Reconstruction of multi-decadal groundwater level time-series using a lumped conceptual model

Multi-decadal groundwater level records, which provide information about long-term variability and trends, are relatively rare. Whilst a number of studies have sought to reconstruct river flow records, there have been few attempts to reconstruct groundwater level time-series over a number of decades. Using long rainfall and temperature records, we developed and applied a methodology to do this using a lumped conceptual model. We applied the model to six sites in the UK, in four different aquifers: Chalk, limestone, sandstone and Greensand. Acceptable models of observed monthly groundwater levels were generated at four of the sites, with maximum Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency scores of between 0.84 and 0.93 over the calibration and evaluation periods, respectively. These four models were then used to reconstruct the monthly groundwater level time-series over approximately 60 years back to 1910. Uncertainty in the simulated levels associated with model parameters was assessed using the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation method. Known historical droughts and wet period in the UK are clearly identifiable in the reconstructed levels, which were compared using the Standardized Groundwater Level Index. Such reconstructed records provide additional information with which to improve estimates of the frequency, severity and duration of groundwater level extremes and their spatial coherence, which for example is important for the assessment of the yield of boreholes during drought period

Groundwater drought forecasting using lumped conceptual models

For fractured aquifers, such as the Cretaceous Chalk, autocorrelation in SGI (Bloomfield & Marchant, 2013) has been inferred to be primarily related to autocorrelation in the recharge time series, while in granular aquifers, such as the Permo– Triassic sandstones, autocorrelation in SGI is inferred to be primarily a function of intrinsic saturated flow and storage properties of aquife

Dynamic response of full-scale sandwich composite structures subject to air-blast loading

Glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) sandwich structures (1.6 m × 1.3 m) were subject to 30 kg charges of C4 explosive at stand-off distances 8–14 m. Experiments provide detailed data for sandwich panel response, which are often used in civil and military structures, where air-blast loading represents a serious threat. High-speed photography, with digital image correlation (DIC), was employed to monitor the deformation of these structures during the blasts. Failure mechanisms were revealed in the DIC data, confirmed in post-test sectioning. The experimental data provides for the development of analytical and computational models. Moreover, it underlines the importance of support boundary conditions with regards to blast mitigation. These findings were analysed further in finite element simulations, where boundary stiffness was, as expected, shown to strongly influence the panel deformation. In-depth parametric studies are ongoing to establish the hierarchy of the various factors that influence the blast response of sandwich composite structures

Testing minimum energy with powerful radio sources in clusters of galaxies

We analyze ROSAT data for cluster gas surrounding powerful radio galaxies, which is well fitted by a ``beta-model'' gas distribution, after allowing for a compact central source. The cluster thermal pressure at the distance of the radio lobes is typically an order of magnitude larger than the lobe minimum pressure. Since radio lobes are sharply-bounded, the missing pressure is not simply entrained intra-cluster gas. Thus the minimum energy in the lobes is a severe underestimate of the actual energy content. We argue that the extra energy is mostly in the form of particles, so that the magnetic field is below equipartition and thus not a major factor in the lobe dynamics. The large departure from minimum energy has far-reaching implications for the nature of AGN central engines and the supply of mechanical energy to the cluster gas.Comment: 6 pages, including 2 figures, to appear in `Life Cycles of Radio Galaxies', ed. J. Biretta et al., New Astronomy Review

Book Reviews

Book Review 1Book Title: The Asian Elephant: Ecology and ManagementBook Author: R. SukumarCambridge University Press, 1989. Paperback edition 1991. 255 pp. ISBN: 0-521-360aO-3-XBook Review 2Book Title: Key to Parasitic NematodesBook Author: Edited by K.I. SkryabinPrinted by Amerind Publishing Co., New Delhi, distributed by E.J. Brill, Leiden, The Netherlands (1991). 4 Volumes; 1097 pages.Book Review 3Book Title: Fauna Iberica, Vol. 1. Mollusca CephalopodaBook Author: Angel Guerra SierraMuseo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Madrid, 1992. 327 pages and 19 colour photographs.Book Review 4Book Title: Roberts' Birds of Southern AfricaBook Author: Gordon L. Maclean6th edition 1993. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. Cape Town.Book Review 5Book Title: Biochemical ProtozoologyBook Authors: Edited by Graham Coombs & Michael NorthTaylor & Francis Ltd, London/Washington DC 1991. 55 Chapters; 635 pages. ISBN 0-7484-0001-X.Book Review 6Book Title: The Living Deserts of Southern AfricaBook Author: Barry G. LovegroveFernwood Press, Vlaeberg (Cape Town), 1993. ISBN 0-9583154-7-7

Coupling to haloform molecules in intercalated C60?

