'Race' as a scientific and organizational construct: a critique

'Race' for many years has been a major construct of science and society. While its importance as such has not historically been particularly pronounced on a global scale, the emergence of its most forceful architects, the Anglophone countries, to pre-eminence since World War II has significantly extended its geographical range and added to its significance as an idea within commercialized culture as well as within social organization.In the present paper, 'race' is critically examined from the following angles: 1) its role in the behavioral and medical sciences; b) its historical origins and manifestations within the Anglophone countries, particularly the United States; and c) its emergence as a 'liberal' concept and operating principle since World War II. Questions of why and how 'race' arose and its continued use in science, society and culture drive both the trajectory and depth of this research. 'Race' is found to be a modern construct which arose as a consequence of colonialism and slavery, and was substantially constructed in its present form and substance by England and its off-spring societies, particularly the United States. 'Race' was not used as a term expressing a social idea until modern times, and had no basis in the primordial civilizations which greatly influenced modern Western societies (e.g., ancient Greece and Rome). Efforts undertaken by liberals – particularly in the United States – to 'humanize' the concept of 'race' since the 1960's have been largely unsuccessful. 'race' is viewed as inherently hierarchical, a fact which is evident from its historical and present role in science and society.     

The manganese nodules of the Kane Gap (East Atlantic). Indicators of sedimentation — erosion changes

Manganese nodules from the Kane Gap (a deep sea channel connecting the Sierra Leone and Gambia Basins off West Africa) were investigated chemically and dated by¹⁰Be along cross-sections. Comparing the nodule structure with the stratigraphy of the related sediments, the following conclusions are drawn concerning the sedimentation processes during the last 4 to 6×10⁶ years: The growth of the nodules started about 4 to 4.5 Ma before present during or near to the end of a period of erosion on a fossil-free, probably Miocene sediment. During the first phase of only a few hundred thousandyears, the nodules grew very quickly (7 to >18 mm/Ma). Fe-rich hydrogenetic material formed the internal sections of the nodules during this time. Slowing down of the bottom currents, resulting in deposition of thin sediment covers for short intervals, caused the character of the nodules to change to a more diagenetic composition. The growth rates were reduced to about 1 to 2 mm/Ma. The time of slowing is roughly 3 to 4 Ma BP.Probable uncertainties of the dating and growth rates resulting from supposed changes of the¹⁰Be supply to the nodules due to variations of the near bottom environment are discussed.

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Zusammenfassung An Manganknollen aus der Kane-Lücke, dem Verbindungskanal zwischen Sierra Leone Becken und Gambia Becken (vor W-Afrika) wurden entlang Querprofilen durch mehrere Knollen chemische Untersuchungen und¹⁰Be Altersbestimmungen durchgeführt. Durch Vergleich des Aufbaus der Knollen mit der Stratigraphie des unterlagernden Sediments werden Rückschlüsse auf Veränderungen des Sedimentationsgeschehens während der letzten 4–6×10⁶ Jahre gezogen. Hiernach begann das Wachstum der Knollen vor maximal 4.5×10⁶ Jahren während oder gegen Ende einer Erosionsphase auf fossilfreiem, vermutlich miozänem Sediment. Während der ersten Phase wuchsen die Knollen über wenige 100000 Jahre sehr schnell (7 bis>18 mm/10⁶ Jahre). Hierbei schied sich Fe-reiche Knollensubstanz hydrogener Zusammensetzung ab. Nach Verringerung der Strömung und vermutlich zeitweiser Bildung von dünnen Sedimentschleiern änderte sich der Charakter der Knollen zu mehr diagnetischer Zusammensetzung bei wesentlich reduziertem Wachstum (ca. 1 bis 2 mm/10⁶ Jahre). Der Zeitpunkt der Umstellung ist nur sehr grob zu ermitteln, er dürfte etwa zwischen 3 und 4×10⁶ Jahren vor heute liegen.Eventuelle Unsicherheiten bei der Datierung und den Wachstumsraten, die möglicherweise aus milieubedingten Änderungen in der¹⁰Be Versorgung der Knollen resultieren, werden diskutiert.

