Laboratory study of SO2 dry deposition on limestone and marble: Effects of humidity and surface variables

USGS Publications Warehouse

Spiker, E. C.; Hosker, R.P.; Weintraub, V.C.; Sherwood, S.I.

1995-01-01

The dry deposition of gaseous air pollutants on stone and other materials is influenced by atmospheric processes and the chemical characteristics of the deposited gas species and of the specific receptor material. Previous studies have shown that relative humidity, surface moisture, and acid buffering capability of the receptor surface are very important factors. To better quantify this behavior, a special recirculating wind tunnel/environmental chamber was constructed, in which wind speed, turbulence, air temperature, relative humidity, and concentrations of several pollutants (SO2, O3, nitrogen oxides) can be held constant. An airfoil sample holder holds up to eight stone samples (3.8 cm in diameter and 1 cm thick) in nearly identical exposure conditions. SO2 deposition on limestone was found to increase exponentially with increasing relative humidity (RH). Marble behaves similarly, but with a much lower deposition rate. Trends indicate there is little deposition below 20% RH on clean limestone and below 60% RH on clean marble. This large difference is due to the limestone's greater porosity, surface roughness, and effective surface area. These results indicate surface variables generally limit SO2 deposition below about 70% RH on limestone and below at least 95% RH on marble. Aerodynamic variables generally limit deposition at higher relative humidity or when the surface is wet.The dry deposition of gaseous air pollutants on stone and other materials is influenced by atmospheric processes and the chemical characteristics of the deposited gas species and of the specific receptor material. Previous studies have shown that relative humidity, surface moisture, and acid buffering capability of the receptor surface are very important factors. To better quantify this behavior, a special recirculating wind tunnel/environmental chamber was constructed, in which wind speed, turbulence, air temperature, relative humidity, and concentrations of several pollutants (SO2, O3, nitrogen oxides) can be held constant. An airfoil sample holder holds up to eight stone samples (3.8 cm in diameter and 1 cm thick) in nearly identical exposure conditions. SO2 deposition on limestone was found to increase exponentially with increasing relative humidity (RH). Marble behaves similarly, but with a much lower deposition rate. Trends indicate there is little deposition below 20% RH on clean limestone and below 60% RH on clean marble. This large difference is due to the limestone's greater porosity, surface roughness, and effective surface area. These results indicate surface variables generally limit SO2 deposition below about 70% RH on limestone and below at least 95% RH on marble. Aerodynamic variables generally limit deposition at higher relative humidity or when the surface is wet.

A novel numerical model to predict the morphological behavior of magnetic liquid marbles using coarse grained molecular dynamics concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polwaththe-Gallage, Hasitha-Nayanajith; Sauret, Emilie; Nguyen, Nam-Trung; Saha, Suvash C.; Gu, YuanTong

2018-01-01

Liquid marbles are liquid droplets coated with superhydrophobic powders whose morphology is governed by the gravitational and surface tension forces. Small liquid marbles take spherical shapes, while larger liquid marbles exhibit puddle shapes due to the dominance of gravitational forces. Liquid marbles coated with hydrophobic magnetic powders respond to an external magnetic field. This unique feature of magnetic liquid marbles is very attractive for digital microfluidics and drug delivery systems. Several experimental studies have reported the behavior of the liquid marbles. However, the complete behavior of liquid marbles under various environmental conditions is yet to be understood. Modeling techniques can be used to predict the properties and the behavior of the liquid marbles effectively and efficiently. A robust liquid marble model will inspire new experiments and provide new insights. This paper presents a novel numerical modeling technique to predict the morphology of magnetic liquid marbles based on coarse grained molecular dynamics concepts. The proposed model is employed to predict the changes in height of a magnetic liquid marble against its width and compared with the experimental data. The model predictions agree well with the experimental findings. Subsequently, the relationship between the morphology of a liquid marble with the properties of the liquid is investigated. Furthermore, the developed model is capable of simulating the reversible process of opening and closing of the magnetic liquid marble under the action of a magnetic force. The scaling analysis shows that the model predictions are consistent with the scaling laws. Finally, the proposed model is used to assess the compressibility of the liquid marbles. The proposed modeling approach has the potential to be a powerful tool to predict the behavior of magnetic liquid marbles serving as bioreactors.

Impact dynamics of liquid marbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marston, Jeremy; Supakar, Tinku

2016-11-01

The impact of particle coated droplets (a.k.a. liquid marbles or armored droplets) onto solid substrates is assessed experimentally with high-speed video. The impact is characterized by the maximum spread diameter, which conforms to scaling laws in terms of the impact Weber number, meaning that the marbles behave similar to water droplets during this stage. However, the motion of the particles across the surface allows us to observe both clustering and divergence of the particle shell and, in particular, we observe the formation of arrested shapes (i.e. jammed interfaces) after impact onto hydrophobic surfaces, from an initially spherical shape. In this case, we postulate that the speed of retraction and rate of change of surface coverage is a key ingredient leading to arrested shapes.

Wetting and elasto-plasticity based sculpture of liquid marbles.

PubMed

Liu, Jianlin; Zuo, Pingcheng

2016-02-01

As an emerging material with exotic properties, liquid marble holds great potential for such areas as microfluidics, stimuli-responsive sensors, micro-chemical reactors, micro-bioreactors, energy harvesting devices, and mechanical structures. In this study, we mainly concentrate on the mechanical behaviors, such as elasto-plasticity of liquid marble with the decrease of liquid volume. The contact radius with the substrate and Young's contact angle of liquid marble are both measured with the change of water volume, and those of a water droplet are compared. The mechanism for the different responses for liquid marble and water droplet is clarified according to the mechanics analysis. Moreover, it is found that liquid marble can behave like an elasto-plastic material when the particle surface density is big enough. Based upon this fact, liquid marble can be sculpted to all kinds of special shapes as expected. These investigations may cast new light on how to engineer multifunctional materials and devices, which are beneficial to microprinting and micromachining.

Provenance of white marbles from the nabatean sites of Qase Al Bint and colonnaded street baths at Petra, Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abu-Jaber, Nizar; al-Saad, Ziad; Shiyyab, Adnan; Degryse, Patrick

Intercultural relations and trade are important components of understanding of historical interrelationships between regions and cultures. One of the most interesting objects of trade is stone, because of the expense and difficulty of its transport. Thus, the source of marble used in the Nabatean city of Petra was investigated using established petrological, geochemical and isotopic analyses. Specifically, marble from Qasr al Bint and the Colonnaded Street baths were sampled and investigated. The results of these analyses show that the marbles came from sources in Asia Minora and Greece. The most likely sources of the marble are the quarries of Thasos, Penteli, Prokennesos and Dokimeion. The choice of marble followed the desired utilitarian and aesthetic function of the stone. These results show that active trade in stone was part of the cultural interaction of the period.

Experimental Investigation on Deformation Failure Characteristics of Crystalline Marble Under Triaxial Cyclic Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Sheng-Qi; Tian, Wen-Ling; Ranjith, P. G.

2017-11-01

The deformation failure characteristics of marble subjected to triaxial cyclic loading are significant when evaluating the stability and safety of deep excavation damage zones. To date, however, there have been notably few triaxial experimental studies on marble under triaxial cyclic loading. Therefore, in this research, a series of triaxial cyclic tests was conducted to analyze the mechanical damage characteristics of a marble. The post-peak deformation of the marble changed gradually from strain softening to strain hardening as the confining pressure increased from 0 to 10 MPa. Under uniaxial compression, marble specimens showed brittle failure characteristics with a number axial splitting tensile cracks; in the range of σ 3 = 2.5-7.5 MPa, the marble specimens assumed single shear fracture characteristics with larger fracture angles of about 65°. However, at σ 3 = 10 MPa, the marble specimens showed no obvious shear fracture surfaces. The triaxial cyclic experimental results indicate that in the range of the tested confining pressures, the triaxial strengths of the marble specimens under cyclic loading were approximately equal to those under monotonic loading. With the increase in cycle number, the elastic strains of the marble specimens all increased at first and later decreased, achieving maximum values, but the plastic strains of the marble specimens increased nonlinearly. To evaluate quantitatively the damage extent of the marble under triaxial cyclic loading, a damage variable is defined according to the irreversible deformation for each cycle. The evolutions of the elastic modulus for the marble were characterized by four stages: material strengthening, material degradation, material failure and structure slippage. Based on the experimental results of the marble specimens under complex cyclic loading, the cohesion of the marble decreased linearly, but the internal friction angles did not depend on the damage extent. To describe the peak strength characteristics of the marble specimens under complex cyclic loadings with various deformation positions, a revised strength criterion for damaged rocks is offered.

Hydrophobizing coatings for cultural heritage. A detailed study of resin/stone surface interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fermo, P.; Cappelletti, G.; Cozzi, N.; Padeletti, G.; Kaciulis, S.; Brucale, M.; Merlini, M.

2014-07-01

Conservation of historical buildings is an important issue and the environmental conditions seriously affect the monument's stones. The protection of cultural heritage buildings and monuments by surface treatment with polymers is a common practice due to their ability to form a protective layer on the monument's surface as well as to control the transport of different fluids from the surface to the monument's interior. In this work, three different substrates were used: Carrara marble, Botticino limestone, and Angera stone. A commercially available Si-based resin (Alpha®SI30) was used as protective agent to improve the hydrophobicity features of the different tested materials. The surface properties of the coating and the relative interaction with the adopted stones were studied using different techniques such as contact angle measurements, electron microscope coupled with an energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy.

Experimental Investigation on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Marble Dust Particulate-Filled Needle-Punched Nonwoven Jute Fiber/Epoxy Composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Ankush; Patnaik, Amar

2018-03-01

The present investigation evaluates the effects of waste marble dust, collected from the marble industries of Rajasthan, India, on the mechanical properties of needle-punched nonwoven jute fiber/epoxy composites. The composites with varying filler contents from 0 wt.% to 30 wt.% marble dust were prepared using vacuum-assisted resin-transfer molding. The influences of the filler material on the void content, tensile strength, flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), and thermal conductivity of the hybrid composites have been analyzed experimentally under the desired optimal conditions. The addition of marble dust up to 30 wt.% increases the flexural strength, ILSS, and thermal conductivity, but decreases the tensile strength. Subsequently, the fractured surfaces of the particulate-filled jute/epoxy composites were analyzed microstructurally by field-emission scanning electron microscopy.

Effects of USDA carcass maturity on sensory attributes of beef produced by grain-finished steers and heifers classified as less than 30 months old using dentition.

PubMed

Acheson, R J; Woerner, D R; Tatum, J D

2014-04-01

This study compared sensory properties of LM steaks from A maturity and B maturity or older carcasses that were produced by grain-finished steers and heifers classified as less than 30 mo old at the time of slaughter using dentition. Carcasses were selected to represent 2 maturity groups and 3 marbling categories within each maturity group, resulting in 6 maturity × marbling subclasses, each subclass consisting of 75 carcasses. Maturity groups consisted of carcasses classified by USDA graders as either A(00) to A(99) overall (A) maturity or B(00) to C(99) overall (B-C) maturity; marbling categories consisted of carcasses with instrument marbling scores of Slight (SL), Small (SM), or Modest(00) or greater (MT+). Carcasses were selected in pairs so that each carcass chosen to represent the B-C maturity group was paired with an A maturity carcass of the same sex and marbling score (± 30 marbling units). Strip loin (LM) steaks were obtained from both sides of each carcass. After a 14-d aging period, 1 LM steak was measured for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and slice shear force (SSF), whereas the other LM steak was used for sensory analysis by a trained descriptive attribute panel. No differences (P > 0.05) in WBSF, SSF, or sensory panel ratings for tenderness, juiciness, or flavor were detected between LM steaks from carcasses classified as A maturity and steaks from B-C maturity carcasses. However, marbling categories effectively stratified carcasses (MT+ > SM > SL) according to differences (P < 0.0001) in LM tenderness, juiciness, meaty/brothy flavor, and buttery/beef fat flavor. Increased marbling also was associated with lesser (P < 0.01) intensities of bloody/serumy and livery/organy flavors and reduced (P < 0.01) values for WBSF and SSF. Of the traits tested, only bloody/serumy flavor was affected (P < 0.05) by the maturity × marbling interaction. Interaction means showed that LM steaks from B-C maturity carcasses with SL marbling had a less intense bloody/serumy flavor than did steaks from A maturity carcasses with SL marbling. Results of this study suggest that, when applied to carcasses from grain-finished cattle whose dental ages are less than 30 mo old at the time of slaughter, USDA quality grades would be no less effective in identifying eating quality differences if the A and B-C maturity groups were combined and quality grades were assigned using only marbling.

Development of gypsum alteration on marble and limestone

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGee, E.S.

1996-01-01

Blackened alteration crusts of gypsum plus particulates that form on sheltered areas on marble and limestone buildings pose a challenge for rehabilitation and cleaning. Fresh marble and limestone samples exposed at monitored exposure sites present conditions of simple geometry and well-documented exposures but have short exposure histories (one to five years). The gypsum alteration crusts that develop on these samples provide insight into the early stages and rate of alteration crust formation. Alteration crusts from buildings give a longer, but less well known exposure history and present much more complex surfaces for gypsum accumulation. Integrated observations and measurements of alteration crusts from exposure samples and from buildings identify four factors that are important in the formation and development of alteration crusts on marble and limestone: (1) pollution levels, (2) exposure to rain or washing, (3) geometry of exposure of the stone surface, and (4) permeability of the stone. The combination of these factors contributes to both the distribution and the physical characteristics of the gypsum crusts which may affect cleaning decisions.

The discoloration of the Taj Mahal due to particulate carbon and dust deposition.

PubMed

Bergin, M H; Tripathi, S N; Jai Devi, J; Gupta, T; Mckenzie, M; Rana, K S; Shafer, M M; Villalobos, Ana M; Schauer, J J

2015-01-20

The white marble domes of the Taj Mahal are iconic images of India that attract millions of visitors every year. Over the past several decades the outer marble surfaces of the Taj Mahal have begun to discolor with time and must be painstakingly cleaned every several years. Although it has been generally believed that the discoloration is in some way linked with poor air quality in the Agra region, the specific components of air pollution responsible have yet to be identified. With this in mind, ambient particulate matter (PM) samples were collected over a one-year period and found to contain relatively high concentrations of light absorbing particles that could potentially discolor the Taj Mahal marble surfaces, that include black carbon (BC), light absorbing organic carbon (brown carbon, BrC), and dust. Analyses of particles deposited to marble surrogate surfaces at the Taj Mahal indicate that a large fraction of the outer Taj Mahal surfaces are covered with particles that contain both carbonaceous components and dust. We have developed a novel approach that estimates the impact of these deposited particles on the visible light surface reflectance, which is in turn used to estimate the perceived color by the human eye. Results indicate that deposited light absorbing dust and carbonaceous particles (both BC and BrC from the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass) are responsible for the surface discoloration of the Taj Mahal. Overall, the results suggest that the deposition of light absorbing particulate matter in regions of high aerosol loading are not only influencing cultural heritage but also the aesthetics of both natural and urban surfaces.

3D visualization of sheath folds in Ancient Roman marble wall coverings from Ephesos, Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wex, Sebastian; Passchier, Cees W.; de Kemp, Eric A.; İlhan, Sinan

2014-10-01

Archaeological excavations and restoration of a palatial Roman housing complex in Ephesos, Turkey yielded 40 wall-decorating plates of folded mylonitic marble (Cipollino verde), derived from the internal Hellenides near Karystos, Greece. Cipollino verde was commonly used for decoration purposes in Roman buildings. The plates were serial-sectioned from a single quarried block of 1,25 m3 and provided a research opportunity for detailed reconstruction of the 3D geometry of meterscale folds in mylonitized marble. A GOCAD model is used to visualize the internal fold structures of the marble, comprising curtain folds and multilayered sheath folds. The sheath folds are unusual in that they have their intermediate axis normal to the parent layering. This agrees with regional tectonic studies, which suggest that Cipollino verde structures formed by local constrictional non-coaxial flow. Sheath fold cross-section geometry, exposed on the surface of a plate or outcrop, is found to be independent of the intersection angle of the fold structure with the studied plane. Consequently, a single surface cannot be used as an indicator of the three-dimensional geometry of transected sheath folds.

Transformation of the Surface Structure of Marble under the Action of a Shock Wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shcherbakov, I. P.; Vettegren, V. I.; Bashkarev, A. Ya.; Mamalimov, R. I.

2018-01-01

The structure of marble fracture fragments formed after the destruction under the action of a shock wave have been analyzed by Raman, infrared, and luminescence spectroscopic techniques. It has been found that calcite I in the surface layer of fragments with thicknesses of about 2 μm is transformed into high-pressure phase calcite III. At the same time, concentrations of Mn2+, Eu3+, and other ions decrease to about onefourth of their initial values.

New Data On The Cathodoluminescence Of White Marbles: Interpretation Of Peaks And Relationships To Weathering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia-Guinea, J.; Crespo-Feo, E.; Correcher, V.; Iordanidis, A.; Charalampides, G.; Karamitrou-Mentessidi, G.

This work focus on the Thermoluminescence (TL), the Spatially Resolved Spectral Cathodoluminescence (CL) and Raman spectroscopy (Raman) of white marble specimens collected from the archaeological park of Aiani (Greece) and from patterns of Iceland calcite and Macael marble for comparison purposes. The spectra CL were measured with a high sensitivity cathodoluminescence spectrometer MonoCL3 of Gatan (UK) attached to an FEI-ESEM microscope (CL-ESEM). The experimental set of spectra CL curves of Aiani white marbles suggest that the blue band is more resistant to weathering in comparison with the red band which drops down easily under weathering. The comparison among CL spectra of CaCO3 patterns give a slight difference between the small 330 nm peak, detected in marble and not observed in the monocrystal pattern of Iceland calcite. The Backscattering Electron Dispersed (BSED) images of the white marble are similar to the CL monochromatic plots at 330 nm which highlight the surfaces with remarkable clarity, suggesting a CL emission-defect associated to the marble crystal interfaces, such as protons or hydroxyls. Conversely, the 395 nm monochromatic mapping depicts a CL image emitting from bulk and not from interfaces attributable to point defects or cationic activators in Ca2+ positions. The blue band of the spectra luminescence of marble is composed by several peaks associated to very different types of luminescent defects. This statement is not inconsequential since in archaeological TL dating of marbles the regenerated luminescence in the blue region of the spectrum is a serious difficulty and further research on this topic is necessary.

Comparative study of pulsed laser cleaning applied to weathered marble surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortiz, P.; Antúnez, V.; Ortiz, R.; Martín, J. M.; Gómez, M. A.; Hortal, A. R.; Martínez-Haya, B.

2013-10-01

The removal of unwanted matter from surface stones is a demanding task in the conservation of cultural heritage. This paper investigates the effectiveness of near-infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) laser pulses for the cleaning of surface deposits, iron oxide stains and different types of graffiti (black, red and green sprays and markers, and black cutting-edge ink) on dolomitic white marble. The performance of the laser techniques is compared to common cleaning methods on the same samples, namely pressurized water and chemical treatments. The degree of cleaning achieved with each technique is assessed by means of colorimetric measurements and X-ray microfluorescence. Eventual morphological changes induced on the marble substrate are monitored with optical and electronic microscopy. It is found that UV pulsed laser ablation at 266 nm manages to clean all the stains except the cutting-edge ink, although some degree of surface erosion is produced. The IR laser pulses at 1064 nm can remove surface deposits and black spray acceptably, but a yellowing is observed on the stone surface after treatment. An economic evaluation shows that pulsed laser cleaning techniques are advantageous for the rapid cleaning of small or inaccessible surface areas, although their extensive application becomes expensive due to the long operating times required.

Effects of acid rain and sulfur dioxide on marble dissolution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schuster, Paul F.; Reddy, Michael M.; Sherwood, Susan I.

1994-01-01

Acid precipitation and the dry deposition of sulfur dioxide (SO2) accelerate damage to carbonate-stone monuments and building materials. This study identified and quantified environmental damage to a sample of Vermont marble during storms and their preceding dry periods. Results from field experiments indicated the deposition of SO2 gas to the stone surface during dry periods and a twofold increase in marble dissolution during coincident episodes of low rain rate and decreased rainfall pH. The study is widely applicable to the analysis of carbonate-stone damage at locations affected by acid rain and air pollution.

Blueberries on Earth and Mars: Correlations Between Concretions in Navajo Sandstone and Terra Meridiani on Mars.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahaney, W. C.; Milner, M. W.; Netoff, D.; Dohm, J.; Kalm, V.; Krinsley, D.; Sodhi, R. N.; Anderson, R. C.; Boccia, S.; Malloch, D.; Kapran, B.; Havics, A.

2008-12-01

Concretionary Fe-Mn-rich nodular authigenic constituents of Jurassic Navajo sandstone (moki marbles) bear a certain relationship to similar concretionary forms ('blueberries') observed on Mars. Their origin on Earth is considered to invoke variable redox conditions with underground fluids penetrating porous quartz-rich sandstone leading to precipitation of hematite and goethite-rich material from solution, generally forming around a central nucleus of fine particles of quartz and orthoclase, recently verified by XRD and SEM-EDS analyses. At the outer rim/inner nucleus boundary, bulbous lobes of fine-grained quartz often invade and fracture the outer rim armored matrix. The bulbous forms are interpreted to result from fluid explusion from the inner concretionary mass, a response to pressure changes accompanying overburden loading. Moki marbles, harder than enclosing rock, often weather out of in situ sandstone outcrops that form a surface lag deposit of varnished marbles that locally resemble desert pavement. The marbles appear morphologically similar to 'blueberries' identified on the martian surface in Terra Meridiani through the MER-1 Opportunity rover. On Earth, redox fluids responsible for the genesis of marbles may have emanated from deep in the crust (often influenced by magmatic processes). These fluids, cooling to ambient temperatures, may have played a role in the genesis of the cemented outer rim of the concretions. The low frequency of fungi filaments in the marbles, contrasts with a high occurrence in Fe-encrusted sands of the Navajo formation [1], indicating that microbial content is of secondary importance in marble genesis relative to the fluctuating influx of ambient groundwater. Nevertheless, the presence of filaments in terrestrial concretions hints at the possibility of discovering fossil/extant life on Mars, and thus should be considered as prime targets for future reconnaissance missions to Mars. 1] Mahaney, W.C., et al. (2004), Icarus, 171, 39-53.

NASA Blue Marble 2007 West

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-03-12

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 9, 2007 Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Reto Stöckli A day’s clouds. The shape and texture of the land. The living ocean. City lights as a beacon of human presence across the globe. This amazingly beautiful view of Earth from space is a fusion of science and art, a showcase for the remote-sensing technology that makes such views possible, and a testament to the passion and creativity of the scientists who devote their careers to understanding how land, ocean, and atmosphere—even life itself—interact to generate Earth’s unique (as far as we know!) life-sustaining environment. Drawing on data from multiple satellite missions (not all collected at the same time), a team of NASA scientists and graphic artists created layers of global data for everything from the land surface, to polar sea ice, to the light reflected by the chlorophyll in the billions of microscopic plants that grow in the ocean. They wrapped these layers around a globe, set it against a black background, and simulated the hazy edge of the Earth’s atmosphere (the limb) that appears in astronaut photography of the Earth. The land surface layer is based on photo-like surface reflectance observations (reflected sunlight) measured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite in July 2004. The sea ice layer near the poles comes from Terra MODIS observations of daytime sea ice observed between August 28 and September 6, 2001. The ocean layer is a composite. In shallow water areas, the layer shows surface reflectances observed by Terra MODIS in July 2004. In the open ocean, the photo-like layer is overlaid with observations of the average ocean chlorophyll content for 2004. NASA’s Aqua MODIS collected the chlorophyll data. The cloud layer shows a single-day snapshot of clouds observed by Terra MODIS across the planet on July 29, 2001. City lights on Earth’s night side are visualized from data collected by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program mission between 1994–1995. The topography layer is based on radar data collected by the Space Shuttle Endeavour during an 11-day mission in February of 2000. Topography over Antarctica comes from the Radarsat Antarctic Mapping Project, version 2. Most of the data layers in this visualization are available as monthly composites as part of NASA’s Blue Marble Next Generation image collection. The images in the collection appear in cylindrical projection (rectangular maps), and they are available at 500-meter resolution. The large images provided above are the full-size versions of these globes. In their hope that these images will inspire people to appreciate the beauty of our home planet and to learn about the Earth system, the developers of these images encourage readers to re-use and re-publish the images freely. NASA images by Reto Stöckli, based on data from NASA and NOAA. To learn the history of the Blue Marble go here: earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/BlueMarble/BlueMarble_... To learn more about the Blue Marble go here: earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=8108 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is home to the nation's largest organization of combined scientists, engineers and technologists that build spacecraft, instruments and new technology to study the Earth, the sun, our solar system, and the universe. Follow us on Twitter Join us on Facebook

Stone material investigations of the Riga Stock Exchange building

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Igaune-Blumberga, S.; Vitina, I.; Lindina, L.; Timma, I.; Barbane, I.

2011-12-01

This paper deals with the stone material investigation of former Riga Stock Exchange building and presents the following aspects: characterization of materials, analyses of mortars for sealing and cladding of artificial marble, decors, bricks, render of sealing, analyses of soluble salts, analyses of deteriorated granite surface of foundation. The last damage by fire was in 1979 which caused the collapse of the roof and consequently an infiltration of rain water. The conditions of the objects were found in very bad condition-deterioration represented by salt efflorescence's, cracking and in very large areas there was a complete loss of the artificial marble (stucco marble).

The Underwater Recovery of Monumental Marble Column Drums from an Ancient Shipwreck at Kızılburun, Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlson, Deborah N.

2016-08-01

In the first century B.C., a stone carrier sank off the Aegean coast of Turkey at Kızılburun transporting all the elements of a monumental marble column, including a single Doric capital and eight drums. The 60-tonne cargo lay at a depth of 45-48 m and was excavated in its entirety by the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University between 2005 and 2011. Ongoing research has shown that the Doric column pieces in the Kızılburun cargo originated in the marble quarries on Proconnesus Island in the Sea of Marmara and were very likely heading for the Temple of Apollo at Claros when the ship sank just 50 km short of its destination. The complete recovery of the ship's cargo posed a unique set of methodological challenges involving lifting the multi-tonne marble drums without disturbing the delicate waterlogged wooden hull remains preserved beneath. This report summarizes the solutions developed over five seasons in order to rig, hoist, move, and ultimately raise to the surface eight large ancient marble column drums (as well as all the other marble artifacts in the cargo) from a depth of almost 50 m under water.

Novel Hydroxyapatite Coatings for the Conservation of Marble and Limestone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naidu, Sonia

Marble and limestone are calcite-based materials used in the construction of various structures, many of which have significant artistic and architectural value. Unfortunately, due to calcite's high dissolution rate, these stones are susceptible to chemically-induced weathering in nature. Limestone, due to its inherent porosity, also faces other environmental weathering processes that cause weakening from disintegration at grain boundaries. The treatments presently available are all deficient in one way or another. The aim of this work is to examine the feasibility of using hydroxyapatite (HAP) as a novel protective coating for marble and limestone, with two goals: i) to reduce acid corrosion of marble and ii) to consolidate physically weathered limestone. The motivation for using HAP is its low dissolution rate and structural compatibility with calcite. Mild, wet chemical synthesis routes, in which inorganic phosphate-based solutions were reacted with marble and limestone, alone and with other precursors, were used to produce HAP films. Film nucleation, growth and phase evolution were studied on marble to understand film formation and determine the optimal synthesis route. An acid resistance test was developed to investigate the attack mechanism on marble and quantify the efficacy of HAP-based coatings. Film nucleation and growth were dependent on substrate surface roughness and increased with calcium and carbonate salt additions during synthesis. Acid attack on marble occurred via simultaneous dissolution at grain boundaries, twin boundaries and grain surfaces. HAP provided intermediate protection against acid attack, when compared to two conventional treatments. Its ability to protect the stone from acid was not as significant as predicted from dissolution kinetics and this was attributed to incomplete coverage and residual porosity within the film, arising from its flake-like crystal growth habit, which enabled acid to access the underlying substrate. The effectiveness of HAP as a consolidant for weathered limestone, alone and coupled with a commercially available consolidant (ConservareRTM OH-100), was also investigated. To artificially weather limestone in the lab, a reproducible thermal degradation technique was utilised. The dynamic elastic modulus, water sorptivity and coating composition of treated stones were evaluated. HAP was found to be an effective consolidant for limestone, as it restored the elastic modulus of damaged stones to their original values and exhibited superior performance to ConservareRTM OH-100.

Durable Self-Cleaning Coatings for Architectural Surfaces by Incorporation of TiO2 Nano-Particles into Hydroxyapatite Films

PubMed Central

Sassoni, Enrico; D’Amen, Eros; Roveri, Norberto

2018-01-01

To prevent soiling of marble exposed outdoors, the use of TiO2 nano-particles has been proposed in the literature by two main routes, both raising durability issues: (i) direct application to marble surface, with the risk of particle leaching by rainfall; (ii) particle incorporation into inorganic or organic coatings, with the risk of organic coating degradation catalyzed by TiO2 photoactivity. Here, we investigated the combination of nano-TiO2 and hydroxyapatite (HAP), previously developed for marble protection against dissolution in rain and mechanical consolidation. HAP-TiO2 combination was investigated by two routes: (i) sequential application of HAP followed by nano-TiO2 (“H+T”); (ii) simultaneous application by introducing nano-TiO2 into the phosphate solution used to form HAP (“HT”). The self-cleaning ability was evaluated before and after prolonged exposure to simulated rain. “H+T” and “HT” coatings exhibited much better resistance to nano-TiO2 leaching by rain, compared to TiO2 alone. In “H+T” samples, TiO2 nano-particles adhere better to HAP (having flower-like morphology and high specific surface area) than to marble. In “HT” samples, thanks to chemical bonds between nano-TiO2 and HAP, the particles are firmly incorporated in the HAP coating, which protects them from leaching by rain, without diminishing their photoactivity and without being degraded by them. PMID:29360789

Biodeterioration of marble in an underwater environment.

PubMed

Cámara, Beatriz; de Buergo, Mónica Álvarez; Bethencourt, Manuel; Fernández-Montblanc, Tomás; La Russa, Mauro F; Ricca, Michela; Fort, Rafael

2017-12-31

This study examines the deterioration of geomaterials used throughout history that today may be found lying on the ocean floor. Submerged archaeological sites including cargoes from shipwrecks or ancient city ruins have been a topic of interest from a perspective of in situ musealization, as a way of making underwater cultural heritage accessible to the public. In an experimental study conducted at an underwater archaeological site in the Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain), we subjected two types of marble (Carrara and Macael) to three conditions to which submerged archaeological objects are often exposed: full exposure to the water column, natural processes of burial and unearthing, or permanent burial. After an 18-month study period, the factor found to mostly affect these materials was their biological colonization. This factor was assessed by estimating total surface biocover and the rate of surface biocolonization, and also through the identification of skeletons and associated alteration forms by light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biofouling and bioerosion were the main causes of biodeterioration and dependent on the position of the marble specimens in the seawater. The response of both materials was similar, though dolomite crystals in the Carrara marble acted as a protective barrier against actively penetrating microorganisms. These investigations have allowed the study of tracers left by epilithic encrusting organisms and endolithic bioeroders on marbles intentionally exposed to seawater, providing new insights to the understanding of the biodeterioration processes occurring in cultural heritage stones, with significant implications when they are part of underwater archaeological remains. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The protection of different Italian marbles with two partially flourinated acrylic copolymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poli, T.; Toniolo, L.; Chiantore, O.

Committing stone protection to polymeric materials started in the sixties but the study and knowledge of the complex and multiple interactions between stone and polymers has only been carried out recently. It's important to note that, together with the factors related to the polymeric system itself, intrinsic properties of the stone substrate, like composition, porosity, and crystalline characteristics, play a relevant role. In this paper the issues related to protection of three different Italian marbles have been investigated: Candoglia marble, employed in the building of the Milan Cathedral, Carrara marble, widely used in sculpture and historical architecture, and S. Giuliano marble, used in the building of the Pisa Cathedral and its famous leaning tower. Specimens coming from blocks of the three quarried stones have been characterized, treated with two new partially fluorinated acrylic copolymers, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate/methyl acrylate (TFEMA/MA), and trifluoromethyl-2,2,2-trifluorethyl methacrylate/methyl acrylate (HFIMA/MA), and tested according to UNI-Normal Italian protocol. All the measurements including capillary water absorption, static contact angles, colour variation, water vapour permeability, and SEM morphological analysis have been carried out before and after the polymeric treatment. The aim of this work is to evaluate the protective efficacy of these two new partially fluorinated acrylic copolymers on the three different marbles, and to correlate the different behaviours with the polymers' properties and with the stone substrates characteristics.

The Blue Marble

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

This spectacular Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 'blue marble' image is based on the most detailed collection of true-color imagery of the entire Earth to date. Using a collection of satellite-based observations, scientists and visualizers stitched together months of observations of the land surface, oceans, sea ice, and clouds into a seamless, true-color mosaic of every square kilometer (.386 square mile) of our planet. Most of the information contained in this image came from MODIS, illustrating MODIS' outstanding capacity to act as an integrated tool for observing a variety of terrestrial, oceanic, and atmospheric features of the Earth. The land and coastal ocean portions of this image is based on surface observations collected from June through September 2001 and combined, or composited, every eight days to compensate for clouds that might block the satellite's view on any single day. Global ocean color (or chlorophyll) data was used to simulate the ocean surface. MODIS doesn't measure 3-D features of the Earth, so the surface observations were draped over topographic data provided by the U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center. MODIS observations of polar sea ice were combined with observations of Antarctica made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's AVHRR sensor-the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer. The cloud image is a composite of two days of MODIS imagery collected in visible light wavelengths and a third day of thermal infra-red imagery over the poles. A large collection of imagery based on the blue marble in a variety of sizes and formats, including animations and the full (1 km) resolution imagery, is available at the Blue Marble page. Image by Reto Stockli, Render by Robert Simmon. Based on data from the MODIS Science Team

Ultrasonically assisted drilling of rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikhailova, N. V.; Onawumi, P. Y.; Roy, A.; Silberschmidt, V. V.

2018-05-01

Conventional drilling of rocks can generate significant damage in the drilled material; a material layer is often split off a back surface of a sample during drilling, negatively affecting its strength. To improve finish quality, ultrasonically assisted drilling (UAD) was employed in two rocks - sandstone and marble. Damage areas in both materials were reduced in UAD when compared to conventional drilling. Reductions in a thrust force and a torque reduction were observed only for UAD in marble; ultrasonic assistance in sandstone drilling did not result in improvements in this regard.

Transfer of Materials from Water to Solid Surfaces Using Liquid Marbles.

PubMed

Kawashima, Hisato; Paven, Maxime; Mayama, Hiroyuki; Butt, Hans-Jürgen; Nakamura, Yoshinobu; Fujii, Syuji

2017-09-27

Remotely controlling the movement of small objects is desirable, especially for the transportation and selection of materials. Transfer of objects between liquid and solid surfaces and triggering their release would allow for development of novel material transportation technology. Here, we describe the remote transport of a material from a water film surface to a solid surface using quasispherical liquid marbles (LMs). A light-induced Marangoni flow or an air stream is used to propel the LMs on water. As the LMs approach the rim of the water film, gravity forces them to slide down the water rim and roll onto the solid surface. Through this method, LMs can be efficiently moved on water and placed on a solid surface. The materials encapsulated within LMs can be released at a specific time by an external stimulus. We analyzed the velocity, acceleration, and force of the LMs on the liquid and solid surfaces. On water, the sliding friction due to the drag force resists the movement of the LMs. On a solid surface, the rolling distance is affected by the surface roughness of the LMs.

NASA Blue Marble 2007 East

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-03-12

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 9, 2007 Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Reto Stöckli A day’s clouds. The shape and texture of the land. The living ocean. City lights as a beacon of human presence across the globe. This amazingly beautiful view of Earth from space is a fusion of science and art, a showcase for the remote-sensing technology that makes such views possible, and a testament to the passion and creativity of the scientists who devote their careers to understanding how land, ocean, and atmosphere—even life itself—interact to generate Earth’s unique (as far as we know!) life-sustaining environment. Drawing on data from multiple satellite missions (not all collected at the same time), a team of NASA scientists and graphic artists created layers of global data for everything from the land surface, to polar sea ice, to the light reflected by the chlorophyll in the billions of microscopic plants that grow in the ocean. They wrapped these layers around a globe, set it against a black background, and simulated the hazy edge of the Earth’s atmosphere (the limb) that appears in astronaut photography of the Earth. The land surface layer is based on photo-like surface reflectance observations (reflected sunlight) measured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite in July 2004. The sea ice layer near the poles comes from Terra MODIS observations of daytime sea ice observed between August 28 and September 6, 2001. The ocean layer is a composite. In shallow water areas, the layer shows surface reflectances observed by Terra MODIS in July 2004. In the open ocean, the photo-like layer is overlaid with observations of the average ocean chlorophyll content for 2004. NASA’s Aqua MODIS collected the chlorophyll data. The cloud layer shows a single-day snapshot of clouds observed by Terra MODIS across the planet on July 29, 2001. City lights on Earth’s night side are visualized from data collected by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program mission between 1994–1995. The topography layer is based on radar data collected by the Space Shuttle Endeavour during an 11-day mission in February of 2000. Topography over Antarctica comes from the Radarsat Antarctic Mapping Project, version 2. Most of the data layers in this visualization are available as monthly composites as part of NASA’s Blue Marble Next Generation image collection. The images in the collection appear in cylindrical projection (rectangular maps), and they are available at 500-meter resolution. The large images provided above are the full-size versions of these globes. In their hope that these images will inspire people to appreciate the beauty of our home planet and to learn about the Earth system, the developers of these images encourage readers to re-use and re-publish the images freely. NASA images by Reto Stöckli, based on data from NASA and NOAA. To learn the history of the Blue Marble go here: earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/BlueMarble/BlueMarble_... To learn more about the Blue Marble go here: earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=8108 To learn more about NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center go here: www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is home to the nation's largest organization of combined scientists, engineers and technologists that build spacecraft, instruments and new technology to study the Earth, the sun, our solar system, and the universe. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is home to the nation's largest organization of combined scientists, engineers and technologists that build spacecraft, instruments and new technology to study the Earth, the sun, our solar system, and the universe. Follow us on Twitter Join us on Facebook

Spectroscopic Monitoring of the Laser Cleaning Applied to Ancient Marbles from Mediterranean Areas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lazic, V.; Colao, F.; Fantoni, R.; Fiorani, L.; Palucci, A.; Striber, J.; Santagata, A.; Morone, A.; Spizzicchino, V.

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis by Nd:YAG laser emitting at 355nm were performed on different clean and dirty surfaces of marble fragments collected from ancient quarries in Greece, Turkey and Italy, in order to determine semi-quantitavely the atomic composition of the bulk material and encrustation. The method here developed for element concentrations retrieval could be applied during laser cleaning process to supply the information about the effective crust composition at different depths and the point where the process should be interrupted. The knowledge of the crust composition along successive layers is also important for determining the restoration procedures. The elements measured in the encrustations, such as Si, Al, Ca, C, Ti, Mn, Mg, Na, Ba, Sr and Cu are also present in the bulk, but at different concentrations whose determination allows for the process monitoring. The only element here observed in the crusts and not detected in the bulk materials is Chromium, whose progressive disappearance from LIBS spectra could be used as another indicator of the laser cleaning effectiveness. On a sample from Turkey also Vanadium was detected in the encrustation. The present LIBS measuring method was validated by SEM-EDX and ICP analyses. The clean marble surface and encrustations were further analysed by Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF), which could be used as an alternative technique for the on-line control of the cleaning effectiveness. Better discrimination between dirty and clean marble surface was obtained when 266nm excitation was applied instead of 355 nm. Characteristic LIF spectral signatures allows for the discrimination between different type of the natural stones, even under the water.

Cupriavidus metallidurans biomineralization ability and its application as a bioconsolidation enhancer for ornamental marble stone.

PubMed

Daskalakis, Markos I; Magoulas, Antonis; Kotoulas, Georgios; Katsikis, Ioannis; Bakolas, Asterios; Karageorgis, Aristomenis P; Mavridou, Athena; Doulia, Danae; Rigas, Fotis

2014-08-01

Bacterially induced calcium carbonate precipitation of a Cupriavidus metallidurans isolate was investigated to develop an environmentally friendly method for restoration and preservation of ornamental stones. Biomineralization performance was carried out in a growth medium via a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach using, as design factors, the temperature, growth medium concentration, and inoculum concentration. The optimum conditions were determined with the aid of consecutive experiments based on response surface methodology (RSM) and were successfully validated thereafter. Statistical analysis can be utilized as a tool for screening bacterial bioprecipitation as it considerably reduced the experimental time and effort needed for bacterial evaluation. Analytical methods provided an insight to the biomineral characteristics, and sonication tests proved that our isolate could create a solid new layer of vaterite on marble substrate withstanding sonication forces. C. metallidurans ACA-DC 4073 provided a compact vaterite layer on the marble substrate with morphological characteristics that assisted in its differentiation. The latter proved valuable during spraying minimum amount of inoculated media on marble substrate under conditions close to an in situ application. A sufficient and clearly distinguishable layer was identified.

Nucleation, growth and evolution of calcium phosphate films on calcite.

PubMed

Naidu, Sonia; Scherer, George W

2014-12-01

Marble, a stone composed of the mineral calcite, is subject to chemically induced weathering in nature due to its relatively high dissolution rate in acid rain. To protect monuments and sculpture from corrosion, we are investigating the application of thin layers of hydroxyapatite (HAP) onto marble. The motivation for using HAP is its low dissolution rate and crystal and lattice compatibility with calcite. A mild, wet chemical synthesis route, in which diammonium hydrogen phosphate salt was reacted with marble, alone and with cationic and anionic precursors under different reaction conditions, was used to produce inorganic HAP layers on marble. Nucleation and growth on the calcite substrate was studied, as well as metastable phase evolution, using scanning electron microscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. Film nucleation was enhanced by surface roughness. The rate of nucleation and the growth rate of the film increased with cationic (calcium) and anionic (carbonate) precursor additions. Calcium additions also influenced phase formation, introducing a metastable phase (octacalcium phosphate) and a different phase evolution sequence. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Waterborne Superhydrophobic and Superoleophobic Coatings for the Protection of Marble and Sandstone

PubMed Central

Aslanidou, Dimitra; Lampakis, Dimitrios

2018-01-01

Silica nanoparticles were dispersed in an aqueous emulsion of alkoxy silanes and organic fluoropolymer. The dispersion was sprayed onto white marble and sandstone. The deposited composite coatings exhibited (i) superhydrophobicity and superoleophobicity, as evidenced by the high (>150°) static contact angles of water and oil drops as well as (ii) water and oil repellency according to the low (<7°) corresponding tilt contact angles. Apart from marble and sandstone, the coatings with extreme wetting properties were deposited onto concrete, silk, and paper, thus demonstrating the versatility of the method. The siloxane/fluoropolymer product was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with an Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDX). Moreover, SEM and FT-IR were used to reveal the surface structures of the composite coatings and their transition from superhydrophobicity to superhydrophilicity which occurred after severe thermal treatment. The composite coatings slightly reduced the breathability of marble and sandstone and had practically no optical effect on the colour of the two stones. Moreover, the coatings offered good protection against water penetration by capillarity. PMID:29642652

Study of archaeological underwater finds: deterioration and conservation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crisci, G. M.; La Russa, M. F.; Macchione, M.; Malagodi, M.; Palermo, A. M.; Ruffolo, S. A.

2010-09-01

This study is aimed at an assessment of the methodologies, instruments and new applications for underwater archaeology. Research focused on study of the various kinds of degradation affecting underwater finds and stone materials aged in underwater environment, efficiency evaluation of various surface cleaning methods and study and mixing of protective products with consolidating resins and antimicrobial biocides to be applied to restored underwater finds. Transmitted light optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study surface biofilms and the interactions with samples of different stone materials such as brick, marble and granite immersed in the submarine archaeological area of Crotone (South of Italy). Surface cleaning tests were performed with application of ion exchange resins, EDTA, hydrogen peroxide and ultrasound techniques. Capillary water absorption, simulated solar ageing and colourimetric measurements were carried out to evaluate hydrophobic and consolidant properties; to assess biocidal efficacy, heterotrophic micro-organisms ( Aspergillus niger) were inoculated on agar plates and growth inhibition was measured.

Pseudomonas, Pantoea and Cupriavidus isolates induce calcium carbonate precipitation for biorestoration of ornamental stone.

PubMed

Daskalakis, M I; Magoulas, A; Kotoulas, G; Catsikis, I; Bakolas, A; Karageorgis, A P; Mavridou, A; Doulia, D; Rigas, F

2013-08-01

Bacterially induced calcium carbonate precipitation from various isolates was investigated aiming at developing an environmentally friendly technique for ornamental stone protection and restoration. Micro-organisms isolated from stone samples and identified using 16S rDNA and biochemical tests promoted calcium carbonate precipitation in solid and novel liquid growth media. Biomineral morphology was studied on marble samples with scanning electron microscopy. Most isolates demonstrated specimen weight increase, covering partially or even completely the marble surfaces mainly with vaterite. The conditions under which vaterite precipitated and its stability throughout the experimental runs are presented. A growth medium that facilitated bacterial growth of different species and promoted biomineralization was formulated. Most isolates induced biomineralization of CaCO3 . Micro-organisms may actually be a milestone in the investigation of vaterite formation facilitating our understanding of geomicrobiological interactions. Pseudomonas, Pantoea and Cupriavidus strains could be candidates for bioconsolidation of ornamental stone protection. Characterization of biomineralization capacity of different bacterial species improves understanding of the bacterially induced mineralization processes and enriches the list of candidates for biorestoration applications. Knowledge of biomineral morphology assists in differentiating mineral from biologically induced precipitates. © 2013 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Carbonation by fluid-rock interactions at high-pressure conditions: Implications for carbon cycling in subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piccoli, Francesca; Vitale Brovarone, Alberto; Beyssac, Olivier; Martinez, Isabelle; Ague, Jay J.; Chaduteau, Carine

2016-07-01

Carbonate-bearing lithologies are the main carbon carrier into subduction zones. Their evolution during metamorphism largely controls the fate of carbon, regulating its fluxes between shallow and deep reservoirs. Recent estimates predict that almost all subducted carbon is transferred into the crust and lithospheric mantle during subduction metamorphism via decarbonation and dissolution reactions at high-pressure conditions. Here we report the occurrence of eclogite-facies marbles associated with metasomatic systems in Alpine Corsica (France). The occurrence of these marbles along major fluid-conduits as well as textural, geochemical and isotopic data indicating fluid-mineral reactions are compelling evidence for the precipitation of these carbonate-rich assemblages from carbonic fluids during metamorphism. The discovery of metasomatic marbles brings new insights into the fate of carbonic fluids formed in subducting slabs. We infer that rock carbonation can occur at high-pressure conditions by either vein-injection or chemical replacement mechanisms. This indicates that carbonic fluids produced by decarbonation reactions and carbonate dissolution may not be directly transferred to the mantle wedge, but can interact with slab and mantle-forming rocks. Rock-carbonation by fluid-rock interactions may have an important impact on the residence time of carbon and oxygen in subduction zones and lithospheric mantle reservoirs as well as carbonate isotopic signatures in subduction zones. Furthermore, carbonation may modulate the emission of CO2 at volcanic arcs over geological time scales.

Geology of the Marble exploration hole 4, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

McKeown, Francis Alexander; Wilmarth, Verl Richard

1959-01-01

This report summarizes the information obtained during preparation of the lithologic log of the core and presents results of chemical analyses of marble samples collected from surface near the drill hole. The report was prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey on behalf of the Albuquerque Operations Office, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. The writers acknowledge the assistance of Mr. John Foster, drilling foreman for Minerals Engineering Company and Mr. Walter A. Johnson, field engineer for Holmes and Narver, Inc., the engineering-contracting firm.

Analysis and optimization of surface profile correcting mechanism of the pitch lap in large-aperture annular polishing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Huifang; Yang, Minghong; Xu, Xueke; Wu, Lunzhe; Yang, Weiguang; Shao, Jianda

2017-10-01

The surface figure control of the conventional annular polishing system is realized ordinarily by the interaction between the conditioner and the lap. The surface profile of the pitch lap corrected by the marble conditioner has been measured and analyzed as a function of kinematics, loading conditions, and polishing time. The surface profile measuring equipment of the large lap based on laser alignment was developed with the accuracy of about 1μm. The conditioning mechanism of the conditioner is simply determined by the kinematics and fully fitting principle, but the unexpected surface profile deviation of the lap emerged frequently due to numerous influencing factors including the geometrical relationship, the pressure distribution at the conditioner/lap interface. Both factors are quantitatively evaluated and described, and have been combined to develop a spatial and temporal model to simulate the surface profile evolution of pitch lap. The simulations are consistent with the experiments. This study is an important step toward deterministic full-aperture annular polishing, providing a beneficial guidance for the surface profile correction of the pitch lap.

Growth of contact area between rough surfaces under normal stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stesky, R. M.; Hannan, S. S.

1987-05-01

The contact area between deforming rough surfaces in marble, alabaster, and quartz was measured from thin sections of surfaces bonded under load with low viscosity resin epoxy. The marble and alabaster samples had contact areas that increased with stress at an accelerating rate. This result suggests that the strength of the asperity contacts decreased progressively during the deformation, following some form of strain weakening relationship. This conclusion is supported by petrographic observation of the thin sections that indicate that much of the deformation was cataclastic, with minor twinning of calcite and kinking of gypsum. In the case of the quartz, the observed contact area was small and increased approximately linearly with normal stress. Only the irreversible cataclastic deformation was observed; however strain-induced birefringence and cracking of the epoxy, not observed with the other rocks, suggests that significant elastic deformation occurred, but recovered during unloading.

Geological and technical characterisation of Iscehisar (Afyon-Turkey) marble deposits and the impact of marble waste on environmental pollution.

PubMed

Yavuz Celik, Mustafa; Sabah, Eyüp

2008-04-01

Turkey, due to its location in the Alpine-Himalayan belt, has numerous marble deposits. More than 250 marble types with different colours and patterns have been produced from these deposits and one hundred of these are well known around the world. One such well-known marble type is Afyon-Iscehisar. Afyon-Iscehisar is Palaeozoic in age and has been quarried since the era of the Roman empire. The Afyon region is known as one of the most important marble production and processing centres in Turkey. The Afyon province, which possesses 3.5% of exploitable marble reserves (3,872,000,000 tonne) in Turkey, yields 9% of the total marble block production. The 409 marble processing plants in Afyon produce 19% of the total slab in Turkey. As a result of marble production activities, approximately 340,000 tonne of marble waste has accumulated in the area. While some of these unshaped marble blocks are re-used and returned to the economy, the majority are discarded. There are two waste marble storage fields located in the Afyon-Iscehisar region. All of the solid and fine-grained marble waste is stored in waste marble storage fields in Susuz Boğazi and in the nearby Iscehisar marble quarries. The ecological effects of the marble waste, which were once discharged everywhere and exhibited visual pollution, has now been reduced to a minimal level.

SERS- and Electrochemically Active 3D Plasmonic Liquid Marbles for Molecular-Level Spectroelectrochemical Investigation of Microliter Reactions.

PubMed

Koh, Charlynn Sher Lin; Lee, Hiang Kwee; Phan-Quang, Gia Chuong; Han, Xuemei; Lee, Mian Rong; Yang, Zhe; Ling, Xing Yi

2017-07-17

Liquid marbles are emergent microreactors owing to their isolated environment and the flexibility of materials used. Plasmonic liquid marbles (PLMs) are demonstrated as the smallest spectroelectrochemical microliter-scale reactor for concurrent spectro- and electrochemical analyses. The three-dimensional Ag shell of PLMs are exploited as a bifunctional surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform and working electrode for redox process modulation. The combination of SERS and electrochemistry (EC) capabilities enables in situ molecular read-out of transient electrochemical species, and elucidate the potential-dependent and multi-step reaction dynamics. The 3D configuration of our PLM-based EC-SERS system exhibits 2-fold and 10-fold superior electrochemical and SERS performance than conventional 2D platforms. The rich molecular-level electrochemical insights and excellent EC-SERS capabilities offered by our 3D spectroelectrochemical system are pertinent in charge transfer processes. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Colorado Yule Marble; building stone of the Lincoln Memorial

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGee, Elaine S.

1999-01-01

The Colorado Yule marble, quarried in Marble, Colo., is a very pure white marble, and it has been widely acclaimed for its quality and purity. This marble has been used for many prominent buildings; one of the most notable is the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., built nearly 80 years ago. Although most of the marble in the memorial appears to be in very good condition, some of the stones have developed pronounced surficial roughness and show a significant loss of carved details and rounded edges compared with adjacent stones. Because adjacent blocks of marble receive nearly identical exposure to weathering agents that cause deterioration of the marble, it seems very likely that this pronounced difference in durability of adjacent stones arises from some inherent characteristic of the marble. The Colorado Yule marble is a nearly pure calcite marble with minor inclusions of mica, quartz, and feldspar. Compositions of the calcite and the inclusion phases in the marble are typical for those phases. The calcite grains that compose the marble are irregularly shaped and range from 100 to 600 micrometers in diameter. The texture of the marble is even, with a slight preferred directional elongation that is visible when the marble is cut in certain directions. Physical tests of the marble show that its strength is comparable to that of other marbles typically used in buildings. Variations in the durability of the marble, like those seen at the Lincoln Memorial, are not related to variations in calcite composition or to the presence of inclusions in the marble. Most likely, the variations arise from differences in the calcite grain boundaries and the degree to which the grains interlock with one another. Weak grain boundaries that permit water or solutions to penetrate into the marble and dissolve the calcite grains at their edges cause the marble to disaggregate or ?sugar.? Subtle differences in texture that occur in the marble from various parts of the quarry probably cause some stones to be more susceptible to this form of deterioration. These differences may not be readily visible when the stone is freshly quarried.

A follow-up on the analytical study of discolouration of the marble statues of Orsanmichele in Florence.

PubMed

Pinna, Daniela; Galeotti, Monica; Rizzo, Adriana; Cantisani, Emma; Sciutto, Giorgia; Zangheri, Martina; Prati, Silvia; Mazzeo, Rocco; Roda, Aldo

2017-01-01

The research complements the complex study carried out to understand the source of brown discolourations of ten marble statues in the Church of Orsanmichele in Florence, Italy. Originally located in exterior niches, the statues were restored to reverse the extensive alterations they had undergone throughout the centuries. One of the major alterations was the application of a dark brown patina that dated just after 1789. After the statues were placed indoors, brownish discolourations started to appear on their surfaces. Cross sections were examined using FTIR mapping and immunological methods. In parallel, the pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS) data already obtained from the statues' scrapings were compared with data from aged casein films applied to microscope glass slides and aged milk-treated marble. All the statues had been treated with milk-based substances before the time the bronze patina was applied. The values of temperature and illumination of the room were important factors in the ageing of organic substances and in the formation of calcium oxalates. It is likely that products of thermo-oxidation and photo-oxidation of the oils together with the oxalates caused the darkening. The marble samples corresponded to a Lunense provenance.

Marbles in Motion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Helen; Meyers, Bernice; Schmidt, William

1999-01-01

Marbles were successfully used to help primary students develop concepts of motion. Marble-unit activities began with shaking and rattling inference bags and predicting by listening just how many marbles were in each bag. Students made qualitative and quantitative observations of the marbles, manipulated marbles with a partner, and observed…

Gypsum accumulation on carbonate stone

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGee, E.S.; Mossotti, V.G.

1992-01-01

The accumulation of gypsum on carbonate stone has been investigated through exposure of fresh samples of limestone and marble at monitored sites, through examination of alteration crusts from old buildings and through laboratory experiments. Several factors contribute to gypsum accumulation on carbonate stone. Marble or limestone that is sheltered from direct washing by rain in an urban environment with elevated pollution levels is likely to accumulate a gypsum crust. Crust development may be enhanced if the stone is porous or has an irregular surface area. Gypsum crusts are a surficial alteration feature; gypsum crystals form at the pore opening-air interface, where evaporation is greatest.

Electrostatic formation of liquid marbles and agglomerates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liyanaarachchi, K. R.; Ireland, P. M.; Webber, G. B.; Galvin, K. P.

2013-07-01

We report observations of a sudden, explosive release of electrostatically charged 100 μm glass beads from a particle bed. These cross an air gap of several millimeters, are engulfed by an approaching pendant water drop, and form a metastable spherical agglomerate on the bed surface. The stability transition of the particle bed is explained by promotion of internal friction by in-plane electrostatic stresses. The novel agglomerates formed this way resemble the "liquid marbles" formed by coating a drop with hydrophobic particles. Complex multi-layered agglomerates may also be produced by this method, with potential industrial, pharmaceutical, environmental, and biological applications.

Carrara Marble: a nomination for Global Heritage Stone Resource

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

primavori, piero

2014-05-01

In the collective memory, in ordinary people, or in any technical office not devoted expressly to stone, marble is automatically associated with the word Carrara (Italy). Indisputably, for decades and decades, there has been this word association: marble means Carrara and Carrara means marble. In few other commodity sectors is a word so automatically associated with a name, engendering an identification process that, despite the inexorable onslaught of globalization, continues to exist. Carrara Marble, probably one of the most famous dimension stone in the world, has been recently designated as a suitable "Global Heritage Stone Resource". The additional designation of "Global Ornamental Stone" has also been proposed. Quarried since pre-Roman times, this marble is the testimonial of an area/industry that was able - for a variety of reasons not easily repeatable in future stone history - from the dawn of the stone sector to trigger a flywheel-effect on a global scale. The term Carrara Marble, geographically referable to the marbles extracted in the sorroundings of Carrara town, is in reality a general one, erroneously used since long time to define a multitude of different marbles (more than two hundred commercial varieties) extracted in the whole Apuane Alps region, Nortwestern Tuscany, Italy. The district of Carrara Marble is part of a wider territory where five important extractive areas can be recognized: Lunigiana, Garfagnana, Versilia, Massa and the Carrara area sensu stricto. This region is approximately 30 km long and 12 km wide, with marble outcrops, useful for commercial purposes, covering over 75 km2. The Carrara Marble is currently excavated in more than 100 quarries, at a rate of about 1.500.000 tons per year, is processed almost everywhere, and sold all over the world. The most important commercial designations are the following: 1) "Marmo Bianco"/"Marmo Ordinario" (Carrara White marble/Ordinary marble); 2) "Marmo Venato" (Veined marble); 3) "Marmo Bardiglio" (Bardiglio marble); 4) "Marmo Nuvolato" (Cloud-like marble); 5) "Marmo Arabescato" (Arabesque-like marble); 6) "Marmo Statuario"/"Statuario Venato" (Statuary marble/Veined statuary); 7) "Marmo Calacata" (Calacata marble). These seven main varieties can be subdivided into many other types due to slight chromatic variations which are often characteristics of a very restricted area, or just one quarry, or even one limited period of time. Apart from its intrinsic geological, petrographic, commercial and technical properties, several issues related to the Carrara Marble are considered to be of relevant importance for its designation as a Global Ornamental Stone", among which the Marble Museum, the Fine Arts Academy, the Artistic Marble Consortium, the Sculpture Museum, the historical commemoration of the "lizzatura" and the remnants of the marble railway stand out.

Black layers on historical architecture.

PubMed

Toniolo, Lucia; Zerbi, Carlotta M; Bugini, Roberto

2009-03-01

The external surface of any building in urban polluted environment is unavoidably destined to be covered with layers that assume a grey to black colour and are generally called 'black crusts'. These, according to standard protocols and glossary, are deteriorated surface layers of stone material; they can have variable thickness, are hard and fragile and can detach spontaneously from the substrate, which, in general, is quite decayed. Plain visual examination may lead to consider 'black crusts' all similar, whilst only a careful diagnostic investigation can distinguish 'black crusts' and the consequences of their formation on stone substrates. In this paper, various black layers on marble are studied and compared and the morphological and compositional characteristics discussed according to the related mechanisms of formation. Differences between old (hundred years) and recent crusts (30 years) are investigated and pointed out. Samples of black crusts collected from the Milan Cathedral façade (Candoglia Marble) have been studied and compared with the careful and synergic employ of traditional techniques: optical (transmission and reflected VIS light) and electron microscopy, X-ray spectrometry and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Visual examination of loose fragments does not allow to point out outstanding differences amongst the various samples; black layers have similar main mineral components, gypsum and airborne particles, with different spatial distribution. The microscopic studies allowed to point out the porosity differences, the gypsum crystallisation habit, different amount of embedded particles, level and progress of marble decay. The observations lead to define three main types of black crusts: black crust deriving from marble sulphation, compact deposit and encrustation due to exogenic materials deposition. Black crusts show evidence of sulphation in progress, without a clear continuity solution between crust and marble; the lack of separation is particularly evident in 'recent' crust, where the sulphation process is more active. Black compact deposits show a higher porosity than black crusts because gypsum is not coming from the chemical corrosion of the substrate but from outside; actually, in the former case, the substrate is sound. Encrustations show a highly regular crystal organisation of gypsum (close packed tabular crystals) that cannot be traced back to casual atmospheric deposit or to corrosion of the substrate but rather to the crystallisation of a solution coming from an external source. Also in this case, the marble is sound; evidence of the effect of some protection treatment is pointed out. In spite of the apparent similarity of the examined samples, analytical results have evidenced three main types of black crusts: black crust with decayed substrate, compact deposit and black encrustation showing a sound substrate underneath. Experimental evidence of calcite grains sulphation in progress, taking place according to a model recently proposed, has been observed. Sulphation process is prevented where particular conservation treatments had been applied in the past. New experimental studies can be focussed to understand the specific conditions (measurements of micro-climatic and thermodynamic parameters) and mechanisms for black crusts formation in situ. The problem of the kinetic of the sulphation process of marble, the assessment of black layers formation in the case of different carbonate stone materials and the study of acid attack in presence of surface protecting layers deserve further investigation.

The Silurian Hoedongri Formation in the Taebaeksan Basin of Korea Revisited: its Significance in the Tectonic Reconstruction of East Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chae, S.; Hong, J.; Jung, S.; Ree, J.

2011-12-01

The Silurian Hoedongri Formation of the Taebaeksan Basin of South Korea has been used as a key unit to the correlation of tectonic provinces of East Asia since the South China craton (or Yangtz block) contains Silurian-Devonian sequences as well as Cambrian-Ordovician ones in the Paleozoic basins while the North China craton (or Sino-Korea block) is devoid of Silurian-Devonian sequences. In the Biryongdong area near the type locality of the Hoedongri Formation, it has been reported that the gray limestone of the Hoedongri Formation unconformably overlies brownish gray limestone of the Ordovician Haengmae Formation. However, our detailed examination on the Biryongdong section reveals that both of the brownish gray and gray limestones are mylonitic marbles with the boundary between the two units being a healed fault breccia zone (~ 12 m thick). The main difference of the two units is that repeated cycles of plastic deformation and fracturing occurred in the underlying brownish gray marble ('Haengmae') while the gray marble ('Hoedongri') deformed mainly by intracrystalline plasticity. The mylonitic foliation strikes NW with a low to moderate dip angle (20-60°) to NE. The ridge-in-groove type lineation on foliation surface trends NNW. The shape-preferred foliation of elongated calcite grains are oblique to the mylonitic foliation defined by layers with a grain-size variation, indicating a top-to-the-SSE shear sense. The mylonitic marble consists of elongated remnant grains (80-120 μm) with deformation twins and dynamically recrystallized matrix grains (10-40 μm). Grain boundaries and twin boundaries are lobate or wavy, indicating dynamic boundary migration. Some layers of the gray mylonitic marble are composed entirely of larger (80-120 μm) elongated calcite grains. In the brownish gray mylonitic marble unit, layers of brittle fracturing overprinting mylonitic foliation occur. In some of these layers, fragments (several cm - tens of cm) of the mylonitic marble are angular to subangular with coarse calcite fillings between the fragments. In other layers, mylonitic marble fragments are elongated with matrix foliation wrapping around them. These features suggest repeated cycles of plastic deformation and fracturing. Tectonic significance of this shear zone (at least 90 m thick) is not clear at present, and the regional extent and absolute age constraint of the shear zone should be clarified.

Effective Levels of Adaptation to Different Types of Users in Interactive Museum Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paterno, F.; Mancini, C.

2000-01-01

Discusses user interaction with museum application interfaces and emphasizes the importance of adaptable and adaptive interfaces to meet differing user needs. Considers levels of support that can be given to different users during navigation of museum hypermedia information, using examples from the Web site for the Marble Museum (Italy).…

The impact of recreational boat traffic on Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus).

PubMed

Bellefleur, Danielle; Lee, Philip; Ronconi, Robert A

2009-01-01

This study evaluated the impact of small boat traffic on reaction distances of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus), in the marine waters of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada. Observers on moving boats recorded the minimum distance the boat came to murrelets on the water, and any disturbance reaction (fly, dive, no reaction). Out of the 7500 interactions 11.7% flew, 30.8% dove and 58.1% exhibited no flushing reaction. Using a product-limit analysis, we developed curves for the proportion of Marbled Murrelets flushing (dive or flight) as a function of reaction distance. Overall, the majority of Marbled Murrelets waited until boats were within 40 m before reacting, with 25% of the population reacting at 29.2m. A stepwise Cox regression indicated that age, boat speed, and boat density (loaded in that order), significantly affected flushing response. More juveniles flushed than adults (70.1 versus 51.7%), but at closer distances. Faster boats caused a greater proportion of birds to flush, and at further distances (25% of birds flushed at 40 m at speeds > 29 kph versus 28m at speeds <12kph). A stepwise logistic regression on diving and flight responses indicated that birds tended to fly completely out of feeding areas at the approach of boats travelling >28.8 kph and later in the season (July and August). Other secondary variables included; boat density and time of day. Discussion focused on possible management actions such as the application of speed limits, set back distances, and exclusion of boat traffic to protect Marbled Murrelets.

Modeling Oblique Impact Dynamics of Particle-Laden Nanodroplets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yong, Xin; Qin, Shiyi

2016-11-01

A fundamental understanding of the impact dynamics of nanoscopic droplets laden with nanoparticles has important implications for materials printing and thin film processing. Using many-body dissipative particle dynamics (MDPD), we model nanometer sized suspension droplets imping on dry solid substrate with oblique angles, and compare their behavior with pure liquid droplets. Equilibrated floating droplets containing two types of nanoparticles, namely fully-wetted hydrophilic particles and surface-active Janus particles, impact onto the solid surface with varying initial velocities and impact angles. The velocity components in the normal and tangential directions to the substrate defines normal and tangential Reynolds and Weber numbers, which are used to classify impact regimes. Droplets with nanoparticles dispersed in the bulk and covering the droplet surface (resembling liquid marbles) exhibit quite different behavior in the course of impact. We also reveal the influences of substrate wettability and its interaction with nanoparticles on the impact dynamics. In addition, the vapor film beneath an impinging droplet shows no significant effect on the impact dynamics in our MDPD simulations.

Grazing incidence synchrotron X-ray diffraction of marbles consolidated with diammonium hydrogen phosphate treatments: non-destructive probing of buried minerals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Possenti, Elena; Colombo, Chiara; Conti, Claudia; Gigli, Lara; Merlini, Marco; Plaisier, Jasper Rikkert; Realini, Marco; Gatta, G. Diego

2018-05-01

Diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP)-based consolidating treatments react with carbonatic stones and form calcium phosphates phases, whose composition depends on the availability of free calcium ions. In this work, an innovative non-destructive approach based on grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) with synchrotron radiation (SR) is used to investigate DAP-treated Carrara marble specimens and to study the influence of the substrate composition on the crystallization of calcium phosphate phases. The outcomes indicate that the presence of compositional micro-heterogeneity of Carrara marble favours the formation of specific phases. Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, a calcium phosphate with a low Ca/P molar ratio, is formed on carbonatic phases with a low Ca amount, such as dolomite grains and Mg-containing veins. Furthermore, this study highlights the potentialities of SR-GIXRD as a powerful non-destructive tool for the diagnostic of Cultural Heritage objects since it allows investigating the conservation history of stone materials and their interaction with the environment.

Thin lead sheets in the decorative features in Pavia Charterhouse.

