High-resolution outcrop gamma-ray spectrometry of the Lower Lias, Southern Britain

A detailed stratigraphic analysis of the Lower Lias of southern Britain using the technique of gamma-ray spectrometry is presented. Gamma-ray data were collected, at the maximum stratigraphic resolution possible, from the Rhaetian to Pliensbachian successions exposed in southern Britain in the Bristol Channel Basin, Wessex Basin and East Midland Shelf. The data, in the form of measured gamma-ray signatures and hence geochemical profiles, is placed within a biostratigraphic framework. The outcrop gamma-ray logs collected from the Somerset coast (Rhaetian - Lower Sinemurian) can be subdivided, on the basis of both total gamma-ray signature and elemental log-signature into 9 gamma-ray units. These units are at a higher level of resolution than the single LL 1 gamma-ray unit defined by Whittaker et al (1985) for the Blue Lias in the subsurface. Outcrop gamma-ray correlation is possible between Somerset and Glamorgan, in some cases at a resolution greater than that offered by ammonite subzonal biostratigraphy. This resolution of correlation suggests the presence of a stratigraphic gap in Somerset within the johnstoni Subzone of the planorbis Zone. The outcrop gamma-ray logs collected from the Dorset coast (Rhaetian - Pliensbachian) can be divided into 10 gamma-ray units. These gamma-ray units can be correlated with the subsurface succession in the Winterborne Kingston and the Burton Row boreholes. The ability to correlate across numerous fault blocks and between different basins suggests that the controls upon gamma-ray signature were probably regional. A model is presented in which the degree of detrital influence within a fine grained mud and pelagic carbonate depositional system can be qualitatively assessed. Proximal and distal mudrock facies can be identified from the Th concentration log with proximal facies characterised by a Th concentration 10 ppm and above and distal facies characterised by a Th concentration of 8 ppm and below. The Th concentration log can also be used to determine intervals of mudrock progradation (increasing Th concentration) and retrogradation (decreasing Th concentration). These signatures can be interpreted within a sequence stratigraphic framework, of which the genetic stratigraphic model of Galloway (1989) is most applicable to the Lower Lias of southern Britain. The succession can be divided into eight genetic stratigraphic sequences. Maximum flooding surfaces are inferred at condensed limestone horizons of low Th concentration. The distal expression of the sequence boundary (the correlative conformity) is inferred at horizons of highest Th concentration. The development of anoxia within the epeiric sea can only partly be explained in terms of sequence stratigraphy with anoxia developing during periods of relative sea-level fall and rise or not at all.</p

A Critique of the Strategic Competitive Intelligence Process within a Global Energy Multinational

Two competitive intelligence processes within a Global Energy Multinational are critically analyzed-Competitive Strategic Business Intelligence (CIAD) and Competitive Technical Intelligence (CTI). It has been found that the CIAD process is linear and carried out by small team of analysts from which intelligence moves upward to be actioned at the highest levels of a layered organization. There is limited feedback and knowledge sharing. In contrast the CTI approach follows a networked model, with competitive intelligence viewed as individual line responsibility. Intelligence information passes laterally, upward and downward through a flat organizational structure. Consequently these models can be viewed as a response to a variance of styles of management and organizational structure within the organization. A key stumbling block is found to be an organizational culture that prevents open knowledge sharing. The use of technology is identified to be a key enabler allowing transparency and rapid transfer of intelligence across the organization, and thereby facilitating a knowledge-sharing culture. Knowledge management and competitive intelligence are therefore viewed as intimately related. A successful competitive intelligence process requires attention to cultural issues, facilitated by technology to ease knowledge sharing

Cytotoxicity of Clay-TiO2 nanostructures in human HepG2 cells

Background and Objective: In the last decades, nanotechnology has become increasingly attractive to different scientific and industrial fields as it becomes evident that manufactured nanomaterials offer a whole new range of potentialities. On the other hand, different studies have been showing that nanomaterials can be toxic and therefore may harm both the environment and the human health. Recent advances in the production of nanomaterials lead to the development of new structures, namely of nanoparticles immobilized in microstructures that by presenting new physico-chemical features must be test in regards to their toxic potential. Therefore, the aim of the present work was the evaluation of the in vitro cytotoxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) immobilized in clay (C-TiO2 ) in a hepatocellular carcinoma human cell line (HepG2). In order to understand the origin of the observed effects, TiO2 NPs and clay alone were also studied.This work was supported by TD1204 MODENA COST Actio

