Cross-Newell equations for hexagons and triangles

The Cross-Newell equations for hexagons and triangles are derived for general real gradient systems, and are found to be in flux-divergence form. Specific examples of complex governing equations that give rise to hexagons and triangles and which have Lyapunov functionals are also considered, and explicit forms of the Cross-Newell equations are found in these cases. The general nongradient case is also discussed; in contrast with the gradient case, the equations are not flux-divergent. In all cases, the phase stability boundaries and modes of instability for general distorted hexagons and triangles can be recovered from the Cross-Newell equations.Comment: 24 pages, 1 figur

Antecedents and outcomes of consumer environmentally friendly attitudes and behaviour

With the intensification of problems relating to the environment, a growing number of consumers are becoming more ecologically conscious in their preferences and purchases of goods. This paper presents the results of a study conducted among 500 Cypriot consumers, focusing on the factors that shape consumer environmental attitudes and behaviour, as well as on the resulting outcomes. The findings confirmed that both the inward and outward environmental attitudes of a consumer are positively influenced by his/her degree of collectivism, long-term orientation, political involvement, deontology, and law obedience, but have no connection with liberalism. The adoption of an inward environmental attitude was also found to be conducive to green purchasing behaviour that ultimately leads to high product satisfaction. On the other hand, an outward environmental attitude facilitates the adoption of a general environmental behaviour, which is responsible for greater satisfaction with life. The findings of the study have important implications for shaping effective company offerings to consumers in target markets, as well as formulating appropriate policies at the governmental level to enhance environmental sensitivity among citizens

Horizontal Branch Stars: The Interplay between Observations and Theory, and Insights into the Formation of the Galaxy

We review HB stars in a broad astrophysical context, including both variable and non-variable stars. A reassessment of the Oosterhoff dichotomy is presented, which provides unprecedented detail regarding its origin and systematics. We show that the Oosterhoff dichotomy and the distribution of globular clusters (GCs) in the HB morphology-metallicity plane both exclude, with high statistical significance, the possibility that the Galactic halo may have formed from the accretion of dwarf galaxies resembling present-day Milky Way satellites such as Fornax, Sagittarius, and the LMC. A rediscussion of the second-parameter problem is presented. A technique is proposed to estimate the HB types of extragalactic GCs on the basis of integrated far-UV photometry. The relationship between the absolute V magnitude of the HB at the RR Lyrae level and metallicity, as obtained on the basis of trigonometric parallax measurements for the star RR Lyrae, is also revisited, giving a distance modulus to the LMC of (m-M)_0 = 18.44+/-0.11. RR Lyrae period change rates are studied. Finally, the conductive opacities used in evolutionary calculations of low-mass stars are investigated. [ABRIDGED]Comment: 56 pages, 22 figures. Invited review, to appear in Astrophysics and Space Scienc

Energetic particle influence on the Earth's atmosphere

This manuscript gives an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the effects of energetic particle precipitation (EPP) onto the whole atmosphere, from the lower thermosphere/mesosphere through the stratosphere and troposphere, to the surface. The paper summarizes the different sources and energies of particles, principally galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), solar energetic particles (SEPs) and energetic electron precipitation (EEP). All the proposed mechanisms by which EPP can affect the atmosphere are discussed, including chemical changes in the upper atmosphere and lower thermosphere, chemistry-dynamics feedbacks, the global electric circuit and cloud formation. The role of energetic particles in Earth’s atmosphere is a multi-disciplinary problem that requires expertise from a range of scientific backgrounds. To assist with this synergy, summary tables are provided, which are intended to evaluate the level of current knowledge of the effects of energetic particles on processes in the entire atmosphere

