially impacting the fate of other potentially harmful elements. The study highlights that the transformation process of calcium phosphorus minerals has a significant impact on the mobility and fate of antibiotics in soil, which aids in better management and mitigation of the environmental risks associated with fertilizer application.

Application of Ni, Cu and Fe isotopes as indicators of ore genesis - New insights from the epigenetic-hydrothermal Rajapalot Au[sbnd]Co prospect, Finnish Lapland

Application of stable transition metal isotopes as indicators of ore genesis is becoming more popular, yet the fractionation mechanisms and isotopic distribution in these unconventional systems remain poorly understood. In this study, we present an analysis of sulphide Ni, Cu and Fe isotopes measured from solution using multicollector ICP-MS. The data were collected from the dominant sulphide phases in the Raja prospect within the epigenetic-hydrothermal Rajapalot AuCo deposit, Finnish Lapland. Our main goal was to gain new information on the systematics and behaviour of the isotopes in high-temperature ore-forming environments, with implications for ore genesis. The Raja prospect is hosted by a Paleoproterozoic volcanic-sedimentary sequence and was formed by multi-stage hydrothermal processes during the Svecofennian orogeny. Pyrite shows significant variation in δ56Fe (-2.08 to +3.29 ‰), including the heaviest iron isotopes thus far observed in natural pyrite. The δ56Fe values in pyrrhotite vary less (-0.74 to +0.80 ‰) but are unusually heavy compared to those of magmatic pyrrhotite. δ56Fe in chalcopyrite ranges from +0.10 to +1.45 ‰, δ60Ni in pyrrhotite from -1.03 to +0.18 ‰, and δ65Cu in chalcopyrite from -0.30 to +0.23 ‰. The δ56Fe values in co-existing sulphide phases suggest both equilibrium and kinetic fractionation effects. The extreme Fe fractionation in pyrite implies that kinetic fractionation played a major role in the precipitation of isotopically light pyrite. Moreover, inheritance of low δ56Fe values from a pyrrhotite precursor is likely. The heavy Fe isotopic composition of some of the pyrrhotite and pyrite is probably the result of preferential leaching of light isotopes by late hydrothermal fluids.Systematic correlations between the composition of the examined isotope systems, Co and Au concentrations, and textural features link the sulphide isotopes to multi-stage ore formation. Gradual trends in the isotope compositions suggest Rayleigh fractionation. Early Co deposition is attributed to isotopically heavy fluid, probably derived from a sedimentary formation with abundant iron oxides. The isotopically lighter Au mineralising fluids point to a separate fluid source, probably involving evolved granites. The late hydrothermal Au-carrying fluids overprinted the early Co mineralisation forming AuCo enriched zones. Our study highlights the potential of multiple isotope systematics in sulphides as a useful diagnostic tool for tracing mineralisation processes in and source regions of hydrothermal Au and Co.

Genesis and mineralization processes of the Hua’aobaote Pb–Zn–Ag polymetallic deposit in Inner Mongolia: Constraints from in situ sulfur isotopes and trace elements in pyrite

Genesis and mineralization processes of the Hua’aobaote Pb–Zn–Ag polymetallic deposit in Inner Mongolia: Constraints from in situ sulfur isotopes and trace elements in pyrite

Gowerite, Ca[B5O8(OH)][B(OH)3]·3H2O: Revisiting the crystal structure and exploring its formation context