High-resolution outcrop gamma-ray spectrometry of the Lower Lias, Southern Britain

A detailed stratigraphic analysis of the Lower Lias of southern Britain using the technique of gamma-ray spectrometry is presented. Gamma-ray data were collected, at the maximum stratigraphic resolution possible, from the Rhaetian to Pliensbachian successions exposed in southern Britain in the Bristol Channel Basin, Wessex Basin and East Midland Shelf. The data, in the form of measured gamma-ray signatures and hence geochemical profiles, is placed within a biostratigraphic framework. The outcrop gamma-ray logs collected from the Somerset coast (Rhaetian - Lower Sinemurian) can be subdivided, on the basis of both total gamma-ray signature and elemental log-signature into 9 gamma-ray units. These units are at a higher level of resolution than the single LL 1 gamma-ray unit defined by Whittaker et al (1985) for the Blue Lias in the subsurface. Outcrop gamma-ray correlation is possible between Somerset and Glamorgan, in some cases at a resolution greater than that offered by ammonite subzonal biostratigraphy. This resolution of correlation suggests the presence of a stratigraphic gap in Somerset within the johnstoni Subzone of the planorbis Zone. The outcrop gamma-ray logs collected from the Dorset coast (Rhaetian - Pliensbachian) can be divided into 10 gamma-ray units. These gamma-ray units can be correlated with the subsurface succession in the Winterborne Kingston and the Burton Row boreholes. The ability to correlate across numerous fault blocks and between different basins suggests that the controls upon gamma-ray signature were probably regional. A model is presented in which the degree of detrital influence within a fine grained mud and pelagic carbonate depositional system can be qualitatively assessed. Proximal and distal mudrock facies can be identified from the Th concentration log with proximal facies characterised by a Th concentration 10 ppm and above and distal facies characterised by a Th concentration of 8 ppm and below. The Th concentration log can also be used to determine intervals of mudrock progradation (increasing Th concentration) and retrogradation (decreasing Th concentration). These signatures can be interpreted within a sequence stratigraphic framework, of which the genetic stratigraphic model of Galloway (1989) is most applicable to the Lower Lias of southern Britain. The succession can be divided into eight genetic stratigraphic sequences. Maximum flooding surfaces are inferred at condensed limestone horizons of low Th concentration. The distal expression of the sequence boundary (the correlative conformity) is inferred at horizons of highest Th concentration. The development of anoxia within the epeiric sea can only partly be explained in terms of sequence stratigraphy with anoxia developing during periods of relative sea-level fall and rise or not at all.</p

Moving into advanced nanomaterials. Toxicity of rutile TiO2 nanoparticles immobilized in nanokaolin nanocomposites on HepG2 cell line

Immobilization of nanoparticles on inorganic supports has been recently developed, resulting in the creation of nanocomposites. Concerning titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs(1)), these have already been developed in conjugation with clays, but so far there are no available toxicological studies on these nanocomposites. The present work intended to evaluate the hepatic toxicity of nanocomposites (C-TiO2(2)), constituted by rutile TiO2 NPs immobilized in nanokaolin (NK(3)) clay, and its individual components. These nanomaterials were analysed by means of FE-SEM(4) and DLS(5) analysis for physicochemical characterization. HepG2 cells were exposed to rutile TiO2 NPs, NK clay and C-TiO2 nanocomposite, in the presence and absence of serum for different exposure periods. Possible interferences with the methodological procedures were determined for MTT,(6) neutral red uptake, alamar blue (AB), LDH,(7) and comet assays, for all studied nanomaterials. Results showed that MTT, AB and alkaline comet assay were suitable for toxicity analysis of the present materials after slight modifications to the protocol. Significant decreases in cell viability were observed after exposure to all studied nanomaterials. Furthermore, an increase in HepG2 DNA damage was observed after shorter periods of exposure in the absence of serum proteins and longer periods of exposure in their presence. Although the immobilization of nanoparticles in micron-sized supports could, in theory, decrease the toxicity of single nanoparticles, the selection of a suitable support is essential. The present results suggest that NK clay is not the appropriate substrate to decrease TiO2 NPs toxicity. Therefore, for future studies, it is critical to select a more appropriate substrate for the immobilization of TiO2 NPs.This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Notwithstanding, we would like to acknowledge TD1204 MODENA COST Action for supporting this work.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio