Subsurface biodegradation of crude oil in a fractured basement reservoir, Shropshire, UK

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Geochemistry and origin of organic-rich sediment veins in fractured granitic basement, Helmsdale, Sutherlandshire, UK

Acknowledgements MB is in receipt of a PhD studentship from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund of Nigeria. LB is supported by NERC grant NE/M010953/1. C. Taylor, W. Ritchie and J. Johnston provided skilled technical support. Sulphur isotope measurements were made at SUERC. The manuscript benefitted substantially from the careful reviews of A.G. Leslie and an anonymous referee.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL POLYMER ADDITIVE ON THE PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE CONCRETE

This research investigated the effect of Renolith chemical polymer additive (RCPA) on the properties of expanded polystyrene (ESP) concrete. Renolith chemical additive is a polymer-based product in a liquid form made up of latex and cellulose. Polystyrene panels were collected as a waste materials and grinded into smaller beads. An experimental investigation was carried out on the EPS replacement ranging from 0% to 100% on the M30 (C25/C30) mix design. Engineering properties, such as workability, density, water absorption, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength tests, were studied for both the conventional and EPS concrete. The results indicate that workability increases with increasing amount of EPS contents. Water absorption, compressive, tensile, and flexural strength yielded a satisfactory result at 0-50% replacement. The density of the EPS concrete at 0-37.5% replacement revealed similar values to a conventional concrete; and light-weight concrete (1817.5 - 1030 kg⁄m3) was achieved at a 50-100% replacement. Generally, the addition of the RCPA to the concrete mix has caused an improvement in the properties of the EPS concrete. It was concluded that EPS beads can be used as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates in the production of both structural light-weight and dense concrete. The replacement of coarse aggregate with EPS beads showed a positive application as an alternative material for the construction industry

Quartz-amethyst hosted hydrocarbon-bearing fluid inclusions from the green ridge breccia in the snoqualmie granite, North Cascades,WA, USA

We wish to acknowledge the constructive criticisms made by the three anonymous reviewers.Their suggestions and comments greatly improved the first version of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Oil charge and biodegradation history in an exhumed fractured reservoir, Devonian, UK

Fluid inclusion data were determined by J. Kelly. JK and MB were in receipt of PhD studentships from the Department of Education (Northern Ireland) and PTDF (Nigeria) respectively. We are grateful to Geology Honours classes from the University of Aberdeen for help in collecting data, and to two constructive reviews of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPostprin

An Assesesment of the Impact of Microfinance Schemes on Poverty Reduction among Women in Ghana

Microfinance schemes which provide financial services such as (micro) credit, insurance and savings to the poor have become popular tools in the fight against poverty in Ghana. The popular assumption is that enabling poor households with access to credit helps households begin small and medium scale business which would enable them improve their incomes and eventually escape poverty. The main objective of this research was to analyze microfinance schemes on household income as well as measure household vulnerability to poverty after access to microfinance. The study used qualitative and quantitative research methods and approaches in the collection and analysing data. The results indicate a positive and significant impact of microfinance on household income. The research therefore argues that there is a role played by microfinance institutions on the improvement of household incomes. The research also reasserts that providing affordable financial services to the rural population still remains to be an important component of development strategy. On the other hand the research emphasizes that there is need to come up with innovative microfinance schemes that are supportive of their own role in assets accumulation and wealth creation for their clients. This will involve innovative targeting of potential clients, as well as streamlined microfinance regulations to protect their clients. Key Words: Microfinance, Poverty, Financial products and services, Development Strateg

Association between perceived chewing ability and oral health-related quality of life in partially dentate patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>One of the most immediate and important functional consequences of many oral disorders is a reduction in chewing ability. The ability to chew is not only an important dimension of oral health, but is increasingly recognized as being associated with general health status. Whether perceived chewing ability and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) are correlated to a similar degree in patient populations has been less investigated. The aim of this study was to examine whether perceived chewing ability was related to OHRQoL in partially dentate patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Consecutive partially dentate patients (N = 489) without signs or symptoms of acute oral disease at Tokyo Medical and Dental University's Prosthodontic Clinic participated in the study (mean age 63.0 ± 11.5, 71.2% female). A 20-item chewing function questionnaire (score range 0 to 20) was used to assess perceived chewing ability, with higher scores indicating better chewing ability. The 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile-Japanese version (OHIP-J14, score range 0 to 56) was used to measure OHRQoL, with higher scores indicating poorer OHRQoL. A Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the correlation between the two questionnaire summary scores. A linear regression analysis was used to describe how perceived chewing ability scores were related to OHRQoL scores.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean chewing function score was 12.1 ± 4.8 units. The mean OHIP-J14 summary score was 13.0 ± 9.1 units. Perceived chewing ability and OHRQoL were significantly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient: -0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.52 to -0.38), indicating that higher chewing ability was correlated with lower OHIP-J14 summary scores (p < 0.001), which indicate better OHRQoL. A 1.0-unit increase in chewing function scores was related to a decrease of 0.87 OHIP-J14 units (95% CI: -1.0 to -0.72, p < 0.001). The correlation between perceived chewing ability and OHRQoL was not substantially influenced by age and number of teeth, but by gender, years of schooling, treatment demand and denture status.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients' perception of their chewing ability was substantially related to their OHRQoL.</p

Comparative study and prevalence of plasmodium falciparum among children and pregnant women attending General Hospital, Lapai, Nigeria

Malaria is a life threatening disease caused by Plasmodium sp that is transmitted to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The Plasmodium falciparum specie have been confirmed to affects the lives of almost 40% of the world’s population with pregnant women and children under-five years of age being the most affected. Malaria infection during pregnancy is an important public health problem with substantial risks to both the mother and foetus. This study was undertaken to determine malarial infection among children and pregnant women attending General Hospital Lapai, Niger state, Nigeria with the intent to compare two methods of Rapid diagnostic test (RDTs) and microscopy in the diagnosis of malaria. A cross-sectional and Hospital-based surveillance study was conducted on 150 patients by collecting blood samples from children and pregnant women attending General Hospital Lapai, Niger state. Blood samples were collected and examined for the presence of Plasmodium sp by rapid diagnostic test (RDT), and mp microscopy. A total of 75 pregnant women and 75 children were sampled for malaria parasites infection. Out of the 75 samples collected from children under the age of 5 years, a total of 58 (77.3%) participants were found positive using Microscopy and 26 (34.7%) positive using RDTs technique. The findings demonstrated that Mp microscopy for detection of malaria P. falciparum was highly sensitive (80.7%) as compared to RDT (44.7%). And out of the 75 samples collected from pregnant women, a total of 63 (84.0%) participants were found positive using Microscopy and 41 (54.7%) positive using RDTs technique. The results obtained suggested that microscopy remains the gold standard method for diagnosis of malarial infection, although the HRP-2 pf RDTs can be used where microscopy is not available and in cases where urgent malaria diagnosis is needed. The sensitivity and specificity of the RDT kit used (Care startTM malaria Pf (HRP2) Ag RDT) were 98% and 97.5% respectively. This study recorded high prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among pregnant women and children (63 (84.0%) Microscopy and 41 (54.7%) RDTs technique and 58 (77.3%) Microscopy and 26 (34.7%) RDTs technique respectively), attending General Hospital Lapai, Niger State. Regular environmental sanitation to dislodge mosquitoes from their breeding places will go a long way to reduce prevalence of malaria, and early antenatal booking for effective monitoring and prompt treatment of malaria in pregnancy will contribute significantly in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality, and its perinatal mortality. Routine intermittent preventive treatment of malaria is recommended for pregnant women in this area