Abstract Investigations into the crystal structure of gowerite are limited, and a comprehensive understanding of the H positions is lacking. Hence, in this study, we synthesized single crystals of gowerite under hydrothermal conditions and obtained reliable single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to determine the H positions, thereby facilitating elucidation of the structural characteristics and formation environment of gowerite. The crystal structure of synthetic gowerite, Ca[B5O8(OH)][B(OH)3]·3H2O, is monoclinic with unit-cell parameters: a = 12.872(4), b = 16.326(4), c = 6.5634(18) Å, and β = 121.319(3)°, and volume V = 1178.3(6) Å3. The crystal symmetry corresponds to the space group P21/a; the unit cell contains four formula units (Z = 4). The structure is refined via full-matrix least-squares on F2 to a final R1 index of 4.13% for 1730 unique observed [Fo ≥ 4σ(Fo)] reflections, measured with MoKα radiation. The locations of the H atoms are identified on the difference Fourier maps and refined considering constraints on O-H distances together with interatomic distances between the H atoms. The crystal structure is characterized by a curved, corrugated, two-dimensional sheet in the a-c plane, composed of double three-membered borate rings and Ca atoms coordinated to six O atoms from the double three-membered rings. The Ca atom is further coordinated to a H2O molecule, and an isolated B(OH)3 triangle is oriented approximately perpendicular to the sheets. Hydrogen-bonding interactions solely govern the linkages between the sheets. Consequently, three H2O groups are accommodated in the spaces between the sheets. An important feature of gowerite is that within the triangle geometry, the B-O bond length between the B atom and the hydroxyl group cannot be clearly distinguished from that between the B and O atoms. Ab initio quantum chemical calculations reveal that the molecular orbitals are spatially well spread over the three-membered borate ring, indicating that the B atoms are connected to the O atoms through covalent bonding. During the secondary mineralization process, the structural units of the fundamental building blocks (FBBs) are released from parent borate minerals, such as colemanite, priceite, and hydroboracite, by mineral weathering and inherited by the FBBs in gowerite. In addressing gaps in the existing literature, this study provides further information on the crystal structure and structural characteristics of gowerite, shedding light on its possible formation environment and growth conditions.

Mechanistic Insights into the Formation of Dumbbell-Shaped Carbonate Minerals: A microscale study

Dumbbell-shaped carbonate minerals are widely recognized as a distinctive morphology induced by microorganisms. Understanding their morphological evolution and growth mechanisms is essential for elucidating bacterial-mediated carbonate mineralization processes. In this study, we used the mineralizing bacterium Curvibacter sp. strain HJ-1 to induce the formation of dumbbell-shaped carbonate minerals within a rapid crystallization system with a Mg/Ca ratio = 5. A range of microscale analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam, and transmission electron microscopy, were employed to systematically investigate the morphological changes and crystallographic orientation of these minerals. The results reveal that the formation process involves the aggregation of Ca-Mg nanoparticles at both ends of the structure, with bacterial cells acting as a template. These findings offer preliminary insights into the formation mechanisms of dumbbell-shaped minerals and provide a scientific basis for biogenic analysis of field samples.

Protein biochemistry and engineering drive the development of a carbonic anhydrase-based carbon dioxide sequestration strategy.

The sequestration of carbon dioxide using carbonic anhydrase (CA) is one of the most effective methods for mitigating global warming. The burning of fossil fuels releases large quantities of flue gas; because of its high temperature and of the alkaline conditions required for CaCO3 precipitation in the mineralization process, thermo-alkali-stable CAs are needed. In this context, Manyumwa etal. conducted a biochemical characterization of three CAs derived from thermophilic bacteria. They then employed a rational design approach to enhance the specific activity and stability of the enzyme from the hydrothermal vent species Persephonella sp. KM09-Lau-8.

Characterization of Rock Pore Geometry and Mineralization Process via a Random Walk-Based Clogging Scheme

Among the technologies for carbon neutral, CO2 geological sequestration is one of the most promising. The mechanisms of CO2 behavior within pore space are complex and influenced by multiple factors, with the geometric structure of porous formations being particularly critical to the technology’s efficiency. Among several important and challenging problems in geological sequestration, this work addresses the issue of selecting lithologies based on their geometrical structure. This study proposes a mathematical approach to characterize the geometric structure of porous rock and fluid flow using a random walk (RW) method. Our approach simulates the time evolution of particle flow through highly disordered and heterogeneous digital rock models under a pressure gradient imposed between inlet and outlet surfaces. Through RW simulations, a probabilistic model for mineralization via a clogging (pore-filling) model is introduced, to examine the accumulation of particles within porous structures over time: single-phase clogging and multiple-phase clogging. In single-phase clogging, the porosity decrease can be described as a monotonically non-increasing function of the deposition probability. However, this is no longer true in the multiple-phase strategy because large deposition probability blocks the capillaries near the inlet surface, preventing the fluid from easily invading easily the outlet. In this study, numerical studies conducted on four types of natural rocks—Bentheimer, Doddington, Estaillades, and Ketton—revealed that Ketton exhibits the highest permeability. Our results suggest that Bentheimer, Doddington, and Ketton formations are suitable candidates for CO2 sequestration, while Estaillades is less favorable from a geometric standpoint. The methods presented in this work contribute to effectively identifying natural rocks with geometric structures advantageous for CO2 storage.