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Résumé Le «Kana Gap» est un chenal sous-marin qui relie les bassins de Sierra Leone et de Gambie, au large de l'Afrique occidentale. Des nodules de manganèse, recueillis le long de profils transversaux dans ce chenal, ont fait l'objet d'une étude chimique et d'une détermination d'âge¹⁰Be. La comparaison entre la structure des nodules et la stratigraphie des sédiments sous-jacents permet de tirer les conclusions suivantes relatives au processus sédimentaire au cours des 4 à 6 derniers Ma. La croissance des nodules a commencé il y a environ 4 à 4,5 Ma pendant ou juste après un épisode d'érosion sous-marine sur des sédiments non fossilifères, probablement miocènes. Au cours d'une première phase d'une durée de quelques centaines de milliers d'années, la croissance a été très rapide (7 à > 18 mm par Ma) avec formation de la partie centrale du nodule, constituée de matière hydrogénée riche en Fe. Ensuite, après ralentissement des courants de fond et dépôt probable d'une mince couche de sédiment, le caractère des nodules a évolué vers une composition plus diagénétique, avec réduction du taux de croissance à 1 à 2 mm par Ma. Le moment de ce changement de régime doit se situer entre 3 et 4 Ma.Des changements dans les conditions de milieu sur le fond de la mer pourraient avoir provoqué une variation de la quantité de¹⁰Be apportée aux nodules, d'où résulterait une incertitude sur l'estimation des âges et du taux de croissance; cette question est discutée par les auteurs.

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¹⁰ , , , . , 4х10⁶–6×10⁶ . , 4,5х10⁶ , , , . 100.000 : 7 18 . , . , , : 1 2 . , 3х10⁶–4х 10⁶ . , , , , ¹⁰ .

     

Dynamic-stiffness matrix of soil by the boundary-element method: Conceptual aspects

Starting from a weighted-residual formulation, the various boundary-element methods, i.e. the weighted-residual technique, the indirect boundary-element method and the direct boundary-element method, are systematically developed for the calculation of the dynamic-stiffness matrix of an embedded foundation. In all three methods, loads whose analytical response in the unbounded domain can be determined are introduced acting on the continuous soil towards the region to be excavated. In the weighted-residual technique and in the indirect boundary-element method, a weighting function is used; in the latter case, it is selected as the Green's function for the surface traction. In the direct boundary-element method, the surface traction along the structure-soil interface is interpolated. The same type of boundary matrices which have a clear physical interpretation are identified in the three formulations, each of which is illustrated with a simple static example. The indirect boundary-element method leads to the most accurate results. The guaranteed symmetry and the fact that the displacement arising from the applied loads can easily be calculated and compared to the prescribed displacement makes the indirect boundary-element method especially attractive for calculating the dynamic-stiffness matrix of the soil. Instead of calculating the dynamic-stiffness matrix of the embedded foundation with the boundary-element method, it can be determined as the difference of those of the regular free field and of the excavated part. The calculation of the former does not require the Green's function for the surface traction. The dynamic stiffness of the excavated part can be calculated by the finite-element method.     

Dynamic-stiffness matrix of soil by the boundary-element method: Embedded foundation

Green's influence functions are derived for a linearly distributed load acting on part of a layered elastic halfplane on a line which is inclined to the horizontal. Using these Green's functions as fundamental solutions in the boundary-element method, the dynamic-stiffness matrices of the unbounded soil with excavation, of the excavated part and of the free field are calculated. The indirect boundary-element method using distributed loads and no offset leads to more accurate results than the weighted-residual technique and the direct boundary-element method. At the natural frequencies of the undamped excavated part built-in along the structure-soil interface, the spring coefficients associated with the dynamic-stiffness matrices of the excavated part and of the free field will become infinite. If the dynamic-stiffness matrix of the soil with excavation is calculated as the difference of that of the free field and that of the excavated part, the difference of two large numbers will arise in the vicinity of these frequencies. A consistent discretization must then be used. In particular, the dynamic-stiffness matrix of the embedded part cannot be determined by the finite-element method in this case. A parametric study is performed for the dynamic-stiffness matrix of the free field for a rectangular foundation embedded in a halfplane and in a layer built-in at its base; the aspect ratio and the damping of the soil are varied.     

The relative deformation gradient and its application to cylindrical folds with deformed lineations

The relative deformation gradient is defined and used to compare deformations between any two points of a body. This concept is useful in the geometrical analysis of deformation in natural folds, where only deformed planes and straight lines can be observed. The case of cylindrical folds with deformed lineations is studied.     

The characteristics and dynamics of tar pollution on the beaches of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago beaches were periodically sampled for tar between July 1980 and September 1981. This project was carried out by the Institute of Marine Affairs in cooperation with the United Nations. The Caribbean coasts of both islands were almost pristine, whereas pollution on the Atlantic coast beaches was comparable to that of other coasts along major tanker routes. The source of high tar concentrations on the Atlantic coasts may be attributed to the residues from tanker bilge cleanings, which are carried along the South Equatorial Current, eventually to strand on the islands' beaches. In the dry season (January to April) north-westerly currents and north-easterly winds prevail and more tar strands on Trinidad than on Tobago. In the wet season (June to November), however, when currents are more northerly and south-easterly wind prevail, the reverse situation holds and more tar strands on Tobago.     

