First find of srilankite in the Urals

The first find of srilankite (very rare Zr and Ti oxide, Ti₂ZrO₆) in the Urals and the third find in Russia is reported. Srilankite forms very small (0.5–20 μm) inclusions in some rutile grains. These minerals are observed in the rare rock variety, corundum-bearing spinel–saphirine hornblendite forming a block in serpentinized amphibolizied peridotite of the Ilmeny–Vishnevogorsk Complex, near the village of Taiginka, Chelyabinsk oblast. Srilankite has not been observed in such an association yet. The composition of the host rock provides evidence for its deep (the lowermost crust of the Earth) origin. Srilankites of the Urals are distinguished from all others by the high concentrations of UO₂, ThO₂, HfO₂, and Nb₂O₅, which provides additional evidence for their crustal origin. Srilankite may indicate high-temperature and high-pressure conditions of rock formation.     

Overcoming Trade Impediments: Considering SME Exporters from Nova Scotia

Firms often encounter location-based impediments that hinder them from engaging with international markets. These challenges can be exacerbated for smaller firms, which often have limited resources and exposure to global markets. This article examines successful small and medium-sized exporters from Nova Scotia, a province with decreased export activity in recent years. It explores these firms’ trade-related motivations, their impediments, and the strategies that they have used to address possible location-related problems. Although geographical distance does not appear to be a competitive challenge, other issues emerge, including travel expenditures and the costs of export intelligence gathering. Successful exporters have overcome many potential impediments by using government trade programs, establishing and maintaining face-to-face contacts, and working with international partners.     

The Nature and Age of Plagioclasites in the Ultrabasic Rai-Iz Massif (Polar Urals)

Corundum-containing and corundum-free plagioclasites localized in chromite-bearing ultramafites of the Rai-Iz Massif were explored for the composition and age. The composition of rock-forming minerals was studied, and the geochemical characteristics of the rocks were ascertained. The isotope age of plagioclasites determined by zircons using the U–Pb mode with a SHRIMP II device was equal to 398 ± 3 Ma. The age found conformed to the boundary on most of the Rai-Iz Massif took place against the background of a starting powerful collision, which caused the formation of the chromium mineralization of a high-chromic type, as well as the separation of a series of essentially plagioclase rocks of ruby mineralization at the discharge zones of the vein series.     

Next Generation Space Gravimetry: Scientific Tasks,Concepts, and Realization

Astronomy Reports - A review of the achievements of space geodesy in the 21st century, represented by the successful realization of the CHAMP, GOCE, and GRACE missions, is presented. The main...     

Tectonic Position of the South Anyui Suture

Geotectonics - The South Anyui Fold System was formed at the end of the Early Cretaceous at the site of a closed oceanic basin as a result of the collision of the Chukotka microcontinent with the...     

Confusion Noise Sources in the Infrared Wavelength Range

Astronomy Reports - Within the framework of the model of the extragalactic background created earlier by the authors, the factors influencing the statistical properties of the confusion noise have...     

Methodology of Environmental Standardization for Natural Waters

Doklady Earth Sciences - This paper discusses sources of significant errors that occur in the course of determination of the primary environmental standard for natural waters: the maximum...     

Resistance of Enzymes to Ionizing Radiation under Model Conditions of the Martian Regolith

Solar System Research - Ionizing radiation is one of the main factors that destroy biomolecules in extraterrestrial conditions. The effects of radiation depend on the conditions of the exposure...     

Limb darkening effect included in a simple formula for solar energy flux

It is proposed a formula for the solar energy flux including the limb darkening effect and beeing valid at any distance from the Sun.