Galapagos coral conservation: impact mitigation, mapping and monitoring. Guest editorial

This special edition of Galapagos Research is devoted to research outcomes from the U.K. Government’s Darwin Initiative project 14-048 entitled Galapagos Coral Conservation: Impact Mitigation, Mapping and Monitoring. The Darwin Initiative was established in 1992, to assist countries rich in biodiversity but poor in resources to meet their obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The Universlity Class of Monopole Condensation in Non-Compact, Quenched Lattice QED

Finite size scaling studies of monopole condensation in noncompact quenched lattice $QED$ indicate an authentic second order phase transition lying in the universality class of four dimensional percolation. Since the upper critical dimension of percolation is six, the measured critical indices are far from mean-field values. We propose a simple set of ratios as the exact critical indices for this transition. The implication of these results for critical points in Abelian gauge theories are discussed.Comment: ILL-(TH)-92-6, CERN-TH.6515/92, 10 pages, no figures available as PS fil

PCR-based molecular marker for the Bdv2 Thinopyrum intermedium source of barley yellow dwarf virus resistance in wheat

Because of the importance of BYDV in wheat production worldwide, and given the difficulties of bioassaying for resistance, a molecular marker was developed for the resistance known as Bdv2 that originates on the long arm of chromosome 7Ai1 of Thinopyrum intermedium. This resistance was identified in a partial amphiploid line TAF46, a disomic addition line to wheat (L1), a telosomic addition line (7Ai1 L), and a series of recombinants and translocations. A RAPD (random amplified polymeric DNA) marker for the resistant germplasm was cloned and sequenced, and primers were designed against that sequence to produce a sequence characterised amplified region (SCAR) marker. A single PCR product is produced only with genotypes carrying the resistance from any of the available recombinants. The cloned sequence, recommended primers, and PCR protocols are described. The usefulness of the marker has been demonstrated for following Bdv2 in segregating wheat breeding germplasm, with the imminent release of a BYDV-resistant cultivar

Cosmological Constant, Gauge Hierarchy and Warped Geometry

It is suggested that the mechanism responsible for the resolution of the gauge hierarchy problem within the warped geometry framework can be generalized to provide a new explanation of the extremely tiny vacuum energy density rho_V suggested by recent observations. We illustrate the mechanism with some 5D examples in which the true vacuum energy is assumed to vanish, and rho_V is associated with a false vacuum energy such that rho_V^{1/4} ~ TeV^2/M_{Pl} ~ 10^{-3} eV, where M_{Pl} denotes the reduced Planck mass. We also consider a quintessence-like solution to the dark energy problem.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 2 figures, section on quantum corrections added, version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Superficial geology and hydrogeological domains between Durham and Darlington. Phase 1, (Durham South)

The North East Region’s Groundwater Modelling Strategy has identified the need for the development of a conceptual model for the Magnesian Limestone aquifer. In line with the Environment Agency R&D Technical Report W214 (Environment Agency Framework for Groundwater Resources Conceptual and Numerical Modelling), a scoping study was produced, that identified areas of uncertainty and work required for the development of the conceptual model. The purpose of this project is to give the Environment Agency (EA) a regional understanding of the geology and hydrogeology of the Magnesian Limestone and overlying superficial deposits in the North East Region, using information presently held by the British Geological Survey (BGS). This report contributes to the conceptual model and understanding of the Magnesian Limestone aquifer. There is uncertainty in the amount of recharge that the Magnesian Limestone receives from rainfall. The project is designed to gain a greater understanding of the geology of the superficial deposits and their hydrogeological properties. These are the key factors for the calculation of recharge to the Magnesian Limestone aquifer from rainfall. This element of the conceptual model is essential in understanding the potential water resource available within this aquifer

Tensile testing of cellulose based natural fibers for structural composite applications

A series of tensile tests were conducted on a Lloyd LRX tensile testing machine for numerous natural fibers deemed potential candidates for development in composite applications. The tensile tests were conducted on the fibers jute, kenaf, flax, abaca, sisal, hemp, and coir for samples exposed to moisture conditions of (1) room temperature and humidity, (2) 65% moisture content, (3) 90% moisture content, and (4) soaked fiber. These seven fibers were then tested for the four conditions and the mechanical properties of tensile strength, tensile strain to failure, and Young's modulus were calculated for the results. These results were then compared and verified with those from the literature, with some of the fibers showing distinctly promising potential. Additionally, a study on the effect of alkalization using 3% NaOH solution was carried out on flax, kenaf, abaca, and sisal to observe impact that this common fiber pre-treatment process has on fiber mechanical properties. The result of the investigation indicated that over treatment of natural fibers using NaOH could have a negative effect on the base fiber properties. It is consequently apparent that a treatment time of less than 10 min is sufficient to remove hemicelluloses and to give the optimum effect

