Automated Three Dimensional Measurement Using Multiple CCD Camera Views

The goal of automated three dimensional measurement of arbitrary objects using photogrammetric methods is a long way from being achieved, but significant progress is being made. However, automated measurement of small objects using inexpensive CCD cameras and frame grabbers is becoming increasingly common. A number of such systems have been developed both for commercial use and for academic research. It is within this latter context that a system to measure objects within a controlled environment has been developed at City University. The objective of the research is not only to produce a flexible measuring system for use in online inspection, but also to address many of the fundamental problems that hinder three dimensional measurement outside a controlled environment.     

Linear and cyclic aliphatic carboxamides of the Murchison meteorite: hydrolyzable derivatives of amino acids and other carboxylic acids

Analyses of fractionated aqueous extracts of the Murchison meteorite by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after silylation with N-methyl-N (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide have revealed an extensive series of linear and cyclic aliphatic amides. These include monocarboxylic acid amides, dicarboxylic acid monoamides, hydroxy acid amides, lactams, carboxy lactams, lactims, N-acetyl amino acids, and substituted hydantoins. Numerous isomers and homologues through at least C8 were observed in all cases, except for the N-acetyl amino acids and hydantoins. Carboxy lactams, lactams, hydantoins, and N-acetyl amino acids are converted to amino acids by acid hydrolysis, thus, these compounds qualitatively account for the earlier observation of acid-labile amino acid precursors in meteoritic extracts. Laboratory studies of the spontaneous decomposition of N-carbamyl-alpha-amino acids and their dehydration products, the 5-substituted hydantoins, have led to the recognition of a series of aqueous phase reactions by which amino acids and cyanic acid/cyanate ion in the primitive parent body might have given rise to several of the observed classes of amides, as well as to monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and hydroxy acids. A previously undescribed reaction of 5-substituted hydantoins with cyanic acid/cyanate ion to give carboxamides of the 5-substituent groups was observed in the course of these studies. The presence of an extensive suite of amides in a CM chondrite appears to be consistent with the interstellar-parent body formation hypothesis for the organic compounds of these meteorites. The presence of carboxy lactams and lactams along with free amino acids suggests the possibility of further chemical evolution of meteorite amino acids by thermal polymerization. The cyclic amides, given their potential for hydrogen-bonded pair formation, might be considered candidate bases for a primitive sequence coding system.     

Persistent millennial-scale climatic variability over the past 25,000 years in Southern Africa

Data from stalagmites in the Makapansgat Valley, South Africa, document regional climatic change in southern Africa in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. A new TIMS U-series dated stalagmite indicates speleothem growth from 24.4 to 12.7 ka and from 10.2 to 0 ka, interrupted by a 2.5 ka hiatus. High-resolution oxygen and carbon stable isotope data suggest that postglacial warming was first initiated 17 ka, was interrupted by cooling, probably associated with the Antarctic Cold Reversal, and was followed by strong warming after 13.5 ka. The Early Holocene experienced warm, evaporative conditions with fewer C₄ grasses. Cooling is evident from 6 to 2.5 ka, followed by warming between 1.5 and 2.5 ka and briefly at AD 1200. Maximum Holocene cooling occurred at AD 1700. The new stalagmite largely confirms results from shorter Holocene stalagmites reported earlier. The strongest variability superimposed on more general trends has a quasi-periodicity between 2.5 and 4.0 ka. Also present are weaker 1.0 ka and 100-year oscillations, the latter probably solar induced. Given similarities to the Antarctic records, the proximate driving force producing millennial- and centennial-scale changes in the Makapansgat record is postulated to be atmospheric circulation changes associated with change in the Southern Hemisphere circumpolar westerly wind vortex.     

The development of a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model using the distribution of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the tissues of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) was developed to describe the kinetics of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). The estimated t(1/2) of elimination for a bolus dose of TCDD in C. virginica is approximately 14-24 days based on both the experimental data and the PBPK model. The highest dioxin concentration reached during 28-days was in the digestive gland followed by the mantle, gonad, hemolymph, gill, adductor muscle, and the kidney/heart. A binding protein for 2,3,7,8-TCDD had been reported in the literature for both the digestive gland and gonad. Incorporating a binding component in the model resulted in a better fit for the data. The PBPK model predicted the distribution and the elimination concentrations for 2,3,7,8-TCDD within each of the tissue compartments. This model will serve as a useful tool for predicting the kinetics of other persistent organic pollutants as well as, allow for a more refined ecological risk assessment by estimating dioxin concentrations in sensitive tissues such as the gonad.     

Esterification of vertebrate-like steroids in the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

The esterification of two model vertebrate steroid hormones – estradiol (E2) and dehidroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – was studied in the oyster Crassostrea virginica. The activity of acyl-CoA:steroid acyltransferase was characterized in microsomal fractions isolated from oyster digestive glands. The apparent K_m and V_max values changed with the fatty acid acyl-CoA used (C20:4, C18:2, C18:1, C16:1, C18:0 or C16:0), and were in the range of 9–17 μM, and 35–74 pmol/min/mg protein for E2, and in the range of 45–120 μM, and 30–182 pmol/min/mg protein for DHEA. Kinetic parameters were also assessed in gonadal tissue. The enzyme saturated at similar concentrations, although conjugation rates were lower than in digestive gland. Preliminary data shows that tributyltin (TBT) in the low μM range (1–50) strongly inhibits E2 and DHEA esterification, the esterification of E2 being more sensitive to inhibition than that of DHEA. Overall, results indicate that apolar conjugation occurs in oysters, in both digestive gland and gonads, at a very similar rate to mammals, suggesting that this is a well conserved conjugation pathway during evolution. Esterification, together with other mechanisms, can modulate endogenous steroid levels in C. virginica, and might be a target for endocrine disrupters, such as TBT.     

