Evolution of chemically induced cracks in alkali feldspar: thermodynamic analysis.

Unlabelled: A system of edge cracks was applied to polished (010) surfaces of K-rich gem-quality alkali feldspar by diffusion-mediated cation exchange between oriented feldspar plates and a Na-rich NaCl-KCl salt melt. The cation exchange produced a Na-rich layer at and beneath the specimen surface, and the associated strongly anisotropic lattice contraction lead to a tensile stress state at the specimen surface, which induced fracturing. Cation exchange along the newly formed crack flanks produced Na-enriched diffusion halos around the cracks, and the associated lattice contraction and tensile stress state caused continuous crack growth.

Galectin-3, N-terminal Propeptides of Type I and III Procollagen in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Metabolic Syndrome.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of galectin-3, PINP and PIIINP in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) with an assessment of the relationship with severity of left atrium fibrosis. A total of 480 subjects were included in the case-control study: MS patients ( = 337), 176 of whom had AF, 72 patients with AF without MS and 71 healthy subjects. Galectin-3, PINP and PIIINP blood concentrations and metabolic parameters were compared with the severity of left atrium fibrosis, measured by CARTO3.

Spinodal decomposition in alkali feldspar studied by atom probe tomography.

We used atom probe tomography to complement electron microscopy for the investigation of spinodal decomposition in alkali feldspar. To this end, gem-quality alkali feldspar of intermediate composition with a mole fraction of of the K end-member was prepared from Madagascar orthoclase by ion-exchange with (NaK)Cl molten salt. During subsequent annealing at and close to ambient pressure the ion-exchanged orthoclase unmixed producing a coherent lamellar intergrowth of Na-rich and K-rich lamellae.