Influence of Mineral Veins on Hydraulic Fracture Propagation

Abstract Fluids are often injected into tight geothermal reservoirs to create conductive fractures and enhance reservoir productivity. Mineral veins are ubiquitous in reservoir rocks because of the hydrothermal mineralisation process. We hypothesize that vein strength anisotropy and geometrical complexity could introduce complex hydraulic fractures through vein–fracture interactions. To test this hypothesis, we develop an improved hydro-mechanical coupled scheme using the Discrete Element Method to examine hydraulic fracture propagation in veined rocks. The coupled scheme considers incremental updates of domain volume and fluid saturation. We follow topology in root architecture to develop a benchmark model with simplified yet representative vein networks. We find that vein strength significantly influences the fracture pattern of the tested veined models during hydraulic fracturing. Cracks are preferentially reactivated in the calcite (soft) veins, leading to much more complex fracture networks compared with those created in quartz (hard) veins. An increase in stress anisotropy (high-stress contrast) leads to a reduction of the maximum aperture of dominant fractures. Under a high-stress contrast, fluid lag is not evident; the number of reactivated cracks in soft-veined models is also reduced. It is interesting to note that the bifurcation angle of veins has negligible influence on fracture patterns and propagation in the model. We also find that high-stress contrast leads to a higher level of the maximum moment magnitude and a lower b value. This research could provide some insights into reservoir stimulation to enhance production and mitigate seismic hazards.

Exploring Africa's lithium wealth: Geological insights, mineralization processes, and sustainable development prospects

Exploring Africa's lithium wealth: Geological insights, mineralization processes, and sustainable development prospects

The Evolution of Permian Mafic–Ultramafic Magma of the Yunhai Intrusion in the Northern Tianshan, Northwest China, and Its Implications for Cu-Ni Mineralization

The early Permian mafic–ultramafic intrusion-related Cu-Ni mineralization in Northern Tianshan offers valuable insights into the nature of the mantle beneath the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and enhances the understanding of magmatic sulfide mineralization processes in orogenic environments. The Yunhai intrusion, rich in Cu-Ni sulfides, marks a significant advancement for Cu-Ni exploration in the covered regions of the western Jueluotag orogenic belt in Northern Tianshan. This intrusion is well-differentiated, featuring a lithological assemblage of olivine pyroxenite, hornblende pyroxenite, gabbro, and diorite, and contains about 50 kilotons of sulfides with average grades of 0.44 wt% Ni and 0.62 wt% Cu. Sulfide mineralization occurs predominantly as concordant layers or lenses of sparsely and densely disseminated sulfides within the olivine pyroxenite and hornblende pyroxenite. In situ zircon U-Pb dating for the Yunhai intrusion indicates crystallization ages between 288 ± 1 and 284 ± 1 Ma, aligning with several Cu-Ni mineralization-associated mafic–ultramafic intrusions in Northern Tianshan. Samples from the Yunhai intrusion exhibit enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE), distinct negative Nb and Ta anomalies, positive εNd(t) values ranging from 2.75 to 6.56, low initial (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios between 0.7034 and 0.7053, and positive εHf(t) values from 9.27 to 15.9. These characteristics, coupled with low Ce/Pb (0.77–6.55) and Nb/U (5.47–12.0) ratios and high Ti/Zr values (38.7–102), suggest very restricted amounts (ca. 5%) of crustal assimilation. The high Rb/Y (0.35–4.27) and Th/Zr (0.01–0.03) ratios and low Sm/Yb (1.47–2.32) and La/Yb (3.10–7.52) ratios imply that the primary magma of the Yunhai intrusion likely originated from 2%–10% partial melting of weak slab fluids–metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle (peridotite with 2% spinel and/or 1% garnet) in a post-collisional environment. The ΣPGE levels in the Yunhai rocks and sulfide-bearing ores range from 0.50 to 54.4 ppb, which are lower compared to PGE-undepleted Ni-Cu sulfide deposits. This PGE depletion in the Yunhai intrusion’s parental magma may have been caused by early sulfide segregation from the primary magma at depth due to the high Cu/Pd ratios (43.5 × 103 to 2353 × 103) of all samples. The fractional crystallization of minerals such as olivine and pyroxene might be a critical factor in provoking significant sulfide segregation at shallower levels, leading to the extensive disseminated Cu-Ni mineralization at Yunhai. These characteristics are similar to those of typical deposits in the eastern section of the Jueluotage orogenic belt (JLOB), which may indicate that the western and eastern sections of the belt have the same ore-forming potential.

