The petrology and geochemistry of the north qoroq centre igaliko complex, south greenland

The North Qôroq Centre is one of four major intrusive centres comprising the Igaliko Nepheline Syenite Coitplex. The centre is composed of a number of syenitic bodies all showing undersaturated character. Emplacement of the bodies was probably by ring fracture and block subsidence, combined with a degree of stoping. Petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical studies have demonstrated that the process of in situ fractionation accounts for the bulk of the variation in rock types seen in the centre. Clinopyroxene, olivine, Fe/Ti oxides and apatite were important early fractionating phases, followed by amphibole and biotite. The most important fractionating phase was, however, alkali feldspar. Its crystallization and separation resulted in peralkaline undersaturated syenites becoming more peralkaline and more undersaturated. Probe work on the majority of major mineral phases, present in the syenites, has enabled values to be placedon a number of important physical and chemical parameters. The temperature of the magma as it evolved and the values and effect of steadily varying silica activity, oxygen fugacity, water fugacity, and activity of sodium disilicate have all been considered. An alkali-rich aqueous phase probably co-existed with the more fractionated of the North Qôroq syenites. A reasonable idea of the nature and composition of this phase has been obtained and a number of features exhibited by the syenites attributed to its action. Influx of meteoric water at an early stage in the evolution of the magmas is suggested as an explanation for the common marginal pegmatites. This process could be instrumental in deciding whether magmas of trachytic composition proceed, with crystal fractionation, towards undersaturated or oversaturated residual compositions

TQM in a test environment

In response to the changing aerospace economic climate, Martin Marietta Astronautics Group (MMAG) has adopted a Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy to maintain a competitive edge. TQM emphasizes continuous improvement of processes, motivation to improve from within, cross-functional involvement, people empowerment, customer satisfaction, and modern process control techniques. The four major initiatives of TQM are Product Excellence, Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II), People Empowerment, and Subcontract Management. The Defense Space and Communications (DS&C) Test Lab's definition and implementation of the MRP II and people empowerment initiatives within TQM are discussed. The application of MRP II to environmental test planning and operations processes required a new and innovative approach. In an 18 month span, the test labs implemented MRP II and people empowerment and achieved a Class 'A' operational status. This resulted in numerous benefits, both tangible and intangible, including significant cost savings and improved quality of life. A detailed description of the implementation process and results are addressed

Damping of field-induced chemical potential oscillations in ideal two-band compensated metals

The field and temperature dependence of the de Haas-van Alphen oscillations spectrum is studied for an ideal two-dimensional compensated metal. It is shown that the chemical potential oscillations, involved in the frequency combinations observed in the case of uncompensated orbits, are strongly damped and can even be suppressed when the effective masses of the electron- and hole-type orbits are the same. When magnetic breakdown between bands occurs, this damping is even more pronounced and the Lifshits-Kosevich formalism accounts for the data in a wide field range.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, to appear in PR

Origin of positive magnetoresistance in small-amplitude unidirectional lateral superlattices

We report quantitative analysis of positive magnetoresistance (PMR) for unidirectional-lateral-superlattice samples with relatively small periods (a=92-184 nm) and modulation amplitudes (V_0=0.015-0.25 meV). By comparing observed PMR's with ones calculated using experimentally obtained mobilities, quantum mobilities, and V_0's, it is shown that contribution from streaming orbits (SO) accounts for only small fraction of the total PMR. For small V_0, the limiting magnetic field B_e of SO can be identified as an inflection point of the magnetoresistance trace. The major part of PMR is ascribed to drift velocity arising from incompleted cyclotron orbits obstructed by scatterings.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, REVTe

Deep VLT spectroscopy of the z=2.49 Radio Galaxy MRC 2104-242: Evidence for a metallicity gradient in its extended emission line region