PubMed

Colombo, Chiara; Realini, Marco; Sansonetti, Antonio; Rampazzi, Laura; Casadio, Francesca

2006-01-01

The facade of the church of the Pavia Charterhouse, built at the end of the 15th century, shows outstanding decorative features made of different stone materials, such as marbles, breccias and sandstones. Magnificent ornamental elements are made of thin lead sheets, and some marble slabs are inlaid with them. Metal elements are shaped in complex geometric and phytomorphic design, to form a Greek fret in black contrasting with the white Carrara marble. Lead pins were fixed to the back of the thin lead sheets with the aim of attaching the metal elements to the marble; in so doing the pins and the lead sheets constitute a single piece of metal. In some areas, lead elements have been lost, and they have been substituted with a black plaster, matching the colour of the metal. To the authors' knowledge, this kind of decorative technique is rare, and confirms the refinement of Renaissance Lombard architecture. This work reports on the results of an extensive survey of the white, orange and yellowish layers, which are present on the external surface of the lead. The thin lead sheets have been characterized and their state of conservation has been studied with the aid of Optical Microscopy, SEM-EDS, FTIR and Raman analyses. Lead sulphate, lead carbonates and oxides have been identified as decay products.

In vitro receptivity of carbonate rocks to endolithic lichen-forming aposymbionts.

PubMed

Favero-Longo, Sergio E; Borghi, Alessandro; Tretiach, Mauro; Piervittori, Rosanna

2009-10-01

Sterile cultured isolates of lichen-forming aposymbionts have not yet been used to investigate lichen-rock interactions under controlled conditions. In this study mycobionts and photobiont of the endolithic lichens Bagliettoa baldensis and Bagliettoa marmorea were isolated and inoculated with coupons of one limestone and four marbles commonly employed in the Cultural Heritage framework. After one year of incubation, microscopic observations of polished cross-sections were performed to verify if the typical colonization patterns observed in the field may be reproduced in vitro and to evaluate the receptivity of the five lithotypes to endolithic lichens. The mycobionts of the two species developed both on the surface of and within all the lithotypes, showing different penetration pathways which depend on mineralogical and structural features and highlight different receptivity. By contrast, algae inoculated with the coupons did not penetrate them. Observations suggest that the hyphal penetration along intrinsic discontinuities of rocks is a relatively fast phenomenon when these organisms are generally considered as slow-growing. Samples from limestone outcrops and abandoned marble quarries, colonized by the same species or other representatives of Verrucariaceae, showed penetration pathways intriguingly similar to those reproduced in vitro and highlighted that lichen-driven erosion processes only increase the availability of hyphal passageways after a long-term colonization. These results show that in vitro incubation of sterile cultured lichen-forming ascomycetes with rock coupons is a practicable experimental system to investigate the lichen-rock interactions under controlled conditions and, together with analysis in situ, may support decisions on conservative treatments of historical and cultural significant stone substrata.

Hugoniot equation of state of rock materials under shock compression

PubMed Central

Braithwaite, C. H.; Zhao, J.

2017-01-01

Two sets of shock compression tests (i.e. conventional and reverse impact) were conducted to determine the shock response of two rock materials using a plate impact facility. Embedded manganin stress gauges were used for the measurements of longitudinal stress and shock velocity. Photon Doppler velocimetry was used to capture the free surface velocity of the target. Experimental data were obtained on a fine-grained marble and a coarse-grained gabbro over a shock pressure range of approximately 1.5–12 GPa. Gabbro exhibited a linear Hugoniot equation of state (EOS) in the pressure–particle velocity (P–up) plane, while for marble a nonlinear response was observed. The EOS relations between shock velocity (US) and particle velocity (up) are linearly fitted as US = 2.62 + 3.319up and US = 5.4 85 + 1.038up for marble and gabbro, respectively. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Experimental testing and modelling of brittle materials at high strain rates’. PMID:27956506

Is frictional heating needed to cause dramatic weakening of nanoparticle gouge during seismic slip? Insights from friction experiments with variable thermal evolutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Lu; Ma, Shengli; Niemeijer, André R.; Shimamoto, Toshihiko; Platt, John D.

2016-07-01

To examine whether faults can be lubricated by preexisting and newly formed nanoparticles, we perform high-velocity friction experiments on periclase (MgO) nanoparticles and on bare surfaces of Carrara marble cylinders/slices, respectively. Variable temperature conditions were simulated by using host blocks of different thermal conductivities. When temperature rises are relatively low, we observe high friction in nano-MgO tests and unexpected slip strengthening following initial weakening in marble slice tests, suggesting that the dominant weakening mechanisms are of thermal origin. Solely the rolling of nanoparticles without significant temperature rise is insufficient to cause dynamic fault weakening. For nano-MgO experiments, comprehensive investigations suggest that flash heating is the most likely weakening mechanism. In marble experiments, flash heating controls the unique evolutions of friction, and the competition between bulk temperature rise and wear-induced changes of asperity contact numbers seems to strongly affect the efficiency of flash heating.

Dual-detector X-ray fluorescence imaging of ancient artifacts with surface relief

PubMed Central

Smilgies, Detlef-M.; Powers, Judson A.; Bilderback, Donald H.; Thorne, Robert E.

2012-01-01

Interpretation of X-ray fluorescence images of archeological artifacts is complicated by the presence of surface relief and roughness. Using two symmetrically arranged fluorescence detectors in a back-reflection geometry, the proper X-ray fluorescence yield can be distinguished from intensity variations caused by surface topography. This technique has been applied to the study of Roman inscriptions on marble. PMID:22713888

77 FR 70159 - Marble River, LLC v. Noble Clinton Windpark I, LLC, Noble Ellenburg Windpark, LLC, Noble...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-23

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL13-20-000] Marble River... Commission's (Commission) Rules of Practice and Procedure, Marble River, LLC (Marble River or Complainant.... (NYISO or Respondent), alleging that Noble failed to pay Marble River for headroom created by common...

3D Visualization of Sheath Folds in Roman Marble from Ephesus, Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wex, Sebastian; Passchier, Cornelis W.; de Kemp, Eric A.; Ilhan, Sinan

2013-04-01

Excavation of a palatial 2nd century AD house (Terrace House Two) in the ancient city of Ephesus, Turkey in the 1970s produced 10.313 pieces of colored, folded marble which belonged to 54 marble plates of 1.6 cm thickness that originally covered the walls of the banquet hall of the house. The marble plates were completely reassembled and restored by a team of workers over the last 6 years. The plates were recognized as having been sawn from two separate large blocks of "Cipollino verde", a green mylonitized marble from Karystos on the Island of Euboea, Greece. After restoration, it became clear that all slabs had been placed on the wall in approximately the sequence in which they had been cut off by a Roman stone saw. As a result, the marble plates give a full 3D insight in the folded internal structure of 1m3 block of mylonite. The restoration of the slabs was recognized as a first, unique opportunity for detailed reconstruction of the 3D geometry of m-scale folds in mylonitized marble. Photographs were taken of each slab and used to reconstruct their exact arrangement within the originally quarried blocks. Outlines of layers were digitized and a full 3D reconstruction of the internal structure of the block was created using ArcMap and GOCAD. Fold structures in the block include curtain folds and multilayered sheath folds. Several different layers showing these structures were digitized on the photographs of the slab surfaces and virtually mounted back together within the model of the marble block. Due to the serial sectioning into slabs, with cm-scale spacing, the visualization of the 3D geometry of sheath folds was accomplished with a resolution better than 4 cm. Final assembled 3D images reveal how sheath folds emerge from continuous layers and show their overall consistency as well as a constant hinge line orientation of the fold structures. Observations suggest that a single deformation phase was responsible for the evolution of "Cipollino verde" structures. Furthermore the XY plane of all analyzed sheath folds was orientated perpendicular to the layering of the marble, indicating a compressional component during shear deformation. This study sheds light on the general evolution and possible interpretation of sheath folds, currently still subject of debate, and on the structural evolution of "Cipollino verde", which is still used in modern architectural design. Furthermore, the detailed analysis of the slabs helps in the interpretation and reconstruction of Roman stone saws. For future applications this work could serve as an excellent 3D test set for geologic reconstruction methodologies and interpolation algorithms. The results presented could only be obtained by close cooperation of workers in geology and archaeology.

Evaluation of the nasal mucociliary transport rate by rhinoscintigraphy in marble workshop workers.

PubMed

Dostbil, Zeki; Polat, Cahit; Karakus, Askeri; Bakir, Salih; Yuce, Salim

2011-10-01

Marble workers are occupationally exposed to intense environmental marble dust in their workplace. We aimed to investigate the effect of occupational marble dust exposure on nasal mucociliary transport rate (NMTR). Seventeen marble workers and 18 healthy controls were studied. In all subjects, NMTRs were measured by (99m)Tc-MAA rhinoscintigraphy. NMTRs of workers and control groups were compared by statistically. Mean NMTR was found as 9 ± 1.8 mm/min in marble workers whereas mean NMTR of healthy controls was 9.6 ± 2.2 mm/min. There was no statistically significant difference between NMTRs of workers and control groups (p > 0.05). This study has shown that occupationally exposured marble dusts may not cause functional impairment on NMTR in marble workshop workers.

Greek marbles: determination of provenance by isotopic analysis.

PubMed

Craig, H; Craig, V

1972-04-28

A study has been made of carbon-13 and oxygen-18 variations in Greek marbles from the ancient quarry localities of Naxos, Paros, Mount Hymettus, and Mount Pentelikon. Parian, Hymettian, and Pentelic marbles can be clearly distinguished by the isotopic relationships; Naxian marbles fall into two groups characterized by different oxygen-18/oxygen-16 ratios. Ten archeological samples were also analyzed; the isotopic data indicate that the "Theseion" is made of Pentelic marble and a block in the Treasury of Siphnos at Delphi is probably Parian marble.

Successful sperm cryopreservation of the brown-marbled grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus using propylene glycol as cryoprotectant.

PubMed

Yusoff, Maisarah; Hassan, Badrul Nizam; Ikhwanuddin, Muhd; Sheriff, Shahreza Md; Hashim, Fatimah; Mustafa, Sufian; Koh, Ivan Chong Chu

2018-04-01

This study developed the cryopreservation of brown-marbled grouper spermatozoa for practical application. We examined 32 cryodiluents, developed from four types of cryoprotectants [propylene glycol (PG), dimethyl-sulphoxide (Me 2 SO), dimethyl-acetamide (DMA) and ethylene glycol (EG)] at four concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20% in combination with two extenders [Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and artificial seminal plasma (ASP). Cooling rates were examined by adjusting the height of straws (2.5-12.5 cm) from the liquid nitrogen (LN) vapor and cooled for 5 min before immersion into LN. DNA laddering was used to detect DNA damage in cryopreserved sperm. In fertilization trials, 0.5 g of eggs was mixed with cryopreserved sperm stored for 30 days in LN. The best motility of post-thaw sperm was achieved using 15% PG + 85% FBS (76.7 ± 8.8%); 10% PG + 90% FBS was also effective as cryodiluent. Generally, FBS gave better post-thaw motility compared to ASP. The optimum cooling rate was at 17.6 °C min -1 obtained by freezing at the height of 7.5 cm surface of LN. The results obtained showed that cryopreserved sperm of brown-marbled grouper suffered slight DNA fragmentation, which resulted in significantly lower motility. However, the fertilization (90.9 ± 0.5%), hatching (64.5 ± 4.1%) and deformity rates (3.8 ± 0.2%) obtained from cryopreserved sperm showed no significant difference with fresh sperm. These findings show that the developed protocol for cryopreservation of brown-marbled grouper sperm was viable and will be useful for successful breeding and seed production of brown-marbled grouper. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Positive feedback between strain localization and fluid flow at the ductile-brittle transition leading to Pb-Zn-Fe-Cu-Ag ore deposits in Lavrion (Greece)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheffer, Christophe; Tarantola, Alexandre; Vanderhaeghe, Olivier

2016-04-01

At the crustal scale, the ductile-brittle transition (DBT) might correspond to a physical barrier that separates a deep reservoir of metamorphic and magmatic fluids from a shallow reservoir of surficial fluids. Rock rheology, and thus the location of the DBT, is mainly governed by lithology, temperature and the presence/absence of fluids. Accordingly, the position of the DBT potentially evolves during orogenic evolution owing to thermal evolution and fluid circulation. In turn rocks are transferred across it during burial and exhumation. These processes induce connections between fluid reservoirs which might play a role on ore deposition. In this contribution, we discuss the impact of lithological heterogeneities on deformation, fluid flow and ore deposition based on the example of the Lavrion low-angle top-to-the-SSW detachment accommodating gravitational collapse of the Hellenides orogenic belt in Greece. The Lavrion peninsula, localized along the western boundary of the Attic-Cycladic Metamorphic Core Complex, is characterized by Pb-Zn-Fe-Cu-Ag ore mineralization mainly concentrated along a lithological contact (marble/schists) below and within a detachment shear zone. The mylonitic marble below the detachment shear zone is composed of white layers of pure marble alternating with blue layers containing impurities (SiO2, Al2O3, organic matter…). Development of the mylonitic fabric in competent impure blue marble is associated with its preferred dolomitization related to focused fluid infiltration. This mylonitic marble is cross-cut by several cataclastic horizons preferentially developed within the more competent impure blue marble and newly-crystallized dolomitic horizon. These cataclasites are invaded by fluorite and calcite gangue minerals showing locally Mn, Pb, Zn, Fe oxides and/or hydroxides, sphalerite, Ag-galena, Ag-sulfur and native Ag. Oxygen and carbon stable isotopes performed on marble sections point out decarbonation with magmatic contribution and fluid-rock interactions including organic matter present in the whole-rock during ore precipitation. These features show the positive feedback between localization of ductile-brittle deformation-recrystallization, fluid circulation and ore deposition. Accordingly, during orogenic gravitational collapse, the activation of mylonitic-cataclastic low-angle detachments, controlled at first order by temperature, are, at second order, influenced by lithologic heterogeneities that are determinant at localizing fluid circulation, allowing thus a multi-localization of the DBT and ore deposition.

An investigation on the relationship among marbling features, physiological age and Warner-Bratzler Shear force of steer longissimus dorsi muscle.

PubMed

Luo, Lingying; Guo, Dandan; Zhou, Guanghong; Chen, Kunjie

2018-04-01

Researchers nowadays have paid much attention to the relationships between tenderness and marbling, or physiological age. While the marbling was mainly evaluated qualitatively with scores or grades, and rarely related with physiological age. Present study was carried out to analyze the marbling features of longissimus dorsi muscle between the 12th and 13th ribs from 18, 36, 54 and 72 months old Simmental steers were quantitatively described with area and perimeter using computer vision technique. Relationship between Warner-Bratzler Shear force (WBSF), physiological age and the marbling features were examined performing regression analysis. The results revealed that WBSF positively correlated with physiological age, but negatively with marbling area and perimeter. Regression analysis showed that the relationship between the shear force and the steers' age was more close to the quadratic curve (R 2  = 0.996) and exponential curve (R 2  = 0.957). It was observed during study that marbling grew with steers age. Marbling features were in linear correlation with the steers' age, with R 2  = 0.927 for marbling area and R 2  = 0.935 for marbling perimeter. The industries in future may speculate beef tenderness and physiological age based on the marbling features (area and perimeter), which can be determined through the online image acquisition system and image processing.

Dopamine Polymerization in Liquid Marbles: A General Route to Janus Particle Synthesis.

PubMed

Sheng, Yifeng; Sun, Guanqing; Ngai, To

2016-04-05

Coating a liquid with a particle shell not only renders a droplet superhydrophobic but also isolates a well-confined microenvironment for miniaturized chemical processes. Previously, we have demonstrated that particles at the liquid marble interface provide an ideal platform for the site-selective modification of superhydrophobic particles. However, the need for a special chemical reaction limits their potential use for the fabrication of Janus particles with various properties. Herein, we combine the employment of liquid marbles as microreactors with the remarkable adhesive ability of polydopamine to develop a general route for the synthesis of Janus particles from micrometer-sized superhydrophobic particles. We demonstrate that dopamine polymerization and deposition inside liquid marbles could be used for the selective surface modification of microsized silica particles, resulting in the formation of Janus particles. Moreover, it is possible to manipulate the Janus balance of the particles via the addition of surfactants and/or organic solvents to tune the interfacial energy. More importantly, owing to the many functional groups in polydopamine, we show that versatile strategies could be introduced to use these partially polydopamine-coated silica particles as platforms for further modification, including nanoparticle immobilization, metal ion chelation and reduction, as well as for chemical reactions. Given the flexibility in the choice of cores and the modification strategies, this developed method is distinctive in its high universality, good controllability, and great practicability.

Comparison of pigment cell ultrastructure and organisation in the dermis of marble trout and brown trout, and first description of erythrophore ultrastructure in salmonids

PubMed Central

Djurdjevič, Ida; Kreft, Mateja Erdani; Sušnik Bajec, Simona

2015-01-01

Skin pigmentation in animals is an important trait with many functions. The present study focused on two closely related salmonid species, marble trout (Salmo marmoratus) and brown trout (S. trutta), which display an uncommon labyrinthine (marble-like) and spot skin pattern, respectively. To determine the role of chromatophore type in the different formation of skin pigment patterns in the two species, the distribution and ultrastructure of chromatophores was examined with light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The presence of three types of chromatophores in trout skin was confirmed: melanophores; xanthophores; and iridophores. In addition, using correlative microscopy, erythrophore ultrastructure in salmonids was described for the first time. Two types of erythrophores are distinguished, both located exclusively in the skin of brown trout: type 1 in black spot skin sections similar to xanthophores; and type 2 with a unique ultrastructure, located only in red spot skin sections. Morphologically, the difference between the light and dark pigmentation of trout skin depends primarily on the position and density of melanophores, in the dark region covering other chromatophores, and in the light region with the iridophores and xanthophores usually exposed. With larger amounts of melanophores, absence of xanthophores and presence of erythrophores type 1 and type L iridophores in the black spot compared with the light regions and the presence of erythrophores type 2 in the red spot, a higher level of pigment cell organisation in the skin of brown trout compared with that of marble trout was demonstrated. Even though the skin regions with chromatophores were well defined, not all the chromatophores were in direct contact, either homophilically or heterophilically, with each other. In addition to short-range interactions, an important role of the cellular environment and long-range interactions between chromatophores in promoting adult pigment pattern formation of trout are proposed. PMID:26467239

Comparison of pigment cell ultrastructure and organisation in the dermis of marble trout and brown trout, and first description of erythrophore ultrastructure in salmonids.

PubMed

Djurdjevič, Ida; Kreft, Mateja Erdani; Sušnik Bajec, Simona

2015-11-01

Skin pigmentation in animals is an important trait with many functions. The present study focused on two closely related salmonid species, marble trout (Salmo marmoratus) and brown trout (S. trutta), which display an uncommon labyrinthine (marble-like) and spot skin pattern, respectively. To determine the role of chromatophore type in the different formation of skin pigment patterns in the two species, the distribution and ultrastructure of chromatophores was examined with light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The presence of three types of chromatophores in trout skin was confirmed: melanophores; xanthophores; and iridophores. In addition, using correlative microscopy, erythrophore ultrastructure in salmonids was described for the first time. Two types of erythrophores are distinguished, both located exclusively in the skin of brown trout: type 1 in black spot skin sections similar to xanthophores; and type 2 with a unique ultrastructure, located only in red spot skin sections. Morphologically, the difference between the light and dark pigmentation of trout skin depends primarily on the position and density of melanophores, in the dark region covering other chromatophores, and in the light region with the iridophores and xanthophores usually exposed. With larger amounts of melanophores, absence of xanthophores and presence of erythrophores type 1 and type L iridophores in the black spot compared with the light regions and the presence of erythrophores type 2 in the red spot, a higher level of pigment cell organisation in the skin of brown trout compared with that of marble trout was demonstrated. Even though the skin regions with chromatophores were well defined, not all the chromatophores were in direct contact, either homophilically or heterophilically, with each other. In addition to short-range interactions, an important role of the cellular environment and long-range interactions between chromatophores in promoting adult pigment pattern formation of trout are proposed. © 2015 Anatomical Society.

Mimicking the Interfacial Dynamics of Flowing White Blood Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santore, Maria

2015-03-01

The rolling of particles on surfaces, facilitated by hydrodynamic forces combined with localized surface interactions of the appropriate strengths, spatial arrangements, and ranges, is a technologically useful means of transporting and manipulating particles. One's intuition for the rolling of a marble or a car tire cannot be extrapolated down to microparticle length scales because the microparticle interactions are dominated by electrostatic, van der Waals, and hydrogen bonding interactions rather than a friction that depends on an imposed normal force. Indeed, our microparticle rolling systems are inspired by the rolling of white blood cells on the inner walls of venules as part of the innate immune response: Selectin molecules engage with their counterparts on the opposing surfaces to slow cell motion relative to that for freely flowing cells. In the resulting rolling signature, ligand-receptor binding and crack closing on the front of the cell are balanced with molecular dis-bonding and crack opening at the rear. The contact region is relatively static, allowing other interactions (for instance signaling) to occur for a finite duration. Thus, achieving particle rolling in synthetic systems is important because it facilitates particle-surface interactions in a continuous nonfouling fashion where the contact surface is continually renewed. In developing a synthetic model for this system, we employ polymers to modify flowing particles and /or planar collectors, producing heterogeneous interfaces which can support rolling or produce other motion signatures such as skipping, arrest, or free flow. We identify, in the synthetic system, combinations of variables that produce rolling and demonstrate how the distinction between rolling and arrest is not a simple matter of the adhesion strength between the particles and the collector. Rolling is a cooperative process and the coordination of binding in one location with dis-bonding in another requires appropriate length scales in the design of the interface and in the processing parameters as well.

Multi-approach characterization of the Rhodope marbles, Greece used in monuments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dotsika, Elissavet; Raco, Brunella; Psomiadis, David; Poutoukis, Dimitrios; Zisi, Nikoleta

2010-05-01

Northern Greece has many archaeological sites featuring buildings and objects entirely or partly constructed from marble whose provenance is doubtful. In Northern Greece, the most probable source of such marble is the Rhodope Mountains. For the purpose of supporting further provenance studies, these marbles are fully scientifically characterized. The sampling took place in several ancient quarries which were on trade routes of Hellenistic, Roman or Byzantine settlements. Trade of marble in N. Greece is proved to have been equally important as in S. Greece, comparing the qualitative marble of Thassos with the best marbles of the south (e.g. Paros, Naxos etc.). The techniques used are petrographic and geochemical (microscope, X-Ray diffraction patterns, Scanning Electron Microscope) methods and stable isotope ratio analysis (δ13C and δ18O). The use of a multi-technique approach with combined parameters allows the best possible discrimination. This scientific investigation both supplements the isotopic database and proves that in N. Greece people used also imported marbles.

Marble-hosted ruby deposits of the Morogoro Region, Tanzania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balmer, Walter A.; Hauzenberger, Christoph A.; Fritz, Harald; Sutthirat, Chakkaphan

2017-10-01

The ruby deposits of the Uluguru and Mahenge Mts, Morogoro Region, are related to marbles which represent the cover sequence of the Eastern Granulites in Tanzania. In both localities the cover sequences define a tectonic unit which is present as a nappe structure thrusted onto the gneissic basement in a north-western direction. Based on structural geological observations the ruby deposits are bound to mica-rich boudins in fold hinges where fluids interacted with the marble-host rock in zones of higher permeability. Petrographic observations revealed that the Uluguru Mts deposits occur within calcite-dominated marbles whereas deposits in the Mahenge Mts are found in dolomite-dominated marbles. The mineral assemblage describing the marble-hosted ruby deposit in the Uluguru Mts is characterised by corundum-dolomite-phlogopite ± spinel, calcite, pargasite, scapolite, plagioclase, margarite, chlorite, tourmaline whereas the assemblage corundum-calcite-plagioclase-phlogopite ± dolomite, pargasite, sapphirine, titanite, tourmaline is present in samples from the Mahenge Mts. Although slightly different in mineral assemblage it was possible to draw a similar ruby formation history for both localities. Two ruby forming events were distinguished by textural differences, which could also be modeled by thermodynamic T-XCO2 calculations using non-ideal mixing models of essential minerals. A first formation of ruby appears to have taken place during the prograde path (M1) either by the breakdown of diaspore which was present in the original sedimentary precursor rock or by the breakdown of margarite to corundum and plagioclase. The conditions for M1 metamorphism was estimated at ∼750 °C at 10 kbar, which represents granulite facies conditions. A change in fluid composition towards a CO2 dominated fluid triggered a second ruby generation to form. Subsequently, the examined units underwent a late greenschist facies overprint. In the framework of the East African Orogen we assume that the prograde ruby formation occurred at the commonly observed metamorphic event around 620 Ma. At the peak or during beginning of retrogression the fluid composition changed triggering a second ruby generation. The late stage greenschist facies overprint could have occurred at the waning stage of this metamorphic episode which is in the range of ∼580 Ma.

Impact dynamics of particle-coated droplets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Supakar, T.; Kumar, A.; Marston, J. O.

2017-01-01

We present findings from an experimental study of the impact of liquid marbles onto solid surfaces. Using dual-view high-speed imaging, we reveal details of the impact dynamics previously not reported. During the spreading stage it is observed that particles at the surface flow rapidly to the periphery of the drop, i.e., the lamella. We characterize the spreading with the maximum spread diameter, comparing to impacts of pure liquid droplets. The principal result is a power-law scaling for the normalized maximum spread in terms of the impact Weber number, Dmax/D0˜Weα , with α ≈1 /3 . However, the best description of the spreading is obtained by considering a total energy balance, in a similar fashion to Pasandideh-Fard et al. [Phys. Fluids 8, 650 (1996)], 10.1063/1.868850. By using hydrophilic target surfaces, the marble integrity is lost even for moderate impact speeds as the particles at the surface separate and allow liquid-solid contact to occur. Remarkably, however, we observe no significant difference in the maximum spread between hydrophobic and hydrophilic targets, which is rationalized by the presence of the particles. Finally, for the finest particles used, we observe the formation of nonspherical arrested shapes after retraction and rebound from hydrophobic surfaces, which is quantified by a circularity measurement of the side profiles.

Calibration of the MDCO dust collector and of four versions of the inverted frisbee dust deposition sampler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sow, Mamadou; Goossens, Dirk; Rajot, Jean Louis

2006-12-01

Wind tunnel experiments were conducted to determine the efficiency of sediment samplers designed to measure the deposition of aeolian dust. Efficiency was ascertained relative to a water surface, which was considered the best alternative for simulating a perfectly absorbent surface. Two types of samplers were studied: the Marble Dust Collector (MDCO) and the inverted frisbee sampler. Four versions of the latter catcher were tested: an empty frisbee, an empty frisbee surrounded by an aerodynamic flow deflector ring, a frisbee filled with glass marbles, and a frisbee filled with glass marbles and surrounded by a flow deflector ring. Efficiency was ascertained for five wind velocities (range: 1-5 m s - 1 ) and eight grain size classes (range: 10-89 μm). The efficiency of dust deposition catchers diminishes rapidly as the wind speed increases. It also diminishes as the particles caught become coarser. Adding a flow deflector ring to a catcher substantially improves the catcher's efficiency, by up to 100% in some cases. The addition of glass marbles to a catcher, on the other hand, does not seem to increase the efficiency, at least not at wind velocities inferior to the deflation threshold. For higher velocities the marbles protect the settled particles from resuspension, keeping them in the catcher. The following five parameters determine the accumulation of aeolian dust in a catcher: the horizontal dust flux, the weight of the particles, atmospheric turbulence, resuspension, and the dust shadow effect created by the catcher. The final accumulation flux depends on the combination of these parameters. The catchers tested in this study belong to the best catchers currently in use in earth science and have been the subject of various aerodynamic studies to improve their efficiency. Nevertheless the catching efficiency remains low, in the order of 20-40% for wind speeds above 2 m s - 1 . Other catchers suffer from the same low efficiencies. There is, thus, evidence to believe that dust deposition rates published in the aeolian literature and obtained by collecting the sediment in a catcher largely underestimate the true deposition. The errors are considerable, of the order of 100% and more. A reconsideration of the literature data on aeolian dust deposition measured by catchers is, therefore, required.

Geologic map of the Glen Canyon Dam 30’ x 60’ quadrangle, Coconino County, northern Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Billingsley, George H.; Priest, Susan S.

2013-01-01

The Glen Canyon Dam 30’ x 60’ quadrangle is characterized by nearly flat lying to gently dipping Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary strata that overlie tilted Proterozoic strata or metasedimentary and igneous rocks similar to those exposed at the bottom of Grand Canyon southwest of the quadrangle. Mississippian to Permian rocks are exposed in the walls of Marble Canyon; Permian strata and minor outcrops of Triassic strata form the surface bedrock of House Rock Valley and Marble Plateau, southwestern quarter of the quadrangle. The Paleozoic strata exposed in Marble Canyon and Grand Canyon south of the map are likely present in the subsurface of the entire quadrangle but with unknown facies and thickness changes. The Mesozoic sedimentary rocks exposed along the Vermilion and Echo Cliffs once covered the entire quadrangle, but Cenozoic erosion has removed most of these rocks from House Rock Valley and Marble Plateau areas. Mesozoic strata remain over much of the northern and eastern portions of the quadrangle where resistant Jurassic sandstone units form prominent cliffs, escarpments, mesas, buttes, and much of the surface bedrock of the Paria, Kaibito, and Rainbow Plateaus. Jurassic rocks in the northeastern part of quadrangle are cut by a sub-Cretaceous regional unconformity that bevels the Entrada Sandstone and Morrison Formation from Cummings Mesa southward to White Mesa near Kaibito. Quaternary deposits, mainly eolian, mantle much of the Paria, Kaibito, and Rainbow Plateaus in the northern and northeastern portion of the quadrangle. Alluvial deposits are widely distributed over parts of House Rock Valley and Marble Plateau in the southwest quarter of the quadrangle. The east-dipping strata of the Echo Cliffs Monocline forms a general north-south structural boundary through the central part of the quadrangle, separating Marble and Paria Plateaus west of the monocline from the Kaibito Plateau east of the monocline. The Echo Cliffs Monocline continues north of the quadrangle into southern Utah. The gentle north- and northeast-dipping Mesozoic strata on the Kaibito and Rainbow Plateaus are partly interrupted by northwest-trending, broad-based, ill-defined synclines and anticlines. These broad-based structures form mesas and buttes near anticlinal crests and deeply incised drainages in synclinal valleys. The 1,300-ft-thick (396-m-thick) Navajo Sandstone erodes into a maze of tributary slot canyons in the northeastern part of the quadrangle. Mesozoic strata in the extreme northeast corner of the quadrangle dip gently southwest due to the influence of the Monument Upwarp in southeastern Utah and by an intrusive uplift (laccolith) that forms Navajo Mountain, a prominent 10,388 ft (3,166 m) landmark just northeast of the quadrangle.

EPR, SEM and XRD investigation of ornamental limestone and marbles from some renowned Romanian quarries.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Covaci, D.; Costea, C.; Dumitras, D.; Duliu, O. G.

2012-04-01

Ornamental limestone and marble samples were collected and analysed by means of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), in order to evidence any systematic peculiarities able to be used in further provenance studies as well as to get more detailed information regarding geochemistry and mineralogy of three of the most important deposits from Romania. In this respect, 20 samples of limestone (Arnota quarry, Capatani Mountains and Mateias South quarry, Iezer Mountains) and 9 of calci-dolomitic marble (Porumbacu de Sus quarry, Fagaras Mountains) were collected over a significant sampling area. EPR spectroscopy, primarily used to asset the degree of homogeneity of considered samples, evidenced, for both Arnota and Mateias South limestone, the presence of a typical six hyperfine lines spectrum of Mn2+ ions in calcite but no traces of Fe ferromagnetic clusters. A more careful investigation has showed that although within the same quarry, there were no significant differences regarding EPR spectra, the resonance lines were systematic narrower in the case of Mateias South samples which suggested a lower content of divalent manganese ions. The Porumbacu calci-dolomitic marble, presented a more intricate Mn2+ spectrum, consisting of a superposition of typical dolomitic and calcitic spectra. Again, the EPR spectra were almost identical, attesting, as in the previous cases, a relative uniform distribution of paramagnetic Mn2+ ions within quarry. In the case of SEM, scattered, back scattered and absorbed electron modes were used to visualise the mineral formations on the sample surfaces while an EDAX quantitative analysis was used to determine the content of the most abundant elements. Although, at a first inspection, both groups of limestone looked almost similar, displaying a great variety of randomly orientated micro-crystalline agglomeration, only in the case of Arnota samples, we have noticed the presence of some micron size graphite inclusions, potential proxies for further provenance studies. The Porumbacu South marble showed a different pattern, characterized by a more uniform crystallite distribution, all of them presenting almost perfect cleaving surfaces. EDAX results evidenced, excepting the dominant Ca and Mg (the last one in the case of Porumbacu de Sus marble), the presence, in small quantities, of some other element such as Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn whose content represent also a good provenance proxy. XRD investigation evidenced not only of the dominant calcite and dolomite mineral phases, but also other minor mineral fraction, whose presence could be well related to the content of mentioned trace elements. Principal Component and Cluster Analysis, finally used to classify all investigated samples, allowed us to group them in three cluster in accordance with their provenance.

On-line prediction of yield grade, longissimus muscle area, preliminary yield grade, adjusted preliminary yield grade, and marbling score using the MARC beef carcass image analysis system.

PubMed

Shackelford, S D; Wheeler, T L; Koohmaraie, M

2003-01-01

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center's beef carcass image analysis system to predict calculated yield grade, longissimus muscle area, preliminary yield grade, adjusted preliminary yield grade, and marbling score under commercial beef processing conditions. In two commercial beef-processing facilities, image analysis was conducted on 800 carcasses on the beef-grading chain immediately after the conventional USDA beef quality and yield grades were applied. Carcasses were blocked by plant and observed calculated yield grade. The carcasses were then separated, with 400 carcasses assigned to a calibration data set that was used to develop regression equations, and the remaining 400 carcasses assigned to a prediction data set used to validate the regression equations. Prediction equations, which included image analysis variables and hot carcass weight, accounted for 90, 88, 90, 88, and 76% of the variation in calculated yield grade, longissimus muscle area, preliminary yield grade, adjusted preliminary yield grade, and marbling score, respectively, in the prediction data set. In comparison, the official USDA yield grade as applied by online graders accounted for 73% of the variation in calculated yield grade. The technology described herein could be used by the beef industry to more accurately determine beef yield grades; however, this system does not provide an accurate enough prediction of marbling score to be used without USDA grader interaction for USDA quality grading.

Mineralogical characterization of the Shelburne marble and the Salem limestone

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McGee, E.S.

Samples of Shelburne marble and Salem limestone were selected to represent marbles and limestones used in buildings and monuments. The Royal variety of Shelburne marble is a white marble predominantly composed of calcite but has heterogeneously distributed gray inclusions. The select buff Salem limestone is a beige, homogeneous, fossiliferous limestone, predominantly composed of fragments of echinoderms and bryozoans. The author reports that both samples are appropriate test stones for the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program stone exposure studies.

Mineralogical characterization of the Shelburne Marble and the Salem limestone: Test stones used to study the effects of acid rain

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McGee, E.S.

The Salem Limestone and the Shelburne Marble are representative of limestones and marbles commonly used in buildings and monuments. Both stones are composed predominantly of calcite. The Salem Limestone is homogeneous in composition and mineralogic characteristics throughout the test block. The Shelburne Marble has compositionally homogeneous mineral phases, but the distribution of those phases within the test block is random. The mineralogy and physical characteristics of the Shelburne Marble and Salem Limestone test blocks described in the study provide a baseline for future studies of the weathering behavior of these stones. Because the Shelburne Marble and the Salem Limestone aremore » representative of typical commercial marbles and limestones, they are likely to be useful in a consortium study of the effects of acid precipitation on these two types of building stones.« less

On trajectories of rolling marbles in cones and other funnels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, Gary D.

2013-12-01

We report on theoretical and experimental results for a ball that rolls without slipping on a surface of revolution, whose symmetry axis is aligned with a uniform gravitational field, particularly investigating both near-circular orbits and scattering-type orbits in cones. The experimental data give support for the theoretical treatment, a non-trivial application of Newton's second law that expands on our previous work and related work of others. Our findings refine those from a recent article in this journal, and largely replicate those obtained from an earlier Lagrangian approach, adding some new details and commentary. While the orbits of marbles rolling in cones do not match inverse-square-law orbits quantitatively (e.g., instead of Kepler's 3rd law, we have T2∝R), we argue that students should experience these qualitative phenomena—precession of orbits, escape velocity behavior, spin-orbit coupling, conservation laws for angular momentum, energy, and spin projection—as much for the fun and kinesthetic impressions as for the raw learning. We also report on a heretofore largely ignored variable in the exploration of rolling orbits in a gravity well: the marble's spin about its own axis as it rolls. Experimenters can, intentionally or not, vary this initial condition and produce different orbital periods for a given orbital radius—a distinctly non-celestial behavior. Careful selection of the initial spin direction and speed for a particular cone can result in marble orbits that mimic the planetary ellipses.

A conservation assessment for the marbled murrelet in southeast Alaska.

Treesearch

Anthony R. DeGange

1996-01-01

This assessment summarizes available information on the marbled murrelet in southeast Alaska and evaluates its current status. Marbled murrelets are broadly distributed across marine waters throughout southeast Alaska. They are abundant, numbering at least in the low hundreds of thousands. Marbled murrelets are believed to be at increasing risk in biogeographic...

75 FR 64303 - Vermont Marble Power, Division of Omya Inc.; Central Vermont Public Service Corporation; Notice...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-19

...-029; 2445-023; 2558-029] Vermont Marble Power, Division of Omya Inc.; Central Vermont Public Service... Soliciting Comments and Motions To Intervene October 12, 2010. On August 31, 2010, Vermont Marble Power... relicensing. Applicant Contacts: For transferor: Todd Allard, Operations Engineer Omya, Inc., Vermont Marble...

Faux Art.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hopton, Jim

1990-01-01

Describes how students incorporated the use of faux finishes in the construction of scenery for a school production of "Cinderella." After researching medieval castles and different types of stone surfaces, students used a sponge printing technique for exterior walls and a marbling technique for columns in the ballroom scene. (GG)

Synthetic Consolidants Attacked by Melanin-Producing Fungi: Case Study of the Biodeterioration of Milan (Italy) Cathedral Marble Treated with Acrylics▿

PubMed Central

Cappitelli, Francesca; Nosanchuk, Joshua D.; Casadevall, Arturo; Toniolo, Lucia; Brusetti, Lorenzo; Florio, Sofia; Principi, Pamela; Borin, Sara; Sorlini, Claudia

2007-01-01

Monuments and artistic stone surfaces are often consolidated and protected with synthetic polymers, in particular, acrylics. Although it is generally thought that acrylic polymers are resistant to biodeterioration, we report for the first time the systematic occurrence of dematiaceous meristematic fungi on many marble samples of the cathedral in Milan (Italy) previously treated with this material. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy applied to the Milan cathedral stone samples revealed characteristic features of biodeteriorated synthetic resins that differentiated them from the aged but nonbiodeteriorated samples. Samples showing biological colonization were analyzed for the presence of fungi. Cultivation and morphological characterization and methods independent from cultivation, such as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis coupled with partial 18S rRNA gene sequencing and immunofluorescence staining with melanin-binding antibodies, showed that melanin-producing species are heavily present on stone surfaces protected with acrylic resins. This observation raises the question of the effectiveness of acrylics in protecting stone artworks. PMID:17071788

Synthetic consolidants attacked by melanin-producing fungi: case study of the biodeterioration of Milan (Italy) cathedral marble treated with acrylics.

PubMed

Cappitelli, Francesca; Nosanchuk, Joshua D; Casadevall, Arturo; Toniolo, Lucia; Brusetti, Lorenzo; Florio, Sofia; Principi, Pamela; Borin, Sara; Sorlini, Claudia

2007-01-01

Monuments and artistic stone surfaces are often consolidated and protected with synthetic polymers, in particular, acrylics. Although it is generally thought that acrylic polymers are resistant to biodeterioration, we report for the first time the systematic occurrence of dematiaceous meristematic fungi on many marble samples of the cathedral in Milan (Italy) previously treated with this material. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy applied to the Milan cathedral stone samples revealed characteristic features of biodeteriorated synthetic resins that differentiated them from the aged but nonbiodeteriorated samples. Samples showing biological colonization were analyzed for the presence of fungi. Cultivation and morphological characterization and methods independent from cultivation, such as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis coupled with partial 18S rRNA gene sequencing and immunofluorescence staining with melanin-binding antibodies, showed that melanin-producing species are heavily present on stone surfaces protected with acrylic resins. This observation raises the question of the effectiveness of acrylics in protecting stone artworks.

Surface Luminescence Dating Of 'Dragon Houses' And Armena Gate At Styra (Euboea, Greece)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liritzis, I.; Polymeris, G. S.; Zacharias, N.

The Optical Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) surface dating employing the singlealiquot regenerative (SAR) technique on quartz was applied to some small enigmatic buildings made of large marble schist slabs in a skillful corbelling technique, and a fortified megalithic gate, at Styra, Kapsala, Laka Palli and Kastro Armena in southern Euboea. The function and origins of the structures have created a puzzle that has fed the imagination and lead to various interpretations by many scholars. No archaeological excavations or methods of dating have been available for the megalithic-like structures. The dates reported suggest the earliest construction to have taken place during the Classical period. Re-use of these structures has occurred during Hellenistic and Roman times (the latter associated with the large scale quarrying of marbles), as well as, in Medieval times (found in agreement with the historical literature) and the contemporary period (as reported by shepherds). In all cases the datable slabs were rather reset as repairs.

Acid rain attack on outdoor sculpture in perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Livingston, Richard A.

2016-12-01

A major concern motivating research in acid rain materials effects has been the potential for damage to cultural heritage, particularly outdoor marble and bronze sculpture. However, a combination of field and laboratory studies has failed to show a correlation between rain pH and loss of materials. In order to understand this counterintuitive lack of acid rain effect, an aqueous geochemical modeling approach was used to analyze rain runoff chemistry for the relative importance of acid rain neutralization, dry deposition, and in the case of marble, natural carbonate dissolution. This approach involved the development of pH - SO42- phase diagrams for marble (calcium carbonate) and bronze (copper) under ambient environmental conditions. This then enabled reaction path modeling of the acid neutralization process using the pH range typically found in wet deposition (3.5-6). The results were for marble that the theoretical maximum amount of Ca2+ ion that could be lost due acid rain neutralization would be 0.158 mmol/l compared to 10.5 mmol/l by dry deposition, and for bronze, the Cu2+ ion losses would be 0.21 mmol/l and 47.3 mmol/l respectively. Consequently dry deposition effects on these materials have the potential to dominate over wet deposition effects. To test these predictions the geochemical models were applied to examples of data sets from mass balance (runoff vs rainfall) studies on a marble statue in New York City and some bronze memorial plaques at Gettysburg PA. Although these data sets were collected in the early 1980s they remain valid for demonstrating the mass balance method. For the marble statue, the mean Ca2+ losses by dry deposition was about 69% of the total compared 0.3% for acid rain neutralization, which was less than the natural carbonate dissolution losses of 0.8%. For the bronze, the mean Cu2+ losses were 70.6% by SO42- dry deposition and 23% by NO3- dry deposition compared to 6.4% by acid rain neutralization. Thus for both cases the wet deposition component was less than the variability of the dry deposition components, which explains the observed lack of correlation between the rain pH and the material losses. In addition, for the marble case, there was evidence for HCl acid vapor attack resulting from nitric acid/sea salt interactions and for bronze, ammonium ion may be important. In both cases, significant imbalances suggested that unmeasured organic acids may have a significant effect.

The Blue Marble 43 Years Later

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2017-05-16

article title:  The Blue Marble 43 Years Later View larger image ... points over more than four decades apart. The iconic "Blue Marble" view on the left was taken 43 years ago on December 7, 1972 from ... points over more than four decades apart. The iconic "Blue Marble" view on the left was taken 43 years ago on December 7, 1972 from ...

The Tower and Glass Marbles Problem

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Denman, Richard T.; Hailey, David; Rothenberg, Michael

2010-01-01

The Catseye Marble company tests the strength of its marbles by dropping them from various levels of their office tower, to find the highest floor from which a marble will not break. We find the smallest number of drops required and from which floor each drop should be made. We also find out how these answers change if a restriction is placed on…

Deformation of ferrofluid marbles in the presence of a permanent magnet.

PubMed

Nguyen, Nam-Trung

2013-11-12

This paper investigates the deformation of ferrofluid marbles in the presence of a permanent magnet. Ferrofluid marbles are formed using a water-based ferrofluid and 1 μm hydrophobic polytetrafluoride particles. A marble placed on a Teflon coated glass plate deforms under gravity. In the presence of a permanent magnet, the marble is further deformed with a larger contact area. The geometric parameters are normalized by the radius of an undistorted spherical marble. The paper first discusses a scaling relationship between the dimensionless radius of the contact area as well as the dimensionless height and the magnetic Bond number. The dimensionless contact radius is proportional to the fourth root of the magnetic bond number. The dimensionless height scales with the inverse square root of the magnetic Bond number. In the case of a moving marble dragged by a permanent magnet, the deformation is evaluated as the difference between advancing and receding curvatures of the top view. The dimensionless height and the contact diameter of the marble do not significantly depend on the speed or the capillary number. The scaling analysis and experimental data show that the deformation is proportional to the capillary number.

Optical transmission properties of Pentelic and Paros marble.

PubMed

Weigand, Rosa; García, Pablo A; Campos Acosta, Joaquín; Storch de Gracia, Jacobo

2015-02-01

Ancient Greek and Roman sources report that the statue of Zeus in Olympia had a head, and in particular eyes, similar to the description of Zeus by Homer, so we think that the statue was visible to the human eye. Since the temple was 12 m high, and had a small door and no windows, the illumination of the statue by conventional media is questionable. The aim of this paper is to characterize the optical transmission of Paros and Pentelic marble to demonstrate that it was possible to have the Zeus temple illuminated through the roof marble tiles. Spectral absolute transmittance measurements were taken in samples with different thicknesses using a calibrated spectrophotometer, as well as total transmittance measurements using a luxmeter. The results show that both types of marble transmit light and that Pentelic marble has a higher transmittance in the visible range than Paros marble in some cases and hence could have been one reason, among others, to change the type of marble in the roof in antiquity.

Liquid marble as microbioreactor for bioengineering applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarvi, Fatemeh; Jain, Kanika; Alhasan, Layla; Arbatan, Tina; Shen, Wei; Chan, Peggy P. Y.

2015-12-01

This paper reports the use of liquid marbles (LMs) as miniature bioreactors to produce three-dimensional (3D) spheroids including tumor-like spheriods from cancer cells and embryoid bodies (EBs) from stem cells. A liquid marble microbioreactor is prepared by placing a drop of cell suspension onto a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particle bed. Without the addition of growth factors, suspended EBs from liquid marbles exhibit spontaneous contraction. These results indicate that the liquid marble provides a suitable microenvironment to induce EB formation and spontaneous cardiac differentiation. The EBs were further plated onto gelatin-coated tissue culture dishes. Plated EBs express mature cardiomyocyte marker cardiac troponinT (cTnT), indicating that these EBs have differentiated into functional cardiomyocytes. The cardiomyocytes generated using this liquid marble approach could be useful for transplantation.

Portugues Marbles as Stone Heritage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopes, Luis; Martins, Ruben

2013-04-01

The main objective of this paper is to present and justify the reasons for the worldwide recognition of Portuguese Marbles as Stone Heritage. These marbles are also known as "Estremoz Marble" since was the first county were exploited. In the Estremoz Anticline marbles occupy an intermediate stratigraphic position being part of a volcano-sedimentary sequence of Cambrian age. The anticlinal structure has a Precambrian core and the younger rocks aged Devonian Period. This sequence has deformed by the Variscan Orogeny, which performed twice with different intensities both in ductile and brittle tension fields. The early Alpine Cycle also acts in the region and cause more fracturing of the marble. Practically in all the quarries is possible to perceive the spatial-temporal continuity of the deformation where one can describe a complete Wilson Cycle. Together all these geological features imprint the marbles beautiful aesthetic patterns that can be highlighted when used as dimension stone. Nowadays most of the quarries are placed in the counties of Borba and mainly in Vila Viçosa. This last city claims for itself the "Capital of the Marble" title and named the marble as "White Gold". In fact, according to the historical record, the marbles were quarried in Portuguese Alentejo's Province since the fourth century BC. Locally these geological materials are available easily accessible. Exhibit physical properties that allow the fabrication of structural and decorative elements and so were used since humans settled in the region and developed a structured Society. In the Roman period, the pieces of art made with Estremoz Marbles were exported abroad and today are represented in Museums and Archaeological Sites throughout Europe and North Africa countries. The Portuguese Marbles and Limestones, transformed into altars, stairways, columns, statues and pieces of wall cladding, were carried as ballast in the holds of ships. At the destination the Portuguese People had built numerous churches which today can be found in Brazil but also along the South American and African coasts. Currently the global market of Modern Dimension Stones Industry allows Portuguese Marbles to be present in buildings, architectural pieces and works of arts all over the World. Despite almost continuous mining activity in the region it's notice that there was no depletion of raw material, in fact almost every varieties of marble have enough reserves to sustain the mining activity is several hundreds of years. The Alentejo whitewashed houses are a hallmark of the unique landscape that can only have been developed by the availability of marbles to produce quicklime. In cities and villages, the built heritage based on the marble is very rich and is always present, meanwhile the surrounding countryside is marked by intense mining activity living side by side with rural industries, namely wheatfields, groves, orchards and vineyards; therefore the region has unique characteristics allowing the development of integrated industrial tourism routes. The Portuguese Marbles are a key factor for local sustainable development and it's leading the region to new opportunities of industrial, scientific and technological culture, pointing to a successful future.

Nutrigenomic regulation of adipose tissue development --- role of retinoic acid: A review

PubMed Central

Wang, Bo; Yang, Qiyuan; Harris, Corrine L.; Nelson, Mark L.; Busboom, Jan R.; Zhu, Mei-Jun; Du, Min

2016-01-01

To improve the efficiency of animal production, livestock have been extensively selected or managed to reduce fat accumulation and increase lean growth, which reduces intramuscular or marbling fat content. To enhance marbling, a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating adipogenesis is needed. Vitamin A has recently been shown to have a profound impact on all stages of adipogenesis. Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, activates both retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR), inducing epigenetic changes in key regulatory genes governing adipogenesis. Additionally, Vitamin D and folates interact with the retinoic acid receptors to regulate adipogenesis. In this review, we discuss nutritional regulation of adipogenesis, focusing on retinoic acid and its impact on epigenetic modifications of key adipogenic genes. PMID:27086067

Hydroxyapatite coatings for marble protection: Optimization of calcite covering and acid resistance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graziani, Gabriela; Sassoni, Enrico; Franzoni, Elisa; Scherer, George W.

2016-04-01

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) has a much lower dissolution rate and solubility than calcite, especially in an acidic environment, so it has been proposed for the protection of marble against acidic rain corrosion. Promising results were obtained, but further optimization is necessary as the treated layer is often incomplete, cracked and/or porous. In this paper, several parameters were investigated to obtain a coherent, uncracked layer, and to avoid the formation of metastable, soluble phases instead of HAP: the role of the pH of the starting solution; the effect of organic and inorganic additions, and in particular that of ethanol, as it is reported to adsorb on calcite, hence possibly favoring the growth of the HAP layer. Finally, a double application of the treatment was tested. Results were compared to those obtained with ammonium oxalate treatment, widely investigated for marble protection. Results indicate that adding small amounts of ethanol to the formulation remarkably increases the acid resistance of treated samples, and yields better coverage of the surface without crack formation. The effectiveness of the treatment is further enhanced when a second treatment is applied. The efficacy of ethanol-doped DAP mixtures was found to be remarkably higher than that of ammonium oxalate based treatments.

Effectiveness of USDA instrument-based marbling measurements for categorizing beef carcasses according to differences in longissimus muscle sensory attributes.

PubMed

Emerson, M R; Woerner, D R; Belk, K E; Tatum, J D

2013-02-01

This study quantified relationships between USDA instrument marbling measurements and LM sensory attributes (tenderness, flavor, juiciness), and shear force. Heifer (n = 390) and steer (n = 328) carcasses (all A-maturity) were selected at 4 beef processing plants in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas to represent 7 marbling degrees: traces (TR), slight (SL), small (SM), modest (MT), moderate (MD), slightly abundant (SA), and moderately abundant (MA). Classification into marbling groups was based on marbling scores determined using USDA-approved VBG 2000 grading systems. Strip loin steaks were obtained from both sides of each carcass and aged for 14 d. One steak was used to obtain Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and slice shear force (SSF) measurements. The other steak was evaluated by a trained sensory panel for juiciness, tenderness, intensity of flavors characterized as meaty/brothy, buttery/beef fat, bloody/serumy, livery/organy, and grassy; and overall sensory experience (negative or positive). Instrument marbling score explained 45%, 40%, 32%, 71%, and 61% of the observed variation in panel ratings for juiciness, tenderness, meaty/brothy flavor intensity, buttery/beef fat flavor intensity, and overall sensory experience, respectively. Increased degree of marbling resulted in steaks having greater (P < 0.001) juiciness (MA > SA > MD > MT > SM > SL = TR), meaty/brothy flavor (MA = SA > MD = MT > SM > SL > TR), and buttery/beef fat flavor (MA > SA > MD > MT > SM > SL > TR). Steak tenderness also increased (P < 0.001) as marbling degree increased; however, tenderness differences among marbling degrees differed for steers (MA = SA > MD = MT > SM > SL = TR) and heifers (MA = SA > MD > MT > SM > SL > TR). Steaks produced by steers had lower (P < 0.05) WBSF and SSF values, and were rated as more tender by sensory panelists than steaks produced by heifers, but the effect of sex on panel tenderness was significant only among steaks with TR marbling. Results of this study showed that instrument-based classification of beef carcasses, according to differences in marbling, effectively identified subsequent differences in strip loin steak sensory performance. Nearly all (98 to 99%) steaks with MA or SA marbling, and most (between 80% and 90%) steaks with MD and MT marbling, received positive ratings for overall sensory experience. In comparison, 62% of SM steaks, 29% of SL steaks, and 15% of TR steaks received positive sensory experience ratings.

Effects of feeding modified distillers grains plus solubles on marbling attributes, proximate composition, and fatty acid profile of beef.

PubMed

Mello, A S; Jenschke, B E; Senaratne, L S; Carr, T P; Erickson, G E; Calkins, C R

2012-12-01

Wet distillers grains contain approximately 65% moisture. A partially dried product [modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS)] contains about 50% moisture. However, both have similar nutrient composition on a dry matter basis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of finishing diets varying in concentration of MDGS on marbling attributes, proximate composition, and fatty acid profile of beef. Yearling steers (n = 268) were randomly allotted to 36 pens, which were assigned randomly to 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% MDGS (DM basis) and fed for 176 d before harvest. The 48-h postmortem marbling score, marbling texture, and marbling distribution were assessed by a USDA grader and 1 ribeye slice (longissimus thoracis) 7 mm thick was collected from each carcass for proximate and fatty acid analyses. Treatments did not significantly alter marbling score or marbling distribution (P ≥ 0.05). United States Department of Agriculture Choice slices had coarser marbling texture when compared with USDA Select. Although dietary treatment affected marbling texture, no consistent pattern was evident. Diets did not influence fat content, moisture, or ash of the ribeye (P ≥ 0.05). For treatments 0, 10, 30, 40 and 50%, there were positive linear relationships between marbling score and fat percentage in the ribeye (P ≤ 0.05), and all slopes were similar (P = 0.45). Feeding MDGS linearly increased stearic, linoelaidic, linoleic, linolenic, PUFA, and n-6 fatty acids. As dietary MDGS increased, linear decreases were observed in all n-7 fatty acids and cubic relationships were detected for the 18:1 trans isomers [trans-6-8-octadecenoic acid (6-8t), elaidic acid (9t), trans-10-octadecenoic acid (10t), and trans vaccenic acid (11t)]. No effects were observed for saturated fatty acids containing 6 to 14 carbons. Feeding MDGS resulted in increased PUFA, trans, and n-6 fatty acids, minimal effects on marbling texture, and no effects on the relationship of marbling to intramuscular fat content relationship.

Sugaring marble in the Monumental Cemetery in Bologna (Italy): characterization of naturally and artificially weathered samples and first results of consolidation by hydroxyapatite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sassoni, Enrico; Franzoni, Elisa

2014-12-01

The so-called sugaring of marble is a very common degradation phenomenon, affecting both historical monuments and modern buildings, which is originated by environmental temperature fluctuations. Thermal cycles are indeed responsible for micro-cracks formation at the boundaries between calcite grains, so that marble is subjected to granular disintegration and can be reduced to a sugar-like powder of isolated calcite grains by just the pressure of a finger. Since no effective, compatible and durable treatment for sugaring marble consolidation is currently available, in this paper a novel consolidating treatment recently proposed for limestone, based on the formation of hydroxyapatite inside the stone, was investigated for weathered marble. To test the new treatment on suitably decayed marble samples, some naturally sugaring marbles from the Monumental Cemetery in Bologna (Italy, nineteenth century) were firstly characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) measurement. Then, artificially weathered samples were produced by heating fresh Carrara marble samples at 400 °C for 1 h. The effects of artificial weathering were characterized using the same techniques as above, and a very good agreement was found between microstructure and mechanical features of naturally and artificially weathered samples. Then, the hydroxyapatite-based treatment was tested on the so-obtained artificially weathered samples, and the treatment effects were characterized by UPV, MIP and SEM equipped with energy dispersive spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The hydroxyapatite-based treatment exhibited a remarkable ability of restoring marble cohesion and a good compatibility in terms of modifications in pore size distribution, which leads to regard this treatment as a very promising consolidant for weathered marble.

Drop trampoline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chantelot, Pierre; Coux, Martin; Clanet, Christophe; Quere, David

2017-11-01

Superhydrophobic substrates inspired from the lotus leaf have the ability to reflect impacting water drops. They do so very efficiently and contact lasts typically 10 ms for millimetric droplets. Yet unlike a lotus leaf most synthetic substrates are rigid. Focusing on the interplay between substrate flexibility and liquid repellency might allow us to understand the dynamic properties of natural surfaces. We perform liquid marbles impacts at velocity V onto thin ( 0.01 mm) stretched circular PDMS membranes. We obtain contact time reductions of up to 70%. The bouncing mechanism is drastically modified compared to that on a rigid substrate: the marble leaves the substrate while it is still spread in a disk shape as it is kicked upwards by the membrane. We show that the bouncing is controlled by an interplay between the dynamics of the drop and the membrane.

Marble protection: An inorganic electrokinetic approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meloni, Paola; Manca, Francesco; Carcangiu, Gianfranco

2013-05-01

The influence of an electric potential difference in an aqueous solution was studied as a method for depositing a calcium oxalate coating over a weathered carbonatic stone. Samples of weathered Carrara white marble were treated at 15 and 50 °C for 5 h in an electrokinetic cell, specifically conceived for this study, containing a solution of ammonium oxalate (4% by weight), and were subsequently characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The electrokinetic treatment proved to be a cost effective and time saving process, able to produce a thick and homogeneous calcium oxalate coating over the stone surface that improves its chemical and physical resistance in low pH environments, and is able to protect the stone from the by-products of urban pollution.

Growth implants reduced tenderness of steaks from steers and heifers with different genetic potentials for growth and marbling.

PubMed

Boles, J A; Boss, D L; Neary, K I; Davis, K C; Tess, M W

2009-01-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of growth implants on the carcass characteristics and tenderness of steers and heifers with different genetic potentials for growth, lean meat yield production, and marbling. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 evaluated Angus steers sired by bulls with high EPD for retail product yield or marbling. Implant treatment was imposed randomly within sire groups. Loins (Institutional Meat Purchasing Specifications 180) were collected from each carcass and cut into three 2.54-cm steaks aged for 7, 14 and 21 d to evaluate tenderness. The second experiment evaluated steers and heifers of British and Continental breed descent. Steers and heifers were slaughtered after 120 d on feed. Loin sections were collected, and one 2.54-cm steak aged 7 d was used for tenderness analysis. When implants were used in Angus steers, HCW and LM area increased, whereas internal fat and marbling decreased (P < 0.01). In Angus steers, sire type did not affect shear force values of steaks; however, implant use significantly increased shear force values (P < 0.01). Carcasses from cattle of Continental breed descent were significantly heavier than carcasses of British breed descent with larger LM area, slightly less fat, and a reduced yield grade (P < 0.01). Also, steer carcasses were heavier than heifer carcasses with larger LM (P < 0.05), but no effect of sex on fat depth, internal fat, yield grade or marbling was observed. No significant interactions were seen between growth implant and breed or between growth implant and sex for shear force values. Shear force values were significantly less for steaks from steers and heifers of British decent compared with steers and heifers of Continental descent (P < 0.01). Steaks from implanted steers and heifers had significantly (P < 0.01) greater shear force values than steaks from steers and heifers not implanted. Use of growth implants in growing cattle resulted in significantly heavier carcass weights, larger LM area, and reduced internal fat. However, implant use also reduced the amount of marbling along with contributing to reduced tenderness. Complicating the tenderness issue is the increased shear force values reported for heifers as well as steers of Continental breed descent. Use of implants may contribute to tenderness variability because of different animal responses to implants.

Low cost friction seismic base-isolation of residential new masonry buildings in developing countries: A small masonry house case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habieb, A. B.; Milani, G.; Tavio, T.; Milani, F.

2017-07-01

A Finite element model was established to examine performance of a low-cost friction base-isolation system in reducing seismic vulnerability of rural buildings. This study adopts an experimental investigation of the isolation system which was conducted in India. Four friction isolation interfaces, namely, marble-marble, marble-high-density polyethylene, marble-rubber sheet, and marble-geosynthetic were involved. Those interfaces differ in static and dynamic friction coefficient obtained through previous research. The FE model was performed based on a macroscopic approach and the masonry wall is assumed as an isotropic element. In order to observe structural response of the masonry house, elastic and plastic parameters of the brick wall were studied. Concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model was adopted to determine non-linear behavior of the brick wall. The results of FE model shows that involving these friction isolation systems could much decrease response acceleration at roof level. It was found that systems with marble-marble and marble-geosynthetic interfaces reduce the roof acceleration up to 50% comparing to the system without isolation. Another interesting result is there was no damage appearing in systems with friction isolation during the test. Meanwhile a severe failure was clearly visible for a system without isolation.

75 FR 54612 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-08

... 16, 2010. Docket Numbers: ER10-2408-000. Applicants: Marble River, LLC. Description: Marble River, LLC submits tariff filing per 35.12: Marble River, LLC MBR Tariff to be effective 8/26/2010. Filed...

The fate of carbon and CO2 - fluid-rock interaction during subduction metamorphism of serpentinites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menzel, Manuel D.; Garrido, Carlos J.; López Sánchez-Vizcaíno, Vicente; Marchesi, Claudio; Hidas, Károly

2016-04-01

Given to its large relevance for present and past climate studies, the deep carbon cycle received increasing attention recently. However, there are still many open questions concerning total mass fluxes and transport processes between the different carbon reservoirs in the Earth's interior. One key issue is the carbon transfer from the subducting slab into fluids and rocks in the slab and mantle wedge. This transfer is controlled by the amount and speciation of stable carbon-bearing phases, which have a strong impact on the pH, redox conditions and trace-element budget of slab fluids. As recent experiments and thermodynamic modeling have shown, water released from dehydrating serpentinites has a great potential to produce CO2-enriched slab fluids by dissolution of carbonate minerals. To constrain the fate of carbon and CO2-fluid-rock interactions during subduction metamorphism of serpentinites, we have studied carbonate-bearing serpentinites recording different prograde evolutions from antigorite schists to Chl-harzburgites in high-P massifs of the Nevado-Filabride Complex (Betic Cordillera, S. Spain). Our results indicate that dissolution of dolomite in marbles in contact with dehydrating serpentinites is spatially limited during prograde metamorphism of carbonate-bearing serpentinites, but it can lead to the formation of silicate-rich zones in marbles close to the contacts. In lower grade serpentinite massifs (1.0-1.5 GPa / 550 °C), the presence of marble lenses in contact with antigorite schists appears to promote local dehydration of serpentinite coupled with carbonation of antigorite, forming Cpx-Tr-Chl-bearing high grade ophicarbonate zones. At the Cerro del Almirez ultramafic massif, where a dehydration front from antigorite-serpentinite to prograde Chl-harzburgite is preserved (1.9 GPa / 680 °C), a significant amount of carbon is retained in prograde Chl-harzburgites and Tr-Dol-marble lenses. This observation is at odds with thermodynamic models that predict efficient carbonate dissolution during dehydration of carbonate-bearing antigorite serpentinite, and indicates that in natural systems substantial amounts of carbon can be recycled into the deep mantle via subduction of carbonate-bearing serpentinite.

Gas Marbles: Much Stronger than Liquid Marbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Timounay, Yousra; Pitois, Olivier; Rouyer, Florence

2017-06-01

Enwrapping liquid droplets with hydrophobic particles allows the manufacture of so-called "liquid marbles" [Aussillous and Quéré Nature (London) 411, 924 (2001); , 10.1038/35082026Mahadevan Nature (London)411, 895 (2001), 10.1038/35082164]. The recent intensive research devoted to liquid marbles is justified by their very unusual physical and chemical properties and by their potential for various applications, from microreactors to water storage, including water pollution sensors [Bormashenko Curr. Opin. Colloid Interface Sci. 16, 266 (2011), 10.1016/j.cocis.2010.12.002]. Here we demonstrate that this concept can be successfully applied for encapsulating and protecting small gas pockets within an air environment. Similarly to their liquid counterparts, those new soft-matter objects, that we call "gas marbles," can sustain external forces. We show that gas marbles are surprisingly tenfold stronger than liquid marbles and, more importantly, they can sustain both positive and negative pressure differences. This magnified strength is shown to originate from the strong cohesive nature of the shell. Those interesting properties could be exploited for imprisoning valuable or polluted gases or for designing new aerated materials.

Gas Marbles: Much Stronger than Liquid Marbles.

PubMed

Timounay, Yousra; Pitois, Olivier; Rouyer, Florence

2017-06-02

Enwrapping liquid droplets with hydrophobic particles allows the manufacture of so-called "liquid marbles" [Aussillous and Quéré Nature (London) 411, 924 (2001); NATUAS0028-083610.1038/35082026Mahadevan Nature (London)411, 895 (2001)NATUAS0028-083610.1038/35082164]. The recent intensive research devoted to liquid marbles is justified by their very unusual physical and chemical properties and by their potential for various applications, from microreactors to water storage, including water pollution sensors [Bormashenko Curr. Opin. Colloid Interface Sci. 16, 266 (2011)COCSFL1359-029410.1016/j.cocis.2010.12.002]. Here we demonstrate that this concept can be successfully applied for encapsulating and protecting small gas pockets within an air environment. Similarly to their liquid counterparts, those new soft-matter objects, that we call "gas marbles," can sustain external forces. We show that gas marbles are surprisingly tenfold stronger than liquid marbles and, more importantly, they can sustain both positive and negative pressure differences. This magnified strength is shown to originate from the strong cohesive nature of the shell. Those interesting properties could be exploited for imprisoning valuable or polluted gases or for designing new aerated materials.

16 CFR 1117.4 - Time for filing a report.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... REPORTING OF CHOKING INCIDENTS INVOLVING MARBLES, SMALL BALLS, LATEX BALLOONS AND OTHER SMALL PARTS § 1117.4... marble, small ball, or latex balloon or on a marble, small ball, latex balloon, or other small part...

Comparison of the occupational safety applications in marble quarries of Carrara (Italy) and Iscehisar (Turkey) by using Elmeri method.

PubMed

Ersoy, Metin; Yesilkaya, Liyaddin

2016-01-01

In this paper, a brief summary is given about marble quarries in Carrara (Italy) and Iscehisar (Turkey), the Elmeri method is introduced, work accidents that can happen in marble quarries and their causes besides work safety behaviours in fields are explained, and the Elmeri monitoring method is applied and analysed. For this reason, marble quarries are divided into seven in terms of working conditions and active six quarries both in Carrara and Iscehisar areas, and work safety behaviours are analysed. Analysis process is based on True-False method; there are 18 items in total under six main topics; three items on each topic. The safety index for each section and the main topics are also calculated. According to the calculated safety indexes, Carrara area marble quarries (65.08%) are safer than Iscehisar area marble quarries (46.01%).

