An Application of the Finite Element Method to the Drying of Timber

The finite element method has been used to solve a set of differential equations that govern the transfer of heat and mass in porous bodies. Computed results are presented and are compared with the results of previously published experimental work for timber drying

Mapping Metal Distributions in Thin Cryosections without Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope with the Philips Electron Beam and Image Deflection (EBID) Unit

The purpose of the present paper was to describe the use of a commercially-available, and relatively inexpensive, beam and image deflection unit that can facilitate digital X-ray (element) mapping in a standard transmission electron microscope not furnished with a STEM attachment. The test specimen was a thin freeze-dried section of the metal-sequestering chloragogenous tissue from the earthworm, Lumbricus rubellus, inhabiting a soil naturally contaminated with Pb, Zn and Cd. Qualitative maps obtained from this material confirmed the efficacy of the deflection unit, and revealed the presence of three compositionally distinct metal-accumulating compartments within the chloragocytes: (i) ovoid, electron-dense, phosphate-bearing and Ca-, Pb-and Zn-containing chloragosomes; (ii) relatively electron lucent, morphologically featureless, Cd-and S-rich cadmosomes ; an extremely electron-dense compartment lying close to individual chloragosomes, containing high concentrations of Ca, Pb and Zn but deficient in P. Azo dye histochemistry indicated that the chloragogenous tissue did not contain either diffuse or focal acid phosphatase activity. The possible relationships of the three metal-sequestering compartments to each other and to the lysosomal system was discussed

J-type Carbon Stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud

A sample of 1497 carbon stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud has been observed in the red part of the spectrum with the 2dF facility on the AAT. Of these, 156 have been identified as J-type (i.e. 13C-rich) carbon stars using a technique which provides a clear distinction between J stars and the normal N-type carbon stars that comprise the bulk of the sample, and yields few borderline cases. A simple 2-D classification of the spectra, based on their spectral slopes in different wavelength regions, has been constructed and found to be related to the more conventional c- and j-indices, modified to suit the spectral regions observed. Most of the J stars form a photometric sequence in the K - (J-K) colour magnitude diagram, parallel to and 0.6 mag fainter than the N star sequence. A subset of the J stars (about 13 per cent) are brighter than this J star sequence; most of these are spectroscopically different from the other J stars. The bright J stars have stronger CN bands than the other J stars and are found strongly concentrated in the central regions of the LMC. Most of the rather few stars in common with Hartwick and Cowley's sample of suspected CH stars are J stars. Overall, the proportion of carbon stars identified as J stars is somewhat lower than has been found in the Galaxy. The Na D lines are weaker in the LMC J stars than in either the Galactic J stars or the LMC N stars, and do not seem to depend on temperature.Comment: 19 pages, 21 figures, Latex; in press, MNRA

The origin of green icebergs in Antarctica

A comparison of samples from a translucent green iceberg with a core from the Ronne Ice Shelf revealed an excellent agreement in isotopic composition, crystal structure, and incorporated sediment particles. Marine shelf ice which constitutes the basal portion of some ice shelves is considered to be the source of green icebergs. It most likely results from "ice pump" processes which produce large amounts of ice platelets in the water column beneath ice shelves. These subsequently accumulate and become compacted into bubble-free, desalinated ice. Iceberg and drift-buoy trajectories indicate that green icebergs observed in the Weddell Sea originate from the Amery Ice Shelf rather than from the Ronne Ice Shelf, although the latter ice shelf is also a potential source

Computational advances in gravitational microlensing: a comparison of CPU, GPU, and parallel, large data codes

To assess how future progress in gravitational microlensing computation at high optical depth will rely on both hardware and software solutions, we compare a direct inverse ray-shooting code implemented on a graphics processing unit (GPU) with both a widely-used hierarchical tree code on a single-core CPU, and a recent implementation of a parallel tree code suitable for a CPU-based cluster supercomputer. We examine the accuracy of the tree codes through comparison with a direct code over a much wider range of parameter space than has been feasible before. We demonstrate that all three codes present comparable accuracy, and choice of approach depends on considerations relating to the scale and nature of the microlensing problem under investigation. On current hardware, there is little difference in the processing speed of the single-core CPU tree code and the GPU direct code, however the recent plateau in single-core CPU speeds means the existing tree code is no longer able to take advantage of Moore's law-like increases in processing speed. Instead, we anticipate a rapid increase in GPU capabilities in the next few years, which is advantageous to the direct code. We suggest that progress in other areas of astrophysical computation may benefit from a transition to GPUs through the use of "brute force" algorithms, rather than attempting to port the current best solution directly to a GPU language -- for certain classes of problems, the simple implementation on GPUs may already be no worse than an optimised single-core CPU version.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in New Astronom

