Rich Parts Research Articles

Pervasive conservation of intron number and other genetic elements revealed by a chromosome-level genomic assembly of the hyper-polymorphic nematode Caenorhabditis brenneri.

With within-species genetic diversity estimates that span the gambit of that seen across the entirety of animals, the Caenorhabditis genus of nematodes holds unique potential to provide insights into how population size and reproductive strategies influence gene and genome organization and evolution. Our study focuses on Caenorhabditis brenneri, currently known as one of the most genetically diverse nematodes within its genus and metazoan phyla. Here, we present a high-quality gapless genome assembly and annotation for C. brenneri, revealing a common nematode chromosome arrangement characterized by gene-dense central regions and repeat rich peripheral parts. Comparison of C. brenneri with other nematodes from the 'Elegans' group revealed conserved macrosynteny but a lack of microsynteny, characterized by frequent rearrangements and low correlation iof orthogroup sizes, indicative of high rates of gene turnover. We also assessed genome organization within corresponding syntenic blocks in selfing and outcrossing species, affirming that selfing species predominantly experience loss of both genes and intergenic DNA. Comparison of gene structures revealed strikingly small number of shared introns across species, yet consistent distributions of intron number and length, regardless of population size or reproductive mode, suggesting that their evolutionary dynamics are primarily reflective of functional constraints. Our study provides valuable insights into genome evolution and expands the nematode genome resources with the highly genetically diverse C. brenneri, facilitating research into various aspects of nematode biology and evolutionary processes.

A Study on the Semantics of the Sichuan Dialect Word Ba Based on the Cognitive Perspective

The Sichuan dialect word ba is widely used and has a high frequency of occurrence within the dialect area. It is characterized by its rich semantic meanings and diverse parts of speech, making it one of the most representative common words in Sichuan dialect. However, existing dialect dictionaries have issues such as incomplete definitions, unclear interpretations, and uncertain grammatical properties, which call for further careful revisions. Cognitive linguistics, one of the current research hotspots in linguistics, can fundamentally explain the intrinsic mechanisms and external manifestations of lexical semantic formation. This paper, based on the cognitive perspective and within the macro-framework of Prototype Category Theory, employs the theories of metaphor, metonymy, and image schema to conduct a micro-level analysis and clarification of the original meaning and extended meanings of the Sichuan dialect word ba. It attempts to provide cognitive reasoning for interpreting the meanings of dialect words in dictionaries, as well as to offer new perspectives and cases for exploring the semantics of dialect words.

Open-Pit Pushback Optimization by a Parallel Genetic Algorithm

Determining the design of pushbacks in an open-pit mine is a key part of optimizing the economic value of the mining project and the operational feasibility of the mine. This problem requires balancing pushbacks that have good geometric properties to ensure the smooth operation of the mining equipment and so that the scheduling of extraction maximizes the economic value by providing early access to the rich parts of the deposit. However, because of the challenging nature of the problem, practical approaches for finding the best pushbacks strongly depend on the expert criteria to ensure good operational properties. This paper introduces the Advanced Geometrically Constrained Production Scheduling Problem to account for operational space constraints, modeled as truncated cones of extraction. To find the best solution for this problem, we present a parallel genetic algorithm based on a genotype–phenotype model such that the genotype symbolizes the base block of a truncated cone, and the phenotype represents the cone itself. A central computer node evaluates these solutions, collaborating with various secondary nodes that evolve a population of feasible solutions. The PGA’s efficacy was validated using comprehensive test instances from established research. The PGA solution exhibited a consistent average copper grade across periods, with its incremental phases reflecting real-world mine geometry. Moreover, the benefits of the MeanShift clustering technique were evident, suggesting effective phase-based scheduling. The PGA’s approach ensures optimal resource utilization and offers insights into potential avenues for further model enhancements and fine-tuning.

