Elemental Scientific Lasers’ Scientific Publications

In comparison to other sites in Jordan, life at the Early Bronze Age (~3600-3000BC) site of Wadi Faynan 100 (WF100) is still largely a mystery. To better understand the use of this site in relation to the EBA transformation of social organization toward urbanism, this study explores strontium isotopic variation using laser ablation-multicollector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS) to observe movement to and from the local area. Strontium (Sr) isotope ratios throughout the developmental periods of human enamel were used to indicate locality and patterns of mobility at WF100. Thirty-one samples consisting of a collection of permanent incisors, premolars, and first and third molars, in addition to two deciduous molars ...

The Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved cell-to-cell contact dependent signaling mechanism that plays a pivotal role in cell fate determination, cellular development and its dysregulation has been widely associated with cancer. Thus, post-translational modifications (PTM) further fine-tune Notch activity by modulating its trafficking, stability, and transcriptional dynamics. This thesis investigates the post-translational regulation of the Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD), focusing on its potential proteolytic processing, post-translational modification (PTM) landscape, and associated protein interactors. In the first part of the study, the role of NRDc, a zinc-dependent metallopeptidase, in mediating cryptic cleavage of N1ICD,...

The peer-reviewed scientific periodical “Journal of Mining Institute” is published since 1907 by Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University - the first higher technical educational institution in Russia, founded in 1773 by the decree of Catherine II as the embodiment of the ideas of Peter I and M.V.Lomonosov on the training of engineers for the development of mining business. The International Competence Center for Mining Engineering Education under the auspices of UNESCO operates on the basis of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University and contributes to active interaction of the Journal with the international scientific community. The purpose of the Journal is to create an information space in which Russian...

Asturias is the main producer of fluorite, currently mining in three districts -Villabona, La Collada and Berbes (Fig. 1)- with an annual production capacity of approximately 140,000 t. (https://www.minersa.com/mpd_fluorspar.php). Mineralization shares characteristics with MVT deposits (Magotra et al., 2017) and mainly occurs along the margins of a Mesozoic basin which unconformably overlies the Palaeozoic basement. Fluorite is found as stratabound bodies and veins in Permo-Triassic rocks, and as veins hosted by Carboniferous limestones (Martínez García, 1983; Sánchez et al., 2009,2010; Symons et al., 2016, and references therein). The aim of this work is to develop a protocol for quantifying major and trace elements in fluorite using fs...

El análisis morfológico y geoquímico de minerales pesados en rocas sedimentarias (incluyendo las volcanogénicas) es clave para delimitar procesos de procedencia y petrogénesis. Además, los minerales pesados son fuentes potenciales de algunos de los llamados metales críticos. Esta tesis se centra en la caracterización morfológica y química de minerales pesados encontrados en muestras de Lithium-rich Tuff, la unidad principal de mena del Proyecto de Litio Falchani, y otra toba texturalmente similar, caracterizada como lutita tobácea blanca, todas ellas encontradas en el Campo Volcánico Neógeno de Macusani. Los minerales pesados se concentraron usando hidroseparación (HS11) y se analizaron sistemáticamente mediante microscopía ...

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Carbonate slope deposits record ecosystem responses to environmental change, yet the controls that shape their facies and deposition are still uncertain, possibly altering our understanding of past oceanic conditions. For example, while microbial carbonate sedimentation on carbonate slopes is commonly suggested to be enhanced during intervals characterized by harsh and fluctuating ocean conditions that strain metazoan life, such as periods of anoxia, microbialite is also found during intervals of stable, oxygenated ocean conditions. The end-Permian mass extinction event was the most severe biotic crisis of the Phanerozoic, with a leading cause thought to be a substantial increase in ocean anoxia and depleted metazoans - factors commonly att...

Numerous studies have shown that A-type granitoids are enriched in high field strength elements (HFSE) such as the REEs, Zr and Nb. In contrast, their potential for scandium enrichment remains poorly understood and underexplored. The Crater Lake syenite complex in northern Quebec, Canada, represents the first documented scandium-hosted deposit with A-type affinity in North America and potentially the World. The complex has an indicated reserve of 16.3 Mt grading 278 ppm Sc2O3 and contains the highest known concentrations of scandium in hedenbergite globally, with median values of 2,700 ppm and locally up to 9,000 ppm. This thesis presents the results of a comprehensive investigation of the petrogenesis of the Crater Lake complex and the enr...

