Antarctic Alteration of Meteorites

The discovery of large accumulations of meteorites in Antarctica is comparably recent, with annual collection expeditions beginning in 1974. Since then, over 50,000 meteorites have been recovered from the icefields of Antarctica. Many of those meteorites have had long residence times of up to 2 Ma mostly encased in ice; during which many of the meteorites have undergone considerable alteration. Understanding the paths of alteration allows reconstruction of original features, but additionally it gives a unique opportunity to examine a natural laboratory of cold, water-restricted alteration environments similar to those on Mars today and in its history. To fully understand the weathering of meteorites in these environments, six L6 chondrites in a variety of weathering states have been examined and characterised petrologically, chemically, and magnetically. Chemical analyses undertaken are major and trace elements measured in bulk and in spatially resolved analysis and bulk oxygen isotopes. Petrology has proven to control the weathering patterns and alteration state of the meteorite. A chemical weathering index has been developed to characterise the state of weathering using bulk chemical data, which also links with the petrological findings. This is especially evident in micro features created by shock, which promote rapid mineral breakdown and acidification of alteration fluids, which, fundamentally changes the nature and speed of the alteration. Shock generated features have created increased vulnerability to weathering and so areas that have undergone significant shock on Mars are more vulnerable to weathering and breakdown. However, the heterogeneity that is inherent to alteration environments of low water to rock ratios results in short transport distances for elements, resulting in little bulk chemical change with significant mineralogical alteration

TF-CBT Training Augmented with a Self-Care Focus: Understanding Facilitators and Barriers to Treatment Implementation.

Clinicians working with youth exposed to trauma may be at increased risk for experiencing elevated levels of stress and symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, which can negatively impact clinician wellbeing and ultimately contribute to reduced access to quality care for clients. An innovative Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training incorporating self-care practices (i.e., Practice What You Preach; PWYP) was developed to help facilitate the implementation of TF-CBT and to enhance clinicians\u27 coping and decrease stress. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether the PWYP-augmented training met three Objectives: (1) increase clinicians\u27 feelings of TF-CBT competency; (2) improve clinicians\u27 coping abilities/reduce clinicians\u27 stress; and (3) increase clinicians\u27 insight into the benefits and/or challenges clients may experience in treatment. An exploratory aim was also developed to identify additional facilitators and barriers of TF-CBT implementation. The written reflections of 86 community-based clinicians who participated in the PWYP-augmented TF-CBT training were examined using qualitative methods. The majority of clinicians indicated increased feelings of competency and improved coping abilities and/or stress levels; almost half mentioned increased insight into clients\u27 experiences. The most frequently mentioned additional facilitators were related to elements of the TF-CBT treatment model. Anxiety/self-doubt was the barrier most frequently mentioned, though all clinicians who mentioned this barrier indicated it lessened or resolved over the course of the training. Incorporating self-care strategies into trainings may serve as a facilitator for TF-CBT implementation by enhancing the competency and well-being of clinicians. The additional insights into barriers and facilitators can be used to further improve the PWYP initiative and future training and implementation efforts

Controlling the release of indomethacin from glass solutions layered with a rate controlling membrane using fluid-bed processing. Part 1: Surface and cross-sectional chemical analysis

Fluid bed coating has been shown to be a suitable manufacturing technique to formulate poorly soluble drugs in glass solutions. Layering inert carriers with a drug–polymer mixture enables these beads to be immediately filled into capsules, thus avoiding additional, potentially destabilizing, downstream processing. In this study, fluid bed coating is proposed for the production of controlled release dosage forms of glass solutions by applying a second, rate controlling membrane on top of the glass solution. Adding a second coating layer adds to the physical and chemical complexity of the drug delivery system, so a thorough understanding of the physical structure and phase behavior of the different coating layers is needed. This study aimed to investigate the surface and cross-sectional characteristics (employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS)) of an indomethacin–polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) glass solution, top-coated with a release rate controlling membrane consisting of either ethyl cellulose or Eudragit RL. The implications of the addition of a pore former (PVP) and the coating medium (ethanol or water) were also considered. In addition, polymer miscibility and the phase analysis of the underlying glass solution were investigated. Significant differences in surface and cross-sectional topography of the different rate controlling membranes or the way they are applied (solution vs dispersion) were observed. These observations can be linked to the polymer miscibility differences. The presence of PVP was observed in all rate controlling membranes, even if it is not part of the coating solution. This could be attributed to residual powder presence in the coating chamber. The distribution of PVP among the sample surfaces depends on the concentration and the rate controlling polymer used. Differences can again be linked to polymer miscibility. Finally, it was shown that the underlying glass solution layer remains amorphous after coating of the rate controlling membrane, whether formed from an ethanol solution or an aqueous dispersion