Delayed step-by-step decompression with DSF alleviates skeletal muscle crush injury by inhibiting NLRP3/CASP-1/GSDMD pathway

Crush injury (CI) is a common disease in earthquake and traffic accidents. It refers to long-term compression that induces ischemia and hypoxia injury of skeletal muscle rich parts, leading to rupture of muscle cells and release of contents into the blood circulation. Crush syndrome (CS) is the systemic manifestation of severe, traumatic muscle injury. CI rescue faces a dilemma. Ischemic reperfusion due to decompression is a double-edged sword for the injured. Death often occurs when the injured are glad to be rescued. Programmed cell death (PCD) predominates in muscle CI or ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the function and mechanism of pyroptosis and apoptosis in the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle injury in CI remain elusive. Here, we identified that pyroptosis and apoptosis occur independently of each other and are regulated differently in the injured mice’s skeletal muscle of CI. While in vitro model, we found that glucose-deprived ischemic myoblast cells could occur pyroptosis. However, the cell damage degree was reduced if the oxygen was further deprived. Then, we confirmed that delayed step-by-step decompression of CI mice could significantly reduce skeletal muscle injury by substantially inhibiting NLRP3/Casp-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway but not altering the Casp-3/PARP apoptosis pathway. Moreover, pyroptotic inhibitor DSF therapy alone, or the combination of delayed step-by-step decompression and pyroptotic inhibitor therapy, significantly alleviated muscle injury of CI mice. The new physical stress relief and drug intervention method proposed in this study put forward new ideas and directions for rescuing patients with CI, even CS-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI).

Phenologically Targeted Grazing: A Potential Sustainable Strategy for Native Bees in Semiarid Rangelands

Rangelands may offer valuable habitat for invertebrate wildlife, helping conserve ecologically and economically significant organisms, like native bees. In some systems, livestock may affect bees by consuming or trampling blooming plants that bees rely on for food. One potential way to reduce potential negative effects of livestock on bees is to delay grazing on floristically rich parts of the landscape until after peak bloom (i.e., phenologically targeted grazing). To test the outcome of this method, we collected bees using pan traps and counted blooming stems from May to September in grazed and ungrazed sites. Our sites were located in two experimental cattle grazing systems in the Pacific Northwest, United States, in which cattle turnout did not occur until after peak forb bloom. One system was located in bunchgrass prairie, and the other was located in riparian meadows. Our objectives were to 1) quantify seasonal variation in bee and blooming plant communities and 2) measure how or if these communities responded to grazing. In both systems, bee and bloom species richness peaked in June and bloom abundance and diversity were highest in May and June. Bee abundance and diversity were more variable throughout the season. We observed significantly lower abundance, richness, and diversity of blooming species in the riparian system in response to grazing, potentially decreasing floral resource availability for bees, but did not detect a concomitant negative effect on bees. In the bunchgrass system, we observed no significant negative effects of grazing on bees or blooming plants. This suggests that for areas with high-quality bee habitat, site-specific, phenologically targeted grazing may moderate negative effects of livestock on bee and plant communities. Range managers could use alternative grazing locations (e.g., old fields, early senescing sites, more intensively managed pastures), if available, during peak bloom to mitigate potential herbivory effects on bees and blooms.

Solid solution of CaSiO3 and MgSiO3 perovskites in the lower mantle: The role of ferrous iron

AbstractThe solid solution between CaSiO3 and MgSiO3 perovskites is an important control on the properties of the lower mantle but the effect of one of the most important impurity elements (iron) on this solution is largely unknown. Using density functional theory (DFT), ferrous iron’s influence on the reciprocal solubility of MgSiO3 and CaSiO3 perovskite (forming a single Ca-Mg mixed perovskite phase) was calculated under pressures and temperatures of 25–125 GPa and 0–3000 K, respectively. Except at iron-rich conditions, ferrous iron preferentially partitions into the mixed perovskite phase over bridgmanite. This is a small effect (partitioning coefficient KD ~0.25–1), however, when compared to the partitioning of ferrous iron to ferropericlase, which rules out perovskite phase mixing as a mechanism for creating iron-rich regions in the mantle. Iron increases the miscibility of Ca and Mg perovskite phases and reduces the temperature at which the two perovskite phases mix but this effect is highly nonlinear. We find that for a pyrolytic mantle [Ca% = 12.5 where Ca% = Ca/(Ca+Mg)] a perovskite ferrous iron concentration of ~13% leads to the lowest mixing temperature and the highest miscibility. With this composition, 1% ferrous iron in a pyrolytic composition would lead to mixing at ~120 GPa along the geothermal gradient, and 6.25% ferrous iron leads to mixing at ~115 GPa and 13% ~110 GPa. At high iron concentrations, Fe starts to impair miscibility, with 25% ferrous iron leading to mixing at ~120 GPa. Thus, in normal pyrolytic mantle, iron could induce a small amount of Ca-pv and Mg-pv mixing near the D″ layer but it generally partitions to ferropericlase instead and does not impact mixing. Extremely iron rich parts of the lower mantle such as ULVZs or the CMB (potentially) are also not a likely source of phase mixed perovskites due to the nonlinear effect of ferrous iron on phase mixing.