The development of novel analytical methods for the determination of radioelements in diverse environmental samples using state-of-the-art ICPTQMS system started in the early 2010’s with the introduction of the Agilent 8800 ICP-MS/MS system in 2012. A similar instrument, developed by Thermofisher (iCAP TQ ICP-MS) was used here for the first time for measuring a selection of radioelements in diverse marine matrices. This system is uniquely equipped with a 90o cylindrical ion lens named as Right Angular Positive Ion Deflection (‘RAPID’) ion optics that provides ion transmission across the entire mass range. By way of independent case studies, several instrumental parameters were tested, in particular the plasma condition, lens voltages ...

To understand the structural complexities in materials science and life sciences, such as structural, mechanical and chemical properties, it is essential to study their relationships on a nanometric scale to advance the applications of materials and the study of biological processes. This thesis presents a multi-analytical and multi-scale approach that integrates atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) and related scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques in order to obtain a chemical-physical characterization of biological samples and materials. The first part of the work provides a detailed theoretical frame...

In this thesis, I investigate the origin and post-depositional evolution of nitrate deposits in the Atacama Desert, which host the largest natural nitrate accumulations on Earth. I integrate field observations with chemical and stable isotope analyses (δ¹⁸O, Δ¹⁷O, δ¹⁵N, δ³⁴S) across all deposit types. The consistently high Δ¹⁷O and δ¹⁸O values confirm an atmospheric origin linked to ozone-driven photochemical reactions. Lower isotope values in vein-hosted deposits indicate partial oxygen exchange with fossil hydrothermal waters during interaction with hot, saline, acid fluids. Geological, mineralogical, and sulfur isotope evidence further supports hydrothermal dissolution and reprecipitation of pre-existing atmospher...

El objetivo principal de este Trabajo Fin de Máster es establecer un protocolo analítico con LA-ICP-MS para los minerales casiterita (SnO₂) y wolframita [(Mn,Fe)WO₄]. Para ello, se llevará a cabo el estudio de un conjunto de muestras procedentes de un yacimiento de Sn-W de tipo exogreisen, con el fin de caracterizar la distribución y el contenido de metales críticos en dichos minerales y su vinculación con las distintas etapas de mineralización del yacimiento. Asimismo, se evaluará su potencial como guía metalogenética mediante la comparación de los contenidos de elementos traza con los observados en otras tipologías de yacimientos....

This study presents experiments on the removal of boron (B) from molten silicon using CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 and CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-MgO slags under an Ar atmosphere at 1500 °C, with electrical current applied between the silicon and slag phases. MgO was added to the slag to adjust its basicity with an intention to improve the boron absorption from molten silicon, reduce viscosity, and improve electrical conductivity of the slag. Under a constant electricity current of 1.25 A, the potential difference across the CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 slag varied between 4.0 and 6.0 V, whereas with MgO addition it stabilized at a lower value of 3.2 V. The presence of MgO in the molten slag significantly lowered the viscosity and enhanced the electrical conductivity of the slag...

A newly discovered large-scale granite porphyry type Nb-rich Nb-Ta deposit in the Daping area, Fujian, China, is primarily hosted by columbite minerals. Currently, there are limited reports on the enrichment mechanisms and metallogenic potential of this new type of granite porphyry Nb-Ta deposit, and the factors controlling the differential enrichment of Nb and Ta remain unclear. Based on petrographic observations, this study employs techniques such as EPMA and LA-ICP-MS to analyze the mineralogical textures and compositions of feldspar, mica, Nb-Ta minerals, and other accessory minerals in the Daping granite porphyry. Integrating previous research findings, this work aims to investigate the enrichment and differentiation mechanisms of meta...

Low-altitude clouds play a crucial role in regional weather dynamics and global climate feedbacks, yet ground-based observations in mountainous regions like the Western Himalayas remain limited. This study analyzes the physical and optical properties of low-altitude rain-bearing clouds over Palampur, India, using Raman lidar measurements from two case studies: June 1, 2023 and May 16, 2017. Key parameters, including backscatter coefficient, depolarization ratio, cloud optical depth (COD), geometrical thickness, cloud-to-subcloud ratio (CSR), and turbulence (refractive index parameter, Cn2), were derived to characterize cloud evolution under western disturbances and orographic influences. Results show cloud base heights ranging from 2145 to ...

