ERTS-1 imagery use in reconnaissance prospecting: Evaluation of commercial utility of ERTS-1 imagery in structural reconnaissance for minerals and petroleum

The author has identified the following significant results. This study was performed to investigate applications of ERTS-1 imagery in commercial reconnaissance for mineral and hydrocarbon resources. ERTS-1 imagery collected over five areas in North America (Montana; Colorado; New Mexico-West Texas; Superior Province, Canada; and North Slope, Alaska) has been analyzed for data content including linears, lineaments, and curvilinear anomalies. Locations of these features were mapped and compared with known locations of mineral and hydrocarbon accumulations. Results were analyzed in the context of a simple-shear, block-coupling model. Data analyses have resulted in detection of new lineaments, some of which may be continental in extent, detection of many curvilinear patterns not generally seen on aerial photos, strong evidence of continental regmatic fracture patterns, and realization that geological features can be explained in terms of a simple-shear, block-coupling model. The conculsions are that ERTS-1 imagery is of great value in photogeologic/geomorphic interpretations of regional features, and the simple-shear, block-coupling model provides a means of relating data from ERTS imagery to structures that have controlled emplacement of ore deposits and hydrocarbon accumulations, thus providing a basis for a new approach for reconnaissance for mineral, uranium, gas, and oil deposits and structures

The Efficient Market Hypothesis, Price Multiples, And The German Stock Market

One of the great exercises of financial research is to examine the efficiency of the stock markets. There are many reasons for this endeavor. One is due to the importance efficiency has on the allocation of capital and the impact on economic activity. Others center on the desire to find an exploitable anomaly for active investment management. This paper sought to do both. The paper explores the German stock market over a five year period ending December 31, 2007. The objective was to examine the value of price multiples in developing portfolios that would not only question the efficient market hypothesis for the market but provide an investment tool to achieve above market risk adjusted returns for an active investment style. The paper explored this by creating portfolios of (1) top ranked (low) price multiples and (2) bottom ranked (high) price multiples. Three multiples were chosen. These were (1) Price to Book (PBK); (2) Price to Current Earnings (PEC), and (3) Price to Normalized Earnings (PER). The hypotheses were that low price multiples would outperform, on a risk adjusted basis, high price multiples, and hedged (long/short) would likewise outperform the market on a risk adjusted basis. Support for either of these hypotheses questions the efficiency of the markets and could provide a pragmatic investment strategy. The results of the study suggest not only that the efficiency of the German stock market can be questioned but that a workable investment strategy involving price multiples could be implemented. The results noted that low price multiples outperformed high price multiples in all cases but not necessarily on a risk adjusted basis. Hedged portfolios likewise outperformed the universe and population. Hedged PBK had an Adjusted Sharpe Ratio of 0.50; the Hedged PEC had an Adjusted Sharpe Ratio of 0.30; and the Hedged PER had an Adjusted Sharpe Ratio of 0.23. These should be compared against an Adjusted Sharpe Ratio for the market of 0. Finally, an equally-weighted Hedged position of PBK, PEC, and PER had an Adjusted Sharpe Ratio of 0.44.  

Matrix-assisted ionisation in vacuum mass spectrometry and imaging on a modified quadrupole-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer

Matrix-Assisted Ionisation in Vacuum (MAIV) is a new ionisation technique which ionises non-volatile compounds producing electrospray ionisation-like spectra. Its simple, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-like sample preparation allows for rapid analysis, with no requirement for external energy in the form of a laser or high voltage to produce ions. Ionisation occurs when the matrix (often 3-nitrobenzonitrile) is exposed to sub-ambient pressure. Here, the first use of this revolutionary new ionisation technique to image biological samples is reported. A commercial quadrupole-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer was modified to incorporate control of the ion source pressure and a reduced sampling cone orifice diameter. In initial experiments, optimisation of source pressure and matrix composition was carried out to increase the longevity of ion formation. It was noted during these experiments that ion production was only observed when the sample was directly under the sampling cone. Optimisation of sample extraction into the MAIV matrix by the addition of 5 % chloroform enabled MAIV mass spectrometry imaging of lipids in rat brain sections to be carried out in raster imaging mode. Modification of the size and position of the sampling cone improved the selectivity obtainable in these images. Although the quality of these initial images is relatively poor, work is underway to improve the spatial resolution by further modification of the ion source and progress is reported

ERTS-1 imagery use in reconnaissance prospecting: Evaluation of commercial utility of ERTS-1 imagery in structural reconnaissance for minerals and petroleum

The author has identified the following significant results. Five areas in North America (North Slope-Alaska, Superior Province-Canada, Williston Basin-Montana, Colorado, and New Mexico-West Texas) are being studied for discernibility of geological evidence on ERTS-1 imagery. Evidence mapped is compared with known mineral/hydrocarbon accumulations to determine the value of the imagery in commercial exploration programs. Evaluation has proceeded in the New Mexico-Texas area, and to date, results have been better than expected. Clearly discernible structural lineaments in this area are evident on the photographs. Comparison of this evidence with known major mining localities in New Mexico indicates a clear pattern of coincidence between the lineaments and mining localities. In West Texas, lineament and geomorphological evidence obtainable from the photographs define the petroleum-productive Central Basin Platform. Based on evaluation of results in the New Mexico-West Texas area and on cursory results in the other four areas of North America, it is concluded that ERTS-1 imagery will be extremely valuable in defining the regional and local structure in any commercial exploration program

