QZ Serpentis: A Dwarf Nova with a 2-Hour Orbital Period and an Anomalously Hot, Bright Secondary Star

We present spectroscopy and time-series photometry of the dwarf nova QZ Ser. The spectrum shows a rich absorption line spectrum of type K4 +- 2. K-type secondary stars are generally seen in dwarf novae with orbital periods P-orb around 6 h, but in QZ Ser the absorption radial velocities show an obvious modulation (semi-amplitude 207(5) km/s) at P-orb = 119.752(2) min, much shorter than typical for such a relatively warm and prominent secondary spectrum. The H-alpha emission-line velocity is modulated at the same period and roughly opposite phase. Time-series photometry shows flickering superposed on a modulation with two humps per orbit, consistent with ellipsoidal variation of the secondary's light. QZ Ser is a second example of a relatively short-period dwarf nova with a surprisingly warm secondary. Model calculations suggest that the secondary is strongly enhanced in helium, and had already undergone significant nuclear evolution when mass transfer began. Several sodium absorption features in the secondary spectrum are unusually strong, which may indicate that the present-day surface was the site of CNO-cycle hydrogen burning in the past.Comment: 11 pages, 3 postscript figures, 1 jpeg greyscale figure. Accepted for publication in PAS

Description of larval instars of Mystrophorus formicaeformis Ruthe (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae).

The last immature stage and the mature larva of Mystrophorus formicaeformis Ruthe are described for the first time. The affinities of both immature and mature larvae of M. formicaeformis and corresponding instars of other subfamilies are respectively discussed

Laser-heated rocket studies

CW laser heated rocket propulsion was investigated in both the flowing core and stationary core configurations. The laser radiation considered was 10.6 micrometers, and the working gas was unseeded hydrogen. The areas investigated included initiation of a hydrogen plasma capable of absorbing laser radiation, the radiation emission properties of hot, ionized hydrogen, the flow of hot hydrogen while absorbing and radiating, the heat losses from the gas and the rocket performance. The stationary core configuration was investigated qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. It was found that the flowing core rockets can have specific impulses between 1,500 and 3,300 sec. They are small devices, whose heating zone is only a millimeter to a few centimeters long, and millimeters to centimeters in radius, for laser power levels varying from 10 to 5,000 kW, and pressure levels of 3 to 10 atm. Heat protection of the walls is a vital necessity, though the fraction of laser power lost to the walls can be as low as 10% for larger powers, making the rockets thermally efficient

Nexus researching church toddler groups

The Headlines This unique research project revealed fascinating insights into the spiritual flourishing of very young children and how this is nourished within church toddler groups in England. The findings have uncovered evidence of very young children exploring self-understanding and the nurturing of relationships with others. We found that church toddler groups contribute to children’s spiritual flourishing through: • Providing an environment that fosters a non-threatening connection with spirituality and faith. • Nurturing and sustaining relationships with families. • Offering a safe place for young families to come together, play together, and feel supported in their spiritual well-being. • Enabling a sense of belonging to the church community through engagement in the church toddler group. However, we also found that: • There is a need for adults to have a deeper awareness of the significant role they play in enabling the spiritual flourishing of very young children. • A common misunderstanding of spiritual nurture in terms of faith development hampers focused attention on the spiritual nurture of very young children

Anomalous enrichment of molybdenum and associated metals in Lower Jurassic (Lias Group) black shales of central England, as revealed by systematic geochemical surveys

Systematic multi-media geochemical surveying by the British Geological Survey's Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment (G-BASE) project has revealed significant anomalous patterns of enrichment for a suite of elements – copper (Cu) and uranium (U) – with exceptionally high levels of molybdenum (Mo), in soils and stream sediments in central England. Enrichment of these elements is most often associated with organic-rich, sulphidic ‘black shale’ lithofacies, typical of oxygen-deficient, euxinic depositional environments. The main anomaly lies between Evesham and Rugby where the bedrock comprises the Blue Lias and Charmouth Mudstone formations. Concentrations of Mo are particularly high, reaching soil values of 50 mg/kg, where the regional background is <2 mg/kg. Analysis of black shale partings sampled from rhythmic limestone–shale couplets reveal Mo levels up to 320 mg/kg. Complementary X-ray diffraction analyses suggest that the anomalous Mo levels are hosted by sulphidic (pyrite) rather than organic phases. High Mo levels may have significant impacts on local agriculture, as well as revealing hitherto unsuspected periods of hypoxic and anoxic bottom water sedimentation within localised basins in central England during the Early Jurassic. Rhythmic alternations of thin beds of Mo-rich, sulphidic black shale (euxinic) with bioclastic and micritic limestone (oxic) represent primary depositional cycles rather than a diagenetic origin. The bed-scale cyclicity is attributed to previously described orbitally-induced precession cycles that influenced climate. These resulted in periods of basin anoxia and black shale sedimentation during periods of enhanced terrestrial fresh-water run-off (possibly below a low-salinity pycnocline), alternating with periods of oxygenation of the sea-water and bottom sediments during overturn of the water column

Making the most of community energies:Three perspectives on grassroots innovation

Grassroots innovations for sustainability are attracting increasing policy attention. Drawing upon a wide range of empirical research into community energy in the UK, and taking recent support from national government as a case study, we apply three distinct analytical perspectives: strategic niche management; niche policy advocacy; and critical niches. Whilst the first and second perspectives appear to explain policy influence in grassroots innovation adequately, each also shuts out more transformational possibilities. We therefore argue that, if grassroots innovation is to realise its full potential, then we need to also pursue a third, critical niches perspective, and open up debate about more socially transformative pathways to sustainability