Fluid-rock interaction experiments with andesite at 100°C for potential carbon storage in geothermal reservoirs

Geothermal energy extraction often results in the release of naturally occurring carbon dioxide (CO2) as a byproduct. Research on carbon storage using volcanic rock types other than basalt under both acidic and elevated temperature conditions has been limited so far. Our study uses batch reactor experiments at 100°C to investigate the dissolution of andesite rock samples obtained from an active geothermal reservoir in Sumatra (Indonesia). The samples are subjected to reactions with neutral‐pH fluids and acidic fluids, mimicking the geochemical responses upon reinjection of geothermal fluids, either without or with dissolved acidic gases, respectively. Chemical elemental analysis reveals the release of Ca2+ ions into the fluids through the dissolution of feldspar. The overall dissolution rate of the rock samples is 2.4 × 10–11 mol/(m2 · s) to 4.2 × 10–11 mol/(m2 · s), based on the Si release during the initial 7 h of the experiment. The dissolution rates are about two orders of magnitude lower than those reported for basaltic rocks under similar reaction conditions. This study offers valuable insights into the potential utilization of andesite reservoirs for effective CO2 storage via mineralization

Optimisation of the Flame Spheroidisation Process for the Rapid Manufacture of Fe3O4-Based Porous and Dense Microspheres

The rapid, single-stage, flame-spheroidisation process, as applied to varying Fe3O4:CaCO3 powder combinations, provides for the rapid production of a mixture of dense and porous ferro-magnetic microspheres with homogeneous composition, high levels of interconnected porosity and microsphere size control. This study describes the production of dense (35-80 µm) and highly porous (125-180 µm) Ca2Fe2O5 ferromagnetic microspheres. Correlated backscattered electron imaging and mineral liberation analysis investigations provide insight into the microsphere formation mechanisms, as a function of Fe3O4/porogen mass ratios and gas flow settings. Optimised conditions for the processing of highly homogeneous Ca2Fe2O5 porous and dense microspheres are identified. Induction heating studies of the materials produced delivered a controlled temperature increase to 43.7 °C, indicating that these flame-spheroidised Ca2Fe2O5 ferromagnetic microspheres could be highly promising candidates for magnetic induced hyperthermia and other biomedical applications

Flame spheroidisation of dense and porous Ca2Fe2O5 microspheres

Compositionally uniform magnetic Ca2Fe2O5 (srebrodolskite) microspheres created via a rapid, single-stage flame spheroidisation (FS) process using magnetite and carbonate based porogen (1:1 Fe3O4:CaCO3) feedstock powders, are described. Two types of Ca2Fe2O5 microsphere are produced: dense (35 - 80 µm), and porous (125 - 180 µm). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) based techniques are used to image and quantify these. Complementary high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD) measurements and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) provide insights into the initial process of porogen feedstock decomposition, prior to the coalescence of molten droplets and spheroidisation, driven by surface tension. Evolution of CO2 gas (from porogen decomposition) is attributed to the development of interconnected porosity within the porous microspheres. This occurs during Ca2Fe2O5 rapid cooling and solidification. The facile FS-processing route provides a method for the rapid production of both dense and porous magnetic microspheres, with high levels of compositional uniformity and excellent opportunity for size control. The controllability of these factors make the FS production method useful for a range of healthcare, energy and environmental remediation applications