Garnet-bearing silicic volcanic rocks are rare in fossil orogens and usually record a transient stage from regional compression to extension. This study reports newly identified 839 ± 3 Ma garnet-bearing dacitic volcanic rocks associated with the Fuchuan ophiolite complex (FOC) in the eastern Jiangnan Orogen (JO), Southeast China. The presence of these unusual rocks provides new constraints on the late Neoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the orogen. The garnet-bearing dacitic volcanic rocks of the garnets are weakly peraluminous and exhibit trace element and Nd isotopic signatures similar to those of post-orogenic, strongly peraluminous granites in the eastern JO, indicating a similar crustal source. The garnets are almandine-rich (76-79 ...

Ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) metamorphism, recording extreme crustal thermal regimes, provides pivotal insights into the evolution of ancient orogens. Terranes with UHT metamorphism distributed within the continental fragments of the former Gondwana megacontinent hold critical clues to the processes and dynamics associated with Gondwana’s assembly and evolution. The Kuunga Orogen documents the collision between northern and southern Gondwana, marking the final assembly of the Gondwana megacontinent. However, the evolution of this orogen, especially its eastern section, which is largely covered by the Antarctic ice cap, remains poorly constrained. Based on integrated petrological, phase equilibrium modeling, and petrochronological analyses,...

Acute pneumonia is a severe pulmonary inflammation and it is critical to promptly suppress the dysregulated inflammatory responses to prevent mortality. Glucocorticoids are the first-line therapeutic drugs but with poor tissue selectivity and dose-dependent adverse effects. In this work, cryo-leukocyte, an autologous cell-derived immunosuppressor, was created leveraging the cryo-shocking technology by the quick shock of normal leukocytes with liquid nitrogen. After coupling with aICAM-1 functionalized liposomes, this micro/nano composite system could achieve efficient and prompt inflammation alleviation in acute pneumonia. The engineered cryo-leukocytes were of well biocompatibility after evaluation of blood toxicity, tissue toxicity, acute...

Prostate cancer (PCa) faces challenges in early diagnosis and treatment toxicity. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), with unique properties (surface plasmon resonance, facile functionalization, biocompatibility), offer innovative theranostic strategies. For diagnosis, functionalized AuNPs integrated with electrochemical luminescence, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and colorimetric sensing enable ultrasensitive detection of biomarkers like prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (detection limits down to fg/mL-ag/mL) advanced non-PSA biomarkers (e.g., PSA glycoforms, sarcosine, genomic 5hmC), and molecular profiling via exosome liquid biopsy. Therapeutically, AuNPs act as targeted drug carriers, enhancing local concentration while reducing systemic t...

ABSTRACT Mississippian and Pennsylvanian strata in the Black Warrior foreland basin record deformation and deposition during a period important for understanding the orogenic intersection between the southern Appalachian and Ouachita thrust belts. Previous sediment provenance interpretations for the Upper Mississippian Hartselle Sandstone employed either a continental-scale drainage from the north that incorporated northern Appalachian and Midcontinent material, or a regional-scale drainage from the south that incorporated southern Appalachian, Ouachita, and peri-Gondwana sources. We present detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and (U-Th)/He thermochronology from the Upper Mississippian Pride Mountain Formation and Hartselle Sandstone in the ...

Magmatic flare-ups are widely recognized as pivotal features of continental arc magmatism, yet their driving mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we present new radiometric ages and geochemical data for normal calc-alkaline, high-magnesian, and Nb-enriched arc magmatic rocks from the Northern Yili Arc (Western Tianshan, China), which coincide with the Late Devonian magmatic flare-up in the region. The normal arc magmatic rocks likely originated from partial melting of a slab fluid-metasomatized mantle wedge, possibly accompanied by fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation processes. In contrast, the high-magnesian andesites (HMAs) and Nb-enriched basalts (NEBs) were derived from sediment melt and slab melt-metasoma...