Comments on the Yule Marble Haines block: potential replacement, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mossotti, Victor G.

2014-01-01

Marble for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery was cut from the Colorado Yule Marble Quarry in 1931. Although anecdotal reports suggest that cracks were noticed in the main section of the monument shortly after its installation at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, detailed documentation of the extent of cracking did not appear until 1963. Although debate continues as to whether the main section of the Tomb of the Unknowns monument should be repaired or replaced, Mr. John S. Haines of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, in anticipation of the permanent closing of the Yule Quarry, donated a 58-ton block of Yule Marble, the so-called Haines block, as a potential backup. The brief study reported here was conducted during mid-summer 2009 at the behest of the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery. The field team entered the subterranean Yule Marble Quarry with the Chief Extraction Engineer in order to contrast the method used for extraction of the Haines block with the method that was probably used to extract the marble block that is now cracked. Based on surficial inspection and shallow coring of the Haines block, and on the nature of crack propagation in Yule Marble as judged by close inspection of a large collection of surrogate Yule Marble blocks, the team found the block to be structurally sound and cosmetically equivalent to the marble used for the current monument. If the Haines block were needed, it would be an appropriate replacement for the existing cracked section of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Monument.

Ruschita Romanian marble - 130 years of official exploitation and 130 m depth of architectural beauty around the word

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cetean, Valentina

2013-04-01

Developed in a large metamorphic area, the marble deposit from Ruschita perimeter is the most important Romanian source for ornamental stone, the old quarry being operative since 1883. The closest locality offer the commercial name also, identical with the geological one as is defined in the technical referentials and in the denomination European standard. Ruschita is also an active quarry, developed by step-by-step expansion in depth (the initial extraction reached 130 m depth), but also in the adjacent areas. The important height of the open deposit offered the possibility to the owner, MARMOSIM SA, to apply an experimental extraction method, by underground mining. It is the only Romanian place, and few in the world, where this spectacular mining element can be found for dimension stone. The extraction gallery was built starting from the lower level of the old quarry and allowed obtaining nicer and bigger blocks. The Ruschita marble is a metamorphic stone with high crystallinity and medium size of crystals (until 0.2-0.5 mm). Has the basic colour from white and grey to pink, with many intermediary nuances generally given by grey veins and less by impurities from internal structure. The stone present irregular break, sometimes following the very narrow internal discontinuities, invisible at macroscopic analyse. The main physical - mechanical characteristics are presented below: Characteristic M.U. Value Apparent density Kg/m3 2680 - 2720 Water absorption % 0.12 - 0.21 Capillarity g/m2.s0,5 0.130-0.218 Porosity % 0.30 - 0.74 Compression strength N/mm2 85 - 120 Flexural strength MPa 15-18 Rupture energy J 5 Coefficient of frost cleftness % 10 -14 Abrasion resistance - Bohme cm3/50cm2 17-18 Salt crystallization % 0.1 Nowadays, the extraction in the Ruschita area is achieved by equipments from Dazzini, Fantini, Pellegrini, Korfamann, Caterpillar, Volvo and Komatsu. The average volume of blocks is bigger than 10-12 m2. The Ruschita marble can be easily cut at size and the slabs being used both for inside and the outside application: from flooring, walling, stairs, solid masonry units, capitals, plinths, fireplaces, kitchen tops (even if not-recommended because is not resistant to acids), tablet, architectural elements, until paving and flooring works, elements in contact with the floor, non-vertical surfaces etc. A bigger attention has to be paid for using of Ruschita marble at external facades in those regions with many freezing - thaw cycles per year with big differences between the lower and higher value of temperature, because the stone can suffer important damage due to the different thermal dilatation coefficient. In this case, the recommended thickness of panels is bigger than 2 cm, the lustre final polishing The Dom from Milano - known as into a continuously maintenance work in the last 500 years - was partially rebuilt in the '70ties with Ruschita marble. Another interesting places where this marble was used are: the Parliament buildings from Wien (Austria) and Budapest (Hungary), BBC centre from Menheim (Germany), architectural elements from Michael Schumacher's villa from Monte Carlo or the bathrooms from sultan's palace in Brunei. Similar to other type of marbles used as in the ornamental stone industry, Ruschita type combines the specific colour with the internal structure, qualitative properties and unique ornamental characteristics. All these are decisive elements recommend the Ruschita marble as candidates for "Global Heritage Stone Resource" designation.

Statistical Analysis of 3-Point Bending Properties of Polymer Concretes Made From Marble Powder Waste, Sand Grains, and Polyester Resin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benzannache, N.; Bezazi, A.; Bouchelaghem, H.; Boumaaza, M.; Amziane, S.; Scarpa, F.

2018-01-01

The mechanical performance of concrete polymer beams subjected to 3-point bending was investigated. The polymer concrete incorporates marble powder waste and quarry sand. The results obtained showed that the type of sand, and amount of marble powder and sand aggregate affected the resistance of the polymer concrete beams significantly. The marble waste increased their bending strength by reducing the porosity of polymer concrete.

A Multi-analytical Approach for the Characterization of Marbles from Lesser Himalayas (Northwest Pakistan)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fahad, M.; Iqbal, Y.; Riaz, M.; Ubic, R.; Redfern, S. A. T.

2015-12-01

The KP province of Pakistan hosts widespread deposits of thermo-metamorphic marbles that were extensively used as a building and ornamental stones since the time of earliest flourishing civilization in this region known as Indus Valley Civilization (2500 BC). The macroscopic characteristics of 22 marble varieties collected from three different areas of Lesser Himalayas (Northwest Pakistan), its chemical, mineralogical, petrographic features, temperature conditions of metamorphic re-crystallization, and the main physical properties are presented in order to provide a solid basis for possible studies on the provenance and distribution of building stones from this region. The results provide a set of diagnostic parameters that allow discriminating the investigated marbles and quarries. Studied marbles overlap in major phase assemblage, but the accessory mineral content, chemistry, the maximum grain size (MGS) and other petrographic characteristics are particularly useful in the distinction between them. On the basis of macroscopic features, the studied marbles can be classifies into four groups: (i) white (ii) grey-to-brown veined, (iii) brown-reddish to yellowish and (iv) dark-grey to blackish veined marbles. The results show that the investigated marbles are highly heterogeneous in both their geochemical parameters and minero-petrographic features. Microscopically, the white, grey-to-brown and dark-grey to blackish marbles display homeoblastic/granoblastic texture, and the brown-reddish to yellowish marbles display a heteroblastic texture with traces of slightly deformed polysynthetic twining planes. Minero-petrography, XRD, SEM and EPMA revealed that the investigated marbles chiefly consist of calcite along with dolomite, quartz, muscovite, pyrite, K-feldspar, Mg, Ti and Fe-oxides as subordinates. The magnesium content of calcite coexisting with dolomite was estimated by both XRD and EPMA/EDS, indicating the metamorphic temperature of re-crystallization from 414 - 628oC. The multi-analytical approach applied in the present study allows the best possible discrimination. The detailed databank relating to the quarried material, created here for the first time, provides a solid basis for possible studies on the provenance and distribution of building stones from these areas.

The Drosophila bag of marbles Gene Interacts Genetically with Wolbachia and Shows Female-Specific Effects of Divergence

PubMed Central

Flores, Heather A.; Bubnell, Jaclyn E.; Aquadro, Charles F.; Barbash, Daniel A.

2015-01-01

Many reproductive proteins from diverse taxa evolve rapidly and adaptively. These proteins are typically involved in late stages of reproduction such as sperm development and fertilization, and are more often functional in males than females. Surprisingly, many germline stem cell (GSC) regulatory genes, which are essential for the earliest stages of reproduction, also evolve adaptively in Drosophila. One example is the bag of marbles (bam) gene, which is required for GSC differentiation and germline cyst development in females and for regulating mitotic divisions and entry to spermatocyte differentiation in males. Here we show that the extensive divergence of bam between Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans affects bam function in females but has no apparent effect in males. We further find that infection with Wolbachia pipientis, an endosymbiotic bacterium that can affect host reproduction through various mechanisms, partially suppresses female sterility caused by bam mutations in D. melanogaster and interacts differentially with bam orthologs from D. melanogaster and D. simulans. We propose that the adaptive evolution of bam has been driven at least in part by the long-term interactions between Drosophila species and Wolbachia. More generally, we suggest that microbial infections of the germline may explain the unexpected pattern of evolution of several GSC regulatory genes. PMID:26291077

Surface Roughness Relief

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marras, L.; Fontana, R.; Gambino, M. C.; Greco, M.; Materazzi, M.; Pampaloni, E.; Pezzati, L.; Poggi, P.

The knowledge of the shape of an artwork is an important element for its study and conservation. When dealing with a stone statue, roughness measurement is a very useful contribution to document its surface conditions, to assess either changes due to restoration intervention or surface decays due to weathering agents, and to monitor its time-evolution in terms of shape variations. In this work we present the preliminary results of the statistical analysis carried out on acquired data relative to six areas of the Michelangelo's David marble statue, representative of differently degraded surfaces. Determination of the roughness and its relative characteristic wavelength is shown.

The Marble Types of Thassos Island through the Ages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laskaridis, Kostas; Patronis, Michael; Papatrechas, Christos; Schouenborg, Björn

2013-04-01

The first references to the "white whole-grain" marble of Thassos Island, Greece, date back to the 6th century BC when stones were quarried at Alyki peninsula and at Fanari and Vathy capes. Since that time, Thassos marble was exported to Samothraki and other neighbouring islands, Asia Minor coastal cities, Southern Greece and Rome. In ancient times, there were two principal types of marble quarries in Thassos: (a) those producing material for the construction of temples and for the creation of various art pieces, i.e. ornamental stones, and (b) those for extraction of rough blocks for export. This paper aims at describing the Thassos marble, the geological setting in brief, its historic use and future supply possibilities and other reasons why it is a time-enduring ornamental stone. The aesthetical characteristics and the physical mechanical properties of its two main types (i.e. calcitic and dolomitic) are described and evaluated. The relevant results justify the wide application range and the continuous use of Thassos marble from ancient to present times and confirm the ability of this stone to survive over time. Keywords: Thassos, Marble, Ornamental Stones, Physical Mechanical Properties, Historic use

Laboratory Investigations for the Role of Flushing Media in Diamond Drilling of Marble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhatnagar, A.; Khandelwal, Manoj; Rao, K. U. M.

2011-05-01

Marble is used as a natural stone for decorative purposes from ages. Marble is a crystalline rock, composed predominantly of calcite, dolomite or serpentine. The presence of impurities imparts decorative pattern and colors. The diamond-based operations are extensively used in the mining and processing of marble. Marble is mined out in the form of blocks of cuboids shape and has to undergo extensive processing to make it suitable for the end users. The processing operation includes slabbing, sizing, polishing, etc. Diamond drilling is also commonly used for the exploration of different mineral deposits throughout the world. In this paper an attempt has been made to enhance the performance of diamond drilling on marble rocks by adding polyethylene-oxide (PEO) in the flushing water. The effect of PEO added with the drilling water was studied by varying different machine parameters and flushing media concentration in the laboratory. The responses were rate of penetration and torque at bit-rock interface. Different physico-mechanical properties of marble were also determined. It was found that flushing water added with PEO can substantially enhance the penetration rates and reduce the torque developed at the bit-rock interface as compared to plain flushing water.

Classification and characterization of Japanese consumers' beef preferences by external preference mapping.

PubMed

Sasaki, Keisuke; Ooi, Motoki; Nagura, Naoto; Motoyama, Michiyo; Narita, Takumi; Oe, Mika; Nakajima, Ikuyo; Hagi, Tatsuro; Ojima, Koichi; Kobayashi, Miho; Nomura, Masaru; Muroya, Susumu; Hayashi, Takeshi; Akama, Kyoko; Fujikawa, Akira; Hokiyama, Hironao; Kobayashi, Kuniyuki; Nishimura, Takanori

2017-08-01

Over the past few decades, beef producers in Japan have improved marbling in their beef products. It was recently reported that marbling is not well correlated with palatability as rated by Japanese consumers. This study sought to identify the consumer segments in Japan that prefer sensory characteristics of beef other than high marbling. Three Wagyu beef, one Holstein beef and two lean imported beef longissimus samples were subjected to a descriptive sensory test, physicochemical analysis and a consumer (n = 307) preference test. According to consumer classification and external preference mapping, four consumer segments were identified as 'gradual high-fat likers', 'moderate-fat and distinctive taste likers', 'Wagyu likers' and 'distinctive texture likers'. Although the major trend of Japanese consumers' beef preference was 'marbling liking', 16.9% of the consumers preferred beef samples that had moderate marbling and distinctive taste. The consumers' attitudes expressed in a questionnaire survey were in good agreement with the preference for marbling among the 'moderate-fat and distinctive taste likers'. These results indicate that moderately marbled beef is a potent category in the Japanese beef market. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Engineering Extreme Hydrophobic and Super Slippery Water Shedding Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McHale, Glen

2017-04-01

The intrinsic water repellency of a material is fundamentally determined by its surface chemistry, but alone this does not determine the ability of a surface to shed water. Physical factors such as the surface texture/topography, rigidity/flexibility, granularity/porosity combined with the intrinsic wetting properties of the liquid with the surface and whether it is infused by a lubricating liquid are equally important. In this talk I will outline fundamental, but simple, ideas on the topographic enhancement of surface chemistry to create superhydrophobicity, the adhesion of particles to liquid-air interfaces to create liquid marbles, elastocapillarity to create droplet wrapping, and lubricant impregnated surfaces to create completely mobile droplets [1-3]. I will discuss how these ideas have their origins in natural systems and surfaces, such as Lotus leaves, galling aphids and the Nepenthes pitcher plant. I will show how we have applied these concepts to study the wetting of granular systems, such as sand, to understand extreme soil water repellency. I will argue that relaxing the assumption that a solid substrate is fixed in shape and arrangement, can lead to the formation of liquid marbles, whereby a droplet self-coats in a hydrophobic powder/grains. I will show that the concepts of wetting and porosity blur as liquids penetrate into a porous or granular substrate. I will also discuss how lubricant impregnated super slippery surfaces can be used to study a pure constant contact angle mode of droplet evaporation [4]. Finally, I will show dewetting of a surface is not simply a video reversal of wetting [5], and I will give an example of the use of perfect hydrophobicity using the Leidenfrost effect to create a new type of low friction mechanical and hear engine [6]. References: [1] Shirtcliffe, N. J., et al., An introduction to superhydrophobicity. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 161, pp.124-138 (2010). [2] McHale, G. & Newton, M. I. Liquid marbles: topical context within soft matter and recent progress. Soft Matter, vol. 11, pp. 2530-2546 (2015). [3] Geraldi, N. R., et al., Capillary origami and superhydrophobic membrane surfaces. Applied Physics Letters, vol. 102, art. 214104 (2013). [4] Guan, J. H. et al., Evaporation of sessile droplets on Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPS). Langmuir, vol. 31, pp. 11781-11789 (2015). [5] Edwards, A. M. J., et al., Not spreading in reverse: The dewetting of a liquid film into a single drop. Science Advances, vol. 2, art. e1600183-e1600183 (2016). [6] Wells, G. G., et al., A sublimation heat engine. Nature Communications, vol. 6, art. 6390 (2015). Acknowledgement: This work has been financially supported by the UK EPSRC and Reece Innovation Ltd, and developed in collaboration with co-workers at Northumbria, Nottingham Trent, Edinburgh, Swansea and Durham Universities.

The Puzzle of a Marble in a Spinning Pipe

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-01

MAY 2015 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 00-00-2015 to 00-00-2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE The Puzzle of a Marble in a Spinning Pipe 5a. CONTRACT...Approved for public release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT What trajectory does a marble follow if it is held...298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 Physics Education 50 (3) 279 1. Problem statement A marble is placed one-third of the length along a

Elliptical-like orbits on a warped spandex fabric: A theoretical/experimental undergraduate research project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Middleton, Chad A.; Weller, Dannyl

2016-04-01

We present a theoretical and experimental analysis of the elliptical-like orbits of a marble rolling on a warped spandex fabric. We arrive at an expression describing the angular separation between successive apocenters, or equivalently successive pericenters, in both the small and large slope regimes. We find that a minimal angular separation of ˜197° is predicted for orbits with small radial distances when the surface is void of a central mass. We then show that for small radii and large central masses, when the orbiting marble is deep within the well, the angular separation between successive apocenters transitions to values greater than 360°. We lastly compare these expressions to those describing elliptical-like orbits about a static, spherically symmetric massive object in the presence of a constant vacuum energy, as described by general relativity.

Innocent until proven guilty? Stable coexistence of alien rainbow trout and native marble trout in a Slovenian stream

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vincenzi, Simone; Crivelli, Alain J.; Jesensek, Dusan; Rossi, Gianluigi; de Leo, Giulio A.

2011-01-01

To understand the consequences of the invasion of the nonnative rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss on the native marble trout Salmo marmoratus, we compared two distinct headwater sectors where marble trout occur in allopatry (MTa) or sympatry (MTs) with rainbow trout (RTs) in the Idrijca River (Slovenia). Using data from field surveys from 2002 to 2009, with biannual (June and September) sampling and tagging from June 2004 onwards, we analyzed body growth and survival probabilities of marble trout in each stream sector. Density of age-0 in September over the study period was greater for MTs than MTa and very similar between MTs and RTs, while density of trout ≥age-1 was similar for MTa and MTs and greater than density of RTs. Monthly apparent survival probabilities were slightly higher in MTa than in MTs, while RTs showed a lower survival than MTs. Mean weight of marble and rainbow trout aged 0+ in September was negatively related to cohort density for both marble and rainbow trout, but the relationship was not significantly different between MTs and MTa. No clear depression of body growth of sympatric marble trout between sampling intervals was observed. Despite a later emergence, mean weight of RTs cohorts at age 0+ in September was significantly higher than weight of both MTs and MTa. The establishment of a self-sustaining population of rainbow trout does not have a significant impact on body growth and survival probabilities of sympatric marble trout. The numerical dominance of rainbow trout in streams at lower altitudes seem to suggest that while the low summer flow pattern of Slovenian streams is favorable for rainbow trout invasion, the adaptation of marble trout to headwater environments may limit the invasion success of rainbow trout in headwaters.

Ionic liquid marbles.

PubMed

Gao, Lichao; McCarthy, Thomas J

2007-10-09

Liquid marbles have been reported during this decade and have been argued to be potentially useful for microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip applications. The liquid marbles described to date have been composed of either water or glycerol as the liquid and hydrophobized lycopodium or silica as the stabilizing particles. Both of these components are potentially reactive and do not permit the use of organic chemistry; the liquids are volatile. We report the use of perfluoroalkyl particles (oligomeric (OTFE) and polymeric (PTFE) tetrafluoroethylene, which are unreactive) to support/stabilize a range of ionic liquid marbles. Ionic liquids are not volatile and have been demonstrated to be versatile solvents for chemical transformations. Water marbles prepared with OTFE are much more robust than those prepared with hydrophobized lycopodium or silica.

Marbles and Machiavelli: The Role of Game Play in Children's Social Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lancy, David F.; Grove, M. Annette

2011-01-01

The authors review several case studies of children engaged in rule-governed play and conclude that the process of learning rules--and of breaking them and making new ones--promotes what they call gamesmanship. They link the development of gamesmanship to the theory of Machiavellian intelligence, which considers social interaction primary in the…

Reconnaissance investigation of high-calcium marble in the Beaver Creek area, St. Lawrence County, New York

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brown, C. Ervin

1978-01-01

Three belts of marble of the Grenville Series were mapped in the Beaver Creek drainage basin, St. Lawrence County, N.Y. One of these, on the west side of Beaver Creek, consists of coarsely crystalline pure calcitic marble that occurs in a zone at least 10 by 0.8 km in extent. Samples of marble show CaCO3 content to be greater than 93 percent, and some samples contain greater than 96 percent, and only small amounts of MgO and Fe203 are present. Marble in two other belts to the east of Beaver Creek are variable in composition, but locally have high content of calcium carbonate material. The marble deposit west of Beaver Creek has a chemical composition favorable for specialized chemical, industrial, and metallurgical uses. Another favorable aspect of the deposit is its proximity to inexpensive water transportation on the St. Lawrence Seaway only 27.5 km away by road, at Ogdensburg, N.Y.

Impact of marble industry effluents on water and sediment quality of Barandu River in Buner District, Pakistan.

PubMed

Mulk, Shahi; Azizullah, Azizullah; Korai, Abdul Latif; Khattak, Muhammad Nasir Khan

2015-02-01

Industries play an important role in improving the living standard but at the same time cause several environmental problems. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the impact of industries on the quality of environment. In the present study, the impact of marble industry effluents on water and sediment quality of Barandu River in Buner District, Pakistan was evaluated. Water and sediment samples were collected at three different sampling sites (upstream, industrial, and downstream sites) from Barandu River and their physicochemical properties were inter-compared. In addition, different marble stones and mix water (wastewater) from marble industry were analyzed. The measured physicochemical parameters of river water including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, total hardness, Ca and Mg hardness, total dissolved solid (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), sulfates (SO4 (2-)), sodium (Na(+)), potassium (K(+)), nitrites (NO2 (-)), nitrate (NO3 (-)), chloride (Cl(-)), calcium (Ca(2+)), and magnesium (Mg(2+)) were found to be significantly altered by effluent discharges of marble industries. Similarly, heavy metal concentrations in both water and sediments of the river were significantly increased by marble industry wastewater. It is concluded that large quantities of different pollutants are added to Barandu River due to direct disposal of marble industry effluents which degrades its quality. Therefore, it is recommended that direct disposal of marble industry wastewater should be banned and all effluents must be properly treated before discharging in the river water.

Better Thermal Insulation in Solar-Array Laminators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burger, D. R.; Knox, J. F.

1984-01-01

Glass marbles improve temperature control. Modified vacuum laminator for photovoltaic solar arrays includes thermal insulation made of conventional glass marbles. Marbles serve as insulation for temperature control of lamination process at cure temperatures as high as 350 degrees F. Used to replace original insulation made of asbestos cement.

77 FR 23743 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Amendment of the Washington Department of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-20

.... The Report: Characterized marbled murrelet ecology and life history, recommended landscape... of their proposed actions to determine if the actions may significantly affect the human environment... on marbled murrelets and other species, and their communities and habitats; Marbled murrelet ecology...

Spectacular Skies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nickerson, Jessica

2008-01-01

Marbling paper is a favorite in many elementary classrooms. The marbling project described in this article, using a sunset and silhouette concept, is foolproof, inexpensive, and engaging. After looking at images of incredible sunsets for inspiration, each student uses marbling paper, black construction paper, three colors of chalk, and a tub of…

Elemental analyses of modern dust in southern Nevada and California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reheis, M.C.; Budahn, J.R.; Lamothe, P.J.

1999-01-01

Selected samples of modern dust collected in marble traps at sites in southern Nevada and California (Reheis and Kihl, 1995; Reheis, 1997) have been analyzed for elemental composition using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). For information on these analytical techniques and their levels of precision and accuracy, refer to Baedecker and McKown (1987) for INAA, to Briggs (1996) for ICP-AES, and to Briggs and Meier (1999) for ICP-MS. This report presents the elemental compositions obtained using these techniques on dust samples collected from 1991 through 1997.The dust-trap sites were established at varying times; some have been maintained since 1984, others since 1991. For details on site location, dust-trap construction, and collection techniques, see Reheis and Kihl (1995) and Reheis (1997). Briefly, the trap consists of a coated angel-food cake pan painted black on the outside and mounted on a post about 2 m above the ground. Glass marbles rest on a circular piece of galvanized hardware cloth (now replaced by stainless-steel mesh), which is fitted into the pan so that it rests 3-4 cm below the rim. The 2-m height eliminates most saltating sand-sized particles. The marbles simulate the effect of a gravelly fan surface and prevent dust that has filtered or washed into the bottom of the pan from being blown back out. The dust traps are fitted with two metal straps looped in an inverted basket shape; the top surfaces of the straps are coated with a sticky material that effectively discourages birds from roosting.

The Influence of Grain Boundary Fluids on the Recrystallization Behavior in Calcite: A Comparison of "dry" and "wet" Marble Mylonites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schenk, O.; Urai, J.; Evans, B.

2003-12-01

Carbonate rocks are able to accumulate large amounts of strain and deform crystal-plastically even at low p-T conditions and thus, marble sequences are often the site of strain localization in the upper crust during late-stage deformation in mountain building processes. In this study we sought to identify the effect of fluids on grain boundary morphology and recrystallization processes in marble mylonites during shear zone evolution, as fluids play a major role in the flow behavior of many rock materials during deformation (e.g. quartz, olivine, halite, feldspar). We compared calcite marble mylonites from two geological settings: (a) Schneeberg Complex, Southern Tyrole, Italy and (b) Naxos Metamorphic Core Complex, Greece. The shear zones of the selected areas are suitable for comparison, because they consist of similar lithology and the marble mylonites resemble each other in chemical composition. In addition, calcite-dolomite solvus geothermometry and TEM observations indicate similar p-T conditions for the shear zones formation. However, the two settings are different in the availability of fluids during the shear zone evolution: In the Schneeberg mylonites, both the alteration of minerals during retrograde metamorphism of neighboring micaschists and the existence of veins suggest that fluids were present during mylonitization. The absence of these features in the Naxos samples indicates that fluids were not present during deformation of these mylonites. This difference is also supported by the signature of stable isotopes. Microstructural investigations using optical and scanning electron microscopes on broken and planar surfaces did not indicate major differences between wet and dry mylonites: Grain boundaries of both types of samples display pores with shapes controlled by crystallography, and pore morphologies that are similar to observations from crack and grain-boundary healing experiments. Grain size reduction was predominantly the result of subgrain rotation recrystallization. However, the coarse grains inside the wet protomylonites (Schneeberg) are characterized by intracrystalline shear zones. With the exception of the intracrystalline shear zones, there were no obvious microstructural signatures that were obvious indicators of the presence of fluids, at least for these two field examples.

Elemental and isotopic (C, O, Sr, Nd) compositions of Late Paleozoic carbonated eclogite and marble from the SW Tianshan UHP belt, NW China: Implications for deep carbon cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Jianjiang; Zhang, Lifei; Lü, Zeng; Bader, Thomas

2018-03-01

Subduction zones are important for understanding of the global carbon cycle from the surface to deep part of the mantle. The processes involved the metamorphism of carbonate-bearing rocks largely control the fate of carbon and contribute to local carbon isotopic heterogeneities of the mantle. In this study, we present petrological and geochemical results for marbles and carbonated eclogites in the Southwestern Tianshan UHP belt, NW China. Marbles are interlayered with coesite-bearing pelitic schists, and have Sr-Nd isotopic values (εNd (T=320Ma) = -3.7 to -8.9, 87Sr/86Sr (i) = 0.7084-0.7089), typical of marine carbonates. The marbles have dispersed low δ18OVSMOW values (ranging from 14 to 29‰) and unaffected carbon isotope (δ13CVPDB = -0.2-3.6‰), possibly due to infiltration of external H2O-rich fluids. Recycling of these marbles into mantle may play a key role in the carbon budget and contributed to the mantle carbon isotope heterogeneity. The carbonated eclogites have high Sr isotopic compositions (87Sr/86Sr (i) = 0.7077-0.7082) and positive εNd (T = 320 Ma) values (from 7.6 to 8.2), indicative of strong seafloor alteration of their protolith. The carbonates in the carbonated eclogites are mainly dolomite (Fe# = 12-43, Fe# = Fe2+/(Fe2+ + Mg)) that were added into oceanic basalts during seafloor alteration and experienced calcite - dolomite - magnesite transformation during the subduction metamorphic process. The uniformly low δ18O values (∼11.44‰) of carbonates in the carbontaed eclogites can be explained by closed-system equilibrium between carbonate and silicate minerals. The low δ13C values (from -3.3 to -7.7‰) of the carbonated eclogites most likely reflect contribution from organic carbon. Recycling of these carbonated eclogites with C isotope similar to typical mantle reservoirs into mantle may have little effect on the mantle carbon isotope heterogeneity.

Chapter 5: Nesting Biology and Behavior of the Marbled Murrelet

Treesearch

S. Kim Nelson; Thomas E. Hamer

1995-01-01

We summarize courtship, incubation, feeding, fledging, and flight behavior of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) using information collected at 24 nest sites in North America. Chick development, vocalizations given by adults and chicks at the nest, and predator avoidance behaviors are also described. Marbled Murrelets initiate nesting as...

An Unexpected Expected Value.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwartzman, Steven

1993-01-01

Discusses the surprising result that the expected number of marbles of one color drawn from a set of marbles of two colors after two draws without replacement is the same as the expected number of that color marble after two draws with replacement. Presents mathematical models to help explain this phenomenon. (MDH)

Genetic evaluation of Angus cattle for carcass marbling using ultrasound and genomic indicators

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Objectives were to estimate genetic parameters needed to elucidate the relationships of a molecular breeding value for marbling (MBV), intramuscular fat of yearling bulls measured with ultrasound (IMF) and marbling score of harvested steers (MRB), and to assess the utility of MBV and IMF in predicti...

Micro- and macroscopic study on the porosity of marble as a function of temperature and impregnation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malaga-Starzec, K.; Akesson, U.; Lindqvist, J. E.; Schouenborg, B.

2003-04-01

The thermal weathering of marble is demonstrated by the progressive granular decohesion that leads to an increased porosity and subsequently to loss of strength. In order to determine how temperature cycling initiates changes in the porosity of fresh and impregnated stones: two chemically and petrographically very different marble types were tested for water absorption and ultrasonic velocity propagation and analysed by fluorescence microscopy and nitrogen adsorption. The influence of the impregnation materials: GypStop P17 and P22, both silica sols with different particle size, on changes of the porosity was also evaluated. A separate long-term study of thermal expansion was additionally performed on fresh unimpregnated samples. The results indicated that inter-granular decohesion was more pronounced for the calictic marble than the dolomitic marble. The impregnation materials had a mitigating effect on the granular decohesion. Use of fluorescence microscopy, among the other methods, appears to give inexpensive and reliable information about internal structure of the marbles. A better understanding of the effect that temperature has on the porosity of marble could be used as a guide for election of suitable stone material for exterior use as well as an indication for appropriate conditioning of the samples before physical properties testing.

Near-infrared spectral image analysis of pork marbling based on Gabor filter and wide line detector techniques.

PubMed

Huang, Hui; Liu, Li; Ngadi, Michael O; Gariépy, Claude; Prasher, Shiv O

2014-01-01

Marbling is an important quality attribute of pork. Detection of pork marbling usually involves subjective scoring, which raises the efficiency costs to the processor. In this study, the ability to predict pork marbling using near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging (900-1700 nm) and the proper image processing techniques were studied. Near-infrared images were collected from pork after marbling evaluation according to current standard chart from the National Pork Producers Council. Image analysis techniques-Gabor filter, wide line detector, and spectral averaging-were applied to extract texture, line, and spectral features, respectively, from NIR images of pork. Samples were grouped into calibration and validation sets. Wavelength selection was performed on calibration set by stepwise regression procedure. Prediction models of pork marbling scores were built using multiple linear regressions based on derivatives of mean spectra and line features at key wavelengths. The results showed that the derivatives of both texture and spectral features produced good results, with correlation coefficients of validation of 0.90 and 0.86, respectively, using wavelengths of 961, 1186, and 1220 nm. The results revealed the great potential of the Gabor filter for analyzing NIR images of pork for the effective and efficient objective evaluation of pork marbling.

Diagnostic analysis of stone materials from underwater excavations: the case study of the Roman archaeological site of Baia (Naples, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aloise, P.; Ricca, M.; La Russa, M. F.; Ruffolo, S. A.; Belfiore, C. M.; Padeletti, G.; Crisci, G. M.

2014-03-01

This work belongs to the framework of the national research project "COMAS" (Planned COnservation, " in situ", of underwater archaeological artifacts), funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR), concerning the submarine archaeological area of Baia (Naples, Italy). The site includes remains of the ancient cities of Baiae and Portus Iulius, which, since the 4th century AD, started to be submerged because of the bradyseism phenomenon. The work aims to the characterization of four different types of stone materials collected from the site, specifically marbles, limestones, ignimbrites, and bricks, in order to investigate their state of conservation. In particular, specimens were sampled from some masonry structures and pavement slabs ( opus sectile) in a specific area of the submerged site, called " Villa a Protiro". In order to characterize archaeological samples from a mineralogical-petrographic point of view, polarized optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out, while to assess their conservation state, the surface colonization by biodeteriogen agents and their interaction with the substrate were studied through observations under a stereomicroscope, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Marble and limestone samples revealed an intense bioerosion phenomena, attributable to epilithic and endolithic forms, particularly boring sponges. On the contrary, ignimbrites suffer a lower degree of biological colonization related to the activity of other species, such as serpulids and bryozoans. In bricks, biocolonisation is correlated to the type of temper used in the artifact, the quartz pastes having a greater susceptibility to biological attack than the volcanic ones.

Synthetic Polymers at Interfaces: Monodisperse Emulsions Multiple Emulsions and Liquid Marbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Guanqing

The adsorption of polymeric materials at interfaces is an energetically favorable process which is investigated in much diversified fields, such as emulsions, bubbles, foams, liquid marbles. Pickering emulsion, which is emulsion stabilized by solid particles has been investigated for over one century and preparation of Pickering emulsion with narrow size distribution is crucial for both the theoretical study of the stabilization mechanism and practical application, such as templated fabrication of colloidosomes. The precise control over the size and functionality of polymer latices allows the preparation of monodisperse Pickering emulsions with desired sizes through SPG membrane emulsification at rather rapid rate compared to microfludic production. Double or multiple emulsions have long been investigated but its rapid destabilization has always been a major obstacle in applying them into practical applications. The modern living polymerization techniques allow us to prepare polymers with designed structure of block copolymers which makes it possible to prepare ultra-stable multiple emulsions. The precise tuning of the ratio of hydrophobic part over the hydrophilic can unveil the stabilization mechanism. Liquid marble is a new type of materials of which liquid droplets are coated by dry particles. The coating of an outer layer of dry particles renders the liquid droplets non-sticky at solid surface which is useful in transportation of small amount of liquid without leakage at extreme low friction force. The property of liquid marbles relies largely on the stabilizers and the drying condition of polymeric latices is shown to have great influence on the property of liquid marbles. Firstly, an introduction to the interfacial and colloidal science with special attention to topics on emulsions, multiple emulsion and liquid marbles is given in Chapter 1. The unique features of an interface and a discussion on the definition of colloids are introduced prior to the discussion of emulsion stabilization and preparation. A historical review of multiple emulsions is presented subsequently and the stability mechanism is discussed in details with regard to the transportation kinetics of small molecules through the separating membrane of double emulsions. The principle, property and applications of liquid marbles are then summarized. Secondly, the preparation of monodisperse Pickering emulsions stabilized by soft PNIPAM-co-MAA microgels through SPG membrane emulsification is described. The influence of the membrane pore size, pH of the particle dispersion, particle size and the operating parameters of the membrane emulsification device on the size of the emulsion droplets was investigated systematically. The improvement in monodispersity of the emulsion droplets allows us to measure the release profiles of a small molecular dye and a larger nanoparticle through the colloidosomes. It is further demonstrated that the preparation of monodisperse emulsions stabilized by other types of soft particles allows us control the stability of the emulsion with a pH trigger and improved biocompatibility. Thirdly, the preparation of multiple emulsions stabilized by a special designed PEG-b-PS diblock copolymer with desired hydrophobicity by one-step method was presented. The ultra-stability of the as-obtained multiple emulsions was ascribed to the effective steric stabilization of the two interfaces with different polymer configurations at the interfaces. A series of diblock copolymer with increasing PS chain length was then synthesized to investigate the influence of asymmetry ratio on the type of emulsions prepared. It is found that the diblock copolymers with the asymmetry ratio of approximately 1 had the highest power to stabilize multiple emulsions. The multiple emulsions were demonstrated to be a promising platform for controlled release. In the end, particle-stabilized water-in-air liquid marbles were investigated. PSco-MAA nanoparticles synthesized from surfactant-free emulsion polymerization were proved to be effective liquid marble stabilizers. The influence of drying conditions on the properties of liquid marbles was investigated through a macroscopic way. The pH value of the particle dispersion, which influences the protonation states of the particles before freeze-drying, has a profound influence on the property of the stabilized liquid marbles. A brief comment to the future of work of these investigated systems is delivered in the last part.

Regional population monitoring of the marbled murrelet: field and analytical methods.

Treesearch

Martin G. Raphael; Jim Baldwin; Gary A. Falxa; Mark H. Huff; Monique Lance; Sherri L. Miller; Scott F. Pearson; C. John Ralph; Craig Strong; Chris Thompson

2007-01-01

The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) ranges from Alaska to California and is listed under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species in Washington, Oregon, and California. Marbled murrelet recovery depends, in large part, on conservation and restoration of breeding habitat on federally managed lands. A major objective of the...

Ecology and conservation of the Marbled Murrelet

Treesearch

C. John Ralph; George L. Hunt; Martin G. Raphael; John F. Piatt

1995-01-01

This report on the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) was compiled and editied by the interagency Marbled Murrelet Conservation Assessment Core Team. The 37 Chapters cover both original studies and literature reviews of many aspects of the species’ biology, ecology, and conservation needs. It includes new information on the forest habitat...

Constraints on the depositional age and tectonometamorphic evolution of marbles from the Biharia Nappe System (Apuseni Mountains, Romania)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reiser, Martin Kaspar; Schuster, Ralf; Tropper, Peter; Fügenschuh, Bernhard

2017-04-01

Basement rocks from the Biharia Nappe System in the Apuseni Mountains comprise several dolomite and calcite marble sequences or lenses which experienced deformation and metamorphic overprint during the Alpine orogeny. New Sr, O and C-isotope data in combination with considerations from the lithological sequences indicate Middle to Late Triassic deposition of calcite marbles from the Vulturese-Belioara Series (Biharia Nappe s.str.). Ductile deformation and large-scale folding of the siliciclastic and carbonatic lithologies is attributed to NW-directed nappe stacking during late Early Cretaceous times (D2). The studied marble sequences experienced a metamorphic overprint under lower greenschist- facies conditions (316-370 °C based on calcite - dolomite geothermometry) during this tectonic event. Other marble sequences from the Biharia Nappe System (i.e. Vidolm and Baia de Arieș nappes) show similarities in the stratigraphic sequence and their isotope signature, together with a comparable structural position close to nappe contact. However, the dataset is not concise enough to allow for a definitive attribution of a Mesozoic origin to other marble sequences than the Vulturese-Belioara Series.

Archaeometric characterization and provenance determination of sculptures and architectural elements from Gerasa, Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Bashaireh, Khaled

2018-02-01

This study aims at the identification of the provenance of white marble sculptures and architectural elements uncovered from the archaeological site of Gerasa and neighboring areas, north Jordan. Most of the marbles are probably of the Roman or Byzantine periods. Optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and mass spectrometry were used to investigate petrographic, mineralogical and isotopic characteristics of the samples, respectively. Analytical results were compared with the main reference databases of known Mediterranean marble quarries exploited in antiquity. The collected data show that the most likely main sources of the sculptures were the Greek marble quarries of Paros-2 (Lakkoi), Penteli (Mount Pentelikon, Attica), and Thasos-3 (Thasos Island, Cape Vathy, Aliki); the Asia Minor marble quarries of Proconessus-1 (Marmara) and Aphrodisias (Aphrodisias); and the Italian quarry of Carrara (Apuan Alps). Similarly, the Asia Minor quarries of the fine-grained Docimium (Afyon) and the coarse-grained Proconessus-1 (Marmara) and Thasos-3 are the most likely sources of the architectural elements. The results agree with published data on the wide use of these marbles for sculpture and architectural elements.

Finite-element modelling of thermal micracking in fresh and consolidated marbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weiss, T.; Fuller, E.; Siegesmund, S.

2003-04-01

The initial stage of marble weathering is supposed to be controlled by thermal microcracking. Due to the anisotropy of the thermal expansion coefficients of calcite, the main rock forming mineral in marble, stresses are caused which lead to thermally-induced microcracking, especially along the grain boundaries. The so-called "granular disintegration" is a frequent weathering phenomenon observed for marbles. The controlling parameters are the grain size, grain shape and grain orientation. We use a finite-element approach to constrain magnitude and directional dependence of thermal degradation. Therefore, different assumptions are validated including the fracture toughness of the grain boundaries, the effects of the grain-to-grain orientation and bulk lattice preferred orientation (here referred to as texture). The resulting thermal microcracking and bulk rock thermal expansion anisotropy are validated. It is evident that thermal degradation depends on the texture. Strongly textured marbles exhibit a clear directional dependence of thermal degradation and a smaller bulk thermal degradation than randomly oriented ones. The effect of different stone consolidants in the pore space of degraded marble is simulated and its influence on mechanical properties such as tensile strength are evaluated.

Introducing a new aspect in marble quarry rehabilitation in Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaliampakos, D. C.; Mavrikos, A. A.

2006-06-01

For many years the marble extraction sector of the Greek mining industry has been in conflict with the public, especially in terms of rehabilitation of marble quarry sites. One of the main reasons for that is that the marble extraction sector has been unable to adjust to the existing legislative guidelines for the rehabilitation, such as extensive backfilling and re-vegetation. In the majority of cases these methods fail due to erosion of the backfill soil and adverse climatic conditions. As a result the number of abandoned marble quarry sites is continuously increasing. The present paper suggests a different approach regarding the rehabilitation of marble quarries. More specifically, the paper questions the applicability, the effectiveness, and the social usefulness of the above-mentioned guidelines and suggests the establishment of new land-uses, which are based on an in-depth analysis of the area’s special features, by taking full advantage of its potentials. What is more, the rehabilitation scheme proposes that the new land-uses and the quarrying activity may co-exist and operate simultaneously for a long period of time.

Characteristics and Health Benefit of Highly Marbled Wagyu and Hanwoo Beef

PubMed Central

Gotoh, Takafumi

2016-01-01

This review addresses the characteristics and health benefit of highly marbled Wagyu and Hanwoo beef. Marbling of Wagyu and Hanwoo beef has been increased in Japan and Korea to meet domestic consumer preferences. Wagyu and Hanwoo cattle have high potential of accumulating intramuscular fat (IMF) and producing highly marbled beef. The IMF content varies depending on the feeding of time, finishing diet, and breed type. IMF increases when feeding time is increased. The rate of IMF increase in grain-fed cattle is faster than that in pasture-fed cattle. Fatty acid composition are also different depending on breeds. Highly marbled Wagyu and Hanwoo beef have higher proportions of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) due to higher concentrations of oleic acid. MUFAs have little effect on total cholesterol. They are heart-healthy dietary fat because they can lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. Clinical trials have indicated that highly marbled beef does not increase LDL-cholesterol. This review also emphasizes that high oleic acid beef such as Wagyu and Hanwoo beef might be able to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. PMID:28115881

Concomitant skarn and syenitic magma evolution at the margins of the Zippa Mountain pluton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coulson, I. M.; Westphal, M.; Anderson, R. G.; Kyser, T. K.

2007-07-01

Zippa Mountain pluton is a Mesozoic concentrically-zoned intrusion, located within the Canadian Cordillera of British Columbia. An extensive phase of K-feldspar bearing syenite grades towards its margins to mela-syenite and clinopyroxenite. This simple pattern of petrological zonation is overprinted by localised occurrences of silica-undersaturated, peralkaline rock types. High-purity wollastonite skarns occur within and peripheral to the intrusion and result from extensive interaction between intrusion-related fluids and Permian limestone/marble, at shallow crustal levels. Field, chemical and isotopic studies provide insights into interaction between a parental syenitic magma and these country rocks. To achieve this, petrological studies of four of the skarn bodies present have been combined with chemical and isotopic data from the pluton, and from drill core through the skarn into the pluton, to reconstruct the stages in the development of wollastonite skarn and progressive magma-country rock interaction. Derivation of peralkaline compositions from the syenitic magma requires either a loss of Si and Al, or addition of Na and/or K. Our studies preclude the addition of alkali elements but highlight extensive Si-infiltration into the limestone, while the conversion of marble to grossular-andradite skarn, indicates Al-infiltration. Fluid egress resulted in de-silicification/de-alumination of the Zippa Mountain magmas, and increased peralkalinity; wollastonite and garnet-bearing skarn formed as a by-product. Hence, the development of peralkaline rock compositions at Zippa Mountain required a parental syenitic magma, and reaction and/or interaction with calcareous country rocks.

Determination of geochemical and natural radioactivity characteristics in Bilecik Marble, Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yerel Kandemir, Suheyla; Ozbay, Nurgul

2014-05-01

Natural stones are one of the oldest known building materials. There are more than 400 natural stone in Turkey. Recently, the demand for the natural stone types in markets has been increasing rapidly. For this reason, the geochemical and natural radioactivity characteristics of natural stone are very important. Bilecik province is located at the northwest part of Turkey and it is surrounded by Sakarya, Bursa, Eskisehir and Kutahya city. Bilecik is one of the important marble industry regions of Turkey. Thus, the geochemical and natural radioactivity characteristics of Bilecik marble are very important. In this study, Bilecik marble was collected to determine the geochemistry and natural radioactivity. Then, analyses of geochemical and natural radioactivity in the marble samples are interpreted. ACKNOWLEDGMENT This study is supported by Bilecik Seyh Edebali University scientific project (Project Number =2011-02-BIL.03-04).

Early Cretaceous Ductile Deformation of Marbles from the Western Hills of Beijing, North China Craton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, H.; Liu, J.

2017-12-01

During the Early Cretaceous tectonic lithosphere extension, the pre-mesozoic rocks from the Western Hills in the central part of the North China Craton suffered from weak metamorphism but intense shear deformation. The prominent features of the deformation structures are the coexisting layer-parallel shear zones and intrafolia folds, and the along-strike thickness variations of the marble layers from the highly sheared Mesoproterozoic Jing'eryu Formation. Platy marbles are well-developed in the thinner layers, while intrafolia folds are often observed in the thicker layers. Most folds are tight recumbent folds and their axial planes are parallel to the foliations and layerings of the marbles. The folds are A-type folds with hinges being always paralleling to the stretching lineations consistently oriented at 130°-310° directions throughout the entire area. SPO and microstructural analyses of the sheared marbles suggest that the thicker layers suffered from deformations homogeneously, while strain localization can be distinguished in the thinner layers. Calcite twin morphology and CPO analysis indicate that the deformation of marbles from both thinner and thicker layers happened at temperatures of 300 to 500°C. The above analysis suggests that marbles in the thicker layers experienced a progressive sequence of thermodynamic events: 1) regional metamorphism, 2) early ductile deformation dominated by relatively higher temperature conditions, during which all the mineral particles elongated and oriented limitedly and the calcite grains are deformed mainly by mechanical twinning, and 3) late superimposition of relatively lower temperature deformation and recrystallization, which superposed the early deformation, and made the calcites finely granulated, elongated and oriented by dynamical recrystallization along with other grains. Marbles from the thinner layers, however, experienced a similar, but different sequence of thermo-dynamic events, i.e. regional metamorphism, early ductile deformation and weak superimposition by subsequent deformation, which caused the development of the strain localization. It is also shown that the intensity of progressive superimposition deformation contributed to the thinning and thickening of the marble layers.

High-precision surface analysis of the roughness of Michelangelo's David

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fontana, Raffaella; Gambino, Maria Chiara; Greco, Marinella; Marras, Luciano; Materazzi, Marzia; Pampaloni, Enrico; Pezzati, Luca

2003-10-01

The knowledge of the shape of an artwork is an important element for its study and conservation. When dealing with a statue, roughness measurement is a very useful contribution to document its surface conditions, to assess either changes due to restoration intervention or surface decays due to wearing agents, and to monitor its time-evolution in terms of shape variations. In this work we present the preliminary results of the statistical analysis carried out on acquired data relative to six areas of the Michelangelo"s David marble statue, representative of differently degraded surfaces. Determination of the roughness and its relative characteristic wavelength is shown.

Inhibition of acid mine drainage and immobilization of heavy metals from copper flotation tailings using a marble cutting waste

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tozsin, Gulsen

2016-01-01

Acid mine drainage (AMD) with high concentrations of sulfates and metals is generated by the oxidation of sulfide bearing wastes. CaCO3-rich marble cutting waste is a residual material produced by the cutting and polishing of marble stone. In this study, the feasibility of using the marble cutting waste as an acid-neutralizing agent to inhibit AMD and immobilize heavy metals from copper flotation tailings (sulfide- bearing wastes) was investigated. Continuous-stirring shake-flask tests were conducted for 40 d, and the pH value, sulfate content, and dissolved metal content of the leachate were analyzed every 10 d to determine the effectiveness of the marble cutting waste as an acid neutralizer. For comparison, CaCO3 was also used as a neutralizing agent. The average pH value of the leachate was 2.1 at the beginning of the experiment ( t = 0). In the experiment employing the marble cutting waste, the pH value of the leachate changed from 6.5 to 7.8, and the sulfate and iron concentrations decreased from 4558 to 838 mg/L and from 536 to 0.01 mg/L, respectively, after 40 d. The marble cutting waste also removed more than 80wt% of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) from AMD generated by copper flotation tailings.

Occurrence, distribution and prey items of juvenile marbled sole Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae around a submarine groundwater seepage on a tidal flat in southwestern Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hata, Masaki; Sugimoto, Ryo; Hori, Masakazu; Tomiyama, Takeshi; Shoji, Jun

2016-05-01

Occurrence, distribution and prey items of juvenile marbled sole Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae were investigated around a submarine groundwater seepage on a tidal flat in southwestern Japan. Spatial distribution of radon-222 (222Rn) concentration in water showed more submarine groundwater seepage in the offshore area. The lower salinities at offshore sampling stations corresponded with the highest 222Rn concentrations. Juvenile marbled sole were collected from March through June with seasonal peak in April in 2013 and 2014. Mean abundance of juvenile marbled sole was highest at the second most offshore station where high submarine groundwater seepage was indicated. Major prey items in the stomachs of the marbled sole at the post-settlement stage (10-40 mm) were small crustaceans such as cumaceans and gammarids, which were partially replaced with polychaetes in larger juveniles (40-50 mm). Abundance of these major prey items was also higher at offshore stations. A negative correlation between gammarid abundance and salinity indicated a higher concentration of gammarids around the area of high submarine groundwater seepage, a pattern not observed for the other major prey organisms. Stable isotope analysis showed greater dependence of post-settlement stage marbled sole on the small crustaceans with low δ13C indicating that nutrients of terrestrial origin contribute to production of the juvenile marbled sole on the tidal flat.

Multi-analytical approach applied to the provenance study of marbles used as covering slabs in the archaeological submerged site of Baia (Naples, Italy): The case of the "Villa con ingresso a protiro"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ricca, Michela; Belfiore, Cristina Maria; Ruffolo, Silvestro Antonio; Barca, Donatella; De Buergo, Monica Alvarez; Crisci, Gino Mirocle; La Russa, Mauro Francesco

2015-12-01

This paper is focused on archaeometric investigations of white marbles taken from the submerged archaeological site of Baia (Naples). The marine area includes the ruins of this ancient Roman city, whose structures range from luxurious maritime villas and imperial buildings with private thermae and tabernae, to more simple and modest houses. Analyses were carried out on fifty marble fragments of covering slabs, belonging to several pavements of the monumental villa, called the Villa con ingresso a protiro, in order to ascertain their provenance. The most distinctive properties of marbles are their variety of textural property especially regarding grain size (MGS), associated with the Mn content and the variation of stable isotopes. These features, supported by the contribution of other variables and studies, establish the basis for the correct identification of the marbles. For this purpose, minero-petrographic and geochemical techniques were used. Results were compared with literature data of white marbles commonly used in antiquity, especially in the Mediterranean basin and showed that a variety of precious marbles from Carrara, Docimium (Afyon), Thasos-D, Aphrodisias, Proconnesos (Marmara), Paros and Pentelicon were used in the ancient roman city of Baia, confirming the importance of the submerged archaeological site and also allowing researchers to broaden the existing database.

Nesting habitat characteristics of Marbled Murrelets occurring in near-shore waters of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Treesearch

Randall J. Wilk; Martin G. Raphael; Thomas D. Bloxton

2016-01-01

Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) are listed as threatened in the portion of their range extending from British Columbia to California due to loss of nesting habitat. Recovery of Marbled Murrelet populations requires a better understanding of the characteristics of their nesting habitat in this part of their range. Our objective,...

78 FR 37586 - Stone Age Interiors, Inc., D/B/A Colorado Springs Marble and Granite, Including On-Site Leased...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-21

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration [TA-W-82,440] Stone Age Interiors, Inc., D/B/A Colorado Springs Marble and Granite, Including On-Site Leased Workers From Express Employment... Marble and Granite, Colorado Springs, Colorado (subject firm). The negative determination was issued on...

Don't Lose Your Marbles!: Game Project Teaches Introductory Manufacturing Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kapur, Arjun; Carter, Horlin; Dillon, Dave

2006-01-01

This article describes a lab activity conducted in an introductory manufacturing class. In this good, simple, mass-production project, the students designed and produced a small game composed of a piece of plywood and 14 glass marbles. In appearance, the game is something like Chinese checkers, but it involves jumping over marbles, then removing…

76 FR 26280 - Vermont Marble Power Division of Omya Inc.; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-06

...); (6) an additional steel structure measuring 28 by 48 feet attached to the original powerhouse... maximum water surface elevation of 469.5 feet mean sea level (M.S.L); (3) a gated-forebay intake structure...: A 9-foot- diameter, 460-foot-long, riveted steel penstock that decreases to 8 feet diameter; and a 7...

INFLUENCE OF INTRAMUSCULAR FAT LEVEL ON ORGANOLEPTIC, PHYSICAL, AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF IRRADIATED PORK MUSCLE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Whitehair, L.A.

1962-01-01

A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of marbling on certain organoleptic, physical, and chemical characteristics of precooked and irradiated pork loin muscle (longissimus dorsi). The study consisted of two separate phases. Loins utilized in Phase I were selected by visual appraisal and categorized into three distinct marbling level scores. A high temperature, short time blanching treatment was used for proteolytic enzyme inactivation. Phase II loins were selected and classified into three marbling levels by both visual appraisal amd ether extraction analysis of total fat. A low temperature, long time heat treatment was used for enzyme inactivation. Samples weremore » packed under vacuum in rigid containers and irradiated at a dosage level of 4.5 megarads gamma radiation. Non-irradiated samples were stored at -65 deg F. Irradiated and control samples were evaluated at periodic intervals by a panel. Physical and chemical analyses were made initially on samples representing each treatment and subsequently at the termination of each storage period. Organoleptic results indicated that degree of marbling did not influence preference ratings of plain radiosterilized longissimus dorsi muscle (pork). However, irradiated longissimus dorsi (pork) sandwich items with lower marbling scores were consistently preferred over highly marbled, irradiated sandwich items. Non-irradiated longissimus dorsi samples were preferred to irradiated longissimus dorsi samples in all tests. The short term-high temperature method of blanching used in Phase I resulted in products of slightly superior quality to those of Phase II, which possessed softer, slightly drier texture characteristics. The practical storage life of irradiated samples under the conditions was approximately 150 days. Hunter color values were increased by radiation treatment. Irradiated longissimus dorsi samples developed a characteristic pink-red color. Mechanical tenderness values in both irradiated and non-irradiated samples were lowered significantly by higher levels of marbling. Expressible moisture values of irradiated samples were lower than those of control samples. The values increased with advancing storage time. Iodine numbers of lower marbling scores (both irradiated and non-irradiated samplcs) exceeded those of highly marbled samples. T.B.A. number values were lower in irradiated samples of Phase I. The values were increased with respect to increased levels of marbling in Phase II. Values increased steadily with advancing storage time in both phases. pH values were elevated by irradiation treatment, marbling level, and storage time in Phase I. The differences were not observed for Phase II samples. Bacteriological assays indicated that irradiated samples were commercially sterile. Extremely low numbers of Micrococci were found. (Dissertation Abstr., 23: No. 4)« less

Investigation of ionizing radiation shielding effectiveness of decorative building materials used in Bangladeshi dwellings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yesmin, Sabina; Sonker Barua, Bijoy; Uddin Khandaker, Mayeen; Tareque Chowdhury, Mohammed; Kamal, Masud; Rashid, M. A.; Miah, M. M. H.; Bradley, D. A.

2017-11-01

Following the rapid growing per capita income, a major portion of Bangladeshi dwellers is upgrading their non-brick houses by rod-cement-concrete materials and simultaneously curious to decorate the houses using luxurious marble stones. Present study was undertaken to investigate the gamma-ray attenuation co-efficient of decorative marble materials leading to their suitability as shielding of ionizing radiation. A number of commercial grades decorative marble stones were collected from home and abroad following their large-scale uses. A well-shielded HPGe γ-ray spectrometer combined with associated electronics was used to evaluate the mass attenuation coefficients of the studied materials for high energy photons. Some allied parameters such as half-value layer and radiation protection efficacy of the investigated marbles were calculated. The results showed that among the studied samples, the marble 'Carrara' imported from Italy is suitable to be used as radiation shielding material.

Most Amazing High Definition Image of Earth - Blue Marble 2012

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

January 25, 2012 *Updated February 2, 2012: According to Flickr, "The western hemisphere Blue Marble 2012 image has rocketed up to over 3.1 million views making it one of the all time most viewed images on the site after only one week." A 'Blue Marble' image of the Earth taken from the VIIRS instrument aboard NASA's most recently launched Earth-observing satellite - Suomi NPP. This composite image uses a number of swaths of the Earth's surface taken on January 4, 2012. The NPP satellite was renamed 'Suomi NPP' on January 24, 2012 to honor the late Verner E. Suomi of the University of Wisconsin. Suomi NPP is NASA's next Earth-observing research satellite. It is the first of a new generation of satellites that will observe many facets of our changing Earth. Suomi NPP is carrying five instruments on board. The biggest and most important instrument is The Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite or VIIRS. To read more about NASA's Suomi NPP go to: www.nasa.gov/npp Credit: NASA/NOAA/GSFC/Suomi NPP/VIIRS/Norman Kuring NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

29 CFR 779.363 - May qualify as exempt 13(a)(2) or 13(a)(4) establishments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... granite slabs or sand-rubbed marble. In such a case the establishments will cut ends, tops, or joints on... semifinished or rough granite or marble or other stone into finished monuments such as the work performed in... receives some semifinished work, including sawed, steeled, or polished granite slabs or sand-rubbed marble...

29 CFR 779.363 - May qualify as exempt 13(a)(2) or 13(a)(4) establishments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... granite slabs or sand-rubbed marble. In such a case the establishments will cut ends, tops, or joints on... semifinished or rough granite or marble or other stone into finished monuments such as the work performed in... receives some semifinished work, including sawed, steeled, or polished granite slabs or sand-rubbed marble...

29 CFR 779.363 - May qualify as exempt 13(a)(2) or 13(a)(4) establishments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... granite slabs or sand-rubbed marble. In such a case the establishments will cut ends, tops, or joints on... semifinished or rough granite or marble or other stone into finished monuments such as the work performed in... receives some semifinished work, including sawed, steeled, or polished granite slabs or sand-rubbed marble...

29 CFR 779.363 - May qualify as exempt 13(a)(2) or 13(a)(4) establishments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... granite slabs or sand-rubbed marble. In such a case the establishments will cut ends, tops, or joints on... semifinished or rough granite or marble or other stone into finished monuments such as the work performed in... receives some semifinished work, including sawed, steeled, or polished granite slabs or sand-rubbed marble...

29 CFR 779.363 - May qualify as exempt 13(a)(2) or 13(a)(4) establishments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... granite slabs or sand-rubbed marble. In such a case the establishments will cut ends, tops, or joints on... semifinished or rough granite or marble or other stone into finished monuments such as the work performed in... receives some semifinished work, including sawed, steeled, or polished granite slabs or sand-rubbed marble...

"Right-Throughs, Rings, and Taws": Marbles Pitching Terminology in Trinidad and Tobago.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winer, Lise; Boos, Hans E. A.

Marble games, or pitch, are among the most widely played of traditional boys' games in Trinidad and Tobago and have declined in the last two decades. Nearly 200 marbles terms found in Trinidad and Tobago English Creole are documented. Although most are British in origin, there are East Indian, French Creole, and possible African influences on this…

77 FR 73651 - North Star Hydro Services, CA LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-11

...), proposing to study the feasibility of the Marble Bluff Dam Hydropower Project to be located at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Marble Bluff dam on the Truckee River, near Nixon, Washoe County, Nevada. The... east of the existing spillway of the Marble Bluff dam. Flow diverted at the sluice gate would be used...

Revisit: A Surprising Demonstration of Total Internal Reflection

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Jiwon; Cha, Yu Wha; Jung, Yeon Su; Oh, Eun Ju; Moon, Ye Lin; Kim, Jung Bog

2016-01-01

Melton demonstrated a surprising disappearance using total internal reflection. When he put a Florence flask filled with marbles into a water tank and looked straight down from directly above the flask, he was only able to see marbles above a certain water level. When he added more water into the tank above the top line of the marbles, all of the…

Northwest Forest Plan—the first 10 years (1994-2003): status and trends of populations and nesting habitat for the marbled murrelet.

Treesearch

Mark H. Huff; Martin G. Raphael; Sherri L. Miller; S. Kim Nelson; Jim Baldwin

2006-01-01

The Northwest Forest Plan (the Plan) is a large-scale ecosystem management plan for federal land in the Pacific Northwest. Marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) populations and habitat were monitored to evaluate effectiveness of the Plan. The chapters in this volume summarize information on marbled murrelet ecology and present the monitoring...

Petrographic characterization and provenance determination of the white marbles used in the Roman sculptures of Forum Sempronii (Fossombrone, Marche, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonelli, Fabrizio; Columbu, Stefano; Lezzerini, Marco; Miriello, Domenico

2014-06-01

The Roman municipium of Forum Sempronii (Fossombrone, Marche) was located along the `Via Consolare Flaminia', in the stretch of road where it ran along the final sector of the valley of the River Metauro ( Mataurus). The ancient colony of Forum Sempronii, which is cited by Strabo, Pliny, and Ptolemy, was found in the second century BC, probably on the site of an earlier community and its activity continued until the end of the fifth century AD. During ancient and more recent archaeological excavations, many fragments of coloured stones and marbles, and some white marble sculptures have been unearthed. In this paper, we report the results of the provenance identification of the white marbles used for the sculptures found in the archaeological site of Forum Sempronii and now displayed at the local archaeological museum. The determination of the source origin of the white marbles used for the sculptures has been established by mineralogical-petrographic and geochemical analyses. Microscopic study of thin sections together with carbon and oxygen stable isotope ratios indicate that more than one type of white marbles was used: Pentelikon, Lunense, and Thasian.

Aragonite pseudomorphs in high-pressure marbles of Syros, Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brady, John B.; Markley, Michelle J.; Schumacher, John C.; Cheney, John T.; Bianciardi, Grace A.

2004-01-01

Numerous rod-shaped calcite crystals occur in the blueschist to eclogite facies marbles of Syros, Greece. The rods show a shape-preferred orientation, and the long axes of the rods are oriented at a large angle to foliation. The crystals also have a crystallographic-preferred orientation: calcite c-axes are oriented parallel to the long axes of the rods. Based on their chemical composition, shape, and occurrence in high-pressure marbles, these calcite crystals are interpreted as topotactic pseudomorphs after aragonite that developed a crystallographic-preferred orientation during peak metamorphism. This interpretation is consistent with deformation of aragonite by dislocation creep, which has been observed in laboratory experiments but has not been previously reported on the basis of field evidence. Subsequent to the high-pressure deformation of the aragonite marbles, the aragonite recrystallized statically into coarse rod-shaped crystals, maintaining the crystallographic orientation developed during deformation. During later exhumation, aragonite reverted to calcite, and the marbles experienced little further deformation, at least in the pseudomorph-rich layers. Some shearing of pseudomorph-bearing marble layers did occur and is indicated by twinning of calcite and by a variable inclination of the pseudomorphs relative to foliation.

The Effect of Selected Cleaning Techniques on Berkshire Lee Marble: A Scientific Study at Philadelphia City Hall

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mossotti, Victor G.; Eldeeb, A. Raouf; Fries, Terry L.; Coombs, Mary Jane; Naude, Virginia N.; Soderberg, Lisa; Wheeler, George S.

2002-01-01

This report describes a scientific investigation of the effects of eight different cleaning techniques on the Berkshire Lee marble component of the facade of the East Center Pavilion at Philadelphia City Hall; the study was commissioned by the city of Philadelphia. The eight cleaning techniques evaluated in this study were power wash (proprietary gel detergent followed by water rinse under pressure), misting (treatment with potable, nebulized water for 24-36 hours), gommage (proprietary Thomann-Hanry low-pressure, air-driven, small-particle, dry abrasion), combination (gommage followed by misting), Armax (sodium bicarbonate delivered under pressure in a water wash), JOS (dolomite powder delivered in a low-pressure, rotary-vortex water wash), laser (thermal ablation), and dry ice (powdered-dry-ice abrasion delivered under pressure). In our study approximately 160 cores were removed from the building for laboratory analysis. We developed a computer program to analyze scanning-electron-micrograph images for the microscale surface roughness and other morphologic parameters of the stone surface, including the near-surface fracture density of the stone. An analysis of more than 1,100 samples cut from the cores provided a statistical basis for crafting the essential elements of a reduced-form, mixed-kinetics conceptual model that represents the deterioration of calcareous stone in terms of self-organized soiling and erosion patterns. This model, in turn, provided a basis for identifying the variables that are affected by the cleaning techniques and for evaluating the extent to which such variables influence the stability of the stone. The model recognizes three classes of variables that may influence the soiling load on the stone, including such exogenous environmental variables as airborne moisture, pollutant concentrations, and local aerodynamics, and such endogenous stone variables as surface chemistry and microstructure (fracturing, roughness, and so on). This study showed that morphologic variables on the mesoscale to macroscale are not generally affected by the choice of a cleaning technique. The long-term soiling pattern on the building is independent of the cleaning technique applied. This study also showed that soluble salts do not play a significant role in the deterioration of Berkshire Lee marble. Although salts were evident in cracks and fissures of the heavily soiled stone, such salts did not penetrate the surface to a depth of more than a few hundred micrometers. The criteria used to differentiate the cleaning techniques were ultimately based on the ability of each technique to remove soiling without altering the texture of the stone surface. This study identified both the gommage and JOS techniques as appropriate for cleaning ashlar surfaces and the combination technique as appropriate for cleaning highly carved surfaces at the entablatures, cornices, and column capitals.

The Relation between Test Anxiety and Need for Memory Support in Problem Solving. Revised Research Memorandum No. 11.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sieber, Joan E.; Kameya, Lawrence I.

Forty fifth and sixth graders, matched on sex and measures of test anxiety, defensiveness, and IQ, were divided into two groups, each of which solved Porteus maze tasks and a marble puzzle, with and without memory support, respectively. An anxiety-by-memory support interaction occurred in the number of errors made prior to solving the marble…

Effects of Psilocybe argentipes on marble-burying behavior in mice.

PubMed

Matsushima, Yoshihiro; Shirota, Osamu; Kikura-Hanajiri, Ruri; Goda, Yukihiro; Eguchi, Fumio

2009-08-01

Psilocybe argentipes is a hallucinogenic mushroom. The present study examined the effects of P. argentipes on marble-burying behavior, which is considered an animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder. P. argentipes significantly inhibited marble-burying behavior without affecting locomotor activity as compared with the same dose of authentic psilocybin. These findings suggest that P. argentipes would be efficient in clinical obsessive-compulsive disorder therapy.

Chapter 1: Ecology and Conservation of the Marbled Murrelet in North America: An Overview

Treesearch

C. John Ralph; Jr. Hunt; Martin G. Raphael; John F. Piatt

1995-01-01

Over the past decade, the Marbled Murrelet has become a focus of much controversy. It was listed as threatened in Washington, Oregon, and California by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in February 1993. In order to aid the various agencies with management, the Marbled Murrelet Conservation Assessment was formed to bring together scientists, managers, and others to...

