Karst water studies in the Malham area, north of the Craven faults

[Introduction]:'Science invites her admirers here, presenting one a knot of questions to solve respecting these rifted rocks, and those huge fragments of stone, that lie arranged in such orderly array ...'These words written of the Malham area in 1847 by A. McFarlane seem particularly appropriate to commence a work which attempts to look at a few of the questions regarding 'those rifted rocks'. The study of karst processes is yet in its youthful stages and it is hoped that the research presented in this thesis will advance to some degree knowledge of that part of England which 'presents us with creation in its boldest outlines' (McFarlane, 1847), in addition to furthering an understanding of the wider problems of the evolution of limestone terrains. In contrast to much speculative and theoretical reasoning that typifies some recent writings in limestone studies this work is based primarily, on systematic observations carried out on karst waters in the natural environment. There were six interrelated reasons for collecting this information:(i) To investigate in detail the role of antecedent hydro-meteorological factors, particularly effective precipitation and air temperatures,in initiating;(a) temporal variations in solutional losses at the sampling sites,(b) variations in the temperature of water recorded at these sites,and(c) the pattern of discharge fluctuations recorded at the selectedsites.(ii) In view of the recent separation of karst water into 'allogenic karst water' and 'karst spring water', or into percolation-fed springs and systems of the sink-resurgence type, it was considered important to discover how contrasts in the mode of recharge to the limestone could affect the recorded pattern of solute concentrations at the risings and the pattern of water-temperature variation recorded at the risings.(iii) Thirdly in view of the fact that recent work has pointed to the role of both lithological factors (Sweeting and Sweettng, 1969) and hydrological influences (Pitty, 1968,1971) in affecting mean solute concentrations in karst waters, regional variations in the mean solute concentrations and in the variability of solute concentrations are examined.(iv) Fourthly to discover those factors instrumental in causing regional variations in the mean temperature of water discharging at karst risings in the field area, and in causing regional variations in the level of fluctuation of water temperature at karst risings.(v) To investigate seasonal and regional differences in the time taken for circulating water to pass through the limestone systems (flowthrough times).(vi) Lastly to accumulate evidence concerning the nature of water disposition and ground-water flow in the limestones of the field area.This research was carried out in the Fountains Fell and High Mark upland areas of the central Pennines. These two areas provide a contrasting geological framework for this work, one area (Fountains Fell) being of limestone partially covered by Yoredale and Millstone Grit series, and the other (High Mark) consisting almost completely of Great Scar Limestone. Geological differences have given rise to the hydrological contrasts between the two areas with which some of this research is concerned.In addition this is an area of the Pennines in which comparatively little work has previously been carried out, earlier interests having been mainly centred on the Ingleborough area to the west, the locality of Malham and Malham Tarn, or in the southern Pennines. On account of the fundamental significance of geological, hydrological, biological and climatic factors to the operation of karst processes, a full description of these aspects of the field area is included in this work

Chronic nitrogen fertilization and carbon sequestration in grassland soils: evidence of a microbial enzyme link

Chronic nitrogen (N) fertilization can greatly affect soil carbon (C) sequestration by altering biochemical interactions between plant detritus and soil microbes. In lignin-rich forest soils, chronic N additions tend to increase soil C content partly by decreasing the activity of lignin-degrading enzymes. In cellulose-rich grassland soils it is not clear whether cellulose-degrading enzymes are also inhibited by N additions and what consequences this might have on changes in soil C content. Here we address whether chronic N fertilization has affected (1) the C content of light versus heavier soil fractions, and (2) the activity of four extracellular enzymes including the C-acquiring enzyme β-1,4-glucosidase (BG; necessary for cellulose hydrolysis). We found that 19 years of chronic N-only addition to permanent grassland have significantly increased soil C sequestration in heavy but not in light soil density fractions, and this C accrual was associated with a significant increase (and not decrease) of BG activity. Chronic N fertilization may increase BG activity because greater N availability reduces root C:N ratios thus increasing microbial demand for C, which is met by C inputs from enhanced root C pools in N-only fertilized soils. However, BG activity and total root mass strongly decreased in high pH soils under the application of lime (i.e. CaCO3), which reduced the ability of these organo-mineral soils to gain more C per units of N added. Our study is the first to show a potential ‘enzyme link’ between (1) long-term additions of inorganic N to grassland soils, and (2) the greater C content of organo-mineral soil fractions. Our new hypothesis is that the ‘enzyme link’ occurs because (a) BG activity is stimulated by increased microbial C demand relative to N under chronic fertilization, and (b) increased BG activity causes more C from roots and from microbial metabolites to accumulate and stabilize into organo-mineral C fractions. We suggest that any combination of management practices that can influence the BG ‘enzyme link’ will have far reaching implications for long-term C sequestration in grassland soils