Particle accelerator measurements of10Be in marine accumulations: Intercomparison with beta counting method

Cosmogenic beryllium-10 activities have been measured in marine accumulations of up to ～6 m.y age by conventional beta counting technique and by accelerator mass spectrometry. The two sets of data at¹⁰Be levels of 10⁹–10¹⁰ atoms/g agree within the absolute errors of the two methods. The detection limit for¹⁰Be by the accelerator mass spectrometry is about five orders of magnitude lower than that with the beta counting method.     

Potential Flank-Collapse of Soufrière Volcano, Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles? Numerical Simulation and Hazards

The past history of recurrent flank collapses of la Soufrière volcano of Guadeloupe, its structure, its well-developed hydrothermal system and the current activity constitute factors that could promote a future flank collapse, particularly in the case of a significant increase of activity, with or without shallow magmatic input. To address the hazards associated with such a collapse, we model the emplacement of the debris avalanche generated by a flank-collapse event in 1,250 BC (3,100 years B.P.). We use a finite-difference grain-flow model solving mass and momentum conservation equations that are depth-averaged over the slide thickness, and a Coulomb-type friction law with a variable basal (minimum) friction angle. Using the parameter values determined from this simulation, we then simulate the debris avalanche which could be generated by a potential collapse of the present lava dome. We then discuss the region which could be affected by such a future collapse, and additional associated hazards of concern.     

The oceanic substratum of Northern Luzon: Evidence from xenoliths within Monglo adakite (the Philippines)

Abstract   A 8.65 Ma adakitic intrusive sheet exposed near Monglo village in the Baguio District of Northern Luzon contains a suite of ultramafic and mafic xenoliths including in order of abundance: spinel dunites showing typical mantle-related textures, mineral and bulk rock compositions, and serpentinites derived from them; amphibole-rich gabbros displaying incompatible element patterns similar to those of flat or moderately enriched back-arc basin basalt magmas; and amphibolites derived from metabasalts and/or metagabbros of identical affinity. A single quartz diorite xenolith carrying a similar subduction-related geochemical signature has also been sampled. One amphibolite xenolith provided a whole-rock K–Ar age of 115.6 Ma (Barremian). We attribute the origin of this suite to the sampling by ascending adakitic magmas of a Lower Cretaceous ophiolitic complex located at a depth within the 30–35 km thick Luzon crust. It could represent an equivalent of the Isabela-Aurora and Pugo-Lepanto ophiolitic massifs exposed in Northern Luzon.     

Volcanic red-bed copper mineralisation related to submarine basalt alteration,Mont Alexandre,Quebec Appalachians,Canada

Two types of native copper occur in Upper Silurian basaltic rocks in the Mont Alexandre area, Quebec Appalachians: (1) type 1 forms micrometric inclusions in plagioclase and is possibly magmatic in origin, whereas (2) type 2 occurs as coarse-grained patches rimmed by cuprite in altered porphyritic basalt. Type 1 has higher contents of sulphur (2,000–20,263 ppm) and arsenic (146–6,017 ppm), and a broader range of silver abundances (<65–2,186 ppm Ag) than type 2 (149–1,288 ppm S, <90–146 As, <65–928 ppm Ag). No mineral inclusions of sulphide or arsenide in native copper were observed at the electron-microprobe scale. Primary igneous fabrics are preserved, but the basaltic flows are pervasively oxidised and plagioclase is albitised. Chlorite replaces plagioclase and forms interstitial aggregates in the groundmass and has Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios ranging from 0.29 to 0.36 with calculated temperatures between 155°C and 182°C. Copper sulphides in vacuoles and veinlets are associated with malachite, fibro-radiating albite and yarrowite (Cu₉S₈ with up to 0.3 wt% Ag). Bulk-rock concentrations of thallium and lithium range from 70 to 310 ppb and 10 to 22 ppm, respectively, and thallium is positively correlated with Fe₂O₃. Such concentrations of thallium and lithium are typical of spilitisation during heated seawater–basalt interaction. Spilitisation is consistent with the regional geological setting of deepwater-facies sedimentation, but is different from current models for volcanic red-bed copper, which indicate subaerial oxidation of volcanic flows. The volcanic red-bed copper model should be re-examined to account for native copper mineralisation in basalts altered by warm seawater.