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Mineral Phase (mineral + phase)
Selected AbstractsControl of apatite crystal growth by the co-operative effect of a recombinant porcine amelogenin and fluorideEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 2006Mayumi Iijima Recently, we used native amelogenins extracted from developing pig enamel to examine the combined effect of fluoride and amelogenins on the growth of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and apatite crystals. The purpose of the present study was to investigate this combined effect using a highly purified recombinant amelogenin. We applied porcine amelogenin (rP172) and fluoride in a dual-membrane system as a model for tooth enamel formation. The combination of rP172 and fluoride in this system resulted in the formation of rod-like apatite crystals. On the other hand, without fluoride, rod-like OCP crystals of a comparable size were formed, and rather large hexagonal prisms of mixed crystals of OCP and apatite grew without amelogenins. Thus, highly purified and homogeneous recombinant amelogenin, in co-operation with F, regulated the mineral phase, habit, and size of crystals in the same manner as the extracted heterogeneous porcine amelogenins. We suggest that in both cases the control over the crystal phase and morphology was a direct effect of amelogenin protein serving as a scaffold for apatite mineralization. [source] On the origin of intrinsic matrix of acellular extrinsic fiber cementum: Studies on growing cementum pearls of normal and bisphosphonate-affected guinea pig molarsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2002Chantha K. Jayawardena Cementum pearls (CPs) belong to a type of acellular extrinsic fiber cementum (AEFC) that form on the maturing enamel of guinea pig molars. This study aimed to elucidate the forming process of intrinsic matrix of AEFC using the CPs of normal and bisphosphonate-affected guinea pig molars as experimental models. A group of guinea pigs were subjected to continuous administration of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate (HEBP) for 2 wk to inhibit mineralization of growing CPs. Fenestration of the enamel organ and migration of periodontal cells on to the exposed surface of maturing enamel appeared to be unaffected by HEBP, whereas de novo formation as well as growth of pre-existing CPs did not proceed under the same conditions. Immunoreactions for osteopontin were located exclusively on the mineralized matrix of preformed CPs, implying the absence of additional deposition or accumulation of putative intrinsic cementum matrix on the affected CPs, where the propagation of mineral phase had been arrested. In both normal and HEBP-treated groups, distinct enzymatic reactions for alkaline phosphatase appeared on the cells of the periodontal ligament associated closely with the sites of CP formation, and along the mineralization front of CPs. These observations suggest that the mineralization process per se plays a central role in the deposition of AEFC matrix and that alkaline phosphatase of periodontal cells penetrating through the enamel organ to the maturing enamel surface plays a key role in the mineralization process of CPs. [source] Predicting carbon content in illitic clay fractions from surface area, cation exchange capacity and dithionite-extractable ironEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2002M. Kahle Summary We used the specific surface area (SSA), the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the content of dithionite-extractable iron (Fed) to predict the content of organic carbon in illitic clay fractions of topsoils from loess. We determined SSA (BET-N2 method) and CEC of clay fractions after removing organic C or reducing oxides or both. The CEC and the SSA of the carbon- and oxide-free clay fraction explained 56% and 54% of the variation in C content, respectively. The Fed content of the clay fractions was strongly and negatively related to the C content, and with the SSA of the carbon-free clay fraction it predicted C content almost completely (R2 = 0.96). The results indicate that the amount of cations adhering to the silicate clay minerals and the size of the silicate mineral surface area are important properties of the mineral phase for the storage potential of C. The reason for the negative relation between iron oxides and C content remains unclear. [source] Dissolved organic matter in small streams along a gradient from discontinuous to continuous permafrostGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 9 2004Masayuki Kawahigashi Abstract The Yenisei river passes every type of permafrost regime, from south to north, being characterized by increasing continuity of the permafrost and by decreasing thickness of the active layer. We used that situation to test the hypothesis that amounts and properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in small streams draining forested catchments respond to different permafrost regimes. Water samples were taken from eight tributaries along the Yenisei between 67°30,N and 65°49,N latitude. The samples were analysed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) and DOM was characterized by its chemical composition (XAD-8 fractionation, sugars, lignin phenols, amino acids, protein, UV and fluorescence spectroscopy), and its biodegradability. Most properties of the tributary waters varied depending on latitude. The higher the