Overlap of Genetic Risk between Interstitial Lung Abnormalities and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Rationale: Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are associated with the highest genetic risk locus for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); however, the extent to which there are unique associations among individuals with ILAs or additional overlap with IPF is not known.Objectives: To perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of ILAs.Methods: ILAs and a subpleural-predominant subtype were assessed on chest computed tomography (CT) scans in the AGES (Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility), COPDGene (Genetic Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD]), Framingham Heart, ECLIPSE (Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate End-points), MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), and SPIROMICS (Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study) studies. We performed a GWAS of ILAs in each cohort and combined the results using a meta-analysis. We assessed for overlapping associations in independent GWASs of IPF.Measurements and Main Results: Genome-wide genotyping data were available for 1,699 individuals with ILAs and 10,274 control subjects. The MUC5B (mucin 5B) promoter variant rs35705950 was significantly associated with both ILAs (P = 2.6 × 10-27) and subpleural ILAs (P = 1.6 × 10-29). We discovered novel genome-wide associations near IPO11 (rs6886640, P = 3.8 × 10-8) and FCF1P3 (rs73199442, P = 4.8 × 10-8) with ILAs, and near HTRE1 (rs7744971, P = 4.2 × 10-8) with subpleural-predominant ILAs. These novel associations were not associated with IPF. Among 12 previously reported IPF GWAS loci, five (DPP9, DSP, FAM13A, IVD, and MUC5B) were significantly associated (P < 0.05/12) with ILAs.Conclusions: In a GWAS of ILAs in six studies, we confirmed the association with a MUC5B promoter variant and found strong evidence for an effect of previously described IPF loci; however, novel ILA associations were not associated with IPF. These findings highlight common genetically driven biologic pathways between ILAs and IPF, and also suggest distinct ones

Distillate production in Queensland: Refinery operations and economics

To meet increasing demand for distillate, the refiner has to commit capital to provide incremental capacity or new processing facilities, especially in hydrocracking, delayed coking and visbreaking. The incremental cost of distillate production has been determined in terms of the increase in total cost or in crude oil usage per tonne of extra distillate. We use a model of the oil-refining and transportation sectors to arrive at the optimal selection of capital investment, refinery configuration, crude slate and vehicle fleet

A guide to a new Geographical Information System for the Chalk of the Thames Basin : the Thames Chalk Information System (TCIS)

BGS work on the Chalk Group of the Thames Basin has amassed large quantities of geological information about thickness, facies, marker-beds, biostratigraphy and structure, only a small part of which is incorporated into the geological map. More recently there has been wider use and interpretation of borehole data to underpin the development of 3D geological models. There is a pressing need to organise these disparate data in a way that can easily be compared and interrogated, as well as to capture the results of relevant published research outside BGS. This project addresses this need by creating a new spatial database, the Thames Chalk Information System (TCIS). The database uses ArcGIS technology to display key information layers about the Chalk. As well as standard topographical and geological information, TCIS includes layers describing: Group, Subgroup, and formational thickness; structural data; detailed stratigraphical data; coverage of 3D geological models that include units or surfaces of the Chalk Group; regions where data coverage limits our understanding of the Chalk. Hydrogeological data is currently being compiled as part of a related project; it is not currently available for incorporation into the TCIS, but will eventually be added. Basic information about the content and methodology used to compile the data in the TCIS is outlined in the main body of this report. Hydrogeological data was delivered through a separate project, and its features are the subject of a separate report. The aim of this report is to provide sufficient background information to allow meaningful use of the TCIS database; there is no new data interpretation

A systematic approach for reducing complex biological wastewater treatment models

Biological wastewater treatment systems comprise a variety of processes which occur at vastly different rates. Biological growth, mass transfer, hydraulics and chemical reactions all occur simultaneously and are all inter-dependent. In this paper we address the question 'to what extent can we de-couple these processes, and what are the associated issues? We aim to introduce people who work with biological wastewater treatment models to analytical tools which may be used for model reduction. We present a quantitative technique to compartmentalise states into fast, medium and slow. From this we have provided an algorithm for eliminating state variables from a model based on whether they affect the process in the selected 'time scale of interest'. Through the technique presented we provide a means of quantifying the interaction between state variables, the 'speed' of a state and whether it is a candidate for reduction. A simple case study of a biological wastewater treatment process is presented. We were able to reduce four biological and 19 settler differential equations into algebraic equations. This resulted in significant savings in integration time. Application of the technique also highlighted the strong coupling between the slower biomass states and the rest of the model