Epitaxial growth of γ-InSe and α, β, and γ-In2Se3 on ε-GaSe

We demonstrate that γ-InSe and the α, β and γ phases of In2Se3 can be grown epitaxially on ε-GaSe substrates using a physical vapour transport method. By exploiting the temperature gradient within the tube furnace, we can grow selectively different phases of InxSey depending on the position of the substrate within the furnace. The uniform cleaved surface of ε-GaSe enables the epitaxial growth of the InxSey layers, which are aligned over large areas. The InxSey epilayers are characterised using Raman, photoluminescence, X-ray photoelectron and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopies. Each InxSey phase and stoichiometry exhibits distinct optical and vibrational properties, providing a tuneable photoluminescence emission range from 1.3 eV to ~ 2 eV suitable for exploitation in electronics and optoelectronics

Spatially Resolved Molecular Compositions of Insoluble Multilayer Deposits Responsible for Increased Pollution from Internal Combustion Engines

Internal combustion engines are used heavily in diverse applications worldwide. Achieving the most efficient operation is key to improving air quality as society moves to a decarbonized energy system. Insoluble deposits that form within internal combustion engine components including fuel injectors and filters negatively impact CO2 and pollutant emissions. Understanding the composition, origins, and formation mechanisms of these complex materials will be key to their mitigation however, previous attempts only afforded nondiagnostic chemical assignments and limited knowledge toward this. Here, we uncover the identity and spatial distribution of molecular species from a gasoline direct injector, diesel injector, and filter deposit in situ using a new hyphenation of secondary ion mass spectrometry and the state-of-the-art Orbitrap mass analyzer (3D OrbiSIMS) and elemental analysis. Through a high mass resolving power and tandem MS we unambiguously uncovered the identity, distribution, and origin of species including alkylbenzyl sulfonates and provide evidence of deposit formation mechanisms including formation of longer chain sulfonates at the gasoline deposit’s surface as well as aromatization to form polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons up to C66H20, which were prevalent in the lower depth of this deposit. Inorganic salts contributed significantly to the diesel injector deposit throughout its depth, suggesting contamination over multiple fueling cycles. Findings will enable several strategies to mitigate these insoluble materials such as implementing stricter worldwide fuel specifications, modifying additives with adverse reactivity, and synthesizing new fuel additives to solubilize deposits in the engine, thereby leading to less polluting vehicles

Basic science232. Certolizumab pegol prevents pro-inflammatory alterations in endothelial cell function

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a leading cause of death. Chronic systemic inflammation involving tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) could contribute to endothelial activation and atherogenesis. A number of anti-TNF therapies are in current use for the treatment of RA, including certolizumab pegol (CZP), (Cimzia ®; UCB, Belgium). Anti-TNF therapy has been associated with reduced clinical cardiovascular disease risk and ameliorated vascular function in RA patients. However, the specific effects of TNF inhibitors on endothelial cell function are largely unknown. Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms underpinning CZP effects on TNF-activated human endothelial cells. Methods: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were cultured in vitro and exposed to a) TNF alone, b) TNF plus CZP, or c) neither agent. Microarray analysis was used to examine the transcriptional profile of cells treated for 6 hrs and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysed gene expression at 1, 3, 6 and 24 hrs. NF-κB localization and IκB degradation were investigated using immunocytochemistry, high content analysis and western blotting. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect microparticle release from HAoECs. Results: Transcriptional profiling revealed that while TNF alone had strong effects on endothelial gene expression, TNF and CZP in combination produced a global gene expression pattern similar to untreated control. The two most highly up-regulated genes in response to TNF treatment were adhesion molecules E-selectin and VCAM-1 (q 0.2 compared to control; p > 0.05 compared to TNF alone). The NF-κB pathway was confirmed as a downstream target of TNF-induced HAoEC activation, via nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκB, effects which were abolished by treatment with CZP. In addition, flow cytometry detected an increased production of endothelial microparticles in TNF-activated HAoECs, which was prevented by treatment with CZP. Conclusions: We have found at a cellular level that a clinically available TNF inhibitor, CZP reduces the expression of adhesion molecule expression, and prevents TNF-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, CZP prevents the production of microparticles by activated endothelial cells. This could be central to the prevention of inflammatory environments underlying these conditions and measurement of microparticles has potential as a novel prognostic marker for future cardiovascular events in this patient group. Disclosure statement: Y.A. received a research grant from UCB. I.B. received a research grant from UCB. S.H. received a research grant from UCB. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interes