latitude, the higher were DOC, DON and the proportion of the hydrophobic fraction of DOC. The contribution of hexoses and pentoses to DOC were higher in southern tributaries; on the other hand, phenolic compounds were more abundant in northern tributaries. Mineralizable DOC ranged between 4% and 28% of total DOC. DOM in northern tributaries was significantly (P<0.05) less biodegradable than that in southern tributaries reflecting the differences in the chemical properties of DOM. Our results suggest that the differences in DOM properties are mainly attributed to differences of permafrost regime, affecting depth of active layer, soil organic matter accumulation and vegetation. Soil organic matter and vegetation determine the amount and composition of DOM produced in the catchments while the depth of the active layer likely controls the quantity and quality of DOM exported to streams. Sorptive interactions of DOM with the soil mineral phase typically increase with depth. The results imply that a northern shift of discontinuous permafrost likely will change in the long term the input of DOM into the Yenisei and thus probably into the Kara Sea. [source] Structural Characterization of the Transient Amorphous Calcium Carbonate Precursor Phase in Sea Urchin Embryos,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 10 2006Y. Politi Abstract Sea urchin embryos form their calcitic spicular skeletons via a transient precursor phase composed of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC). Transition of ACC to calcite in whole larvae and isolated spicules during development has been monitored using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Remarkably, the changing nature of the mineral phase can clearly be monitored in the whole embryo samples. More detailed analyses of isolated spicules at different stages of development using both XAS and infrared spectroscopy demonstrate that the short-range order of the transient ACC phase resembles calcite, even though infrared spectra show that the spicules are mostly composed of an amorphous mineral phase. The coordination sphere is at first distorted but soon adopts the octahedral symmetry typical of calcite. Long-range lattice rearrangement follows to form the calcite single crystal of the mature spicule. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of real-time monitoring of mineralized-tissue development using XAS, including the structural characterization of transient amorphous phases at the atomic level. [source] Strontium Ranelate Treatment Improves Trabecular and Cortical Intrinsic Bone Tissue Quality, a Determinant of Bone Strength,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 9 2007Patrick Ammann MD Abstract Beside its influence on determinants of bone strength (geometry, microarchitecture), which is likely to be related to a cellular effect, strontium ranelate improves bone tissue quality as evaluated by nanoindentation, increasing elastic modulus, hardness, and dissipated energy in vertebrae of rats treated for 104 wk with daily dose from 0 to 900 mg/kg. Introduction: We previously showed that strontium ranelate treatment improves the mechanical properties of the vertebral body and long bone midshaft in intact rats. The increased energy to failure obtained with strontium ranelate is essentially caused by an increase in plastic energy, suggesting that bone formed during treatment can withstand greater deformation before fracture. In the bone mineral phase, strontium is mainly located in the hydrated shell and could thus potentially influence intrinsic bone tissue quality. Materials and Methods: To study whether strontium ranelate treatment could positively influence intrinsic bone tissue quality (elastic modulus, hardness, and dissipated energy), nanoindentation tests were performed at the level of trabecular nodes and cortex under physiological or dry conditions in vertebrae of rats treated for 104 wk with strontium ranelate at a daily dose of 0, 225, 450, or 900 mg/kg (n = 12 per group). Ex vivo ,CT measurements and axial compression tests of adjacent vertebral bodies were also performed. Significance of difference was evaluated using ANOVA. Results: In agreement with previous results, strontium ranelate (900 mg/kg/d) significantly increased versus controls in maximal load (+23%), total energy (+71%), and plastic energy (+143%). At the level of trabecular bone, strontium ranelate treatment resulted in a significant increase in elastic modulus (+15.1%, p < 0.01), hardness (+11.5%, p < 0.05), and dissipated energy (+16.2%, p < 0.001) versus controls in physiological, but not in dry, conditions. The effect was less pronounced in cortex. Conclusions: These results show for the first time a direct action of strontium ranelate on bone tissue quality. Beside its shown influence on classical determinants of bone strength (geometry, microarchitecture), which is likely to be related to a cellular effect, strontium ranelate improves bone tissue quality. This could contribute to the increase in bone strength and thus be involved in the reduction of fracture risk in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients treated with strontium ranelate. [source] Functional Differences Between Growth Plate Apoptotic Bodies and Matrix Vesicles,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 10 2003Thorsten Kirsch Abstract Mineralization often occurs in areas of apoptotic changes. Our findings indicate that physiological