X-ray emission in wind instability simulations

We estimate X-ray emission by shock-heated regions in hot star winds, using temperature and density profiles calculated by time-dependent dynamical models; the shocks result from the instability of the line scattering force that drives the wind. For main sequence late O and early B stars, the model X-ray flux is generally well below the observed flux, though the shape of the model spectrum is approximately consistent with observations. For the early O supergiant Pup, the model spectral shape again agrees with observation; the total flux predicted by models is well above the observed flux, though significant uncertainties remain.     

Appinitic intrusions in the English Lake District

Summary Within the Skiddaw Group, which underlies the mid-Ordovician volcanic arc of the English Lake District, are minor intrusions of calc-alkaline, hornblende-augite rich, dioritic to picritic bodies reminiscent of the appinite suite of the Scottish Caledonides. Representative of these is the Scawgill Bridge microdiorite, a variable, hornblendic body which includes augite-phyric meladiorite and pyroxenite; others include the picrtte (augite-meladiorite or cortlandtite) plugs at Dash and Barkbeth. They are distinct from tholeiitic intrusions of similar age represented by the Embleton Diorite, and also from late Silurian biotite-lamprophyres. Despite alteration, primary variation trends indicated by immobile trace elements are also expressed by major elements including Mg, Fe and Ca. Differentiation at Scawgill Bridge is modelled as fractionation of olivine, augite, hornblende and chromite, and a similar process is inferred for the meladiorite intrusions. It is concluded these bodies represent primitive, calc-alkaline magmas related to the Lower Borrowdale Volcanic Group, which fractionated under confined conditions of high P(inH2o). In contrast, the Lower Borrowdale Volcanic Group itself is dominated by plagiophyric rocks which resulted from fractionation at lower P(inH2O).

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Appinitische Intrusionen im englischen Lake District

Zusammenfassung Die Skiddaw-Gruppe im Liegenden des mittelordovizischen Vulkanbogens des englischen Lake District enthält kleinere Intrusionen von kalkalkalischen, HornblendeAugit-reichen, dioritischen bis pikritischen Magmen, die an das Appinit-Vorkommen in den schottischen Kaledoniden erinnern. Für diese Intrusionen ist der Scawgill Bridge-Mikrodiorit repräsentativ. Er stellt einen variablen, Hornblende-reichen Körper mit Einschlüssen von Augit-porphyrischem Meladiorit und Pyroxenit dar; zu den anderen gehören die pikritischen (Augit-Meladiorit oder Cortlandit) Stöcke bei Dash und Barkbeth. Sie unterscheiden sich von tholeiitischen Intrusionen gleichen Alters, die durch den Embleton-Diorit vertreten sind, und auch von den spätsilurischen Biotit-Lamprophyren. Trotz Alteration werden primäre Korrelationen, die durch immobile Spurenelemente angezeigt werden, auch von Hauptelementen einschließlich Mg, Fe und Ca nachgezeichnet. Die Differentiation bei Scawgill Bridge wird als eine Fraktionierung von Olivin, Augit, Hornblende und Chromit modelliert, und ein ähnlicher Prozeß wird für die Meladiorit-Intrusion angenommen. Daraus wird geschlossen, daß diese Körper primitive, kalkalkalische Magmen repräsentieren, die zur Unteren Borrowdale Volcanic Group gehören und die unter hohem P_H2O fraktionierten. Im Gegensatz dazu wird die Untere Borrowdale Volcanic Group selbst von plagiophyrischen Gesteinen dominiert, die durch Fraktionierung unter niedrigem P(inH2O) entstanden sind.

     

Selective Extraction Chemistry of Toxic Metal Sulfides from Sediments

Experimental evidence suggests that formation of metal sulfides in anoxic sediments limits the bioavailability of several toxic elements. Our ability to quantify the processes by which these metal sulfides form is dependent upon our ability to determine the speciation of solid phase metals in sediments. Our work indicates that an entire suite of Cu-Fe and Ni-Fe sulfide minerals can form upon the exposure of mackinawite to aqueous Cu and Ni. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the solubility of pure metal sulfide minerals and their iron-metal derivatives in HCl directly correlates with the observed trends in the 'Degree of Trace Metal Pyritization' in natural sediments. Current extraction schemes cannot distinguish discrete trace metal sulfides from trace metals associated with pyrite.     

The Automatic Determination of the Location and Depth of Contacts and Dykes from Aeromagnetic Data

This paper demonstrates how to automatically obtain the location and depth of magnetic field sources of known structural index, such as contacts and dykes, for profile and map datasets. The method uses the analytic signal amplitude, and does not require that the magnetic data be pole-reduced or have a known magnetisation vector. The method is applied both to synthetic data and to aeromagnetic data from South Africa.