Digital light processing of SiC ceramic from allylhydridopolycarbosilane with limited acrylate monomers

Digital light processing of ceramic precursor was used to prepare SiC rich ceramic parts in this study. In order to achieve appropriate light curing rate, the ceramic precursor allylhydropolycarbosilane (LHBPCS) was mixed with acrylate monomers tripropylene glycol diacrylate and trimethylolpropane triacrylate. The content of acrylate monomers was optimized to increase the ceramic yield and reduce the shrinkage during pyrolysis. According to the results of thermogravimetric analysis and photolithography experiment, 15 wt% acrylate monomers was appropriate. 330 mJ/cm2 UV irradiation dose was selected for every layer with a thickness of 25 μm, and green bodies with different shapes were successfully printed. During pyrolysis, these printed parts changed from transparent yellow to black accompanying uniform shrinkage. At 1000 °C, the shrinkage was 24.0–26.0%, and crack-free SiC rich ceramic parts with density of 2.11 g/cm3 and chemical formula of SiC1.31O0.26 were obtained.

Wear of cemented carbide forging dies used in zipper production

Cemented carbide tools are commonly used in both cutting and forging processes associated to zipper production. In production, the tools experience many millions of repeated contacts, hence they must be very durable to keep the wear at acceptable levels. Although the zipper elements in this investigation are made in a relatively soft CuZn alloy, the wear becomes significant and the tool life a production limiting factor. The wear process is to a large extent unknown. To increase the understanding, forging dies used for an increasing number of forgings in actual production, have been studied in detail. Initially the Co binder is preferentially worn off, and transferred CuZn partly fills the cavities. Interestingly, the repeating forging contacts lead to modification of the composition of the transferred material, which partly separates into Cu rich and Zn rich parts, where the Zn rich parts show a high presence of oxygen. During the life span of the tool, represented by the controlled use of forging tools to different percentages of their estimated life, the WC grains are gradually worn into faceted shapes. The most severely worn region of the forging dies develops an increasing surface roughness, which act to shape a corresponding pattern on the zipper elements.

Potential of Dual and Multi Energy XRT and CT Analyses on Iron Formations.

Dual and multi energy X-ray transmission imaging (DE-/ME-XRT) are powerful tools to acquire quantitative material characteristics of diverse samples without destruction. As those X-ray imaging techniques are based on the projection onto the imaging plane, only two-dimensional data can be obtained. To acquire three-dimensional information and a complete examination on topology and spatial trends of materials, computed tomography (CT) can be used. In combination, these methods may offer a robust non-destructive testing technique for research and industrial applications. For example, the iron ore mining and processing industry requires the ratio of economic iron minerals to siliceous waste material for resource and reserve estimations, and for efficient sorting prior to beneficiation, to avoid equipment destruction due to highly abrasive quartz. While XRT provides information concerning the thickness, areal density and mass fraction of iron and the respective background material, CT may deliver size, distribution and orientation of internal structures. Our study shows that the data provided by XRT and CT is reliable and, together with data processing, can be successfully applied for distinguishing iron oxide rich parts from waste. Furthermore, heavy element bearing minerals such as baryte, uraninite, galena and monazite can be detected.

