Morphological and Sulfur-Isotopic Characteristics of Pyrites in the Deep Sediments from Xisha Trough,South China Sea

Pyrite is one of the common authigenic minerals in marine sediments.Previous studies have shown that the morphological and isotopic characteristics of pyrite are closely related to the geochemical environment where it is formed.To better understand the for-mation mechanism of authigenic pyrite,we analyzed the isotopic composition,morphology,and distribution of pyrite in the sediment at 500m below the seafloor from Xisha Trough,South China Sea.Mineral morphologies were observed by scanning electron micros-copy and Raman spectrography.X-Ray computed tomography was applied to measure the particle size of pyrite.The size of pyrite crystals in the matrix sediment mainly ranged between 25 and 65µm(av.ca.40µm),although crystals were larger(av.ca.50μm)in the veins.The pyrites had a fine-grained truncated octahedral shape with occasionally well-developed growth steps,which implies the low growth rate and weak anaerobic oxidation of methane-sulfate reduction when pyrite was formed.Theδ^(34)S values of pyrites ranged from+20.8‰Vienna-defined Canyon Diablo Troilite(V-CDT)to+33.2‰V-CDT and from+44.8‰V-CDT to+48.9‰,which suggest two growth stages.In the first stage,with the continuous low methane flux,the pyrite possibly formed in an environment with good access to seawater.In the second stage,the pyrites mainly developed in sediment fractures and appeared in veins,probably due to the limited availability of sulfate.The less exposure of pyrite to the environment in the second stage was probably caused by sediment accumulation or perturbation.In this study,an episodic pyritization process was identified,and the paleoenvironment was reconstructed for the sediment investigated.

U-Pb zircon geochronology of basaltic pyroclastic rocks from the basement beneath the Xisha Islands in the northwestern South China Sea and its geological significance

As one of the micro-blocks dispersed in the South China Sea(SCS), the basement of the Xisha Islands has rarely been drilled because of the thick overlying Cenozoic sediments, which has led to a confused understanding of the pre-Cenozoic basement of the Xisha Islands. Well CK-1, a kilometer-scale major scientific drill in the Xisha Islands in the northwestern SCS, penetrated thick reefal limestone(0–888.4 m) and the underlying basement rocks(888.4–901.4 m). In this study, we present the zircon U-Pb ages of basement basaltic pyroclastic rocks from Well CK-1 in the Xisha Islands of the northwestern SCS to investigate the basement nature of the Xisha microblock. The basement of Well CK-1 consists of basaltic pyroclastic rocks on the seamount. The zircon grains yielded apparent ages ranging from ca. 2 138.9 Ma to ca. 36 Ma. The old group of zircon grains from Well CK-1 was considered to be inherited zircons. Two Cenozoic zircons gave a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of(36.3 ± 1.1) Ma,Mean Squared Weighted Deviations(MSWD) = 1.2, which may represent the maximum age of the volcano eruption. The Yanshanian inherited zircons(116.9–105.7 Ma and 146.1–130.2 Ma) from Well CK-1 are consistent with the zircons from Well XK-1, indicating that the basement of Chenhang Island may be similar to that of Well XK-1. We propose that the Xisha micro-block may have developed on a uniform Late Jurassic metamorphic crystalline basement, intruded by Cretaceous granitic magma.

Persistent Variations in the East Asian Trough from March to April and the Possible Mechanism

The East Asian trough(EAT)profoundly influences the East Asian spring climate.In this study,the relationship of the EATs among the three spring months is investigated.Correlation analysis shows that the variation in March EAT is closely related to that of April EAT.Extended empirical orthogonal function(EEOF)analysis also confirms the co-variation of the March and April EATs.The positive/negative EEOF1 features the persistent strengthened/weakened EAT from March to April.Further investigation indicates that the variations in EEOF1 are related to a dipole sea surface temperature(SST)pattern over the North Atlantic and the SST anomaly over the tropical Indian Ocean.The dipole SST pattern over the North Atlantic,with one center east of Newfoundland Island and another east of Bermuda,could trigger a Rossby wave train to influence the EAT in March−April.The SST anomaly over the tropical Indian Ocean can change the Walker circulation and influence the atmospheric circulation over the tropical western Pacific,subsequently impacting the southern part of the EAT in March−April.Besides the SST factors,the Northeast Asian snow cover could change the regional thermal conditions and lead to persistent EAT anomalies from March to April.These three impact factors are generally independent of each other,jointly explaining large variations in the EAT EEOF1.Moreover,the signals of the three factors could be traced back to February,consequently providing a potential prediction source for the EAT variation in March and April.