The formation of large rivers is controlled by both deep-Earth and surface processes. The drainage system that existed along the East Asian margin before the present-day drainage pattern is poorly understood. The basin-and-swell physiography of the East Asian margin was thought to have hindered the formation of large rivers during the early Cenozoic. To reveal drainage reorganizations, we combined regional geological constraints with provenance analysis of the East China Sea Shelf Basin (ECSB). For the first time, we applied coupled zircon and rutile U-Pb chronology to the ECSB, which is a crucial place for tracing river evolution along the East Asian margin. Our results, coupled with data from the literature, document a major regional prov...

The Falkland Islands, within the South Atlantic Ocean, display expansive Paleozoic sedimentary successions for which affinities with coeval depositional systems in southern Gondwana have been debated. New U-Pb zircon age spectra for ash and sandstone samples from the Falklands successions assist in elucidating relationships. Dating of ash samples shows the Port Sussex Formation (Falklands Islands) is younger than the lower Ecca Group of the Karoo Basin, not contemporaneous, as previously proposed. The Falklands and South African Paleozoic sequences differ only modestly, suggesting their accumulation and subsequent inversions were similar, but they represent discrete, basinal entities. Detrital zircon age spectra for samples from the Falklan...

Metals for Mississippi Valley−type Zn-Pb mineralization were previously considered to be leached from regional shallow sedimentary strata and basement rocks. However, determining the specific metal source is challenging because of the complex fluid interaction histories in Mississippi Valley−type ore fields. To better constrain their metal sources, we conducted a comprehensive study of the Lanping ore field of Southwest China. This ore field hosts the world-class Jinding Mississippi Valley−type deposit and Baiyangping Mississippi Valley−type ore district. The latter comprises numerous smaller deposits. All these deposits formed during the Cenozoic Era and are situated within the Cenozoic fold-thrust belt of the Eastern Himalayan-Tib...

The origin and association of high-silica granites (HSGs; SiO2 ≥ 71 wt%) and residual intermediate to felsic cumulates remain enigmatic due to their rare coexistence. These limitations complicate their characterization, parental source, and tectonic setting identification. This work presents a case study from the Mikir Hills, NE India, utilizing zircon U-Pb geochronology, mineral chemistry, and geochemical thermodynamic modeling constraints to understand the origin and relationship of ca. 508 Ma high-K monzogranites, granites, and HSGs. The monzogranites show accumulated plagioclase crystals and high Ba, Sr, and CaO, whereas the HSGs show depleted Ba, Sr, and CaO, representing fractionated melt. The redox calculations (ΔNNO −0.3 to −...

Over one-third of the global lithium supply is sourced from pegmatites, yet their complex evolution obscures Li mineralization mechanisms. This study investigates the Mufushan granite-pegmatite system (South China) using tourmaline geochemistry and boron isotopic compositions to identify the key processes controlling lithium enrichment. Tightly clustered δ11B values in tourmalines from both granite and pegmatite confirm a common magmatic source. Compared with muscovite granite tourmalines, those from northern Mufushan pegmatites exhibit lower YAl/(YAl + Fe) ratios at the Y site and reduced concentrations of incompatible elements (e.g., Li, Sn), suggesting a less evolved character and derivation from a more primitive melt. Rayleigh modeling...

Galena is a common economic mineral, but galena geochemistry remains poorly understood in volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. This contribution attempts to characterize galena geochemistry and its controlling parameters, as well as assess its utility as an exploration indicator. Two generations of galena have been recognized in the Keketale VMS-type Pb-Zn deposit, Altai Mountains, i.e., syngenetic galena in massive sulfide mineralization and epigenetic galena in epigenetic superimposed mineralization. Syngenetic galena exhibits broad trace-element variations, whereas epigenetic galena compositions consistently overlap the syngenetic range. Despite metamorphism and remobilization, galena’s structural elements remain largely unmodi...

Pegmatite-aplite systems are critical hosts for Li, Nb, and Ta mineralization, yet the role of their spatial distribution and overprinting enrichment processes remains poorly constrained. The world-class Bailongshan Li pegmatite deposit (Li2O resource >5 Mt), situated in the Western Kunlun Orogenic Belt of Northwest China, hosts Li-Nb-Ta mineralization primarily in coarse-grained spodumene pegmatites (Spd-1; >3 cm wide; pegmatite layer). These Spd-1 pegmatites are crosscut by fine-grained, spodumene-bearing pegmatites (Spd-2;...