Validity of a pictorial perceived exertion scale for effort estimation and effort production during stepping exercise in adolescent children

This is the author's PDF version of an article published in European Physical Education Review ©2002. The definitive version is available at http://epe.sagepub.com.Recent developments in the study of paediatric effort perception have continued to emphasise the importance of child-specific rating scales. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of an illustrated 1 – 10 perceived exertion scale; the Pictorial Children’s Effort Rating Table (PCERT). 4 class groups comprising 104 children; 27 boys and 29 girls, aged 12.1±0.3 years and 26 boys, 22 girls, aged 15.3±0.2 years were selected from two schools and participated in the initial development of the PCERT. Subsequently, 48 of these children, 12 boys and 12 girls from each age group were randomly selected to participate in the PCERT validation study. Exercise trials were divided into 2 phases and took place 7 to 10 days apart. During phase 1, children completed 5 x 3-minute incremental stepping exercise bouts interspersed with 2-minute recovery periods. Heart rate (HR) and ratings of exertion were recorded during the final 15 s of each exercise bout. In phase 2 the children were asked to regulate their exercising effort during 4 x 4-minute bouts of stepping so that it matched randomly prescribed PCERT levels (3, 5, 7 and 9). Analysis of data from Phase 1 yielded significant (P<0.01) relationships between perceived and objective (HR) effort measures for girls. In addition, the main effects of exercise intensity on perceived exertion and HR were significant (P<0.01); perceived exertion increased as exercise intensity increased and this was reflected in simultaneous significant rises in HR. During phase 2, HR and estimated power output (POapprox) produced at each of the four prescribed effort levels were significantly different (P<0.01). The children in this study were able to discriminate between 4 different exercise intensities and regulate their exercise intensity according to 4 prescribed levels of perceived exertion. In seeking to contribute towards children’s recommended physical activity levels and helping them understand how to self-regulate their activity, the application of the PCERT within the context of physical education is a desirable direction for future research

Iron (Oxyhydr)Oxides Serve as Phosphate Traps in Tundra and Boreal Peat Soils

Arctic and boreal ecosystems are experiencing pronounced warming that is accelerating decomposition of soil organic matter and releasing greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Future carbon storage in these ecosystems depends on the balance between microbial decomposition and primary production, both of which can be regulated by nutrients such as phosphorus. Phosphorus cycling in tundra and boreal regions is often assumed to occur through biological pathways with little interaction with soil minerals; that is, phosphate released from organic molecules is rapidly assimilated by plants or microorganisms. In contrast to this prevailing conceptual model, we use sequential extractions and spectroscopic techniques to demonstrate that iron (oxyhydr)oxides sequester approximately half of soil phosphate in organic soils from four arctic and boreal sites. Iron (III) (oxyhydr)oxides accumulated in shallow soils of low‐lying, saturated areas where circumneutral pH and the presence of a redox interface promoted iron oxidation and hydrolysis. Soils enriched in short‐range ordered iron oxyhydroxides, which are susceptible to dissolution under anoxic conditions, had high phosphate sorption capacities and maintained low concentrations of soluble phosphate relative to soils containing mostly organic‐bound iron or crystalline iron oxides. Thus, substantial quantities of phosphorus in these organic soils were associated with minerals that could reduce bioavailability but potentially also serve as phosphorus sources under anoxic conditions. The implication of this finding is that mineral surfaces effectively compete with biological processes for phosphate and must be considered as a nutrient regulator in these sensitive ecosystems

A systematic review of school-based sexual health interventions to prevent STI/HIV in sub-Saharan Africa

Background The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains of global significance and there is a need to target (a) the adolescent age-groups in which most new infections occur; and (b) sub-Saharan Africa where the greatest burden of the epidemic lies. A focused systematic review of school-based sexual health interventions in sub-Saharan Africa to prevent HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in this age group was therefore conducted. Methods Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, Cinahl and PsychINFO according to agreed a priori criteria for studies published between 1986 and 2006. Further searches were conducted in UNAIDS and WHO (World Health Organization) websites, and 'Google'. Relevant journals were hand-searched and references cited in identified articles were followed up. Data extraction and quality assessment was carried out on studies selected for full text appraisal, and results were analysed and presented in narrative format. Results Some 1,020 possible titles and abstracts were found, 23 full text articles were critically appraised, and 12 articles (10 studies) reviewed, reflecting the paucity of published studies conducted relative to the magnitude of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Knowledge and attitude-related outcomes were the most associated with statistically significant change. Behavioural intentions were more difficult to change and actual behaviour change was least likely to occur. Behaviour change in favour of abstinence and condom use appeared to be greatly influenced by pre-intervention sexual history. Conclusion There is a great need in sub-Saharan Africa for well-evaluated and effective school-based sexual health interventions