Inhibiting Autophagy by Chemicals During SCAPs Osteodifferentiation Elicits Disorganized Mineralization, While the Knock-Out of Atg5/7 Genes Leads to Cell Adaptation.

SCAPs (Stem Cells from Apical Papilla), derived from the apex of forming wisdom teeth, extracted from teenagers for orthodontic reasons, belong to the MSCs (Mesenchymal Stromal Cells) family. They have multipotent differentiation capabilities and are a potentially powerful model for investigating strategies of clinical cell therapies. Since autophagy-a regulated self-eating process-was proposed to be essential in osteogenesis, we investigated its involvement in the SCAP model. By using a combination of chemical and genetic approaches to inhibit autophagy, we studied early and late events of osteoblastic differentiation. We showed that blocking the formation of autophagosomes with verteporfin did not induce a dramatic alteration in early osteoblastic differentiation monitored by ALP (alkaline phosphatase) activity. However, blocking the autophagy flux with bafilomycin A1 led to ALP repression. Strikingly, the mineralization process was observed with both compounds, with calcium phosphate (CaP) nodules that remained inside cells under bafilomycin A1 treatment and numerous but smaller CaP nodules after verteporfin treatment. In contrast, deletion of Atg5 or Atg7, two genes involved in the formation of autophagosomes and essential to trigger canonical autophagy, indicated that both genes could be involved differently in the mineralization process with a modification of the ALP activity while final mineralization was not altered.

Zootechnical and Municipal Solid Waste Digestates: Effects on Soil Nitrogen Mineralization and Kinetics

Soil fertilization with fertilizers derived from renewable sources is a topic of great interest in terms of the sustainable management of organic waste. To optimize the management of nitrogen supplied to the soil with digestates, it is necessary to deepen knowledge on the process of mineralization of organic nitrogen over time. In this research, a laboratory incubation system was utilized to study the impact of various digestate sources on nitrogen mineralization processes in soils and nitrogen mineralization kinetics. Six types of digestates of different origins and composition were administered to soil and the soil samples were placed under controlled conditions. The release of N was determined by measuring ammonium-N and nitrate-N concentrations in leachates during a 12-week period of incubation. The nonlinear regression technique was used to fit the cumulative leaching of total N to the Stanford and Smith first-order kinetic model during the incubation period. The results showed that the differences between digestates, nitrogen and organic carbon concentration, and C/N ratio influenced both ammonification and nitrification processes in the soil and the nitrogen mineralization kinetics. The processing of the statistical data highlighted that the potentially mineralizable nitrogen (MPN) followed first-order kinetics.

