Source rock characterisation and correlation with oils using free and macromlecularly-bound biomarkers (Offshore Angola)

PhD ThesisThis study addresses the information potential of biological marker compounds of the free aliphatic hydrocarbon fraction and the biomarkers bound into the macromolecular organic matter fractions of oils and source rocks, within an exploration framework of Offshore Angola. Bound biomarkers are released by hydropyrolysis, and applied to overcome problems of drilling mud contamination and biodegradation, and are also investigated from the context of being an additional quantitatively significant 'pool' of source information to enhance oil to source rock correlations. Early Cretaceous rift and drift events associated with the separation of the African and South American continents led to the development of palaeo-depositional centres for organic-rich lacustrine sediments (Burwood, 1999). This rifting later evolved into the drift phase opening of the South Atlantic (Burwood et al., 1995) which led to the development of highly prolific petroleum systems involving deposition of extensive marine source rocks in the Cretaceous and Tertiary (Cole et al., 2000). This study addresses a suite of oils from the Angolan Margin, and source rock samples from four wells covering almost the whole stratigraphic section. Bulk geochemical analysis shows that almost the entire Cretaceous/Tertiary section is composed of source rocks with oil or gas-prone hydrocarbon potential, although lateral variations in hydrocarbon potential occur between wells. Quantitative analysis of the biomarkers in the macromolecular fractions of the oils and source rocks compared to the free fractions, shows that the bound biomarkers are quantitatively less important, representing 10 - 45% for kerogens (proportional to the thermal maturity of the well) and typically less then 1 % in the asphaltene and polar fractions. The biomarkers released from the macromolecular fractions of both the oils and source rocks show evidence for compositional fractionation of biomarkers between the free and bound biomarker fractions. This is illustrated by the absence of certain compounds in the bound fractions which can be found in the free fractions (e.g. oleanane and BNH), and also variations exist in the percentage of bound hopanes relative to steranes. From an oil-source rock correlation perspective the asphaltene-bound fraction of the oils appears to be most comparable to the kerogen-bound biomarkers of the source rocks, at least in terms of maturity parameters. The biomarkers released from the macromolecular fractions (particular the kerogen-bound) provide a good replacement for the free biomarkers, and from an exploration perspective may prove useful where contamination by drilling mud has occurred. Although absolute values of individual ratios calculated for the biomarkers in the kerogen-bound and bitumen fractions are not directly comparable, the values do not differ greatly. The biomarkers in the free hydrocarbon fraction of the marine oils and source rocks show good correlation, as do those for the lacustrine samples. The kerogen-bound biomarkers in the source rocks show good correlation with the asphaltene-bound biomarkers in the oils for the marine facies; however, the lacustrine oil does not correlate well with the lacustrine source rocks possibly as a result of poor sample representation. To determine the specific marine stratigraphic group(s) from which the marine oils are sourced is more difficult. On the basis of their higher C35αβ hopane and C29 sterahe abundances the Pinda and Malembo Gps. have been ruled out as contributing to the marine oils. Detailed oil-source rock correlation using biomarkers in both the free and bound fractions of the marine oils and source rocks shows that the oils are most likely derived from either a pure labe or pure Landana source, or a source rock section comprised of both labe and Landana source rocks.Norsk Hydro ASA

Female collegiate volleyball athletes\u27 perceptions of identity, specific to sport and gender, as understood by their in-sport and everyday dress and appearance practices

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how female collegiate volleyball athletes use dress and appearance practices to create, maintain, and negotiate their sport identity and gender identity, in-sport and everyday, from the time they played collegiate volleyball to present day. The study was guided by grounded theory and phenomenology. Semi-structured, in-depth, active qualitative interviews with 12 women, who represented American, Brazilian, Canadian, and Romanian viewpoints, were analyzed using open coding and thematic analysis procedures. Analysis revealed three key themes related to female collegiate volleyball athletes’ use of dress and appearance practices as a means to shape and influence their sport and gender identities: (a) conceptualizing the female collegiate volleyball culture as understood by dress and appearance, (b) female collegiate volleyball athlete subject formation, and (c) performing female collegiate volleyball athlete identities. Findings revealed that they used dress and appearance practices to understand their sport identity and gender identity when they played volleyball in college and that they currently use dress and appearance practices in their everyday lives as a way to understand their subject positions. Female collegiate volleyball athletes conceptualized their ways of understanding social and cultural expectations by using their dress and appearance practices and bodies as mediums for interpretation