mineralization is mediated by matrix vesicles. These matrix vesicles use mechanisms to induce mineralization that are different from the mechanisms used by apoptotic bodies released from apoptotic cells. Therefore, different therapeutic approaches must be chosen to inhibit pathological mineralization depending on the mechanism of mineralization (matrix vesicles versus apoptotic bodies). Introduction: Physiological mineralization in growth plate cartilage is restricted to regions of terminally differentiated and apoptotic chondrocytes. Pathological mineralization of tissues also often occurs in areas of apoptosis. We addressed the question of whether apoptotic changes control mineralization events or whether both events are regulated independently. Methods: To induce mineralization, we treated growth plate chondrocytes with retinoic acid (RA); apoptosis in these cells was induced by treatment with staurosporine, anti-Fas, or TNF,. The degrees of mineralization and apoptosis were determined, and the structure and function of matrix vesicles and apoptotic bodies were compared. Results: Release of matrix vesicles and mineralization in vivo in the growth plate occurs earlier than do apoptotic changes. To determine the functional relationship between apoptotic bodies and matrix vesicles, growth plate chondrocytes were treated with RA to induce matrix vesicle release and with staurosporine to induce release of apoptotic bodies. After 3 days, approximately 90% of staurosporine-treated chondrocytes were apoptotic, whereas only 2,4 % of RA-treated cells showed apoptotic changes. RA- and staurosporine-treated chondrocyte cultures were mineralized after 3 days. Matrix vesicles isolated from RA-treated cultures and apoptotic bodies isolated from staurosporine-treated cultures were associated with calcium and phosphate. However, matrix vesicles were bigger than apoptotic bodies. Furthermore, matrix vesicles but not apoptotic bodies contained alkaline phosphatase and Ca2+ channel-forming annexins II, V, and VI. Consequently, matrix vesicles but not apoptotic bodies were able to take up Ca2+ and form the first mineral phase inside their lumen. Mineralization of RA-treated cultures was inhibited by antibodies specific for annexin V but not mineralization of staurosporine-treated cultures. Conclusion: Physiological mineralization of growth plate chondrocytes is initiated by specialized matrix vesicles and requires alkaline phosphatase and annexins. In contrast, mineral formation mediated by apoptotic bodies occurs by a default mechanism and does not require alkaline phosphatase and annexins. [source] Microarchitectural and Physical Changes During Fetal Growth in Human Vertebral Bone,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2003S Nuzzo Abstract The ossification process in human vertebra during the early stage of its formation was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray microtomography (,CT) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France. Twenty-two samples taken from vertebral ossification centers of human fetal bone (gestational age ranging between 16 and 26 weeks) were investigated. The analysis of three-dimensional images at high spatial resolution (,10 and ,2 ,m) allows a detailed quantitative description of bone microarchitecture. A denser trabecular network was found in fetal bone compared with that of adult bone. The images evidenced a global isotropic structure clearly composed of two regions: a central region (trabecular bone) and a peripheral region (immature bone). XRD experiments evidenced hydroxyapatite-like crystalline structure in the mineral phase at any fetal age after 16 weeks. Interestingly, the analysis of XRD patterns highlighted the evolution of crystalline structure of mineralized bone as a function of age involving the growth of the hydroxyapatite crystallites. [source] Purification of Matrix Gla Protein From a Marine Teleost Fish, Argyrosomus regius: Calcified Cartilage and Not Bone as the Primary Site of MGP Accumulation in Fish,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2003DC Simes Abstract Matrix Gla protein (MGP) belongs to the family of vitamin K-dependent, Gla-containing proteins, and in mammals, birds, and Xenopus, its mRNA was previously detected in extracts of bone, cartilage, and soft tissues (mainly heart and kidney), whereas the protein was found to accumulate mainly in bone. However, at that time, it was not evaluated if this accumulation originated from protein synthesized in cartilage or in bone cells because both coexist in skeletal structures of higher vertebrates and Xenopus. Later reports showed that MGP also accumulated in costal calcified cartilage as well as at sites of heart valves and arterial calcification. Interestingly, MGP was also found to accumulate in vertebra of shark, a cartilaginous fish. However, to date, no information is available on sites of MGP expression or accumulation in teleost fishes, the ancestors of terrestrial vertebrates, who have in their skeleton mineralized structures with both bone and calcified cartilage. To analyze MGP structure and function in bony fish, MGP was acid-extracted from the mineralized matrix of either bone tissue (vertebra) or calcified cartilage (branchial arches) from the bony fish, Argyrosomus regius,, separated from the mineral phase by dialysis, and purified by Sephacryl S-100 chromatography. No MGP was recovered from bone tissue, whereas a protein peak corresponding