Pseudo proximate analysis: method using wireline logs to estimate components of coal bearing rock matrix without control data

>Magister Scientiae - MScLab conducted proximate analysis of coal bearing rock units calculates the weight percentage of ash, moisture, fixed carbon and volatile matter through a series of combustion steps. The data obtained is quintessential in establishing the coal rank and in the case of coal bed methane the gas-in-place estimates. In this study 105 proximate analysis samples, from 7 drilled wells, are taken from the south-eastern Kalahari Basin in Botswana. The pseudo proximate analysis, the method proposed in this thesis, calculates the lab proximate analysis results using the neutron, density and gamma ray wireline logs. The uniqueness of the method lies in the fact that no cut off values are needed for the wireline logs, nor are the results of the lab proximate analysis required for calibration. An in depth study of the relationship between the wireline logs and proximate analysis is conducted using a principle component analysis and the results tested using a combination of statistical techniques to determine the significance of the relationship. It is shown that the density and neutron logs model the proportion of ash and volatile matter in the rock matrix, respectively, with a high degree of accuracy. The multiple regression analysis shows that percentages fixed carbon and moisture components of the rock matrix correlate poorly to the proposed well logs, thus most error lies in the determination of these two components. It is statistically proven that the pseudo proximate analysis results are significantly different to the lab measured proximate analysis. This implies that the proposed pseudo proximate analysis method is unable to accurately determine the components of a coal bearing rock matrix using the density, neutron and gamma ray wireline logs. The application of the proposed method is a model to identity the coal bearing rock matrix and provide a predictive estimation of the coal quality, a priori lab measured data

Fungi at the scene of the crime: innocent bystanders or accomplices in oral infections?

Purpose of Review: Over the last decade, microbiome studies have enhanced our knowledge and understanding of the polymicrobial nature of oral infections. Recently, profiling of the fungal microbiome has expanded our conventional understanding of oral ecology, revealing the critical importance of yeasts within this complex microbiome. This review aims to explore our current appreciation of interkingdom interactions in oral disease. Recent Findings: There is a growing evidence base of interactions and pathogenic synergy and antagonism with bacterial species within oral disease. Recent studies have helped to develop our knowledge of how Candida albicans, alongside bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Lactobacillus species, influence overall pathogenicity. Summary: Clinical and experimental evidence makes a compelling case for a role for C. albicans in a number of oral infections, though whether its role is an active accomplice or passive bystander remains to be determined

The Terror Experts: Discourse, Discipline, and the Production of Terrorist Subjects at a University Research Center

This thesis examines the production and circulation of discourses related to (counter)terrorism at a university-affiliated terrorism and security studies research center in eastern Massachusetts. Drawing on participant observation, documentary analysis, and interviews with faculty and students at the research center, I suggest that expert discourses of (counter)terrorism at the center traffic in an archetypal construction of the terrorist that I call the “depoliticized radical.” This construction locates the root of terrorism in individual morality and psychology, tending to abstract the terrorist from the political conditions in which they enact violence. I further propose that the depoliticized radical functions as a boundary object in Star and Griesemer’s (1989) conception, serving the interests of both expert regimes that take the terrorist as a subject to be known and counterterror regimes that take the terrorist as a subject to be controlled and/or corrected. Through fine-grained case studies, I track the strategic deployment of the depoliticized radical by different actors at the center within distinctive professional contexts. My discussion of the practices by which actors at the center seek to consolidate their expertise within the contested fields of terrorism studies and security studies draws on and develops Gieryn’s (1983) concept of “boundary-work” as a rhetorical and theatrical strategy for demarcating legitimate from illegitimate knowledges. I conclude by contemplating the political stakes of terrorism expertise as a project of knowledge production that seeks to establish the terrorist as an archetypal subject to be both known and controlled

The Application of Resonance Ionisation Spectroscopy to III-V Semiconductor Surface and Depth Analysis

Resonance Ionisation Spectroscopy (RIS) is a relatively new analytical technique which is gaining increasing significance in the field of quantitative trace analysis. This work is principally concerned with the particular application of Resonance Ionisation Spectroscopy to surface and depth analysis of semiconductor material. For any new technique to succeed amidst a plethora of competing, proven technologies, it must offer some added advantage. The introductory chapter assesses some of the common electron, ion and laser based techniques already in existence, with which RIS is in direct competition, stressing fundamental problems in use which limit their degree of success. As a preamble to Chapter 2, the process of Resonance Ionisation Spectroscopy is also introduced at this stage. Chapter 2 deals with the physical principles behind RIS and its mass analysis derivative, RIMS, introducing the concept of atomically selective ionisation schemes used to discriminate between elements. A rate equation model, restricted to a three level system, allows determination of the necessary experimental conditions for efficient implementation of the process. In its most common form, with regards to its application to solid sample analysis, RIS is applied in a post-ionisation mode, in which case ion sputtering or laser ablation are employed in the sample vaporisation process. Of the two methods, ion sputtering is by far the more versatile and better understood. Chapter 3 introduces the physical concepts of ion sputtering and erosion and includes the necessary theory for modelling of the experimental conditions. With regard to depth profiling in particular, the factors contributing to the broadening of known concentration profiles are described in detail. A prerequisite for such analysis, is the ability to detect and recognise the species being analysed. To this end, a major portion of the project was devoted to the design and construction of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, responsibility for which was placed solely upon the author. Chapter 4 deals specifically with the instrumentation aspect of the project, detailing the operational principles of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, the various components of the analysis system constructed, the vacuum and laser systems, the ion optical assembly and the sputter ion gun to name but a few. Chapter 5 is the first relating to actual experiments, and provides the basis for an estimate of the operational usefulness of the instrument. Both pulsed secondary ion (SIMS) and resonant ion (RIMS) analyses were carried out on Aluminium and Gallium by the author. The wavelength spectra allow an investigation of the effects of experimental parameters on the resonant process. Chapter 6 describes attempts at depth profiling of aluminium concentration through multilayered structures of GaAs and AlGaAs. During the design stage, familiarity with the problems associated with the secondary ion background prevalent in these experiments, led the author to devise a novel approach to experimental procedure and ion optical design. Chapter 7 discusses the solution in detail, and produces experimental data and computer simulation as confirmation of the usefulness of the method. Recent investigations by the author have led to the development of what has been termed Resonant Laser Ablation (RLA). Chapter 8 introduces this new concept which is derived from the combined mechanisms of laser ablation and resonant ionisation to offer enhancements in sensitivity and selectivity. The technique has generated a great deal of interest due to the possibilities it offers in the field of surface analysis. Experiments, carried out initially by the author and at a later stage in collaboration with Dr. Wang Li of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, on semiconductor and metal samples indicate that RLA may prove to be an interesting alternative technique to existing forms of laser spectrometry. Consequently RLA has become a subject for further investigations within the group. Finally, Chapter 9 discusses briefly the project as a whole and describes some interesting future developments which should enhance the position of RIS/RIMS in the fields of spectrometry and surface analysis