For field-effect-doped fullerenes it was reported that the superconducting transition temperature Tc is markedly larger for C60.2CHX_3 (X=Cl, Br) crystals, than for pure C60. Initially this was explained by the expansion of the volume per C60-molecule and the corresponding increase in the density of states at the Fermi level in the intercalated crystals. On closer examination it has, however, turned out to be unlikely that this is the mechanism behind the increase in Tc. An alternative explanation of the enhanced transition temperatures assumes that the conduction electrons not only couple to the vibrational modes of the C60-molecule, but also to the modes of the intercalated molecules. We investigate the possibility of such a coupling. We find that, assuming the ideal bulk structure of the intercalated crystal, both a coupling due to hybridization of the molecular levels, and a coupling via dipole moments should be very small. This suggests that the presence of the gate-oxide in the field-effect-devices strongly affects the structure of the fullerene crystal at the interface.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, to be published in PRB (rapid communication

Resistant and Susceptible Sorghum

In the year 2015, the USA produced 597 Million bushels of sorghum and planted 7.85 million acres. Kansas produced 281.6 million bushels and planted 3.2 million acres. With Green bug aphid and the sugarcane aphid a major pest of the sorghum crop in Kansas and sorghum being the 3rd top crop commodity in Kansas if a big infestation comes in could hurt agriculture industry as a whole. In the sorghum industry they have developed varieties that are resistance to specific types of aphids but one variety maybe resistance to one type of aphid but susceptible to another type. My project was to compare two type of aphids on 2 different varieties of sorghum and see how a resistance variety and a susceptible variety are affected by aphids. The resistance varieties will have less damage done by the aphids to the plant compared to the susceptible variety. These results are important in the state of Kansas due to Kansas being ranked 7th in the nation in agriculture production. Being an Animal Science and Industries major with the production option, milo seed is a product of sorghum, similar to corn and sometimes cheaper, we can use milo seed in feed to produce the same amount in livestock industry for less money so our production can be more profitable

Molecular structures and vibrations of neutral and anionic CuOx (x = 1-3,6) clusters

We report equilibrium geometric structures of CuO2, CuO3, CuO6, and CuO clusters obtained by an all-electron linear combination of atomic orbitals scheme within the density-functional theory with generalized gradient approximation to describe the exchange-correlation effects. The vibrational stability of all clusters is examined on the basis of the vibrational frequencies. A structure with Cs symmetry is found to be the lowest-energy structure for CuO2, while a -shaped structure with C2v symmetry is the most stable structure for CuO3. For the larger CuO6 and CuO clusters, several competitive structures exist with structures containing ozonide units being higher in energy than those with O2 units. The infrared and Raman spectra are calculated for the stable optimal geometries. ~Comment: Uses Revtex4, (Better quality figures can be obtained from authors

DFT calculation of the intermolecular exchange interaction in the magnetic Mn4_4 dimer

The dimeric form of the single-molecule magnet [Mn$_4$O$_3$Cl$_4$(O$_2$CEt)$_3$(py)$_3$]$_2$ recently revealed interesting phenomena: no quantum tunneling at zero field and tunneling before magnetic field reversal. This is attributed to substantial antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between different monomers. The intermolecular exchange interaction, electronic structure and magnetic properties of this molecular magnet are calculated using density-functional theory within generalized-gradient approximation. Calculations are in good agreement with experiment.Comment: 4 page

A comparative study of electronic cigarette vapour extracts on airway-related cell lines in vitro

The use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) is rapidly increasing worldwide; however, scientific evidence regarding EC cytotoxicity is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute cytotoxicity of EC vapor extract (ECE) on airway-related cells in vitro. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE), vapor extract of fifteen brands/flavors of ECs and the extract from the E-vehicle (propylene glycol and glycerin) was collected. Extracts, in concentrations of 100–12.5%, were added to human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B, IB3-1 and C38), fibroblast (Wi-38) and macrophage (J774 and THP-1) cell lines. Viability was assessed after 24 h using a standard XTT assay. Viability of <70% of control (no extract) was considered cytotoxic according to UNI EN ISO 10993-5 standards. CSE displayed a concentration-dependent influence on cell viability across all four cell lines with 100% producing the most toxic effect, therefore validating the model and indicating higher cytotoxicity than in ECEs. ECEs did reduce viability although this was not correlated with nicotine content or the E-vehicle. However, several flavors proved cytotoxic, with variation between different brands and cell lines. These data indicate that not all ECs are the same and that use of a particular flavor or brand may have differing effects. The cell line used is also an important factor. More research is crucial to ascertain the health effects of different ECs before they can be accepted as a safe alternative to tobacco cigarettes