Engineering geology maps of the UK

School and university students of geology, engineering geology and geotechnical engineering generally have less knowledge of engineering geological conditions than those who have had experience of hands-on research or practice. In the UK, the number of geology, geoscience and earth science departments has reduced over the past 25 years. Engineering geology has a very weak academic base and geology is taught less to civil engineering students than previously

3D geological modelling at the British Geological Survey (BGS)

This version of this talk '3D geological modelling at the British Geological Survey (BGS)' by David Entwisle, with contributions of many others from the BGS, contains all the slides presented at the NTU-BCA Workshop on the 3D Geological Modelling BCA Academy, NTU, Singapore, 17 January 2019 for which permission was granted. The talk lasted about 53 minutes of the allocated hour. It also contains additional slides that provide more background to the talk, helping explain a number of points. An additional modelling method is also included i.e. voxel and other features of uncertainty/confidence. After conversations at the meeting and elsewhere, the importance of understanding the geology (conceptual ground model), the quality of the data and the documentation about the model are also included. BGS Minecraft is also mentioned

The application of 3D geological models : the BGS experience

This version of this talk 'The application of 3D geological models : the BGS experience' by David Entwisle, with contributions of many others from the BGS, contains all the slides presented at the public seminar at Nanyang Technology University, Singapore, 15 January 2019. A few changes and additions have been made to take into consideration the animations used and to anonymizes some of the slides. The talk lasted about 53 minutes of the allocated hour. It also contains additional slides that provide more background to the talk, helping explain a number of points

Engineering geology and geotechnical summary of central Glasgow in the vicinity of the UK Geoenergy Observatories field sites

This report presents the engineering and geotechnical properties of the geological units that will be encountered in the Glasgow UK Geoenergy Observatories (UKGEOS) site and environs, Glasgow. The data is from third party ground investigations provided by client, consultants and contractors. The data is extracted from analogue reports (paper or pdf files) or is ‘downloaded’ from Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialist (AGS) data transfer file and stored in the BGS National Geotechnical Properties Database from where it was accessed. As there is limited data nearby the proposed UKGEOS sites the data is from a wider area most notably for the deeper bedrock. The first part of the report briefly introduces the UKGEOS project and the context of this report. Section 2 shows where the UKGEOS site locations and the target formation for the low enthalpy energy. Section 3 gives the borehole locations of the different parameters. Section 4 is about the engineering geology of the different geological units and includes engineering descriptions, various graphs of the different geotechnical parameters and gives a brief interpretation of the data

3D geological models and their hydrogeological applications : supporting urban development : a case study in Glasgow-Clyde, UK

Urban planners and developers in some parts of the United Kingdom can now access geodata in an easy-to-retrieve and understandable format. 3D attributed geological framework models and associated GIS outputs, developed by the British Geological Survey (BGS), provide a predictive tool for planning site investigations for some of the UK's largest regeneration projects in the Thames and Clyde River catchments. Using the 3D models, planners can get a 3D preview of properties of the subsurface using virtual cross-section and borehole tools in visualisation software, allowing critical decisions to be made before any expensive site investigation takes place, and potentially saving time and money. 3D models can integrate artificial and superficial deposits and bedrock geology, and can be used for recognition of major resources (such as water, thermal and sand and gravel), for example in buried valleys, groundwater modelling and assessing impacts of underground mining. A preliminary groundwater recharge and flow model for a pilot area in Glasgow has been developed using the 3D geological models as a framework. This paper focuses on the River Clyde and the Glasgow conurbation, and the BGS's Clyde Urban Super-Project (CUSP) in particular, which supports major regeneration projects in and around the City of Glasgow in the West of Scotland

Datos del subsuelo y su conocimiento para las Ciudades del Mañana: lecciones aprendidas de Glasgow y su aplicabilidad en otros lugares