Heat Transfer Enhancement of the Absorber Tube in a Parabolic Trough Solar Collector through the Insertion of Novel Cylindrical Turbulators

This study includes an experimental and numerical analysis of the performances of a parabolic trough collector(PTC)with and without cylindrical turbulators.The PTC is designed with dimensions of 2.00 m in length and 1.00 m in width.The related reflector is made of lined sheets of aluminum,and the tubes are made of stainless steel used for the absorption of heat.They have an outer diameter of 0.051 m and a wall thickness of 0.002 m.Water,used as a heat transfer fluid(HTF),flows through the absorber tube at a mass flow rate of 0.7 kg/s.The dimensions of cylindrical turbulators are 0.04 m in length and 0.047 m in diameter.Simulations are performed using the ANSYS Fluent 2020 R2 software.The PTC performance is evaluated by comparing the experimental and numerical outcomes,namely,the outlet temperature,useful heat,and thermal efficiency for a modified tube(MT)(tube with novel cylindrical turbulators)and a plain tube(PT)(tube without novel cylindrical turbulators).According to the results,the experimental outlet temperatures recorded 63.2°C and 50.5°C for the MT and PT,respectively.The heat gain reaches 1137.5 Win the MT and 685.8 Win the PT.Compared to the PT collector,the PTC exhibited a(1.64 times)higher efficiency.

Elemental Compositions of Clinopyroxenes from Southern Okinawa Trough Basalt:Implications for Magmatism and Structural Environment in an Initial Back-Arc Basin

The major and trace elemental compositions of clinopyroxene from basalt were used to characterize the nature of the primitive magma and structural environment beneath the southern Okinawa Trough(SOT),which is an initial back-arc basin at a continental margin.The clinopyroxenes in the basalt were augite with variable Mg^(#)contents(73.37-78.22).The regular variations in major oxide contents(i.e.,CaO,FeO,TiO_(2),and Cr)with decreasing Mg#implied that the clinopyroxenes evolved from being enriched in Mg,Ca,and Cr to being enriched in Fe and Ti.The clinopyroxenes had relatively low rare earth element concentrations(7.51×10^(-6) to 12.68×10^(-6))and negative Eu anomalies(δEu=0.67-0.95).The Kd_(cpx) values of clinopyroxenes(0.2-0.26),which were used to examine whether the clinopyroxene was equilibrated with its host basalt,demonstrate that these clinopyroxene phenocrysts were not captured crystals but were instead produced by crystallization differentiation of the magma.The calculated clinopyroxene crystallization temperatures showed a narrow range of 990-1061℃,and their crystallization pressures ranged from 2.0 to 3.2 kbar.The geochemistry features of these clinopyroxenes indicated that the parent magma belonged to the subalkaline tholeiitic magma series and suggested that the magma experienced crystallization differentiation of olivine,plagioclase,and clinopyroxene,where the crystallization of plagioclase occurred earlier than that of clinopyroxene.Combined with geophysical data,this research on primitive magma and its crystallization differentiation from clinopyroxene indicates that the SOT is in the stage of‘seafloor spreading’and that basaltic rocks produced from tholeiitic magma represent the generation of oceanic crust.

Improving Heat Transfer in Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors by Magnetic Nanofluids

A parabolic trough solar collector(PTSC)converts solar radiation into thermal energy.However,low thermal efficiency of PTSC poses a hindrance to the deployment of solar thermal power plants.Thermal performance of PTSC is enhanced in this study by incorporating magnetic nanoparticles into the working fluid.The circular receiver pipe,with dimensions of 66 mm diameter,2 mm thickness,and 24 m length,is exposed to uniform temperature and velocity conditions.The working fluid,Therminol-66,is supplemented with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles at concentrations ranging from 1%to 4%.The findings demonstrate that the inclusion of nanoparticles increases the convective heat transfer coefficient(HTC)of the PTSC,with higher nanoparticle volume fractions leading to greater heat transfer but increased pressure drop.The thermal enhancement factor(TEF)of the PTSC is positively affected by the volume fraction of nanoparticles,both with and without a magnetic field.Notably,the scenario with a 4%nanoparticle volume fraction and a magnetic field strength of 250 G exhibits the highest TEF,indicating superior thermal performance.These findings offer potential avenues for improving the efficiency of PTSCs in solar thermal plants by introducing magnetic nanoparticles into the working fluid.