We present spectroscopic observations of the rest-frame UV line emission around radio galaxy MRC 2104-242 at z=2.49, obtained with FORS1 on VLT Antu. The morphology of the halo is dominated by two spatially resolved regions. Lya is extended by >12 arcsec along the radio axis, CIV and HeII are extended by ~8 arcsec. The overall spectrum is typical for that of high redshift radio galaxies. The most striking spatial variation is that NV is present in the spectrum of the region associated with the center of the galaxy hosting the radio source, the northern region, while absent in the southern region. Assuming that the gas is photoionized by a hidden quasar, the difference in NV emission can be explained by a metallicity gradient within the halo. This is consistent with a scenario in which the gas is associated with a massive cooling flow or originates from the debris of the merging of two or more galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A Letter

Strain monitoring of tapestries: results of a three-year research project

The outcomes of an interdisciplinary research project between conservators and engineers investigating the strain experienced by different areas of a tapestry are described. Two techniques were used: full-field monitoring using digital image correlation (DIC) and point measurements using optical fibre sensors. Results showed that it is possible to quantify the global strain across a discrete area of a tapestry using DIC; optical fibre and other sensors were used to validate the DIC. Strain maps created by the DIC depict areas of high and low strain and can be overlaid on images of the tapestry, creating a useful visual tool for conservators, custodians and the general public. DIC identifies areas of high strain not obvious to the naked eye. The equipment can be used in situ in a historic house. In addition the work demonstrated the close relationship between relative humidity and strain

Implementation of interventions to reduce preventable hospital admissions for cardiovascular or respiratory conditions : an evidence map and realist synthesis

Background In 2012, a series of systematic reviews summarised the evidence regarding interventions to reduce preventable hospital admissions. Although intervention effects were dependent on context, the reviews revealed a consistent picture of reduction across different interventions targeting cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. The research reported here sought to provide an in-depth understanding of how interventions that have been shown to reduce admissions for these conditions may work, with a view to supporting their effective implementation in practice. Objectives To map the available evidence on interventions used in the UK NHS to reduce preventable admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory conditions and to conduct a realist synthesis of implementation evidence related to these interventions. Methods For the mapping review, six databases were searched for studies published between 2010 and October 2017. Studies were included if they were conducted in the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand; recruited adults with a cardiovascular or respiratory condition; and evaluated or described an intervention that could reduce preventable admissions or re-admissions. A descriptive summary of key characteristics of the included studies was produced. The studies included in the mapping review helped to inform the sampling frame for the subsequent realist synthesis. The wider evidence base was also engaged through supplementary searching. Data extraction forms were developed using appropriate frameworks (an implementation framework, an intervention template and a realist logic template). Following identification of initial programme theories (from the theoretical literature, empirical studies and insights from the patient and public involvement group), the review team extracted data into evidence tables. Programme theories were examined against the individual intervention types and collectively as a set. The resultant hypotheses functioned as synthesised statements around which an explanatory narrative referenced to the underpinning evidence base was developed. Additional searches for mid-range and overarching theories were carried out using Google Scholar (Google Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA). Results A total of 569 publications were included in the mapping review. The largest group originated from the USA. The included studies from the UK showed a similar distribution to that of the map as a whole, but there was evidence of some country-specific features, such as the prominence of studies of telehealth. In the realist synthesis, it was found that interventions with strong evidence of effectiveness overall had not necessarily demonstrated effectiveness in UK settings. This could be a barrier to using these interventions in the NHS. Facilitation of the implementation of interventions was often not reported or inadequately reported. Many of the interventions were diverse in the ways in which they were delivered. There was also considerable overlap in the content of interventions. The role of specialist nurses was highlighted in several studies. The five programme theories identified were supported to varying degrees by empirical literature, but all provided valuable insights. Limitations The research was conducted by a small team; time and resources limited the team’s ability to consult with a full range of stakeholders. Conclusions Overall, implementation appears to be favoured by support for self-management by patients and their families/carers, support for services that signpost patients to consider alternatives to seeing their general practitioner when appropriate, recognition of possible reasons why patients seek admission, support for health-care professionals to diagnose and refer patients appropriately and support for workforce roles that promote continuity of care and co-ordination between services. Future work Research should focus on understanding discrepancies between national and international evidence and the transferability of findings between different contexts; the design and evaluation of implementation strategies informed by theories about how the intervention being implemented might work; and qualitative research on decision-making around hospital referrals and admissions. Funding The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme

Recognition of risk and prevention in safeguarding of children and young people : a mapping review and component analysis of interventions aimed at health and social care professionals.