The Social context of motorcycle riding and the key determinants influencing rider behavior: A qualitative investigation

Objective: Given the increasing popularity of motorcycle riding and heightened risk of injury or death associated with being a rider, this study explored rider behaviour as a determinant of rider safety and, in particular, key beliefs and motivations which influence such behaviour. To enhance the effectiveness of future education and training interventions, it is important to understand riders’ own views about what influences how they ride. Specifically, this study sought to identify key determinants of riders’ behaviour in relation to the social context of riding including social and identity-related influences relating to the group (group norms and group identity) as well as the self (moral/personal norm and self-identity). ----- ----- Method: Qualitative research was undertaken via group discussions with motorcycle riders (n = 41). Results: The findings revealed that those in the group with which one rides represent an important source of social influence. Also, the motorcyclist (group) identity was associated with a range of beliefs, expectations, and behaviours considered to be normative. Exploration of the construct of personal norm revealed that riders were most cognizant of the “wrong things to do” when riding; among those issues raised was the importance of protective clothing (albeit for the protection of others and, in particular, pillion passengers). Finally, self-identity as a motorcyclist appeared to be important to a rider’s self-concept and was likely to influence their on-road behaviour. ----- ----- Conclusion: Overall, the insight provided by the current study may facilitate the development of interventions including rider training as well as public education and mass media messages. The findings suggest that these interventions should incorporate factors associated with the social nature of riding in order to best align it with some of the key beliefs and motivations underpinning riders’ on-road behaviours

Effect of Atmospheric CO2 Levels on Nutrients in Cheatgrass Tissue

Rising atmospheric CO2 has resulted in declining tissue nutrient concentrations and leaf biochemicals, which has potential ramifications for animal nutrition, herbivory and litter decomposition rates. We investigated the interacting effects of atmospheric CO2 concentrations (270, 320, 370, and 420 ppmv), plant age (42, 57, 75, and 87 days), and elevation ecotype (salt desert, sagebrush steppe, and mountain brush) on aboveground tissue nutrient levels and biochemistry of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), an important range grass in the Great Basin. Most nutrients were affected by significant (P \u3c 0.05) interactions between CO2 level and plant age, and plant ecotype and plant age. At 87 days growth, tissue C:N ratios increased significantly and concentrations of P, K, and Mg declined, with rising CO2 levels suggesting declining forage nutrition. Tissue concentrations of Mn, K, Mg, and Ca increased with plant age and, in general, the low elevation ecotype had greater tissue nutrient concentrations than the high elevation ecotype. Hemicellulose concentration was influenced by a significant CO2 level by ecotype interaction; overall, the high elevation ecotype had greater concentrations of hemicellulose, which increased with increasing CO2 levels. The high elevation ecotype had significantly less acid detergent fiber than the low or mid elevation ecotypes. These data suggest that increasing atmospheric CO2 levels may have a profound effect on the nutritional value of cheatgrass forage, and this effect may differ among elevational ecotypes

Pathways between childhood victimization and psychosis-like symptoms in the ALSPAC Birth Cohort

Background: Several large population-based studies have demonstrated associations between adverse childhood experiences and later development of psychotic symptoms. However, little attention has been paid to the mechanisms involved in this pathway and the few existing studies have relied on cross-sectional assessments. Methods: Prospective data on 6692 children from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were used to address this issue. Mothers reported on children’s exposure to harsh parenting and domestic violence in early childhood, and children self-reported on bullying victimization prior to 8.5 years. Presence of children’s anxiety at 10 years and their depressive symptoms at 9 and 11 years were ascertained from mothers, and children completed assessments of self-esteem and locus of control at 8.5 years. Children were interviewed regarding psychotic symptoms at a mean age of 12.9 years. Multiple mediation analysis was performed to examine direct and indirect effects of each childhood adversity on psychotic symptoms. Results: The association between harsh parenting and psychotic symptoms was fully mediated by anxiety, depressive symptoms, external locus of control, and low self-esteem. Bullying victimization and exposure to domestic violence had their associations with psychotic symptoms partially mediated by anxiety, depression, locus of control, and self-esteem. Similar results were obtained following adjustment for a range of confounders and when analyses were conducted for boys and girls separately. Conclusions: These findings tentatively suggest that specific cognitive and affective difficulties in childhood could be targeted to minimize the likelihood of adolescents exposed to early trauma from developing psychotic symptoms