Field-based perspective on fault rock evolution and microstructures in low-angle fault zones (W-Cyclades, Greece)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grasemann, Bernhard

2010-05-01

The mechanics of sub-horizontal faults, typically active at the brittle/ductile transition zone, are still controversial because they do not conform to current fault-mechanical theory. In the Western Cyclades (Greece) conjugate high-angle brittle faults mechanically interact with sub-horizontal faults and therefore models based on fault and/or stress rotation can be rejected. A range of different deformation mechanisms and/or rock properties must have resulted in an reduction of the fault strength in both the ductily and cataclastically deformed fault rocks. Typically the low-angle faults have following characteristics: The footwall below the subhorizontal faults consists of coarse-grained impure marbles and greenschists, which record an increase in shear strain localizing in several meters to tens of meters thick ultra fine-grained marble mylonites. These ultamylonites are delimited along a knife-sharp slickenside plane juxtaposing tens of decimeter thick zones of polyphase ultracataclasites. The marbles accommodated high shear strain by ductile deformation mechanisms such as dislocation creep and/or grain size sensitive flow by recrystallization, which might have result in fault zone weakening. Typically the marbles are impure and record spatial arrangement of mica and quartz grains, which might have lead to structural softening by decoupling of the calcite matrix from the clasts. During brittle deformation the massif marble ultramylonites act as a strong plate and ultracataclastic deformation is localizing exactly along the border of this plate. Although some of the cataclastic deformation mechanisms lead to chaotic fabrics with evidence for frictional sliding and comminution, others favor the formation of foliated cataclasites and fault gouges with various intensities of phyllosilicate fabrics. Frequently, a repeated switch between grain fracturing processes and processes, which created a sc or scc'-type foliation can be observed. On Serifos the low-angle fault cuts the roof of a pluton, recording progressive deformation of the undeformed granodiorite at lower structural levels, to mylonitic granodiorite within the shear zone. Although there were almost no whole-rock compositional, mass or volume changes in the strongly deformed footwall, the weakly foliated granodiorite in the hanging wall has been heavily fractured and totally bleached by fluid infiltration. Concluding, a wide range of different deformation mechanisms, both in the ductile and the brittle field, acted during formation of the low-angle faults in the Western Cyclades.

Postweaning substitution of grazed forage with a high-energy concentrate has variable long-term effects on subcutaneous fat and marbling in Bos taurus genotypes.

PubMed

Greenwood, P L; Siddell, J P; Walmsley, B J; Geesink, G H; Pethick, D W; McPhee, M J

2015-08-01

The objective of this study was to quantify the effects and interactions of stage of growth and genotype on commercial carcass traits and intramuscular fat (IMF) content in 5 muscles of steers ( = 165) and to test the hypothesis that substituting pasture with a high-energy concentrate during the immediate postweaning period increases IMF. Cattle of 3 genotypes (Angus, Hereford, and Wagyu × Angus; = 55/genotype) were selected at weaning from commercial herds, targeting genotypic differences in marbling and subcutaneous fatness. Following weaning, steers were fed for 168 d within 2 different improved, temperate pasture-based nutritional systems: a forage-only system (FS) and forage with high-energy supplemented system (SS), with 2 replicates per system. The supplement was fed at a level of 1% of average BW adjusted every 2 wk to provide an estimated 50% of energy requirements for 168 d from weaning. Pasture on offer in both systems was managed to match the BW of the FS and SS steers during the postweaning treatment period to avoid confounding due to differences in growth rate during this period. Steers were then regrouped into 2 replicates and backgrounded on improved, temperate pasture for 158 d and then grain fed within 1 group for 105 d (short fed) or 259 d (long fed). Groups were slaughtered at commencement (d 0) and end of postweaning nutritional treatments (d 168), end of backgrounding (d 326), and after short (d 431) or long feedlotting (d 585). Serial slaughter stage had an effect on all traits assessed ( < 0.01). The FS steers had more rib fat ( < 0.01) and higher Meat Standards Australia marbling score ( < 0.05) and a tendency ( < 0.10) to have greater eye muscle area than the SS steers throughout the study. Genotypic differences were evident ( < 0.05) for all traits assessed except HCW, dressing percentage, rib fat depth, ossification score, ultimate pH, and IMF in the semitendinosus muscle. The results for marbling and IMF do not support the use of a high-energy feed as a substitute for an equivalent amount of energy from pasture during the immediate postweaning period to enhance development of marbling.

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen isotope studies of the regional metamorphic complex at Naxos, Greece

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rye, R.O.; Schuiling, R.D.; Rye, D.M.; Jansen, J.B.H.

1976-01-01

At Naxos, Greece, a migmatite dome is surrounded by schists and marbles of decreasing metamorphic grade. Sillimanite, kyanite, biotite, chlorite, and glaucophane zones are recognized at successively greater distances from the migmatite dome. Quartz-muscovite and quartz-biotite oxygen isotope and mineralogie temperatures range from 350 to 700??C. The metamorphic complex can be divided into multiple schist-rich (including migmatites) and marblerich zones. The ??18O values of silicate minerals in migmatite and schist units and quartz segregations in the schist-rich zones decrease with increase in metamorphic grades. The calculated ??18OH2O values of the metamorphic fluids in the schist-rich zones decrease from about 15??? in the lower grades to an average of about 8.5??? in the migmatite. The ??D values of OH-minerals (muscovite, biotite, chlorite, and glaucophane) in the schist-rich zones also decrease with increase in grade. The calculated ??DH2O values for the metamorphic fluid decrease from -5??? in the glaucophane zone to an average of about -70??? in the migmatite. The ??D values of water in fluid inclusions in quartz segregations in the higher grade rocks are consistent with this trend. The??18O values of silicate minerals and quartz segregations in marble-rich zones are usually very large and were controlled by exchange with the adjacent marbles. The ??D values of the OH minerals in some marble-rich zones may reflect the value of water contained in the rocks prior to metamorphism. Detailed data on 20 marble units show systematic variations of ??18O values which depend upon metamorphic grade. Below the 540??C isograd very steep ??18O gradients at the margins and large ??18O values in the interior of the marbles indicate that oxygen isotope exchange with the adjacent schist units was usually limited to the margins of the marbles with more exchange occurring in the stratigraphic bottom than in the top margins. Above the 540??C isograd lower ??18O values occur in the interior of the marble units reflecting a greater degree of recrystallization and the occurrence of Ca-Mg-silicates. Almost all the ??13C values of the marbles are in the range of unaltered marine limestones. Nevertheless, the ??13C values of most marble units show a general correlation with ??18O values. The CO2 H2O mole ratio of fluid inclusions in quartz segregations range from 0.01 to 2. The??13C values of the CO2 range from -8.0 to 3.6??? and indicate that at some localities CO2 in the metamorphic fluid was not in carbon isotopic equilibrium with the marbles. ?? 1976.

Utilization of the waste from the marble industry for application in transport infrastructure: mechanical properties of cement pastes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prošek, Zdeněk; Trejbal, Jan; Topič, Jaroslav; Plachý, Tomáš; Tesárek, Pavel

2017-09-01

This article is focused on the mechanical testing of cement-based samples containing a micronized waste marble powder used as replacement of standard binders. Tested materials consisted of cement CEM I 42.5 R (Radotín, Czech Republic) and three different amounts of the marbles (25, 50 and 70 wt. %). Standard bending and compressive tests of the prismatic samples having dimensions equal to 40 × 40 × 160 mm were done in order to reveal an influence of marble amount on flexural and compressive strength, respectively. Moreover, the dynamic modulus of elasticity and dynamic shear modulus were examined and compared after 7 and 28 days of mixture curing.

Rare earth element metasomatism in hydrothermal systems: The Willsboro-Lewis wollastonite ores, New York, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Whitney, P.R.; Olmsted, J.F.

1998-01-01

Wollastonite ores and garnet-pyroxene skarns in the Willsboro-Lewis district, New York, USA were formed in a complex hydrothermal system associated with the emplacement of a large anorthosite pluton. Contact-metamorphic marbles were replaced by wollastonite, garnet, and clinopyroxene during infiltration metasomatism involving large volumes of water of chiefly meteoric origin. Rare earth elements (REE) in these rocks show large departures from the protolith REE distribution, indicative of substantial REE mobility. Three types of chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns are present. The most common, found in ores and skarns containing andradite-rich garnet, is convex-up in the light REE (LREE) with a maximum at Pr and a positive Eu anomaly. Europium anomalies and Pr/Yb ratios are correlated with X(Ad) in garnet. This pattern (type C) results from uptake of REE from hydrothermal fluids by growing crystals of calcsilicate minerals, principally andradite, with amounts of LREE controlled by the difference in ionic radius between Ca++ and REE3+ in garnet X sites. The Eu anomaly results either from prior interaction of the fluids with plagioclase-rich, Eu-positive anorthositic rocks in and near the ore zone, or by enrichment of divalent Eu on growth surfaces of garnet followed by entrapment, or both. Relative enrichment in heavy REE (type H) occurs in ores and skarn where calcsilicates, including grossularitic garnet, in contact-metamorphic marble have been concentrated by dissolution of calcite. In most cases a negative Eu anomaly is inherited from the marble protolith. Skarns containing titanite and apatite exhibit high total REE, relative light REE enrichment, and negative Eu anomalies (type L). These appear to be intrusive igneous rocks (ferrodiorites or anorthositic gabbros) that have been converted to skarn by Ca metasomatism. REE, sequestered in titanite, apatite, and garnet, preserve the approximate REE distribution pattern of the igneous protolith. Post-ore granulite facies metamorphism homogenized zoned mineral grains without causing complete intergranular reequilibration and does not appear to have significantly affected the whole-rock REE distributions. These results demonstrate that extensive REE metasomatism can occur in hydrothermal systems at shallow to intermediate depths and that REE geochemistry may be useful in discerning the origin of skarns and skarn-related ore deposits.

Synthesis, characterization and DFT-modeling of novel agents for the protection and restoration of historical calcareous stone substrates.

PubMed

Maiore, Laura; Aragoni, M Carla; Carcangiu, Gianfranco; Cocco, Ombretta; Isaia, Francesco; Lippolis, Vito; Meloni, Paola; Murru, Arianna; Tuveri, Enrica; Arca, Massimiliano

2015-06-15

The ammonium salts of oxamate (AmOxam) and monomethyloxalate (AmMeox), structurally related to ammonium oxalate (AmOx), were synthesized and characterized as protecting agents/filler for calcareous stone substrates. Both compounds featured an improved solubility in water and alcoholic-water mixtures with respect to AmOx. While AmOxam is stable in aqueous solution and reacts with calcite to afford the corresponding insoluble calcium oxamate (CaOxam), AmMeox spontaneously undergoes hydrolysis to give ammonium monohydrogen oxalate hemihydrate (AmBiox) and calcium oxalate (CaOx). Both compounds have been tested for the restoration of naturally weathered marble and biomicritic limestone. The formation of a superficial layer of CaOxam and CaOx was observed on stone samples treated with AmOxam and AmMeox, respectively, depending on the solvent mixture. A quantum-mechanical study was carried out at DFT level in order to investigate the nature of the interactions occurring between the lithic substrate (calcite) and the passivating agents, showing how the structural modifications on oxalic acid derivatives can be exploited to fine-tune their interaction with the calcite surface. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tracing high-pressure metamorphism in marbles: Phase relations in high-grade aluminous calcite-dolomite marbles from the Greek Rhodope massif in the system CaO-MgO-Al 2O 3-SiO 2-CO 2 and indications of prior aragonite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Proyer, A.; Mposkos, E.; Baziotis, I.; Hoinkes, G.

2008-08-01

Four different types of parageneses of the minerals calcite, dolomite, diopside, forsterite, spinel, amphibole (pargasite), (Ti-)clinohumite and phlogopite were observed in calcite-dolomite marbles collected in the Kimi-Complex of the Rhodope Metamorphic Province (RMP). The presence of former aragonite can be inferred from carbonate inclusions, which, in combination with an analysis of phase relations in the simplified system CaO-MgO-Al 2O 3-SiO 2-CO 2 (CMAS-CO 2) show that the mineral assemblages preserved in these marbles most likely equilibrated at the aragonite-calcite transition, slightly below the coesite stability field, at ca. 720 °C, 25 kbar and aCO 2 ~ 0.01. The thermodynamic model predicts that no matter what activity of CO 2, garnet has to be present in aluminous calcite-dolomite-marble at UHP conditions.

Prediction of pork loin quality using online computer vision system and artificial intelligence model.

PubMed

Sun, Xin; Young, Jennifer; Liu, Jeng-Hung; Newman, David

2018-06-01

The objective of this project was to develop a computer vision system (CVS) for objective measurement of pork loin under industry speed requirement. Color images of pork loin samples were acquired using a CVS. Subjective color and marbling scores were determined according to the National Pork Board standards by a trained evaluator. Instrument color measurement and crude fat percentage were used as control measurements. Image features (18 color features; 1 marbling feature; 88 texture features) were extracted from whole pork loin color images. Artificial intelligence prediction model (support vector machine) was established for pork color and marbling quality grades. The results showed that CVS with support vector machine modeling reached the highest prediction accuracy of 92.5% for measured pork color score and 75.0% for measured pork marbling score. This research shows that the proposed artificial intelligence prediction model with CVS can provide an effective tool for predicting color and marbling in the pork industry at online speeds. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A portable detection instrument based on DSP for beef marbling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Tong; Peng, Yankun

2014-05-01

Beef marbling is one of the most important indices to assess beef quality. Beef marbling is graded by the measurement of the fat distribution density in the rib-eye region. However quality grades of beef in most of the beef slaughtering houses and businesses depend on trainees using their visual senses or comparing the beef slice to the Chinese standard sample cards. Manual grading demands not only great labor but it also lacks objectivity and accuracy. Aiming at the necessity of beef slaughtering houses and businesses, a beef marbling detection instrument was designed. The instrument employs Charge-coupled Device (CCD) imaging techniques, digital image processing, Digital Signal Processor (DSP) control and processing techniques and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen display techniques. The TMS320DM642 digital signal processor of Texas Instruments (TI) is the core that combines high-speed data processing capabilities and real-time processing features. All processes such as image acquisition, data transmission, image processing algorithms and display were implemented on this instrument for a quick, efficient, and non-invasive detection of beef marbling. Structure of the system, working principle, hardware and software are introduced in detail. The device is compact and easy to transport. The instrument can determine the grade of beef marbling reliably and correctly.

Toward a holistic environmental impact assessment of marble quarrying and processing: proposal of a novel easy-to-use IPAT-based method.

PubMed

Capitano, Cinzia; Peri, Giorgia; Rizzo, Gianfranco; Ferrante, Patrizia

2017-03-01

Marble is a natural dimension stone that is widely used in building due to its resistance and esthetic qualities. Unfortunately, some concerns have arisen regarding its production process because quarrying and processing activities demand significant amounts of energy and greatly affect the environment. Further, performing an environmental analysis of a production process such as that of marble requires the consideration of many environmental aspects (e.g., noise, vibrations, dust and waste production, energy consumption). Unfortunately, the current impact accounting tools do not seem to be capable of considering all of the major aspects of the (marble) production process that may affect the environment and thus cannot provide a comprehensive and concise assessment of all environmental aspects associated with the marble production process. Therefore, innovative, easy, and reliable methods for evaluating its environmental impact are necessary, and they must be accessible for the non-technician. The present study intends to provide a contribution in this sense by proposing a reliable and easy-to-use evaluation method to assess the significance of the environmental impacts associated with the marble production process. In addition, an application of the method to an actual marble-producing company is presented to demonstrate its practicability. Because of its relative ease of use, the method presented here can also be used as a "self-assessment" tool for pursuing a virtuous environmental policy because it enables company owners to easily identify the segments of their production chain that most require environmental enhancement.

Fine-mapping of a marbling trait to a 2.9-cM region on bovine chromosome 7 in Japanese Black cattle.

PubMed

Hirano, T; Watanabe, T; Inoue, K; Sugimoto, Y

2008-02-01

To locate quantitative trait loci (QTL) for intramuscular fat deposition (marbling) in a local population of Japanese Black cattle, we performed a genome scan using a paternal half-sib family of Bull A. A marbling QTL was mapped in the region flanked by DIK0079 (20.7 cM) and TGLA303 (39.3 cM) on bovine chromosome (BTA) 7, affecting 5.0% of the total family variance. Haplotype analysis of the QTL region revealed that the marbling-increasing Q allele was transmitted from the dam. On the other hand, Bull B, a maternal half-sib of Bull A, did not receive the Q allele from its dam, based on the following findings: (i) a marbling QTL on BTA7 was not detected in the Bull B paternal half-sib family; (ii) recombination between DIK0079 (20.7 cM) and RM006 (25.4 cM) in the QTL region was observed in the maternal chromosome of Bull B; and (iii) the Q-harbouring steers from Bull A exhibited significantly higher marbling than the steers from Bull B and the remaining steers from Bull A. To precisely compare the maternal chromosomes of both bulls, we constructed a bacterial artificial chromosome contig covering the region between DIK0079 and RM006 and developed DNA markers. The recombination occurred between DIK8042 and DIK8044, indicating that the marbling QTL was in a 2.9-cM region flanked by DIK0079 and DIK8044.

Characterization methodology for re-using marble slurry in industrial applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marras, Graziella; Careddu, Nicola; Peretti, Roberto; Bortolussi, Augusto

2017-04-01

In the effort towards waste minimization and circular economy, natural stone waste is one of the foremost parameter to turn scientific community attention. At this time, calcium carbonate has a great importance in industrial fields and currently there is the necessity of appreciate the potential value of marble waste and convert it into marketable products. A large amount of residues is produced in ornamental stone sector with different dimension and particle size. The research focused on marble slurry, recovered at the end of the treatment plant in the filter-press section. The aim of this paper is to propose a defined way to characterize marble slurry, primarily composed of micronized particles, in order to obtain useful data to make a comparison with market specifications. In particular the proposed characterization methodology follows the indicated steps: Leaching test (TCLP) - Grain size distribution and bulk density - Mineralogical analyses - X-Ray diffraction - Chemical analysis - Loss on ignition - SEM determination - Colorimetric and bright analysis. Marble slurry samples, collected by different dimension stone treatment plants in Orosei marble district (Sardinia - Italy), were analyzed by physical, mineralogical and chemical determinations and the obtained data were evaluated for compatibility with the CaCO3 specifications required by a definite industrial sector, seeing as how CaCO3 product specifications vary depending on the utilization. The importance of this investigation is to characterize completely the "waste" that must apply for further uses and to identify the feasibility to substitute marketable micronized CaCO3 with marble slurry. Further goal is to enhance the environmental advantages of re-using stone waste by reducing marble waste landfills and by applying raw material substitution, in accordance with regulatory requirements, thus pursuing the objective to convert natural stone waste into by-product with a renewed environmental and economic value. Consequently what until now was considered as a waste, can be an important economic resource capable of promoting the sustainability.

Conditions for veining and origin of mineralizing fluids in the Alpi Apuane (NW Tuscany, Italy): Evidence from structural and geochemical analyses on calcite veins hosted in Carrara marbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vaselli, Luca; Cortecci, Gianni; Tonarini, Sonia; Ottria, Giuseppe; Mussi, Mario

2012-11-01

This work deals with structural and geochemical (chemical and isotopic) analyses of calcite veins hosted in Carrara marbles in the Alpi Apuane, NW Tuscany, Italy. Geometric features and spatial distribution of veins provided estimations of stress ratio (Φ = (σ2 - σ3)/(σ1 - σ3)), driving stress ratio (R' = (Pf - σ3)/(σ1 - σ3)) and fluid overpressure (Δsi = Pf - σ3) at the time of vein formation. The obtained values of Φ = 32 and R' = 0.43 reveal that fluid pressure was higher than the intermediate principal stress at the time of veins formation, whereas the estimated Δsi ranging from 129 to 207 MPa indicates that veins formed under supra-hydrostatic to lithostatic pressure conditions. Carbon (δ13CV-PDB = 1.81-2.10‰ for veins and 1.95-2.51‰ for host marbles), oxygen (δ18OV-SMOW = 28.71-29.57‰ for veins and 28.90-29.36‰ for host marbles) and strontium (87Sr/86Sr = 0.707716-0.707985 for veins and 0.0707708-0.707900 for host marbles) isotope compositions in vein/host marble pairs were internally quite consistent. Combining our structural and geochemical data, a modeling approach was performed to investigate the compositional features and temperatures of calcite depositing fluids. The results of our studies give evidence that (1) pore-fluids in Carrara marble, consisting of metamorphic formation waters, were re-mobilized during veining event and migrated within the veins in closed system conditions, (2) veins formed after ductile folding phases and before high-angle brittle faulting events, at temperature and pressure around 250 °C and 210 MPa, and finally (3) about 12 g H2O/m3 marble are calculated to have been available as vein parental fluid at the time of vein formation.

The study of cyclododecane as a temporary coating for marble by NMR profilometry and FTIR reflectance spectroscopies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anselmi, C.; Presciutti, F.; Doherty, B.; Brunetti, B. G.; Sgamellotti, A.; Miliani, C.

2011-07-01

This contribution focuses on an analytical evaluation of the use of cyclododecane (CDD) (C12H24) as a temporary protective coating for non-porous stone materials of cultural heritage interest. A facile solvent spray application technique for the production of an adherent continuous film has been assessed. The criterion for monitoring the sublimation of the cyclododecane film on marble has been established through the use of non-invasive analytical techniques so as to avoid any interaction with the process under study, where results serve to integrate and enhance knowledge into the use of cyclododecane in this discipline. Research is directed towards testing the applicability of portable infrared reflectance spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance profilometry systems to follow the in-situ behavior of temporary consolidants. In particular, the coupling of two spectroscopic techniques such as IR and NMR has been possible, enabling the descriptions of both the formation of the film and its kinetics of sublimation.

Ultrasonic Surface Measurements for the investigation of superficial alteration of natural stones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meier, Thomas; Auras, Michael; Bilgili, Filiz; Christen, Sandra; Cristiano, Luigia; Krompholz, Rolf; Mosca, Ilaria; Rose, David

2013-04-01

Seismic waveform analysis is applicable also to the centimeter and decimeter scale for non-destructive testing of pavement, facades, plaster, sculptures, or load-bearing structures like pillars. Mostly transmission measurements are performed and travel-times of first arriving P-waves are considered that have limited resolution for the upper centimeters of an object. In contrast, surface measurements are well suited to quantify superficial alterations of material properties e.g. due to weathering. A number of surface measurements have been carried out in the laboratory as well as on real structures in order to study systematically the information content of ultrasonic waveforms and their variability under real conditions. As a preposition for ultrasonic waveform analysis, reproducible, broad-band measurements have to be carried out with a definite radiation pattern and an about 1 mm accuracy of the measurement geometry. We used special coupling devices for effective ultrasonic surface measurements in the laboratory as well as at real objects. Samples of concrete with varying composition and samples of natural stone - marble, tuff, and sandstone - were repeatedly weathered and tested by ultrasonic measurements. The resistance of the samples to weathering and the penetration depth of the weathering are analyzed. Furthermore, material specific calibration curves for changes in velocities of elastic waves due to weathering can be obtained by these tests. Tests on real structures have been carried out for marble (Schlossbrücke, Berlin) and sandstone (Porta Nigra, Trier). Altogether, these test measurements show clearly that despite of the internal inhomogeneity of many real objects, their surface roughness and topography especially ultrasonic Rayleigh waves are well suited to study material alterations in the upper centimeters. Dispersion of Rayleigh waves may be inverted for shear-wave velocity as a function of depth.

Making Marble Tracks Can Involve Lots of Fun as Well as STEM Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nagel, Bert

2015-01-01

Marble tracks are a very popular toy and big ones can be found in science centres in many countries. If children want to make a marble track themselves it is quite a job. It takes a long time, they can take up a lot of space and most structures are quite fragile, as the materials used can very quickly prove unfit for the task and do not last very…

Chapter 32: Distribution and Population Estimates of Marbled Murrelets at Sea in Oregon During the Summers of 1992 and 1993

Treesearch

Craig S. Strong; Bradford S. Keitt; William R. McIver; Clifford J. Palmer; Ian Gaffney

1995-01-01

We used standardized transect techniques to count Marbled Murrelets and other seabird species at sea from a boat and from a low-flying light aircraft along the length of the Oregon coast. The focus of effort was on vessel surveys of the central Oregon coast. In both years, Marbled Murrelets were most abundant in central Oregon, between Cascade Head and Cape Arago. They...

Different methods of image segmentation in the process of meat marbling evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludwiczak, A.; Ślósarz, P.; Lisiak, D.; Przybylak, A.; Boniecki, P.; Stanisz, M.; Koszela, K.; Zaborowicz, M.; Przybył, K.; Wojcieszak, D.; Janczak, D.; Bykowska, M.

2015-07-01

The level of marbling in meat assessment based on digital images is very popular, as computer vision tools are becoming more and more advanced. However considering muscle cross sections as the data source for marbling level evaluation, there are still a few problems to cope with. There is a need for an accurate method which would facilitate this evaluation procedure and increase its accuracy. The presented research was conducted in order to compare the effect of different image segmentation tools considering their usefulness in meat marbling evaluation on the muscle anatomical cross - sections. However this study is considered to be an initial trial in the presented field of research and an introduction to ultrasonic images processing and analysis.

Percolation characteristics of solvent invasion in rough fractures under miscible conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korfanta, M.; Babadagli, T.; Develi, K.

2017-10-01

Surface roughness and flow rate effects on the solvent transport under miscible conditions in a single fracture are studied. Surface replicas of seven different rocks (marble, granite, and limestone) are used to represent different surface roughness characteristics each described by different mathematical models including three fractal dimensions. Distribution of dyed solvent is investigated at various flow rate conditions to clarify the effect of roughness on convective and diffusive mixing. After a qualitative analysis using comparative images of different rocks, the area covered by solvent with respect to time is determined to conduct a semi-quantitative analysis. In this exercise, two distinct zones are identified, namely the straight lines obtained for convective (early times) and diffusive (late times) flow. The bending point between these two lines is used to point the transition between the two zones. Finally, the slopes of the straight lines and the bending points are correlated to five different roughness parameters and the rate (Peclet number). It is observed that both surface roughness and flow rate have significant effect on solvent spatial distribution. The largest area covered is obtained at moderate flow rates and hence not only the average surface roughness characteristic is important, but coessentially total fracture surface area needs to be considered when evaluating fluid distribution. It is also noted that the rate effect is critically different for the fracture samples of large grain size (marbles and granite) compared to smaller grain sizes (limestones). Variogram fractal dimension exhibits the strongest correlation with the maximum area covered by solvent, and display increasing trend at the moderate flow rates. Equations with variogram surface fractal dimension in combination with any other surface fractal parameter coupled with Peclet number can be used to predict maximum area covered by solvent in a single fracture, which in turn can be utilized to model oil recovery, waste disposal, and groundwater contamination processes in the presence of fractures.

Multiple Generations of Boudinage in a P-T Path: Insights from 3D Analysis of Amphibolite Boudins in Marble on Naxos, Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von Hagke, C.; Virgo, S.; Urai, J. L.

2016-12-01

Boudins are periodic structures in mechanically layered rocks deformed by layer parallel extension. At first sight, 2D sections of boudinaged layers are similar although 3D boudin patterns can be dramatically different. We aim to develop criteria to infer 3D strain from 2D outcrop observation of boudins. In marble quarries in the high grade complex on Naxos, Greece, we studied spectacular outcrops of amphibolite and pegmatite boudins, in combination with serial slicing of quarried blocks to reconstruct the 3D boudin structures. We identified multiple boudin generations, with early, high grade pinch and swell boudins followed by two generations of brittle shearband and torn boudins formed along the retrograde path under greenschist facies conditions. This shows how the rheological contract between marble and amphibolite changes from amphibolite to greenschist facies and suggests E-W shortening and N-S stretching in the footwall of the Naxos detachment. The later phases of boudinage interact with existing boudin geometries, producing complex structures in 3D. In 2D section the complexity is not directly apparent and reveals itself only in statistical analysis of long continuous sections. Our findings highlight the importance of 3D characterization of boudinage structures for boudin classification. The insights we gain from the analysis of multiphase boudinage structures on Naxos are the basis for quantitative boudin analysis to infer rheology, effective stress, vorticity and strain and establish a mechanics-based boudin classification scheme.

Dental caries experience and treatment needs of green marble mine laborers in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, India.

PubMed

Duraiswamy, Prabu; Kumar, T Santhosh; Dagli, Rushabh J; Kulkarni, Suhas

2008-01-01

The study was undertaken at Kesariyaji, located in Udaipur district of Rajasthan. There are about 3 million workers who marble mine at Rajasthan. Living conditions of these workers are substandard and most of them are immigrant workers living in tiny shacks. Majority of them belong to lower socioeconomic status with poor educational background. The present study was carried out to estimate dental caries prevalence and treatment needs of laborers working in the green marble mines of Udaipur district. The data was collected using the methods and standards recommended by the WHO. Dentition status and treatment needs along with decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, and decayed, missing, and filled surfaces score were recorded. Standard error of mean was calculated for all the mean values of treatment needs. There were three examiners, who were trained before the survey for inter-examiner variability, and the reliability was tested by means of weighted kappa statistics, which was 90%. The study population comprised 513 men in four age groups of 18-25, 26-34, 35-44, and 45-54 years, respectively. The mean DMFT for all age groups was 3.13 with highest mean of 4.0 for the age group of 45-54 years. Mean decayed teeth were 2.60, 3.33, 1.46, and 1.5 for the age groups 15-24, 25-34, 35-44, and 45-54 years, respectively. Filled component was nil for all age groups. Most of the subjects required one surface filling with a very less proportion needing pulp care. The missing component constituted the major part of DMFT index in the 45-54 years age group and the absence of filled component in the whole study population implies that the treatment needs of the study population are unmet. Thus, intervention in the form of oral health promotion and curative services are the need of the hour.

Effects of United States Department of Agriculture carcass maturity on sensory attributes of steaks produced by cattle representing two dental age classes.

PubMed

Semler, M L; Woerner, D R; Belk, K E; Enns, K J; Tatum, J D

2016-05-01

This study examined the effects of USDA carcass maturity on sensory properties of LM steaks produced by cattle representing 2 dental age classes. Carcasses identified for use in the experiment were produced by steers and heifers classified as either <30 mo of age (MOA) or ≥30 MOA at the time of slaughter using dentition. Within each dental age class, carcasses were selected to represent 2 maturity groups and 3 marbling categories, resulting in 12 dental age × maturity × marbling subclasses, each consisting of 50 carcasses. Maturity groups consisted of carcasses classified by USDA graders as either A to A (A) overall maturity or B to D (B-D) overall maturity; marbling categories consisted of carcasses with instrument marbling scores of Slight to Slight (SL), Small to Small (SM), or Modest to Moderate (MT-MD). Carcasses were selected in pairs so that each carcass chosen to represent the B-D-maturity group was paired with an A-maturity carcass of the same sex and marbling score (±50 marbling units). Strip loin (LM) steaks were obtained from both sides of each carcass. After a 14-d aging period, 1 LM steak was measured for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and slice shear force (SSF), whereas the other LM steak was used for sensory analysis by a trained descriptive attribute panel. No differences ( > 0.05) in LM tenderness, juiciness, or flavor were detected between carcass maturity groups in either dental age class. Advanced dental age (≥30 MOA), however, was associated with more intense ( < 0.05) grassy and bloody/serumy flavors and decreased ( < 0.05) tenderness within the SL marbling group. Marbling score effectively stratified carcasses (MT-MD > SM > SL) according to differences ( < 0.0001) in LM tenderness, juiciness, beefy/brothy flavor, and buttery/beef fat flavor. In addition, increased marbling was associated with lesser ( < 0.01) intensities of bloody/serumy, livery/organy, and grassy flavors as well as smaller ( < 0.0001) values for WBSF and SSF. Results of this study suggest that USDA carcass maturity does not effectively identify differences in LM sensory attributes in the population of beef carcasses routinely offered for grading in today's U.S. commercial beef processing facilities.

Eastern Hemisphere - Blue Marble 2012

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

February 2, 2012 Go here to view an image that explains how composite images like these are created: www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6803619953 Responding to public demand, NASA scientists created a companion image to the wildly popular 'Blue Marble' released last week (January 25, 2012). www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/6760135001 The new image is a composite of six separate orbits taken on January 23, 2012 by the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite. Both of these new 'Blue Marble' images are images taken by a new instrument flying aboard Suomi NPP, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). Compiled by NASA Goddard scientist Norman Kuring, this image has the perspective of a viewer looking down from 7,918 miles (about 12,742 kilometers) above the Earth's surface from a viewpoint of 10 degrees South by 45 degrees East. The four vertical lines of 'haze' visible in this image shows the reflection of sunlight off the ocean, or 'glint,' that VIIRS captured as it orbited the globe. Suomi NPP is the result of a partnership between NASA, NOAA and the Department of Defense. Credit: NASA/NOAA For more information about Suomi NPP go to: www.nasa.gov/npp NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

The First Estimates of Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata Population Density from Bornean Primary and Selectively Logged Forest.

PubMed

Hearn, Andrew J; Ross, Joanna; Bernard, Henry; Bakar, Soffian Abu; Hunter, Luke T B; Macdonald, David W

2016-01-01

The marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata is a poorly known wild cat that has a broad distribution across much of the Indomalayan ecorealm. This felid is thought to exist at low population densities throughout its range, yet no estimates of its abundance exist, hampering assessment of its conservation status. To investigate the distribution and abundance of marbled cats we conducted intensive, felid-focused camera trap surveys of eight forest areas and two oil palm plantations in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Study sites were broadly representative of the range of habitat types and the gradient of anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation present in contemporary Sabah. We recorded marbled cats from all forest study areas apart from a small, relatively isolated forest patch, although photographic detection frequency varied greatly between areas. No marbled cats were recorded within the plantations, but a single individual was recorded walking along the forest/plantation boundary. We collected sufficient numbers of marbled cat photographic captures at three study areas to permit density estimation based on spatially explicit capture-recapture analyses. Estimates of population density from the primary, lowland Danum Valley Conservation Area and primary upland, Tawau Hills Park, were 19.57 (SD: 8.36) and 7.10 (SD: 1.90) individuals per 100 km2, respectively, and the selectively logged, lowland Tabin Wildlife Reserve yielded an estimated density of 10.45 (SD: 3.38) individuals per 100 km2. The low detection frequencies recorded in our other survey sites and from published studies elsewhere in its range, and the absence of previous density estimates for this felid suggest that our density estimates may be from the higher end of their abundance spectrum. We provide recommendations for future marbled cat survey approaches.

The First Estimates of Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata Population Density from Bornean Primary and Selectively Logged Forest

PubMed Central

Hearn, Andrew J.; Ross, Joanna; Bernard, Henry; Bakar, Soffian Abu; Hunter, Luke T. B.; Macdonald, David W.

2016-01-01

The marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata is a poorly known wild cat that has a broad distribution across much of the Indomalayan ecorealm. This felid is thought to exist at low population densities throughout its range, yet no estimates of its abundance exist, hampering assessment of its conservation status. To investigate the distribution and abundance of marbled cats we conducted intensive, felid-focused camera trap surveys of eight forest areas and two oil palm plantations in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Study sites were broadly representative of the range of habitat types and the gradient of anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation present in contemporary Sabah. We recorded marbled cats from all forest study areas apart from a small, relatively isolated forest patch, although photographic detection frequency varied greatly between areas. No marbled cats were recorded within the plantations, but a single individual was recorded walking along the forest/plantation boundary. We collected sufficient numbers of marbled cat photographic captures at three study areas to permit density estimation based on spatially explicit capture-recapture analyses. Estimates of population density from the primary, lowland Danum Valley Conservation Area and primary upland, Tawau Hills Park, were 19.57 (SD: 8.36) and 7.10 (SD: 1.90) individuals per 100 km2, respectively, and the selectively logged, lowland Tabin Wildlife Reserve yielded an estimated density of 10.45 (SD: 3.38) individuals per 100 km2. The low detection frequencies recorded in our other survey sites and from published studies elsewhere in its range, and the absence of previous density estimates for this felid suggest that our density estimates may be from the higher end of their abundance spectrum. We provide recommendations for future marbled cat survey approaches. PMID:27007219

Evaluation of Wheel Loaders in Open Pit Marble Quarrying by Using the AHP and Topsis Approaches / Ocena pracy ładowarki na podwoziu kołowym w odkrywkowej kopalni marmuru w oparciu o metody AHP i topsis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kun, Mete; Topaloǧlu, Şeyda; Malli, Tahir

2013-03-01

The marble mining in Turkey has been rising since the early 80's. In relation to that, the marble income has become noticeably bigger than those of other mining sectors. In recent years, marble and natural stone export composes half of the total mine export with a value of two billion dollars. This rapid development observed in marble operation has increased the importance of mining economics, income-expenditure balance and cost analysis. The most important cost elements observed in marble quarrying are machinery and equipment, labor costs and geological structures of the field. The aim of this study is to is to propose a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach to evaluate the wheel loader alternatives and select the best loader under multiple criteria. A two-step methodology based on two MCDM methods, which are namely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), are used in the evaluation procedure. More precisely, AHP is applied to determine the relative weights of evaluation criteria and TOPSIS is applied to rank the wheel loader alternatives. The proposed approach also provides a relatively simple and very well suited decision making tool for this type of decision making problems.

Calcite-graphite thermometry of the Franklin Marble, New Jersey Highlands

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peck, W.H.; Volkert, R.A.; Meredith, M.T.; Rader, E.L.

2006-01-01

We present new stable-isotope data for the Mesoproterozoic Franklin Marble from outcrops along an 80-km traverse parallel to and across strike of the structural grain of the western New Jersey Highlands. Calcite and dolomite from marble have an average ??13C of 0.35??? ?? 0.73??? PDB (n = 46) and a more limited range than other Mesoproterozoic marbles from the Adirondacks and the Canadian Grenville Province. The small range of ??13C values from the New Jersey samples is consistent with the preservation of a primary marine isotopic signature and limited postdepositional isotopic modification, except proximal to Zn or Fe ore deposits and fault zones. Fractionations between calcite and well-formed graphite (??13C[Cal-Gr]) for analyzed Franklin Marble samples average 3.31???. ?? 0.25??? (n = 34), and dolomite-graphite fractionations average 3.07??? ?? 0.30??? (n = 6). Taken together, these indicate an average temperature of 769?? ?? 43??C during metamorphism associated with the Ottawan Orogeny in the New Jersey Highlands. Thus, carbon isotope fractionations demonstrate that the Franklin Marble was metamorphosed at granulite facies conditions. Metamorphic temperatures are relatively constant for the area sampled and overprint the metamorphosed carbonatehosted Zn-Fe-Mn ore deposits. The results of this study support recent work proposing that pressure and temperature conditions during Ottawan orogenesis did not vary greatly across faults that partition the Highlands into structural blocks. ?? 2006 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.

Evolution of a calcite marble shear zone complex on Thassos Island, Greece: microstructural and textural fabrics and their kinematic significance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bestmann, Michel; Kunze, Karsten; Matthews, Alan

2000-11-01

The deformation history of a monophase calcite marble shear zone complex on Thassos Island, Northern Greece, is reconstructed by detailed geometric studies of the textural and microstructural patterns relative to a fixed reference system (shear zone boundary, SZB). Strain localization within the massive marble complex is linked to decreasing P- T conditions during the exhumation process of the metamorphic core complex. Solvus thermometry indicates that temperatures of 300-350°C prevailed during part of the shear zone deformation history. The coarse-grained marble protolith outside the shear zone is characterized by symmetrically oriented twin sets due to early coaxial deformation. A component of heterogeneous non-coaxial deformation is first recorded within the adjacent protomylonite. Enhanced strain weakening by dynamic recrystallization promoted strong localization of plastic deformation in the ultramylonite of the calcite shear zone, where high strain was accommodated by non-coaxial flow. This study demonstrates that both a pure shear and a simple shear strain path can result in similar crystallographic preferred orientations (single c-axis maximum perpendicular to the SZB) by different dominant deformation mechanisms. Separated a-axis pole figures (+ a- and - a-axis) show different density distributions with orthorhombic texture symmetry in the protolith marble and monoclinic symmetry in the ultramylonite marble consistently with the observed grain fabric symmetry.

Evidence from cytochrome b sequences and allozymes for a new species of alcid: The long-billed murrelet (Brachyramphus perdix)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Friesen, Vicki L.; Piatt, John F.; Baker, Allan J.

1996-01-01

Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) are coastal seabirds that breed predominantly in old-growth forest throughout the North Pacific. Presently they are classified into two phenotypically distinct subspecies: one in North America (B. m. marmoratus) and one in Asia (B. m. perdix). The Asian form was classified as a separate species in 1811, but was lumped with B. marmoratus during the 20th century. Populations of both types are considered threatened or endangered and information about the extent of genetic differentiation among birds from different sites is required for their conservation. We compared variation in 1,045 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and 39 allozyme loci among Marbled Murrelets and the closely related Kittlitz's Murrelets (B. brevirostris) from throughout the North Pacific. All analyses indicted that North American and Asian Marbled Murrelets are genetically distinct: cytochrome b sequences were highly divergent, fixed allele differences occurred at two allozyme loci, and estimated gene flow was essentially zero. Phylogenetic analyses of cytochrome b sequences and allozymes both provided strong support for a monophyletic relationship among North American Marbled Murrelets and Kittlitz's Murrelets, with Long-billed Murrelets forming the basal lineage. Long-billed and North American Marbled Murrelets clearly represent distinct species by any definition, and must be managed independently. Significant genetic differentiation also was found among both Marbled and Kittlitz's Murrelets from different sites within North America.

The acute and long-term neurotoxic effects of MDMA on marble burying behaviour in mice.

PubMed

Saadat, Kathryn S; Elliott, J Martin; Colado, M Isabel; Green, A Richard

2006-03-01

When mice are exposed to harmless objects such as marbles in their cage they bury them, a behaviour sometimes known as defensive burying. We investigated the effect of an acute dose of MDMA (èecstasy') and other psychoactive drugs on marble burying and also examined the effect of a prior neurotoxic dose of MDMA or p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) on burying. Acute administration of MDMA produced dose-dependent inhibition of marble burying (EC50: 7.6 micro mol/kg). Other drugs that enhance monoamine function also produced dose-dependent inhibition: methamphetamine PCA paroxetine MDMA GBR 12909 methylphenidate. None of these drugs altered locomotor activity at a dose that inhibited burying. A prior neurotoxic dose of MDMA, which decreased striatal dopamine content by 60%, but left striatal 5-HT content unaltered, did not alter spontaneous marble burying 18 or 40 days later. However, a neurotoxic dose of PCA which decreased striatal dopamine by 60% and striatal 5-HT by 70% attenuated marble burying 28 days later. Overall, these data suggest that MDMA, primarily by acutely increasing 5-HT function, acts like several anxiolytic drugs in this behavioural model. Long-term loss of cerebral 5-HT content also produced a similar effect. Since this change was observed only after 28 days, it is probably due to an adaptive response in the brain.

Reinforcement of natural rubber hybrid composites based on marble sludge/Silica and marble sludge/rice husk derived silica

PubMed Central

Ahmed, Khalil; Nizami, Shaikh Sirajuddin; Riza, Nudrat Zahid

2013-01-01

A research has been carried out to develop natural rubber (NR) hybrid composites reinforced with marble sludge (MS)/Silica and MS/rice husk derived silica (RHS). The primary aim of this development is to scrutinize the cure characteristics, mechanical and swelling properties of such hybrid composite. The use of both industrial and agricultural waste such as marble sludge and rice husk derived silica has the primary advantage of being eco-friendly, low cost and easily available as compared to other expensive fillers. The results from this study showed that the performance of NR hybrid composites with MS/Silica and MS/RHS as fillers is extremely better in mechanical and swelling properties as compared with the case where MS used as single filler. The study suggests that the use of recently developed silica and marble sludge as industrial and agricultural waste is accomplished to provide a probable cost effective, industrially prospective, and attractive replacement to the in general purpose used fillers like china clay, calcium carbonate, and talc. PMID:25685484

Utilisation of Waste Marble Dust as Fine Aggregate in Concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vigneshpandian, G. V.; Aparna Shruthi, E.; Venkatasubramanian, C.; Muthu, D.

2017-07-01

Concrete is the important construction material and it is used in the construction industry due to its high compressive strength and its durability. Now a day’s various studies have been conducted to make concrete with waste material with the intention of reducing cost and unavailability of conventional materials. This paper investigates the strength properties of concrete specimens cast using waste marble dust as replacement of fine aggregate. The marble pieces are finely crushed to powdered and the gradation is compared with conventional fine aggregate. Concrete specimen were cast using wmd in the laboratory with different proportion (25%, 50% and 100%) by weight of cement and from the studies it reveals that addition of waste marble dust as a replacement of fine aggregate marginally improves compressive, tensile and flexural strength in concrete.

Weakening associated with the diaspore corundum dehydration reaction in metabauxites: an example from Naxos (Greece)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urai, Janos L.; Feenstra, Anne

2001-06-01

Metabauxite lenses embedded in marble on Naxos consist of diasporites below the 420°C isograd, and dehydrate into corundum-rich rocks with increasing grades of metamorphism. While the diasporites are essentially undeformed, the corundum-rich rocks are strongly deformed, even though both diasporites and corundum-rich rocks are much stronger than the surrounding intensely deformed marbles. The observed structures can be explained as an effect of high fluid pressures during the prograde diaspore-corundum dehydration reaction, which causes dramatic temporary weakening of the metabauxites (to a strength comparable to that of the surrounding deforming marbles). Deformation of the metabauxite is thus largely restricted to the time span the phase transformation occurred, allowing the dehydrating bauxite mass to deform together with the surrounding marbles.

Deterioration of the Floor of Interior Courtyard of Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo, Egypt.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazel, Tarek

The college- mosque of Sultan Hassan is considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture not only in Egypt but also in the East. Its open interior courtyard is paved with three different types of marble slabs. These marble slabs suffer from severe deterioration. Causes of this deterioration were determined accurately through the ocular examination of the courtyard and confirmed by the laboratory tests which were carried out on samples representing the three common types of marble used in the floor namely the white, the red and the black marble. Sun light and heat are the main deterioration factors and the consequent thermal expansion is the main property which led to the detected deterioration phenomena. Types and mechanisms of deterioration affected the floor were described and explained.

Synthesis and characterization of thin-transparent nanostructured films for surface protection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veltri, S.; Sokullu, E.; Barberio, M.; Gauthier, M. A.; Antici, P.

2017-01-01

This work demonstrates that very thin and optically transparent nanocomposite films can be conveniently applied on surface materials, displaying potent antibacterial properties without affecting the aesthetics of the underlying material. In our approach we propose new composite materials, which ensure the surface protection by inactivating the bacteria before a biofilm can be formed. The films contain very small loadings of TiO2, graphene, or fullerene, and can easily be applied on large surfaces using conventional brushes or air-brushes. These nanocomposite films are very promising candidates for the preservation of statues, mosaics, floors, buildings, and other objects that are exposed to challenging environmental conditions such as Architectonical Heritage or building materials (materials featuring stone, pigments, bronze, granite, marble, and glass).

Preparation and characterization of polymeric nanocomposite films for application as protective coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gagliardi, S.; Rondino, F.; D'Erme, C.; Persia, F.; Menchini, F.; Santarelli, M. L.; Paulke, B.-R.; Enayati, A. L.; Falconieri, M.

2017-08-01

Addiction of ceramic nanoparticles to acrylic polymers provides a simple and effective means to produce paints with important properties, such as mechanical resistance and tailored wettability, even though for optimal performances, an engineered nanoparticle distribution would be desirable. In this paper we report on the realization and on the morphological and functional characterization of nanocomposites where the nanophase is distributed on the surface of acrylic polymer films, in order to enhance the expression of surface-related properties. To this aim, commercial titanium oxide and silicon oxide nanopowders were dispersed in water and the suspensions were air-sprayed on polymeric films prepared by paint brushing, thus producing a nanostructured ceramic surface coating. Control of the pH of suspensions and acrylic acid functionalization of the surface of titania were used together with high power ultrasonic treatments in order to control dimension of the aggregates in the sprayed suspensions. Optical microscopy, mechanical profilometry, and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the nanocomposite surface morphology and correlate it to the coating functional properties, evaluated through mechanical abrasion tests and contact angle measurements; also, colorimetry on coated stones was performed in order to test the impact of the coatings on the aesthetical appearance and their photostability under UV irradiation. Results show that the nanostructured ceramic layer slightly improves the resistance of coatings to mechanical abrasion in case of polymer films prepared from latexes. The nanocomposite surface layer does not affect the wettability of the polymer, which remained slightly hydrophilic; this behavior is likely due to inadequate distribution of the nanophase. On the other hand UV-induced superhydrophilicity was observed when the concentration of surface titania nanoparticles is about 0.6 mg/cm2. Colorimetric analysis on historical and Carrara marbles before and after coating evidenced the good transparency of the nanocomposites. Accelerated aging tests permitted to demonstrate that, on the historical marbles, the presence of the nanoparticles has a protective action against UV-induced damage of the underlying polymer film, preventing photodegradation.

Advantages of using microbial technology over traditional chemical technology in removal of black crusts from stone surfaces of historical monuments.

PubMed

Cappitelli, Francesca; Toniolo, Lucia; Sansonetti, Antonio; Gulotta, Davide; Ranalli, Giancarlo; Zanardini, Elisabetta; Sorlini, Claudia

2007-09-01

This study compares two cleaning methods, one involving an ammonium carbonate-EDTA mixture and the other involving the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris subsp. vulgaris ATCC 29579, for the removal of black crust (containing gypsum) on marble of the Milan Cathedral (Italy). In contrast to the chemical cleaning method, the biological procedure resulted in more homogeneous removal of the surface deposits and preserved the patina noble under the black crust. Whereas both of the treatments converted gypsum to calcite, allowing consolidation, the chemical treatment also formed undesirable sodium sulfate.

Advantages of Using Microbial Technology over Traditional Chemical Technology in Removal of Black Crusts from Stone Surfaces of Historical Monuments▿

PubMed Central

Cappitelli, Francesca; Toniolo, Lucia; Sansonetti, Antonio; Gulotta, Davide; Ranalli, Giancarlo; Zanardini, Elisabetta; Sorlini, Claudia

2007-01-01

This study compares two cleaning methods, one involving an ammonium carbonate-EDTA mixture and the other involving the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris subsp. vulgaris ATCC 29579, for the removal of black crust (containing gypsum) on marble of the Milan Cathedral (Italy). In contrast to the chemical cleaning method, the biological procedure resulted in more homogeneous removal of the surface deposits and preserved the patina noble under the black crust. Whereas both of the treatments converted gypsum to calcite, allowing consolidation, the chemical treatment also formed undesirable sodium sulfate. PMID:17601804

Application of curative therapy in the ward. 1920.

PubMed

Marble, Henry Chase

2009-06-01

This Classic article is a reprint of the original work by Henry Chase Marble, Application of Curative Therapy in the Ward. An accompanying biographical sketch on Henry Chase Marble, MD, is available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-009-0789-7 . The Classic Article is (c)1920 by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc. and is reprinted with permission from Marble HC. Application of curative therapy in the ward. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1920;2:136-138.

16. CELLAR, UNDER WEST MEETING ROOM, LOOKING SOUTHEAST. Discarded marble ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

16. CELLAR, UNDER WEST MEETING ROOM, LOOKING SOUTHEAST. Discarded marble range top incorporated into a low brick partition. It is possible the range originally stood between the two brick walls beyond to the right. There appears to be a bricked-up fire box opening in the far wall. The fragments of the marble range top have been catalogued into the Architectural Study Collection of Independence National Historical Park. Dimensions recorded in Field Records. - Twelfth Street Meeting House, 20 South Twelfth Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

75 FR 29296 - Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-25

... the confluence with Marble Creek. Kentucky River Tributary 2 From the confluence with the None +573... the Kentucky River. Marble Creek (Backwater effects from From the confluence with the None +580...

Processes of high-T fluid-rock interaction during gold mineralization in carbonate-bearing metasediments: the Navachab gold deposit, Namibia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dziggel, A.; Wulff, K.; Kolb, J.; Meyer, F. M.

2009-08-01

The Navachab gold deposit in the Damara belt of central Namibia is hosted by a near-vertical sequence of amphibolite facies shelf-type metasediments, including marble, calc-silicate rock, and biotite schist. Petrologic and geochemical data were collected in the ore, alteration halos, and the wall rock to evaluate transport of elements and interaction between the wall rock and the mineralizing fluid. The semi-massive sulfide lenses and quartz-sulfide veins are characterized by a complex polymetallic ore assemblage, comprising pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and arsenopyrite, native bismuth, gold, bismuthinite, and bismuth tellurides. Mass balance calculations indicate the addition of up to several orders of magnitude of Au, Bi, As, Ag, and Cu. The mineralized zones also record up to eightfold higher Mn and Fe concentrations. The semi-massive sulfide lenses are situated in the banded calc-silicate rock. Petrologic and textural data indicate that they represent hydraulic breccias that contain up to 50 vol.% ore minerals, and that are dominated by a high-temperature (T) alteration assemblage of garnet-clinopyroxene-K-feldspar-quartz. The quartz-sulfide veins crosscut all lithological units. Their thickness and mineralogy is strongly controlled by the composition and rheological behavior of the wall rocks. In the biotite schist and calc-silicate rock, they are up to several decimeters thick and quartz-rich, whereas in the marble, the same veins are only a few millimeters thick and dominated by sulfides. The associated alteration halos comprise (1) an actinolite-quartz alteration in the biotite schist, (2) a garnet-clinopyroxene-K-feldspar-quartz alteration in the marble and calc-silicate rock, and (3) a garnet-biotite alteration that is recorded in all rock types except the marble. The hydrothermal overprint was associated with large-scale carbonate dissolution and a dramatic increase in CO2 in the ore fluid. Decarbonation of wall rocks, as well as a low REE content of the ore fluid resulted in the mobilization of the REE, and the decoupling of the LREE from the HREE. The alteration halos not only parallel the mineralized zones, but may also follow up single layers away from the mineralization. Alteration is far more pronounced facing upward, indicating that the rocks were steep when veining occurred. The petrologic and geochemical data indicate that the actinolite-quartz- and garnet-clinopyroxene-K-feldspar-quartz alterations formed in equilibrium with a fluid (super-) saturated in Si, and were mainly controlled by the composition of the wall rocks. In contrast, the garnet-biotite alteration formed by interaction with a fluid undersaturated in Si, and was mainly controlled by the fluid composition. This points to major differences in fluid-rock ratios and changes in fluid composition during alteration. The alteration systematics and geometry of the hydrothermal vein system are consistent with cyclic fluctuations in fluid pressure during fault valve action.

Effects of antipsychotics and reference monoaminergic ligands on marble burying behavior in mice.

PubMed

Bruins Slot, Liesbeth A; Bardin, Laurent; Auclair, Agnès L; Depoortere, Ronan; Newman-Tancredi, Adrian

2008-03-01

Antipsychotics constitute efficacious augmenting agents in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder. We examined the effects of 36 compounds, including typical, atypical and novel antipsychotics with dual dopamine D2/5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (D2/5-HT1A) actions on marble burying behavior in mice, a putative preclinical test for anxiety disorders. One hour after drug administration, male NMRI mice were placed individually in cages containing 20 marbles, and the total number of marbles buried after 30 min was counted. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, citalopram (2.5-40 mg/kg), fluoxetine (2.5-10 mg/kg) and the benzodiazepine diazepam (2.5-10 mg/kg), reduced the number of buried marbles. The atypical antipsychotic, clozapine (0.16-10 mg/kg), but not its congener olanzapine, was effective in this test. Haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic, also reduced the number of buried marbles, albeit not in a dose-dependent manner. The atypical risperidone was partially active (0.16-0.63 mg/kg), as was the benzamide derivative, amisulpride, albeit at high (10-40 mg/kg) doses. Among the 'third-generation' antipsychotics possessing combined D2/5-HT1A properties, bifeprunox was active at 0.0025 mg/kg, whereas SLV313 and aripiprazole were active only at the highest doses (2.5 and 10 mg/kg, respectively). SSR181507, F15063 and the antidyskinetic agent, sarizotan, were without any effect. Among a series of receptor subtype-selective ligands, only the 5-HT1A agonist, (+)-8-OH-DPAT (0.63-2.5 mg/kg) and the 5-HT2A/2B/2C antagonist, ritanserin (0.63-2.5 mg/kg) were active. Among novel antipsychotics with dual D2/5-HT1A properties, only bifeprunox was able to potently reduce the number of buried marbles. Inhibition of marble burying behavior may result from the interplay of several receptor systems, including 5-HT2 receptor blockade, dopamine D2 partial agonism and serotonin 5-HT1A agonism.

INFLUENCE OF INTRAMUSCULAR FAT LEVEL ON ORGANOLEPTIC, PHYSICAL, AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF IRRADIATED PORK. II. LOW-TEMPERATURE LONG-TIME PRE-IRRADIATION HEAT TREATMENT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bray, R.W.; Weckel, K.G.; Evans, G.W.

1964-02-01

Pork muscle (longissimus dorsi) was graded in three marbling levels by both visual appraisal and ether-extraction analysis of total fat. A low- temperature (121 deg F, gradually increasing to 191 deg F), long-time (19-hr) heat treatment was used for enzyme inactivation. Samples were packed under vacuum in rigid containers and irradiated to 4.5 Mrad with gamma radiation. Irradiated and frozen control samples were evaluated at intervals over a 180-day period. The heat treatment caused excessive connective-tissue breakdown as evidenced by a soft, dry texture. Marbling level had no significant effect on consumer-panel judgments of irradiated or frozen control samples (servedmore » plain, without bread). Lower degrees of marbling were preferred in irradiated sandwich items. Irradiated samples were less preferred than frozen control samples in both plain and sandwich form. Hunter L (color) values a/sub L/ (redness), hue, and saturation attributes were increased by irradiation treatment. Hunter L and b/sub L/ (yellowness) values of highly marbled irradiated sample-s were elevated. Highly marbled samples displayed greater tenderness qualities, as evidenced by mechanical tenderness measurements. Expressible moisture values were decreased by marbling degree and radiation treatment and increased by advancing storage time. As a measure of oxidation rancidity, thiobarbituric acid values were increased by increasing levels of marbling and advancing storage time, but were not influenced by preservation method. No significant differences in pH values due to marbling level or preservation method were detected. Bacteriologic counts of randomly selected irradiated samples indicated that they were commercially sterile (average of 57 colonies/g of sample). Methylene blue stains of colonles revealed Micrococcus. Frozen (control) samples contained moderate numbers of colonies (av. 2300 colonies per g of sample). Micrococcus colonies were again predominant, but a few colonles of film yeasts were also seen. Irradiated samples were negative for thermophilic anaerobic spores producing gas. Control samples were positive, containing gram-negative rods, Escherichia coli, and gram- positive cocci. (BBB)« less

The shape of ``the Spandex'' and orbits upon its surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, Gary D.; Walker, Michael

2002-01-01

What is the shape that results when a flat rubber sheet is warped by placing a heavy ball upon it? We show that, at distance R far from the center of a ball of mass M, the height h of the surface above the ball's center is given by h(R)=AM1/3R2/3, where A is a constant determined by the stretchiness of the rubber and the earth's gravitational constant. This happy result allows one to analyze the orbits of marbles and coins as they roll across the surface in some detail, providing very nice analogues for a wealth of topics in celestial mechanics, from Kepler's laws to tides and the Roche limit.

The clumped-isotope geochemistry of exhumed marbles from Naxos, Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryb, U.; Lloyd, M. K.; Stolper, D. A.; Eiler, J. M.

2017-07-01

Exhumation and accompanying retrograde metamorphism alter the compositions and textures of metamorphic rocks through deformation, mineral-mineral reactions, water-rock reactions, and diffusion-controlled intra- and inter-mineral atomic mobility. Here, we demonstrate that these processes are recorded in the clumped- and single-isotope (δ13 C and δ18 O) compositions of marbles, which can be used to constrain retrograde metamorphic histories. We collected 27 calcite and dolomite marbles along a transect from the rim to the center of the metamorphic core-complex of Naxos (Greece), and analyzed their carbonate single- and clumped-isotope compositions. The majority of Δ47 values of whole-rock samples are consistent with exhumation- controlled cooling of the metamorphic complex. However, the data also reveal that water-rock interaction, deformation driven recrystallization and thermal shock associated with hydrothermal alteration may considerably impact the overall distribution of Δ47 values. We analyzed specific carbonate fabrics influenced by deformation and fluid-rock reaction to study how these processes register in the carbonate clumped-isotope system. Δ47 values of domains drilled from a calcite marble show a bimodal distribution. Low Δ47 values correspond to an apparent temperature of 260 °C and are common in static fabrics; high Δ47 values correspond to an apparent temperature of 200 °C and are common in dynamically recrystallized fabrics. We suggest that the low Δ47 values reflect diffusion-controlled isotopic reordering during cooling, whereas high Δ47 values reflect isotopic reordering driven by dynamic recrystallization. We further studied the mechanism by which dynamic recrystallization may alter Δ47 values by controlled heating experiments. Results show no significant difference between laboratory reactions rates in the static and dynamic fabrics, consistent with a mineral-extrinsic mechanism, in which slip along crystal planes was associated with atomic-scale isotopic reordering in the calcite lattice. An intrinsic mechanism (enhanced isotopic reordering rate in deformed minerals) is contraindicated by these experiments. We suggest that Δ47 values of dynamically recrystallized fabrics that form below the diffusion-controlled blocking-temperature for calcite constrain the temperature of deformation. We find that Δ47-based temperatures of static fabrics from Naxos marbles are ∼60-80 °C higher than commonly observed in slowly cooled metamorphic rocks, and would suggest cooling rates of ∼105 °CMyr-1. A similar thermal history is inferred for dolomite marbles from the core vicinity, which preserve apparent temperatures up to 200 °C higher than a typical blocking temperature (∼300 °C). This finding could be explained by a hydrothermal event driving a brief thermal pulse and locally resetting Δ47 values. Rapid cooling of the core-complex region is consistent with a compilation of published cooling ages and a new apatite U-Th/He age, associating the thermal event with the emplacement of a granodiorite pluton at ∼12 Ma.

Fabrication of superhydrophobic fluorinated silica nanoparticles for multifunctional liquid marbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, Qianqian; Hu, Lihong; Hu, Yun; Liu, Chengguo; Zhou, Yonghong

2018-01-01

A facile one-pot method for the fabrication of superhydrophobic fluorinated silica nanoparticles is reported. Fluorinated aggregated silica (A-SiO2/FAS) nanoparticles were synthesized by controlling the nanoparticles assembly, in situ fixation and overgrowth of particle seeds with the assist of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in ethanol/water solution and then modification with fluoroalkylsilane (FAS) molecules. Such kind of A-SiO2/FAS nanoparticles showed superhydrophobicity and was not wetted by water, thus it could be served as the encapsulating shells to manipulate liquid droplets. Liquid marbles fabricated from A-SiO2/FAS nanoparticles were used for ammonia gas sensing or emitting by taking advantage of the porosity and superhydrophobicity of the liquid marble shells. In addition, the posibility of A-SiO2/FAS-based liquid marbles as microreactor for dopamine polymerization also was explored.

Genetics of Marbling in Wagyu Revealed by the Melting Temperature of Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Lipids

PubMed Central

Valenzuela, Jose L.; Steele, Edward J.

2017-01-01

Extreme marbling or intramuscular deposition of lipid is associated with Wagyu breeds and is therefore assumed to be largely inherited. However, even within 100% full blood Wagyu prepared under standard conditions, there is unpredictable scatter of the degree of marbling. Here, we evaluate melting temperature (Tm) of intramuscular fat as an alternative to visual scores of marbling. We show that “long fed” Wagyu generally has Tm below body temperature but with a considerable range under standardized conditions. Individual sires have a major impact indicating that the variation is genetic rather than environmental or random error. In order to measure differences of lower marbling breeds and at shorter feeding periods, we have compared Tm in subcutaneous fat samples from over the striploin. Supplementary feeding for 100 to 150 days leads to a rapid decrease in Tm of 50% Red Wagyu (Akaushi) : 50% European crosses, when compared to 100% European. This improvement indicates that the genetic effect of Wagyu is useful, predictable, and highly penetrant. Contemporaneous DNA extraction does not affect the measurement of Tm. Thus, provenance can be traced and substitution can be eliminated in a simple and cost-effective manner. PMID:29201894

Decreased fish diversity found near marble industry effluents in River Barandu, Pakistan.

PubMed

Mulk, Shahi; Korai, Abdul Latif; Azizullah, Azizullah; Khattak, Muhammad Nasir Khan

2016-01-01

In a recently published study we observed that effluents from marble industry affected physicochemical characteristics of River Barandu in District Buner, Pakistan. These changes in water quality due to marble effluents may affect fish community. The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate the impacts of marble industry effluents on fish communities in River Barandu using abundance, richness, diversity and evenness of fish species as end point criteria. The fish samples were collected by local fishermen on monthly basis from three selected sites (upstream, effluents/industrial, and downstream sites). During the study period, a total of 18 fish species were found belonging to 4 orders, 5 families and 11 genera. The Cyprinidae was observed to be the dominant family at all the three selected sites. Lower abundance and species diversity was observed at the industrial (22%) and downstream sites (33%) as compared to the upstream site (45%). Effluents of marble industry were associated with lower abundance of species in River Barandu. It is recommended that industries should be shifted away from the vicinity of river and their effluents must be treated before discharging to prevent further loss of fish abundance and diversity in the River.

16 CFR 1117.5 - Information that must be reported and to whom.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... SAFETY ACT REGULATIONS REPORTING OF CHOKING INCIDENTS INVOLVING MARBLES, SMALL BALLS, LATEX BALLOONS AND... (including any labeling and warnings), a description of the marble, small ball, latex balloon or other small...

Rapid method to determine actinides and 89/90Sr in limestone and marble samples

DOE PAGES

Maxwell, Sherrod L.; Culligan, Brian; Hutchison, Jay B.; ...

2016-04-12

A new method for the determination of actinides and radiostrontium in limestone and marble samples has been developed that utilizes a rapid sodium hydroxide fusion to digest the sample. Following rapid pre-concentration steps to remove sample matrix interferences, the actinides and 89/90Sr are separated using extraction chromatographic resins and measured radiometrically. The advantages of sodium hydroxide fusion versus other fusion techniques will be discussed. Lastly, this approach has a sample preparation time for limestone and marble samples of <4 hours.

Variscan tectonics in Dodecanese, Kalymnos island, Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatziioannou, Eleftheria; Grasemann, Bernhard; Schneider, David; Hubmann, Bernhard; Soukis, Konstantinos

2015-04-01

Kalymnos island is located in the Dodecanese, southeastern Aegean Sea, and geologically appears to be part of the external Hellenides. Pre-Alpidic basement rocks on the Dodecanese islands have been suggested to record compelling similarities with the basement rocks in Eastern Crete with respect to their lithologies and pre-Alpidic metamorphic evolution. The lithotectonic units experienced greenschist to amphibolite facies conditions during the Variscan orogeny. Whereas the rocks in Eastern Crete reveal Alpine high-pressure overprint, the Variscan basement units in the Dodecanese record no or low-grade Alpine metamorphism. A field study of basement rocks below Mesozoic limestones and dolomites in the NW part of Kalymnos near Emporios uncovered a complex history of metamorphism, folding and faulting. Three different tectonic units can be discriminated from top to bottom: a) a quartz-mica schist, b) a white-grey, fossiliferous coarse grained marble and c) a fine-grained fossiliferous blue-grey marble. In the marbles macrofossils such as brachiopods, ammonoid cephalopods (Goniatids?) and crinoids suggest a Middle-Upper Devonian deposition age (Givetian- Frasnian). Structural mapping the area resolved a dominant W-E shortening event, resulting in an overall inverted metamorphic gradient. The lowermost blue-grey marble unit is folded into large-scale upright folds, which are truncated by top-to-east overthrusting of the white-grey marble unit. Whereas deformation mechanisms in the blue-grey marble unit are dominated by dissolution-precipitation creep, the white-grey marble suffered intense crystal plastic deformation with localized high-strain mylonitic shear zones. The uppermost quartz-mica schist unit is separated from the lower units by a cataclastic phyllonitic shear zone. 40Ar/39Ar geochronological dating on white micas from the quartz-mica schists yielded cooling ages between 240 and 334 Ma indicative of Variscan cooling. Our data suggest that this part of the Dodecanese experienced intense Variscan deformation with no high-temperature Alpine overprint.