Bacterial diversity in sediments of core MD05-2902 from the Xisha Trough,the South China Sea

A sediment core MD05-2902 was collected from the deep-sea basin of the Xisha Trough. The vertical distribution and diversity of bacteria in the core was investigated through ten sub-sampling with an interval of 1 m using bacterial 16 S rRNA gene as a phylogenetic bio-marker. Eighteen phylogenetic groups were identified from 16 S rRNA gene clone libraries. The dominant bacterial groups were JS1, Planctomycetes and Chloroflexi, which accounted for 30.6%, 16.6%, and 15.6% of bacterial clones in the libraries, respectively. In order to reveal the relationship between biotic and abiotic data, a nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis was performed. The result revealed that the δ15N, δ13C, total organic carbon and total organic nitrogen possibly influenced the bacterial community structure. This study expanded our knowledge of the biogeochemical cycling in the Xisha Trough sediment.

Geological characteristics of the southern segment of the Late Sinian–Early Cambrian Deyang-Anyue rift trough in Sichuan Basin, SW China

Based on the latest drilling, seismic and field outcrop data, the geological characteristics(e.g. strata, development and sedimentary evolution) of the southern segment of the Late Sinian–Early Cambrian Deyang–Anyue rift trough in the Sichuan Basin are analyzed. First, the strata in the southern segment are complete. The first to second members of Dengying Formation(Deng 1 + Deng 2) are found with relatively stable thickness(400–550 m), and the third to fourth members(Deng 3+ Deng 4) show great thickness difference between the marginal trough and the inner trough, which is up to 250 m. The Cambrian Maidiping Formation and Qiongzhusi Formation in southern Sichuan Basin are relatively thin, with the thickness changing greatly and frequently. Second, the Deyang–Anyue rift trough extended southward during the Deng 4 period, affecting southern Sichuan Basin. Compared to the middle and northern segments of the rift trough, the southern segment is generally wide, gentle and shallow, with multiple steps, and alternating uplifts and sags, which are distributed in finger shape. Third, the Deng 1 + Deng 2 in southern Sichuan Basin records the dominance of carbonate platform and unobvious sedimentary differentiation, and the Deng 4 exhibits obvious sedimentary differentiation, namely, basin–slope–secondary slope–slope–secondary slope–platform margin–restricted platform, from the inner trough to the marginal trough. Fourth, the rift trough in southern Sichuan Basin has evolved in four stages: stabilization of Deng 1–Deng 2, initialization of Deng 3–Deng 4, filling of Maidiping–Qiongzhusi, and extinction of Canglangpu Formation.

Effect of Different Silica Fumes on Properties of Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC-C Castables for Iron Trough

In order to improve the performance of Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC-C castables for iron trough,samples were prepared using brown corundum,dense corundum,activated alumina micropowder,ball pitch,and silicon as main raw materials,calcium aluminate cement as the binder.Several kinds of silica fumes(93SiO_(2),96SiO_(2),and 99SiO_(2))with different particle size distributions and chemical composition were added to research the effects on the properties of castables.The results show that the sample with 99SiO_(2) fume has high water requirement for molding,but the bulk density is the lowest,the apparent porosity is the highest,the oxidation resistance is the worst,and the permanent linear change on heating is low after firing at 1 450 ℃ for 3 h.The bulk density and the apparent porosity of the sample with 93SiO_(2) fume or 96SiO_(2) fume are equivalent,the hot modulus of rupture of the sample with 93SiO_(2) fume is the lowest,and the slag resistance of the sample with 96SiO_(2) fume is the best.The comprehensive performance of the sample with 96SiO_(2) fume is the best.