to the MGP position in this type of gel filtration was obtained from an extract of branchial arches, rich in calcified cartilage. MGP was identified by N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis, and the resulting protein sequence was used to design specific oligonucleotides suitable to amplify the corresponding DNA by a mixture of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and 5,rapid amplification of cDNA (RACE)-PCR. In parallel, ArBGP (bone Gla protein, osteocalcin) was also identified in the same fish, and its complementary DNA cloned by an identical procedure. Tissue distribution/accumulation was analyzed by Northern blot, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. In mineralized tissues, the MGP gene was predominantly expressed in cartilage from branchial arches, with no expression detected in the different types of bone analyzed, whereas BGP mRNA was located in bone tissue as expected. Accordingly, the MGP protein was found to accumulate, by immunohistochemical analysis, mainly in the extracellular matrix of calcified cartilage. In soft tissues, MGP mRNA was mainly expressed in heart but in situ hybridization, indicated that cells expressing the MGP gene were located in the bulbus arteriosus and aortic wall, rich in smooth muscle and endothelial cells, whereas no expression was detected in the striated muscle myocardial fibers of the ventricle. These results show that in marine teleost fish, as in mammals, the MGP gene is expressed in cartilage, heart, and kidney tissues, but in contrast with results obtained in Xenopus and higher vertebrates, the protein does not accumulate in vertebra of non-osteocytic teleost fish, but only in calcified cartilage. In addition, our results also indicate that the presence of MGP mRNA in heart tissue is due, at least in fish, to the expression of the MGP gene in only two specific cell types, smooth muscle and endothelial cells, whereas no expression was found in the striated muscle fibers of the ventricle. In light of these results and recent information on expression of MGP gene in these same cell types in mammalian aorta, it is likely that the levels of MGP mRNA previously detected in Xenopus, birds, and mammalian heart tissue may be restricted toregions rich in smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Our results also emphasize the need to re-evaluate which cell types are involved in MGP gene expression in other soft tissues and bring further evidence that fish are a valuable model system to study MGP gene expression and regulation. [source] Precipitation of Carbonated Calcium Phosphate Powders from a Highly Supersaturated Simulated Body Fluid SolutionJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 3 2007Ingo Hofmann Carbonated hydroxy apatite (CHA) powders were prepared by precipitation from a modified simulated body fluid (5 × M-SBF). The ionic concentrations were five times higher than in human blood plasma with the exception of Mg2+ and HCO3, concentrations that were reduced in order to accelerate crystal growth. Spheroaggregates of CHA platelets with molar (Ca+Mg)/P ratios ranging from 1.44 to 1.56 were obtained after precipitation at 50°C. The crystallite size in the c direction was approximately 31 nm and depending on the precipitation time, a CO32, content of 1.8,5.2 wt% was determined. Using this low-temperature precipitation method, CHA powders with a high specific surface area of 83 m2/g and a composition and crystallite size close to those of the mineral phase of human bone were obtained. [source] The crystallinity of ancient bone and dentine: new insights by transmission electron microscopyARCHAEOMETRY, Issue 3 2002I. Reiche We studied various archaeological and palaeontological bones and dentines from different burial environments by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT,IR), X,ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in the framework of a general study of diagenesis. FT,IR and XRD were used to evaluate the global preservation state of the bone and dentine mineral phase by determining a splitting factor (SF) or a crystallinity index (CI), respectively. These data can be combined with studies on the nanometer scale made with TEM. This latter technique,coupled with electron microdiffraction, provides determination of dimensions and shapes of individual bone and dentine apatite nanocrystals as well as of secondary minerals formed during diagenesis. It enables us to distinguish between heat,induced recrystallization processes and crystal growth in solution occurring during diagenesis. [source] Poorly crystalline mineral phases protect organic matter in acid subsoil horizonsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2005M. Kleber Summary Soil minerals are known to influence the biological stability of soil organic matter (SOM). Our study aimed to relate properties of the mineral matrix to its ability to protect organic C against decomposition in acid soils. We used the amount of hydroxyl ions released after exposure to NaF solution to establish a reactivity gradient spanning 12 subsoil horizons collected from 10 different locations. The subsoil horizons represent six soil orders and diverse geological parent materials. Phyllosilicates were characterized by X-ray diffraction and pedogenic oxides by selective dissolution procedures. The organic carbon (C) remaining after chemical removal of an oxidizable fraction of SOM with NaOCl solution was