El conocimiento del subsuelo es de vital importancia en la planificación y ejecución exitosa de proyectos de construcción y regeneración urbanas. Para abordar en el área de Glasgow éste y otros temas del subsuelo urbano (por ejemplo, la planificación, las inundaciones, la contaminación), el proyecto Clyde-Urban Super-Project (CUSP) del Servicio Geológico Británico (BGS, por sus siglas en inglés) ha desarrollado modelos 3D y 4D del subsuelo. Asimismo, se han producido otros conjuntos de datos de geociencias (geoquímica, agua subterránea, geología de ingeniería). Los modelos basados en información obtenida de decenas de miles de perforaciones y otras fuentes, proporcionan nuevos conocimientos sobre: la geología compleja de Glasgow, los impactos de su legado industrial, y las oportunidades para aprovechar el calor de las explotaciones mineras abandonadas. Para que los modelos y datos del proyecto CUSP fueran más accesibles, el BGS y el Ayuntamiento de Glasgow, socio clave, han establecido una red para acceder al conocimiento del subsuelo (ASK, por sus siglas en inglés). Esta red permite el intercambio de datos y conocimientos, implicando a socios de los sectores público y privado. ASK promueve el libre flujo digital de datos del subsuelo y el conocimiento entre sus socios. Las lecciones aprendidas en Glasgow se comparten a través de la Acción Europea COST (Sub-Urban), centrada en el uso sostenible del subsuelo urbano, y en la transformación de las relaciones entre los que desarrollan el conocimiento del subsuelo urbano y los que pueden beneficiarse más de él, los planificadores y promotores de las ciudades del futuro

Proteome and phosphoproteome analysis of brown adipocytes reveals that RICTOR loss dampens global insulin/AKT signaling

Stimulating brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity represents a promising therapy for overcoming metabolic diseases. mTORC2 is important for regulating BAT metabolism, but its downstream targets have not been fully characterized. In this study, we apply proteomics and phosphoproteomics to investigate the downstream effectors of mTORC2 in brown adipocytes. We compare wild-type controls to isogenic cells with an induced knockout of the mTORC2 subunit RICTOR (Rictor-iKO) by stimulating each with insulin for a 30-minute time course. In Rictor-iKO cells, we identify decreases to the abundance of glycolytic and de novo lipogenesis enzymes, and increases to mitochondrial proteins as well as a set of proteins known to increase upon interferon stimulation. We also observe significant differences to basal phosphorylation due to chronic RICTOR loss including decreased phosphorylation of the lipid droplet protein perilipin-1 in Rictor-iKO cells, suggesting that RICTOR could be involved with regulating basal lipolysis or droplet dynamics. Finally, we observe mild dampening of acute insulin signaling response in Rictor-iKO cells, and a subset of AKT substrates exhibiting statistically significant dependence on RICTOR.Fil: Entwisle, Samuel W.. University of Washington; Estados UnidosFil: Martinez Calejman, Camila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Valente, Anthony S.. University of Washington; Estados UnidosFil: Lawrence, Robert T.. University of Washington; Estados UnidosFil: Hung, Chien Min. University Of Massachussets. Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Guertin, David A.. University Of Massachussets. Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Villen, Judit. University of Washington; Estados Unido

The mineralogy and fabric of 'Brickearths' in Kent, UK and their relationship to engineering behaviour