Evolution of a seafloor massive sulfide deposit on axial volcanic ridges: a case study of the Duanqiao hydrothermal field, Southwest Indian Ridge

The mineralization process below the surface of the seafloor in a hydrothermal field has an important influence on the distribution and enrichment of elements. The Duanqiao hydrothermal field (DHF) is located on the new axial volcanic ridge of the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge. Owing to the limited surface sulfide samples, the metallogenic processes occurring below the seafloor surface such as the element enrichment mechanism and the temporal evolution of the sulfide deposits remain unclear. In this study, we conducted mineral texture, geochemical, 230Th/U dating, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer analyses of a drill core containing shallow sulfide deposits to study their evolution process. The results revealed that pyrite is enriched in Mn, Co, As, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Tl, and Pb, chalcopyrite is characterized by high concentrations of Se, Sn, In, As, Ag and Pb, and sphalerite is enriched in Co, Ga, Ge, As, Ag, Cd, Sb, and Pb. The 230Th/U dating data suggested five different mineralization periods during 4,552–2,297 years. Apart from the top and bottom, the core exhibited obvious characteristics of gradual accumulation of mineralization. Results revealed that the variations in the elemental contents of different layers and different types of pyrite were controlled by the interaction of seawater and hydrothermal fluids within the sulfide mound over five different mineralization periods. Compared with other hydrothermal fields on other mid-ocean ridges, DHF pyrite is generally enriched in Zn, Pb, As, Ag, Cd, Mo, and Sb, which might reflect shallow subsurface mixing during different periods of hydrothermal activity.

Implications of Mineralization Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Outcomes Beyond Calcifications.

The aim of this work was to explore the biomarkers associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mineralization processes as new prognostic factors across different breast cancer phenotypes. To this end, 133 breast biopsies, including benign and malignant lesions, with or without microcalcifications, were retrospectively collected. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of vimentin, BMP-2, BMP-4, RANKL, Runx2, OPN, PTX3, and SDF-1, while Kaplan-Meier plots were used to assess their prognostic impact on overall survival in a dataset of 2976 breast cancer patients. The expression of vimentin, BMP-2, BMP-4, and SDF-1 was significantly higher in malignant lesions compared to benign ones, regardless of the presence of microcalcifications. Notably, these markers showed no correlation with traditional prognostic factors, such as tumor grade or hormone receptor status. The bioinformatics analysis provided valuable insights into the possible prognostic and therapeutic significance of BMP-2, BMP-4, SDF-1, and vimentin in breast cancer. In fact, all these biomarkers impact on the overall survival in specific molecular breast cancer types. In addition, high expression of SDF-1 and vimentin is able to predict the response to chemotherapy. The findings here reported suggest that vimentin, BMP-2, BMP-4, and SDF-1 could be independent prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer, providing insights beyond traditional clinical factors.

Sulfosalts and Sulfates in the Epithermal Au-Ag-Te Emmy Deposit (Khabarovsk Territory, Far East of Russia): Implications for the Mineralization Process

This study considers the features of the chemical composition, internal structure, and oscillatory zoning of sulfosalts and sulfates in the epithermal high–intermediate-sulfidation-type Au-Ag-Te Emmy deposit (Khabarovsk Territory, Russia). In Emmy deposit, sulfosalts primarily represent goldfieldite, probably corresponding to a high-sulfidation (HS) mineral association replaced bytennantite–tetrahedrite group minerals. The latter is associated with tellurides and native tellurium, corresponding to an intermediate-sulfidation (IS)-type ore assemblage and suggesting an increasing influx of Te, Sb, and As in the system. Goldfieldite is replaced by native tellurium and tellurides along its growth zones, and is characterized by oscillatory zoning. The replacement of goldfieldite by mercury, nickel, lead, and copper tellurides indicate a new influx of native gold, native tellurium, and gold–silver tellurides into the open mineral-forming system. At deeper levels of the Emmy deposit, an advanced argillic alteration assemblage includes aluminum phosphate–sulfate (APS) minerals, represented by members of the svanbergite–woodhouseite series. Element mapping of the studied APS mineral grains indicated three distinct areas recording the evolution of the hydrothermal system in the Emmy: an oscillatory-zoned margin enriched in sulfur, lead, and barium, corresponding to the late influx of IS state fluids related to gold and tellurides; an intermediate part, which is leached and corresponds to the HS mineralization stage; and the central part of the grains, which is enriched in cerium, calcium, and strontium, resulting from a replacement of magmatic apatite in the pre-ore alteration stage. The leached zone between the core and rim of the APS grains is related to a change in crystallization conditions, possibly due to the mixing processes of the fluids with meteoric water. Barite, found in the upper level of the advanced argillic hypogene alteration assemblage, is also characterized by oscillatory zoning, associated with the enrichment of individual zones in lead. Micron gold particles associated with barite are confined to their lead-enriched zones. The study of fluid inclusions in quartz within the Emmy deposit showed the hydrothermal ore process at a temperature of 236–337 °C. Homogenization temperatures for quartz–pyrite–goldfieldite mineral association vary within 337–310 °C and salinity varies within 0–0.18 wt.%NaCl equivalent, and for gold–silver–telluride–polymetallic mineral association, they decrease and vary within 275–236 °C and salinity slightly increases from 0.18 to 0.35 wt.%NaCl equivalent. This study demonstrates that the nature of oscillatory zoning in sulfosalts and sulfates in the Emmy deposit results from an external process. Such a process is of fundamental importance from a genetic point of view.