The impact of badminton on health markers in untrained females

The purpose of the study was to examine the health effects of eight weeks of recreational badminton in untrained women. Participants were matched for maximal oxygen uptake (V̇ O2max) and body fat percentage and assigned to either a badminton (n = 14), running (n = 14) or control group (n = 8). Assessments were conducted pre and post intervention with physiological, anthropometric, motivation to exercise and physical self-esteem data collected. Post-intervention, V̇ O2max increased (P < 0.05) by 16% and 14% in the badminton and running groups respectively and time to exhaustion increased (P < 0.05) by 19% for both interventions. Maximal power output was increased (P < 0.05) by 13% in the badminton group only. Blood pressure, resting heart rate and heart rate during submaximal running was lower (P < 0.05) in both interventions. Perceptions of physical conditioning increased (P < 0.05) in both interventions. There were increases (P < 0.05) in enjoyment and ill health motives in the running group only, whilst affiliation motives were higher (P < 0.05) for the badminton group only. Findings suggest that badminton should be considered a strategy to improving the health and wellbeing of untrained females who are currently not meeting physical activity guidelines

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure fl ux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defi ned as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (inmost higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium ) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the fi eld understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation it is imperative to delete or knock down more than one autophagy-related gene. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways so not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field

Spiritual capital: an inquiry into the values that provide meaning and purpose to staff in Quaker schools

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The structural geology of the San Francisco del Oro region, Chihuahua, Mexico

Abstract not availabl

Chronic illness and critical care-A qualitative exploration of family experience and need

© 2022 British Association of Critical Care Nurses. This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.12817Background: People with chronic illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular disease are living longer and often require the support of critical care services. Current health care provision means patients may be discharged home once clinically stable despite still having high care demands including social, emotional, or physical needs. Families are often required to assume caregiving roles. Research into family burden using quantitative methods has increased awareness, however, little qualitative work exists and the development of support interventions for families is required. Aims: To explore the experience and needs of family members of people with an existing chronic illness who are admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU), and to identify the desired components of a family support intervention in the form of a resource toolkit. Study Design: A qualitative exploration of family experience and need, and content development for a resource toolkit using focus group methodology. Two focus groups and one face-to-face interview were conducted involving nine adult (≥18 years) family members of adult patients with chronic illness admitted to critical care in the preceding 9 months across two specialist hospitals in the UK. These were digitally recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Findings: Four themes were identified: importance of communication, need for support, trauma of chronic illness, and having to provide “Do-it-Yourself” care. The immense responsibility of families to provide care throughout the illness trajectory is highlighted. Understandable information is essential for a family support toolkit. Conclusion: Family members often view a critical care episode broadly from diagnosis through to recovery/rehabilitation. Basic communication training skills within critical care should be ensured, alongside coordination of simple solutions. The potential traumatic impact on families should be highlighted early within the pathway, and positive aspects used to harness essential family support. A simple and coordinated approach to a toolkit is preferred. Relevance to Clinical Practice: This study highlights that a critical care experience may impact broadly beyond CCU, and the importance of informing patients and families of this potential experience, prior to or on admission, to aid preparation. Further highlighted is the need for contemporaneous and accurate information from clinicians involved in care. Families report a better experience when there is good collaboration across critical care services and admitting clinical teams. Early involvement of families in overall discharge planning is essential to allow patients and families to adjust and plan for recovery.Peer reviewe