Optically stimulated luminescence profiling and dating of earthworks: the creation and development of prehistoric field boundaries at Bosigran, Cornwall

Accurately dating the creation and development of earthwork features is a long-standing problem for archaeologists. This paper presents results from Bosigran (Cornwall, UK), where boundary banks believed to be prehistoric in origin were assessed using optically-stimulated luminescence profiling and dating (OSL-PD). The results provide secure construction dates for different boundaries in the Bronze Age and Iron Age, as well as chronologies for their early medieval and later development. The paper demonstrates not only the prehistoric origins of these distinctive west Cornish field systems, but also a practical and cost-effective methodology which is suitable for dating earthworks across the world

An alternative real-time PCR method for the detection of thermotolerant Bacillus sensu lato contaminants in naturally contaminated gelatine

Comparison of an internally-controlled real-time PCR assay with the current plate-based assay for the detection of Bacillus sensu lato contaminants in gelatine. A comprehensive TaqMan((R)) probe was designed allowing the real-time PCR assay to be fully inclusive for the gelatine-contaminating Bacillus s.l. species. An internal amplification control was implemented at 500 copies per reaction without impact on target detection. Specific and selective detection of target cells was achieved with a quick and simple DNA preparation procedure. No significant difference (Kappa value = 0.94) was observed between the performance of the real-time PCR and the current plate-based method on naturally contaminated gelatines (n = 162). Relative accuracy, relative sensitivity and relative specificity were 97.5%. The real-time PCR assay is an adequate alternative of the current plate-based assay. The real-time PCR assay decreased the time between sample collection and result from 2 days to 2 h. The gelatine-producing industry can ensure gelatine quality in a much faster way

Computational fluid dynamics‐based optimization of dimpled steam cracking reactors for reduced CO 2

Spherical dimples in cylindrical tubes enhance heat transfer and lead to a more uniform radial temperature profile. To combine these positive properties with a low pressure drop, a single dimple was optimized through a genetic algorithm. Multiple design parameters such as width, height, and curvature of the dimple were investigated. Heart-shaped dimples outperformed spherical dimples. Three-dimensional reactive simulations of a Millisecond propane steam cracking reactor showed that both the spherically dimpled and the heart-shaped dimpled coil positively affect the light olefin selectivity, mainly through an increase in propylene selectivity. The optimized dimples could reduce the high pressure drop penalty by 21%. Run length simulations proved that the optimized dimple shape results in an additional run length extension of 18%. Next to this, the fuel rate consumption can be decreased by 6% compared to a bare coil, which could theoretically result in 4% less CO2 emissions