Implications of Early Cenozoic uplift and fault reactivation for carbon storage in the Moray Firth Basin

Interpretation and depth conversion of an extensive, well-calibrated seismic database provide the basis upon which to map the limits and evaluate the geologic risks of using a saline aquifer target for carbon dioxide ([Formula: see text]) storage in the Moray Firth Basin of the North Sea. The seismic interpretation demonstrates that the Lower Cretaceous (Albian-Aptian) Captain Sandstone Member is a continuous, interconnected reservoir that rises to subcrop in the western areas of the basin as a consequence of Early Cenozoic uplift and tilt. As such, the aquifer forms an open system with few barriers or sizable closures to arrest or entrap light fluids and gases en route to its western subcrop. The new interpretation also indicates that the saline aquifer is cut by several west-southwest/east-northeast-striking reactivated normal faults. Although migration along the faults permitted hydrocarbons to get into structurally elevated traps, such as the Captain Field itself, some faults also breach the seal of the Captain Sandstone Member aquifer, rise to the seabed, and increase the risk of seabed leakage. Consequently, despite its large storage capacity, the dip, subcrop, and fault reactivation affecting the Captain Sandstone Member aquifer all suggest that its use as a site for [Formula: see text] storage remains unproven and is not the best choice for an initial North Sea exemplar. As such, the study highlights the importance of undertaking a robust and forensic geologic screening of any prospective storage site prior to injection.</jats:p

Evaluation of Machine Learning Tools for Inspection of Steam Generator Tube Structures using Pulsed Eddy Current

Inspection of multi-component systems, such as nuclear steam generator (SG) tube support structures, is complicated by multiple overlapping degradation modes. The simultaneous and precise measurement of more than two interdependent parameters is challenging when standard statistical regression analysis tools are used. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have recently been applied to pulsed eddy current (PEC) data for inspection of Alloy 800 SG tube fretting, in the presence of tube off-set within a corroded ferromagnetic support structure. Signals were analyzed using modified principal component analysis (MPCA) followed by an ANN analysis, which simultaneously targeted four parameters associated with the support structure. These were hole diameter, tube off-centering in two mutually orthogonal directions and fret depth. In this work, the ANN analysis is compared with that performed by a Support Vector Machine (SVM) analysis of the same data. Comparable results are achieved for some parameters with both machine learning analysis tools. However, parameters with changing signal variance, such as those associated with support structure diameter, are not as easily compensated for using standard SVM analysis. Both techniques also rely on the availability of a representative training data set that may be difficult to come by for general inspection conditions

Lanthanides and other spectral oddities in a Centauri

Context: There is considerable interest in the helium variable a Cen as a bridge between helium-weak and helium-strong CP stars. Aims: We investigate Ce III and other possible lanthanides in the spectrum the of hottest chemically peculiar (CP) star in which these elements have been found. A {Kr II line appears within a broad absorption which we suggest may be due to a high-level transition in C II. Methods: Wavelengths and equivalent widths are measured on high-resolution UVES spectra, analyzed, and their phase-variations investigated. Results: New, robust identifications of Ce III and Kr II are demonstrated. Nd III is likely present. A broad absorption near 4619[A] is present at all phases of a Cen, and in some other early B stars. Conclusions: The presence of lanthanides in a Cen strengthens the view that this star is a significant link between the cooler CP stars and the hotter helium-peculiar stars. Broad absorptions in a Cen are not well explained.Comment: Research Note accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics; 4 pages, 4 Figs. 2 Table

Plasma membrane H -ATPase activity and graft success of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) onto interspecific rootstocks of marang (A. odoratissimus) and pedalai (A. sericicarpus)

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is primarily grown as a staple tree crop for food security in the Oceania. Significant wind damage has driven an interest in developing its dwarfing rootstocks. Due to the predominantly vegetative propagation of the species, grafting onto interspecific seedlings is an approach to identifying dwarfing rootstocks. However, grafting of breadfruit onto un-related Artocarpus species has not been investigated. Here we first reported the success of breadfruit grafting onto interspecific rootstocks, marang (A. odoratissimus) and pedalai (A. sericicarpus). To address the low graft survival, we investigated the relationship of plasma membrane (PM) H -ATPase activity to graft success. We provided the first evidences for a positive correlation between PM H -ATPase activity and graft survival. The graft unions of successful grafts had higher PM H -ATPase activity compared to those of failed grafts. Rootstocks with low PM H -ATPase activity in leaf microsomes before grafting had lower graft survival than those with high enzyme activity, with graft success of 10% vs 60% and 0% vs 30% for marang and pedalai rootstocks respectively. There was a positive correlation between graft success and the PM H -ATPase activities measured from the rootstock stem microsomes two months after grafting (marang, r(7) = 0.9203, P= 0.0004; pedalai (r(7) = 0. 8820, P = 0.0017). Removal of scion's own roots decreased the leaf PM H -ATPase activity of grafted plants regardless of the final graft outcome. The recovery of the enzyme activity was only found in the successful grafts. The function of PM H -ATPase in graft union development and graft success improvement is discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Impact of flipper-banding on breeding success of African penguins Spheniscus demersus at Robben Island: comparisons among silicone rubber bands, stainless-steel bands and no bands