Clinical Evaluation of a Vancomycin Dosage Strategy Based on a Serum Trough Concentration Model in Elderly Patients with Severe Pneumonia

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefits of a vancomycin dosage strategy based on a serum trough concentration model in elderly patients.Methods This prospective single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial categorized 66 elderly patients with severe pneumonia into study and control groups. The control group received vancomycin using a regimen decided by the attending physician. Meanwhile, the study group received individualized vancomycin therapy with a dosing strategy based on a serum trough concentration model. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with serum trough concentrations reaching the target values.The secondary endpoints were clinical response, vancomycin treatment duration, and vancomycinassociated acute kidney injury(VA-AKI) occurrence.Results All patients were at least 60 years old(median age = 81 years). The proportion of patients with target trough concentration achievement(≥ 15 mg/L) with the initial vancomycin regimen was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group(75.8% vs. 42.4%, P = 0.006).Forty-five patients(68.2%) achieved clinical success, the median duration of vancomycin therapy was10.0 days, and VA-AKI occurred in eight patients(12.1%). However, there were no significant differences in these parameters between the two groups. The model for predicting vancomycin trough concentrations was upgraded to: serum trough concentration(mg/L) = 17.194-0.104 × creatinine clearance rate(mL/min) + 0.313 × vancomycin daily dose [mg/(kg·d)].Conclusion A vancomycin dosage strategy based on a serum trough concentration model can improve the proportion of patients achieving target trough concentrations in elderly patients with severe pneumonia.

The Mamfe Basin in the southern Benue trough extension between Cameroon and Nigeria:Gem origin and problem of lithostratigraphic nomenclature and marine transgression

The Mamfe Basin has been the subject of many studies,but some debates persist,especially concerning the stratigraphic nomenclature,corundum origin,and marine transgression.The aims of this work are(1)to propose a new lithostratigraphic nomenclature of the Mamfe Basin formation based on new field observations,(2)to determine the source rock distribution and the origin of gem deposits and(3)to correlate the Cameroon section of the Mamfe Basin with the Nigerian deposits.The main results show that the name Manyu River Group is more appropriate as the Manyu River crosses all the facies in the Mamfe sedimentary Basin belonging to the Manyu Division.According to the facies analysis,the age of deposition,the mineralogic and geochemical data such as the V vs.Al2O3andΣREE vs.Al_(2)O_(3),TiO_(2)MgO,Na_(2)O,P_(2)O_(5),and CaO diagrams,this Group is composed of at least five Formations,including four Cretaceous Formations,from bottom to top:the Etoko Formation(alluvial and fluvial channel to fluvio-lacustrine deposits),the Nfaitok Formation(lagoonal deposits),the Bachuo Ntai Formation(fluvial braided channels or fluvio-deltaic environment)and the Eyumojock/NsanaragatiFormation(fluvio-lacustrine deposits)and the new Cenozoic Formation named Bakebe Formation(fluvio-lacustrine deposits).The gem minerals such as corundum,rutile,or tourmaline in the Cretaceous deposits of the Mamfe Basin are mainly detrital as indicated by the presence of worn shapes and fragments of these minerals.The presence of sapphire in the AlboCenomanian deposits indicates a Precambrian age of the felsic source rock,likely the plutonic rocks such as granite or pegmatite as indicated by the abundance of tourmaline and high LREE/HREE ratios(14.81–34.29)and slightly negative and positive Eu anomalies(0.85–1.15).This marine incursion in the Mamfe Basin was probably from West Nigeria,according to the geographic location of the Mamfe Basin and the general palaeogeographic evolution of the Benue Trough.

Investigation and simulation of parabolic trough collector with the presence of hybrid nanofluid in the finned receiver tube

The present study discusses the thermal performance of the receiver tube,which contains a wall with various fin shapes in the parabolic trough collector.Inserted fins and bulge surfaces of the inner wall of the receiver tube increase the turbulent fluid flow.In pursuance of uniform distribution of heat transfer,various fin shapes such as square-shape,circle-shape,triangle-shape,and combined square-circle shapes were inserted,examined,and compared.A study of the temperature differences and fluid flow is meaningful for this project therefore finite volume method was used to investigate heat transfer.Also,hybrid Nano-Fluid AL_(2)O_(3-)CuO,TiO_(2-)Cu,and AgMgO were applied to increase thermal diffusivity.When the combined square-circle-shaped fin was inserted,the thermal peak of fluid flow in the receiver tube was lower than the other studied fin shapes by almost 1%.Besides,the hybrid nano-fluid Ag-MgO Syltherm-oil-800 has lower thermal waste in comparison to others by more than 3%.

