Uranium distribution as a proxy for basin-scale fluid flow in distributive fluvial systems

This work was supported by the Fluvial Systems Research Group sponsors BG Group, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhilips, and Total. We thank reviews from Martin Stokes, an anonymous reviewer and Editor Stuart Jones.Peer reviewedPostprin

Screening of the transcriptional regulatory regions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has neurotrophic activity which is mediated by its main agonist receptor, VEGFR2. Dysregulation of VEGF causes motor neurone degeneration in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and expression of VEGFR2 is reduced in motor neurones and spinal cord of patients with ALS. Methods We have screened the promoter region and 4 exonic regions of functional significance of the VEGFR2 gene in a UK population of patients with ALS, for mutations and polymorphisms that may affect expression or function of this VEGF receptor. Results No mutations were identified in the VEGFR2 gene. We found no association between polymorphisms in the regulatory regions of the VEGFR2 gene and ALS. Conclusion Mechanisms other than genetic variation may downregulate expression or function of the VEGFR2 receptor in patients with ALS

Quantification of a distributive fluvial system; the Salt Wash DFS of the Morrison Formation, SW USA

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Hemiparasitic plant impacts animal and plant communities across four trophic levels

1.Understanding the impact of species on community structure is a fundamental question in ecology. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that both sub-dominant species and parasites can have a disproportionately large impact. 2.Here we report the impacts of an organism that is both subdominant and parasitic, the hemiparasite Rhinanthus minor. Whilst the impact of parasitic angiosperms on their hosts and, to a lesser degree, co-existing plant species, have been well characterized, much less is known about their impacts on higher trophic levels. 3.We experimentally manipulated field densities of the hemiparasite Rhinanthus minor in a species rich grassland, comparing the plant and invertebrate communities in plots where it was removed, at natural densities or at enhanced densities. 4.Plots with natural and enhanced densities of R. minor had lower plant biomass than plots without the hemiparasite, but enhanced densities almost doubled the abundance of invertebrates within the plots across all trophic levels, with effects evident in herbivores, predators and detritivores. 5.The hemiparasite R. minor, despite being a sub-dominant and transient component within plant communities that it inhabits, has profound effects on four different trophic levels. These effects persist beyond the life of the hemiparasite, emphasizing its role as a keystone species in grassland communitie

Feasibility analysis of reciprocating magnetic heat pumps

The conceptual design selected for detailed system analysis and optimization is the reciprocating gadolinium core in a regenerative fluid column within the bore of a superconducting magnet. The thermodynamic properties of gadolinium are given. A computerized literature search for relevant papers was conducted and is being analyzed. Contact was made with suppliers of superconducting magnets and accessories, magnetic materials, and various types of hardware. A description of the model for the thermal analysis of the core and regenerator fluids is included

The influence of stratigraphy and facies distribution on reservoir quality and production performance in the Triassic Skagerrak Formation of the UK and Norwegian Central North Sea

Acknowledgements The Triassic Phase 2 Consortium members; BP, Total, JX Nippon & Cairn Energy are gratefully acknowledged for their support of this work. All reviewers are thanked for their comments and additions which undoubtedly improved the manuscript. Funding The work behind this paper was funded by a grant from the Triassic JIP Phase 2 award to AH.Peer reviewedPostprin

Attitudes towards asylum seekers: Evaluating a mature-aged community education programme

The arrival of asylum seekers and refugees across a nation’s border is often the subject of contested debate in many Western nations. Australian research finds unacceptable levels of community prejudice against asylum seekers (e.g., Klocker, 2004; Suhnan et al., in press). Compared to other Western nations, Australia receives relatively few asylum seekers. For example, the UNHCR (2011) finds that of the top 15 receiving Western countries, Australia is ranked 13th. Despite Australia’s comparatively small number of asylum applications, those who arrive unauthorised (i.e., without a valid visa) are subject to mandatory detention whereby they are held in an immigration detention centre until they receive a visa and security clearance; sometimes this can take years (Briskman et al., 2008). There is considerable evidence showing that mandatory detention has an extremely detrimental effect on asylum seekers’ mental health (e.g., Davidson et al., 2008; The Australian Psychological Society, 2011)