The Great Divergence: Why Britain Industrialised First

What drove the precocious industrialisation in Britain was not demand for machines but rather (as Joel Mokyr and his co‐authors have argued) the supply of useful knowledge and the skills needed to put it into practice. They were the force behind early innovation. But they did not act alone. They were reinforced by British institutions, which gave the British economy a century's head start over the rest of Europe and likely too over the rich parts of Asia. The institutions included a uniform fiscal and legal system; an effective means of training apprentices, who had escaped from local guild control; and a parliament that could raise taxes and exercise eminent domain but was at the same time a credible protector of private property. Among other things, these institutions facilitated the transportation of goods such as coal and they were backed up by policies that worked in favour of manufacturing. Together, the institutions and policies generated agglomeration effects that encouraged innovation. The agglomeration effects were more pronounced in western Europe than anywhere else in Eurasia and more developed in Britain than anywhere else.

Preparation and stereolithography of SiC ceramic precursor with high photosensitivity and ceramic yield

Stereolithography of ceramic precursors is a valuable additive manufacturing technology for complex ceramic parts. In this study, a new SiC ceramic precursor—liquid hyperbranched polycarbosilane (LHBPCS) grafting acrylate group was synthesized by chlorinating some Si–H groups of LHBPCS with Cl2 followed by reacting with hydroxyethyl acrylate. The reaction processes and structures of intermediate reactant and target product were confirmed by FT-IR and 1H NMR. According to photolithography experiment and hardness test under UV light, the synthesized LHBPCS had high photo-curing activity. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated it also possessed high ceramic yield (the ceramic yield at 1000 °C was 74.4%). After shaping with stereolithography, defect-free green bodies could be got. When heated to 1000 °C, the transparent yellow green bodies transformed into black SiC rich ceramic parts and 18.3–25.1% linear shrinkage associated with the precursor-to-ceramic conversion was observed. Because the shrinkage in the pyrolysis stage was nearly isotropic and the shrinkage was lower than other reported data, no obvious deformation or crack was found in the pyrolyzed parts.

AGRARIAN MOVEMENT IN SARANSK COUNTY IN OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1917

Introduction. The study of the agrarian movement on the eve of the establishment of Soviet power in the regions of Russia is important in the light of determining the role of the peasantry in the process of coming into power of the Bolsheviks. It quite clearly demonstrates the polarization of social forces in the Russian village on the eve of the decisive events of the great Russian revolution in 1917, Therefore, the growth of the agrarian movement in the country during the period under review evidence of the crisis caused by the absence of a decision by the authorities of the agrarian question that occupies a prominent place in Russian social and political consciousness of the early twentieth century. Materials and Methods. The study uses the materials of the Central state archive of the Republic of Mordovia, as well as scientific literature. The main method of research used in the work is historical-genetic. A micro-historical approach is also used for a more detailed insight into the subject of the study. Results. The article deals with the direction of agricultural movement in the Saransk district through the prism of confrontation between the rich and poor parts of the village. It notes the main purpose of the agrarian-peasant movement: the landlords, the kulaks, the farmers. Forms of the agrarian movement directed against “the high society” of village are considered, and also the property damage caused to owners is stated. The study notes that the peasantry dissatisfied with the protracted solution of the agricultural issue by the Provisional government has moved to radical methods of “black redistribution”. The wealthy part of the village in these conditions was without protection from the district authorities which by the autumn in 1917 did not have any power or authority among the local population, which predetermined the success of peasant actions against “the high society”. Discussion and Conclusion. As a result of the conducted research the circle of victims in the period of “peasant revolt” in autumn 1917 in the territory of Saransk district of Penza province is revealed. Forms of influence in relation to each category of rural owners are defined. Also it notes the hopelessness of the situation of “the high society” of village against the background of the crisis of local authorities on the eve of the establishment of Soviet power.

Prenatal and Postnatal Clinical Spectrum of a Mosaic Small Supernumerary Marker Chromosome 22

An amniocentesis was performed because of the advanced maternal age at 18 weeks of gestation, and cytogenetic analyses revelaed a de novo mosaic small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMC), as parental karotypes were normal. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses with chromosome specific whole chromosome painting, locus, and alphoid satellite DNA probes were ended with the diagnosis of mosaic sSMC of chromosome 22. The result was explained to the family and genetic counselling was given together with the absence of fetal ultrasound findings. The baby was delivered at term by caesarean section. The female neonate with mosaic sSMC did not show any apparent dysmorphic features at birth. No growth and psychomotor retardation were observed at her natal period follow-up. At one year age, she had some mild dysmorphic findings such as high frontal hairline, frontal bossing, thin eyebrows, hypertelorism, flattened tip of nose and prominent philtrum. The reason of the absence of major abnormalities could be related with the presence of heterochromatin region of chromosome 22 rather than the gene rich parts. Finally, this report emphasizes the importance of acting in an analytical algorithm based on chromosomal origin, parental lineage, size and mosaic or non-mosaic status of sSMCs in the prenatal diagnosis, and using FISH technique and postnatal confirmation of the sSMC.