Women's toilet with marble stalls and wooden doors, east end ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Women's toilet with marble stalls and wooden doors, east end of first floor. View to southwest. - San Bernardino Valley College, Life Science Building, 701 South Mount Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA

Investigating the effect of using granite and marble as a building material on the radiation exposure of humans.

PubMed

Ebaid, Y Y; Bakr, W F

2012-09-01

The aim of this study was to comprehensively study the radiological hazards of granite and marble used as a building material in Egypt. The activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were determined using high-resolution hyper-pure germanium detectors in 25 samples of different types of commercially available granite and marble. The measured activity concentrations for these natural radionuclides were compared with the reported data for Egypt and other countries. In order to assess the radiological impact, the radiation hazard parameters such as radium equivalent activity (Ra(eq)) and hazard level index (I(γ)) were calculated. The internal and external dose rates due to natural radionuclides in granite and marble were also calculated. The data obtained were considered as helpful  in regulating the use of building materials in Egypt.

Consumer preferences for pork chops in five Canadian provinces.

PubMed

Ngapo, T M

2017-07-01

The aim of this study is to identify the most important characteristics of fresh pork that determine consumer choice in five Canadian provinces. Within-consumer preference replication and systematic image manipulation in surveying showed differences in strategies for pork choice in lean colour (P<0.001) and marbling (P=0.006). High proportions of Nova Scotians (29%) chose light red pork, Albertans (42%) dark red and Quebecers (29%) non-marbled pork. Overall, the most important choice criteria were fat cover (57% preferred lean, 8% fatty) and lean colour (35% dark red, 18% light red). Marbling and drip were less used, but are important noting that 26% of consumers used three or four characteristics to make their choice. The preferences are readily met by the industry, but unfortunately, preferences for minimal or no marbling and fat cover likely result in a compromised gustative experience for many Canadian consumers. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

INFLUENCE OF INTRAMUSCULAR FAT LEVEL ON ORGANOLEPTIC, PHYSICAL, AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF IRRADIATED PORK. I. HIGH-TEMPERATURE SHORT-TIME PRE-IRRADIATION HEAT TREATMENT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bray, R.W.; Weckel, K.G.; Evans, G.W.

1964-02-01

The influence of intramuscular fat (degree of marbling) on characteristics of precooked and irradiated pork muscle was studied. Loins were selected and categorized into three marbling levels by visual appraisal. A relatively high temperature (325 deg F) and short time (2 hr) heat treatment was used for enzyme inactivation. Samples were packed under vacuum in rigid containers and irradiated to 4.5 Mrad with gamma radiation. Irradiated and frozen control samples were evaluated up to 2l0 days later. Degree of marbling had no apparent influence on organoleptic properties of either irradiated or frozen control longissimus dorsi muscle samples. Frozen control samplesmore » were preferred in general appearance, flavor, and over-all acceptability by panelists. Irradiated samples were preferred in texture qualities. Storage time was not a major factor in organoleptic acceptability; however, acceptability of irradiated samples declined between 150 and 210 days of storage. Hunter color attributes were not affected by marbling level. L, a/sub L/ hue, and saturation were increased by radiation treatment. Mechanical tenderness values were decreased due to higher marbling level and radiation treatment. Expressible-moisture values were lowered by radiation treatment and increased with storage time. Iodine numbers were decreased by radiation. Degree of marbling did not affect thiobarbituric acid values but they were significantly lower for irradiated samples. pH values increased with higher levels of intramuscular fat, were significantly higher in irradiated samples than controls, and tended to increase steadily with advancing storage time. (BBB)« less

The Macael landscape in the context of a possible candidate as Global Heritage Stone Province (Almería, SE of Spain)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navarro Domínguez, Rafael; Pereira Gómez, Dolores; Carrillo, Gloria; Cruz, Anasol

2017-04-01

The beginning of the marble extraction activity in the Macael Area (Almería, South of Spain) date back 4000 years ago, and since then, it has been used in several and important monuments, principally, in Spain. The quality of the works carried out is more than proven. During this time, the extraction has alternated periods of activity with others of lesser or none-activity, ruling both the lives of the inhabitants of the region, and its landscape. The most well-known material extracted in the region, with international recognition, is marble "Blanco Macael" (White Macael), traditionally compared with "Carrara marble". But there are other marbles such as "Amarillo Macael", "Gris Macael" or "Anasol", as well as serpentinites that are referred as "Verde Macael" or "Verde Almería". All of them have been employed in many recent important buildings, at national and international level. The problem of this intensive activity through the years, from the point of view of the preservation of the old landscapes, is that the modern quarries have replaced the old ones, leaving few remains of the old quarries. In some cases it is possible to see Muslim vestiges (e.g. "Puntilla"), but this is an exception. Notwithstanding, the landscape of the region has a high value due to the combination of high mountains, high faces with a lot of banks, waste dumps and full restored areas. Nowadays, the surface occupied by mining exploitation, only in the closer area to Macael village, is more 8.5 km2, with more than forty active quarries and many abandoned ones. These features have helped to configure a singular and beautiful landscape, possibly unique in Spain, in relation with an historic mining activity. This is an important added value to the possible candidature of the "Blanco Macael" as a "Global Heritage Stone Resource" and the "Macael Region" as a "Global Heritage Stone Province", mostly if we consider that these designations must take into consideration the social importance of the activity in the region.

Study and development of 22 kW peak power fiber coupled short pulse Nd:YAG laser for cleaning applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choubey, Ambar; Vishwakarma, S. C.; Vachhani, D. M.; Singh, Ravindra; Misra, Pushkar; Jain, R. K.; Arya, R.; Upadhyaya, B. N.; Oak, S. M.

2014-11-01

Free running short pulse Nd:YAG laser of microsecond pulse duration and high peak power has a unique capability to ablate material from the surface without heat propagation into the bulk. Applications of short pulse Nd:YAG lasers include cleaning and restoration of marble, stones, and a variety of metals for conservation. A study on the development of high peak power short pulses from Nd:YAG laser along with its cleaning and conservation applications has been performed. A pulse energy of 1.25 J with 55 μs pulse duration and a maximum peak power of 22 kW has been achieved. Laser beam has an M2 value of ~28 and a pulse-to-pulse stability of ±2.5%. A lower value of M2 means a better beam quality of the laser in multimode operation. A top hat spatial profile of the laser beam was achieved at the exit end of 200 μm core diameter optical fiber, which is desirable for uniform cleaning. This laser system has been evaluated for efficient cleaning of surface contaminations on marble, zircaloy, and inconel materials for conservation with cleaning efficiency as high as 98%. Laser's cleaning quality and efficiency have been analysed by using a microscope, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) measurements.

35. SECOND FLOOR, SOUTHEAST ROOM, NORTH WALL: BLACK MARBLE MANTLE. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

35. SECOND FLOOR, SOUTHEAST ROOM, NORTH WALL: BLACK MARBLE MANTLE. Grape clusters above columns repeat in upper part of cornice and probably in destroyed ceiling centerpiece - Governor Thomas Bennett House, 1 Lucas Street, Charleston, Charleston County, SC

Utah Marbles and Mars Blueberries: Comparitive Terrestrial Analogs for Hematite Concretions on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, M. A.; Beitler, B.; Parry, W. T.; Ormö, J.; Komatsu, G.

2005-03-01

Compelling comparisons show why Utah iron oxide-cemented "marbles" are a good analog for Mars hematite "blueberries". Terrestrial examples offer valuable models for interpreting the diagenetic history and importance of water on Mars.

Removal of Verrucaria nigrescens from Carrara marble artefacts using Nd:YAG lasers: comparison among different pulse durations and wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osticioli, I.; Mascalchi, M.; Pinna, D.; Siano, S.

2015-03-01

The periodical removal of biodeteriogens is a fundamental need for the preservation of outdoor stone cultural heritage, which is stimulating significant efforts toward the development of low-impact conservation strategies. In the present work, the potential of laser removal of Verrucaria nigrescens Pers. from Carrara marble and the evaluation of the associated biocide effect on the organism residues embedded in the surface texture and through the outer porosities of the stone substrate were investigated. The fundamental wavelength of Nd:YAG laser (1,064 nm), commonly used in stone cleaning, and its second harmonic (532 nm) were comparatively tested. The phenomenology of laser treatments carried out in different irradiation conditions was characterized using optical, epifluorescence, and electron microscopes along with chlorophyll fluorescence with pulsed amplitude-modulated imaging. The results achieved show that 532 nm can provide significant advantages with respect to 1,064 nm. The potential of the latter against the biodeteriogens appears rather limited because of the low optical absorption, whereas the former can allow effective and practicable laser treatments, which disclose a significant application perspective.

INTERIOR VIEW OF BATHROOM 2. SHOWING SINGLEPANEL DOOR WITH MARBLE ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

INTERIOR VIEW OF BATHROOM 2. SHOWING SINGLE-PANEL DOOR WITH MARBLE THRESHOLD AND ORIGINAL BUILT-IN CABINET WITH BIN PULLS ON THE DRAWERS. VIEW FACING SOUTHWEST. - Hickam Field, Officers' Housing Type B, 704 Julian Avenue, Honolulu, Honolulu County, HI

A micromechanical constitutive model for the dynamic response of brittle materials "Dynamic response of marble"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haberman, Keith

2001-07-01

A micromechanically based constitutive model for the dynamic inelastic behavior of brittle materials, specifically "Dionysus-Pentelicon marble" with distributed microcracking is presented. Dionysus-Pentelicon marble was used in the construction of the Parthenon, in Athens, Greece. The constitutive model is a key component in the ability to simulate this historic explosion and the preceding bombardment form cannon fire that occurred at the Parthenon in 1678. Experiments were performed by Rosakis (1999) that characterized the static and dynamic response of this unique material. A micromechanical constitutive model that was previously successfully used to model the dynamic response of granular brittle materials is presented. The constitutive model was fitted to the experimental data for marble and reproduced the experimentally observed basic uniaxial dynamic behavior quite well. This micromechanical constitutive model was then implemented into the three dimensional nonlinear lagrangain finite element code Dyna3d(1998). Implementing this methodology into the three dimensional nonlinear dynamic finite element code allowed the model to be exercised on several preliminary impact experiments. During future simulations, the model is to be used in conjunction with other numerical techniques to simulate projectile impact and blast loading on the Dionysus-Pentelicon marble and on the structure of the Parthenon.

Oxygen Isotope and Microtextural Evidence for Fluctuations in Fluid Pressure During Contact Metamorphism, Alta Aureole, Utah, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowman, J. R.; Valley, J. W.; Kita, N.

2006-12-01

Thin section-scale textures record a detailed history of prograde and retrograde reactions in the periclase (Per) zone of the Alta Stock aureole. New ion microprobe (SIMS) measurements (10 micron spot, ±0.2 permil, 1sd) of the oxygen isotope compositions of the carbonates preserving these textures provide evidence for at least two cycles of oscillation of fluid pressure (Pfl) between lithostatic (PL) and hydrostatic (Phyd) conditions during evolution of the inner aureole. Infiltration of water-rich fluids during prograde metamorphism converted dolomite (Dol) to Per + calcite (Cal) marble and caused significant 18O/16O depletion in the Dol protolith (Initial δ18O (Cal) > +25 permil), producing Cal with δ18O values of +11 permil. The SIMS values approximate oxygen isotope exchange equilibrium with the Alta stock, indicating that infiltrating fluids were likely magmatic. Exsolution of fluid from the crystallizing magma, coupled with geothermometry from the periclase zone marbles, requires Pfl> PL. Horizontally-oriented expansion cracks filled with brucite (Br) extend from Br pseudomorphs after periclase, and cut retrograde Dol that partially to completely rims the Br pseudomorphs. This earlier retrograde Dol is significantly depleted in 18O/16O relative to matrix Cal, with δ18O of +5 to +7.1 permil. These lower δ18O values indicate that meteoric water infiltrated into the Per marbles during cooling and resulting partial back reaction of Per + Cal to Dol, prior to the hydration of the remaining Per to Br. Influx of meteoric water requires sufficient increase in permeability to permit surface- derived meteoric water to penetrate to the estimated 4.5 km depth of this structural level of the Alta aureole, and suggests a resulting decrease in Pfl to hydrostatic pressure conditions. The horizontally-oriented expansion cracks associated with the Br pseudomorphs indicate that sub-vertical expansion accompanied hydration of Per to Br, requiring that Pfl increase again to values equal to and even slightly in excess of PL. Subsequent formation of a second generation of sub-vertical Dol veins with very low δ18O values (-1.9 to +1.2 permil) indicates another stage of infiltration involving even greater amounts of meteoric water, and a return to hydrostatic Pflconditions. Hence the detailed microtextures in the Per zone marbles, and their δ18O values, measureable with the spatial resolution capability of the ion microprobe, record a history of fluctuating fluid pressure between lithostatic and hydrostatic conditions in the inner Alta aureole. Such fluctuations should not be surprising. Contact metamorphic environments are characterized by strong spatial and temporal gradients in temperature, and a number of thermally-dependent factors (e.g., compaction, crystallization, reaction-generated porosity, thermally-controlled expansion and contraction) would then interact dynamically as sealing and cracking mechanisms to both increase and decrease permeability. Further, transient increases in fluid pressure would be expected from production of volatiles by metamorphic reactions and from multiple pulses of magmatic fluid produced during the assembly of an igneous intrusion.

Candoglia Marble and the "Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano": a resource for Global Heritage Stone Designation in the Italian Alps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borghi, Alessandro; Castelli, Daniele; Corbetta, Elio; Antonella Dino, Giovanna

2015-04-01

Alpine marbles have been widely used in the past for celebrated, both indoor and outdoor, applications. Among them, the Candoglia Marble, a worldwide known and appreciated georesource, and its "bastard brother" from the nearby Ornavasso area were and are exploited in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola quarry basin of Northwestern Italian Alps. They crop out as lenses (up to 30 m in thickness) interlayered within high-grade paragneisses of the Ivrea Zone, a section of deep continental crust that experienced amphibolite- to granulite-facies metamorphism of Palaeozoic age. The Candoglia and Ornavasso Marbles are pinkish to greyish, coarse-grained (> 3 mm), calcitic marbles with frequent, cm-thick, dark-greenish silicate layers containing diopside and tremolite; minor minerals include quartz, epidote, sulphides, Ba-feldspar, barite and, occasionally, phlogopite. First record of quarrying activities in the area arises to the Roman age (Ornavasso quarrying area). Both the Ornavasso and Candoglia Marbles were widely employed in local construction (San Nicola Church and Torre della Guardia at Ornavasso, Madonna di Campagna Church at Verbania, San Giovanni in Montorfano Church), but they became famous thanks to their application for the "Duomo di Milano" since the fourteenth century. At the beginning, the building stones employed for the construction of the Gothic style, Duomo di Milano were quarried in the Ornavasso area, but in a short time, the Candoglia quarry (property of the so-called "Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo" that incessantly takes care of the Cathedral Church from 1387 A.D.) became the main quarry for the construction and maintenance of the Cathedral. The Candoglia quarry developed during the centuries, from open pit small quarries to a unique underground quarry, characterised by a very peculiar quarrying activities (subvertical bench characterized by strong lateral forces, which have to be contrasted and monitored). The Candoglia Marble was preferred to Carrara marbles also because of the more direct transport way from quarries to the construction yard: the transport were acted on big barges, from River Toce, across the Maggiore Lake and its emissary, the Ticino River, and then along the Naviglio Grande, up to the Milano Cathedral yard. The first saws driven by water wheels started to be employed in Candoglia to product slabs from stone blocks. Nowadays the working activities are both at Candoglia (block squaring activities and mason stone cutter laboratory) and in Milano (working plant). The peculiarity of the Candoglia Marble present exploitation is that all the quarried materials are used: as blocks (to produce the parts and sculptures for the Milano Cathedral maintenance), as armour stones (the irregular or not aesthetically suitable blocks) and as ornaments, furnishing, and jewels (the small pieces), so that everyone can potentially wear a "piece of history". The Candoglia Marble, for its petrological characteristics, its history, including the evolution of quarrying techniques and working activities, and its use in the construction and maintenance of the Milano Cathedral, represents an "unicum" that would deserve designation as Global Heritage Stone Resource.

Effects of Mobile Augmented Reality Learning Compared to Textbook Learning on Medical Students: Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background By adding new levels of experience, mobile Augmented Reality (mAR) can significantly increase the attractiveness of mobile learning applications in medical education. Objective To compare the impact of the heightened realism of a self-developed mAR blended learning environment (mARble) on learners to textbook material, especially for ethically sensitive subjects such as forensic medicine, while taking into account basic psychological aspects (usability and higher level of emotional involvement) as well as learning outcomes (increased learning efficiency). Methods A prestudy was conducted based on a convenience sample of 10 third-year medical students. The initial emotional status was captured using the “Profile of Mood States” questionnaire (POMS, German variation); previous knowledge about forensic medicine was determined using a 10-item single-choice (SC) test. During the 30-minute learning period, the students were randomized into two groups: the first group consisted of pairs of students, each equipped with one iPhone with a preinstalled copy of mARble, while the second group was provided with textbook material. Subsequently, both groups were asked to once again complete the POMS questionnaire and SC test to measure changes in emotional state and knowledge gain. Usability as well as pragmatic and hedonic qualities of the learning material was captured using AttrakDiff2 questionnaires. Data evaluation was conducted anonymously. Descriptive statistics for the score in total and the subgroups were calculated before and after the intervention. The scores of both groups were tested against each other using paired and unpaired signed-rank tests. An item analysis was performed for the SC test to objectify difficulty and selectivity. Results Statistically significant, the mARble group (6/10) showed greater knowledge gain than the control group (4/10) (Wilcoxon z=2.232, P=.03). The item analysis of the SC test showed a difficulty of P=0.768 (s=0.09) and a selectivity of RPB=0.2. For mARble, fatigue (z=2.214, P=.03) and numbness (z=2.07, P=.04) decreased with statistical significance when comparing pre- and post-tests. Vigor rose slightly, while irritability did not increase significantly. Changes in the control group were insignificant. Regarding hedonic quality (identification, stimulation, attractiveness), there were significant differences between mARble (mean 1.179, CI −0.440 to 0.440) and the book chapter (mean −0.982, CI −0.959 to 0.959); the pragmatic quality mean only differed slightly. Conclusions The mARble group performed considerably better regarding learning efficiency; there are hints for activating components of the mAR concept that may serve to fascinate the participants and possibly boost interest in the topic for the remainder of the class. While the small sample size reduces our study’s conclusiveness, its design seems appropriate for determining the effects of interactive eLearning material with respect to emotions, learning efficiency, and hedonic and pragmatic qualities using a larger group. Trial Registration German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS), DRKS-ID: DRKS00004685; https://drks-neu.uniklinik-freiburg.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00004685. PMID:23963306

Effects of mobile augmented reality learning compared to textbook learning on medical students: randomized controlled pilot study.

PubMed

Albrecht, Urs-Vito; Folta-Schoofs, Kristian; Behrends, Marianne; von Jan, Ute

2013-08-20

By adding new levels of experience, mobile Augmented Reality (mAR) can significantly increase the attractiveness of mobile learning applications in medical education. To compare the impact of the heightened realism of a self-developed mAR blended learning environment (mARble) on learners to textbook material, especially for ethically sensitive subjects such as forensic medicine, while taking into account basic psychological aspects (usability and higher level of emotional involvement) as well as learning outcomes (increased learning efficiency). A prestudy was conducted based on a convenience sample of 10 third-year medical students. The initial emotional status was captured using the "Profile of Mood States" questionnaire (POMS, German variation); previous knowledge about forensic medicine was determined using a 10-item single-choice (SC) test. During the 30-minute learning period, the students were randomized into two groups: the first group consisted of pairs of students, each equipped with one iPhone with a preinstalled copy of mARble, while the second group was provided with textbook material. Subsequently, both groups were asked to once again complete the POMS questionnaire and SC test to measure changes in emotional state and knowledge gain. Usability as well as pragmatic and hedonic qualities of the learning material was captured using AttrakDiff2 questionnaires. Data evaluation was conducted anonymously. Descriptive statistics for the score in total and the subgroups were calculated before and after the intervention. The scores of both groups were tested against each other using paired and unpaired signed-rank tests. An item analysis was performed for the SC test to objectify difficulty and selectivity. Statistically significant, the mARble group (6/10) showed greater knowledge gain than the control group (4/10) (Wilcoxon z=2.232, P=.03). The item analysis of the SC test showed a difficulty of P=0.768 (s=0.09) and a selectivity of RPB=0.2. For mARble, fatigue (z=2.214, P=.03) and numbness (z=2.07, P=.04) decreased with statistical significance when comparing pre- and post-tests. Vigor rose slightly, while irritability did not increase significantly. Changes in the control group were insignificant. Regarding hedonic quality (identification, stimulation, attractiveness), there were significant differences between mARble (mean 1.179, CI -0.440 to 0.440) and the book chapter (mean -0.982, CI -0.959 to 0.959); the pragmatic quality mean only differed slightly. The mARble group performed considerably better regarding learning efficiency; there are hints for activating components of the mAR concept that may serve to fascinate the participants and possibly boost interest in the topic for the remainder of the class. While the small sample size reduces our study's conclusiveness, its design seems appropriate for determining the effects of interactive eLearning material with respect to emotions, learning efficiency, and hedonic and pragmatic qualities using a larger group. German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS), DRKS-ID: DRKS00004685; https://drks-neu.uniklinik-freiburg.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00004685.

Blueschist preservation in a retrograded, high-pressure, low-temperature metamorphic terrane, Tinos, Greece: Implications for fluid flow paths in subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breeding, Christopher M.; Ague, Jay J.; BröCker, Michael; Bolton, Edward W.

2003-01-01

The preservation of high-pressure, low-temperature (HP-LT) mineral assemblages adjacent to marble unit contacts on the Cycladic island of Tinos in Greece was investigated using a new type of digital outcrop mapping and numerical modeling of metamorphic fluid infiltration. Mineral assemblage distributions in a large blueschist outcrop, adjacent to the basal contact of a 150-meter thick marble horizon, were mapped at centimeter-scale resolution onto digital photographs using a belt-worn computer and graphics editing software. Digital mapping reveals that while most HP-LT rocks in the outcrop were pervasively retrograded to greenschist facies, the marble-blueschist contact zone underwent an even more intense retrogression. Preservation of HP-LT mineral assemblages was mainly restricted to a 10-15 meter zone (or enclave) adjacent to the intensely retrograded lithologic contact. The degree and distribution of the retrograde overprint suggests that pervasively infiltrating fluids were channelized into the marble-blueschist contact and associated veins and flowed around the preserved HP-LT enclave. Numerical modeling of Darcian flow, based on the field observations, suggests that near the marble horizon, deflections in fluid flow paths caused by flow channelization along the high-permeability marble-blueschist contact zone likely resulted in very large fluid fluxes along the lithologic contact and significantly smaller fluxes (as much as 8 times smaller than the input flux) within the narrow, low-flux regions where HP-LT minerals were preserved adjacent to the contact. Our results indicate that lithologic contacts are important conduits for metamorphic fluid flow in subduction zones. Channelization of retrograde fluids into these discrete flow conduits played a critical role in the preservation of HP-LT assemblages.

Multiple Regression Analysis to Estimate the Unit Price of Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) Beef

PubMed Central

Hur, Sun-Jin

2017-01-01

This study were estimated the contribution of carcass traits to unit price, to analyze the marbling score as a categorical variable rather than a numerical variable, and to develop an optimal model that also includes the holiday effect and the raising period. The data for this study were acquired from the Quality Evaluation of the Korea Institute for Animal Products, and consisted of the trading records of 1,613,699 heads at 12 wholesale markets from 2010 to 2014. The unit price of a cow was estimated from the following parameters: −52.50 Won/mm, 8.93 Won/cm2, 7.20 Won/kg, and −1.04 Won/day for backfat thickness, eye muscle area, carcass weight, and raising period, respectively. Parameters for the dummy variables of marbling scores varied from 0 to 8328.74 Won/kg, which means that each marbling score grade had a different price value. The unit price of a steer was estimated from the following parameters: −92.12 Won/mm, 20.22 Won/cm2, 1.30 Won/kg, and −1.72 Won/day for backfat thickness, eye muscle area, carcass weights, and raising period, respectively. Parameters for dummy variables of marbling scores varied from 0 to 7338.80 Won/kg, which means that the grades of each marbling score had different price values. The unit price of sales during traditional holidays was significantly higher (827.71 Won/kg for cows, and 645.15 Won/kg for steers) than during non-holidays.We conclude that the use of categorical values for marbling scores would be needed to evaluate the price of Hanwoo beef using multiple regression analysis based on carcass traits and environmental factors. PMID:29147089

Permeability generation and resetting of tracers during metamorphic fluid flow: implications for advection-dispersion models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cartwright, Ian

Advection-dispersion fluid flow models implicitly assume that the infiltrating fluid flows through an already fluid-saturated medium. However, whether rocks contain a fluid depends on their reaction history, and whether any initial fluid escapes. The behaviour of different rocks may be illustrated using hypothetical marble compositions. Marbles with diverse chemistries (e.g. calcite + dolomite + quartz) are relatively reactive, and will generally produce a fluid during heating. By contrast, marbles with more restricted chemistries (e.g. calcite + quartz or calcite-only) may not. If the rock is not fluid bearing when fluid infiltration commences, mineralogical reactions may produce a reaction-enhanced permeability in calcite + dolomite + quartz or calcite + quartz, but not in calcite-only marbles. The permeability production controls the pattern of mineralogical, isotopic, and geochemical resetting during fluid flow. Tracers retarded behind the mineralogical fronts will probably be reset as predicted by the advection-dispersion models; however, tracers that are expected to be reset ahead of the mineralogical fronts cannot progress beyond the permeability generating reaction. In the case of very unreactive lithologies (e.g. pure calcite marbles, cherts, and quartzites), the first reaction to affect the rocks may be a metasomatic one ahead of which there is little pervasive resetting of any tracer. Centimetre-scale layering may lead to the formation of self-perpetuating fluid channels in rocks that are not fluid saturated due to the juxtaposition of reactants. Such layered rocks may show patterns of mineralogical resetting that are not predicted by advection-dispersion models. Patterns of mineralogical and isotopic resetting in marbles from a number of terrains, for example: Chillagoe, Marulan South, Reynolds Range (Australia); Adirondack Mountains, Old Woman Mountains, Notch Peak (USA); and Stephen Cross Quarry (Canada) vary as predicted by these models.

69. (Credit JTL) View beneath marble meter bench showing hydraulic ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

69. (Credit JTL) View beneath marble meter bench showing hydraulic lines leading to water valve hydraulic control cylinders from control handles in bench; strings and pulleys activate meters. - McNeil Street Pumping Station, McNeil Street & Cross Bayou, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA

Movements, nesting, and response to anthropogenic disturbance of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Redwood National and State Parks, California.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-05-01

During three nesting seasons a total of 102 marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) were captured on the ocean off : northern California and had radio transmitters attached. Reproductive success varied between years, and the average reproductive...

Chapter 19: Marbled Murrelet Habitat Associations in Oregon

Treesearch

Jeffrey J. Grenier; S. Kim Nelson

1995-01-01

We described habitat associations of Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) nesting (n = 10) and occupied (n = 184) sites in Oregon. We compared habitat characteristics of 177 occupied sites to a random sample of 9,625 sites (n = 531) of unknown murrelet status. In addition, we briefly...

MARBLE: A system for executing expert systems in parallel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myers, Leonard; Johnson, Coe; Johnson, Dean

1990-01-01

This paper details the MARBLE 2.0 system which provides a parallel environment for cooperating expert systems. The work has been done in conjunction with the development of an intelligent computer-aided design system, ICADS, by the CAD Research Unit of the Design Institute at California Polytechnic State University. MARBLE (Multiple Accessed Rete Blackboard Linked Experts) is a system of C Language Production Systems (CLIPS) expert system tool. A copied blackboard is used for communication between the shells to establish an architecture which supports cooperating expert systems that execute in parallel. The design of MARBLE is simple, but it provides support for a rich variety of configurations, while making it relatively easy to demonstrate the correctness of its parallel execution features. In its most elementary configuration, individual CLIPS expert systems execute on their own processors and communicate with each other through a modified blackboard. Control of the system as a whole, and specifically of writing to the blackboard is provided by one of the CLIPS expert systems, an expert control system.

Metal-contaminated soil remediation by using sludges of the marble industry: toxicological evaluation.

PubMed

Pérez-Sirvent, C; García-Lorenzo, M L; Martínez-Sánchez, M J; Navarro, M C; Marimón, J; Bech, J

2007-05-01

The major risks due to metal pollution of sediments consist of leaching to groundwater and potential toxicity to animals and/or plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate by means of an ecotoxicological approach the effects of the addition of cutting marble sludges on the mobile metal fraction of sediments polluted with heavy metals. The study was carried out on two sediments derived from mining activities in Portman Bay (SE, Spain) polluted by heavy metals. These sediments were mixed with sludges left after the cutting of marble. The results obtained by leaching experiments showed that the addition of marble cutting sludge, consisting mainly of carbonates, to a heavy-metal polluted sediment produces a decrease of available metal forms. The carbonate content seems to play a role in chemical stabilisation of metals and in a decrease of toxicity of sediments. The leached solutions have a non-toxic effect. The mild remediation by addition of sludge has moreover effects to long term.

Textural and isotopic development of marble assemblages during the Barrovian-style M2 metamorphic event, Naxos, Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baker, Judy; Matthews, Alan

1994-03-01

A detailed petrological analysis of the marble assemblages observed within the M2 metamorphic complex on Naxos is presented. Two distinct periods of mineral growth are documented; the first is associated with prograde M2 metamorphism and the second with retrograde M2 metamorphism occurring during ductile extensional thinning of the complex. The textural and miner-alogical characteristics and the carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of each generation are described, and the P-T-X CO 2 conditions at which these two mineral generations were stable, and the compositions of the fluids present during metamorphism are characterised. Whereas the low variance and stable isotope compositions of prograde siliceous dolomite assemblages are consistent with internally buffered fluid evolution, the retrograde mineral generation is shown to have grown as a result of the infiltration of a water-rich fluid phase that transported silica, Al2O3, Na2O and FeO into the host rocks. This observation, together with the stable isotope compositions of the retrograde calcite, and the fact that occurrences of veins of this type are limited to marbles in the highest grade areas ( T>600° C) of the metamorphic complex, suggests that the fluids responsible for vein formation were generated during the crystallisation of melts as the metamorphic complex cooled from peak temperatures. The existence of this second generation of minerals has significant implications for previous studies of heat transport by fluid flow on Naxos, because many of the unusually low δ18O compositions of pelites at high grades may be ascribable to the effects of interaction with retrograde M2 fluids, rather than with prograde fluids.

Effect of packaging type during postmortem aging and degree of doneness on pork chop sensory traits of loins selected to vary in color and marbling.

PubMed

Klehm, B J; King, D A; Dilger, A C; Shackelford, S D; Boler, D D

2018-05-04

The objective was to determine the interactions between packaging type and degree of doneness on sensory traits of pork loins classified based on the newly proposed USDA quality grades. A total of 144 loins were selected from 2 groups of pigs (lean growth or meat quality production focus) to represent as much variation in visual color and marbling as possible. Selection was achieved with a VQG grading camera. The ventral surface of the loins was evaluated for loin quality traits at 1 d postmortem. At 2 d postmortem loins were sliced into 28-mm-thick chops. Chop within each loin was randomly assigned to either individual vacuum packages or to individual Styrofoam trays and overwrapped in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) oxygen permeable film. Overwrapped PVC packages were then placed in bulk packages and flushed with a gas mixture that contained approximately 0.4% carbon monoxide, 30% carbon dioxide, and 80% nitrogen. Vacuum-packaged chops were aged until 14 d postmortem. Chops packaged in PVC overwrap were aged until 9 d postmortem in the bulk packages, then placed on simulated retail display until 14 d postmortem. Chops from each packaging type were cooked to an internal temperature of either 63 °C or 71 °C for the evaluation of slice shear force (SSF) or for evaluation of tenderness, juiciness, and flavor by a trained panel. Data were analyzed as split-split plot design with production focus of the pigs, proposed USDA quality grade, packaging type, and degree of doneness as fixed effects. While there were main effect differences between production focuses, there were no interactions with production focus. There were also no 3-way (P ≥ 0.19) interactions and only one 2-way interaction among quality grade, packaging type, or degree of doneness. There were no differences in sensory tenderness (P = 0.30), juiciness (P = 0.49), flavor (P = 0.89), SSF (P = 0.13), or cook loss (P = 0.06) among USDA quality grades. There were no differences in sensory tenderness (P = 0.06), juiciness (P = 0.32), flavor (P = 0.74), SSF (P = 0.99), or cook loss (P = 0.12) between chops aged in vacuum packages or PVC packages. Chops cooked to 63 °C were 4.6% more tender (P < 0.0001), 10.1% juicier (P < 0.0001), and 2.9% less flavorful (P = 0.01) than chops cooked to 71 °C. These data suggest that cooking chops to 63 °C rather than 71 °C was a more effective way to improve tenderness and juiciness than selecting chops of a certain quality grade or altering packaging postmortem.

Development and application of laser microprobe techniques for oxygen isotope analysis of silicates, and, fluid/rock interaction during and after granulite-facies metamorphism, highland southwestern complex, Sri Lanka

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Elsenheimer, D.W.

1992-01-01

The extent of fluid/rock interaction within the crust is a function of crustal depth, with large hydrothermal systems common in the brittle, hydrostatically pressured upper crust, but restricted fluid flow in the lithostatically pressured lower crust. To quantify this fluid/rock interaction, a Nd-YAG/CO[sub 2] laser microprobe system was constructed to analyze oxygen isotope ratios in silicates. Developed protocols produce high precision in [sigma][sup 18]O ([+-]0.2, 1[sigma]) and accuracy comparable to conventional extraction techniques on samples of feldspar and quartz as small as 0.3mg. Analysis of sub-millimeter domains in quartz and feldspar in granite from the Isle of Skye, Scotland, revealsmore » complex intragranular zonation. Contrasting heterogeneous and homogeneous [sigma][sup 18]O zonation patterns are revealed in samples <10m apart. These differences suggest fluid flow and isotopic exchange was highly heterogeneous. It has been proposed that granulite-facies metamorphism in the Highland Southwestern Complex (HSWC), Sri Lanka, resulted from the pervasive influx of CO[sub 2], with the marbles and calc-silicates within the HSWC a proposed fluid source. The petrologic and stable isotopic characteristic of HSWC marbles are inconsistent with extensive decarbonation. Wollastonite calc-silicates occur as deformed bands and as post-metamorphis veins with isotopic compositions that suggest vein fluids that are at least in part magmatic. Post-metamorphic magmatic activity is responsible for the formation of secondary disseminated graphite growth in the HSWC. This graphite has magmatic isotopic compositions and is associated with vein graphite and amphibolite-granulite facies transitions zones. Similar features in Kerela Khondalite Belt, South India, may suggest a common metamorphic history for the two terranes.« less

A sand budget for Marble Canyon, Arizona: implications for long-term monitoring of sand storage change

USGS Publications Warehouse

Grams, Paul E.

2013-01-01

Recent U.S. Geological Survey research is providing important insights into how best to monitor changes in the amount of tributary-derived sand stored on the bed of the Colorado River and in eddies in Marble Canyon, Arizona. Before the construction of Glen Canyon Dam and other dams upstream, sandbars in Glen, Marble, and Grand Canyons were replenished each year by sediment-rich floods. Sand input into the Colorado River is crucial to protecting endangered native fish, animals, and plants and cultural and recreational resources along the river in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

DeVelice, R.L.; Hubbard, C.; Potkin, M.

This study documents ecological characteristics of areas in the Exxon Valdez oil spill area in southcentral Alaska with contrasting marbled murelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) detection levels. A total of 73 vegetation and 41 physical site variables were evaluated. Marbled murrelet activity level (number of detections) and the frequency of occupied behavior (behaviors indicative of nesting) increased with increasing area of coniferous forest. There was a positive relationship between activity level and the number of mossy platforms in trees. Significant correlations with an index of incoming solar radiation are interpreted as indicating a preference of marbled murrelets for sites sheltered from highmore » winds and severe cold during the nesting period.« less

Fluid heterogeneity during granulite facies metamorphism in the Adirondacks: stable isotope evidence

USGS Publications Warehouse

Valley, J.W.; O'Neil, J.R.

1984-01-01

The preservation of premetamorphic, whole-rock oxygen isotope ratios in Adirondack metasediments shows that neither these rocks nor adjacent anorthosites and gneisses have been penetrated by large amounts of externally derived, hot CO2-H2O fluids during granulite facies metamorphism. This conclusion is supported by calculations of the effect of fluid volatilization and exchange and is also independently supported by petrologic and phase equilibria considerations. The data suggest that these rocks were not an open system during metamorphism; that fluid/rock ratios were in many instances between 0.0 and 0.1; that externally derived fluids, as well as fluids derived by metamorphic volatilization, rose along localized channels and were not pervasive; and thus that no single generalization can be applied to metamorphic fluid conditions in the Adirondacks. Analyses of 3 to 4 coexisting minerals from Adirondack marbles show that isotopic equilibrium was attained at the peak of granulite and upper amphibolite facies metamorphism. Thus the isotopic compositions of metamorphic fluids can be inferred from analyses of carbonates and fluid budgets can be constructed. Carbonates from the granulite facies are on average, isotopically similar to those from lower grade or unmetamorphosed limestones of the same age showing that no large isotopic shifts accompanied high grade metamorphism. Equilibrium calculations indicate that small decreases in ??18O, averaging 1 permil, result from volatilization reactions for Adirondack rock compositions. Additional small differences between amphibolite and granulite facies marbles are due to systematic lithologie differences. The range of Adirondack carbonate ??18O values (12.3 to 27.2) can be explained by the highly variable isotopic compositions of unmetamorphosed limestones in conjunction with minor 18O and 13C depletions caused by metamorphic volatilization suggesting that many (and possibly most) marbles have closely preserved their premetamorphic isotopic compositions. Such preservation is particularly evident in instances of high ??18O calcites (25.0 to 27.2), low ??18O wollastonites (-1.3 to 3.5), and sharp gradients in ??18O (18 permil/15m between marble and anorthosite, 8 permil/25 m in metasediments, and 6 permil/1 m in skarn). Isotopic exchange is seen across marble-anorthosite and marble-granite contacts only at the scale of a few meters. Small (<5 m) marble xenoliths are in approximate exchange equilibrium with their hosts, but for larger xenoliths and layers of marble there is no evidence of exchange at distances greater than 10 m from meta-igneous contacts. ?? 1984 Springer-Verlag.

Damage Recovery in Carrara Marble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, G.; Brantut, N.; Mitchell, T. M.; Meredith, P. G.

2017-12-01

We investigate the effect of confining pressure on the recovery of elastic wave velocities following deformation episodes in Carrara Marble. Dry Carrara Marble cores were deformed in the ductile regime (Pc = 40 MPa) up to 3% axial strain. After deformation, samples were held at constant stress conditions for extended periods of time (5-8 days) whilst continuously recording volumetric strain and seismic wave velocities. The velocity data were used to invert for microcrack densities using an effective medium approach. Finally, thin sections were produced to characterise the microstructures after recovery. During deformation, elastic wave speeds decreased with increasing strain by more than 30% of the value for the intact rock due to the formation of distributed microcracks. Under constant hydrostatic pressure, wave speeds progressively recovered 12-90% of the initial drop, depending on the applied confining pressure. In contrast, the strain recovery (deformation towards the initial shape of the sample) during holding time is negligible (of the order of 10-4). Tests performed under nonhydrostatic (triaxial) stress conditions during recovery showed some time-dependent creep deformation together with very significant recovery of wave velocities. The recovery is interpreted as a progressive reduction in crack density within the sample. The process is highly dependent on confining pressure, which favours it. We propose that the driving process for wave speed recovery is the time-dependent increase of contact area between crack surfaces due to the formation and growth of asperity contacts. We develop a micromechanical model for crack closure driven by asperity creep, which shows a good fit to the experimental data. Most of the recovery is achieved in the initial few hours, implying it is the fastest recovery or healing process, and thus occurs prior to any chemical healing or mineral precipitation. Our data corroborate field observations of post-seismic fault behavior.

The effect of water on recrystallization behavior and grain boundary morphology in calcite observations of natural marble mylonites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schenk, Oliver; Urai, Janos L.; Evans, Brian

2005-10-01

Fluids are inferred to play a major role in the deformation and recrystallization of many minerals (e.g. quartz, olivine, halite, feldspar). In this study, we sought to identify the effect of fluids on grain boundary morphology and recrystallization processes in marble mylonites during shear zone evolution. We compared the chemistry, microstructure and mesostructure of calcite marble mylonites from the Schneeberg Complex, Southern Tyrole, Italy, to that from the Naxos Metamorphic Core Complex, Greece. These two areas were selected for comparison because they have similar lithology and resemble each other in chemical composition. In addition, calcite-dolomite geothermometry indicates similar temperatures for shear zone formation: 279±25 °C (Schneeberg Complex) and 271±15 °C (Naxos high-grade core). However, the two settings are different in the nature of the fluids present during the shear zone evolution. In the Schneeberg mylonites, both the alteration of minerals during retrograde metamorphism in the neighboring micaschists and the existence of veins suggest that aqueous fluids were present during mylonitization. The absence of these features in the Naxos samples indicates that aqueous fluids were not as prevalent during deformation. This conclusion is also supported by the stable isotope signature. Observations of broken and planar surfaces using optical and scanning electron microscopes did not indicate major differences between the two mylonites: grain boundaries in both settings display pores with shapes controlled by crystallography, and have pore morphologies that are similar to observations from crack and grain-boundary healing experiments. Grain size reduction was predominantly the result of subgrain rotation recrystallization. However, the coarse grains inside the wet protomylonites (Schneeberg) are characterized by intracrystalline shear zones.

SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating from eclogite lenses in marble, Dabie-Sulu UHP terrane: restriction on the prograde, UHP and retrograde metamorphic ages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, F.; Gerdes, A.; Xue, H.; Liang, F.

2006-12-01

Eclogite as lenses in impure marbles from Dabie-Sulu UHP terrane, represent parts of deeply subducted meta- sedimentary rocks. To constrain the age of metamorphism during subduction and exhumation, zircons from 2 eclogite samples in Dabie-Sulu impure marbles have been investigated. Beside Inherited (detrital) grains, 3 different metamorphic zircon domains have been identified based on distribution of mineral inclusion, trace elements and cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging: 1. Dark-luminescent rounded cores with quartz eclogite- facies mineral inclusions suggest formation at high-pressure (HP) metamorphic conditions. 2. White- luminescent zircon, either surrounding domain 1 or as rounded to spindly cores with index coesite eclogite- facies mineral inclusions indicates formation at UHP conditions. 3. Grey-luminescent rims around domain 2 with low-pressure mineral inclusions suggest formation during late regional amphibolite-facies retrogression. The three distinct zircon domains were dated by SHRIMP and yielded three discrete and meaningful age groups: 245±4 Ma for prograde HP metamorphism, 235±3 Ma for UHP metamorphism and 215±6 Ma for late amphibolite-facies retrogression from Dabie-Sulu eclogite. This data suggests that subduction and exhumation took place in about 10-11 Myr and 19-20 Myr, respectively. Continental materials was subducted from surface to the deep mantle depth at rates of 10 km/Myr, and subsequently exhumed from the mantle to the base of the crust at rates of 7 km/Myr. Ultrafast exhumation of the Dabie-Sulu UHP terrane from depth of 160 to 30 km was probably driven by buoyancy forces after UHP slab break-off at deep mantle depths.

Provenance of marbles used for building the internal spiral staircase of the bell tower of St. Nicholas Church (Pisa, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lezzerini, Marco; Antonelli, Fabrizio; Gallello, Gianni; Ramacciotti, Mirco; Parodi, Luca; Alberti, Antonio; Pagnotta, Stefano; Legnaioli, Stefano; Palleschi, Vincenzo

2017-05-01

The aim of this study is to investigate the provenance of marbles used as architectural elements (bases, shafts and capitals of columns) for building the internal spiral staircase of the medieval bell tower of St. Nicholas Church at Pisa, Italy. Accordingly, the 45 collected marble samples have been analysed by optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and mass spectroscopy for carbon and oxygen stable isotope ratio analysis; additionally, SEM-EDS analysis have been performed to complement data about accessory minerals. By comparison with literature data on the main sources of the white Mediterranean marbles used in ancient times, the results show that the analysed samples are mainly white crystalline marbles from Carrara (Italy) and, subordinately, from other Tuscan and Eastern Mediterranean quarrying areas. In fact, Mt. Pisano and Campiglia M.ma (Tuscany, Italy) and Marmara (Turkey), Paros, Mt. Penteli, Thasos (Greece) are minor sources. The other coloured stones identified on the strength of their macroscopic features are quartzites from Mt. Pisano area and granitoids from Sardinia and Island of Elba (Italy). Occasionally, a very limited number of architectonical elements made up of Acquabona limestone from Rosignano Marittimo (Livorno, Italy), red limestone with ammonites (the so-called "Rosso Ammonitico") and black limestone belonging to the Tuscan Nappe sequence, outcropping at northwest of Pisa in the nearby Monti d'Oltre Serchio area, are present.

Relationship of the bovine growth hormone gene to carcass traits in Japanese black cattle.

PubMed

Tatsuda, K; Oka, A; Iwamoto, E; Kuroda, Y; Takeshita, H; Kataoka, H; Kouno, S

2008-02-01

The bovine growth hormone gene (bGH) possesses three haplotypes, A, B and C, that differ by amino acid mutations at positions 127 and 172 in the fifth exon: (leucine 127, threonine 172), (valine 127, threonine 172) and (valine 127, methionine 172) respectively. The correlation between meat quality or carcass weight and these haplotypes was investigated in Japanese black cattle. Altogether, 940 bGH haplotypes were compared with respect to six carcass traits: carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, rib thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, beef marbling score and beef colour. The frequency of the B haplotype was higher (0.421) than that of A (0.269) and C (0.311). High carcass weight and low beef marbling were associated with haplotype A (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively), whereas beef marbling was increased by haplotype C (p < 0.05). Estimated regression coefficient of the A haplotype substitution effect for carcass weight and beef marbling score were 5.55 (13.1% of the phenotypic SD) and -0.31 (17.0%) respectively. That of the C haplotype for beef marbling score was 0.20 (11.0%). The other traits showed no relationship to the haplotypes examined. The results of this investigation suggest that information pertaining to bGH polymorphisms in Japanese black cattle could be used to improve the selection of meat traits.

Interactions between accumulated copper, bacterial community structure and histamine levels in crayfish meat during storage.

PubMed

Soedarini, Bernadeta; van Gestel, Cornelis A M; van Straalen, Nico M; Widianarko, Budi; Röling, Wilfred F M

2014-08-01

Pollution in aquaculture areas may negatively impact edible species and threaten seafood quality and safety. The aim of this study was to determine the interaction between copper and bacteria in the aquatic habitat and their impact upon crustaceans. Marbled crayfish was chosen as a model of aquatic crustaceans and the influence of metal contamination on bacterial community structure in water used to culture crayfish and in crayfish themselves was investigated. Histamine, an allergen commonly formed by certain groups of bacteria in crustacean edible tissue during storage, was also determined. Copper exposure increased its concentration in crayfish meat by 17.4%, but the copper concentration remained within acceptable food safety limits. Elevated copper levels affected the bacterial community both in the water used to cultivate crayfish and in the marbled crayfish themselves. Cluster analysis of 16S rRNA-gene based microbial community fingerprints revealed that copper impacted the bacterial community in the water and in the crayfish meat. However, copper exposure reduced the formation of histamine in crayfish meat during storage by 66.3%. Copper from the habitat appears to reduce histamine accumulation in crayfish meat during storage by affecting the bacterial community structure of the cultivation water and most likely also in the intestine of the crayfish. From a food safety point of view, copper treatment during the aqua culturing of crustaceans has a positive impact on the postharvest stage. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chapter 22: Marbled Murrelet Food Habits and Prey Ecology

Treesearch

Esther E. Burkett

1995-01-01

Information on food habits of the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) was compiled from systematic studies and anecdotal reports from Alaska to California. Major differences between the winter and summer diets were apparent, with euphausiids and mysids becoming more dominant during winter and spring. The primary invertebrate prey items were...

Ehrenfest's Lottery--Time and Entropy Maximization

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ashbaugh, Henry S.

2010-01-01

Successful teaching of the Second Law of Thermodynamics suffers from limited simple examples linking equilibrium to entropy maximization. I describe a thought experiment connecting entropy to a lottery that mixes marbles amongst a collection of urns. This mixing obeys diffusion-like dynamics. Equilibrium is achieved when the marble distribution is…

Surveying marbled murrelets at inland forested sites: a guide

Treesearch

Peter W.C. Paton; C. John Ralph; Harry R. Carter; S. Kim Nelson

1990-01-01

The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), a seabird, nests in forested stands from southeast Alaska south to Santa Cruz, California. Because of this species' close association with old-growth forests, researchers and land managers need a method to assess murrelet distribution and use patterns throughout its range. This guide describes a...

A Unit Cell Laboratory Experiment: Marbles, Magnets, and Stacking Arrangements

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collins, David C.

2011-01-01

An undergraduate first-semester general chemistry laboratory experiment introducing face-centered, body-centered, and simple cubic unit cells is presented. Emphasis is placed on the stacking arrangement of solid spheres used to produce a particular unit cell. Marbles and spherical magnets are employed to prepare each stacking arrangement. Packing…

Marbles, Anyone? Traditional Games in the Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Casbergue, Renee M.; Kieff, Judith

1998-01-01

Children now play more solitary games, perhaps missing benefits of traditional games such as jacks, marbles, and dominoes. Such games offer children of all backgrounds the opportunity to consolidate knowledge and skills, develop a more orderly way of thinking, and establish themselves with peers. By making these games available in classrooms,…

Chapter 17: Inland Habitat Associations of Marbled Murrelets in Western Washington

Treesearch

Thomas E. Hamer

1995-01-01

Little research has been done to quantify and describe the structural characteristics of forest stands that are associated with Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) nesting in the Pacific Northwest. Vegetation measurements and murrelet surveys to determine occupancy were conducted in stands located throughout western Washington. I used...

Low breeding propensity and wide-ranging movements by marbled murrelets in Washington

Treesearch

Teresa J. Lorenz; Martin G. Raphael; Thomas D. Bloxton; Patrick G. Cunningham

2016-01-01

The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a threatened seabird that forages in nearshore marine waters but nests inland, commonly in older coniferous forests. Information on ranging behavior and breeding propensity can be useful for informing management, especially when comparisons can be made between declining or threatened populations...

Non-Contact Measurement of the Spectral Emissivity through Active/Passive Synergy of CO₂ Laser at 10.6 µm and 102F FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) Spectrometer.

PubMed

Zhang, Ren-Hua; Su, Hong-Bo; Tian, Jing; Mi, Su-Juan; Li, Zhao-Liang

2016-06-24

In the inversion of land surface temperature (LST) from satellite data, obtaining the information on land surface emissivity is most challenging. How to solve both the emissivity and the LST from the underdetermined equations for thermal infrared radiation is a hot research topic related to quantitative thermal infrared remote sensing. The academic research and practical applications based on the temperature-emissivity retrieval algorithms show that directly measuring the emissivity of objects at a fixed thermal infrared waveband is an important way to close the underdetermined equations for thermal infrared radiation. Based on the prior research results of both the authors and others, this paper proposes a new approach of obtaining the spectral emissivity of the object at 8-14 µm with a single-band CO₂ laser at 10.6 µm and a 102F FTIR spectrometer. Through experiments, the spectral emissivity of several key samples, including aluminum plate, iron plate, copper plate, marble plate, rubber sheet, and paper board, at 8-14 µm is obtained, and the measured data are basically consistent with the hemispherical emissivity measurement by a Nicolet iS10 FTIR spectrometer for the same objects. For the rough surface of materials, such as marble and rusty iron, the RMSE of emissivity is below 0.05. The differences in the field of view angle and in the measuring direction between the Nicolet FTIR method and the method proposed in the paper, and the heterogeneity in the degree of oxidation, polishing and composition of the samples, are the main reasons for the differences of the emissivities between the two methods.

Update on Regulation of Sand Transport in the Colorado River by Changes in the Surface Grain Size of Eddy Sandbars over Multiyear Timescales

USGS Publications Warehouse

Topping, David J.; Rubin, David M.; Schmidt, John C.

2008-01-01

In settings where the transport of sand is partially or fully supply limited, changes in the upstream supply of sand are coupled to changes in the grain size of sand on the bed. In this manner, the transport of sand under the supply-limited case is ?grain-size regulated.? Since the closure of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, the downstream reach of the Colorado River in Marble and Grand Canyons has exhibited evidence of sand-supply limitation. Sand transport in the river is now about equally regulated by changes in the discharge of water and changes in the grain sizes of sand on the channel bed and eddy sandbars. Previous work has shown that changes in the grain size of sand on the channel bed (driven by changes in the upstream supply of sand owing to both tributary floods and high dam releases) are important in regulating sand transport over timescales of days to months. In this study, suspended-sand data are analyzed in conjunction with bed grain-size data to determine whether changes in the sand grain size on the channel bed, or changes in the sand grain size on the surface of eddy sandbars, have been more important in regulating sand transport in the postdam Colorado River over longer, multiyear timescales. The results of this study show that this combined theory- and field-based approach can be used to deduce which environments in a complicated setting are most important for regulating sediment transport. In the case of the regulated Colorado River in Marble and upper Grand Canyons, suspended-sand transport has been regulated mostly by changes in the surface grain size of eddy sandbars.

Rapid, in situ detection of cocaine residues based on paper spray ionization coupled with ion mobility spectrometry.

PubMed

Li, Ming; Zhang, Jingjing; Jiang, Jie; Zhang, Jing; Gao, Jing; Qiao, Xiaolin

2014-04-07

In this paper, a novel approach based on paper spray ionization coupled with ion mobility spectrometry (PSI-IMS) was developed for rapid, in situ detection of cocaine residues in liquid samples and on various surfaces (e.g. glass, marble, skin, wood, fingernails), without tedious sample pretreatment. The obvious advantages of PSI are its low cost, easy operation and simple configuration without using nebulizing gas or discharge gas. Compared with mass spectrometry, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) takes advantage of its low cost, easy operation, and simple configuration without requiring a vacuum system. Therefore, IMS is a more congruous detection method for PSI in the case of rapid, in situ analysis. For the analysis of cocaine residues in liquid samples, dynamic responses from 5 μg mL(-1) to 200 μg mL(-1) with a linear coefficient (R(2)) of 0.992 were obtained. In this case, the limit of detection (LOD) was calculated to be 2 μg mL(-1) as signal to noise (S/N) was 3 with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 6.5% for 11 measurements (n = 11). Cocaine residues on various surfaces such as metal, glass, marble, wood, skin, and fingernails were also directly analyzed before wiping the surfaces with a piece of paper. The LOD was calculated to be as low as 5 ng (S/N = 3, RSD = 6.3%, n = 11). This demonstrates the capability of the PSI-IMS method for direct detection of cocaine residues at scenes of cocaine administration. Our results show that PSI-IMS is a simple, sensitive, rapid and economical method for in situ detection of this illicit drug, which could help governments to combat drug abuse.

Non-Contact Measurement of the Spectral Emissivity through Active/Passive Synergy of CO2 Laser at 10.6 µm and 102F FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) Spectrometer

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ren-Hua; Su, Hong-Bo; Tian, Jing; Mi, Su-Juan; Li, Zhao-Liang

2016-01-01

In the inversion of land surface temperature (LST) from satellite data, obtaining the information on land surface emissivity is most challenging. How to solve both the emissivity and the LST from the underdetermined equations for thermal infrared radiation is a hot research topic related to quantitative thermal infrared remote sensing. The academic research and practical applications based on the temperature-emissivity retrieval algorithms show that directly measuring the emissivity of objects at a fixed thermal infrared waveband is an important way to close the underdetermined equations for thermal infrared radiation. Based on the prior research results of both the authors and others, this paper proposes a new approach of obtaining the spectral emissivity of the object at 8–14 µm with a single-band CO2 laser at 10.6 µm and a 102F FTIR spectrometer. Through experiments, the spectral emissivity of several key samples, including aluminum plate, iron plate, copper plate, marble plate, rubber sheet, and paper board, at 8–14 µm is obtained, and the measured data are basically consistent with the hemispherical emissivity measurement by a Nicolet iS10 FTIR spectrometer for the same objects. For the rough surface of materials, such as marble and rusty iron, the RMSE of emissivity is below 0.05. The differences in the field of view angle and in the measuring direction between the Nicolet FTIR method and the method proposed in the paper, and the heterogeneity in the degree of oxidation, polishing and composition of the samples, are the main reasons for the differences of the emissivities between the two methods. PMID:27347964

Geologic Map of the House Rock Valley Area, Coconino County, Northern Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Billingsley, George H.; Priest, Susan S.

2010-01-01

This geologic map is a cooperative effort of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service to provide a geologic database for resource management officials and visitor information services. This map was produced in response to information needs related to a proposed withdrawal of three segregated land areas near Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, from new hard rock mining activity. House Rock Valley was designated as the east parcel of the segregated lands near the Grand Canyon. This map was needed to provide connectivity for the geologic framework of the Grand Canyon segregated land areas. This geologic map of the House Rock Valley area encompasses approximately 280 mi2 (85.4 km2) within Coconino County, northern Arizona, and is bounded by longitude 111 degrees 37'30' to 112 degrees 05' W. and latitude 36 degrees 30' to 36 degrees 50' N. The map area is in the eastern part of the Arizona Strip, which lies within the southern Colorado Plateaus geologic province (herein Colorado Plateau). The Arizona Strip is the part of Arizona lying north of the Colorado River. The map is bound on the east by the Colorado River in Marble Canyon within Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, on the south and west by the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Game Preserve, and on the north by the Vermilion Cliffs Natural Area, the Paria Canyon Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area, and the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. House Rock State Buffalo Ranch also bounds the southern edge of the map area. The Bureau of Land Management Arizona Field Office in St. George, Utah, manages public lands of the Vermilion Cliffs Natural Area, Paria Canyon - Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness and Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The North Kaibab Ranger District in Fredonia, Arizona, manages U.S. Forest Service land along the west edge of the map area and House Rock State Buffalo Ranch. Other lands include about 13 sections of Arizona State land, about ? of a section of private land along House Rock Wash, and about 1? sections of private land at Cliff Dwellers Lodge, Vermilion Cliffs Lodge, and Marble Canyon, Arizona. Landmark features within the map area include the Vermilion Cliffs, Paria Plateau, Marble Canyon, and House Rock Valley. Surface drainage in House Rock Valley is to the east toward the Colorado River in Marble Canyon. Large tributaries of Marble Canyon from north to south include Badger Canyon, Soap Creek, Rider Canyon, North Canyon, Bedrock Canyon, and South Canyon. Elevations range from about 2,875 ft (876 m) at the Colorado River in the southeast corner of the map to approximately 7,355 ft (2,224 m) on the east rim of Paria Plateau along the north-central edge of the map area. Three small settlements are in the map area along U.S. Highway 89A, Cliff Dwellers Lodge, Vermilion Cliffs Lodge, and Marble Canyon, Arizona. The community of Jacob Lake is about 9 mi (14.5 km) west of House Rock Valley on the Kaibab Plateau. Lees Ferry is 5 mi (8 km) north of Marble Canyon and marks the confluence of the Paria and Colorado Rivers and the beginning of Marble Canyon. U.S. Highway 89A provides access to the northern part of the map area. Dirt roads lead south into House Rock Valley from U.S. Highway 89A and are collectively maintained by the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. National Forest Service, and the Grand Canyon Trust. House Rock Valley is one of the few remaining areas where uniform geologic mapping is needed for connectivity to the regional Grand Canyon geologic framework. This information is useful to Federal and State resource managers who direct environmental and land management programs that encompass such issues as range management, biological studies, flood control, water, and mineral-resource investigations. The geologic information will support future and ongoing geologic investigations and scientific studies

NASA's Black Marble Nighttime Lights Product Suite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Zhuosen; Sun, Qingsong; Seto, Karen C.; Oda, Tomohiro; Wolfe, Robert E.; Sarkar, Sudipta; Stevens, Joshua; Ramos Gonzalez, Olga M.; Detres, Yasmin; Esch, Thomas;

Radiation Shielding Properties of Some Marbles in Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Günoǧlu, K.; Akkurt, I.

2011-12-01

Especially after development of technology, radiation started to be used in a large fields such as medicine, industry and energy. Using radiation in those fields bring hazordous effect of radition into humancell. Thus radiation protection becomes important in physics. Although there are three ways for radiation protection, shielding of the radiation is the most commonly used method. Natural Stones such as marble is used as construction material especially in critical building and thus its radiation shielding capability should be determined. In this study, gamma ray shielding properties of some different types of marble mined in Turkey, have been measured using a NaI(Tl) scintillator detector. The measured results were also compared with the theoretical calculations XCOM.

Estimating recruitment dynamics and movement of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon using an integrated assessment model

USGS Publications Warehouse

Korman, Josh; Martell, Steven J.D.; Walters, Carl J.; Makinster, Andrew S.; Coggins, Lewis G.; Yard, Michael D.; Persons, William R.

2012-01-01

We used an integrated assessment model to examine effects of flow from Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona, USA, on recruitment of nonnative rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Colorado River and to estimate downstream migration from Glen Canyon to Marble Canyon, a reach used by endangered native fish. Over a 20-year period, recruitment of rainbow trout in Glen Canyon increased with the annual flow volume and when hourly flow variation was reduced and after two of three controlled floods. The model predicted that approximately 16 000 trout·year–1 emigrated to Marble Canyon and that the majority of trout in this reach originate from Glen Canyon. For most models that were examined, over 70% of the variation in emigration rates was explained by variation in recruitment in Glen Canyon, suggesting that flow from the dam controls in large part the extent of potential negative interactions between rainbow trout and native fish. Controlled floods and steadier flows, which were originally aimed at partially restoring conditions before the dam (greater native fish abundance and larger sand bars), appear to have been more beneficial to nonnative rainbow trout than to native fish.

Fluid flow in deforming media: interpreting stable isotope signatures of marbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bond, C. E.

2016-12-01

Fluid flow in the crust is controlled by permeable networks. These networks can be created and destroyed dynamically during rock deformation. Rock deformation is therefore critical in controlling fluid pathways in the crust and hence the location of mineral and other resources. Here, evidence for deformation-enhanced fluid infiltration shows that a range of deformation mechanisms control fluid flow and chemical and isotopic equilibration. The results attest to localised fluid infiltration within a single metamorphic terrain (12km) over a range of metamorphic grades; ecologite- blueschist to greenschist. For fluid infiltrating marbles during ductile deformation, chemical and isotopic signatures are now homogenous; whilst fluid infiltration associated with brittle deformation results in chemical and isotopic heterogeneity at a microscale. The findings demonstrate how ductile deformation enhances equilibration of δ18O at a grain scale whilst brittle deformation does not. The control of deformation mechanisms in equilibrating isotopic and chemical heterogeneities have implications for the understanding of fluid-rock interaction in the crust. Interpretation of bulk stable isotope data, particularly in the use of isotope profiles to determine fluid fluxes into relatively impermeable units that have been deformed need to be used with care when trying to determine fluid fluxes and infiltration mechanisms.

Using Digital Computer Field Mapping of Outcrops to Examine the Preservation of High-P Rocks During Pervasive, Retrograde Greenschist Fluid Infiltration, Tinos, Cyclades Archipelago, Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breeding, C. M.; Ague, J. J.; Broecker, M.

2001-12-01

Digital field mapping of outcrops on the island of Tinos, Greece, was undertaken to investigate the nature of retrograde fluid infiltration during exhumation of high-P metamorphic rocks of the Attic-Cycladic blueschist belt. High-resolution digital photographs of outcrops were taken and loaded into graphics editing software on a portable, belt-mounted computer in the field. Geologic features from outcrops were drawn and labeled on the digital images using the software in real-time. The ability to simultaneously identify geologic features in outcrops and digitize those features onto digital photographs in the field allows the creation of detailed, field-verified, outcrop-scale maps that aid in geologic interpretation. During Cretaceous-Eocene subduction in the Cyclades, downgoing crustal material was metamorphosed to eclogite and blueschist facies. Subsequent Oligocene-Miocene exhumation of the high-P rocks was accompanied by pervasive, retrograde fluid infiltration resulting in nearly complete greenschist facies overprinting. On Tinos, most high-P rocks have undergone intense retrogression; however, adjacent to thick marble horizons with completely retrograded contact zones, small (sub km-scale) enclaves of high-P rocks (blueschist and minor eclogite facies) were preserved. Field observations suggest that the remnant high-P zones consist mostly of massive metabasic rocks and minor adjacent metasediments. Within the enclaves, detailed digital outcrop maps reveal that greenschist retrogression increases in intensity outward from the center, implying interaction with a fluid flowing along enclave perimeters. Permeability contrasts could not have been solely responsible for preservation of the high-P rocks, as similar rock suites distal to marble contacts were completely overprinted. We conclude that the retrograded contacts of the marble units served as high-permeability conduits for regional retrograde fluid flow. Pervasive, layer-parallel flow through metasediments would have been drawn into these more permeable flow channels. Deflections in fluid flow paths toward the high flux contacts likely caused retrograde fluids to flow around the enclaves, preserving the zones of "dry," unretrograded high-P rocks near marble horizons. Digital mapping of outcrops is a unique method for direct examination of the relationships between geologic structure, lithology, and mineral assemblage variation in the field. Outcrop mapping in the Attic-Cycladic blueschist belt has revealed that regional fluid flow along contacts can have important implications for the large-scale distribution of mineral assemblages in metamorphic terranes.

Effect of forage energy intake and supplementation on marbling deposition in growing beef cattle.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Glucose is the primary carbon source for fatty acid synthesis in intramuscular fat, whereas, acetate is primarily utilized by subcutaneous fat. Our objective was to examine the effect of forage energy intake and type of fermentation on marbling deposition by stocker cattle grazing dormant native ra...

Chapter 16: Inland Habitat Associations of Marbled Murrelets in British Columbia

Treesearch

Alan E. Burger

1995-01-01

Most Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in British Columbia nest in the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone. In this zone, detection frequencies were highest in the moister ecosections and in low elevation forests. Nests and moderately high levels of activity were also found in some forest patches in the subalpine Mountain Hemlock...

14 CFR 93.307 - Minimum flight altitudes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

...) Marble Canyon Sector. Lees Ferry to Boundary Ridge: 6,000 feet MSL. (ii) Supai Sector. Boundary Ridge to... general aviation operations—(i) Marble Canyon Sector. Lees Ferry to Boundary Ridge: 8,000 feet MSL. (ii) Supai Sector. Boundary Ridge to Supai Point: 10,000 feet MSL. (iii) Diamond Creek Sector. Supai Point to...

Status of the Marbled Murrelet in the inner north coast ranges of California

Treesearch

John E. Hunter; Kristin N. Schmidt; Howard B. Stauffer; Sherri L. Miller; C. John Ralph; Lynn Roberts

1998-01-01

We sought to determine the presence or absence of marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) within the northern Inner North Coast Ranges of northwestern California. We conducted murrelet surveys and collected environmental data during 1995 and 1996 on national forest lands that were south of the Klamath Mountains Section and within B....

A new method for ageing Marbled Murrelets and the effect on productivity estimates

Treesearch

L.L. Long; C.J. Ralph; S. Miller

2001-01-01

Accurate knowledge of the number of newly-fledged juveniles offshore is critical to estimates of productivity of the threatened Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus). We describe a method for collecting productivity data which allows researchers to objectively evaluate age determinations and their effect on juvenile percentages. This has the...

Chapter 34: Offshore Occurrence Patterns of Marbled Murrelets in Central California

Treesearch

David G. Ainley; Sarah G. Allen; Larry B. Spear

1995-01-01

We assessed the occurrence patterns of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) offshore of Waddell Creek, in central California. Data were derived primarily from cruises during the height of the murrelet breeding season, in June, between 1986 and 1994, as well as some cruises during the prebreeding period, February to early April. The large...