Mineralogical and petrographical investigation of two loessic brickearth profiles from Ospringe and Pegwell Bay in north Kent, UK have differentiated two types of brickearth fabric that can be correlated with different engineering behaviour. Both sequences comprise metastable (collapsing) calcareous brickearth, overlain by non collapsing ‘non-calcareous’ brickearth. This study has demonstrated that the two types of brickearth are discretely different sedimentary units, with different primary sedimentary characteristics and an erosional junction between the two units. A palaeosol is developed on the calcareous brickearth, and is associated with the formation of rhizolithic calcrete indicating an arid or semi-arid environment. No evidence has been found for decalcification being responsible for the fabric of the upper ‘non-calcareous’ brickearth. Optically-stimulated dates lend further support for the calcareous and ‘non-calcareous’ brickearth horizons being of different age or origins. The calcareous brickearth is metastable in that it undergoes rapid collapse settlement when wetted under applied stresses. It is characterised by an open-packed arrangement of clay-coated, silt-sized quartz particles and pelletised aggregate grains (peds) of compacted silt and clay, supported by an interped matrix of loosely packed, silt/fine-grained sand, in which the grains are held in place by a skeletal framework of illuviated clay. The illuviated clay forms bridges and pillars separating and binding the dispersed component silt/sand grains. There is little direct grain-to-grain contact and the resultant fabric has a very high voids ratio. Any applied load is largely supported by these delicate clay bridge and pillar microfabrics. Collapse of this brickearth fabric can be explained by a sequence of processes involving: (1) dispersion and disruption of the grain-bridging clay on saturation, leading to initial rapid collapse of the loose packed inter-ped silt/sand; (2) rearrangement and closer stacking of the compact aggregate silt/clay peds; (3) with increasing stress further consolidation may result from deformation and break up of the peds as they collapse into the inter-ped regions. Smectite is a significant component of the clay assemblage and will swell on wetting, further encouraging disruption and breaking of the clay bonds. In contrast, the ‘non-calcareous’ brickearth already possesses a close-packed and interlocking arrangement of silt/sand grains with only limited scope for further consolidation under load. Minor authigenic calcite and dolomite may also form meniscus cements between silt grains. These have either acted as ‘‘scaffolds’’ on which illuviated clay has subsequently been deposited or have encrusted earlier formed grain-bridging clay. In either case, the carbonate cements may help to reinforce the clay bridge fabrics. However, these carbonate features are a relatively minor feature and not an essential component of the collapsible brickearth fabric. Cryoturbation and micromorphological features indicate that the calcareous brickearth fabric has probably been developed through periglacial freeze–thaw processes. Freezing could have produced the compact silt/clay aggregates and an open porous soil framework containing significant inter-ped void space. Silt and clay were remobilised and translocated deeper into the soil profile by water percolating through the active layer of the sediment profile during thawing cycles, to form the loosed packed inter-ped silt matrix and grain-bridging meniscus clay fabrics. In contrast, the upper ‘non-calcareous’ brickearth may represent a head or solifluction deposit. Mass movement during solifluction will have destroyed any delicate grain-bridging clay microfabrics that may have been present in this material

Corrected and Republished from: "A Novel, Multiple-Antigen Pneumococcal Vaccine Protects against Lethal Streptococcus pneumoniae Challenge"

Current vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae uses vaccines based on capsular polysaccharides from selected serotypes and has led to nonvaccine serotype replacement disease. We have investigated an alternative serotype-independent approach, using multiple-antigen vaccines (MAV) prepared from S. pneumoniae TIGR4 lysates enriched for surface proteins by a chromatography step after culture under conditions that induce expression of heat shock proteins (Hsp; thought to be immune adjuvants). Proteomics and immunoblot analyses demonstrated that, compared to standard bacterial lysates, MAV was enriched with Hsps and contained several recognized protective protein antigens, including pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and pneumolysin (Ply). Vaccination of rodents with MAV induced robust antibody responses to multiple serotypes, including nonpneumococcal conjugate vaccine serotypes. Homologous and heterologous strains of S. pneumoniae were opsonized after incubation in sera from vaccinated rodents. In mouse models, active vaccination with MAV significantly protected against pneumonia, while passive transfer of rabbit serum from MAV-vaccinated rabbits significantly protected against sepsis caused by both homologous and heterologous S. pneumoniae strains. Direct comparison of MAV preparations made with or without the heat shock step showed no clear differences in protein antigen content and antigenicity, suggesting that the chromatography step rather than Hsp induction improved MAV antigenicity. Overall, these data suggest that the MAV approach may provide serotype-independent protection against S. pneumoniae

The Glasgow (Scotland) geotechnical GIS: a desk study tool

Desk study is an essential part of all civil engineering project ground investigations. It is usually a collation and review of existing data and information about a site and, in some cases, the surrounding area, and carried out at an early stage of the ground investigation to inform and guide the ground investigation. It should provide suitable data and information to assess the ground conditions and the implications for the proposed engineering design. A similar approach can be taken to inform local, regional or national government with regard to development and the redevelopment of urban areas where ground investigation data and information are available. This paper describes a spatially defined geotechnical information system (GIS) designed to provide geological, geotechnical and geoenvironmental data and information for Glasgow City Council (Scotland). The system contains three main parts: the geology (bedrock, Quaternary and artificial deposits and the thickness and depth of these deposits); the data are presented as various summary graphs illustrating the variation of various parameters as well as a geotechnical and geoenvironmental database; and tools specifically developed to present the data. As undermining is a hazard in part of Glasgow, a dataset showing the distribution of mining is included. Further interpretation of the characteristics of the geological units has produced an engineering geological classification which may be used to provide rapid assessment of the engineering geological conditions