Effect of direct current electric field intensity and electrolyte layer thickness on oxygen reduction in simulated atmospheric environment

The effect of direct current (DC) electric field and electrolyte layer thickness on oxygen reduction in simulated atmospheric environment were investigated using electrochemical measurements. The results show that the limiting diffusion current density (ilim) decreases with increasing the thin electrolyte layers (TELs) thickness but it increases with increasing the DC electric field intensity. The potential shifts negatively with the DC electric field. It is found that the DC electric field enables OH− ions to quickly migrate from the solution/electrode interface to the electrolyte layer. All these features promote the cathodic reduction process thereby enhancing the metal corrosion rate

DCs Pulsed with Novel HLA-A2-Restricted CTL Epitopes against Hepatitis C Virus Induced a Broadly Reactive Anti-HCV-Specific T Lymphocyte Response

OBJECTIVE: To determine the capacity of dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with single or multiple-peptide mixtures of novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) epitopes to stimulate HCV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effector functions. METHODS: A bioinformatics approach was used to predict HLA-A2-restricted HCV-specific CTL epitopes, and the predicted peptides identified from this screen were synthesized. Subsequent IFN-γ ELISPOT analysis detected the stimulating function of these peptides in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from both chronic and self-limited HCV infected subjects (subjects exhibiting spontaneous HCV clearance). Mature DCs, derived in vitro from CD14(+) monocytes harvested from the study subjects by incubation with appropriate cytokine cocktails, were loaded with novel peptide or epitope peptide mixtures and co-cultured with autologous T lymphocytes. Granzyme B (GrB) and IFN-γ ELISPOT analysis was used to test for epitope-specific CTL responses. T-cell-derived cytokines contained in the co-cultured supernatant were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: We identified 7 novel HLA-A2-restricted HCV-specific CTL epitopes that increased the frequency of IFN-γ-producing T cells compared to other epitopes, as assayed by measuring spot forming cells (SFCs). Two epitopes had the strongest stimulating capability in the self-limited subjects, one found in the E2 and one in the NS2 region of HCV; five epitopes had a strong stimulating capacity in both chronic and self-limited HCV infection, but were stronger in the self-limited subjects. They were distributed in E2, NS2, NS3, NS4, and NS5 regions of HCV, respectively. We also found that mDCs loaded with novel peptide mixtures could significantly increase GrB and IFN-γ SFCs as compared to single peptides, especially in chronic HCV infection subjects. Additionally, we found that DCs pulsed with multiple epitope peptide mixtures induced a Th1-biased immune response. CONCLUSIONS: Seven novel and strongly stimulating HLA-A2-restricted HCV-specific CTL epitopes were identified. Furthermore, DCs loaded with multiple-epitope peptide mixtures induced epitope-specific CTLs responses

Common Problems and Pitfalls in Fluid Inclusion Study: A Review and Discussion

The study of fluid inclusions is important for understanding various geologic processes involving geofluids. However, there are a number of problems that are frequently encountered in the study of fluid inclusions, especially by beginners, and many of these problems are critical for the validity of the fluid inclusion data and their interpretations. This paper discusses some of the most common problems and/or pitfalls, including those related to fluid inclusion petrography, metastability, fluid phase relationships, fluid temperature and pressure calculation and interpretation, bulk fluid inclusion analysis, and data presentation. A total of 16 problems, many of which have been discussed in the literature, are described and analyzed systematically. The causes of the problems, their potential impact on data quality and interpretation, as well as possible remediation or alleviation, are discussed

Crustal Structures of the Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt in the Northern Tibetan Plateau from Magnetotelluric Data and Their Correlation to the Distribution of Mineral Deposits