Chapter 4: Nesting Chronology of the Marbled Murrelet

Treesearch

Thomas E. Hamer; S. Kim Nelson

1995-01-01

We compiled 86 breeding records of eggs, downy young,and fledgling Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) for which the fledging date could be estimated. Records were collected from California (n = 25), Oregon (n = 13), Washington (n = 13), British Columbia (n = 23), and Alaska (n = 12). The number of young fledging increased rapidly from 6...

Chapter 24: Monospecific and Mixed Species Foraging Associations of Marbled Murrelets

Treesearch

C. John In: Ralph; George L. Hunt; Martin G. Raphael; John Hunt Piatt

1995-01-01

Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) vary in the frequency with which they are associated with mixed species foraging flocks of seabirds. When foraging in the exposed waters of the outer coasts, murrelets are almost invariably found in pairs or small monospecific flocks. In protected waters, they are frequently associated with other species....

Chapter 36: Status of Forest Habitat of the Marbled Murrelet

Treesearch

David A. Perry

1995-01-01

Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) have been shown to be dependant upon old-growth forests for nesting habitat. These forests have declined over the last century as they are cut for human use. This paper reviews the current status of old-growth forests along the west coast, in both the United States and Canada.

Recent population decline of the Marbled Murrelet in the Pacific Northwest

Treesearch

Sherri L. Miller; Martin G. Raphael; Gary A. Falxa; Craig Strong; Jim Baldwin; Thomas Bloxton; Beth M. Galleher; Monique Lance; Deanna Lynch; Scott F. Pearson; C. John Ralph; Richard D. Young

2012-01-01

We document here a decline of nearly 30% in the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) population of Washington, Oregon, and northern California between 2000 and 2010. The Northwest Forest Plan is an ecosystem-management plan for federal forest lands in the Pacific Northwest of the United States that incorporates monitoring to determine if...

Data Collection and the Marble Company.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harper, Nancy L.

A study investigated how managers in various kinds of organizations make decisions and also examined ways that using the Marble Company simulation (developed by L. C. Lederman and L. P. Stewart in 1985) could enhance, clarify, and extend its findings. Managers were asked to write down what they would say to their subordinates in order to elicit…

Chapter 15: Inland Habitat Suitability for the Marbled Murrelet in Southcentral Alaska

Treesearch

Katherine J. Kuletz; Dennis K. Marks; Nancy L. Naslund; Nike J. Goodson; Mary B. Cody

1995-01-01

The majority of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) nest in Alaska, where they sometimes nest on the ground, and their nesting habitat requirements are not well understood. The inland activity of murrelets was surveyed, and habitat features measured, between 1991 and 1993, in Prince William Sound, Kenai Fjords National Park and Afognak...

Chapter 25: Pollution and Fishing Threats to Marbled Murrelets

Treesearch

D. Michael Fry

1995-01-01

The principal pollutant threats to Marbled Murrelets are chlorinated organic effluent discharges from chlorine bleach pulp mills located in California, Washington, and British Columbia. The distribution of murrelets away from riverine input of agricultural chemicals reduces the threat from these pollutants. Plastic ingestion does not appear to pose a serious threat to...

Die Bestimmung der Herkunft der Marmore von Büsten der Münchener Residenz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riederer, Josef; Hoefs, Joachim

1980-09-01

51 Greek, Roman and Renaissance marble busts from the Antiquarium of the Residenz in Munich were studied for their C- and O-isotopic composition. Apart from some overlapping values, this technique permits — contrary to microscopic and chemical methods — localization of different Turkish, Greek and Italian marble deposits.

Conservation of the marbled murrelet under the northwest forest plan.

Treesearch

Martin G. Raphael

2006-01-01

The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) was listed as threatened in 1992, primarily because of loss of its old-forest nesting habitat. Monitoring conducted over the first 10 years following implementation of the Northwest Forest Plan shows at-sea murrelet populations appear to be stationary, but recruitment is very low and demographic...

Do Preschoolers Save to Benefit Their Future Selves?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Metcalf, Jennifer L.; Atance, Cristina M.

2011-01-01

Using a new paradigm for measuring children's saving behaviors involving two marble games differing in desirability, we assessed whether 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds saved marbles for future use, saved increasingly on a second trial, saved increasingly with age, and were sensitive to the relative value of future rewards. We also assessed whether…

Chapter 6: Characteristics of Marbled Murrelet Nest Trees and Nesting Stands

Treesearch

Thomas E. Hamer; S. Kim Nelson

1995-01-01

We summarize the characteristics of 61 tree nests and nesting stands of the Marbled Murrelet ( Brachyramphus marmoratus ) located from 1974 to 1993 in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California. Evidence of breeding 30-60 km inland was common in California, Oregon, and Washington. Nesting greater distances from the coast may have...

Determination of the origin and texture of marble artifacts using stable isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dotsika, E.; Poutoukis, D.; Zisi, N.; Psomiadis, D.

2009-04-01

For the characterization of marble and the identification of the origin of marble artifacts, samples from several ancient monuments of Greece were analyzed using several techniques: stable isotopes of carbonates (13C, 18O), XRD analysis and optical microscopy, from which information can be obtained on the origin and texture of the marble used for the production of the artifacts. The full range of grain sizes and isotopic signatures that occur in a lot of different quarries has been measured and presented. In a δ13C versus δ18O diagram, the fields corresponding to all known ancient quarries (from Penteli, Cyclades, especially Naxos (Mela, Apol, Apir, Senax), Keros, Paros (Parlak, Parlyc) and Asia Minor (Prokon)) are reported. The plots representing the analyzed samples are also shown on the same diagram. The final results of the study indicate the origin of the carbonate material of the artefacts from each of the ancient monument. In cases that the samples plot on overlapping areas, a further study is proposed, using the maximum grain size of the material.

ESR spectroscopy as a tool for identifying joining fragments of antique marbles: the example of a pulpit by Donatello and Michelozzo.

PubMed

Attanasio, D; Platania, R

2000-06-01

ESR spectroscopy is one of the physicochemical techniques used to characterize archaeological white marbles and obtain information about their quarries of provenance. This is done by measuring selected spectral features of the Mn(2+) impurity ubiquitously present in marbles and developing a statistical classification rule from the variable vectors measured for a significant number of samples of known provenance (the quarry database). Now we show that the overall variability exhibited by the same spectroscopic features decreases rapidly with the linear dimensions of the sampled block and can be used to distinguish fragments belonging to the same piece of stone from those simply originating from the same quarry. Application of the method to the seven marble panels of the Donatello pulpit in Prato (Tuscany) shows that they have all been cut from the same single block and their different degradation must be ascribed to differential weathering and to the different conservation treatments undergone in the past. The limits and possible drawbacks of the method are also discussed. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Initial development of an NIR strain measurement technique in brittle geo-materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butcher, Emily; Gibson, Andrew; Benson, Philip

2016-04-01

Visible-Near Infrared Spectroscopy (VIS-NIR) is a technique developed for the non-contact measurement of compositional characteristics of surfaces. The technique is rapid, sensitive to change in surface topology and has found applications ranging from planetary geology, soil science, pharmacy to materials testing. The technique has also been used in a limited fashion to measure strain changes in rocks and minerals (Ord and Hobbs 1986). However, there have been few quantitative studies linking such changes in material strains (and other rock physics parameters) to the resulting VIS-NIT signature. This research seeks to determine whether improvements in VIS-NIR equipment means that such a technique is a viable method to measure strains in rock via this remote (non-contact) method. We report new experiments carried out using 40 mm Brazilian Tensile discs of Carrera Marble and Darley Dale Sandstone using an Instron 600LX in the University of Portsmouth Rock Mechanics Laboratory. The tensile test was selected for this experiment as the sample shape and sensor arrangements allow access to a 'flat' surface area throughout the test, allowing surface measurements to be continuously taken whilst the discs are strained to failure. An ASD Labspec 5000 with 25 mm foreoptic was used to collect reflectance spectra in the range 350-2500 nm during each tensile test. Results from Carrera Marble experiments show that reflectance at 2050 nm negatively correlates (by polynomial regression) with axial strain between 0.05-0.5%, with r2 of 0.99. Results from Darley Dale Sandstone data show that reflectance at 1970 nm positively correlates with axial deformation between 0.05-0.5%, with r2 of 0.98. Initial analyses suggests that the VIS-NIR possesses an output that scales in a quantifiable manner with rock strain, and shows promise as a technique for strain measurement. The method has particular application for allowing our laboratory measurements to "ground truth" data taken from drone and other remote sensing techniques that could employ this method. However, further work is underway to understand the exact nature of the correlations - for instance, whether reflectance is related to deformation to the mineral lattice, macro-surface or micro-surface.

MEAT SCIENCE AND MUSCLE BIOLOGY SYMPOSIUM

PubMed Central

Bi, P.; Kuang, S.

2012-01-01

Stem cell niche plays a critical role in regulating the behavior and function of adult stem cells that underlie tissue growth, maintenance, and regeneration. In the skeletal muscle, stem cells, called satellite cells, contribute to postnatal muscle growth and hypertrophy, and thus, meat production in agricultural animals. Satellite cells are located adjacent to mature muscle fibers underneath a sheath of basal lamina. Microenvironmental signals from extracellular matrix mediated by the basal lamina and from the host myofiber both impinge on satellite cells to regulate their activity. Furthermore, several types of muscle interstitial cells, including intramuscular preadipocytes and connective tissue fibroblasts, have recently been shown to interact with satellite cells and actively regulate the growth and regeneration of postnatal skeletal muscles. From this regard, interstitial adipogenic cells are not only important for marbling and meat quality, but also represent an additional cellular component of the satellite cell niche. At the molecular level, these interstitial cells may interact with satellite cells through cell surface ligands, such as delta-like 1 homolog (Dlk1) protein whose overexpression is thought to be responsible for muscle hypertrophy in callipyge sheep. In fact, extracellular Dlk1 protein has been shown to promote the myogenic differentiation of satellite cells. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms within the stem cell niche that regulate satellite cell differentiation and maintain muscle homeostasis may lead to promising approaches to optimizing muscle growth and composition, thus improving meat production and quality. PMID:22100594

Underwater microwave ignition of hydrophobic thermite powder enabled by the bubble-marble effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meir, Yehuda; Jerby, Eli

2015-08-01

Highly energetic thermite reactions could be useful for a variety of combustion and material-processing applications, but their usability is yet limited by their hard ignition conditions. Furthermore, in virtue of their zero-oxygen balance, exothermic thermite reactions may also occur underwater. However, this feature is also hard to utilize because of the hydrophobic properties of the thermite powder, and its tendency to agglomerate on the water surface rather than to sink into the water. The recently discovered bubble-marble (BM) effect enables the insertion and confinement of a thermite-powder batch into water by a magnetic field. Here, we present a phenomenon of underwater ignition of a thermite-BM by localized microwaves. The thermite combustion underwater is observed in-situ, and its microwave absorption and optical spectral emission are detected. The vapour pressure generated by the thermite reaction is measured and compared to theory. The combustion products are examined ex-situ by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy which verifies the thermite reaction. Potential applications of this underwater combustion effect are considered, e.g., for detonation, wet welding, thermal drilling, material processing, thrust generation, and composite-material production, also for other oxygen-free environments.

Underwater microwave ignition of hydrophobic thermite powder enabled by the bubble-marble effect

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meir, Yehuda; Jerby, Eli, E-mail: jerby@eng.tau.ac.il

Highly energetic thermite reactions could be useful for a variety of combustion and material-processing applications, but their usability is yet limited by their hard ignition conditions. Furthermore, in virtue of their zero-oxygen balance, exothermic thermite reactions may also occur underwater. However, this feature is also hard to utilize because of the hydrophobic properties of the thermite powder, and its tendency to agglomerate on the water surface rather than to sink into the water. The recently discovered bubble-marble (BM) effect enables the insertion and confinement of a thermite-powder batch into water by a magnetic field. Here, we present a phenomenon ofmore » underwater ignition of a thermite-BM by localized microwaves. The thermite combustion underwater is observed in-situ, and its microwave absorption and optical spectral emission are detected. The vapour pressure generated by the thermite reaction is measured and compared to theory. The combustion products are examined ex-situ by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy which verifies the thermite reaction. Potential applications of this underwater combustion effect are considered, e.g., for detonation, wet welding, thermal drilling, material processing, thrust generation, and composite-material production, also for other oxygen-free environments.« less

Use of Composite Fingerprinting Technique to Determine Contribution of Paria River Sediments to Dam-Release Flood Deposits in Marble Canyon, Grand Canyon, Az

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chapman, K.; Parnell, R. A.; Smith, M. E.; Grams, P. E.; Mueller, E. R.

2015-12-01

The 1963 closure of Glen Canyon Dam drastically reduced the downstream sediment supply and altered daily flow regimes of the Colorado River through Grand Canyon, resulting in significant sandbar erosion downstream of the dam. Dam-release floods, known as High Flow Experiments (HFEs), have occurred six times since 1996 and are intended to rebuild Grand Canyon sandbars using tributary-supplied sediment. In Marble Canyon (first 100 km of Grand Canyon) the targeted tributary is the Paria River which supplies approximately 90% of the annual suspended sediment flux through Marble Canyon; the same input contributed less than 6% prior to the dam. Annual topographic surveys have established that HFEs are effective at rebuilding sandbars. However, the long-term viability of using HFEs for sandbar maintenance is dependent on a sustainable source of sediments comprising HFE deposits. Significant use of non-tributary, main-stem sediments (i.e. pre-dam sand stored in eddies or the channel bed) in HFE deposits would indicate reliance on a limited resource, and diminishing returns in the ability of HFEs to rebuild sandbars. In this study, we sampled vertically throughout 12 bars in Marble Canyon to document temporal and downstream changes in the proportion of sediment sourced from the Paria River during the 2013 and 2014 HFEs. Preliminary data suggest that heavy mineral compositions and concentrations of Ti, S, Cr and Rb, all of which are influenced by grainsize, could be sufficiently capable of differentiating Paria-derived and main-stem sediments when combined into a composite fingerprint (CF). A multivariate mixing model using these CFs quantitatively determines the contribution of Paria-derived sediment in each HFE deposit sample. Mixing model endmembers for non-Paria sand include pre-dam flood deposits in Glen and Marble Canyons, and Marble Canyon dredge samples. These results elucidate the role of contemporary versus legacy sediment in long-term sandbar maintenance.

Petrology, geochemistry and zirconology of impure calcite marbles from the Precambrian metamorphic basement at the southeastern margin of the North China Craton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yi-Can; Zhang, Pin-Gang; Wang, Cheng-Cheng; Groppo, Chiara; Rolfo, Franco; Yang, Yang; Li, Yuan; Deng, Liang-Peng; Song, Biao

2017-10-01

Impure calcite marbles from the Precambrian metamorphic basement of the Wuhe Complex, southeastern margin of the North China Craton, provide an exceptional opportunity to understand the depositional processes during the Late Archean and the subsequent Palaeoproterozoic metamorphic evolution of one of the oldest cratons in the world. The studied marbles are characterized by the assemblage calcite + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + K-feldspar + quartz + rutile ± biotite ± white mica. Based on petrography and geochemistry, the marbles can be broadly divided into two main types. The first type (type 1) is rich in REE with a negative Eu anomaly, whereas the second type (type 2) is relatively poor in REE with a positive Eu anomaly. Notably, all marbles exhibit remarkably uniform REE patterns with moderate LREE/HREE fractionation, suggesting a close genetic relationship. Cathodoluminescence imaging, trace elements and mineral inclusions reveal that most zircons from two dated samples display distinct core-rim structures. Zircon cores show typical igneous features with oscillatory growth zoning and high Th/U ratios (mostly in the range 0.3-0.7) and give ages of 2.53 - 2.48 Ga, thus dating the maximum age of deposition of the protolith. Zircon rims overgrew during granulite-facies metamorphism, as evidenced by calcite + clinopyroxene + rutile + plagioclase + quartz inclusions, by Ti-in-zircon temperatures in the range 660-743 °C and by the low Th/U (mostly < 0.1) and Lu/Hf (< 0.001) ratios. Zircon rims from two dated samples yield ages of 1839 ± 7 Ma and 1848 ± 23 Ma, respectively, suggesting a Palaeoproterozoic age for the granulite-facies metamorphic event. These ages are consistent with those found in other Precambrian basement rocks and lower-crustal xenoliths in the region, and are critical for the understanding of the tectonic history of the Wuhe Complex. Positive Eu anomalies and high Sr and Ba contents in type 2 marbles are ascribed to syn-depositional felsic hydrothermal activity which occurred at 2.53 - 2.48 Ga. Our results, together with other published data and the inferred tectonic setting, suggest that the marbles' protolith is an impure limestone, rich in detrital silicates of igneous origin, deposited in a back-arc basin within an active continental margin during the late Archean and affected by synchronous high-T hydrothermalism at the southeastern margin of the North China Craton.

Effect of low vitamin A diets with high-moisture or dry corn on marbling and adipose tissue fatty acid composition of beef steers.

PubMed

Gorocica-Buenfil, M A; Fluharty, F L; Bohn, T; Schwartz, S J; Loerch, S C

2007-12-01

Angus-cross steers (n = 165; 295 +/- 16 kg of BW) were used evaluate the effect of low vitamin A diets with high-moisture corn (HMC) or dry corn (DC) on marbling and fatty acid composition. Steers were allotted to 24 pens (7 steers/pen), such that each pen had the same average initial BW. Treatments were randomly allotted to the pens. The experiment had a completely randomized design, with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: low vitamin A (Lo, no supplemental vitamin A) and HMC (LoHMC); LoDC; high vitamin A (Hi, supplemented with 2,200 IU of vitamin A/kg of DM) and HMC (HiHMC); and HiDC. Diets contained 76% corn, 10% corn silage, 11% protein supplement, and 3% soybean oil (DM basis). Samples of feed ingredients were collected for carotenoid analysis. Blood samples were collected for serum retinol determination. Steers were slaughtered after 145 d on feed. Carcass characteristics and LM composition were determined. Samples from the s.c. fat depot were analyzed for fatty acid composition. High-moisture corn had a greater vitamin A content, based on its carotenoid content, than DC (614 vs. 366 IU/kg of DM, P < 0.01). No vitamin A x corn type interactions were detected for feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, or serum, s.c. fat, or liver retinol concentration. Average daily gain, DMI, and G:F were not affected by vitamin A (P > 0.05). Marbling score and USDA quality grade were greater (P < 0.05) in Lo vs. Hi steers. Hot carcass weight, backfat, and yield grade were not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Vitamin A and corn type did not affect LM composition (DM, ash, CP, or ether-extractable fat, P > 0.05). Vitamin A supplementation increased (P < 0.06) serum retinol on d 112 and 145 and increased (P < 0.01) liver retinol at slaughter (Lo = 38.7 vs. Hi = 102.9 mug/g). The s.c. fat retinol concentrations were less (P < 0.01) for Lo (0.8 mug/g) than for Hi (1.4 mug/g) at slaughter. Cell diameter of adipocytes in the i.m. depot was not affected by dietary vitamin A (P > 0.05). A vitamin A x corn type interaction was observed (P < 0.05) for the s.c. fat cellularity. Feeding HMC increased the number of cells per square millimeter when Lo diets were fed (LoHMC = 128 vs. LoDC = 100 cells/mm(2), P < 0.05), but not when Hi diets were fed (HiHMC = 109 vs. HiDC = 111 cells/mm(2), P > 0.05). The CLA content of adipose tissue was not affected by the treatments. Regardless of the corn type used, feeding low vitamin A diets for 145 d to Angus-cross steers increased marbling and quality grade without affecting yield grade, animal health, or performance.

From trees to seas--Marbled Murrelet numbers are down

Treesearch

Martin G. Raphael; Gary A. Falxa; Joan O' Callaghan

2013-01-01

In 1992, the marbled murrelet population in the Pacific Northwest was listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, along with the northern spotted owl and Pacific salmon. These designations were embodied in the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan, which takes an ecosystem approach to managing about 25 million acres of federal lands, with a goal of...

Chapter 12: Daily Patterns of Marbled Murrelet Activity at Inland Sites

Treesearch

Nancy L. Naslund; Brian P. O’Donnell

1995-01-01

Patterns in the daily activity of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) at inland sites has been studied throughout their range from California to Alaska. Murrelets are most active at inland sites around dawn, and to a lesser degree, at dusk. Throughout their range, peak levels of activity (detections) occur in the hour around dawn, but...

Declining Marbled Murrelet density, but not productivity, in the San Juan Islands, Washington, USA

Treesearch

Teresa J. Lorenz; Martin G. Raphael

2018-01-01

The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is federally threatened in part of its range in western North America. Information on density and productivity is important for managing populations. Over an 18-yr period, we monitored murrelet density and productivity ratios during the breeding season along 170 km of shoreline of the San Juan Islands...

Chapter 10: Marbled Murrelet Inland Patterns of Activity: Defining Detections and Behavior

Treesearch

Peter W.C. Paton

1995-01-01

This chapter summarizes terminology and methodology used by Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) biologists when surveying inland forests. Information is included on the types of behaviors used to determine if murrelets may be nesting in an area, and the various types of detections used to quantify murrelet use of forest stands. Problems with...

Chapter 27: Mortality of Marbled Murrelets in Gill Nets in North America

Treesearch

Harry R. Carter; Michael L.C. McAllister; M.E. Pete Isleib

1995-01-01

Mortality of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) due to accidental capture in gill nets is one of the major threats to murrelet populations. Gill-net mortality of murrelets throughout their range has been occurring for several decades and probably has contributed to declines in populations, in conjunction with loss of nesting habitat and...

Evaluation of the innate immune response of Angus heifers with genetic marker variation for intramuscular fat deposition following a lipopolysaccharide challenge

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This study evaluated the effect of genetic selection for markers related to marbling deposition in Angus heifers on the immune response following a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Fall-born heifers (n = 19; ~7 months of age, 274 +/- 24 kg) with genetic variation for marbling were utilized inclu...

Meeting reproductive demands in a dynamic upwelling system: foraging strategies of a pursuit-diving seabird, the marbled murrelet

Treesearch

M. Zachariah Peery; Scott H. Newman; Curt D. Storlazzi; Steven R. Beissinger

2009-01-01

Seabirds maintain plasticity in their foraging behavior to cope with energy demands and foraging constraints that vary over the reproductive cycle, but behavioral studies comparing breeding and nonbreeding individuals are rare. Here we characterize how Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) adjust their foraging effort in response to changes...

Stand-scale habitat associations across a large geographic region of an old-growth specialist, the marbled murrelet

Treesearch

Carolyn B. Meyer; Sherri L. Miller; C. John Ralph

2004-01-01

We used two metrics, occupancy and relative abundance, to study forest stand characteristics believed to be important to a threatened seabird that nests in old-growth forests, the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus). Occupancy refers to murrelet presence or absence based on observed bird behaviors, while relative abundance refers to...

An Environmental Handbook of the Marble Area.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campbell, Dan

The Elk Range located in the very center of the Colorado Rocky Mountains is described in this guide to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area. Near the ghost town of Marble, Colorado, this wilderness area is described as 66,000 acres 150 miles outside Denver encompassing 25% of all established wilderness in Colorado, 130 miles of marked trails,…

Marine habitat selection by marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) during the breeding season

Treesearch

Teresa J. Lorenz; Martin G. Raphael; Thomas D. Bloxton; Christian Andrew Hagen

2016-01-01

The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a declining seabird that is wellknown for nesting in coastal old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest. Most studies of habitat selection have focused on modeling terrestrial nesting habitat even though marine habitat is believed to be a major contributor to population declines in some regions....

Chapter 23: Marbled Murrelet At-Sea and Foraging Behavior

Treesearch

Gary Strachan; Michael McAllister; C. John Ralph

1995-01-01

The behavior of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) at sea while foraging for small fish and invertebrates is poorly known. This murrelet forages by pursuit diving in relatively shallow waters, usually between 20 and 80 meters in depth. We have also observed it diving in waters less than 1 meter and more than 100 meters deep. The majority of...

Chapter 5: Marbled murrelet

Treesearch

Martin G. Raphael; Gary A. Falxa; Alan E. Burger

2018-01-01

In this chapter, we describe expectations of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP, or Plan) and review recent science on the ecology and status of the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), with an emphasis on the portion of the species’ range that falls within the Plan area. The conservation strategy embodied in the NWFP evolved from designation and protection of a...

Wort free amino nitrogen analysis adapted to a microplate format

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The standard method for determining wort free amino nitrogen content calls for the use of test tubes and glass marbles, as well as boiling and 20°C water baths. In this paper we describe how the standard method can be updated and streamlined by replacing water baths, test tubes and marbles with a th...

Measuring Marbles: Demonstrating the Basic Tenets of Measurement Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wininger, Steven R.

2007-01-01

A hands-on activity is described in which students attempt to measure something that they cannot see. In small groups, students estimate the number of marbles in sealed boxes. Next, students' estimates are compared with the actual numbers. Last, values from both the students' estimates and actual numbers are used to explain measurement theory and…

Use of fragmented landscapes by Marbled Murrelets for nesting in Southern Oregon

Treesearch

C.B. Meyer; S.L. Miller

2002-01-01

As oldgrowth forest becomes more fragmented in the Pacific Northwest (U.S.A.), species dependent on large patches of oldgrowth forest may be at greater risk of extinction. The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), a seabird whose populations are declining in North America, nests in such old-growth forests or forests with large remnant trees....

Chapter 33: Offshore Population Estimates of Marbled Murrelets in California

Treesearch

C. John Ralph; Sherri L. Miller

1995-01-01

We devised a method of estimating population size of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) found in California’s offshore waters. The method involves determining the distribution of birds from the shore outward to 6,000 m offshore. Applying this distribution to data from boat surveys, we derived population estimates and estimates of sampling...

Chapter 21: Oceanographic Processes and Marine Productivity in Waters Offshore of Marbled Murrelet Breeding Habitat

Treesearch

Jr. Hunt

1995-01-01

Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) occupy nearshore waters in the eastern North Pacific Ocean from central California to the Aleutian Islands. The offshore marine ecology of these waters is dominated by a series of currents roughly parallel to the coast that determine marine productivity of shelf waters by influencing the rate of nutrient...

Chapter 11: Patterns of Seasonal Variation of Activity of Marbled Murrelets in Forested Stands

Treesearch

Brian P. O’Donnell; Nancy L. Naslund; C. John Ralph

1995-01-01

Determining the annual cycles of Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) behavior is crucial both for understanding the life history and for management of this species. In this paper we review available information on the annual patterns of behavior in forests throughout its range, with special emphasis on California. Data were derived from standardized forest...

Marbled murrelet effectiveness monitoring plan for the Northwest Forest Plan.

Treesearch

Sarah Madsen; Diane Evans; Thomas Hamer; Paul Henson; Sherri Miller; S. Kim Nelson; Daniel Roby; Martin Stapanian

1999-01-01

This report describes options for effectiveness monitoring of long-term status and trends to evaluate the success of the Northwest Forest Plan in maintaining and restoring marbled murrelet nesting habitat and populations on Federal lands. A two-phase approach is described that begins with developing reliable and repeatable processes for identifying nesting habitat and...

Why Do Marbles Become Paler on Grinding? Reflectance, Spectroscopy, Color, and Particle Size

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lagorio, Maria Gabriela

2004-01-01

A qualitative description of the color-change problem, which will assist in rationalizing the change in color of marbles after grinding them using a simple physical picture and the qualitative dependence of diffuse reflectance on particle size is presented. Different approaches are discussed but it is seen that the interpretation of nanoparticles…

Chapter 18: A Landscape-Level Analysis of Marbled Murrelet Habitat in Western Washington

Treesearch

Martin G. Raphael; John A. Young; Beth M. Galleher

1995-01-01

Relationships between landscape-level patterns of forest cover and occupancy by Marbled Murrelets in the state of Washington where state-wide forest-cover information was available were investigated. Using a geographic information system, a 203-hectare circular area surrounding each of 261 previously surveyed locations was delineated. Within each area, we calculated...

Chapter 26: Mortality of Marbled Murrelets Due to Oil Pollution in North America

Treesearch

Harry R. Carter; Katherine J. Kuletz

1995-01-01

Mortality of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) due to oil pollution is one of the major threats to murrelet populations. Mortality from large spills and chronic oil pollution has been occurring for several decades but has been documented poorly throughout their range; it probably has contributed to declines in populations, in conjunction...

Use of radar to study the movements of Marbled Murrelets at inland sites

Treesearch

Thomas E. Hamer; Brian A. Cooper; C. John Ralph

1995-01-01

A modified vehicle-mounted, X-band marine radar system was used to study the movements of marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) at inland and coastal sites in northern California during July. The ability of the radar to discriminate murrelets from other targets, and to estimate abundance was assessed. Murrelets were detected by radar at...

Chapter 8: Nest Success and the Effects of Predation on Marbled Murrelets

Treesearch

S. Kim Nelson; Thomas E. Hamer

1995-01-01

We summarize available information on Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) productivity and sources of mortality compiled from known tree nests in North America. We found that 72 percent (23 of 32) of nests were unsuccessful. Known causes of nest failure included predation of eggs and chicks (n = 10), nest abandonment by adults (n = 4), chicks...

BOOK REVIEW: Tribology on the Small Scale: A Bottom Up Approach to Friction, Lubrication, and Wear Tribology on the Small Scale: A Bottom Up Approach to Friction, Lubrication, and Wear

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hainsworth, S.

2008-11-01

Friction, lubrication and wear interactions between materials make considerable differences to how efficient our engines are, whether or not we ski downhill faster than others, or whether the shoes that we are wearing give us sufficient grip to successfully navigate the marble floors of buildings. Traditionally, tribologists have focussed on the macroscopic issues of tribological problems, looking at the design of components, the viscosity of oils and the mechanical properties of surfaces to understand how components interact to give the desired friction and wear properties. However, in the last twenty years there has been an increasing realization that the processes that are controlling these macroscopic interactions are determined by what happens on the atomic and microscopic scale. Further, with the advent of nano- and micro-electro mechanical systems (NEMs and MEMs), macroscopic scale tribological interactions do not influence the tribology of these devices in the same way, and capillary forces and van der Waal's forces play an increased role in determining whether these devices function successfully. This book aims to fill a gap in the area of tribology textbooks by addressing the important advances that have been made in our understanding of the science of nano- and micro-scale tribological interactions. The book is aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate level students on engineering programmes, academics and scientists interested in atomic and microscopic scale tribological interactions, and engineers and scientists who are not tribologists per se but work in technologies (such as NEMs/MEMs) where tribology is of importance. Whilst the target audience appears to be largely engineers, the book should have wider appeal to physicists, chemists and modellers with interests in tribological interactions. The book consists of twelve chapters with an introduction to the general significance of tribology and a brief history of modern tribology, followed by more detailed coverage of characterization and quantification of surface roughness. There is then a discussion of the mechanical properties of surfaces, and an introduction to contact mechanics. This follows a similar structure to traditional tribology textbooks but there are some nice examples and illustrations of how this relates to small scale tribology, with reference to recording heads on laser textured disk surfaces for example. The origins of friction are then discussed, with a detailed section on stick-slip interactions which are particularly significant in tribological interactions at the small scale. Chapters 5-8 then deviate from the more traditional tribology textbooks and cover surface energies and capillary forces, surface forces and their physical origins, and the measurement of these forces by the surface force apparatus and atomic force microscope. Surface forces at the small scale and capillary forces are extremely important in the successful functioning of small scale nano- or micro-electro mechanical systems, and there is a good discussion of the origin of these forces and how they can be understood, measured and controlled. The final chapters are devoted to lubrication, and atomistic origins of friction and wear. Traditional lubrication theories are initially outlined followed by detailed examples of boundary lubrication and capillary forces in tribology at the micro-scale. There are some nice examples of the importance of lubricant chemistry on sliding forces. Overall I found this book to be well-written and very readable with some very nice examples of why all this fundamental background is of importance in practical applications. The book is well-presented and it should be accessible to its target audience, particularly since the cost is reasonable. Each chapter ends with a set of selected references to allow more detailed study of particular topics if desired. There is a comprehensive index at the end of the book. I will recommend it to my students on courses on tribology and surface engineering.

Investigating the genetic and epigenetic basis of big biological questions with the parthenogenetic marbled crayfish: A review and perspectives.

PubMed

Vogt, Gunter

2018-03-01

In the last 15 years, considerable attempts have been undertaken to develop the obligately parthenogenetic marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis as a new model in biology. Its main advantage is the production of large numbers of offspring that are genetically identical to the mother, making this crustacean particularly suitable for research in epigenetics. Now, a draft genome, transcriptome and genome-wide methylome are available opening new windows for research. In this article, I summarize the biological advantages and genomic and epigenetic features of marbled crayfish and, based on first promising data, discuss what this new model could contribute to answering of ''big'' biological questions. Genome mining is expected to reveal new insights into the genetic specificities of decapod crustaceans, the genetic basis of arthropod reproduction, moulting and immunity, and more general topics such as the genetic underpinning of adaptation to fresh water, omnivory, biomineralization, sexual system change, behavioural variation, clonal genome evolution, and resistance to cancer. Epigenetic investigations with the marbled crayfish can help clarifying the role of epigenetic mechanisms in gene regulation, tissue specification, adult stem cell regulation, cell ageing, organ regeneration and disease susceptibility. Marbled crayfish is further suitable to elucidate the relationship between genetic and epigenetic variation, the transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic signatures and the contribution of epigenetic phenotype variation to the establishment of social hierarchies, environmental adaptation and speciation. These issues can be tackled by experiments with highly standardized laboratory lineages, comparison of differently adapted wild populations and the generation of genetically and epigenetically edited strains.

Marble Deterioration and Climate: Examples from the Schlossbrücke Berlin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pirskawetz, S.; Siegesmund, S.; Weise, F.; Rieffel, Y.; Plagge, R.

2012-04-01

Protective structures for works of art or antique artefacts have a long architectural tradition and have been known in Germany since the 19th century. The effect of such covers on the microclimate around artworks of natural stone, and hence, their protective capability are insufficiently documented and understood. In 2007, an inter-disciplinary model project and part of a pilot study coordinated by the Berlin State Office for the Protection of Monuments was planned with the aim of developing an innovative winter covering system for marble statuaries located on the Schlossbrücke in Berlin. Such a system would need to fulfil the various requirements for structural stability, aesthetics, climate and practical use. This applied research represents the first complex scientific study of the sustainability of a winter covering system. A climate monitoring system was designed to create a dense database for the numerical prediction of the effect of protective systems, and to compare the given climate conditions to the known factors influencing the marble deterioration. Based on these findings a prototype of an innovative shelter was designed and tested. The project shows, that beside a temporary covering regular inspection and maintenance combined with regular cleaning ensures an effective and sustainable protection of marble sculptures. Such a maintenance program is the precondition for preserving the sculptures of the Schlossbrücke as a historical ensemble. Important scientific results of the project are transferable to similar objects of Carrara marble. The results throw a new light on the conventional protection of such objects and leads to a discussion on the necessity of an all-season protection.

Janus droplets: liquid marbles coated with dielectric/semiconductor particles.

PubMed

Bormashenko, Edward; Bormashenko, Yelena; Pogreb, Roman; Gendelman, Oleg

2011-01-04

The manufacturing of water droplets wrapped with two different powders, carbon black (semiconductor) and polytetrafluoroethylene (dielectric), is presented. Droplets composed of two hemispheres (Janus droplets) characterized by various physical and chemical properties are reported first. Watermelon-like striped liquid marbles are reported. Janus droplets remained stable on solid and liquid supports and could be activated with an electric field.

Chapter 29: Marine Distribution, Abundance, and Habitats of Marbled Murrelets in British Columbia

Treesearch

Alan E. Burger

1995-01-01

About 45,000-50,000 Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) breed in British Columbia, with some birds found in most parts of the inshore coastline. A review of at-sea surveys at 84 sites revealed major concentrations in summer in six areas. Murrelets tend to leave these breeding areas in winter. Many murrelets overwinter in the Strait of...

Chapter 37: Population Trends of the Marbled Murrelet Projected From Demographic Analyses

Treesearch

Steven B. Beissinger

1995-01-01

A demographic model of the Marbled Murrelet is developed to explore likely population trends and factors influencing them. The model was structured to use field data on juvenile ratios, collected near the end of the breeding season and corrected for date of census, to estimate fecundity. Survivorship was estimated for the murrelet based on comparative analyses of...

Logistic regression accuracy across different spatial and temporal scales for a wide-ranging species, the marbled murrelet

Treesearch

Carolyn B. Meyer; Sherri L. Miller; C. John Ralph

2004-01-01

The scale at which habitat variables are measured affects the accuracy of resource selection functions in predicting animal use of sites. We used logistic regression models for a wide-ranging species, the marbled murrelet, (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in a large region in California to address how much changing the spatial or temporal scale of...

The Acquisition of Temporal Reference Cross-Linguistically Using Two Acting-Out Comprehension Tasks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winskel, Heather

2004-01-01

The acquisition of temporal event referencing, encoded by the temporal connectives: then, before, after, when, while, together, until, and since in English, Thai and Lisu was investigated using two acting-out comprehension tasks, a Marble task and a Toy task. Forty children aged 3.6-7.6 years from each language participated. The Marble and Toy…

The Rhode Island "Washington": Meaning Making in Social Studies through Art History

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Piro, Joseph M.

2005-01-01

The Rhode Island State House in Providence is an imposing structure. It is also an architecturally significant one. Built of white Georgia marble between 1895 and 1904, it has one of only four self-supporting marble covered domes found in the world. It was placed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Looking around, one encounters…

Chapter 9: Molts and Plumages in the Annual Cycle of the Marbled Murrelet

Treesearch

Harry R. Carter; Janet L. Stein

1995-01-01

Marbled Murrelets have distinct basic, alternate and juvenal plumages. In after-hatching-year (adult) birds, the incomplete pre-alternate molt occurs rapidly over a period of about one month per individual between late February and mid-May. The complete pre-basic molt occurs between mid-July and December. At this time, individuals are flightless for about two months....

Assembly of greek marble inscriptions by isotopic methods.

PubMed

Herz, N; Wenner, D B

1978-03-10

Classical Greek inscriptions cut in marble, whose association as original stelai by archeological methods was debatable, were selected for study. Using traditional geological techniques and determinations of the per mil increments in carbon-13 and oxygen-18, it was determined that fragments could be positively assigned to three stelai, but that fragments from three other stelai had been incorrectly associated.

Chapter 3: Comparative Reproductive Ecology of the Auks (Family Alcidae) with Emphasis on the Marbled Murrelet

Treesearch

Toni L. De Santo; S. Kim Nelson

1995-01-01

Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) are comparable to most alcids with respect to many features of their reproductive ecology. Most of the 22 species of alcids are colonial in their nesting habits, most exhibit breeding site, nest site, and mate fidelity, over half lay one egg clutches, and all share duties of incubation and chick rearing...

Chapter 35: Productivity of marbled murrelets in California from observations of young at sea

Treesearch

C. John Ralph; Linda L. Long

1995-01-01

We designed and tested an intensive survey method in 1993 to identify juvenile Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) at sea. From this, we used the percent of juveniles seen in the sample as an index of productivity of murrelets along the California coast. We found 2.2 percent of the population sampled were juveniles, similar to our estimates...

Northwest Forest Plan—the first 20 years (1994–2013): status and trend of marbled murrelet populations and nesting habitat

Treesearch

Gary A. Falxa; Martin G. Raphael

2016-01-01

A conservation goal of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) is to stabilize and increase marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) populations by maintaining and increasing nesting habitat. We monitored murrelet populations offshore of the NWFP area from 2000 to 2013 to estimate population size and trend at several spatial scales. At the...

Chapter 7: Breeding and Natal Dispersal, Nest Habitat Loss and Implications for Marbled Murrelet Populations

Treesearch

George J. Divoky; Michael Horton

1995-01-01

Evidence of breeding and natal dispersal in alcids is typically provided by the resightings of banded birds, the establishment of new colonies, and/or evidence of immigration to established colonies. The difficulties in banding, observing, and censusing Marbled Murrelets at nesting areas preclude using any of these methods for this species. Based on the limited number...

Ranking habitat for Marbled Murrelets: New conservation approach for species with uncertain detection

Treesearch

Howard B. Stauffer; C. John Ralph; Sherri L. Miller

2004-01-01

An essential element in the conservation of rare species is the ranking of some aspects of habitat quality. We developed a method to rank the importance of individual habitat patches to Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in 26 old-growth forest stands in northern California, using estimates of stand occupaqcy as an index of nesting activity...

Evidence of changes in populations of the Marbled Murrelet in the Pacific Northwest

Treesearch

C. John Ralph

1994-01-01

The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) occurs along the coasts of the North Pacific. It is unique among the Alcidae in its tree nesting habits. Recent research has revealed that in forested areas it is closely associated with old-growth coniferous forests, most of which have been harvested over the past 100 years. All historical accounts,...

The secret life of marbled murrelets: monitoring populations and habitats.

Treesearch

Jonathan Thompson

2007-01-01

The marbled murrelet is a small diving seabird that occupies coastal waters from Alaska to central California. Murrelets have a unique nesting strategy that requires them to commute tens of miles inland, where they use large mossy branches on older conifers as platforms to balance their solitary egg. Populations have been declining for decades as the amount of nesting...

Breeding distribution of the marbled murrelet in Redwood National Park and vicinity during 1988

Treesearch

C. John Ralph; Peter W. C. Paton; Aivars Zakis; Gary Strachan

1990-01-01

We report on an intensive research effort to determine the present status of the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in the vicinity of Redwood National Park, in Del Norte and northern Humboldt Counties, California. This seabird is primarily an inhabitant of the nearshore waters and adjacent coastal redwood forests of the northern half of the...

More about the Puzzle of a Marble in a Spinning Pipe

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mungan, Carl E.

2015-01-01

What trajectory in the laboratory frame does a marble follow if it is held inside a freely rotating pipe and then suddenly released so that it can slide frictionlessly outward along the pipe? A previously published solution is only valid for a pipe of small moment of inertia (so that it is either low in mass or short in length).

Northwest Forest Plan—the first 15 years (1994–2008): status and trend of nesting habitat for the marbled murrelet

Treesearch

Martin G. Raphael; Gary A. Falxa; Katie M. Dugger; Beth M. Galleher; Deanna Lynch; Sherri L. Miller; S. Kim Nelson; Richard D. Young

2011-01-01

The primary objectives of the effectiveness monitoring plan for the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) include mapping baseline nesting habitat (at the start of the Northwest Forest Plan [the Plan]) and estimating changes in that habitat over time. Using vegetation data derived from satellite imagery, we modeled habitat suitability by...

Re-use of nest sites by marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in British Columbia

Treesearch

Alan E. Burger; Irene A. Manley; Michael P. Silvergieter; David B. Lank; Kevin M. Jordan; Thomas D. Bloxton; Martin G. Raphael

2009-01-01

Marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) nest predominantly in the canopies of large old-growth conifers, and are listed as Threatened in Canada and three U.S. states mainly as a consequence of reductions in this habitat owing to logging. We assessed the re-use of nest sites (nest trees) by murrelets in British Columbia using three types of...

Chapter 2: The Asian Race of the Marbled Murrelet

Treesearch

Nikolai B. Konyukhov; Alexander S. Kitaysky

1995-01-01

We present here an overview of the ecology, abundance, and distribution of the subspecies of the Marbled Murrelet inhabiting the coasts of Asia. In most regards, the species is similar to the North American race with respect to its feeding, breeding, molt, and habitat ecology. It is, however, a migratory species, moving into southern parts of its range in the Sea of...

Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the akirin 2 gene with economically important traits in Korean native cattle.

PubMed

Kim, H; Lee, S K; Hong, M W; Park, S R; Lee, Y S; Kim, J W; Lee, H K; Jeong, D K; Song, Y H; Lee, S J

2013-12-01

The akirin 2 gene, located on chromosome 9 in cattle, was previously reported to be associated with nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), involved in immune reactions and marbling of meat. To determine whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in akirin 2 is associated with economically important traits of Korean native cattle, the c.*188G>A SNP DNA marker in the 3'-UTR region of akirin 2 was analyzed for its association with carcass weight, longissimus muscle area and marbling. The c.*188G>A SNP was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the frequency of the AA, AG, and GG genotypes were 6.82%, 71.29% and 21.88% respectively. This SNP was significantly associated with longissimus muscle area (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.05), and marbling score (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.01). These results suggest that the c.*188G>A SNP of akirin 2 might be useful as a DNA marker for longissimus muscle area and marbling scores in Korean native cattle. © 2013 The Authors, Animal Genetics © 2013 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.

NRC assessment of the Department of Energy annealing demonstration project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jackson, D.A.; Malik, S.N.

1997-02-01

Thermal annealing is the only known method for mitigating the effects of neutron irradiation embrittlement in reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels. In May 1996, the US Department of Energy (DOE) in conjunction with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Westinghouse, Cooperheat, Electric Power Research Institute (with participating utilities), Westinghouse Owner`s Group, Consumers Power, Electricite` de France, Duquesne Light and the Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry (Japan) sponsored an annealing demonstration project (ADP) at Marble Hill. The Marble Hill Plant, located in Madison, Indiana, is a Westinghouse 4 loop design. The plant was nearly 70% completed when themore » project was canceled. Hence, the RPV was never irradiated. The paper will present highlights from the NRCs independent evaluation of the Marble Hill Annealing Demonstration Project.« less

The white marble used in Brasília, a World Heritage and the capital of Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heloisa Barros de Oliveira Frascá, Maria

2015-04-01

Created as the Brazilian capital, in the central western part of Brazil, Brasilia is a definitive example of 20th century modernist urbanism. It was built in only four years, from 1956 to 1960, following the project of urban planner Lucio Costa and architect Oscar Niemeyer that intended that every element - from the layout of the residential and administrative districts (often compared to the shape of a bird in flight) to the symmetry of the buildings themselves - should be in harmony with the city's overall design. This description is from the World Heritage Centre, of Unesco, that nominated Brasilia as a Cultural Heritage Property in 1987. Most of the remarkable buildings designed Oscar Niemeyer, cited by Unesco, are around the Plaza of Three Powers, as the Planalto ("Plateau") Palace, the National Congress, the Supreme Court, the Cathedral, the National Theatre among others. Aside from the worldwide recognition of the architectonic value of these buildings, it is barely mentioned the expressive use of white marble as cladding. Very few are found in the literature about specification criteria, provenance, fixation method and conservation. According to Oscar Niemeyer Foundation, at this moment they know that the stone come from a supplier in the State of Rio de Janeiro. A preliminary research indicated that the marble used in most of Brasilia buildings are from the municipality of Italva, in the northwest of the State of Rio de Janeiro (DRM-RJ, 2012). In a study carried out by DRM-RJ, in 2003, it is mentioned two white marble commercialized as dimension stone in Italva: "Sparkling Marble" (SM) and "Italva White Marble" (IWM), respectively dolomite-calcite marble and dolomite marble. Their main characteristics are: bulk specific gravity: 2,792 kg/m3 (SM) and 2,852kg/m3 (IWM); water absorption: 0.08 % (SM) and 0.10 % (IWM); uniaxial compression strength: 84.3 MPa (SM) and 88.2 MPa (IWM); modulus of rupture: 9.92 MPa (SM) and 8.75 MPa (IWM); coefficient of linear dilatation: 6.0 10-3mm/m.oC (SM) and 5.2 10-3mm/m.oC (IWM). This data indicate that in spite the marble specification had not followed any technical or scientific criteria, or at least they are not easily available, they show good engineering properties and most of the slabs are still in the buildings. The preservation of this cultural world heritage is an urgent demand, as pointed by Unesco, and one of the main challenges is the stone conservation planning, to which is already necessary serious multidisciplinary technical and scientific studies. References DRM-RJ - DEPARTMENT OF MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE OF RIO DE JANEIRO. (2003) Rio de Janeiro State dimension stones catalogue. DRM: Rio de Janeiro, 12 cards. DRM-RJ (2012) Mineral panorama of the State of Rio de Janeiro. DRM: Rio de Janeiro, 258p. (in Portuguese). UNESCO. World Heritage List. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/445. (05/January/2015). FRASCÁ, M.H.B.O.; NAVARRO, F.C.; QUITETE, E.B. (2014) Staining tests for granitic stone conservation. In: Lollino, G. et al. (org.). Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Preservation of cultural heritage. London: Springer International Publishing Switzerland, v. 8.

Weathering and weathering rates of natural stone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winkler, Erhard M.

1987-06-01

Physical and chemical weathering were studied as separate processes in the past. Recent research, however, shows that most processes are physicochemical in nature. The rates at which calcite and silica weather by dissolution are dependent on the regional and local climatic environment. The weathering of silicate rocks leaves discolored margins and rinds, a function of the rocks' permeability and of the climatic parameters. Salt action, the greatest disruptive factor, is complex and not yet fully understood in all its phases, but some of the causes of disruption are crystallization pressure, hydration pressure, and hygroscopic attraction of excess moisture. The decay of marble is complex, an interaction between disolution, crack-corrosion, and expansion-contraction cycies triggered by the release of residual stresses. Thin spalls of granites commonly found near the street level of buildings are generally caused by a combination of stress relief and salt action. To study and determine weathering rates of a variety of commercial stones, the National Bureau of Standards erected a Stone Exposure Test Wall in 1948. Of the many types of stone represented, only a few fossiliferous limestones permit a valid measurement of surface reduction in a polluted urban environment.

"Belgian black and red marbles" as potential candidates for Global Heritage Stone Resource

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tourneur, Francis; Pereira, Dolores

2016-04-01

The Paleozoic substrate of South Belgium is rich in compact limestones, able to take a good polished finishing and to be used as "marbles". Among them, the black and red varieties were and still are of special importance, intensively exploited and largely exported, almost worldwide. The pure black marbles were extracted mostly from Frasnian (Upper Devonian) and Viséan (Lower Carboniferous) strata, in many localities like Namur, Dinant, Theux and Basècles. Today only the Frasnian variety is still exploited in a spectacular underground quarry in Golzinne, close to the town of Gembloux. These black marbles, already known in Antiquity, were exported since the Middle Age, first in Western Europe, then, from the 19th c., at a larger scale, almost worldwide. Among their most frequent uses figured of course funeral objects, like the epitaph of the Pope Adrian the 1st, offered by Charlemagne and preserved in the St-Pieter basilica in Rom. Another famous reference is the tombs of the Dukes of Burgundy in Dijon, with white crystalline marble and alabaster. The red marbles are limestones from reefal origin, forming mudmounds more or less rich in fossils of Late Frasnian (Late Devonian) age. They show a strong variability in colors, from dark red to light pinkish grey, and in texture, with many sedimentary structures and/or tectonic veins. The outcrops are non-stratified, which allows extraction of large blocks, for example for high columns. Known in the Roman time, they were intensively exploited since at least the 16th c. During the 19th and beginning of 20th c., more than hundred quarries were active in South Belgium, from Rance at West to Chaudfontaine at East, around Philippeville and Rochefort. They were largely used both in civil and religious buildings, mostly for inside decoration, for examples as altars or fireplaces. Among the most symbolic places, the Belgian red marbles were massively employed in Versailles, like in the famous "Galerie des Glaces". But many examples of historical buildings are known around the world, for examples the decoration of the harem of Topkapi in Istanbul in the 19th c. or in the floors of the St-Pieter basilica in Rom. Today, only one quarry is active, in Vodelée, a village close to Philippeville but all the varieties of colors and textures can be obtained from this unique source. Both referred materials present the characteristics needed to be candidates to the Global Heritage Stone Resource designation.

Comics and the Structure of Childhood Feeling: Sublimation and the Play of Pretending in Gilbert Hernandez's "Marble Season"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewkowich, David

2016-01-01

In this paper, I study the narrative structure of comics as a means to describe the ways that indeterminate modes of representation can allow the reader to imagine that which in childhood can never be fully expressed. Analyzing a number of panels from Gilbert Hernandez's graphic novel, "Marble Season," I describe a conceptual link…

A review of the effects of station placement and observer bias in detections of marbled murrelets in forest stands

Treesearch

Brian P. O’Donnel

1995-01-01

A variety of factors influence the results of surveys conducted for Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in the forest. In this paper we examine observer variability and survey station placement as factors influencing murrelet survey data. A training and evaluation protocol (Ralph and others 1993) was developed to insure high field abilities and comparability...

Habitat associations of marbled murrelets during the nesting season in nearshore waters along the Washington to California coast

Treesearch

Martin G. Raphael; Andrew J. Shirk; Gary A. Falxa; Scott F. Pearson

2015-01-01

The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a seabird in the family Alcidae that forages in nearshore waters of the Pacific Northwest, and nests in adjacent older-forest conifers within 80 km offshore. The species is of conservation concern due to habitat loss and declining numbers, and is listed as Threatened in British Columbia, Canada and...

Genetic analyses of historic and modern marbled murrelets suggest decoupling of migration and gene flow after habitat fragmentation

Treesearch

M. Zachariah Peery; Laurie A. Hall; Sellas. Anna; Steven R. Beissinger; Craig Moritz; Martine Berube; Martin G. Raphael; S. Kim Nelson; Richard T. Golightly; Laura McFarlane-Tranquilla; Scott H. Newman; Per J. Palsboll

2009-01-01

The dispersal of individuals among fragmented populations is generally thought to prevent genetic and demographic isolation, and ultimately reduce extinction risk. In this study, we show that a century of reduction in coastal old-growth forests, as well as a number of other environmental factors, has probably resulted in the genetic divergence of marbled murrelets (...

Chapter 30: Marbled Murrelet Populations of Washington — Marine Habitat Preferences and Variability of Occurrence

Treesearch

Steven M. Speich; Terrence R. Wahl

1995-01-01

Marbled Murrelets occur in Puget Sound marine habitats in relatively low numbers. The rates of occurrence of murrelets on censuses within marine habitats is generally low. Further analysis is required to determine if low occurrence rates are a general function of the movement of birds, or their consistent occurrence on particular censuses and not on others. Qualitative...

Enhanced responsiveness to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during lactation.

PubMed

Jury, Nicholas J; McCormick, Betsy A; Horseman, Nelson D; Benoit, Stephen C; Gregerson, Karen A

2015-01-01

The physiology of mood regulation in the postpartum is poorly understood despite the fact that postpartum depression (PPD) is a common pathology. Serotonergic mechanisms and their dysfunction are widely presumed to be involved, which has led us to investigate whether lactation induces changes in central or peripheral serotonin (5-HT) systems and related affective behaviors. Brain sections from lactating (day 10 postpartum) and age-matched nulliparous (non-pregnant) C57BL/6J mice were processed for 5-HT immunohistochemistry. The total number of 5-HT immunostained cells and optical density were measured. Lactating mice exhibited lower immunoreactive 5-HT and intensity in the dorsal raphe nucleus when compared with nulliparous controls. Serum 5-HT was quantified from lactating and nulliparous mice using radioimmunoassay. Serum 5-HT concentrations were higher in lactating mice than in nulliparous controls. Affective behavior was assessed in lactating and non-lactating females ten days postpartum, as well as in nulliparous controls using the forced swim test (FST) and marble burying task (MBT). Animals were treated for the preceding five days with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI, citalopram, 5mg/kg/day) or vehicle. Lactating mice exhibited a lower baseline immobility time during the FST and buried fewer marbles during the MBT as compared to nulliparous controls. Citalopram treatment changed these behaviors in lactating mice with further reductions in immobility during the FST and decreased marble burying. In contrast, the same regimen of citalopram treatment had no effect on these behaviors in either non-lactating postpartum or nulliparous females. Our findings demonstrate changes in both central and peripheral 5-HT systems associated with lactation, independent of pregnancy. They also demonstrate a significant interaction of lactation and responsiveness to SSRI treatment, which has important implications in the treatment of PPD. Although recent evidence has cast doubt on the effectiveness of SSRIs, these results support their therapeutic use in the treatment of PPD.

Enhanced Responsiveness to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors during Lactation

PubMed Central

Jury, Nicholas J.; McCormick, Betsy A.; Horseman, Nelson D.; Benoit, Stephen C.; Gregerson, Karen A.

2015-01-01

The physiology of mood regulation in the postpartum is poorly understood despite the fact that postpartum depression (PPD) is a common pathology. Serotonergic mechanisms and their dysfunction are widely presumed to be involved, which has led us to investigate whether lactation induces changes in central or peripheral serotonin (5-HT) systems and related affective behaviors. Brain sections from lactating (day 10 postpartum) and age-matched nulliparous (non-pregnant) C57BL/6J mice were processed for 5-HT immunohistochemistry. The total number of 5-HT immunostained cells and optical density were measured. Lactating mice exhibited lower immunoreactive 5-HT and intensity in the dorsal raphe nucleus when compared with nulliparous controls. Serum 5-HT was quantified from lactating and nulliparous mice using radioimmunoassay. Serum 5-HT concentrations were higher in lactating mice than in nulliparous controls. Affective behavior was assessed in lactating and non-lactating females ten days postpartum, as well as in nulliparous controls using the forced swim test (FST) and marble burying task (MBT). Animals were treated for the preceding five days with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI, citalopram, 5mg/kg/day) or vehicle. Lactating mice exhibited a lower baseline immobility time during the FST and buried fewer marbles during the MBT as compared to nulliparous controls. Citalopram treatment changed these behaviors in lactating mice with further reductions in immobility during the FST and decreased marble burying. In contrast, the same regimen of citalopram treatment had no effect on these behaviors in either non-lactating postpartum or nulliparous females. Our findings demonstrate changes in both central and peripheral 5-HT systems associated with lactation, independent of pregnancy. They also demonstrate a significant interaction of lactation and responsiveness to SSRI treatment, which has important implications in the treatment of PPD. Although recent evidence has cast doubt on the effectiveness of SSRIs, these results support their therapeutic use in the treatment of PPD. PMID:25689282

Progesterone protects normative anxiety-like responding among ovariectomized female mice that conditionally express the HIV-1 regulatory protein, Tat, in the CNS.

PubMed

Paris, Jason J; Fenwick, Jason; McLaughlin, Jay P

2014-05-01

Increased anxiety is co-morbid with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Actions of the neurotoxic HIV-1 regulatory protein, Tat, may contribute to affective dysfunction. We hypothesized that Tat expression would increase anxiety-like behavior of female GT-tg bigenic mice that express HIV-1 Tat protein in the brain in a doxycycline-dependent manner. Furthermore, given reports that HIV-induced anxiety may occur at lower rates among women, and that the neurotoxic effects of Tat are ameliorated by sex steroids in vitro, we hypothesized that 17β-estradiol and/or progesterone would ameliorate Tat-induced anxiety-like effects. Among naturally-cycling proestrous and diestrous mice, Tat-induction via 7days of doxycycline treatment significantly increased anxiety-like responding in an open field, elevated plus maze and a marble-burying task, compared to treatment with saline. Proestrous mice demonstrated less anxiety-like behavior than diestrous mice in the open field and elevated plus maze, but these effects did not significantly interact with Tat-induction. Among ovariectomized mice, doxycycline-induced Tat protein significantly increased anxiety-like behavior in an elevated plus maze and a marble burying task compared to saline-treated mice, but not an open field (where anxiety-like responding was already maximal). Co-administration of progesterone (4mg/kg), but not 17β-estradiol (0.09mg/kg), with doxycycline significantly ameliorated anxiety-like responding in the elevated plus maze and marble burying tasks. When administered together, 17β-estradiol partially antagonized the protective effects of progesterone on Tat-induced anxiety-like behavior. These findings support evidence of steroid-protection over HIV-1 proteins, and extend them by demonstrating the protective capacity of progesterone on Tat-induced anxiety-like behavior of ovariectomized female mice. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Market Gate of Miletus: damages, material characteristics and the development of a compatible mortar for restoration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siegesmund, Siegfried; Middendorf, Bernhard

2008-12-01

The indoor exhibit of the Market Gate of Miletus is unique for an archaeological monument. The reconstruction of the gate was done in such a way that most marble fragments were removed leaving cored marble columns 3-4 cm in thickness. These cored columns were mounted on a steel construction and filled with different mortars or filled with specially shaped blocks of brick combined with mortar. All the missing marble elements were replaced by copies made of a Portland cement based concrete, which is compositionally similar to the original building materials. During the Second World War the monument was heavily damaged by aerial bombardment. For 2 years the Market Gate of Miletus was exposed to weathering, because a brick wall protecting the gate was also destroyed. The deterioration phenomena observed are microcracks, macroscopic fractures, flaking, sugaring, greying, salt efflorescence, calcitic-sinter layers and iron oxide formation etc. The rapid deterioration seems to be due to indoor atmospheric effects, and also by a combination of incompatible materials (e.g. marble, steel, mortar, concrete, bricks etc.). Compatible building materials like mortars or stone replacing materials have to be developed for the planned restoration. The requirements for restoration mortars are chemical-mineralogical and physical-mechanical compatibilities with the existing building materials. In detail this means that the mortar should ensure good bonding properties, adapted strength development and not stain the marble when in direct contact. The favoured mortar was developed with a hydraulic binder based on iron-free white cement and pozzolana based on activated clay. A special limestone and quartz sand mixture was used as an aggregate. The cement was adjusted using chemical additives. Specially designed tests were applied extensively to prove whether the developed mortar is suitable for the restoration of this precious monument.

Imaging inert fluorinated gases in cracks: perhaps in David's ankles.

PubMed

Kuethe, Dean O; Scholz, Markus D; Fantazzini, Paola

2007-05-01

Inspired by the challenge of determining the nature of cracks on the ankles of Michelangelo's statue David, we discovered that one can image SF(6) gas in cracks in marble samples with alacrity. The imaging method produces images of gas with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 100-250, which is very high for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in general, let alone for an image of a gas at thermal equilibrium polarization. To put this unusual SNR in better perspective, we imaged SF(6) in a crack in a marble sample and imaged the lung tissue of a live rat (a more familiar variety of sample to many MRI scientists) using the same pulse sequence, the same size coils and the same MRI system. In both cases, we try to image subvoxel thin sheets of material that should appear bright against a darker background. By choosing imaging parameters appropriate for the different relaxation properties of SF(6) gas versus lung tissue and by choosing voxel sizes appropriate for the different goals of detecting subvoxel cracks on marble versus resolving subvoxel thin sheets of tissue, the SNR for voxels full of material was 220 and 14 for marble and lung, respectively. A major factor is that we chose large voxels to optimize SNR for detecting small cracks and we chose small voxels for resolving lung features at the expense of SNR. Imaging physics will cooperate to provide detection of small cracks on marble, but David's size poses a challenge for magnet designers. For the modest goal of imaging cracks in the left ankle, we desire a magnet with an approximately 32-cm gap and a flux density of approximately 0.36 T that weighs <500 kg.

The role of sand, marble chips and Typha latifolia in domestic wastewater treatment - a column study on constructed wetlands.

PubMed

Kadaverugu, Rakesh; Shingare, Rita P; Raghunathan, Karthik; Juwarkar, Asha A; Thawale, Prashant R; Singh, Sanjeev K

2016-10-01

The relative importance of sand, marble chips and wetland plant Typha latifolia is evaluated in constructed wetlands (CWs) for the treatment of domestic wastewater intended for reuse in agriculture. The prototype CWs for the experiments are realized in polyvinyl chloride columns, which are grouped into four treatments, viz. sand (<2 mm) + Typha latifolia (cattail), sand, marble chips (5-20 mm) + cattail and marble chips. The removal percentage of organic and nutritional pollutants from the wastewater is measured at varying hydraulic retention time in the columns. The statistical analysis suggests that the main effects of sand and cattail are found to be significant (p < .05) for the removal of biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand from the wastewater. The presence of cattail significantly (p < .01) contributes to the conversion of total nitrogen in wastewater into [Formula: see text] by fostering the growth of favorable microbes for the nitrification. The removal of [Formula: see text] and turbidity from the wastewater is significantly (p < .01) influenced by sand than the presence of cattail. The maximum [Formula: see text] adsorption capacity of the sand is estimated to be 2.5 mg/g. Marble chips have significantly (p < .01) influenced the removal of [Formula: see text]and its maximum removal capacity is estimated to be 9.3 mg/g. The negative correlation between the filter media biofilm and column hydraulic conductivity is also reported for all the treatments. Thus, the findings of this study elucidate the role of low-cost and easily available filter media and it will guide the environmental practitioners in designing cost-effective CWs for wastewater treatment.

Predator-prey interactions between Synbranchus marmoratus (Teleostei: Synbranchidae) and Hypsiboas pulchellus tadpoles (Amphibia: Hylidae): importance of lateral line in nocturnal predation and effects of fenitrothion exposure.

PubMed

Junges, Celina M; Lajmanovich, Rafael C; Peltzer, Paola M; Attademo, Andres M; Bassó, Agustín

2010-11-01

Environmental contaminants can disrupt interactions between aquatic species by altering community structure. We explored predator-prey interactions between marbled swamp juvenile eels (Synbranchus marmoratus; predator) and anuran tadpoles (Hypsiboas pulchellus; prey) in relation to two aspects: the importance of lateral line in the predator and whether the absence of light modifies predation rates; and the effect of a sub-lethal concentration of fenitrothion on both predator and prey. Eels were tested under two sensory conditions (lateral line intact and lateral line blocked by cobalt chloride) in dark conditions. Predation rates were evaluated using different treatments that combined predator and prey exposed or not to insecticide. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities were also measured in muscle samples of eels and tadpoles to explore whether fenitrothion affects predator and prey differentially. Marbled swamp eels were more efficient in feeding on tadpoles during the night than during the day, showing that lateral line makes an important contribution to prey detection and capture. Regarding pesticide effects, short-term (6 h) exposure to an ecologically relevant fenitrothion dose of 2.5 mg L(-1) altered the predator-prey relationship by changing prey behaviour, reducing prey detection and therefore increasing tadpole survival. At this concentration, the outcome of the predator-prey relationship appears biased in favor of the exposed tadpoles, which were released from predation risk, despite their altered behaviour and the higher inhibition percentages of tail BChE (70%) and AChE (51%) than in control individuals. Our study involving these model species and agrochemicals demonstrates that fenitrothion affected the outcome of a predator-prey relationship. Further studies are needed, in these species and other native amphibians, to investigate the nature of the mechanisms responsible for the adverse effects of pesticides on antipredator behaviour and predation efficiency. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A new genus of proteocephalid tapeworm (Cestoda) from the marbled swamp eel Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) in the River Paraná basin, Argentina.

PubMed

Arredondo, Nathalia J; Alves, Philippe Vieira; Gil de Pertierra, Alicia A

2017-05-05

Synbranchiella gen. n. is proposed to accommodate Synbranchiella mabelae sp. n. (Proteocephalidae: Monticelliinae) from the intestine of the marbled swamp eel Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, in the River Colastiné, a tributary of the middle River Paraná in Argentina. The new genus is placed in the Monticelliinae because of the cortical position of the genital organs. It differs from all known monticelliine genera by the following combination of characters: (i) scolex robust, with a conical apex, without metascolex; (ii) biloculate suckers with a conspicuous septum separating unequally-sized loculi and a robust non-adherent area, lacking free posterior margin; (iii) vitelline follicles in two narrow lateral bands, extended throughout the nearly entire proglottid length; (iv) vagina always anterior to the cirrus-sac, with an inconspicuous vaginal sphincter; (v) a genital pore pre-equatorial. Scanning electron microscopy revealed three types of microtriches on the tegument surface: acicular and capiliform filitriches and gladiate spinitriches. A phylogenetic analysis of the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (lsrDNA, D1-D3 domains) confirms that S. mabelae represents an independent lineage within a large clade comprised mainly from Neotropical taxa parasitising catfishes. This is the second proteocephalidean cestode described from a Neotropical synbranchiform fish host.

Chapter 31: Abundance and Distribution of Marbled Murrelets in Oregon and Washington Based on Aerial Surveys

Treesearch

Daniel H. Varoujean II; Wendy A. Williams

1995-01-01

To determine the abundance and distribution of Marbled Murrelets, aerial surveys of the Oregon coast, Washington outer coast, and shores of the western Strait of Juan de Fuca were conducted in August/September 1993. Based on these marine surveys, abundance estimates are established for Oregon (6,400-6,800 birds) and the waters surveyed in Washington (3,400-3,600 birds...

Chapter 28: Abundance, Distribution, and Population Status of Marbled Murrelets in Alaska

Treesearch

John F. Piatt; Nancy L. Naslund

1995-01-01

Ship-based surveys conducted throughout Alaska during the 1970’s and 1980’s, and more recent small boat surveys conducted in the northern Gulf of Alaska, suggest that about 280,000 murrelets reside in Alaska during summer. Most Marbled Murrelets are concentrated offshore of large tracts of coastal coniferous forests in southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, and the...