Evaluating Vancomycin Clinical Outcomes Using Area under the Curve versus Trough Based Dosing Strategies

Background: The 2020 consensus guidelines recommend AUC guided dosing as the preferred monitoring method for vancomycin. AUC based dosing has shown to reduce incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), utilize lower daily doses in obese patients, and maintain efficacy. Several institutions have adjusted their protocols to utilize AUC guided dosing. However, there are limited studies comparing the clinical outcomes of AUC versus trough monitoring. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, single centered study. The primary outcome was to evaluate the clinical success of AUC dosing versus trough based dosing of vancomycin for MRSA infections using a composite outcome of afebrile post treatment ( Results: Forty-seven patients were included in this study, 17 in the AUC group and 30 in the trough group. The primary composite outcome showed a significant benefit of AUC dosing (p = 0.04). The composite component culture clearance showed the largest improvement for the AUC group when compared with the trough group (p = 0.03). More patients achieved therapeutic target attainment and reached the target sooner (3 days versus 4 days, p = 0.2) in the AUC group. Over the study course, 94.1% of patients in the AUC group were considered therapeutic compared to 63.8% in the trough group (p = 0.03). Vancomycin levels were collected less frequently in the AUC group (3 versus 4, p = 0.2). Conclusion: The outcomes of this study may suggest AUC guided dosing as a beneficial alternative to trough based dosing. AUC based dosing may improve clinical success which can be further explored in larger prospective clinical trials.

Modified Circumpolar Deep Water inflow to the Dotson-Getz Trough in the summers of 2020 and 2022

The melting of the West Antarctic Ice Shelf has increased since the 1990s,driven by the relatively warm Circumpolar Deep Water(CDW)that penetrates into the West Antarctic Ice Shelf cavities through submarine glacial troughs across the continental shelf.In this study,temperature,salinity,and current velocity data obtained by the Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition in the Dotson-Getz Trough(DGT)shows clear differences in distribution of modified Circumpolar Deep Water(mCDW)in the summers of 2020 and 2022.Combined with contemporaneous wind data and additional temperature and salinity data from instrumented seals,the processes and mechanisms responsible for this variation are discussed.Compared with 2020,there is a significant increase in mCDW thickness in 2022,with a doubling of total heat content as the mCDW inflow path across the DGT shifts towards the eastern bank.We propose that a southward shift in the westerly winds in the summer of 2022 moved the upper oceanic divergence zone southward towards the continental slope,promoting the upwelling of mCDW above 500 m.Concurrently,stronger westerly winds over the continental slope strengthened the eastward undercurrent,increasing the transport of this mCDW and its associated heat content to the DGT through Ekman dynamics.These observations show there is strong interannual variability in the strength,path and extent of mCDW inflows to the DGT and that care must be taken when planning observation programs for long-term monitoring of the oceanic heat input to the ice shelves of this globally significant region.

我国西沙群岛仙掌藻属Halimeda(绿藻门钙扇藻科)的分类学研究

为了探究仙掌藻属(Halimeda)在我国的分布及其分类,利用形态学、解剖学以及分子系统发育学方法,对2019年6月采集于西沙群岛的仙掌藻属样品进行形态学观察和分子系统发育分析.基于形态特征和rbcL基因序列的系统发育分析结果,共鉴定出了4个物种,即大叶仙掌藻(Halimeda macroloba)、仙掌藻(H. opuntia)、厚节仙掌藻(H. incrassata)和裂圆仙掌藻(新拟名)(H. monile).其中,H. monile为我国新纪录种,其主要特征为藻体节片分枝三裂,节片呈圆柱状,外层囊胞脱钙后不分离.在此基础上,分析仙掌藻属的属内组级系统以及属内其他相关物种间的关系,基于rbcL序列的分析结果显示,仙掌藻属物种(几乎涵盖了该属内的所有物种)形成了5个具有较好支持率的进化支.