taken to represent a stable organic carbon pool. Stable organic carbon was confirmed as older than bulk organic carbon by a smaller radiocarbon (14C) content after oxidation in all 12 soils. The amount of stable organic C did not depend on clay content or the content of dithionite,citrate-extractable Fe. The combination of oxalate-extractable Fe and Al explained the greatest amount of variation in stable organic C (R2 = 0.78). Our results suggest that in acid soils, organic matter is preferentially protected by interaction with poorly crystalline minerals represented by the oxalate-soluble Fe and Al fraction. This evidence suggests that ligand exchange between mineral surface hydroxyl groups and negatively charged organic functional groups is a quantitatively important mechanism in the stabilization of SOM in acid soils. The results imply a finite stabilization capacity of soil minerals for organic matter, limited by the area density of reactive surface sites. [source] Garnet-filled trails associated with carbonaceous matter mimicking microbial filaments in Archean basaltGEOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009K. LEPOT The study of the earliest traces of life on Earth can be complicated by abiotically formed biomorphs. We report here the finding of clustered micrometer-sized filaments of iron- and calcium-rich garnets associated with carbonaceous matter in an agate amygdale from a 2.7-billion-year-old basalt of the Maddina Formation, Western Australia. The distribution of carbonaceous matter and the mineral phases composing the filaments were analyzed using a combination of confocal laser scanning microscopy, laser-Raman micro-spectroscopy, focused ion beam sectioning and transmission electron microscopy. The results allow consideration of possible biogenic and abiotic processes that produced the filamentous structures. The filaments have a range of sizes, morphologies and distributions similar to those of certain modern iron-mineralized filamentous bacteria and some ancient filamentous structures interpreted as microfossils. They also share a high morphological similarity with tubular structures produced by microbial boring activity. However, the microstructures and the distribution of carbonaceous matter are more suggestive of an abiotic origin for the filaments. They are characteristic features of trails produced by the displacement of inclusions associated with local dissolution of their silica matrix. Organic compounds found in kerogen or bitumen inclusions may have contributed significantly to the dissolution of the quartz (or silica gel) matrix driving filamentous growth. Discriminating the products of such abiotic organic-mediated processes from filamentous microfossils or microbial borings is important to the interpretation of the scarce Precambrian fossil record and requires investigation down to the nanoscale. [source] Composition and evolution of fluids during skarn development in the Monte Capanne thermal aureole, Elba Island, central ItalyGEOFLUIDS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2008F. ROSSETTI Abstract We describe the chemistry of the fluids circulating during skarn formation by focusing on fluids trapped in calcsilicate minerals of the inner thermal aureole of the Late Miocene Monte Capanne intrusion of western Elba Island (central Italy). Primary, CH4 -dominant, C-O-H-S-salt fluid inclusions formed during prograde growth of the main skarn-forming mineral phases: grossular/andradite and vesuvianite. The variable phase ratios attest to heterogeneous entrapment of fluid, with co-entrapment of an immiscible hydrocarbon,brine mixture. Chemical elements driving skarn metasomatism such as Na, K, Ca, S and Cl, Fe and Mn were dominantly partitioned into the circulating fluid phase. The high salinity (apparent salinity between 58 and 70 wt% NaCl eq.) and the C-component of the fluids are interpreted as evidence for a composite origin of the skarn-forming fluids that involves both fluids derived from the crystallizing intrusion and contributions from metamorphic devolatilization. Oxidation of a Fe-rich brine in an environment dominated by fluctuation in pressure from lithostatic to hydrostatic conditions (maintained by active crack-sealing) contributed to skarn development. Fluid infiltration conformed to a geothermal gradient of about 100°C km,1, embracing the transition from high-temperature contact metamorphism and fluid-assisted skarn formation (at ca 600°C) to a barren hydrothermal stage (at ca 200°C). [source] Molecular structure of the adelite group of minerals,a Raman spectroscopic studyJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 2 2003Wayde Martens Abstract The application of Raman microscopy to the study of closely related mineral phases of the adelite group has allowed their molecular characterization. The adelite group of minerals are orthorhombic arsenates and vanadates of general formula AB2+ (XO4)(OH), where X may be As5+ or V5+, cation A may be Ca or Pb and cation B may be Co or Cu and others. Raman spectroscopy has proven most powerful for the identification of these minerals. In particular, the position of the hydroxyl stretching vibrations and most of the arsenate bands have been identified. The two minerals tangeite and calciovolborthite have previously been identified as the same mineral. Raman spectroscopy has proven that the minerals are not identical and have different structures. The application of Raman spectroscopy to the study of these minerals shows that increased distortion of the arsenate anion occurs as the cationic substitution from conichalcite to austinite to duftite occurs. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The I-Xe chronometer and the early solar systemMETEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE, Issue 1 2006J. D. Gilmour Individual mineral phases or components can yield interpretable trends in initial 129I/127I ratio, whereas whole-rock I-Xe ages are often hard to interpret because of the diversity of host phases, many of which are secondary. Varying standardizations in early work require caution; only samples calibrated against Shallowater enstatite or Bjurböle can contribute reliably to the emerging I-Xe chronology of the early solar system. Although sparse, data for which I-Xe and Mn-Cr can be compared suggest that the two systems are concordant among ordinary chondrite samples. We derive a new age for the closure of the Shallowater enstatite standard of 4563.3 ± 0.4 Myr from the relationship between the I-Xe and Pb-Pb systems. This yields absolute I-Xe ages and allows data from this and other systems to be tested by attempting to construct a common chronology of events in the early solar system. Absolute I-Xe dates for aqueous and igneous processes are consistent with other systems. Consideration of the I-Xe host phases in CAIs and dark inclusions demonstrates that here the chronometer records aqueous alteration of pre-existing material. The ranges of chondrule ages deduced from the Al-Mg and I-Xe systems in Semarkona (LL3.0) and Chainpur (LL3.4) are consistent. Chainpur I-Xe data exhibit a greater range of ages than Semarkona, possibly reflecting a greater degree of parent body processing. However individual chondrules show little or no evidence of such processing. Determining the host phase(s) responsible for high temperature correlations may resolve the issue. [source] Mineralogy, petrology, and thermal evolution of the Benton LL6 chondriteMETEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE, Issue S7 2003Erin L. WALTON Internally, the meteorite comprises light-colored, subangular to subrounded clasts embedded in a dark grey-colored matrix. Clasts comprise the same mineral phases as the matrix, as well as chondrules and larger (50,100 ,m) single mineral grains (mainly olivine and orthopyroxene). Composite (polyphase) clasts can be several millimeters in length. Numerous examples of post-brecciation and post-annealing shearing and displacement at the micron to millimeter scale occur in the form of shock veins. Benton is a shock stage S3 chondrite, which experienced shock pressures on the order of 15,20 GPa, with an estimated post-shock temperature increase of 100,150°C. Benton's history comprises a sequence of events as follows: 1) chondrule formation and initial assembly; 2) brecciation; 3) thermal metamorphism; and 4) shock veining. Events (2) and (4) can be equated with distinct impact events, the former representing bombardment of target material that remained in situ or collisionally fragmented during metamorphism, and then gravitationally reassembled, the latter probably with release from the source body to yield a meteorite. Thermal metamorphism post-dates brecciation. The mean equilibration temperature recorded in the Benton LL6 chondrite is 890°C, obtained using the two pyroxene geothermometer. [source] A general approach for determining the diffraction contrast factor of straight-line dislocationsACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION A, Issue 2 2009Jorge Martinez-Garcia Dislocations alter perfect crystalline order and produce anisotropic broadening of the X-ray diffraction profiles, which is described by the dislocation contrast factor. Owing to the lack of suitable mathematical tools to deal with dislocations in crystals of any symmetry, contrast factors are so far only known for a few slip systems in high-symmetry phases and little detail is given in the literature on the calculation procedure. In the present paper a general approach is presented for the calculation of contrast factors for any dislocation configuration and any lattice symmetry. The new procedure is illustrated with practical examples of hexagonal metals and some low-symmetry mineral phases. [source] CHANGES IN THE METAL CONTENT OF HUMAN HAIR DURING DIAGENESIS FROM 500 YEARS, EXPOSURE TO GLACIAL AND AQUEOUS ENVIRONMENTSARCHAEOMETRY, Issue 3 2010I. M. KEMPSON Scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry have been used to examine the extent and possible mechanisms by which the metal content of human hair is altered by exposure to aqueous environments. The results, using both modern hair and samples from 500-year-old hair associated with glacier-entombed remains, show that the metal content has been altered sufficiently so that the interpretation of the metal signature in terms of diet or disease is problematic. While endogenous information is difficult to glean from these data, interesting observations have been made of possible early stages of mineral authigenic deposition. The chemistry of the outer hair surface was found to be consistent with deposition of Fe and Al silicates, as well as other mineral phases. The ancient hair was analysed at the root region and included a comparison of the internal versus external composition to assist in identifying the diagenetic processes. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||