Phosphoenolpyruvate phosphomutase activity in an L-phosphonoalanine-mineralizing strain of Burkholderia cepacia

A strain of Burkholderia cepacia isolated by enrichment culture utilized l-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (phosphonoalanine) at concentrations up to 20 mM as a carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus source in a phosphate-insensitive manner. Cells contained phosphoenolpyruvate phosphomutase activity, presumed to be responsible for cleavage of the C—P bond of phosphonopyruvate, the transamination product of l-phosphonoalanine; this was inducible in the presence of phosphonoalanine

Art and design higher education curriculum design: integrating a lost stop motion method in higher education

This piece discusses considerations for what might inspire Art and Design higher education curriculum design as well as published concepts that argue potentially unavoidable considerations. A unique case study is then offered to reflect upon these discussions. The case study will reflect on integrating a lost animation method referred to as ‘shooting blind’ in Level four teaching, implemented over five academic years. A history of the shooting blind method helps us understand why this method was replaced after eighty years of utilisation before being forgotten by both industry and education. Methods of creating animation inevitably evolve when technological advancements offer a simpler, quicker, more cost-effective route for animation production. 3D Animation methods update almost yearly with this animation discipline relying heavily on software and technology for its own existence. 2D Animation diversified with the development of screen-based graphics tablets able to recreate the visual aesthetic of previously utilised ‘traditional’ hand drawn methods. Stop Motion animation currently utilises a mixture of both software and technology that offers enhanced workflows replicating previous utilised methods. In my opinion animation methods that were replaced, methods that were practised for decades, and their inherent potential were forcibly lost in an ever changing digital and advancing technological landscape. The simpler, quicker, more cost-effective benefits of current methods utilised by industry seem to be believed to outweigh all benefits of the methods that they replace. However, I believe that there are uncharted educational benefits which have been left undiscovered with these lost methods of animation

Pedagogical benefits of discontinued animation methodology

Within the history of animation production, there is a continuing growth and development of methodology that is as turbulent today as it has been since the birth of this creative art form. Past methods used in Animation production are quickly forgotten as new, adapted variants take hold, adding efficiency and higher profit in an industrial setting. But what of those lost methods? Was their only potential for efficiency? For the last two years, Melvyn Ternan has brought back 'Shooting Blind', the only method that his L4 students are allowed to use for the first 6 weeks of their learning in Stop Motion Animation. 'Shooting Blind' does not permit the animator any reference of how much they have moved a puppet when animating, compared to todays 'Onion skinning' method where animators can see precisely how much they have moved the puppet. Shooting blind is deemed impossible, difficult, unwieldily and defunct. But what of it's pedagogical properties? The focus required to use such a method, where all physical tools fall away only to be replaced by a rampant focus of the mind to fully portray the illusion of movement? Let alone the ignorance set around even the existence of the shooting blind method, it's difficulty is greatly misconceived and its benefits, within Animation development seem crucial at least as used in this L4 module. if not a method to be used in industry, then a method to properly illuminate the actual benefit of onion skinning for animation students. This presentation will contain a live demonstration of both methods, for the audience to understand and comments from students on the Animation course who have spent 6 weeks shooting blind and the benefits that experience has brought them

When these university staff utilised Facebook for an entire year - no one expected what happened next

With social media integrating itself into every facet of university life, four staff members took the reigns of Facebook to see if they could bring about a difference to how students interacted with opportunities, self development, project work and course identity. Steered clear of, for many potential negative factors, Facebook can often be seen as a double edged sword when used as a tool for interacting with university students. It’s social aspect makes it a difficult tool to utilise professionally within the context of the University ethos. However, after a year of using it to guide group project work (Anne Doncaster), encourage and develop Placement Year success (Arnett Powell), develop concept artwork skills (Martin Jones) and manage four years worth of course students (Melvyn Ternan) the results are not what you might think. See first hand examples and findings on how Facebook has made a difference to both students and staff through a naturally developed ‘best practice’ of this social networking beast

New miacid

7 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 6-7)