Chapter 13: Interannual Differences in Detections of Marbled Murrelets in Some Inland California Stands

Treesearch

C. John Ralph

1995-01-01

I compared the mean level of detections of Marbled Murrelets by month over five years at three inland sites in northern California. These areas all have relatively high levels of detections. There were no significant differences in mean detection levels year to year at any site, and for any month with the exception of April at one site. This lack of evidence for...

Restricted gene flow at the micro- and macro-geographical scale in marble trout based on mtDNA and microsatellite polymorphism.

PubMed

Pujolar, José M; Lucarda, Alvise N; Simonato, Mauro; Patarnello, Tomaso

2011-04-14

The genetic structure of the marble trout Salmo trutta marmoratus, an endemic salmonid of northern Italy and the Balkan peninsula, was explored at the macro- and micro-scale level using a combination of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite data. Sequence variation in the mitochondrial control region showed the presence of nonindigenous haplotypes indicative of introgression from brown trout into marble trout. This was confirmed using microsatellite markers, which showed a higher introgression at nuclear level. Microsatellite loci revealed a strong genetic differentiation across the geographical range of marble trout, which suggests restricted gene flow both at the micro-geographic (within rivers) and macro-geographic (among river systems) scale. A pattern of Isolation-by-Distance was found, in which genetic samples were correlated with hydrographic distances. A general West-to-East partition of the microsatellite polymorphism was observed, which was supported by the geographic distribution of mitochondrial haplotypes. While introgression at both mitochondrial and nuclear level is unlikely to result from natural migration and might be the consequence of current restocking practices, the pattern of genetic substructuring found at microsatellites has been likely shaped by historical colonization patterns determined by the geological evolution of the hydrographic networks.

Suitability assessment of grey water quality treated with an upflow-downflow siliceous sand/marble waste filtration system for agricultural and industrial purposes.

PubMed

Chaabane, Safa; Riahi, Khalifa; Hamrouni, Hédi; Thayer, Béchir Ben

2017-04-01

The present study examines the suitability assessment of an upflow-downflow siliceous sand/marble waste filtration system for treatment and reuse of grey water collected from bathrooms of the student residential complex at the Higher Institute of Engineering Medjez El Bab (Tunisia). Once the optimization of grey water pre-treatment system has been determined, the filtration system was operated at different hydraulic loading rate and media filter proportions in order to assess the suitability of treated grey water for irrigational purpose according to salinity hazard, sodium hazard, magnesium hazard, permeability index, water infiltration rate, and widely used graphical methods. Suitability of the treated grey water for industrial purpose was evaluated in terms of foaming, corrosion, and scaling. Under optimal operational conditions, results reveals that treated grey water samples with an upflow-downflow siliceous sand/marble waste filtration system may be considered as a good and an excellent water quality suitable for irrigation purpose. However, treated grey water was found not appropriate for industrial purpose due to high concentrations of calcium and sodium that can generate foaming and scaling harm to boilers. These results suggest that treated grey water with an upflow-downflow siliceous sand/marble waste filtration system would support production when used as irrigation water.

Anciet marble quarries in Lesvos island Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mataragkas, M.; Mataragkas, D.

2009-04-01

ANCIENT MARBLE QUARRIES IN LESBOS ISLAND, GREECE Varti- Matarangas M.1 & Matarangas D. 1 Institute of Geological and Mining Exploration (IGME), Olympic Village, Entrance C, ACHARNAE 13677, GREECE myrsini@igme.gr , myrsini@otenet.g r A B S T R A C T Ten ancient marble quarries of Lesbos Island, most of them previously unknown, have been studied, in the frame of the research study on the ancient marble quarries in the Aegean Sea. In the present paper the geological, petrological and morphological features of the aforementioned quarries are examined. Concerning the six ancient quarries located in the areas of Tarti, Agia Paraskevi (Tsaf), Mageiras, Loutra, Latomi (Plomari) and Thermi, the authochthonous neopaleozoic unit constitutes their geological formation, while their hosting lithological formations are the included crystalline limestone lens like beds. In two ancient quarries in the areas Moria and Alyfanta, the geological formation is the authochthonous upper Triassic series and the hosting lithological formation the upper Triassic carbonate sequence, while in the areas of Akrasi-Abeliko and Karyni, the geological formation is the thrust Triassic unit and the lithological hosting formations are the included strongly deformed or not crystalline limestone lenticular beds. Furthermore, the petrographic features were also determined permitting the identification of the building stones that have been used.

Protein transduction domain of transactivating transcriptional activator fused to outer membrane protein K of Vibrio parahaemolyticus to vaccinate marbled eels (Anguilla marmorata) confers protection against mortality caused by V. parahaemolyticus.

PubMed

Wang, Hang; Yang, Wei; Shen, Guoying; Zhang, Jianting; Lv, Wei; Ji, Binfeng; Meng, Chun

2015-07-01

Although immersion and oral vaccination are the most practical methods for fish farmers, their applications are very limited due to low immune stimulation effect. We used the protein transduction domain (PTD) of transactivating transcriptional factor (TAT) derived from HIV TAT protein to increase the delivery efficiency of aquatic protein vaccines. Vibrio parahaemolyticus outer membrane protein K (ompK), a reported vaccine candidate for the prevention of V. parahaemolyticus infection, was fused with TAT-PTD expressed in Escherichia coli. We found that PTD-ompK fusion protein effectively penetrated into marbled eel bodies. Analysis of ompK antibody titres demonstrated that immersion vaccination with PTD-ompK was superior to ompK alone and induced robust immune stimulation in marbled eels. Both active and passive protection analyses against immersive challenge with V. parahaemolyticus strains demonstrated that marbled eels immunized with PTD-ompK survived significantly longer than those immunized with ompK alone. Our results indicated that TAT-PTD could be served as is an efficient delivery system for aquatic immersion vaccinations against various infectious diseases commonly seen in aquatic farm industry. © 2015 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.

Status and distribution of the Kittlitz's murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris in Kenai Fjords, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Arimitsu, Mayumi L.; Piatt, John F.; Romano, Marc D.; van Pelt, Thomas I.

2011-01-01

The Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris is a candidate species for listing under the US Endangered Species Act because of its apparent declines within core population areas of coastal Alaska. During the summers of 2006-2008, we conducted surveys in marine waters adjacent to Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska, to estimate the current population size of Kittlitz's and Marbled murrelets B. marmoratus and examine seasonal variability in distribution within coastal fjords. We also evaluated historical data to estimate trend. Based on an average of point estimates, we find the recent population (95% CI) of Kittlitz's Murrelet to be 716 (353-1080) individuals, that of Marbled Murrelet to be 6690 (5427-7953) individuals, and all Brachyramphus murrelets combined to number 8186 (6978-9393) birds. Within-season density estimates showed Kittlitz's Murrelets generally increased between June and July, but dispersed rapidly by August, while Marbled Murrelets generally increased throughout the summer. Trends in Kittlitz's and Marbled murrelet populations were difficult to assess with confidence. Methods for counting or sampling murrelets varied in early decades of study, while in later years there is uncertainty due to highly variable counts among years, which may be due in part to timing of surveys relative to the spring bloom in coastal waters of the Gulf of Alaska.

Intrinsic Hydrophobicity of Rammed Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holub, M.; Stone, C.; Balintova, M.; Grul, R.

2015-11-01

Rammed earth is well known for its vapour diffusion properties, its ability to regulate humidity within the built environment. Rammed earth is also an aesthetically iconic material such as marble or granite and therefore is preferably left exposed. However exposed rammed earth is often coated with silane/siloxane water repellents or the structure is modified architecturally (large roof overhangs) to accommodate for the hydrophilic nature of the material. This paper sets out to find out optimal hydrophobicity for rammed earth based on natural composite fibres and surface coating without adversely affecting the vapour diffusivity of the material. The material is not required to be waterproof, but should resist at least driving rain. In order to evaluate different approaches to increase hydrophobicity of rammed earth surface, peat fibres and four types of repellents were used.

Ice Elevation Changes in the Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica Using Multiple Cosmogenic Nuclides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marrero, S.; Hein, A.; Sugden, D.; Woodward, J.; Dunning, S.; Reid, K.

2014-12-01

Well-dated geologic data points provide important indicators that can be used for the reconstruction of ice sheet dynamics and as constraints in ice sheet models predicting future change. Cosmogenic nuclides, which accumulate in rocks exposed at the earth's surface, can be used to directly date the exposure age of the rock surfaces that have been created through glacial erosion or deposition. The technique requires a detailed understanding of the local geomorphology as well as awareness of the post-depositional processes that may affect the interpretation of exposure ages. Initial surface exposure ages (10Be, 26Al, 21Ne, and 36Cl ) from local limestone bedrock and other glacially deposited exotic lithologies provide a history spanning from 0 to 1.1 Ma in the Patriot, Independence, and Marble Hills in the southern Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica. Using the new surface exposure ages combined with geomorphological mapping, we will discuss the implications for the glacial history of the southern Ellsworth Mountains.

Using Multiple Cosmogenic Nuclides to Investigate Ice Elevation Changes in the Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marrero, Shasta; Hein, Andy; Sugden, David; Woodward, John; Dunning, Stuart; Freeman, Stewart; Shanks, Richard

2015-04-01

Well-dated geologic data points provide important indicators that can be used for the reconstruction of ice sheet dynamics and as constraints in ice sheet models predicting future change. Cosmogenic nuclides, which accumulate in rocks exposed at the earth's surface, can be used to directly date the exposure age of the rock surfaces that have been created through glacial erosion or deposition. The technique requires a detailed understanding of the local geomorphology as well as awareness of the post-depositional processes that may affect the interpretation of exposure ages. Surface exposure ages (10Be, 26Al, 21Ne, and 36Cl) from local limestone bedrock and other glacially deposited exotic lithologies provide a history spanning from 0 to more than 1 million years in the Patriot, Independence, and Marble Hills in the southern Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica. Using the new surface exposure ages combined with geomorphological mapping, we will discuss the implications for the glacial history of the southern Ellsworth Mountains.

Impact of the hydrodyne process on tenderness, microbial load, and sensory characteristics of pork longissimus muscle.

PubMed

Moeller, S; Wulf, D; Meeker, D; Ndife, M; Sundararajan, N; Solomon, M B

1999-08-01

Paired, boneless pork loin muscles were obtained from 76 market hogs to evaluate tenderness, meat quality characteristics, sensory attributes, and microbial characterization of pork muscle exposed to the Hydrodyne Process (H) compared with untreated control (C) loin. A subset of 16 paired loins was randomly selected for use in sensory evaluation and microbial characterization. Loins were vacuum packaged and immersed in a heat shrink tank prior to the H treatment. The Hydrodyne treatment exposed the loin to the pressure equivalent of a 150-g explosive, generating a pressure distribution of approximately 703 kg/cm2 at the surface of the samples. Meat quality assessments taken following treatment included subjective color, firmness/wetness, marbling scores (1 to 5 scale), Minolta reflectance and color readings, drip loss, and lipid content. The P-value for statistical significance for main effects and interactions was set at <.05 in all analyses. Administration of H resulted in a 17% improvement in Warner-Bratzler shear force (2.69 vs. 3.24 kg), with the shear force similar at two end-point cooking times (11 and 16 min) corresponding to approximately 75 and 83 degrees C, respectively. No differences between H and C were observed for color score, firmness score, Minolta L, Minolta Y, or drip loss on uncooked samples. The H loins had lower marbling scores (P<.05) and intramuscular lipid (P<.05) content than the paired C loin. Sensory evaluation on the randomly selected (n = 16) paired loins samples showed no improvement in Warner-Bratzler shear force. Sensory panelists were also unable to detect a difference between H and C loins for both initial and sustained tenderness scores. No differences between H and C loins were found for pork flavor, off-flavor, cohesiveness, or number of chews before swallowing, but H loins had a significantly lower juiciness score and more cooking loss than C loins. Microbial analysis results showed no differences in coliform bacteria counts, aerobic plate counts, and no detectable levels of Escherichia coli bacteria in any loins. The findings support the ability of the Hydrodyne procedure to improve tenderness without impacting other muscle quality attributes of pork.

Regulation of sand transport in the Colorado River by changes in the surface grain size of eddy sandbars over multi-year timescales

USGS Publications Warehouse

Topping, D.J.; Rubin, D.M.; Schmidt, J.C.

2005-01-01

In settings where the transport of sand is partially or fully supply limited, changes in the upstream supply of sand are coupled to changes in the grain size of sand on the bed. In this manner, the transport of sand under the supply-limited case is 'grain-size regulated'. Since the closure of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, the downstream reach of the Colorado River in Marble and Grand Canyons has exhibited evidence of sand-supply limitation. Sand transport in the river is now approximately equally regulated by changes in the discharge of water and changes in the grain sizes of sand on the channel bed and eddy sandbars. Previous work has shown that changes in the grain size of sand on the bed of the channel (driven by changes in the upstream supply of sand owing to both tributary floods and high dam releases) are important in regulating sand transport over timescales of days to months. In this study, suspended-sand data are analysed in conjunction with bed grain-size data to determine whether changes in the grain size of sand on the bed of the channel or changes in the grain size of sand on the surface of eddy sandbars have been more important in regulating sand transport in the post-dam Colorado River over longer, multi-year timescales. The results of this study show that this combined theory- and field-based approach can be used to deduce which environments in a complicated setting are the most important environments for regulating sediment transport. In the case of the regulated Colorado River in Marble and Upper Grand Canyons, suspended-sand transport has been regulated mostly by changes in the surface grain size of eddy sandbars. ?? 2005 International Association of Sedimentologists.

Fault geometries and deformation mechanisms in the evolution of low-angle normal faults (Kea, Greece)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iglseder, C.; Grasemann, B.; Schneider, D.; Rice, A. H. N.; Stöckli, D.; Rockenschaub, M.

2009-04-01

The overall tectonic regime in the Cyclades since the Oligocene has been characterized by crustal extension, accommodated by movements on low-angle normal faults (LANFs). On Kea, structural investigations have demonstrated the existence of an island-wide LANF within a large-scale ductile-brittle shear-zone traceable over a distance of 19.5 km parallel to the stretching lineation. The tectonostratigraphy comprises Attic-Cycladic Crystalline lithologies with a shallowly-dipping schist-calcite marble unit overlain by calcitic and dolomitic fault rocks. Notably, the calcitic marbles have been mylonitized, with a mean NNE/NE-SSW/SW trending, pervasive stretching lineation and intense isoclinal folding with fold axes parallel to the stretching lineation. Numerous SC-SCĆ-fabrics and monoclinic clast-geometries show a consistent top-to-SSW shear-sense. Recorded within all lithologies is a consistent WNW/NW-ESE/SE and NNE/NE-SSW/SW striking network of conjugated brittle, brittle-ductile high-angle faults perpendicular and (sub)parallel to the main stretching direction. Field evidence and microstructural investigations indicate high-angle normal faults formed synchronously with movement on LANFs. This interplay of LANFs with high-angle structures, initiated and evolved from brittle-ductile to brittle conditions, indicates initial stages of movement below the calcite brittle-ductile transition but above the dolomite transition. Weakening processes related to syntectonic fluid-rock interactions highlight these observations. In particular, grain-size reduction and strain localisation in fine-grained (ultra)-cataclasites and fine-grained aggregates of phyllosilicate-rich fault-rocks promoted fluid-flow and pressure-solution-accommodated ‘frictional-viscous' creep. These mechanisms show the importance for LANF slip and movement in the progressive development and interaction between contemporaneous active normal faults in the Andersonian-Byerlee frictional mechanics.

Genome Sequence of Carbon Dioxide-Sequestering Serratia sp. Strain ISTD04 Isolated from Marble Mining Rocks.

PubMed

Kumar, Manish; Gazara, Rajesh Kumar; Verma, Sandhya; Kumar, Madan; Verma, Praveen Kumar; Thakur, Indu Shekhar

2016-10-20

The Serratia sp. strain ISTD04 has been identified as a carbon dioxide (CO 2 )-sequestering bacterium isolated from marble mining rocks in the Umra area, Rajasthan, India. This strain grows chemolithotrophically on media that contain sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ) as the sole carbon source. Here, we report the genome sequence of 5.07 Mb Serratia sp. ISTD04. Copyright © 2016 Kumar et al.

Developing and financing neglected disease vaccines in our new era of "blue marble health" and the anthropocene epoch.

PubMed

Hotez, Peter J

2017-09-25

New findings of widespread neglected diseases among the poor living in wealthy group of 20 (G20) economies and the concept of "blue marble health" offer innovative mechanisms for financing urgently new vaccines, especially for vector-borne neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This approach could complement or parallel a recently suggested global vaccine development fund for pandemic threats. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of marbles from Middle Atlas (Morocco): elemental, mineralogical and structural analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khrissi, S.; Bejjit, L.; Haddad, M.; Falguères, C.; Ait Lyazidi, S.; El Amraoui, M.

2018-05-01

A series of marbles sampled from the region of Middle Atlas (Morocco), are characterized by different complementary spectroscopic techniques. X-Ray fluorescence is used to determine elemental composition of rock while X-Ray diffraction and the Raman spectroscopy are used to determine major crystalline phases (calcite and dolomite) and minor ones (quartz).The samples display typical EPR spectra of Mn2+ in calcite and reveal the presence of Fe3+ ions.

JPRS Report, Near East & South Asia.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-08-14

to USSR 95 CPI-M in Kerala 95 Asian Bank Aid 96 Rural Labor Commission 96 Cochin Shipyard 96 Lebanese Envoy’s Plea 97 IRAN Head of...Coast’s ungrateful behavior toward Israel. Nevertheless, the Solel-Boneh company continued to build marble and glass edifices in Abidjan and broad...palace carved in Italian marble, with ceilings imported from Morocco, six meat courses for the luncheon of the entourage—those are some of the images

Ecology and conservation of the Marbled Murrelet in North America: An overview

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ralph, C. John; Hunt, George L.; Raphael, Martin G.; Piatt, John F.; Ralph, C. John; Hunt, George L.; Raphael, Martin G.; Piatt, John F.

1995-01-01

Over the past decade, the Marbled Murrelet has become a focus of much controversy. It was listed as threatened in Washington, Oregon, and California by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in February 1993. In order to aid the various agencies with management, the Marbled Murrelet Conservation Assessment was formed to bring together scientists, managers, and others to gather all the available data on this small seabird. This volume of research is the culmination of that effort. In this chapter, we integrate the results of the investigations and summaries on the past history, present status, and possible future of the species, based on the data presented in this volume and other published research. We also propose what we consider the most important research needs. Then, based on the findings of this volume, we suggest actions for management to help ensure the survival of the species.

Results from MARBLE DT Experiments on the National Ignition Facility: Implosion of Foam-Filled Capsules for Studying Thermonuclear Burn in the Presence of Heterogeneous Mix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, T. J.; Douglas, M. R.; Cardenas, T.; Cooley, J. H.; Gunderson, M. A.; Haines, B. M.; Hamilton, C. E.; Kim, Y.; Lee, M. N.; Oertel, J. A.; Olson, R. E.; Randolph, R. B.; Shah, R. C.; Smidt, J. M.

2017-10-01

The MARBLE campaign on NIF investigates the effect of heterogeneous mix on thermonuclear burn for comparison to a probability distribution function (PDF) burn model. MARBLE utilizes plastic capsules filled with deuterated plastic foam and tritium gas. The ratio of DT to DD neutron yield is indicative of the degree to which the foam and the gas atomically mix. Platform development experiments have been performed to understand the behavior of the foam and of the gas separately using two types of capsule. The first experiments using deuterated foam and tritium gas have been performed. Results of these experiments, and the implications for our understanding of thermonuclear burn in heterogeneously mixed separated reactant experiments will be discussed. This work is supported by US DOE/NNSA, performed at LANL, operated by LANS LLC under contract DE-AC52-06NA25396.

Investigating sea level rise due to global warming in the teaching laboratory using Archimedes’ principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hughes, Stephen; Pearce, Darren

2015-11-01

A teaching laboratory experiment is described that uses Archimedes’ principle to precisely investigate the effect of global warming on the oceans. A large component of sea level rise is due to the increase in the volume of water due to the decrease in water density with increasing temperature. Water close to 0 °C is placed in a beaker and a glass marble hung from an electronic balance immersed in the water. As the water warms, the weight of the marble increases as the water is less buoyant due to the decrease in density. In the experiment performed in this paper a balance with a precision of 0.1 mg was used with a marble 40.0 cm3 and mass of 99.3 g, yielding water density measurements with an average error of -0.008 ± 0.011%.

The Marble Experiment: Overview and Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Douglas, M. R.; Murphy, T. J.; Cobble, J. A.; Fincke, J. R.; Haines, B. M.; Hamilton, C. E.; Lee, M. N.; Oertel, J. A.; Olson, R. E.; Randolph, R. B.; Schmidt, D. W.; Shah, R. C.; Smidt, J. M.; Tregillis, I. L.

2015-11-01

The Marble ICF platform has recently been launched on both OMEGA and NIF with the goal to investigate the influence of heterogeneous mix on fusion burn. The unique separated reactant capsule design consists of an ``engineered'' CH capsule filled with deuterated plastic foam that contains pores or voids that are filled with tritium gas. Initially the deuterium and tritium are separated, but as the implosion proceeds, the D and T mix, producing a DT signature. The results of these experiments will be used to inform a probability density function (PDF) burn modelling approach for un-resolved cell morphology. Initial targets for platform development have consisted of either fine-pore foams or gas mixtures, with the goal to field the engineered foams in 2016. An overview of the Marble experimental campaign will be presented and simulations will be discussed. This work is supported by US DOE/NNSA, performed at LANL, operated by LANS LLC under contract DE-AC52-06NA25396.

Eclogite-facies metamorphism in impure marble from north Qaidam orogenic belt: Geodynamic implications for early Paleozoic continental-arc collision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xin; Xu, Rongke; Schertl, Hans-Peter; Zheng, Youye

2018-06-01

In the North Qaidam ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt, impure marble and interbedded eclogite represent a particular sedimentary provenance and tectonic setting, which have important implications for a controversial problem - the dynamic evolution of early Paleozoic subduction-collision complexes. In this contribution, detailed field work, mineral chemistry, and whole-rock geochemistry are presented for impure marble to provide the first direct evidence for the recycling of carbonate sediments under ultrahigh-pressures during subduction and collision in the Yuka terrane, in the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt. According to conventional geothermobarometry, pre-peak subduction to 0.8-1.3 GPa/485-569 °C was followed by peak UHP metamorphism at 2.5-3.3 GPa/567-754 °C and cooling to amphibolite facies conditions at 0.6-0.7 GPa/571-589 °C. U-Pb dating of zircons from impure marble reveals a large group with ages ranging from 441 to 458 Ma (peak at 450 Ma), a smaller group ranging from 770 to 1000 Ma (peak at 780 Ma), and minor >1.8 Ga zircon aged ca. 430 Ma UHP metamorphism. The youngest detrital zircons suggest a maximum depositional age of ca. 442 Ma and a burial rate of ca. 1.0-1.1 cm/yr when combined with P-T conditions and UHP metamorphic age. The REE and trace element patterns of impure marble with positive Sr and U anomalies, negative high field strength elements (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Ti), and Ce anomalies imply that the marble had a marine limestone precursor. Impure marble intercalated with micaschist and eclogite was similar to limestone and siltstone protoliths deposited in continental fore-arc or arc setting with basic volcanic activity. Therefore, the Yuka terrane most likely evolved in a continental island arc setting during the Paleozoic. These data suggest that metasediments were derived from a mixture of Proterozoic continental crust and juvenile early Paleozoic oceanic and/or island arc crust. In addition, their protoliths were likely deposited in a terrigenous-dominated forearc marine basin rather than an intracontinental basin environment, further evidence that some continental arc volcanic rock may have been the source of eclogite in the North Qaidam. These sediments, formed in a forearc basin close to the Qaidam Block to the north, were transported in the subduction zone to 100-110 km depth with UHP metamorphism prior to exhumation. Meanwhile, the new results suggest that subduction erosion occurred along the active continental margin during the Qaidam Block with north-dipping subduction, indicating that the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt may have formed during continental-arc collision.

Habitat quality and recruitment success of cui-ui in the Truckee River downstream of Marble Bluff Dam, Pyramid Lake, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Scoppettone, G. Gary; Rissler, Peter H.; Salgado, J. Antonio; Harry, Beverly

2013-01-01

We compared cui-ui (Chasmistes cujus) recruitment from two reaches of the Truckee River with histories of severe erosional downcutting caused by a decline in Pyramid Lake surface elevation. In 1975, Marble Bluff Dam (MBD) was constructed 5 kilometers upstream of the extant mouth of the Truckee River to stabilize the upstream reach of the river; the downstream reach of the river remained unstable and consequently unsuitable for cui-ui recruitment. By the early 2000s, there was a decrease in the Truckee River’s slope from MBD to Pyramid Lake after a series of wet years in the 1990s. This was followed by changes in river morphology and erosion abatement. These changes led to the question as to cui-ui recruitment potential in the Truckee River downstream of MBD. In 2012, more than 7,000 cui-ui spawners were passed upstream of MBD, although an indeterminate number of cui-ui spawned downstream of MBD. In this study, we compared cui-ui recruitment upstream and downstream of MBD during a Truckee River low-flow year (2012). Cui-ui larvae emigration to Pyramid Lake began earlier and ended later downstream of MBD. A greater number of cui-ui larvae was produced downstream of MBD than upstream. This also was true for native Tahoe sucker (Catostomus tahoensis) and Lahontan redside (Richardsonius egregius). The improved Truckee River stability downstream of MBD and concomitant cui-ui recruitment success is attributed to a rise in Pyramid Lake's surface elevation. A decline in lake elevation may lead to a shift in stream morphology and substrate composition to the detriment of cui-ui reproductive success as well as the reproductive success of other native fishes.

Aging and the perception of slant from optical texture, motion parallax, and binocular disparity.

PubMed

Norman, J Farley; Crabtree, Charles E; Bartholomew, Ashley N; Ferrell, Elizabeth L

2009-01-01

The ability of younger and older observers to perceive surface slant was investigated in four experiments. The surfaces possessed slants of 20 degrees, 35 degrees, 50 degrees, and 65 degrees, relative to the frontoparallel plane. The observers judged the slants using either a palm board (Experiments 1, 3, and 4) or magnitude estimation (Experiment 2). In Experiments 1-3, physically slanted surfaces were used (the surfaces possessed marble, granite, pebble, and circle textures), whereas computer-generated 3-D surfaces (defined by motion parallax and binocular disparity) were utilized in Experiment 4. The results showed that the younger and older observers' performance was essentially identical with regard to accuracy. The younger and older age groups, however, differed in terms of precision in Experiments 1 and 2: The judgments of the older observers were more variable across repeated trials. When taken as a whole, the results demonstrate that older observers (at least through the age of 83 years) can effectively extract information about slant in depth from optical patterns containing texture, motion parallax, or binocular disparity.

Geologic map and upper Paleozoic stratigraphy of the Marble Canyon area, Cottonwood Canyon quadrangle, Death Valley National Park, Inyo County, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stone, Paul; Stevens, Calvin H.; Belasky, Paul; Montañez, Isabel P.; Martin, Lauren G.; Wardlaw, Bruce R.; Sandberg, Charles A.; Wan, Elmira; Olson, Holly A.; Priest, Susan S.

2014-01-01

This geologic map and pamphlet focus on the stratigraphy, depositional history, and paleogeographic significance of upper Paleozoic rocks exposed in the Marble Canyon area in Death Valley National Park, California. Bedrock exposed in this area is composed of Mississippian to lower Permian (Cisuralian) marine sedimentary rocks and the Jurassic Hunter Mountain Quartz Monzonite. These units are overlain by Tertiary and Quaternary nonmarine sedimentary deposits that include a previously unrecognized tuff to which we tentatively assign an age of late middle Miocene (~12 Ma) based on tephrochronologic analysis, in addition to the previously recognized Pliocene tuff of Mesquite Spring. Mississippian and Pennsylvanian rocks in the Marble Canyon area represent deposition on the western continental shelf of North America. Mississippian limestone units in the area (Tin Mountain, Stone Canyon, and Santa Rosa Hills Limestones) accumulated on the outer part of a broad carbonate platform that extended southwest across Nevada into east-central California. Carbonate sedimentation was interrupted by a major eustatic sea-level fall that has been interpreted to record the onset of late Paleozoic glaciation in southern Gondwana. Following a brief period of Late Mississippian clastic sedimentation (Indian Springs Formation), a rise in eustatic sea level led to establishment of a new carbonate platform that covered most of the area previously occupied by the Mississippian platform. The Pennsylvanian Bird Spring Formation at Marble Canyon makes up the outer platform component of ten third-order (1 to 5 m.y. duration) stratigraphic sequences recently defined for the regional platform succession. The regional paleogeography was fundamentally changed by major tectonic activity along the continental margin beginning in middle early Permian time. As a result, the Pennsylvanian carbonate shelf at Marble Canyon subsided and was disconformably overlain by lower Permian units (Osborne Canyon and Darwin Canyon Formations) representing part of a deep-water turbidite basin filled primarily by fine-grained siliciclastic sediment derived from cratonal sources to the east. Deformation and sedimentation along the western part of this basin continued into late Permian time. The culminating phase was part of a regionally extensive late Permian thrust system that included the Marble Canyon thrust fault just west of the present map area.

Sr-isotopic composition of marbles from the Puerto Galera area (Mindoro, Philippines): additional evidence for a Paleozoic age of a metamorphic complex in the Philippine island arc

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Knittel, U.; Daniels, U.

1987-02-01

The Sr-isotopic composition of marbles from the Puerto Galera area (Mindoro, Philippines) is compatible with either a Tertiary or a Paleozoic age. The former is considered as unlikely because nonmetamorphic sediments of that age overlie the metamorphic complex. This implies that the metamorphic complex does not represent the basement of the Philippine arc but is an accreted terrane.

Pulsed Thermography for Depth Profiling in Marble Sulfation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bison, P.; Clarelli, F.; Vannozzi, A.

2015-06-01

Deterioration of stones is a complex problem and one of the main concern for people working in the field of conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. One important point in cultural heritage is to obtain information about the damage in a non-invasive way. By this paper, we propose a new non-invasive tool that permits evaluation of the thickness of (gypsum) grown (sulfation) on marble stones, using a mathematical model on data detected by pulsed infrared thermography.

Status Review of the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Alaska and British Columbia

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-01-01

the 1970s– 1980s (Piatt and Anderson, 1996; appendix A). Similarly, there is evidence that changes in the Prince William Sound marine ecosystem in the... 1980s negatively affected fish-eating birds (DeGange, 1996; Kuletz and others, 1997). Marbled Murrelets ate mostly sand lance during the late 1970s...compilation with the addition of two ground nests observed in Alaska (Simons, 1980 ; Hirsch and others, 1981). The outcome (chick fledged or failed

Multidisciplinary approaches to radiation-balanced lasers (MARBLE): a MURI program by AFOSR (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheik-Bahae, Mansoor

2017-02-01

An overview of the diverse research activities under the newly funded MURI project by AFOSR will be presented. The main goal is to advance the science of radiation-balanced lasers, also known as athermal lasers, in order to mitigate the thermal degradation of the high-power laser beams. The MARBLE project involves researchers from four universities and spans research activities in rare-earth doped crystals and fibers to semiconductor disc lasers.

Crack Coalescence in Molded Gypsum and Carrara Marble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, N.; Einstein, H. H.

2007-12-01

This research investigates the fracturing and coalescence behavior in prismatic laboratory-molded gypsum and Carrara marble specimens, which consist of either one or two pre-existing open flaws, under uniaxial compression. The tests are monitored by a high speed video system with a frame rate up to 24,000 frames/second. It allows one to precisely observe the cracking mechanisms, in particular if shear or tensile fracturing takes place. Seven crack types and nine crack coalescence categories are identified. The flaw inclination angle, the ligament length and the bridging angle between two flaws have different extents of influence on the coalescence patterns. For coplanar flaws, as the flaw inclination angle increases, there is a general trend of variation from shear coalescence to tensile coalescence. For stepped flaws, as the bridging angle changes from negative to small positive, and further up to large positive values, the coalescence generally progresses from categories of no coalescence, indirect coalescence to direct coalescence. For direct coalescence, it generally progresses from shear, mixed shear-tensile to tensile as the bridging angle increases. Some differences in fracturing and coalescence processes are observed in gypsum and marble, particularly the crack initiation in marble is preceded by the development of macroscopic white patches, but not in gypsum. Scanning Electron Microprobe (SEM) study reveals that the white patches consist of zones of microcracks (process zones).

The Kolmården serpentine marble in Sweden, a building stone found at many levels in the society.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wikström, Anders; Pereira, Dolores

2013-04-01

The Kolmården marble is a green serpentine marble of Svekofennian age (c. 1900 Ma). Serpentine is mainly secondary after diopside. The rock has been used as far back as in the 13th century. But it was mainly due to the start of the building of the Royal castles in Stockholm in the 17th century when the stone became more extensively used. The quarries were in operation until the 1970s and during the last years the production was so rationalized that one finds the stone in stairs, pavement and non structural ornaments within "common" houses all over the country. One can also find this stone in many exclusive places all over the world (e.g. the Paris Opera house, League of Nations building in Geneva, Leeds University Library, Uppsala University, Rockefeller Center, etc). The importance of this stone in international architecture, the good physical and mechanical behaviour observed in its emplacements and the possibilities for preservation of some of the quarries makes the Kolmården marble a good candidate as Global Stone Heritage Stone. The nomination will also trigger international publications on this natural stone to spread its knowledge among scientists and architects to be able to select this rock in case that some restoration on the mentioned important buildings is needed at some point.

Dehydration of diasporite to corundite in nature and experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feenstra, A.; Wunder, B.

2002-02-01

The diasporite-corundite rock transformation, which releases 6 8 wt% H2O in an average metabauxite, was studied experimentally. The results are compared with petrological observations on the island of Naxos (Greece), where the transformation occurred in metakarst bauxites during prograde regional metamorphism. Dehydration experiments were started with fine-grained natural diasporite embedded in marble. The samples were first annealed in the diaspore stability field, then slowly brought to the final pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions in the corundum field and kept there five to seven days. Overstepping the diaspore-corundum equilibrium by ˜30 °C at 8 kbar resulted in partial dehydration of diaspore. As with the corundum-in isograd on Naxos, the corundum grew preferentially along the bauxite-marble contact. Experiments at 17 40 kbar with T oversteps of 40 150 °C resulted in complete diaspore breakdown. A high-porosity zone containing corundum and silicates developed along the bauxite-marble boundary, resulting from the solid volume decreases associated with the diaspore-corundum and decarbonation reactions. In nature, the marble similarly behaved as a barrier for liberated fluid, as indicated by coarse corundum- chloritoid segregations along metabauxite rims. In the 30 40 kbar experiments, the porous contact zone acted as fluid pathway, allowing partial dissolution of metabauxite. This demonstrates pronounced Al, Fe, and Ti mobility at high P and T of 600 800 °C.

Performance of nanocomposites for preservation of artistic stones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giancristofaro, Cristina; D'Amato, Rosaria; Caneve, Luisa; Pilloni, Luciano; Rinaldi, Antonio; Persia, Franca

2014-06-01

In this work, the effectiveness of nanocomposite surface treatments as protective systems for artistic stones was evaluated. Pyrolitic silica and titania nanoparticles were dispersed in a commercial silicon-based polymer and applied on marble and travertine samples. Artificial aging processes, both in climatic chamber and in solar box, were carried out to simulate real degradation processes in terms of photo-thermal effects and physical-chemical damage. The performances of the nanocomposites used as consolidant were evaluated comparatively by means of diverse diagnostic techniques, namely: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser induced fluorescence (LIF), ultrasonic technique, colorimetry, total immersion water absorption and contact angle. The results show that some properties of conservation materials can be improved by the presences of nanoparticles because they induce substantial changes of surface morphology of the coating layer and counter the physical damage observed during artificial weathering.

Interactions of Amphibians, Fish, and Macroinvertebrates in a Southeastern Wetland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schultheis, R. D.; Batzer, D. P.

2005-05-01

In fishless habitats, amphibians often compete with and are predators of macroinvertebrates. Unlike fish, the effects these interactions have on macroinvertebrate communities have been largely unexplored. We conducted an experiment in a semi-permanent oxbow wetland in the Piedmont region of Georgia to explore interactions between amphibians and macroinvertebrates. The predator community was dominated by Ambystoma opacum (Marbled Salamander) and Notophthalmus viridescens (Eastern Newt). Salamanders and newts were excluded from areas of wetland habitat using wire mesh cages (1.5M x 1.5M, 3mm mesh). The macroinvertebrate communities within the cages were then compared to the ambient habitat outside the cages. Fish, mostly Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill) and Gambusia affinis (Mosquito Fish), colonized the wetland late in the first year of the study, and became common by year two. Also in year two, Rana catesbeiana (Bullfrog) became established. Thus, we were able to explore the variable effects on the macroinvertebrate community of a changing predator complex over a two year period.

Distribution, population status and trends of kittlitz's murrelet brachyramphus brevirostris in lower cook inlet and kachemak bay, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kuletz, Kathy J.; Speckman, Suzann G.; Piatt, John F.; Labunski, E.A.

2011-01-01

Lower Cook Inlet (LCI) in south-central Alaska is unusual among the breeding areas of Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris because of human impacts on the marine and terrestrial environments and because of the lack of tidewater glaciers. In LCI the Kittlitz's Murrelet co-exists with the more abundant Marbled Murrelet, which complicates abundance estimates because of the difficulty of species identification. We compared survey data for an area with overlapping coverage in LCI (Core area) in 1993 (June) and from 1996 to 1999 (July-early August). Within this LCI Core area, the surveys in 1996-1999 estimated ~1600 Kittlitz's Murrelets and ~17 000 Marbled Murrelets, including prorated unidentified murrelets. The Kittlitz's Murrelet population declined between 1993 and 1999 at 26% per annum (84% overall). Simultaneously, Marbled Murrelets declined by 12% per annum (56% overall), though the decline was not statistically significant. Declines were estimated conservatively because the 1993 survey was conducted in June, when both murrelet species are less abundant on the water. We also surveyed Kachemak Bay, a large embayment of LCI, during mid-summer (July) of 2005-2007 and estimated a population of 2047 Kittlitz's Murrelets (SD 1120, n = 3 years) residing primarily in the inner bay. Marbled Murrelets numbered 11 040 (SD 1306) and were found throughout the bay. On one transect set in inner Kachemak Bay, Kittlitz's Murrelet density in late summer (1-16 August) declined 7.5% per annum between 1988 and 2007 (n = 6 years), and Marbled Murrelet density increased 4.9% per annum. On two other transect sets in the inner bay, however, neither murrelet species showed a change in density between 1996 and 2007. Inner Kachemak Bay is a persistent hotspot for Kittlitz's Murrelet and may attract murrelets from LCI and beyond. We recommend monitoring murrelet populations in Kachemak Bay, although Kittlitz's Murrelets likely move between the main body of Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay, and a complete LCI survey is needed to gauge regional population trends.

Effect of heat treatment on the proximate composition, energy values, and levels of some toxicants in African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) seed varieties.

PubMed

Onyeike, Eugene N; Omubo-Dede, Tina T

2002-01-01

The effects of heat treatments on the proximate composition, energy content, and levels of some antinutritional factors in brown and marble-colored African yam bean (AYB) seed flours were investigated. In raw brown and marble-colored AYB seed flours; moisture content, dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, ash, total carbohydrate and caloric value did not differ significantly at the 5% level. Autoclaving and cooking slightly increased the moisture level. Crude protein, crude fat, and ash contents were decreased by autoclaving and were further decreased by cooking. The decrease was not, however, considerable for the AYB that is not eaten raw and whose full nutritional potential as a legume can be derived only when heat treated, as previous reports have indicated for legume seeds. The levels of the toxicants were generally higher in the raw brown AYB compared to the marble-colored, and were generally reduced by both autoclaving and cooking. In the most commonly available and consumed marble-colored AYB, autoclaving at 121 degrees C, 15 psi for 20 min decreased cyanogenic glycosides by 46%, oxalate by 48.9%, tannin by 15.0%, saponin by 14.8% and trypsin inhibitors by 61.3% while cooking for 3.5 hours in tap water decreased these toxic factors by 66.5%, 70.3%, 72.2%, 48.7%, and 86.0%, respectively. The results indicate that for raw samples, varietal difference did not significantly affect nutrient composition though the toxicants were generally higher in the brown AYB than the marble-colored. Autoclaving decreased both nutrient value and the level of toxicants in the two seed types; values were further reduced by cooking. Of the toxicants, trypsin inhibitor was found to be the most heat-labile and of the heat treatment methods, cooking to tenderness is recommendable.

Genetic effects on beef tenderness in Bos indicus composite and Bos taurus cattle.

PubMed

O'Connor, S F; Tatum, J D; Wulf, D M; Green, R D; Smith, G C

1997-07-01

Bos indicus composite and Bos taurus cattle, originating from diverse production environments, were used to quantify genetic variation in marbling, 24-h calpastatin activity, and beef tenderness and to identify strategies for prevention of beef tenderness problems in Bos indicus composite cattle. Comparisons among 3/8 Bos indicus breeds (Braford, Red Brangus, Simbrah) revealed significant differences in marbling and 24-h calpastatin activity, but not in tenderness. Compared with Bos taurus cattle, 3/ 8 Bos indicus cattle had similar marbling scores but higher 24-h calpastatin activities. Also, beef from 3/8 Bos indicus composites aged more slowly from 1 to 7 d and was less tender at 4, 7, 14, 21, and 35 d postmortem than beef from Bos taurus cattle. However, beef from 3/8 Bos indicus cattle was relatively tender if it was aged for a sufficient period of time (21 d). The delayed response to aging and greater toughness of beef from 3/8 Bos indicus cattle was associated with Brahman breed effects and was not related to the Bos taurus germplasm source. Marbling was moderately heritable (.52 +/- .21) but exhibited positive genetic correlations with shear force at d 1 through 14 of aging, suggesting that, in these cattle, selection for increased marbling would have an unfavorable effect on beef tenderness. A low heritability estimate for 24-h calpastatin activity (.15 +/- .15), coupled with low genetic correlations between calpastatin activity and shear force at 7, 14, and 35 d, suggested that selection for low calpastatin activity would have little effect on aged beef tenderness. Panel tenderness and shear force at 7, 14, and 21 d were moderately heritable (.27 to .47), indicating that aged beef tenderness could be improved by direct selection (via progeny testing). Comparisons among Simbrah, Senegus x Simbrah, and Red Angus x Simmental steers showed that inclusion of a tropically adapted Bos taurus breed (Senepol) could be an effective strategy for preventing beef tenderness problems in heat-tolerant cattle.

Reduced Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter favors antidepressant behaviors and modulates serotonin and dopamine in female mouse brain.

PubMed

Pádua-Reis, Marina; Aquino, Nayara S; Oliveira, Vinícius E M; Szawka, Raphael E; Prado, Marco A M; Prado, Vânia F; Pereira, Grace S

2017-07-14

Depression is extremely harmful to modern society. Despite its complex spectrum of symptoms, previous studies have mostly focused on the monaminergic system in search of pharmacological targets. However, other neurotransmitter systems have also been linked to the pathophysiology of depression. In this study, we provide evidence for a role of the cholinergic system in depressive-like behavior of female mice. We evaluated mice knockdown for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT KD mice), which have been previously shown to exhibit reduced cholinergic transmission. Animals were subjected to the tail suspension and marble burying tests, classical paradigms to assess depressive-like behaviors and to screen for novel antidepressant drugs. In addition, brain levels of serotonin and dopamine were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. We found that female homozygous VAChT KD mice spent less time immobile during tail suspension and buried less marbles, indicating a less depressive phenotype. These differences in behavior were reverted by central, but not peripheral, acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Moreover, female homozygous VAChT KD mice exhibited higher levels of dopamine and serotonin in the striatum, and increased dopamine in the hippocampus. Our study thus shows a connection between depressive-like behaviors and the cholinergic system, and that the latter interacts with the monoaminergic system. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gender-Dependent Effects of Maternal Immune Activation on the Behavior of Mouse Offspring

PubMed Central

Xuan, Ingrid C. Y.; Hampson, David R.

2014-01-01

Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by two core symptoms; impaired social interactions and communication, and ritualistic or repetitive behaviors. Both epidemiological and biochemical evidence suggests that a subpopulation of autistics may be linked to immune perturbations that occurred during fetal development. These findings have given rise to an animal model, called the “maternal immune activation” model, whereby the offspring from female rodents who were subjected to an immune stimulus during early or mid-pregnancy are studied. Here, C57BL/6 mouse dams were treated mid-gestation with saline, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic a bacterial infection, or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly IC) to mimic a viral infection. Autism-associated behaviors were examined in the adult offspring of the treated dams. Behavioral tests were conducted to assess motor activity, exploration in a novel environment, sociability, and repetitive behaviors, and data analyses were carried independently on male and female mice. We observed a main treatment effect whereby male offspring from Poly IC-treated dams showed reduced motor activity. In the marble burying test of repetitive behavior, male offspring but not female offspring from both LPS and Poly IC-treated mothers showed increased marble burying. Our findings indicate that offspring from mothers subjected to immune stimulation during gestation show a gender-specific increase in stereotyped repetitive behavior. PMID:25111339

Study of deformation evolution during failure of rock specimens using laser-based vibration measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smolin, I. Yu.; Kulkov, A. S.; Makarov, P. V.; Tunda, V. A.; Krasnoveikin, V. A.; Eremin, M. O.; Bakeev, R. A.

2017-12-01

The aim of the paper is to analyze experimental data on the dynamic response of the marble specimen in uniaxial compression. To make it we use the methods of mathematical statistics. The lateral surface velocity evolution obtained by the laser Doppler vibrometer represents the data for analysis. The registered data were regarded as a time series that reflects deformation evolution of the specimen loaded up to failure. The revealed changes in statistical parameters were considered as precursors of failure. It is shown that before failure the deformation response is autocorrelated and reflects the states of dynamic chaos and self-organized criticality.

Wetting of water on graphene nanopowders of different thicknesses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bera, Bijoyendra; Shahidzadeh, Noushine; Mishra, Himanshu; Belyaeva, Liubov A.; Schneider, Grégory F.; Bonn, Daniel

2018-04-01

We study the wetting of graphene nanopowders by measuring the water adsorption in nanopowder flakes of different flake thicknesses. Chemical analysis shows that the graphene flakes, especially the thin ones, might exist in the partially oxidized state. We observe that the thinnest graphene nanopowder flakes do not adsorb water at all, independent of the relative humidity. Thicker flakes, on the other hand, do adsorb an increasing amount of water with increasing humidity. This allows us to assess their wetting behavior which is actually the result of the competition between the adhesive interactions of water and graphene and the cohesive interactions of water. Explicit calculation of these contributions from the van der Waals interactions confirms that the adhesive interactions between very thin flakes of graphene oxide and water are extremely weak, which makes the flakes superhydrophobic. "Liquid marble" tests with graphene nanopowder flakes confirm the superhydrophobicity. This shows that the origin of the much debated "wetting transparency" of graphene is due to the fact that a single graphene or graphene oxide layer does not contribute significantly to the adhesion between a wetting phase and the substrate.

The Coast Artillery Journal. Volume 63, Number 1, July 1925

DTIC Science & Technology

1925-07-01

he won. (N 0, Gentle Reader, I made no mention of my own winnings; please don’t interrupt). It worked out some- thing like this: Suppose Tommy Jones...erroneous judgment the latter would pay Tommy five (count them) five marbles. 1Vhereupon Tommy would start the game anew by con- cealing another covey of...marbles-and right here is where the brains came in. Tommy would size up his opponent in a fashion roughly as follows: "Bill is what the crossword

Blue Marble Space Institute essay contest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wendel, JoAnna

2014-04-01

The Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, based in Seattle, Wash., is inviting college students to participate in its essay contest. Essays need to address the question, "In the next 100 years, how can human civilization prepare for the long-term changes to the Earth system that will occur over the coming millennium?" According to the institute, the purpose of the contest is "to stimulate creative thinking relating to space exploration and global issues by exploring how changes in the Earth system will affect humanity's future."

Microbial, Physicochemical, and Sensory Characteristics of Quality Grade 2 Beef Enhanced by Injection of Pineapple Concentrate and Honey

PubMed Central

Yoon, Ji Won; Lee, Da Gyeom; Lee, Hyun Jung; Choe, Juhui; Jung, Samooel; Jo, Cheorun

2017-01-01

This study investigated the effect of injecting pineapple concentrate and honey into low marbled beef in order to enhance its sensory qualities, particularly tenderness and flavor, without compromising its fresh appearance. Beef loin was injected with a solution of 6.0% pineapple concentrate, 2.5% honey, 0.5% monosodium L-glutamate, 0.5% phosphate, and 0.3% salt (w/w) to 120% (w/w) of initial meat weight and stored for 14 d. Non-injected beef loin served as a control. Total aerobic bacterial counts, surface meat color, shear force, reducing sugar content, and sensory evaluation of the beef were analyzed at 0.5, 7, and 14 d of storage. Injection did not affect the total aerobic bacterial counts or color of the beef. However, injection increased the stability of meat color, compared with that of the control, during storage. The shear force value was significantly lower in the injected beef than that in the control. The injected beef had a significantly higher reducing sugar content compared with that of the control. In sensory evaluation, tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall acceptance of the injected beef were significantly higher than those of the control at 0.5 d. In conclusion, injection of pineapple concentrate and honey can improve the sensory qualities of low marbled beef, during short storage periods, without changing the fresh appearance of the beef. PMID:28943761

White Macael marble: a key element in the architectonic heritage of Andalusia for over 25 centuries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navarro, Rafael; Sol Cruz, Ana; Arriaga, Lourdes; Baltuille, José Manuel

2013-04-01

Marble from Macael (Andalusia) is one of the most important natural stones in the architectonic heritage of Andalusia; in particular the variety commercially known as "White Macael". This natural stone has been used outdoors as well as indoors for decorative, ornamental or structural purposes. During the 7th century (B.C.) the Phoenicians began to systematically extract these quarries to be used in their more social important elements such as sarcophagus. During the Roman period this rock had a greater importance in construction; we find columns, pavements, tombstones… in many historical buildings such as the Roman amphitheatre in Mérida (1st century B.C.) and the city of Itálica in Seville (3rd century B.C.). But it is during the Muslim period when marble from Macael is more widely used: the Mosque of Córdoba (8th century), the Lions Court in the Alhambra palace, the Alcazaba in Almería, the Medina-Azahara palace in Córdoba (10th century). Other important buildings using the white marble are: Carlos V palace or the Royal Chapel in Granada (15th century), the Almería cathedral or El Escorial monastery in Madrid (16th century), San Telmo palace in Seville (17th century) or The Royal Palace in Madrid (18th century). Uncountable number of buildings, both historical and contemporary, show different elements made of this marble. From a geological point of view, the quarries are located in the upper part of the Nevado-Filábride Complex, the lowest nappe of the Internal Zones of the Betic Chains. Under the "White Macael" name is also possible to include another commercial denominations such "White Macael Río" or "White Macael Río Veteado". It is a clear white coloured, calcitic marble (up than 97% calcite), with average grain size between 0,16 y 3,2 mm in a mosaic texture with a very homogenous aspect. Regarding the main physical and mechanical properties, this rock has an open porosity value between 0,1-0,6%, bulk density 2,50-2,75 g/cm3, water absorption at atmospheric pressure between 0,1-0,2%, compressive strength (dry) between 81,1-87,4 MPa, flexural resistance (dry) between 12,1-14,2 MPa and salt crystallization loss of mass of 1,25-2,20%. We suggest to consider this natural stone as Global Heritage Stone Resource because of its aesthetic characteristics, its optimal behaviour when emplaced in construction as can be evident throughout the more than 25 centuries of use of this rock all over the country, and because the volume of international trade and exploitation. Macael white marble can be considered the main ornamental rock in Andalusia. This is a contribution of the Spanish network CONSTRUROCK.

Marbles for the Imagination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shue, Jack

2004-01-01

The end-to-end test would verify the complex sequence of events from lander separation to landing. Due to the large distances involved and the significant delay time in sending a command and receiving verification, the lander needed to operate autonomously after it separated from the orbiter. It had to sense conditions, make decisions, and act accordingly. We were flying into a relatively unknown set of conditions-a Martian atmosphere of unknown pressure, density, and consistency to land on a surface of unknown altitude, and one which had an unknown bearing strength. In order to touch down safely on Mars the lander had to orient itself for descent and entry, modulate itself to maintain proper lift, pop a parachute, jettison its aeroshell, deploy landing legs and radar, ignite a terminal descent engine, and fly a given trajectory to the surface. Once on the surface, it would determine its orientation, raise the high-gain antenna, perform a sweep to locate Earth, and begin transmitting information. It was this complicated, autonomous sequence that the end-to-end test was to simulate.

Textural attributes and oxidative stability of pork longissimus muscle injected with marbling-like emulsified lipids.

PubMed

Ma, Lizhen; Xiong, Youling L

2011-10-01

The objective of the study was to create marbling-like fat in lean pork with acceptable oxidative stability through the injection of canola/olive oil-substituted emulsions. Pork loins were injected with 5% water as control (CW) or 5% emulsion containing no tocopherols (E) or 0.07% tocopherols (ET) and stored at 2 °C in an oxygen-enriched package for up to 3 weeks. Lipid oxidation was totally inhibited in ET pork but increased 3-fold to 0.20mg malonaldehyde/kg in CW and E pork after 3 weeks. ET treatment also had a positive effect on meat red color. Emulsion-containing pork, showing less protein oxidation (carbonyl and disulfide formation), had reduced drip loss and shear force than CW samples (P<0.05). The results indicated that incorporation of antioxidant-containing emulsions could create marbling-like texture in lean pork without compromising oxidative stability. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

RADIOACTIVITY MEASUREMENT AND RADIOLOGICAL HAZARD ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMONLY USED GRANITE AND MARBLE IN JORDAN.

PubMed

Alali, Abdullah E; Al-Shboul, Khaled F; Albdour, Samah A

2018-05-08

Natural radioactivity of common commercial marble and granite types used in Jordanian dwellings are measured using high-resolution gamma spectrometry. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 8.57 ± 1.55 to 152.07 ± 3.26 Bq kg-1, 6.83 ± 1.25 to 365.43 ± 4.84 Bq kg-1 and 121.25 ± 9.10 to 1604.90 ± 31.28 Bq kg-1 in granite and from 0.53 ± 0.12 to 18.61 ± 1.60 Bq kg-1, 0.51 ± 0.19 to 4.87 ± 2.13 Bq kg-1 and 3.21 ± 0.96 to 58.09 ± 6.40 Bq kg-1 in marble, respectively. Various radiological hazard indices like gamma index, internal and external hazard indices and annual effective dose equivalent were calculated and compared with the international limits. Our results show that some granite types may pose a radiation hazard.

Strength and deformation behaviors of veined marble specimens after vacuum heat treatment under conventional triaxial compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Haijian; Jing, Hongwen; Yin, Qian; Yu, Liyuan; Wang, Yingchao; Wu, Xingjie

2017-10-01

The mechanical behaviors of rocks affected by high temperature and stress are generally believed to be significant for the stability of certain projects involving rocks, such as nuclear waste storage and geothermal resource exploitation. In this paper, veined marble specimens were treated to high temperature treatment and then used in conventional triaxial compression tests to investigate the effect of temperature, confining pressure, and vein angle on strength and deformation behaviors. The results show that the strength and deformation parameters of the veined marble specimens changed with the temperature, presenting a critical temperature of 600 °C. The triaxial compression strength of a horizontal vein (β = 90°) is obviously larger than that of a vertical vein (β = 0°). The triaxial compression strength, elasticity modulus, and secant modulus have an approximately linear relation to the confining pressure. Finally, Mohr-Coulomb and Hoek-Brown criteria were respectively used to analyze the effect of confining pressure on triaxial compression strength.

Plasma kinetic effects on atomistic mix in one dimension and at structured interfaces (II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albright, Brian; Yin, Lin; Cooley, James; Haack, Jeffrey; Douglas, Melissa

2017-10-01

The Marble campaign seeks to develop a platform for studying mix evolution in turbulent, inhomogeneous, high-energy-density plasmas at the NIF. Marble capsules contain engineered CD foams, the pores of which are filled with hydrogen and tritium. During implosion, hydrodynamic stirring and plasma diffusivity mix tritium fuel into the surrounding CD plasma, leading to both DD and DT fusion neutron production. In this presentation, building upon prior work, kinetic particle-in-cell simulations using the VPIC code are used to examine kinetic effects on thermonuclear burn in Marble-like settings. Departures from Maxwellian distributions are observed near the interface and TN burn rates and inferred temperatures from synthetic neutron time of flight diagnostics are compared with those from treating the background species as Maxwellian. Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. DOE by the Los Alamos National Security, LLC Los Alamos National Laboratory and supported by the ASC and Science programs.

Insertion and confinement of hydrophobic metallic powder in water: the bubble-marble effect.

PubMed

Meir, Yehuda; Jerby, Eli

2014-09-01

Metallic powders such as thermite are known as efficient fuels also applicable in oxygen-free environments. However, due to their hydrophobicity, they hardly penetrate into water. This paper presents an effect that enables the insertion and confinement of hydrophobic metallic powders in water, based on encapsulating an air bubble surrounded by a hydrophobic metallic shell. This effect, regarded as an inverse of the known liquid-marble effect, is named here "bubble marble" (BM). The sole BM is demonstrated experimentally as a stable, maneuverable, and controllable soft-solid-like structure, in a slightly deformed hollow spherical shape of ∼1-cm diameter. In addition to experimental and theoretical BM aspects, this paper also demonstrates its potential for underwater applications, such as transportation of solid objects within BM and underwater combustion of thermite BM by localized microwaves. Hence, the BM phenomena may open new possibilities for heat and thrust generation, as well as material processing and mass transfer underwater.

Application of the microboudin method to palaeodifferential stress analysis of deformed impure marbles from Syros, Greece: Implications for grain-size and calcite-twin palaeopiezometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masuda, Toshiaki; Miyake, Tomoya; Kimura, Nozomi; Okamoto, Atsushi

2011-01-01

Microboudinage structures developed within glaucophane are found in the calcite matrix of blueschist-facies impure marbles from Syros, Greece. The presence of these structures enables the successful application of the microboudin method for palaeodifferential stress analysis, which was originally developed for rocks with a quartzose matrix. Application of the microboudin method reveals that differential stress increased during exhumation of the marble; the estimated maximum palaeodifferential stress values are approximately 9-15 MPa, an order of magnitude lower than the values estimated using the calcite-twin palaeopiezometer. This discrepancy reflects the fact that the two methods assess differential stress at different stages in the deformation history. Differential stresses in the Syros samples estimated using three existing equations for grain-size palaeopiezometry show a high degree of scatter, and no reliable results were obtained by a comparison between the results of the microboudin method and grain-size palaeopiezometry.

Selection of forage-fish schools by Murrelets and Tufted Puffins in Prince William Sound, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ostrand, William D.; Coyle, Kenneth O.; Drew, Gary S.; Maniscalco, John M.; Irons, David B.

1998-01-01

We collected hydroacoustic and bird-observation data simultaneously along transects in three areas in Prince William Sound, Alaska, 21 July-11 August 1995. The probability of the association of fish schools with Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) and Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) was determined through the use of resource selection functions based on logistic regression. Mean (± SD) group sizes were small for both species, 1.7 ± 1.1 and 1.2 ± 0.7 for Marbled Murrelets and Tufted Puffins, respectively. Oceanographically, all study areas were stratified with synchronous thermo- and pycnoclines (a water layer of increasing temperature and density, respectively, with increasing depth). Our analysis indicated that Tufted Puffins selected fish schools near their colony, whereas Marbled Murrelets selected smaller, denser fish schools in shallower habitats. We suggest that murrelets selected shallower habitats in response to lower maximum diving depths than puffins. Small feeding-groups size is discussed in terms of foraging theory and as a consequence of dispersed, low density food resources.

Insertion and confinement of hydrophobic metallic powder in water: The bubble-marble effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meir, Yehuda; Jerby, Eli

2014-09-01

Metallic powders such as thermite are known as efficient fuels also applicable in oxygen-free environments. However, due to their hydrophobicity, they hardly penetrate into water. This paper presents an effect that enables the insertion and confinement of hydrophobic metallic powders in water, based on encapsulating an air bubble surrounded by a hydrophobic metallic shell. This effect, regarded as an inverse of the known liquid-marble effect, is named here "bubble marble" (BM). The sole BM is demonstrated experimentally as a stable, maneuverable, and controllable soft-solid-like structure, in a slightly deformed hollow spherical shape of ˜1-cm diameter. In addition to experimental and theoretical BM aspects, this paper also demonstrates its potential for underwater applications, such as transportation of solid objects within BM and underwater combustion of thermite BM by localized microwaves. Hence, the BM phenomena may open new possibilities for heat and thrust generation, as well as material processing and mass transfer underwater.

Mexican consumers at the point of meat purchase. Pork choice.

PubMed

Ngapo, T M; Rubio Lozano, M S; Braña Varela, D

2018-01-01

Use of within-consumer preference replication and systematic image manipulation in surveying showed that consumers in four cities across Mexico had similar strategies for pork choice. New surveying tools also determined preferred levels of the characteristics used in the decision-making process. The most important choice criteria were colour (31% chose dark and 21% light red), and fat cover (42% chose lean and 8% fatty). Marbling and drip were less used, but are nevertheless important given that 21% of consumers used three or four characteristics to make their choice. Split colour and marbling preferences and a range of acceptable limits for both, and a preference for the leanest fat cover available were observed. Preferences within the normal range of pork colour, fat cover achieved through trimming and drip countered by an absorbent pad all favour industry practice. Unfortunately, preferences for minimal or no marbling and fat cover likely result in a compromised gustative experience for many Mexican consumers. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New quantitative, in-situ characterization of weathering in geomaterials.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scrivano, Simona; Gaggero, Laura; Gisbert Aguilar, Josep; Yus Gonzalez, Adrian

2016-04-01

The mineralogical and microtextural analyses of weathered rocks and mortars are the main diagnostic tools to address the materials exposed under different environmental conditions in order to enucleate and mitigate the decay factors. The characterization of weathering intensity is mostly descriptive and non-quantitative (ICOMOS Glossary, 2008); the Fitzner indexes in arenites (Fitzner et al., 2002) and more recently applied to marbles (Scrivano et al., 2013) provide an operator dependent method. The current diagnostic of decay (Drdàcky & Slìzkovà, 2014) based on a scotch tape tearing off the surface was improved by a specifically adapted pocket penetrometer, and a joint gravimetric + minero-chemical analysis under SEM of ablational decay products. The steps are the following: i) Preparation of stubs for SEM with adherent conductive carbon tape (surface area 1.3 cm2) ii) Weighing of stub + tape + its plastic envelope at 0.001 g precision iii) Connecting the stub to a pocket penetrometer iv) Non invasive sampling of the incoherent dust applying a constant pressure of 2 kgf for 1 minute, and then packing away the stub without loosing grains v) Weighing of stub + tape + weathering products + their plastic envelope at 0.001 g precision vi) Recast the weight of removed material vii) Addressing the weathering products to SEM - EDS. Our quantitative peeling test was applied on a 96m long cladded wall in the Staglieno Monumental Cemetery in Genoa. The wall shows weathering gradients due to a neighbouring interred stream and to different insulation. Slabs of ophicalcite marble were tested from three different areas (5 samples were collected to the E, 5 samples at the centre, 5 samples to the W). The results highlighted capillary rise up to 2 meters height and a more weathered central area. On the whole, our protocol allows a delicate, virtually not impacting and reproducible factual sampling. Moreover, if carried out on a statistically significant population, the decay intensity results are defined and categorized. Drdàcky M. & Slìzkovà Z., 2014. In situ peeling tests for assessing the cohesion and consolidation characteristics of historic plasters and render surfaces. Studies in conservation, vol 0. Fitzner B. & Heinrichs K., 2002. Damage diagnosis on stone monuments weathering forms, damage categories and damage indices. - In: Prikryl R. and Viles H.A. (eds.): Understanding and managing stone decay. - Proceedings Internat. Conf. "Stone weathering and atmospheric pollution network (SWAPNET)": 11-56, Charles Univ. Prague (Karolinum Press). ICOMOS.ISCS, 2008 Illustrated glossary on stone deterioration patterns, 78 pp. Scrivano S., Gaggero L. & Taddei A., 2013. Alteration patterns of marble under different environmental exposures: a systematic approach from the Staglieno Monumental cemetery and museum collections in Genoa (Italy). In: Proceedings of the 12th International Congress on Deterioration and Conservation of Stone, New York, 22-26 October 2012. In press.

Modelling compressible dense and dilute two-phase flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saurel, Richard; Chinnayya, Ashwin; Carmouze, Quentin

2017-06-01

Many two-phase flow situations, from engineering science to astrophysics, deal with transition from dense (high concentration of the condensed phase) to dilute concentration (low concentration of the same phase), covering the entire range of volume fractions. Some models are now well accepted at the two limits, but none are able to cover accurately the entire range, in particular regarding waves propagation. In the present work, an alternative to the Baer and Nunziato (BN) model [Baer, M. R. and Nunziato, J. W., "A two-phase mixture theory for the deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in reactive granular materials," Int. J. Multiphase Flow 12(6), 861 (1986)], initially designed for dense flows, is built. The corresponding model is hyperbolic and thermodynamically consistent. Contrarily to the BN model that involves 6 wave speeds, the new formulation involves 4 waves only, in agreement with the Marble model [Marble, F. E., "Dynamics of a gas containing small solid particles," Combustion and Propulsion (5th AGARD Colloquium) (Pergamon Press, 1963), Vol. 175] based on pressureless Euler equations for the dispersed phase, a well-accepted model for low particle volume concentrations. In the new model, the presence of pressure in the momentum equation of the particles and consideration of volume fractions in the two phases render the model valid for large particle concentrations. A symmetric version of the new model is derived as well for liquids containing gas bubbles. This model version involves 4 characteristic wave speeds as well, but with different velocities. Last, the two sub-models with 4 waves are combined in a unique formulation, valid for the full range of volume fractions. It involves the same 6 wave speeds as the BN model, but at a given point of space, 4 waves only emerge, depending on the local volume fractions. The non-linear pressure waves propagate only in the phase with dominant volume fraction. The new model is tested numerically on various test problems ranging from separated phases in a shock tube to shock-particle cloud interaction. Its predictions are compared to BN and Marble models as well as against experimental data showing clear improvements.

Carbonation of Subduction Interface Ultramafic Rocks and Implications for Deep Carbon Cycling: Evidence from Hybrid Serpentinite-Marble in the Voltri Massif, Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scambelluri, M.; Bebout, G. E.; Gilio, M.; Belmonte, D.; Campomenosi, N.; Crispini, L.

2015-12-01

Release of COH fluids from hydrous minerals and carbonates influences element recycling and magmatism at subduction zones. Contradictory interpretations exist regarding the retention/storage of C in subducting plates and in the forearc to subarc mantle. Multiple lines of evidence indicate mobility of C in forearcs; however, the magnitude of this loss is highly uncertain[1-5]. A poorly constrained fraction of the 40-115 Mt/y of C initially subducted is released into fluids (e.g., by decarbonation, carbonate dissolution), and 18-43 Mt/y is returned at arc volcanoes[2-5, refs. therein]. The imbalance could reflect subduction into the deeper mantle or forearc/subarc storage[4-7]. We examine the fate of C in slab/interface ultramafic rocks, and by analogy serpentinized mantle wedge, via study of fluid-rock evolution of marble and variably carbonated serpentinite (Ligurian Alps). Based on petrography, and major/trace element and C and O isotope compositions, we demonstrate that serpentinite dehydration at 2-2.5 GPa, 550°C released aqueous fluids triggering breakdown of dolomite in nearby marbles, thus releasing C into fluids. Carbonate + olivine veins document flow of COH fluids; interaction of these COH fluids with serpentinite led to formation of high-pressure carbonated ultramafic-rock domains, thus resulting in retention of C in some rocks at an ancient subduction interface. We stress that lithologically complex interfaces could contain sites of both C release and C addition, further confounding estimates of net C loss at forearc and subarc depths [cf 4,5]. Sites of C retention, also including carbonate veins and graphite as reduced carbonate[7], could influence the transfer of slab C to at least the depths beneath volcanic fronts. 1. Poli S et al. 2009 EPSL; 2. Ague and Nicolescu 2014 Nat Geosci; 3. Cook-Collars et al. 2014 Chem Geol; 4. Collins et al. 2015 Chem Geol; 5. Kelemen and Manning 2015 PNAS; 6. Sapienza et al. 2009 CMP; 7 Galvez et al. 2013 Nat Geosci

Attenuation coefficients and exposure buildup factor of some rocks for gamma ray shielding applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obaid, Shamsan S.; Sayyed, M. I.; Gaikwad, D. K.; Pawar, Pravina. P.