Superficial geology and hydrogeological domains between Durham and Darlington. Phase 2, (Durham North)

The North East Region’s Groundwater Modelling Strategy has identified the need for the development of a conceptual model for the Magnesian Limestone aquifer. In line with the Environment Agency R&D Technical Report W214 (Environment Agency Framework for Groundwater Resources Conceptual and Numerical Modelling), a scoping study was produced, that identified areas of uncertainty and work required for the development of the conceptual model. The purpose of this project is to give the Environment Agency (EA) a regional understanding of the geology and hydrogeology of the Magnesian Limestone and overlying superficial deposits in the North East Region, using information held by the British Geological Survey (BGS). This report contributes to the conceptual model and understanding of the Magnesian Limestone aquifer. There is uncertainty in the amount of recharge that the Magnesian Limestone receives from rainfall. The project is designed to gain a greater understanding of the geology of the superficial deposits and their hydrogeological properties. These are the key factors for the calculation of recharge to the Magnesian Limestone aquifer from rainfall. This element of the conceptual model is essential in understanding the potential water resource available within this aquifer

E_{11} origin of Brane charges and U-duality multiplets

We derive general equations which determine the decomposition of the G^{+++} multiplet of brane charges into the sub-algebras that arise when the non-linearly realised G^{+++} theory is dimensionally reduced on a torus. We apply this to calculate the low level E_8 multiplets of brane charges that arise when the E_{8}^{+++}, or E_{11}, non-linearly realised theory is dimensionally reduced to three dimensions on an eight dimensional torus. We find precise agreement with the U-duality multiplet of brane charges previously calculated, thus providing a natural eleven dimensional origin for the "mysterious" brane charges found that do not occur as central charges in the supersymmetry algebra. We also discuss the brane charges in nine dimensions and how they arise from the IIA and IIB theories.Comment: 30 pages, plain te

3-D hydrogeological characterisation of the superficial deposits between Doncaster and Retford

A 3-D geological model of the area between Doncaster and Retford was created in order to characterise the thickness and distribution of superficial deposits to allow hydrogeological domains to be derived above the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer. The overarching aim of the study was to use a domains approach, derived from the output of the 3-D model to assess potential recharge to the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer. The results of the study are intended to help the Environment Agency meet its regulatory requirements under the Water Framework Directive and Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (CAMS) and form part of its overall East Midlands – Yorkshire Sherwood Sandstone Groundwater Study. The 3-D model revealed a complex sequence of pre-glacial, glacial and post-glacial sediments deposited on a rockhead surface that extends in paces to –26mOD as a result of deep incision into the bedrock. These channels are orientated north-west, south-east or east-west. The sequence of superficial deposits is generally less than 10m thick, increasing to 25m in places to the east and southeast of the project area. The area from Hatfield Moors in the north-east to Misson in the south-east is characterised by a sequence of peat, variably underlain by Blown Sand, Glaciolacustrine silt and clay and “Older River Gravel”. The Glaciolacustrine silt and clay is most thickly developed beneath Hatfield Moors, but is laterally discontinuous. Elsewhere, to the west of the study area, the superficial deposits comprise sand, gravel and till of limited extent and are generally less than 10m thick, except in some fluvial valleys. Seven hydrogeological domains were identified from the 3-D model and other published data sources. The domains were defined in terms of the potential for recharge to occur either directly into the Sherwood Sandstone or through the sequence of superficial deposits. Each of the units making up the superficial deposits in the area was classified according to its inferred hydrogeological properties. A hydrogeological domains map produced via a series of GIS rules and queries using the digital output from the model reveal that the potential for recharge is greatest in the western and central parts of the project area, with only limited potential recharge occurring to the east

Anti-Periodic Boundary Conditions in Supersymmetric DLCQ

It is of considerable importance to have a numerical method for solving supersymmetric theories that can support a non-zero central charge. The central charge in supersymmetric theories is in general a boundary integral and therefore vanishes when one uses periodic boundary conditions. One is therefore prevented from studying BPS states in the standard supersymmetric formulation of DLCQ (SDLCQ). We present a novel formulation of SDLCQ where the fields satisfy anti-periodic boundary conditions. The Hamiltonian is written as the anti-commutator of two charges, as in SDLCQ. The anti-periodic SDLCQ we consider breaks supersymmetry at finite resolution, but requires no renormalization and becomes supersymmetric in the continuum limit. In principle, this method could be used to study BPS states. However, we find its convergence to be disappointingly slow.Comment: 9pp, 2 figure