Rare-earth metal oxide hybridized PtFe nanocrystals synthesized via microfluidic process for enhanced electrochemical catalytic performance

PtFe nanocrystals hybridized by one rare-earth metal oxide (i.e., CeOx) (namely PtFe-PtxFeyCezOj) with controlled compositions and gradient microstructures are synthesized continuously in a simple programmed microfluidic process. Their electrochemical catalytic performances are evaluated by methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). TEM, EDS, XRD and XPS measurements are used to characterize their microstructures and compositions. Results suggest that PtFe-PtxFeyCezOj nanohybrids have overall sizes around 2 nm, showing gradient structures composed of PtFe rich inner parts and cerium oxide rich outer layers. They preserve angular shapes and rough surfaces, whose atoms have metallic states and/or multi-oxidation states. The electrochemical catalytic measurements indicate that PtFe-PtxFeyCezOj nanohybrids exhibit excellent electrochemical catalytic performances in MOR, ORR and HER. Particularly, the PtFe-PtxFeyCezOj nanohybrids with the designed atom ratio of Fe:Pt:Ce = 1:1:1 show the best MOR performance, with a forward peak current of 1018.6 mA/mgPt, which is 5.6-fold enhancement compared to the commercial Pt/C catalysts (180.8 mA/mgPt), and the best ORR performance, with a specific activity of 3.28 mA/cm2 and mass activity of 0.73 A/mgPt, which are 6.0- and 4.6-fold enhancement compared with the commercial Pt/C catalysts (0.55 mA/cm2 and 0.16 A/mgPt). It also gives HER a much low Tafel slope (19 mV dec−1) comparing with those previously reported. Chronoamperometry tests suggest that PtFeCe1 catalysts can maintain 2-fold activity of commercial Pt/C catalysts at the end of 4000 s’ operation. TEM images of nanohybrids before and after electrochemical catalytic tests confirm that the suitable coating of CeOx prevents the PtFe nanohybrids from intensive etching and dissolving in the strong acidic reaction electrolytes and improves the durability and microstructure stability of these nanohybrids. The greatly improved catalytic performances are fundamentally resulted not only from the synergistic interface effect between the PtFe alloy rich inner parts and the cerium oxide rich outer layers, but also from the electron orbital hybridization effects among Pt, Fe and Ce atoms. This study provides a new methodology in the microstructure design and controlled synthesis of efficient multifunctional nanocatalysts with stable microstructures by hybridizing rare-earth metal oxides to form stable thin outer-layers. These stable nanocatalysts shall preserve valuable applications in fuel cells and hydrogen production by water splitting.

In silico exploration of inhibition potency of maslinic acid, a plant based triterpene, against Helicoverpa armigera serine protease

Abstract Gut proteases are accountable for survival of Helicoverpa armigera on protein rich parts of plant devastating many important agricultural crops. The aim of present study was to identify potential natural compounds having inhibitory potency against Helicoverpa armigera gut proteases. We have modeled structure of H. armigera serine protease (UniProt ID: O18447 ) and analyzed its interactions with maslinic acid (Zinc ID: ZINC38140521). A 3D model was generated using bovine trypsin in complex with analogues of sunflower inhibitor 1 as template with the help of Chimera Modeler 1.11. The PROCHECK and Modfold analysis have revealed 81.8% of residue in favored region. The POOL and COACH analysis have revealed 18 amino acids in the active site. In the 10 ns MD simulations of modeled structure, the RMSD of the protein backbone increased slightly and later stabilized from 7 ns to 10 ns. The modeled structure was stabilized at gyration distance of about 1.65 nm at 7 ns. Potential hit compounds from the ZINC database identified in this study showed good inhibitory bindings with modeled structure. Among these compounds maslinic acid, a plant based pentacyclic triterpenes was found to be potent lead compound with good binding affinity (−9.5 kcal/mol). RMSD profile was

