Extension of the empirical Alyavdin equation for representing batch grinding data

The Alyavdin equation for batch grinding data is:

$\text{1 ? P(χ, t) = [1 ? P(χ, 0)]}\text{exp}\text{?}\text{c(x)t}{}^{\mathrm{p}}\text{]}$

where P(χ,t) is the weight fraction less than size χ after grinding time t, c (χ) is constant with t and p is a constant close to one. It is shown that this equation is illogical (except for a single size of feed) unless c (χ) varies with P(χ,0), which makes the equation of little utility. A new empirical equation is developed for finite size intervals:

which reduces to the Alyavdin equation for a single size of feed, and which gives consistent computations for any feed size distribution. Techniques are given for determining K_i, γ values from sets of batch grinding data. The values are then used to predict size distributions for other times and other feed size distributions. The equation was quite successful in predicting size distributions in batch milling: (a) providing the feed size distribution was not un-natural, that is, not truncated or (b) if a truncated feed was used, the values of K_i and γ are determined from size distributions of grinding of the same type of feed. Thus, K_i, γ are not, unfortunately, completely independent of the starting feed size distribution.     

Clutch, egg and body size variation among common eiders breeding in Hudson Bay, Canada

The Hudson Bay common eider ( Somateria molissima sedentaria ) is a unique subspecies of eider that remains within the confines of Hudson Bay throughout the year. We compared clutch, egg and body size variation among populations of common eiders breeding in eastern and western Hudson Bay. Clutch size did not differ substantially among these populations. All eiders in Hudson Bay laid larger clutches than other subspecies in eastern North America. As Hudson Bay common eiders do not undergo extensive migrations, they may have more energy reserves available to them for egg production. Eiders nesting in eastern Hudson Bay laid larger eggs than eiders nesting in western Hudson Bay. Further, eiders in eastern Hudson Bay tended to be structurally larger, but had smaller bill processes. These differences may have a genetic basis. Smaller egg size and body size may arise in western Hudson Bay from mixing with the smaller borealis subspecies nesting to the north. Further work to resolve genetic affinities, determine levels of male and female dispersal, and examine variation in reproductive ecology are needed to resolve the sources of these differences.     

A New Method for Computing the Mean Center of Population of the United States

The mean center of population of the United States is a convenient location used to summarize the population distribution of the United States and how it changes over time. As computed by the U.S. Census Bureau, the center depends on an arbitrary choice of a map projection. We feel that this location should depend only on the population distribution and not on any choices made in representing the data of the distribution. This note discusses a method for computing this location that does not depend on any choices made and describes how the results of this method differ from those of the Census Bureau.     

A DEFINITION AND ESTIMATE OF TEMPORAL AREA

Many of the techniques used to describe the location of human activities incorporate physical definitions of distance and area, although other definitions are methodologically preferable. Using Boone County, Missouri as an example, the physical-distance regularity of city spacing is described by the nearest-neighbor statistic, modified to compensate for boundary effect. The statistic is reformulated with an estimate of temporal area, defined by analogy with shape-compactness measures, and travel times. Application of the refined formula reveals greater regularity of city spacing in functional space than in physical space.     

The micromechanisms of power in local content requirements and their constraints on Ghanaian SMEs in the oil and gas sector

Local content laws have the potential to promote positive synergies between the extractive sectors and African economies. However, their success is a negotiated outcome of interaction between actors. The objective of the article is to emphasize the mechanisms by which local content requirements are negotiated between actors in Ghana’s oil and gas industry, by drawing on Foucault’s concept of power. Data for the study were obtained through interviews, observations and secondary sources. The author found that complex registration systems, administrative details, and financial and technological requirements constituted the micromechanisms of power at play in determining how the local content law was applied in practice. The article demonstrates how these factors limit the activities of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in the oil and gas sector. The author concludes that the institutional context, the capacity of local SMEs, and the techniques and practices of multinational corporations (MNCs) shape the extent of local participation in Ghana’s oil and gas industry.     

日本掀起对活断层定义和地震预报的热烈讨论

１９９７年１１月由日本地震学会宣传委员会发起的英文简称为ｎｆｍｌ的活动至１９９８年２月初已２个多月了。截至１９９８年２月５日,已有１４５名参与者。他们就地震、防灾、科学教育和媒体的作用进行了内容广泛的讨论。参与者中不仅有地震学专家,还有宣传、教育、行...     

Late spring ultraviolet levels over the United Kingdom and the link to ozone

Erythemally-weighted ultraviolet (UV_ery) levels measured over southern England, during anticyclonic weather between 30 April and 2 May, 1997, were almost 50 higher than normally expected for clear skies and were similar to mid-summer values for the first time since measurements began in 1990. Investigation of this episode suggests that a combination of both meteorological and chemical effects were responsible for generating record low ozone amounts for the time of year. Further, comparisons between the A band ultraviolet (315 to 400 nm wavelength) amounts, and radiative calculations confirm that the high UV_ery was primarily due to the reduction in total ozone. These results are contrasted with a similar period for 1998, in which near climatological ozone amounts were measured. The prospects for enhanced UV_ery levels in future years are briefly reviewed in the light of expected increases in stratospheric halogen levels and greenhouse gases.     

Significance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio</Emphasis> species in the marine organic carbon cycle—A review

The genus Vibrio, belonging to Gammaproteobacteria of the phylum Proteobacteria, is a genetically and ecologically diverse group of heterotrophic bacteria, that are ubiquitous in marine environments, especially in coastal areas. In particular, vibrios dominate, i.e. up to 10% of the readily culturable marine bacteria in these habitats. The distribution of Vibrio spp. is shaped by various environmental parameters, notably temperature, salinity and dissolved organic carbon. Vibriospp. may utilize a wide range of organic carbon compounds, including chitin (this may be metabolized by most Vibrio spp.), alginic acid and agar. Many Vibrio spp. have very short replication times (as short as ~10 min), which could facilitate them developing into high biomass content albeit for relatively short durations. Although Vibriospp. usually comprise a minor portion (typically ~1% of the total bacterioplankton in coastal waters) of the total microbial population, they have been shown to proliferate explosively in response to various nutrient pulses, e.g., organic nutrients from algae blooms and iron (Fe⁺) from Saharan dust. Thus, Vibrio spp. may exert large impacts on marine organic carbon cycling especially in marginal seas. Genomics and related areas of investigation will reveal more about the molecular components and mechanisms involved in Vibrio-mediated biotransformation and remineralization processes.