Crustal structure and fluid or melt originating in the deep crust and mantle are critical in regional magmatic mineral systems. However, the crustal structure and the processes that entrain and focus fluids from a deep-source region to a metallogenic belt remain relatively undisclosed. We present a magnetotelluric (MT) study of the eastern Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt (QMB) in the northern Tibetan Plateau. Data from 33 MT stations in two sections and 7 dispersed stations are acquired using a surface electromagnetic prospecting (SEP) system in frequency band ranges from 320 Hz to 0.00034 Hz. Data are converted by Bostick conversion and two-dimensional (2D) nonlinear conjugate gradient inversion. Our MT results reveal the geoelectrical crustal structure of the QMB, which consists of a southern low-resistivity domain that reflects the Kumukuri rift, a high-resistivity middle domain that represents the southern QMB in the central Kunlun belt, and a northern low-resistivity domain that covers the northern QMB and southwestern Qaidam block. We present a comprehensive tectonic and geophysical model of QMB based on the MT interpretation and geological analysis. We infer the high-resistivity domain as a reflection of a rigid crust and detached lithospheric mantle, this belt separate the QMB into northern and southern QMB. Most of the mineral deposits are found in the northern low-resistivity domain of QMB. Our study and findings provide an understanding of the tectonic evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau, the crustal structure that controls the temporal and spatial distribution of magmatic rocks, and the geological signature associated with mineral deposits

Crustal Structures of the Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt in the Northern Tibetan Plateau from Magnetotelluric Data and Their Correlation to the Distribution of Mineral Deposits

Crustal structure and fluid or melt originating in the deep crust and mantle are critical in regional magmatic mineral systems. However, the crustal structure and the processes that entrain and focus fluids from a deep-source region to a metallogenic belt remain relatively undisclosed. We present a magnetotelluric (MT) study of the eastern Qimantagh Metallogenic Belt (QMB) in the northern Tibetan Plateau. Data from 33 MT stations in two sections and 7 dispersed stations are acquired using a surface electromagnetic prospecting (SEP) system in frequency band ranges from 320 Hz to 0.00034 Hz. Data are converted by Bostick conversion and two-dimensional (2D) nonlinear conjugate gradient inversion. Our MT results reveal the geoelectrical crustal structure of the QMB, which consists of a southern low-resistivity domain that reflects the Kumukuri rift, a high-resistivity middle domain that represents the southern QMB in the central Kunlun belt, and a northern low-resistivity domain that covers the northern QMB and southwestern Qaidam block. We present a comprehensive tectonic and geophysical model of QMB based on the MT interpretation and geological analysis. We infer the high-resistivity domain as a reflection of a rigid crust and detached lithospheric mantle, this belt separate the QMB into northern and southern QMB. Most of the mineral deposits are found in the northern low-resistivity domain of QMB. Our study and findings provide an understanding of the tectonic evolution of the northern Tibetan Plateau, the crustal structure that controls the temporal and spatial distribution of magmatic rocks, and the geological signature associated with mineral deposits

Whole-rock and zircon evidence for evolution of the Late Jurassic high-Sr ∕ Y Zhoujiapuzi granite, Liaodong Peninsula, North China Craton

Middle–Late Jurassic high- granitic intrusions are extensively exposed in the Liaodong Peninsula in the eastern part of the North China Craton (NCC). However, the genesis of the high signature in these intrusions has not been studied in detail. In this study, we report results of zircon U–Pb dating, Hf isotopic analysis, and zircon and whole-rock geochemical data for the Late Jurassic Zhoujiapuzi granite in the middle part of the Liaodong Peninsula. The Zhoujiapuzi granite is high-K (calc–alkaline) and peraluminous in nature, with high SiO2 (68.1 wt %–73.0 wt %) and Al2O3 (14.5 wt %–16.8 wt %), low TFe2O3 (1.10 wt %–2.49 wt %) and MgO (0.10 wt %–0.44 wt %), and high (19.9–102.0) and (14.59–80.40), which is characteristic of high- I-type granite. The geochemical signatures, in combination with the presence of a large number of Paleoproterozoic inherited zircons, indicate that the Zhoujiapuzi granite was most likely derived from partial melting of the basement in the region, specifically the Liaoji granites. The high signature is inherited from these source rocks. Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U–Pb dating of the autocryst zircons from two samples (from different localities) yielded consistent weighted average ages of 160.7 ± 1.1 Ma (mean squared weighted deviation – MSWD = 1.3) and 159.6 ± 1.1 Ma (MSWD = 1.2), with εHf(t) values in the range of −26.6 to −22.8. Morphological and chemical studies on autocrystic zircon grains show that there are two stages of zircon growth, interpreted as magmatic evolution in two distinct stages. The light-cathodoluminescence (light-CL) core reflects a crystallization environment of low oxygen fugacity and high TZr–Ti; the dark-CL rim formed with high oxygen fugacity and lower TZr–Ti. Based on the geochemical features and regional geological data, we propose that the Liaodong Peninsula in the Late Jurassic was part of a mature continental arc, with extensive melting of thick crust above the Paleo-Pacific subduction zone

Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis of the Major and Trace Elements and their Evolutionary Characteristics from the Jinchuan Ni-Cu-(PGE) Sulfide Deposit, NW China

The world-renowned Jinchuan Cu-Ni-(PGE) sulfide deposit consists of four mainly independent intrusive units from west to east, namely Segments III, I, II-W, and II-E, and the main sulfide types are the disseminated, net-textured, massive, and Cu-rich ores. Due to the similar geochemical characteristics of each segment, there is no convenient method to distinguish them and explain their respective variations. Meanwhile, considering that the division of different types of ores is confusing and their formation is still controversial, direct classification using elemental discrimination maps can facilitate subsequent mining and research. In this paper, we report the new major and trace elements data from the Jinchuan deposit and collect the published data to construct a database of 10 major elements for 434 samples and 33 trace elements for 370 samples, respectively, and analyze the data based on multivariate statistical analysis for the first time. Robust estimation of compositional data (robCompositions) was applied to investigate censored geochemical data, and the input censored data were transformed using the centered log-ratios (clr) to overcome the closure effect on compositional data. Exploratory data analysis (EDA) was used to characterize the spatial distribution and internal structural features of the data. The transformed data were classified by partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to identify different compositional features for each segment and ore type. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to verify the model results, which showed that the PLS-DA model we constructed was reliable. The main discriminant elements were obtained by PLS-DA of the major and trace elements, and based on these elements, we propose the plot of SiO2 + Al2O3 vs. CaO + Na2O + K2O and Cs + Ce vs. Th + U to discriminate the different segments of the Jinchuan deposit, and the Al2O3 + CaO vs. Fe2O3T + Na2O and Co + Cu vs. Rb + Th + U to discriminate the different ore types. In addition, we predict that there are still considerable metal reserves at the bottom of Segment I

Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis of the Major and Trace Elements and their Evolutionary Characteristics from the Jinchuan Ni-Cu-(PGE) Sulfide Deposit, NW China

The world-renowned Jinchuan Cu-Ni-(PGE) sulfide deposit consists of four mainly independent intrusive units from west to east, namely Segments III, I, II-W, and II-E, and the main sulfide types are the disseminated, net-textured, massive, and Cu-rich ores. Due to the similar geochemical characteristics of each segment, there is no convenient method to distinguish them and explain their respective variations. Meanwhile, considering that the division of different types of ores is confusing and their formation is still controversial, direct classification using elemental discrimination maps can facilitate subsequent mining and research. In this paper, we report the new major and trace elements data from the Jinchuan deposit and collect the published data to construct a database of 10 major elements for 434 samples and 33 trace elements for 370 samples, respectively, and analyze the data based on multivariate statistical analysis for the first time. Robust estimation of compositional data (robCompositions) was applied to investigate censored geochemical data, and the input censored data were transformed using the centered log-ratios (clr) to overcome the closure effect on compositional data. Exploratory data analysis (EDA) was used to characterize the spatial distribution and internal structural features of the data. The transformed data were classified by partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to identify different compositional features for each segment and ore type. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to verify the model results, which showed that the PLS-DA model we constructed was reliable. The main discriminant elements were obtained by PLS-DA of the major and trace elements, and based on these elements, we propose the plot of SiO2 + Al2O3 vs. CaO + Na2O + K2O and Cs + Ce vs. Th + U to discriminate the different segments of the Jinchuan deposit, and the Al2O3 + CaO vs. Fe2O3T + Na2O and Co + Cu vs. Rb + Th + U to discriminate the different ore types. In addition, we predict that there are still considerable metal reserves at the bottom of Segment I