From 2001 to 2006, two new designs of flipper bands made from silicone rubbers were tested on African penguins Spheniscus demersus at 365 nests on Robben Island, South Africa. We compared, over six years, the breeding success, from hatching to fledging, of three different groups of penguins: those with rubber bands (117 nests), with conventional stainless-steel bands (103 nests) and without bands (145 nests). There were no significant differences in breeding success between the three groups, suggesting that neither the currently used steel bands, nor either of the new rubber-band designs, were harmful during the seasons investigated. The rubber bands caused less wear of feathers and less drag on a model penguin than the steel bands. In captivity, the behaviours of African penguins fitted with rubber bands were not noticeably different to those of unbanded birds

Preparing potential teachers for the transition from employment to teacher training: an evaluative case study of a Maths Enhancement Course

In response to a UK government drive to improve maths teaching in schools, the South West London Maths Enhancement Course (MEC) has been set up though collaboration between three Higher Education institutions (HEIs) to provide an efficient route for non maths graduates in employment to upgrade their subject knowledge and give a smooth transition into teacher training (PGCE). An evaluation of the scheme, measured against Teacher Development Agency (TDA) objectives and success criteria agreed by university staff, involved thematic analysis of focus group discussions and interviews with students and staff during both the MEC and PGCE courses. This has revealed a high level of satisfaction and success related to a number of underlying issues, particularly around student recruitment, curriculum design, peer support and staff collaboration. The model offers an example of practice transferable to a range of programmes aimed at supporting students in the transition between levels and institutions

Improving non-communicable disease remediation outcomes in Tonga: the importance of domestic fruit production systems: an analysis

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are the leading cause of mortality in the Pacific Island nation of Tonga. Current remedial strategies have focused on promoting healthy food choices based on increased intake of fruits and vegetables. While researchers seek to overcome complex social, gender and cultural practices that impede dietary transition, discontinuous domestic fruit supply chains undermine this effort. With the view to supporting a more holistic approach to NCD remediation in Tonga, this paper provides a preliminary assessment of domestic horticultural supply chains constraints, in support of diversification and expansion of local fruit production. Current impediments and constraints to enhanced local fruit production are presented and possible strategies to increased domestic fruit supply discussed. We present a case for a more consumer-centric approach to industry development, with an emphasis on production systems that are compatible with existing social structures, customary land ownership constraints, and local nutritional needs

Determining the Physical Properties of the B Stars I. Methodology and First Results

We describe a new approach to fitting the UV-to-optical spectra of B stars to model atmospheres and present initial results. Using a sample of lightly reddened stars, we demonstrate that the Kurucz model atmospheres can produce excellent fits to either combined low dispersion IUE and optical photometry or HST FOS spectrophotometry, as long as the following conditions are fulfilled: 1) an extended grid of Kurucz models is employed, 2) the IUE NEWSIPS data are placed on the FOS absolute flux system using the Massa & Fitzpatrick (1999) transformation, and 3) all of the model parameters and the effects of interstellar extinction are solved for simultaneously. When these steps are taken, the temperatures, gravities, abundances and microturbulence velocities of lightly reddened B0-A0 V stars are determined to high precision. We also demonstrate that the same procedure can be used to fit the energy distributions of stars which are reddened by any UV extinction curve which can be expressed by the Fitzpatrick & Massa (1990) parameterization scheme. We present an initial set of results and verify our approach through comparisons with angular diameter measurements and the parameters derived for an eclipsing B star binary. We demonstrate that the metallicity derived from the ATLAS 9 fits to main sequence B stars is essentially the Fe abundance. We find that a near zero microturbulence velocity provides the best-fit to all but the hottest or most luminous stars (where it may become a surrogate for atmospheric expansion), and that the use of white dwarfs to calibrate UV spectrophotometry is valid.Comment: 17 pages, including 2 pages of Tables and 6 pages of Figures. Astrophysical Jounral, in pres

Postharvest diseases of mangoes in Fiji

Despite considerable research globally on postharvest diseases of mango, virtually no work has been done to determine the occurrence of these diseases and their causal agents in Fiji. This study is the first major field and market survey of postharvest diseases of mango in Fiji. For the field survey, fruits from five local mango cultivars were harvested at each of five locations. Fruits from five imported cultivars were also harvested from one location in Nadi. For the market survey, vendors were selected at five municipal markets for fruit collection, along with ten roadside stalls. For field and market surveys, fruits were incubated at 23°C and assessed for postharvest disease (incidence and severity of body rots and stem end rots) when ripe. Isolations were made from disease lesions and fungal cultures were identified using multilocus sequence typing. High incidences of body and stem end rots were recorded across all surveys. In the field survey of local cultivars, ?Salusalu? fruits were found to have the lowest severity of body rot and stem end rot on average, while for imported cultivars, ?Nam Doc Mai? had the lowest average severity of these diseases. The market survey showed that ?Salusalu? had a lower incidence of anthracnose on the body of fruit compared to all other cultivars, although it did have a surprisingly high incidence of stem end rot at some localities. Fungal isolates from anthracnose lesions in the field and market surveys were identified as Colletotrichum asianum, C. simmondsii and C. fructicola. C. asianum was the predominant species associated with anthracnose symptoms, accounting for 97% of isolations. Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Neofusicoccum parvum were the predominant species found in association with mango stem end rot symptoms. Other species isolated from mango stem end rot in lesser numbers included L. brasiliensis, N. umdonicola and N. kwambonambiense. All of these fungi represent new reports for Fiji