Background: The term ‘safeguarding’ refers to measures designed to protect health, wellbeing and human rights, allowing people (especially children, young people and vulnerable adults) to live without fear of abuse, harm or neglect. The Children Act 2004 placed a responsibility on key agencies, including those in health and social care, to have regard to the need to safeguard children and promote their welfare. Objectives: To address the question ‘What interventions are feasible/acceptable, effective and cost effective in: • improving health and social care practitioners' recognition of children or young people who are at risk of abuse? • improving recognition of co-occurring forms of abuse where relevant? • preventing abuse in these groups?‘ Data sources: Fourteen health and social care databases were searched from 2004 (date of Children Act) to October 2019. Methods: This mapping review included an extensive literature search, independent study selection, extraction of study data and quality assessment of study design features. The research was carried out in two stages. We systematically retrieved and coded UK research and policy documents to gain a contemporary picture of safeguarding issues and practice. We also identified systematic reviews or narrative reviews that reported safeguarding practice from other high-income countries. Studies were summarised using narrative synthesis in four pre-defined groupings. A further grouping of policy/guidance documents was added based on examination of the evidence retrieved. Results: The review included 179 papers (Strategies=15; Policy/Guidance=36; Cultural/Organisational=31; Initiatives=69 and Reviews=28). There were four empirical evaluations of strategies (‘what to do’) and 54 of initiatives (‘how to do it’). Most initiatives fell into three categories: training, service development and use of data. Promising initiatives included liaison nurses; assessment clinics; secondment; joint protocols; and a ‘hub and spoke’ model. Approaches using routinely collected data also appeared promising. However, the evidence base comprised mainly cross-sectional or before/after studies with no control group, providing little hard evidence of effectiveness. Barriers to effective implementation of safeguarding strategies were identified at all levels of the health and care system. Limitations: We used a number of methods to abbreviate the review process. Limitations of the evidence base included lack of long-term follow-up, control groups and data on service relevant outcomes. Conclusions: The UK and international literature documents increased awareness and activity in relation to safeguarding. A limited number of types of interventions have been reported and generally these lack rigorous evaluation. In particular, the user voice is muted in relation to experience of different interventions or services. Taken as a whole the topic of child safeguarding seems to be lacking a whole system approach which would facilitate a more joined-up approach. Future work: Future research questions centre on the need to balance multi-agency training and development initiatives with the specific needs of individual health and social care professional groups

Genetic ancestry of participants in the National Children's Study.

BackgroundThe National Children's Study (NCS) is a prospective epidemiological study in the USA tasked with identifying a nationally representative sample of 100,000 children, and following them from their gestation until they are 21 years of age. The objective of the study is to measure environmental and genetic influences on growth, development, and health. Determination of the ancestry of these NCS participants is important for assessing the diversity of study participants and for examining the effect of ancestry on various health outcomes.ResultsWe estimated the genetic ancestry of a convenience sample of 641 parents enrolled at the 7 original NCS Vanguard sites, by analyzing 30,000 markers on exome arrays, using the 1000 Genomes Project superpopulations as reference populations, and compared this with the measures of self-reported ethnicity and race. For 99% of the individuals, self-reported ethnicity and race agreed with the predicted superpopulation. NCS individuals self-reporting as Asian had genetic ancestry of either South Asian or East Asian groups, while those reporting as either Hispanic White or Hispanic Other had similar genetic ancestry. Of the 33 individuals who self-reported as Multiracial or Non-Hispanic Other, 33% matched the South Asian or East Asian groups, while these groups represented only 4.4% of the other reported categories.ConclusionsOur data suggest that self-reported ethnicity and race have some limitations in accurately capturing Hispanic and South Asian populations. Overall, however, our data indicate that despite the complexity of the US population, individuals know their ancestral origins, and that self-reported ethnicity and race is a reliable indicator of genetic ancestry