The Terror Experts: Discourse, Discipline, and the Production of Terrorist Subjects at a University Research Center

This thesis examines the production and circulation of discourses related to (counter)terrorism at a university-affiliated terrorism and security studies research center in eastern Massachusetts. Drawing on participant observation, documentary analysis, and interviews with faculty and students at the research center, I suggest that expert discourses of (counter)terrorism at the center traffic in an archetypal construction of the terrorist that I call the “depoliticized radical.” This construction locates the root of terrorism in individual morality and psychology, tending to abstract the terrorist from the political conditions in which they enact violence. I further propose that the depoliticized radical functions as a boundary object in Star and Griesemer’s (1989) conception, serving the interests of both expert regimes that take the terrorist as a subject to be known and counterterror regimes that take the terrorist as a subject to be controlled and/or corrected. Through fine-grained case studies, I track the strategic deployment of the depoliticized radical by different actors at the center within distinctive professional contexts. My discussion of the practices by which actors at the center seek to consolidate their expertise within the contested fields of terrorism studies and security studies draws on and develops Gieryn’s (1983) concept of “boundary-work” as a rhetorical and theatrical strategy for demarcating legitimate from illegitimate knowledges. I conclude by contemplating the political stakes of terrorism expertise as a project of knowledge production that seeks to establish the terrorist as an archetypal subject to be both known and controlled

P-16 You Tell the Tale: Interactive Retellings of the Myth of Orpheus

The author retells the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in an interactive narrative style. The medium encourages readers of the finished project to take an active role in storytelling by deciding what the protagonist does at key moments in the plot; each decision branches out into alternate story paths, allowing the author to draw from multiple versions of the myth in his adaptation, particularly Ovid’s The Metamorphoses and Virgil’s The Georgics. The content chosen for inspiration is based on how it can offer new interpretations of and insight into this retelling of the familiar story

Corporate and Business Law

The past two years have produced a number of pieces of legislation from the Virginia General Assembly that serve to bring the set of Virginia business entity statutes up to date with its peers around the country. Part I highlights changes to the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (“VSCA”) and the Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act (“VNSCA”). Part II highlights changes to the Virginia Securities Act (“VSA”) and other statutes affecting Virginia business entities. Part III reviews two significant cases that the Supreme Court of Virginia decided over the past two years with respect to Virginia corporate law. Those decisions provided guidance on the concept of a foreign company “transacting business” in Virginia, the ability of a foreign company to maintain a suit in Virginia without properly obtaining a certificate from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) as a registered foreign company, and the survival of the “futility exception” with respect to derivative suits by members of a limited liability company (“LLC”)

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) treatment train assessment tool

This paper outlines a rationale and scoring system for the stormwater treatment train assessment tool (STTAT) which is a proposed regulatory tool for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). STTAT provides guidance and regulatory consistency for developers about the requirements of planners and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The tool balances the risks of pollution to the receiving water body with the treatment provided in a treatment train. It encourages developers to take SUDS into account early, avoiding any misunderstanding of SUDS requirements at the planning stage of a development. A pessimistic view on pollution risks has been adopted since there may be a change of land use on the development in the future. A realistic view has also been taken of maintenance issues and the ‘survivability’ of a SUDS component. The development of STTAT as a response to the requirements of the Water Framework Directive is explored, the individual scores being given in tabular format for receiving water and catchment risks. Treatment scores are proposed for single SUDS components as well as multiple components within treatment trains. STTAT has been tested on a range of sites, predominantly in Scotland where both development and receiving water information was known. The operational tool in use by SEPA is presented

SUDS treatment train assessment tool

This paper outlines a rationale and scoring system for the stormwater treatment train assessment tool (STTAT) which is a proposed regulatory tool for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). STTAT provides guidance and regulatory consistency for developers about the requirements of planners and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The tool balances the risks of pollution to the receiving water-body with the treatment provided in a treatment train. It encourages developers to take SUDS into account early, avoiding any misunderstanding of SUDS requirements at the planning stage of a development. A pessimistic view on pollution risks has been adopted since there may be a change of land use on the development in the future. A realistic view has also been taken of maintenance issues and the ‘survivability’ of a SUDS component. The rationale for STTAT as a response to the requirements of the Water Framework Directive is explored and the individual scores are given in tabular format for receiving water and catchment risks. Treatment scores are proposed for single SUDS components as well as multiple components within treatment trains. STTAT has been tested on a range of sites, predominantly in Scotland where both development and receiving water information was known. The operational tool in use by SEPA is presented