连续电磁剖面法在塔里木盆地麦盖提斜坡裂陷槽深部构造研究中的应用

随着对塔里木盆地深层油气勘探认识不断深入,认为震旦—南华系裂陷槽对烃源岩的发育保存有着重要的控制作用,因此对该区域的裂陷槽探测是油气勘探的重要探索方向。前人研究认为对塔西南地区麦盖提斜坡处存在震旦—南华系裂陷槽,但受限于该区域地震资料品质,对该区域深层结构尤其是对基底和裂陷槽分布形态和范围认知不清。因此,通过一条跨过麦盖提斜坡与叶城凹陷的连续电磁剖面法剖面,结合研究区地质情况与井资料,构建了区域电阻率的物性分层结构,完成了对实际数据的二维反演,获取了该区域的深部电性结构与CEMP剖面的综合地质解释结果。为该区域新元古代裂陷槽发育情况的判断提供了新的电磁证据,也进一步刻画了基底、裂陷槽的电性特征与结构。探测结果认为裂陷主要由正断层控制,呈现裂陷群特点,裂陷多呈半地堑、不对称地堑及堑—垒相间的构造样式,在麦盖提斜坡、叶城凹陷处中部、南部的区域发育两个裂陷群,有利于区域内的烃源岩沉积,其中裂陷内震旦—南华系地层沉积较厚的区域具有较好的深层油气勘探潜力。

《西沙群岛珊瑚岛(礁)地区岩土工程勘察标准》研究与编制

为适应和满足西沙群岛珊瑚岛(礁)工程建设的需要,使珊瑚岛(礁)岩土工程勘察有据可依,总结了西沙群岛岩土工程勘察项目实践经验和研究成果,通过资料收集、分析与研究,编制了《西沙群岛珊瑚岛(礁)地区岩土工程勘察标准》(DBJ46—060—2022)。介绍标准的编制背景、编制的工作流程、标准的主要内容和重点研究内容,探讨需要进一步研究的内容。

牛马不同槽——嘉峪关魏晋墓两幅壁画的现实表达与文化意涵

嘉峪关魏晋墓葬壁画描绘了“牛马不同槽”的现象。结合礼仪艺术与世俗绘卷中的同类图像,揭示了此类现象的现实原因,并指出其进入文化层面后的意涵。先秦哲学从牛马习性出发,抽象出了其间的对立统一关系,很多情境中牛马间的对立还可转化为对应,例如祭祀中的牛马,图像中的牛马合犋犁耕、牧马牧牛、牛车鞍马,宗教语境下的牛头马面等。“牛马不同槽”从民间俗语到文献与图像的表达,反映了古代艺术与生活的密切关系。

中国人对西沙群岛历史认知与风力、潮流、海浪作用下的变迁研究

通过研究西沙群岛的历史认识和地理环境演变,强调了地理特征和稳定性的重要性,以及风力、潮流和海浪对其造成的影响。研究表明:1)中国人至迟在汉代对“岛”和“沙洲”就有了较为理性的认知,岛屿的形成具有悠久的历史,形成于4000年以上,地势相对较高,不易被海水淹没。相反,沙洲是相对年轻的地貌,其地势较低,容易受到自然因素的影响。2)风力、潮流和巨浪对西沙群岛地貌的变化有重要影响。风力和巨浪堆积沙洲,但同时也能导致其消失在海平面以下。潮流的周期性变化也对这些岛屿和沙洲的稳定性产生重要影响。这些变迁不仅是地貌的动态展现,也与海洋生物数量下降趋势密切相关。综合分析表明,岛和沙洲在地理特征和稳定性上存在明显差异。西沙群岛地貌的变迁是自然因素与人类活动交互作用的结果。文章有助于更好地了解西沙群岛的演化过程,以及保护和改善这一地区的生态环境方面的实际需求。

质量技术在土槽试验车液压系统故障排除中的应用

土槽试验车是土壤耕作试验研究的主要设备。该文以土槽试验车液压系统故障排除为导向,根据排列图法、因果分析图法和措施计划表法等多种现代质量技术的应用原理,探索拓展质量技术适用范围,有机地将上述方法联合应用到生产实际中,提出解决土槽试验车液压系统故障的具体措施,从而实现效率和效果的不断提升。