Qualitative Improvement of Meat Production within the Sheep Farming

There is a significant request on the market for sheepmeat consumption not only in the western European countries but also in the countries. In Romania there is a long tradition in husbandry, therefore we have proposed to accomplish the improvement of the carcasses by making use of cross-breeding the indigenous breed of Merinos sheep with Suffolk and Charollais meat sheep. It was performed the intensive fattening in 100 days and after the completion of the fattening the living animal was measured, these measures determining the development of the rich muscular parts, at the level of the posterior area. At the end of the fattening period control slaughtering were performed (3 animals in every group) and the slaughtering efficiency was calculated (efficiency 1 and efficiency 2). In case of F1 (Suffolk × Merinos) half breeds the efficiency 1 was that of 48.68 ± 0.325% and efficiency 2 was that of 51.23 ± 0.322%; in case of Merinos breed efficiency 1 was that of 43.22 ± 0.335, and efficiency 2 had its value of 49.33 ± 0.433; in case of F1 Charollais × Merinos half breeds efficiency 1 was that of 48.23 ± 0.323% and efficiency 2 was that of 52.32 ± 0.523. The tissue composition of the obtained carcasses was determined in order to establish the quality of the carcasses.

Stellar abundance of binary stars: their role in determining the formation location of super-Earths and ice giants

Binary stars form from the same parent molecular cloud and thus have the same chemical composition. Forming planets take building material (solids) away from the surrounding protoplanetary disc. Assuming that the disc's accretion onto the star is the main process that clears the disc, the atmosphere of the star will show abundance reductions caused by the material accreted by the forming planet(s). If planets are only forming around one star of a binary system, the planet formation process can result in abundance differences in wide binary stars, if their natal protoplanetary discs do not interact during planet formation. Abundance differences in the atmospheres of wide binaries hosting giant planets have already been observed and linked to the formation location of giant planets. Here, we model how much building material is taken away for super-Earth planets that form inside/outside of the water ice line as well as ice giants forming inside/outside of the CO ice line. Our model predicts a significant abundance difference $\Delta$[X/H] in the stellar atmospheres of the planet-hosting binary component. Our model predicts that super-Earths that form inside the water ice line ($r<r_{\rm H_2O}$) will result in an $\Delta$[Fe/H]/$\Delta$[O/H] abundance difference in the their host star that is a factor of 2 larger than for super-Earths formed outside the water ice line ($r>r_{\rm H_2O}$) in the water rich parts of the disc. Additionally, our model shows that the $\Delta$[Fe/H]/$\Delta$[C/H] abundance difference in the host star is at least a factor of 3 larger for ice giants formed at $r<r_{\rm CO}$ compared to ice giants formed far out in the protoplanetary disc ($r>r_{\rm CO}$). Future observations of wide binary star systems hosting super-Earths and ice giants could therefore help to constrain the migration pathway of these planets and thus constrain planet formation theories.

Zircon (Hf, O isotopes) as melt indicator: Melt infiltration and abundant new zircon growth within melt rich layers of granulite-facies lenses versus solid-state recrystallization in hosting amphibolite-facies gneisses (central Erzgebirge, Bohemian Massif)