Influence of the Sodium Titanate Crystal Size of Biomimetic Dental Implants on Osteoblastic Behavior: An In Vitro Study.

Treating the surfaces of dental implants in an alkaline medium allows us to obtain microstructures of sodium titanate crystals that favor the appearance of apatite in the physiological environment, producing osteoconductive surfaces. In this research, 385 discs made of titanium used in dental implants underwent different NaOH treatments with a 6M concentration at 600 °C and cooling rates of 20, 50, 75, and 115 °C/h. Using high-resolution electron microscopy, the microstructures were observed, and the different crystal sizes were determined and compared with control samples (those without biomimetic treatment). Roughness, wettability, surface energy and the sodium content of the surface were determined. The different surfaces were cultured with human osteoblastic cells; cell adhesion was determined at 3 and 14 days, and the degree of mineralization was determined at 14 days via alkaline phosphatase levels. Variations in the microstructure and size of sodium titanate crystals in NaOH solutions rich (1 g/L) or low in calcium (approximately 100 ppm) were determined. The results show that as the cooling rate increases, the size of the crystals decreases (from 0.4 μm to 0.8 μm) except for the case of 115 °C/h, when the rate is too fast for crystalline nucleation to occur on the surface of the titanium. The thermochemical treatment does not influence the roughness or the cooling rate since a Sa of 0.21 μm is maintained. However, the presence of titanate causes a decrease in the contact angle from 70° to 42° and, in turn, causes an increase in the total surface energy from 35 to 49.5 mJ/m2, with the polar component standing out in this energy increase. No variations were observed in the thermochemical treatments in the presence of sodium, which was around 1200 ppm. It was observed that as the size of the crystals decreases, cell adhesion increases at 3 days and decreases at 14 days. This is because finer crystals on the surface are already in the mineralization process, as demonstrated using the level of alkaline phosphatase that is maximal for the cooling rate of 75 °C/h. It was possible to confirm that the variations in the concentrated NaOH solutions with different calcium contents did not affect the crystal sizes or the microstructure of the surface. This research makes it possible to obtain dental implants with different mineralization speeds depending on the cooling rate applied.

Microbial-induced Synthesis of nano NiFe LDH for High-efficiency Oxygen Evolution.

NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) currently are the most efficient catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline environments. However, the development of high-performance low cost OER electrocatalysts using straightforward strategies remains a significant challenge. In this study, we describe an innovative microbial mineralization-based method for in situ-induced preparation of NiFe LDH nanosheets loaded on nickel foam and demonstrate that this material serves as an efficient oxygen evolution electrocatalyst. In the microbial mineralization process, bacteria adhere to electrode materials and promote the surface nucleation of nanomaterials when metal ions are present. Specifically, our findings indicate that biomineralization accelerates the formation and regulation of NiFe LDH. The new electrocatalyst displays excellent OER performance, with a small overpotential of 220 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and a Tafel slope down to 38.6 mV dec-1 in alkaline solution. The remarkable OER performance of the microbial mineralization-derived electrocatalyst is attributed to the synergistic effect of NiFe LDH and a bacterial-specific surface area that contains multiple active sites. This study has uncovered a new approach for the assembly of NiFe LDH that relies on biomineralization to bring about morphological and structural modification of LDH nanosheets.