In the central Erzgebirge within the Bohemian Massif, lenses of high pressure and ultrahigh pressure felsic granulites occur within meta-sedimentary and meta-igneous amphibolite-facies felsic rocks. In the felsic granulite, melt rich parts and restite form alternating layers, and were identified by petrology and bulk rock geochemistry. Mineral assemblages representing the peak P-T conditions were best preserved in melanocratic restite layers. In contrast, in the melt rich leucocratic layers, garnet and related HP minerals as kyanite are almost completely resorbed. Both layers display differences in accessory minerals: melanosomes have frequent and large monazite and Fe–Ti-minerals but lack xenotime and apatite; leucosomes have abundant apatite and xenotime while monazite is rare. Here we present a detailed petrographic study of zircon grains (abundance, size, morphology, inclusions) in granulite-facies and amphibolite-facies felsic gneisses, along with their oxygen and hafnium isotope compositions. Our data complement earlier UPb ages and trace element data (REE, Y, Hf, U) on zircons from the same rocks (Tichomirowa et al., 2005). Our results show that the degree of melting determines the behaviour of zircon in different layers of the granulites and associated amphibolite-facies rocks. In restite layers of the granulite lenses, small, inherited, and resorbed zircon grains are preserved and new zircon formation is very limited. In contrast, new zircons abundantly grew in the melt rich leucocratic layers. In these layers, the new zircons (UPb age, trace elements, Hf, O isotopes) best preserve the information on peak metamorphic conditions due to intense corrosion of other metamorphic minerals. The new zircons often contain inherited cores. Compared to cores, the new zircons and rims show similar or slightly lower Hf isotope values, slightly higher Hf model ages, and decreased oxygen isotope ratios. The isotope compositions (Hf, O) of new zircons indicate partial Hf isotope homogenization in the melt, and melt infiltration from an external source. New zircon was most likely formed by a peritectic reaction with melt above the wet solidus (peritectic zircon). Conversely, the amphibolite-facies host gneisses lack indications of significant melt production. Pre-metamorphic zircons experienced mainly solid-state recrystallization and variable Pb loss with only minor new zircon formation. However, subtle changes in cathodoluminescence pattern, in the Hf and O isotopes, and in the Lu/Hf, Yb/Hf ratios of zircons suggest that small volumes of melt were locally present. In difference to granulites, melt was internally produced. The detection of low degree melts (inferred from zircon geochemistry) is extremely important for the rheology because these amphibolite-facies rocks could act as large scale ductile shear zones. The new zircon data support a different P-T path for closely spaced amphibolite- and granulite-facies rocks.

Galaxy spin as a formation probe: the stellar-to-halo specific angular momentum relation

We derive the stellar-to-halo specific angular momentum relation (SHSAMR) of galaxies at $z=0$ by combining i) the standard $\Lambda$CDM tidal torque theory ii) the observed relation between stellar mass and specific angular momentum (Fall relation) and iii) various determinations of the stellar-to-halo mass relation (SHMR). We find that the ratio $f_j = j_\ast/j_{\rm h}$ of the specific angular momentum of stars to that of the dark matter i) varies with mass as a double power-law, ii) it always has a peak in the mass range explored and iii) it is $3-5$ times larger for spirals than for ellipticals. The results have some dependence on the adopted SHMR and we provide fitting formulae in each case. For any choice of the SHMR, the peak of $f_j$ occurs at the same mass where the stellar-to-halo mass ratio $f_\ast = M_\ast/M_{\rm h}$ has a maximum. This is mostly driven by the straightness and tightness of the Fall relation, which requires $f_j$ and $f_\ast$ to be correlated with each other roughly as $f_j\propto f_\ast^{2/3}$, as expected if the outer and more angular momentum rich parts of a halo failed to accrete onto the central galaxy and form stars (biased collapse). We also confirm that the difference in the angular momentum of spirals and ellipticals at a given mass is too large to be ascribed only to different spins of the parent dark-matter haloes (spin bias).

Oxygen Carrier Aided Combustion (OCAC) of Wood Chips in a Semi-Commercial Circulating Fluidized Bed Boiler Using Manganese Ore as Bed Material

Oxygen Carrier Aided Combustion (OCAC) is realized by using an active oxygen-carrying bed material in fluidized bed boilers. The active material is reduced in fuel rich parts of the boiler and oxidized in air rich parts. Advantages could be achieved such as new mechanisms for oxygen transport in space and time. Here calcined manganese ore has been used as active bed material in a 12 MWth circulating fluidized bed boiler. The fuel was wood chips and the campaign lasted more than two weeks. From an operational point of view, manganese ore worked excellently. From the temperature profile of the boiler it can be concluded that fuel conversion was facilitated, especially in the dense bottom bed. The effect did not always translate to reduced emissions, which suggests that final combustion in the cyclone outlet was also influenced. Substituting 10% of the sand bed with manganese ore made it possible to reduce the air to fuel ratio without generating large amounts of CO. The use of 100% manganese ore resulted in higher emissions of CO than the sand reference, but, when combined sulphur feeding, dramatic reductions in CO emissions, up to 90% compared to sand reference, was achieved.