2018-07-01

In the present work, the mass attenuation coefficient μ/ρ is investigated experimentally and theoretically for seven rocks (olivine basalt, green marble, jet black granite, telphone black granite, cuddapah limestone, white marble and pink marble). The rock samples were collected from different places of India. The mass attenuation coefficients of the samples were measured experimentally at photon energies of radioisotopes Co57 (122 keV), Ba133 (356 keV), 22Na (511 and 1275 keV), Cs137 (662 keV), Mn54 (840 keV), and Co60 (1330 keV). Theoretically, the simulation results of μ/ρ using both XCOM and MCNP5 codes were compared with experimental results and a satisfactory agreement was observed. Total atomic cross sections (σt,a) electronic cross sections (σt,e), effective atomic number (Zeff), electron density (Ne) and half value layer (HVL) were evaluated using the obtained μ/ρ values for investigated rocks. The HVL values for the selected rocks were compared with some common shielding concretes. Moreover, by Geometric Progression method (G-P) exposure buildup factor (EBF) and energy absorption buildup factor (EABF) values were calculated for incident photon energy 0.015-15 MeV up to penetration depths of 40 mean free paths. The results show that among the studied rocks pink marble possesses superior shielding properties for γ-ray. This work was carried out to explore the advantage of utilizing the selected rocks in engineering structures and building construction to shield gamma-rays.

The influence of thiazolidinediones on adipogenesis in vitro and in vivo: potential modifiers of intramuscular adipose tissue deposition in meat animals.

PubMed

Hausman, G J; Poulos, S P; Pringle, T D; Azain, M J

2008-04-01

Thiazolidinediones (TZD) are insulin sensitizing agents currently used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and are widely used as adipogenic agents because they are ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a key adipogenic transcription factor. In vivo and in vitro studies of TZD as potential modifiers of intramuscular or marbling adipogenesis are reviewed. Thiazolidinedione-induced adipogenesis has been reported in numerous cell culture systems, including rodent, human, bovine, and porcine adipose tissue stromal-vascular (S-V) cell cultures. Studies of porcine S-V cell cultures derived from semitendinosus muscle show that TZD can potentially modify intramuscular or marbling adipogenesis. Preadipocyte recruitment was TZD-dependent in muscle S-V cultures but TZD-independent in adipose S-V cultures. There appear to be differences between adipocytes in muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue, reminiscent of differences observed in adipocytes from different adipose tissue depots. Troglitazone, a TZD, induces marbling adipogenesis without inhibiting myogenesis when cells are grown on laminin precoated culture dishes. Additionally, troglitazone treatment does not increase lipid content in porcine adipose tissue or muscle S-V cell cultures. Thiazolidinedione treatment increases lipid content of muscle in rodents and humans; however, rosiglitazone treatment for 49 d in pigs did not influence muscle lipid content and meat quality, but several significant changes in muscle fatty acid composition were observed. Although timing of treatment with TZD needs to be optimized, evidence suggests these compounds may enhance marbling deposition in swine.

New approach to the differentiation of marble samples using thermal analysis and chemometrics in order to identify provenance

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The possibility of applying a novel chemometric approach which could allow the differentiation of marble samples, all from different quarries located in the Mediterranean basin and frequently used in ancient times for artistic purposes, was investigated. By suggesting tentative or allowing to rule out unlikely attributions, this kind of differentiation could, indeed, be of valuable support to restorers and other professionals in the field of cultural heritage. Experimental data were obtained only using thermal analytical techniques: Thermogravimetry (TG), Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). Results The extraction of kinetic parameters from the curves obtained using these thermal analytical techniques allowed Activation Energy values to be evaluated together with the logarithm of the Arrhenius pre-exponential factor of the main TG-DTG process. The main data thus obtained after subsequent chemometric evaluation (using Principal Components Analysis) have already proved useful in the identification the original quarry of a small number of archaeological marble finds. Conclusion One of the most evident advantages of the thermoanalytical – chemometric approach adopted seems to be that it allows the certain identification of an unknown find composed of a marble known to be present among the reference samples considered, that is, contained in the reference file. On the other hand with equal certainty it prevents the occurrence of erroneous or highly uncertain identification if the find being tested does not belong to the reference file considered. PMID:24982691

The calcite → aragonite transformation in low-Mg marble: Equilibrium relations, transformations mechanisms, and rates

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hacker, Bradley R.; Rubie, David C.; Kirby, Stephen H.; Bohlen, Steven R.

2005-01-01

Experimental transformation of a rather pure natural calcite marble to aragonite marble did not proceed via the expected straightforward polymorphic replacement. Instead, the small amount of Mg in the starting material (0.36 wt %) was excluded from the growing aragonite and diffused preferentially into the remaining calcite grains, producing Mg-rich calcite rods that persisted as relicts. Nucleation of aragonite occurred exclusively on grain boundaries, with aragonite [001] oriented subparallel to calcite [0001]. The aragonite crystals preferentially consumed the calcite crystal on which they nucleated, and the reaction fronts developed preferentially along the {010} and {110} planes of aragonite. Each aragonite neoblast that grew was nearly free of Mg (typically <0.1 wt %). The excess Mg was taken up by the calcite grains in between, stabilizing them and causing a few volume percent rodlike relicts of Mg-enriched calcite (up to 10 wt % MgO) to be left behind by the advancing reaction front. The aragonite growth rates are approximately linear and range from ∼3 × 10−11 m s−1 at 600°C to ∼9 × 10−9 m s−1 at 850°C, with an apparent activation enthalpy of 166 ± 91 kJ mol−1. This reaction mechanism and the resultant texture are akin to cellular precipitation reactions in metals. Similar transformation textures have been reported from high-Mg marbles in Japan and China that disproportionated to low-Mg calcite and dolomite.

Geologic map of the Tuba City 30' x 60' quadrangle, Coconino County, northern Arizona

USGS Publications Warehouse

Billingsley, George H.; Stoffer, Philip W.; Priest, Susan S.

2012-01-01

The Tuba City 30’ x 60’ quadrangle encompasses approximately 5,018 km² (1,920 mi²) within Coconino County, northern Arizona. It is characterized by nearly flat lying to gently dipping sequences of Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata that overly tilted Precambrian strata or metasedimentary and igneous rocks that are exposed at the bottom of Grand Canyon. The Paleozoic rock sequences from Cambrian to Permian age are exposed in the walls of Grand Canyon, Marble Canyon, and Little Colorado River Gorge. Mesozoic sedimentary rocks are exposed in the eastern half of the quadrangle where resistant sandstone units form cliffs, escarpments, mesas, and local plateaus. A few Miocene volcanic dikes intrude Mesozoic rocks southwest, northwest, and northeast of Tuba City, and Pleistocene volcanic rocks representing the northernmost extent of the San Francisco Volcanic Field are present at the south-central edge of the quadrangle. Quaternary deposits mantle much of the Mesozoic rocks in the eastern half of the quadrangle and are sparsely scattered in the western half. Principal folds are the north-south-trending, east-dipping Echo Cliffs Monocline and the East Kaibab Monocline. The East Kaibab Monocline elevates the Kaibab, Walhalla, and Coconino Plateaus and parts of Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon erosion has exposed the Butte Fault beneath the east Kaibab Monocline, providing a window into the structural complexity of monoclines in this part of the Colorado Plateau. Rocks of Permian and Triassic age form the surface bedrock of Marble Plateau and House Rock Valley between the East Kaibab and Echo Cliffs Monoclines. The Echo Cliffs Monocline forms a structural boundary between the Marble Plateau to the west and the Kaibito and Moenkopi Plateaus to the east. Jurassic rocks of the Kaibito and Moenkopi Plateaus are largely mantled by extensive eolian sand deposits. A small part of the northeast-dipping Red Lake Monocline is present in the northeast corner of the quadrangle. A broad and gentle elongated anticline, the Limestone Ridge Anticline, forms the crest of Marble Plateau. Here, Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata generally dip less than 1° to 2° in all directions from a central high area along Limestone Ridge north of Bodaway Mesa and east of Cedar Ridge and The Gap. The Limestone Ridge Anticline plunges gently southeast toward the Painted Desert at the south edge of the quadrangle and northward toward Lees Ferry, Arizona, at the north-central edge of the quadrangle. The Tuba City Syncline is a very broad northwest-southeast-oriented-synclinal downwarp that parallels the Echo Cliffs Monocline north of Tuba City. The Preston Mesa Anticline is a small fold present on Kaibito Plateau north of Tuba City.

Kittlitz’s and Marbled Murrelets in Kenai Fjords National Park, south-central Alaska: At-sea distribution, abundance, and foraging habitat, 2006–08

USGS Publications Warehouse

Arimitsu, Mayumi L.; Piatt, John F.; Romano, Marc D.; Madison, E.N.; Conaway, Jeffrey S.

2010-01-01

Kittlitz’s murrelets (Brachyramphus brevirostris) and marbled murrelets (B. marmoratus) are small diving seabirds and are of management concern because of population declines in coastal Alaska. In 2006–08, we conducted a study in Kenai Fjords National Park, south-central Alaska, to estimate the recent population size of Brachyramphus murrelets, to evaluate productivity based on juvenile to adult ratios during the fledgling season, and to describe and compare their use of marine habitat. We also attempted a telemetry study to examine Kittlitz’s murrelet nesting habitat requirements and at-sea movements. We estimated that the Kittlitz’s murrelet population was 671 ± 144 birds, and the marbled murrelet population was 5,855 ± 1,163 birds. Kittlitz’s murrelets were limited to the heads of three fjords with tidewater glaciers, whereas marbled murrelets were more widely distributed. Population estimates for both species were lower in 2007 than in 2006 and 2008, possibly because of anomalous oceanographic conditions that may have delayed breeding phenology. During late season surveys, we observed few hatch-year marbled murrelets and only a single hatch-year Kittlitz’s murrelet over the course of the study. Using radio telemetry, we found a likely Kittlitz’s murrelet breeding site on a mountainside bordering one of the fjords. We never observed radio-tagged Kittlitz’s murrelets greater than 10 kilometer from their capture sites, suggesting that their foraging range during breeding is narrow. We observed differences in oceanography between fjords, reflecting differences in sill characteristics and orientation relative to oceanic influence. Acoustic biomass, a proxy for zooplankton and small schooling fish, generally decreased with distance from glaciers in Northwestern Lagoon, but was more variable in Aialik Bay where dense forage fish schools moved into glacial areas late in the summer. Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), capelin (Mallotus villosus) and Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) were important forage species for murrelets in Kenai Fjords. Euphausiids also may have been an important forage resource for Kittlitz’s murrelets in turbid glacial outflows in shallow waters during daytime. Marbled murrelets generally were more tolerant to a wider range of foraging habitat conditions although they tended to avoid the ice-covered silty waters close to glaciers. In contrast, Kittlitz’s murrelets preferred areas where the influence of tidewater glaciers was the greatest and where their distribution was determined largely by prey availability. This work highlights an important link between interannual variability in murrelet counts at sea and mesoscale oceanographic conditions that influence marine productivity and prey distribution.

Metabauxite horizons containing remobilized-origin gem diaspore and related mineralization, Milas-Muğla province, SW Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatipoğlu, Murat; Türk, Necdet; Chamberlain, Steven C.; Murat Akgün, A.

2010-10-01

Remobilized-origin gem diaspore and related minerals occur as infill within structurally controlled voids that developed in the upper of two distinct karst unconformity-type metabauxite (diasporite) horizons in the İlbir Mountains area of the Milas-Muğla province, SW Turkey. Colour-change diaspore (trademarked as zultanite) and associated mineral specimens (greenish muscovite, chloritoid, donbassite, specular hematite, ilmenite, goethite, and younger calcite) occur in fracture zones (veins and open structures) that cross-cut the metabauxite horizons. The mineralized fracture zones do not extend into the enclosing marbles, probably because of the ductility contrast between the brittle bauxite and relatively plastic carbonate beds. Thick, white to light gray and dark gray limestone beds were deposited in the İlbir Mountains area during the Cretaceous (146-65 Ma), and contain two stratigraphically distinct karst-fill bauxite horizons. Al-, Fe-, Si- and Ti-rich solutions that infiltrated the karstified limestone probably originated from altered schist and gneiss that surround the basin. The limestone beds (>2000 m thick) were subjected to burial metamorphism, forming marble. Subsequently, the marble block was folded during nappe emplacement toward the SSW as part of late Alpine contractional deformation during the Paleogene (65-23.8 Ma). The upper bauxite horizons within the folded block were cross-cut by fracture zones because of their relatively brittle rheology. At this time, increased pressure and temperature in the bauxite horizons resulted in remobilization of the primary constituents of the bauxite within an aqueous complex, resulting in the crystallization of coarse-grained assemblages in the cross-cutting structures. Ultimately, erosion and mineral exploration revealed the steeply dipping bauxite outcrops and mine workings evident today. This paper focuses on the mine geology of surface outcrops of diasporic bauxite, the upper bauxite horizon within underground mine galleries at elevations of 600, 632, 637, 642, 652, 657, and 702 m, and in open pits at sites in the Küçükçamlık and Büyükçamlık hills, Milas-Muğla province, SW Turkey.

Strain localization along micro-boudinage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatziioannou, Eleftheria; Rogowitz, Anna; Grasemann, Bernhard; Habler, Gerlinde; Soukis, Konstantinos; Schneider, David

2016-04-01

The progressive development of boudinage strongly depends on the kinematic framework and the mechanical properties of the boudinaged layer and host rock. A common type of boudin, which can often be observed in natural examples, is the domino boudinage. This boudin type typically reflects a strong competency contrast of the interlayered rock sequences. Numerical models have shown that a relatively high amount of strain is necessary in order to develop separated boudin segments. With ongoing deformation and consequent rotation of the individual segments into the shear direction, the terminal sectors tend to experience a higher rotation rate, progressively resulting in isoclinal folding. Whereas most investigations of domino boudinage are cm- to dm-scale examples, we examined one order of magnitude smaller examples, where the deformation mechanism between the segments and the matrix could be directly investigated. The samples are from Kalymnos Island located in the southeastern Aegean Sea (Dodecanese islands-Greece). The analysed sample belongs to the upper unit of the pre-Alpidic basement, which consists of a succession of marbles, which were deformed under lower-greenschist facies conditions during the Variscan orogeny. 40Ar/39Ar geochronological dating on white micas in the adjacent upper quartz-mica schists unit yielded deformation ages between 240 and 334 Ma. The calcitic marble comprises boudinaged dolomite layers with thickness varying between 1 and 20 mm. Progressive deformation of the boudinaged layers resulted in the development of ptygmatic folds with fold axes parallel to the stretching lineation. The grain size from the host rock marbles (10 μm) decreases towards the boudinaged dolomite layer (5 μm) indicating strain localization adjacent to the dolomite layers. Furthermore, strain is localized within micro shear zones which nucleate in the necks of rotated boudin segments. Crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) derived from electron backscatter diffraction analysis show a distinct variation in CPO between the coarser and finer grained calcite next to the boudinaged dolomite. Detailed microstructural analysis revealed that strain is strongly partitioned parallel to the boudin segments and to the almost oblique inter-boudin surfaces.

Effects of acidic deposition on the erosion of carbonate stone — experimental results from the U.S. National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baedecker, Philip A.; Reddy, Michael M.; Reimann, Karl J.; Sciammarella, Cesar A.

One of the goals of NAPAP-sponsored research on the effects of acidic deposition on carbonate stone has been to quantify the incremental effects of wet and dry deposition of hydrogen ion, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides on stone erosion. Test briquettes and slabs of freshly quarried Indiana limestone and Vermont marble have been exposed to ambient environmental conditions in a long-term exposure program. Physical measurements of the recession of test stones exposed to ambient conditions at an angle of 30° to horizontal at the five NAPAP materials exposure sites range from ˜ 15 to ˜ 30 μm yr -1 for marble, and from ˜ 25 to ˜ 45 μm yr -1 for limestone, and are approximately double the recession estimates based on the observed calcium content of run-off solutions from test slabs. The difference between the physical and chemical recession measurements is attributed to the loss of mineral grains from the stone surfaces that are not measured in the run-off experiments. The erosion due to grain loss does not appear to be influenced by rainfall acidity, however, preliminary evidence suggests that grain loss may be influenced by dry deposition of sulfur dioxide between rainfall events. Chemical analyses of the run-off solutions and associated rainfall blanks suggest that ˜ 30% of erosion by dissolution can be attributed to the wet deposition of hydrogen ion and the dry deposition of sulfur dioxide and nitric acid between rain events. The remaining ˜ 70% of erosion by dissolution is accounted for by the solubility of carbonate stone in rain that is in equilibrium with atmospheric carbon dioxide ("clean rain"). These results are for marble and limestone slabs exposed at an angle of 30° from horizontal. The relative contribution of sulfur dioxide to chemical erosion is significantly enhanced for stone slabs having an inclination of 60° or 85°. The dry deposition of alkaline particulate material has a mitigating effect at the two urban field exposure sites at Washington, DC, and Steubenville, OH.

Effects of acidic deposition on the erosion of carbonate stone - experimental results from the U.S. National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Baedecker, P.A.; Reddy, M.M.; Reimann, K.J.; Sciammarella, C.A.

1992-01-01

One of the goals of NAPAP-sponsored research on the effects of acidic deposition on carbonate stone has been to quantify the incremental effects of wet and dry deposition of hydrogen ion, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides on stone erosion. Test briquettes and slabs of freshly quarried Indiana limestone and Vermont marble have been exposed to ambient environmental conditions in a long-term exposure program. Physical measurements of the recession of test stones exposed to ambient conditions at an angle of 30?? to horizontal at the five NAPAP materials exposure sites range from ~15 to ~30?? ??m yr-1 for marble, and from ~25 to ~45 ??m yr -1 for limestone, and are approximately double the recession estimates based on the observed calcium content of run-off solutions from test slabs. The difference between the physical and chemical recession measurements is attributed to the loss of mineral grains from the stone surfaces that are not measured in the run-off experiments. The erosion due to grain loss does not appear to be influenced by rainfall acidity, however, preliminary evidence suggests that grain loss may be influenced by dry deposition of sulfur dioxide between rainfall events. Chemical analyses of the run-off solutions and associated rainfall blanks suggest that ~30% of erosion by dissolution can be attributed to the wet deposition of hydrogen ion and the dry deposition of sulfur dioxide and nitric acid between rain events. The remaining ~70% of erosion by dissolution is accounted for by the solubility of carbonate stone in rain that is in equilibrium with atmospheric carbon dioxide ('clean rain'). These results are for marble and limestone slabs exposed at an angle of 30?? from horizontal. The relative contribution of sulfur dioxide to chemical erosion is significantly enhanced for stone slabs having an inclination of 60?? or 85??. The dry deposition of alkaline particulate material has a mitigating effect at the two urban field exposure sites at Washington, DC, and Steubenville, OH.

On the Shapes of Spandex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, Gary

2003-03-01

What is the shape that results when a flat rubber sheet with fixed circular boundary is warped by placing a heavy ball upon it? We show that, at distance R far from the center of a ball of mass M, the height h of the surface above the ball's center is given by h(R) = A*M^1/3*R^2/3, where A is a constant determined by the stretchiness of the rubber and the earths gravitational constant. This happy result allows one to analyze the orbits of marbles and coins as they roll across the surface in some detail, providing very nice analogues for a wealth of topics in celestial mechanics, from Kepler's Laws to tides and the Roche limit. It also allows undergraduates the chance to engage in physics research that they can write home about, while providing the author with the opportunity to defend the value of undergraduate research against those who might label it an oxymoron.

Performance of nanocomposites for preservation of artistic stones

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Giancristofaro, Cristina; Pilloni, Luciano; Rinaldi, Antonio

2014-06-19

In this work, the effectiveness of nanocomposite surface treatments as protective systems for artistic stones was evaluated. Pyrolitic silica and titania nanoparticles were dispersed in a commercial silicon-based polymer and applied on marble and travertine samples. Artificial aging processes, both in climatic chamber and in solar box, were carried out to simulate real degradation processes in terms of photo-thermal effects and physical-chemical damage. The performances of the nanocomposites used as consolidant were evaluated comparatively by means of diverse diagnostic techniques, namely: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser induced fluorescence (LIF), ultrasonic technique, colorimetry, total immersion water absorption and contact angle. Themore » results show that some properties of conservation materials can be improved by the presences of nanoparticles because they induce substantial changes of surface morphology of the coating layer and counter the physical damage observed during artificial weathering.« less

CACTUS SPRING ROADLESS AREA, CALIFORNIA.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Matti, Jonathan C.; Kuizon, Lucia

1984-01-01

Geologic, geochemical, and geophysical studies together with a review of historic mining and prospecting activities indicate that the Cactus Spring Roadless Area in California has little promise for the occurrence of mineral or energy resources. Marble bodies occur in the northern part of the roadless area and are possible resources for building stone, crushed and quarried aggregate, and lime and magnesium for Portland cement and industrial applications. It is recommended that the terrane of marble be mapped and sampled carefully in order to evaluate the quantity and quality of the carbonate resources.

Chemical Resistance of Ornamental Compound Stone Produced with Marble Waste and Unsaturated Polyester

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ribeiro, Carlos E. Gomes; Rodriguez, Rubén J. Sánchez; Vieira, Carlos M. Fontes

Ornamental compound stone are produced by industry for decades, however, few published studies describe these materials. Brazil has many deposits of stone wastes and a big potential to produce these materials. This work aims to evaluate the chemical resistance of ornamental compound stones produced with marble waste and unsaturated polyester. An adaptation of Annex H of ABNT NBR 13818:97 standard, with reagents commonly used in household products, was used. The results were compared with those obtained for natural stone used in composite production.

[Effect of population density on enzymatic activity of antioxidative and phenol oxidase systems of imagoes and nymphs of the marble cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea].

PubMed

Murzagulov, G S; Saltykova, E S; Gaĭfullina, L R; Nikolenko, A G

2013-01-01

The work deals with effect of density of population on functional activity of components pf protective system of adult individuals and nymphs of the marble cockroach. The resistance of individuals has been noted to decrease both at individual maintenance and under conditions of overpopulation. Changes in activities of enzymes of antioxidative and phenoloxidase systems are studied ion the insect hemolymph and intestine. Possible consequences of isolation and overpopulation are discussed both for stability and for individual development.

Experimental high strain-rate deformation products of carbonate-silicate rocks: Comparison with terrestrial impact materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Bogert, C. H.; Schultz, P. H.; Spray, J. G.

2008-09-01

Introduction. The response of carbonate to impact processes has thus far been investigated using a combination of thermodynamic modelling, shock experiments, and impact experiments. Localized shear deformation was suggested to play an important role in the failure of carbonate during some shock experiments [1,2], and was invoked to explain significant degassing of carbonates during oblique impact experiments [3]. The results of the impact experiments are at odds with experiments [4] that show back-reaction of CO2 with CaO and MgO could significantly reduce CO2 degassing during impact events. We performed a frictional-welding experiment in order to investigate the effects of high strain-rate deformation on carbonate-silicate target materials, exclusive of shock deformation effects, and to investigate the differing results of other experiments. Samples and Techniques. A frictional melting experiment was performed using dolomitic marble and quartzite samples to simulate conditions during an impact into carbonate-silicate target rocks. The experiment followed the method of Spray (1995) [5]. The 1.5 cm3 samples were mounted onto separate steel cylinders with epoxy. Using a Blacks FWH-3 axial friction-welding rig, the samples were brought into contact at room temperature and under dry conditions with ~5 MPa applied pressure. Contact was maintained for two seconds at 750 rpm for a sustained strain-rate of 102 to 103 s-1. Results. Vapor or fine dust escaped from the interface during the experiment. Immediately after sample separation, the interfaces were incandescent. Once cooled, opaque white material adhered to both the quartzite and dolomitic marble samples. Quartzite sample. Material was injected into cracks that formed in the quartzite sample. Cooling and crystallization of the friction products resulted in the formation of submicron-sized minerals such as periclase and Ca- and Ca,Mg-silicates (Fig. 1) including merwinite and åkermanite. While periclase was observed as an individual mineral species, no pure lime was observed to be present. In the quartzite sample, CaO is present only as a component of the Ca- and Ca,Mg-silicates. In the fine-grained shear zone materials, however, elemental mapping and EMP analyses reveal an overall segregation of MgO and CaO [6], suggesting that CaO is mostly present in Casilicates and Ca,Mg-silicates with low MgO contents. Dolomitic marble sample. The dolomitic marble section exhibited thinner, shorter fractures than the quartzite sample. Mechanical twinning was induced by the deformation. The adhered friction products were very fine-grained material with larger, untwinned calcite (Fig. 2), and dendritic carbonates with a composition similar to huntite. Most of the secondary calcite had rounded margins, which suggested that they were molten during the experiment. The dendritic huntite-like carbonate, with a CO2 content higher than of these secondary carbonate grains (Fig. 3). However, calcite was the dominant secondary mineral. The finegrained portion of the shear zone material contained pervasive vesicles. The vesicles immediately adjacent to the secondary calcite grains were smaller than those adjacent to the dolomitic marble. This suggests that incorporation of CO2 near the calcite grains facilitated their growth. Discussion. The textures and compositions of the experimental products indicate that the dolomitic marble decarbonated in response to the high temperatures generated during experimental deformation. Simultaneously, the liberated CaO recombined with CO2 to form molten calcite in the shear zone. This effect, in part, is due to the lower decarbonation temperature for dolomite versus calcite [c.f., 7], which allows calcite to survive at higher temperatures than dolomite. In addition, the confining pressure during the experiment was high enough to allow calcite to be present as a liquid [c.f., 8]. Both the calcite and dendritic carbonate are likely products of back-reaction of CaO and MgO with CO2. However, both CaO and MgO were also incorporated into secondary silicates, which reduced the total amount available to back-react with CO2. It appears that all CaO released from the dolomitic marble formed secondary minerals (carbonates and silicates), because it is not present as pure CaO. The MgO released from the dolomitic marble primarily formed secondary silicates, periclase, and minor secondary carbonate. As a result, the secondary carbonates cannot be a sink for all the CO2 gas released from the dolomitic marble, unless a much higher proportion of the huntite-like phase was present. Thus, there was a net release of CO2 gas from the original dolomitic marble. A portion of this CO2 remained trapped in vesicles, but CO2 gas also escaped from the shear zone. This is consistent with compositional measurements of the shear zone that suggest a release of at least 5 wt% CO2 relative to the original dolomitic marble. Comparison with terrestrial craters. Many of the descriptions of deformation features in carbonates at terrestrial craters, such as mechanical twinning and bent fractures [9-11], are similar to those seen in our experimental products. Carbonates that survive impact seem to accommodate both shock and shear deformation primarily through mechanical fracturing and twinning. Impact melts at craters in carbonate-rich targets have been found to contain both silicic and carbonatitic melts [e.g., 12], with mineral phases that are indicative of high temperature reactions between carbonate and silicate rocks [e.g., 9]. Our experiments also showed these characteristics, however, the mineral phases produced were slightly different and we have not observed silicate glass in our experimental products. The segregation of MgO from CaO has been observed, for example, at Haughton [12] and Popigai [13], and was also seen in our experimental products [6]. Implications. The products of high strain-rate deformation experiments with carbonate-silicate rocks are similar in many aspects to impact products at terrestrial craters in mixed carbonate-silicate targets. The experiments show that decarbonation of carbonate targets and high temperature reactions between carbonate and silicates in the target rocks are not exclusive effects of shock deformation. Shear deformation alone can generate temperature and pressure conditions necessary to decarbonate dolomitic marble and generate calcitic melts. Thus, high strain-rate deformation is a potentially major contributor to the total impact-related energy deposited into the target, especially for oblique impacts. Shear deformation occuring during and after shock deformation could, in fact, enhance the release of CO2 as a gas, by creating pathways that allow gases to escape from target materials. Understanding the relative importance and interaction of each CO2 releasing or trapping mechanism is important for the determination of the environmental significance of impacts in targets containing carbonates. References. [1] Lange M. A. and Ahrens T. J. (1986) EPSL 77, 409-418. [2] Tyburczy J. A. and Ahrens T. J. (1986) JGR 91, 4730-4744. [3] Schultz P. H. (1996) GSA Abstracts, A384. [4] Agrinier P., et al. (2001) GCA 65, 2615-2632. [5] Spray J. G. (1995) Geology 23, 1119-1122. [6] van der Bogert C. H., et al. (2007) LPI Contribution No. 1360, 123-124. [7] Martinez I., et al. (1995) JGR 100, 15456-15476. [8] Ivanov B. A. and Deutsch A. (2002) Phys. Earth Planet. Int. 129, 131-143. [9] Martinez I., et al. (1994) EPSL 121, 559-574. [10] Redeker H.-J. and Stöffler D. (1988) Meteoritics 23, 185-196. [11] Skála R. and Jakes P. (1999). In Large Meteorite Impacts and Planetary Evolution II (eds. B. O. Dressler and V. L. Sharpton), pp. 205-214. [12] Osinski G. R. and Spray J. G. (2001) EPSL 194, 17-29. [13] Kenkmann T., et al. (1999) LPS XXX, Abstract #1561.

A novel self-embrittling strippable coating for radioactive decontamination based on silicone modified styrene-acrylic emulsion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jing; Wang, Jianhui; Zheng, Li; Li, Jian; Cui, Can; Lv, Linmei

2017-03-01

Silicone modified styrene-acrylic emulsion and butyl acrylate were used as a main film-forming agent and an additive respectively to synthesize a self-embrittling strippable coating. The doping mass-ratio of butyl acrylate was adjusted at 0, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and the results indicated the optimized doping ratio was 10%. Ca(OH)2 was used to promote the coating film self-embrittling at a moderate doping mass-ratio of 20%. The synthesized coating’s coefficients of α and β decontamination on concrete, marble, glass and stainless steel surfaces were both greater than 85%, which indicated the synthesized coating is a promising cleaner for radioactive decontamination.

NASA Tech Helps Better Understand Our Home Planet

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-20

NASA’s Earth observations are critical for understanding our home planet and how it is changing. For Earth Day NASA is spotlighting some of the agency’s work with the latest technologies that have the potential to transform how we see our Blue Marble. Join us as we speak with NASA Ames scientist Ved Chirayath, who has developed cameras that can image marine environments below the ocean’s surface; Shayna Skolnik, founder and CEO of Navteca, a company that’s working to bring NASA Earth data to life through virtual reality; and Brian Campbell, senior education and outreach specialist for ICESat-2 satellite, which is set to launch this fall to measure polar ice and other important Earth features.

Relationships of consumer sensory ratings, marbling score, and shear force value to consumer acceptance of beef strip loin steaks.

PubMed

Platter, W J; Tatum, J D; Belk, K E; Chapman, P L; Scanga, J A; Smith, G C

2003-11-01

Logistic regression was used to quantify and characterize the effects of changes in marbling score, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), and consumer panel sensory ratings for tenderness, juiciness, or flavor on the probability of overall consumer acceptance of strip loin steaks from beef carcasses (n = 550). Consumers (n = 489) evaluated steaks for tenderness, juiciness, and flavor using nine-point hedonic scales (1 = like extremely and 9 = dislike extremely) and for overall steak acceptance (satisfied or not satisfied). Predicted acceptance of steaks by consumers was high (> 85%) when the mean consumer sensory rating for tenderness,juiciness, or flavor for a steak was 3 or lower on the hedonic scale. Conversely, predicted consumer acceptance of steaks was low (< or = 10%) when the mean consumer rating for tenderness, juiciness, or flavor for a steak was 5 or higher on the hedonic scale. As mean consumer sensory ratings for tenderness, juiciness, or flavor decreased from 3 to 5, the probability of acceptance of steaks by consumers diminished rapidly in a linear fashion. These results suggest that small changes in consumer sensory ratings for these sensory traits have dramatic effects on the probability of acceptance of steaks by consumers. Marbling score displayed a weak (adjusted R2 = 0.053), yet significant (P < 0.01), relationship to acceptance of steaks by consumers, and the shape of the predicted probability curve for steak acceptance was approximately linear over the entire range of marbling scores (Traces67 to Slightly Abundant97), suggesting that the likelihood of consumer acceptance of steaks increases approximately 10% for each full marbling score increase between Slight to Slightly Abundant. The predicted probability curve for consumer acceptance of steaks was sigmoidal for the WBSF model, with a steep decline in predicted probability of acceptance as WBSF values increased from 3.0 to 5.5 kg. Changes in WBSF within the high (> 5.5 kg) or low (< 3.0 kg) portions of the range of WBSF values had little effect on the probability of consumer acceptance of steaks.

Influence of surrounding environment on subcritical crack growth in marble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nara, Yoshitaka; Kashiwaya, Koki; Nishida, Yuki; , Toshinori, Ii

2017-06-01

Understanding subcritical crack growth in rock is essential for determining appropriate measures to ensure the long-term integrity of rock masses surrounding structures and for construction from rock material. In this study, subcritical crack growth in marble was investigated experimentally, focusing on the influence of the surrounding environment on the relationship between the crack velocity and stress intensity factor. The crack velocity increased with increasing temperature and/or relative humidity. In all cases, the crack velocity increased with increasing stress intensity factor. However, for Carrara marble (CM) in air, we observed a region in which the crack velocity still increased with temperature, but the increase in the crack velocity with increasing stress intensity factor was not significant. This is similar to Region II of subcritical crack growth observed in glass in air. Region II in glass is controlled by mass transport to the crack tip. In the case of rock, the transport of water to the crack tip is important. In general, Region II is not observed for subcritical crack growth in rock materials, because rocks contain water. Because the porosity of CM is very low, the amount of water contained in the marble is also very small. Therefore, our results imply that we observed Region II in CM. Because the crack velocity increased in both water and air with increasing temperature and humidity, we concluded that dry conditions at low temperature are desirable for the long-term integrity of a carbonate rock mass. Additionally, mass transport to the crack tip is an important process for subcritical crack growth in rock with low porosity.

Humidity sorption on natural building stone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franzen, C.; Mirwald, P.

2003-04-01

processes, physical, chemical or biological, depend on the presence of water. Like most porous materials building stone respond on humidity by water uptake. The sorption isotherm represents the equilibrium moisture, specific for each material. The determination of the isotherm for stone of low and small porosity like marble is difficult. With the help of a newly developed water sorption analysis chamber [2], which allows the simultaneous measurement of 11 samples, good results on stone/rock samples have been obtained. Even at marble species with pore volumes lower than 0.4 % isotherms are measured. This analytical method offers new insights in the pore behaviour of low porosity materials. The advantages of this technique which supplements other techniques (e.g. BET, Hg-porosimetry) are: i) the testing agent is identical to the weathering agent, water; ii) the atmospheric parameters at the measurement reflect the natural conditions - thus no changes to the material properties have to be considered; iii) due to the small diameter of the water molecule (~0.28 nm), smaller pores are reached than e.g. with N2 (~0.31 nm). Sorption isotherms of sandstone (Baumberg, Obernkirchen, Groeden), granite (Brixen), and marble (Sterzing, Laas) are presented. Particular as to marbles the resolution is considerably higher. A previously observed negative hysteresis [3] seems an effect due to limited data resolution. [1] Snethlage, R. (1984) Steinkonservierung, Bayer. LA Denkmalpflege, Ah. 22, 203 S. [2] Griesser, U.J., Dillenz, J. (2002) Neuartiges, vollautomatisches Feuchtesorptionsprüfgerät mit hohem Probendurchsatz, Feuchtetag 2002, Weimar, 85-93. [3] Fimmel, R. (1996) Verwitterungsverhalten der alpinen Marmore von Laas und Sterzing, Diss. Univ. Ibk, 116 S.

Effects of feeding ractopamine hydrochloride (Paylean) to physical and immunological castrates (Improvest) in a commercial setting on carcass cutting yields and loin quality.

PubMed

Lowe, B K; Gerlemann, G D; Carr, S N; Rincker, P J; Schroeder, A L; Petry, D B; McKeith, F K; Allee, G L; Dilger, A C

2014-08-01

Effects of feeding ractopamine (RAC; 5 mg/kg) to physically castrated (PC) and immunologically castrated (IC) pigs on carcass characteristics, cutting yields, and loin quality were evaluated using 285 carcasses. Male pigs were randomly assigned to sex treatments (PC and IC) at birth and fed the same nursery diets before allotment into 32 pens with 22 pigs per pen in a grow-finish barn. Pigs in the PC group were physically castrated at approximately 5 d of age, and pigs in the IC group were administered Improvest at 11 and 18 wk of age. Diet treatments (control or RAC) were initiated on study d 87. Pigs were marketed at 12 d (4.5 wk post-second Improvest dose), 19 d (5.5 wk post-second Improvest dose), and 33 d (7.5 wk post-second Improvest dose) following the start of final diet treatments. Three carcasses per pen were selected for evaluation of cutting yields and loin quality. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS with fixed effects of sex, diet, market group, and their interaction; carcass (N = 285) was the experimental unit. Carcasses from RAC-fed pigs were heavier (P < 0.01) and had deeper (P = 0.02) loins than control-fed carcasses. Carcasses from IC pigs were similar (P = 0.22) in weight but had less (P < 0.01) fat and shallower (P = 0.02) loins when compared to PC carcasses. There were differences (P < 0.05) among market groups for carcass weights, fat depths, loin depths, and estimated carcass leanness. For cutting yields, RAC-fed carcasses had greater (P ≤ 0.03) bone-in lean and total carcass cutting yields than control-fed carcasses while there were no differences (P > 0.05) between RAC-fed and control-fed carcasses when evaluating LM color, marbling, firmness, pH, drip loss, and tenderness. Carcasses from IC pigs had greater (P < 0.05) boneless lean yields, bone-in lean yields, and total carcass cutting yields than PC carcasses. There were minimal differences (P < 0.05) in LM marbling, firmness, composition, and tenderness between PC and IC pigs. There was an interaction (P = 0.03) between sex and diet for LM composition. Control-fed PC loins had more (P < 0.01) lipid than all other treatment combinations. Market group had effects (P < 0.05) on carcass cutting yields, LM color, marbling and firmness scores, pH, purge loss, composition, and tenderness. The results from this study indicated RAC and immunological castration were additive in terms of improving carcass cutting yields while having minimal effects on pork quality.

Application of preliminary risk analysis at marble finishing plants in Recife's metropolitan area.

PubMed

de Melo Neto, Rútilo P; Kohlman Rabbani, Emilia R

2012-01-01

The finishing of marble occurs in quarries all over Brazil, being the most significant dimension of the ornamental stone sector, with 7,000 businesses. Recife's Metropolitan Area (RMR) contains approximately 106 marble quarries, 25 of them unionized. The study focused on the application of Preliminary Risk Analysis, conducted at two unionized quarries: M1, a small business; and the second, M2, considered a micro enterprise. In this analysis both the administrative and the productive sectors were evaluated. The fieldwork was done in the month of December 2010. The study revealed that the two quarries carried moderate risks in the administrative sector, mainly due to ergonomic factors, and that in the productive sectors the risks were high, specifically because of excess noise, dust material, and precarious electrical installations. Using the results of the qualitative analysis as a base, the need for quantitative study presents itself in order to determine the most adequate modes of protection to be of assistance in the management of these risks, guaranteeing the safety and health of the worker and consequently the improvement in productivity in this sector.

Bulding and Ornamental Stone in the History of St Petersburg Architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bulakh, Andrey

2013-04-01

First, the Our Lady of Kazan Orthodox Cathedral and some mansions are used to demonstrate Russian stones in the architectural décor of St Petersburg, XVIII-XX cc. These rocks are granites from Vyborg and Sortavala, lime tufa from Gatchina, marbles from Ruskeala and Juven at the Ladoga Lake, Tivdian marble, Shokshian quartzite, and black aspid slate of the Onega Lake. Later German and Polish sandstones and Finnish soap stone came to the city. Second, there is given a review of rock types used in St Petersburg at XX-XXI cc. margins. They are granites, granosyenites, syenites, gneisses, marbles, limestones both from Russia and from abroad. Which ones are more usual? From what regions did Russian stone come? References: 1) A.G.Bulakh, N.B.Abakumova, J.V.Romanovsky. St Petersburg: a History in Stone. 2010. Print. House of St Petersburg State University. 173 p. 2) A.Ya. Tutakova, A.Z. Romanovskiy, A.G. Bulakh, V.I. Leer. Dimension Stone of the Leningrad Region. Granites of the Karelia Isthmus in Architecture of the Modern St Petersburg. 2011. St Petersburg. 78 p. (In Russian).

Effect of packaging atmospheres on storage quality characteristics of heavily marbled beef longissimus steaks.

PubMed

Yang, Xiaoyin; Zhang, Yimin; Zhu, Lixian; Han, Mingshan; Gao, Shujuan; Luo, Xin

2016-07-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) systems on shelf-life and quality of beef steaks with high marbling. Four packaging types were used including 80% O2 MAP (80% O2+20% CO2), 50% O2 MAP (50% O2+30% CO2+20% N2), carbon monoxide MAP (0.4% CO+30% CO2+69.6% N2) and vacuum packaging (VP). Steaks were displayed under simulated retail conditions at 4°C for 12days. Purge loss, pH, color stability, oxidative stability and microbial counts were monitored. Aerobically packaged steaks exhibited a bright-red color at the first 4days. However, discoloration and oxidation became major factors limiting their shelf-life to 8days. Compared with aerobic packaging, anaerobic packaging extended shelf-life of heavily marbled beef steaks, due to better color stability, together with lower oxidation and microbial populations. Among all packaging methods, CO-MAP had the best preservation for steaks, with more red color than other packaging types. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mexican consumers at the point of meat purchase. Beef choice.

PubMed

Ngapo, T M; Braña Varela, D; Rubio Lozano, M S

2017-12-01

Within-consumer preference replication achieved through systematic image manipulation was used in consumer surveys in four cities across Mexico (Mexico City, n=195; Guadalajara, n=100; Hermosillo, n=132; Veracruz, n=61) to study beef preferences. Images of beef steaks controlled for lean and fat colour, fat cover and marbling were presented to consumers to determine the characteristics used in beef choice and the levels of preference of these characteristics. The most important choice criteria were fat cover (62% preferring little fat cover) and marbling (59% preferring non-marbled). Lean colour was also important with 24% and 29% choosing light and dark red beef, respectively. Fat colour was the least important of the four attributes studied (18% and 19% choosing white and yellow, respectively), but was nevertheless important given that 43% of consumers used three or four characteristics to make their choice. Imported and domestic beef in the Mexican marketplace appear to respond to the range of consumers' beef preferences at the point of purchase. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[The effect of 3-oxypyridine and succinic acid derivatives on obsessive-compulsive activity of mice in marble-burying test].

PubMed

Volchegorskiĭ, I A; Miroshnichenko, I Iu; Rassokhina, L M; Faĭzullin, R M; Priakhina, K E

2014-01-01

The effect of domestic derivatives of 3-oxypyridine and succinic acid (emoxipine, reamberin, and mexidol) on obsessive-compulsive behavior of mice was studied in the marble-burying test. Additionally the effect of these drugs on the behavior of animals was assessed in the open field test. Amitriptylin and alpha-lipoic acid were used as reference drugs. It was established that single administration of the investigated drugs in optimal doses, corresponding to therapeutic range in humans, inhibits obsessive-compulsive behavior of mice in the marble-burying test. Amitriptylin and alpha-lipoic acid produced similar effects. It is established that emoxipine stimulates the behavior of mice in the open field after single administration. An increase in the emoxipine dose led to decrease of stimulation and gradual development of sedative effect. Reamberin and mexidol, as well as alpha-lipoic acid and amitriptyline, caused sedation in mice tested in the open field. Inhibiting effect of emoxipine, reamberin, mexidol and alpha-lipoic acid on the obsessive-compulsive behavior in mice directly depended on sedative action of these drugs.

Results from the MARBLE Campaign on the National Ignition Facility: Implosion of Foam-Filled Capsules for Studying Thermonuclear Burn in the Presence of Heterogeneous Mix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, T. J.; Douglas, M. R.; Cardenas, T.; Devolder, B. G.; Fincke, J. R.; Gunderson, M. A.; Haines, B. M.; Hamilton, C. E.; Kim, Y. H.; Lee, M. N.; Oertel, J. A.; Olson, R. E.; Randolph, R. B.; Shah, R. C.; Smidt, J. M.

2016-10-01

The MARBLE campaign on NIF investigates the effect of heterogeneous mix on thermonuclear burn for comparison to a probability distribution function (PDF) burn model. MARBLE utilizes plastic capsules filled with deuterated plastic foam and tritium gas. The ratio of DT to DD neutron yield is indicative of the degree to which the foam and the gas atomically mix. Platform development experiments have been performed to understand the behavior of the foam and of the gas separately using two types of capsule. The first uses partially deuterated foam and hydrogen gas fill to understand the burn in the foam. The second uses undeuterated foam and deuterium gas fill to understand the dynamics of the gas. Experiments using deuterated foam and tritium gas are planned. Results of these experiments, and the implications for our understanding of thermonuclear burn in heterogeneously mixed separated reactant experiments will be discussed. This work is supported by US DOE/NNSA, performed at LANL, operated by LANS LLC under contract DE-AC52-06NA25396.

Ultrastructural study of iron oxide precipitates: implications for the search for biosignatures in the Meridiani hematite concretions, Mars.

PubMed

Souza-Egipsy, Virginia; Ormö, Jens; Beitler Bowen, Brenda; Chan, Marjorie A; Komatsu, Goro

2006-08-01

Two terrestrial environments that have been proposed as analogs for the iron oxide precipitation in the Meridiani Planum region of Mars include the Rio Tinto precipitates and southern Utah marble concretions. Samples of two typical Utah iron oxide concretions and iron oxide precipitates in contact with biofilms from Rio Tinto have been studied to determine whether evidence could be found for biomediation in the precipitation process and to identify likely locations for fossil microorganisms. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to search for biosignatures in the Utah marbles. The precipitation of iron oxides resembles known biosignatures, though organic compounds could not be confirmed with GC-MS analysis. In contrast, textural variations induced by biological activity are abundant in the modern Rio Tinto samples. Although no compelling evidence of direct or indirect biomediation was found in the Utah marbles, the ultrastructure of the iron oxide cement in the concretion suggests an inward growth during concretion precipitation from an initially spherical redox front. No indication for growth from a physical nucleus was found.

Relationship between commercially available DNA analysis and phenotypic observations on beef quality and tenderness.

PubMed

Magolski, J D; Buchanan, D S; Maddock-Carlin, K R; Anderson, V L; Newman, D J; Berg, E P

2013-11-01

Warner-Bratzler shear force values from 560 mixed breed heifers and steers were used to determine estimates of genetic selection. Cattle were marketed from 2008 to 2011, and included five feedlot based research projects at the North Dakota State University-Carrington Research Extension Center. Samples were collected for IGENITY® analysis providing information that included selection indices and estimated breeding values for carcass traits. DNA-based test results were compared with actual carcass measurements. Marbling accounted for over 10% of the variation in WBSF while hot carcass weight was the second most influential carcass trait accounting for 4% (P<0.01). Regression coefficients of IGENITY® molecular breeding value on phenotype for WBSF, marbling, ribeye area, yield grade, and fat thickness were low (R(2)=0.14, 0.02, 0.03, 0.03, and 0.02, respectively). Therefore selecting cattle for a higher degree of marbling and feeding a diet that meets or exceeds recommended nutrients for growth are the most important factors influencing beef tenderness and acceptability. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Physicochemical characteristics and sensory attributes of meat from heavy-weight Iberian and F1 Large White x Landrace pigs finished intensively or in free-range conditions.

PubMed

Almeida, J; Bressan, M C; Santos-Silva, J; Moreira, O; Bettencourt, C; Gama, L T

2018-05-15

Iberian (IB, n=60) and crossbred Large White*Landrace (F1, n=58) pigs were slaughtered at 160 kg, after finishing under intensive conditions or on pasture and acorns. The study was carried out as a factorial arrangement of treatments, and physicochemical properties and sensory attributes of meat were assessed in L. thoracis samples. Physical characteristics included the assessment of drip loss, cooking loss, shear force and color coordinates in meat samples processed at 2 d and 9 d post mortem. The interactions of genetic group and finishing system were significant (P<0.05) for cooking loss in meat aged for 9 d and for sensorial tenderness and global acceptability of meat, but none of the other physicochemical, color coordinates and sensory variables analyzed showed a significant interaction. Genetic group was the main factor influencing the variables analyzed, with a major (P<0.01) influence on all meat physicochemical characteristics and sensory attributes. Relative to F1 pigs, the IB produced meat with higher IMF content and marbling score, more appealing color coordinates, lower shear force and higher sensorial tenderness. The finishing systems affected (P<0.05) most physical characteristics, but not chemical composition of meat and their impact on sensory properties was small. The tenderness, juiciness and global acceptability of meat were much higher in IB, and flavor was also more desirable, but the difference was smaller. The differences in sensory properties between meats originating from the 2 genetic groups were largely explained by the higher fat deposition in IB pigs, such that a higher level of marbling was positively associated with all the sensory attributes evaluated. Ageing meat for up to 9 d post mortem benefited pork quality, improving meat tenderness and color, particularly in crossbred pigs and those finished intensively.

Photocatalytic Nanocomposites for the Protection of European Architectural Heritage.

PubMed

Gherardi, Francesca; Roveri, Marco; Goidanich, Sara; Toniolo, Lucia

2018-01-03

In the field of stone protection, the introduction of inorganic nanoparticles, such as TiO₂, ZnO, and Ag in polymeric blends can enhance the protective action of pristine treatments, as well as confer additional properties (photocatalytic, antifouling, and antibacterial). In the framework of the "Nano-Cathedral" European project, nanostructured photocatalytic protective treatments were formulated by using different TiO₂ nanoparticles, solvents, and silane/siloxane systems in the blends. The results about the characterization and application of two promising nano-TiO₂ based products applied on Apuan marble and Ajarte limestone are here reported, aiming at investigating the complex system "treatment/stone-substrate". The nanocomposites show better performances when compared to a commercial reference siloxane based protective treatment, resulting in different performances once applied on different carbonatic substrates, with very low and high open porosity, confirming the necessity of correlating precisely the characteristics of the stone material to those of the protective formulations. In particular, the TiO₂ photocatalytic behavior is strictly linked to the amount of available nanoparticles and to the active surface area. The alkyl silane oligomers of the water-based formulation have a good penetration into the microstructure of Ajarte limestone, whereas the solvent-based and small size monomeric formulation shows better results for Apuan marble, granting a good coverage of the pores. The encouraging results obtained so far in lab will be confirmed by monitoring tests aiming at assessing the effectiveness of the treatments applied in pilot sites of historical Gothic Cathedrals.

Photocatalytic Nanocomposites for the Protection of European Architectural Heritage

PubMed Central

Roveri, Marco; Goidanich, Sara; Toniolo, Lucia

2018-01-01

In the field of stone protection, the introduction of inorganic nanoparticles, such as TiO2, ZnO, and Ag in polymeric blends can enhance the protective action of pristine treatments, as well as confer additional properties (photocatalytic, antifouling, and antibacterial). In the framework of the “Nano-Cathedral” European project, nanostructured photocatalytic protective treatments were formulated by using different TiO2 nanoparticles, solvents, and silane/siloxane systems in the blends. The results about the characterization and application of two promising nano-TiO2 based products applied on Apuan marble and Ajarte limestone are here reported, aiming at investigating the complex system “treatment/stone-substrate”. The nanocomposites show better performances when compared to a commercial reference siloxane based protective treatment, resulting in different performances once applied on different carbonatic substrates, with very low and high open porosity, confirming the necessity of correlating precisely the characteristics of the stone material to those of the protective formulations. In particular, the TiO2 photocatalytic behavior is strictly linked to the amount of available nanoparticles and to the active surface area. The alkyl silane oligomers of the water-based formulation have a good penetration into the microstructure of Ajarte limestone, whereas the solvent-based and small size monomeric formulation shows better results for Apuan marble, granting a good coverage of the pores. The encouraging results obtained so far in lab will be confirmed by monitoring tests aiming at assessing the effectiveness of the treatments applied in pilot sites of historical Gothic Cathedrals. PMID:29301338

Mineral resources and resource potential map of the Pyramid Peak Roadless Area, Riverside County, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Calzia, J.P.

1988-01-01

Geologic and geochemical data indicate that the study area has high resource potential for marble, and moderate resource potential for epithermal gold deposits and tungsten skarns. The Desert Divide Group and the Palm Canyon Complex contain large resources of marble quarried for Portland cement and for construction applications. Gold occurs in quartz veins and pegmatites in the Desert Divide Group and the Penrod Quartz Monzonite. Skarns in the Desert Divide Group contain scheelite and anomalous concentrations of arsenic and beryllium. Thin layers of tremolite asbestos along low-angle thrust faults occur outside of the study area.

Complete genome sequence and phylogenetic analyses of an aquabirnavirus isolated from a diseased marbled eel culture in Taiwan.

PubMed

Wen, Chiu-Ming

2017-08-01

An aquabirnavirus was isolated from diseased marbled eels (Anguilla marmorata; MEIPNV1310) with gill haemorrhages and associated mortality. Its genome segment sequences were obtained through next-generation sequencing and compared with published aquabirnavirus sequences. The results indicated that the genome sequence of MEIPNV1310 contains segment A (3099 nucleotides) and segment B (2789 nucleotides). Phylogenetic analysis showed that MEIPNV1310 is closely related to the infectious pancreatic necrosis Ab strain within genogroup II. This genome sequence is beneficial for studying the geographic distribution and evolution of aquabirnaviruses.

Statistical compilation of NAPAP chemical erosion observations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mossotti, Victor G.; Eldeeb, A. Raouf; Reddy, Michael M.; Fries, Terry L.; Coombs, Mary Jane; Schmiermund, Ron L.; Sherwood, Susan I.

2001-01-01

In the mid 1980s, the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP), in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), initiated a Materials Research Program (MRP) that included a series of field and laboratory studies with the broad objective of providing scientific information on acid rain effects on calcareous building stone. Among the several effects investigated, the chemical dissolution of limestone and marble by rainfall was given particular attention because of the pervasive appearance of erosion effects on cultural materials situated outdoors. In order to track the chemical erosion of stone objects in the field and in the laboratory, the Ca 2+ ion concentration was monitored in the runoff solution from a variety of test objects located both outdoors and under more controlled conditions in the laboratory. This report provides a graphical and statistical overview of the Ca 2+ chemistry in the runoff solutions from (1) five urban and rural sites (DC, NY, NJ, NC, and OH) established by the MRP for materials studies over the period 1984 to 1989, (2) subevent study at the New York MRP site, (3) in situ study of limestone and marble monuments at Gettysburg, (4) laboratory experiments on calcite dissolution conducted by Baedecker, (5) laboratory simulations by Schmiermund, and (6) laboratory investigation of the surface reactivity of calcareous stone conducted by Fries and Mossotti. The graphical representations provided a means for identifying erroneous data that can randomly appear in a database when field operations are semi-automated; a purged database suitable for the evaluation of quantitative models of stone erosion is appended to this report. An analysis of the sources of statistical variability in the data revealed that the rate of stone erosion is weakly dependent on the type of calcareous stone, the ambient temperature, and the H + concentration delivered in the incident rain. The analysis also showed that the rate of stone erosion is strongly dependent on the rain-delivery conditions and on the surface morphology and orientation.

Effects of sequential implanting and ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation on carcass characteristics and longissimus muscle tenderness of calf-fed steers and heifers.

PubMed

Woerner, D R; Tatum, J D; Engle, T E; Belk, K E; Couch, D W

2011-01-01

A 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (4 growth-enhancement treatments × 2 sex classes) was used to quantify effects of initial implanting (I-implant, d 0), terminal implanting (T-implant, d 63), and feeding ractopamine hydrochloride [RAC, 200 mg/(animal/d)] for the last 28 d on feed on carcass characteristics and LM shear force (WBSF) of calf-fed steers (n = 159) and heifers (n = 132). Growth-enhancement treatments included the following: TRT1, T-implant only; TRT2, I-implant and RAC; TRT3, I-implant and T-implant; TRT4, I-implant, T-implant, and RAC. Growth responses (BW and ADG) were measured in 3 segments of the finishing period: 1) d 0 to 63, 2) d 63 to 28 d before slaughter, and 3) final 28 d. Cattle were slaughtered after 152, 166, or 180 d of finishing; carcass data were collected after a 48-h chill; and LM WBSF was measured at 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d postmortem. A priori contrasts were constructed to test effects associated with use vs. exclusion of growth enhancement in each segment of the finishing period. The interaction between sex class and treatment was not significant (P > 0.05) for any trait tested, indicating that the 4 treatments elicited similar effects in both sexes. Initial implanting improved (P < 0.001) ADG from d 0 to 63 by 11.5%, terminal implanting improved (P < 0.001) ADG from d 63 to 28 d before slaughter by 15%, and supplementing twice-implanted cattle with RAC enhanced ADG during the final 28 d of finishing by 12%. Effects of I-implant, T-implant, and RAC resulted in LM area increases of 3 cm(2) (P = 0.015), 6 cm(2) (P < 0.001), and 3 cm(2) (P = 0.011), respectively, and HCW responses of 11 kg (P = 0.011), 16 kg (P = 0.001), and 6 kg (P = 0.195), respectively. Initial implanting resulted in a 20-point reduction (P = 0.097) in marbling, and T-implant reduced marbling by 25 points (P = 0.04), whereas marbling score was unaffected (P = 0.236) by RAC supplementation. Cattle that received only 1 implant (TRT1 and TRT2) produced carcasses with greater (P = 0.026) mean marbling scores and greater (P = 0.01) rates of conformity to beef carcass marketing specifications for HCW, quality grade, yield grade, and LM area than did cattle that were implanted twice (TRT3 and TRT4). Values for LM WBSF were not affected (P > 0.05) by initial or terminal implanting; however, RAC supplementation increased (P = 0.007) mean LM WBSF by 0.23 kg, which translated into a reduction (P = 0.007) in predicted consumer acceptance of LM steaks.

Testing the effectiveness of automated acoustic sensors for monitoring vocal activity of Marbled Murrelets Brachyramphus marmoratus

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cragg, Jenna L.; Burger, Alan E.; Piatt, John F.

2015-01-01

Cryptic nest sites and secretive breeding behavior make population estimates and monitoring of Marbled Murrelets Brachyramphus marmoratus difficult and expensive. Standard audio-visual and radar protocols have been refined but require intensive field time by trained personnel. We examined the detection range of automated sound recorders (Song Meters; Wildlife Acoustics Inc.) and the reliability of automated recognition models (“recognizers”) for identifying and quantifying Marbled Murrelet vocalizations during the 2011 and 2012 breeding seasons at Kodiak Island, Alaska. The detection range of murrelet calls by Song Meters was estimated to be 60 m. Recognizers detected 20 632 murrelet calls (keer and keheer) from a sample of 268 h of recordings, yielding 5 870 call series, which compared favorably with human scanning of spectrograms (on average detecting 95% of the number of call series identified by a human observer, but not necessarily the same call series). The false-negative rate (percentage of murrelet call series that the recognizers failed to detect) was 32%, mainly involving weak calls and short call series. False-positives (other sounds included by recognizers as murrelet calls) were primarily due to complex songs of other bird species, wind and rain. False-positives were lower in forest nesting habitat (48%) and highest in shrubby vegetation where calls of other birds were common (97%–99%). Acoustic recorders tracked spatial and seasonal trends in vocal activity, with higher call detections in high-quality forested habitat and during late July/early August. Automated acoustic monitoring of Marbled Murrelet calls could provide cost-effective, valuable information for assessing habitat use and temporal and spatial trends in nesting activity; reliability is dependent on careful placement of sensors to minimize false-positives and on prudent application of digital recognizers with visual checking of spectrograms.

Influence of a dam on fine-sediment storage in a canyon river

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hazel, J.E.; Topping, D.J.; Schmidt, J.C.; Kaplinski, M.

2006-01-01

Glen Canyon Dam has caused a fundamental change in the distribution of fine sediment storage in the 99-km reach of the Colorado River in Marble Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. The two major storage sites for fine sediment (i.e., sand and finer material) in this canyon river are lateral recirculation eddies and the main-channel bed. We use a combination of methods, including direct measurement of sediment storage change, measurements of sediment flux, and comparison of the grain size of sediment found in different storage sites relative to the supply and that in transport, in order to evaluate the change in both the volume and location of sediment storage. The analysis shows that the bed of the main channel was an important storage environment for fine sediment in the predam era. In years of large seasonal accumulation, approximately 50% of the fine sediment supplied to the reach from upstream sources was stored on the main-channel bed. In contrast, sediment budgets constructed for two short-duration, high experimental releases from Glen Canyon Dam indicate that approximately 90% of the sediment discharge from the reach during each release was derived from eddy storage, rather than from sandy deposits on the main-channel bed. These results indicate that the majority of the fine sediment in Marble Canyon is now stored in eddies, even though they occupy a small percentage (???17%) of the total river area. Because of a 95% reduction in the supply of fine sediment to Marble Canyon, future high releases without significant input of tributary sediment will potentially erode sediment from long-term eddy storage, resulting in continued degradation in Marble Canyon. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union.

Subcutaneous anchor attachment increases retention of radio transmitters on Xantus' and marbled murrelets

USGS Publications Warehouse

Newman, Scott H.; Takekawa, John Y.; Whitworth, Darrell L.; Burkett, Esther E.

1999-01-01

We modified a subcutaneous anchor attachment and achieved transmitter reten- tion times that exceeded those reported previously for other attachments used on alcids. Traditional suture and epoxy attachment methods were used on Xantus' Murrelets in 1995 and 1996, while the modified attachment was used for Xantus' Murrelets in 1996 and 1997 and Marbled Murrelets in 1997. Modifications included use of an inhalant anesthetic, placing the anchor in a more cranial position on the back, application of marine epoxy, and place- ment of a single subcutaneous non-absorbable suture at the caudal end of the radio to hold the radio in place initially. We located 22 of 56 (39%) Xantus' Murrelets radio-marked using suture and epoxy during aerial surveys in 1995 and 1996. Of birds radio-marked using the subcutaneous anchor attachment, we located 92 of 113 (81%) Xantus' Murrelets marked in 1996 and 1997 and all 28 (100%) Marbled Murrelets marked in 1997 during aerial surveys. The maximum confirmed duration for the subcutaneous anchor transmitter attachment was 51 d for Xantus' Murrelets and 78 d for Marbled Murrelets versus 41 d for the suture and epoxy attachment used on Xantus' Murrelets. Recapture rates of radio-marked Xantus' Mur- relets were similar to recapture rates of unmarked Xantus' Murrelets. Our post-release ob- servations indicated negligible short-term physical effects from the attachment procedure, while telemetry data and examination of recaptured murrelets indicated no evidence of infection or other long-term physical effects. Breeding behavior of some murrelets was not disrupted; however, further evaluation of potential effects of this attachment technique on breeding and behavior is needed.

Removal of suspended solids and turbidity from marble processing wastewaters by electrocoagulation: comparison of electrode materials and electrode connection systems.

PubMed

Solak, Murat; Kiliç, Mehmet; Hüseyin, Yazici; Sencan, Aziz

2009-12-15

In this study, removal of suspended solids (SS) and turbidity from marble processing wastewaters by electrocoagulation (EC) process were investigated by using aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) electrodes which were run in serial and parallel connection systems. To remove these pollutants from the marble processing wastewater, an EC reactor including monopolar electrodes (Al/Fe) in parallel and serial connection system, was utilized. Optimization of differential operation parameters such as pH, current density, and electrolysis time on SS and turbidity removal were determined in this way. EC process with monopolar Al electrodes in parallel and serial connections carried out at the optimum conditions where the pH value was 9, current density was approximately 15 A/m(2), and electrolysis time was 2 min resulted in 100% SS removal. Removal efficiencies of EC process for SS with monopolar Fe electrodes in parallel and serial connection were found to be 99.86% and 99.94%, respectively. Optimum parameters for monopolar Fe electrodes in both of the connection types were found to be for pH value as 8, for electrolysis time as 2 min. The optimum current density value for Fe electrodes used in serial and parallel connections was also obtained at 10 and 20 A/m(2), respectively. Based on the results obtained, it was found that EC process running with each type of the electrodes and the connections was highly effective for the removal of SS and turbidity from marble processing wastewaters, and that operating costs with monopolar Al electrodes in parallel connection were the cheapest than that of the serial connection and all the configurations for Fe electrode.

Estimation of Coast-Wide Population Trends of Marbled Murrelets in Canada Using a Bayesian Hierarchical Model

PubMed Central

Schroeder, Bernard K.; Lindsay, David J.; Faust, Deborah A.

2015-01-01

Species at risk with secretive breeding behaviours, low densities, and wide geographic range pose a significant challenge to conservation actions because population trends are difficult to detect. Such is the case with the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), a seabird listed as ‘Threatened’ by the Species at Risk Act in Canada largely due to the loss of its old growth forest nesting habitat. We report the first estimates of population trend of Marbled Murrelets in Canada derived from a monitoring program that uses marine radar to detect birds as they enter forest watersheds during 923 dawn surveys at 58 radar monitoring stations within the six Marbled Murrelet Conservation Regions on coastal British Columbia, Canada, 1996–2013. Temporal trends in radar counts were analyzed with a hierarchical Bayesian multivariate modeling approach that controlled for variation in tilt of the radar unit and day of year, included year-specific deviations from the overall trend (‘year effects’), and allowed for trends to be estimated at three spatial scales. A negative overall trend of -1.6%/yr (95% credibility interval: -3.2%, 0.01%) indicated moderate evidence for a coast-wide decline, although trends varied strongly among the six conservation regions. Negative annual trends were detected in East Vancouver Island (-9%/yr) and South Mainland Coast (-3%/yr) Conservation Regions. Over a quarter of the year effects were significantly different from zero, and the estimated standard deviation in common-shared year effects between sites within each region was about 50% per year. This large common-shared interannual variation in counts may have been caused by regional movements of birds related to changes in marine conditions that affect the availability of prey. PMID:26258803

Back to basics: A methodological perspective on marble-burying behavior as a screening test for psychiatric illness.

PubMed

de Brouwer, Geoffrey; Wolmarans, De Wet

2018-04-22

Animal models of human psychiatric illness are valuable frameworks to investigate the etiology and neurobiology underlying the human conditions. Accurate behavioral measures that can be used to characterize animal behavior, thereby contributing to a model's validity, are crucial. One such measure, i.e. the rodent marble-burying test (MBT), is often applied as a measure of anxiety- and compulsive-like behaviors. However, the test is characterized by noteworthy between-laboratory methodological differences and demonstrates positive treatment responses to an array of pharmacotherapies that are often of little translational value. Therefore, using a naturalistic animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder, i.e. the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii), the current investigation attempted to illuminate the discrepancies reported in literature by means of a methodological approach to the MBT. Five key aspects of the test that vary between laboratories, viz. observer/scoring, burying substrate, optional avoidance, the use of repeated testing, and determinations of locomotor activity, have been investigated. Following repeated MB tests in four different burying substrates and in two zone configurations, we have demonstrated that 1) observer bias may contribute to the significant differences in findings reported, 2) MB seems to be a natural exploratory response to a novel environment, rather than being triggered by aberrant cognition, 3) burying substrates with a small particle size and higher density deliver the most accurate results with respect to the burying phenotype, and 4) to exclude the influence of normal exploratory behavior on the number of marbles being covered, assessments of marble-burying should be based on pre-occupation with the objects itself. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

13C 12C exchange between calcite and graphite: A possible thermometer in Grenville marbles

USGS Publications Warehouse

Valley, J.W.; O'Neil, J.R.

1981-01-01

The fractionation of 13C between calcite and graphite, ??(Cc-Gr). is consistently small (2.6-4.8 permil) in 34 assemblages from upper amphibolite- and granulite-facies marbles of the Grenville Province. In 25 samples from the Adirondack Mountains, New York, it decreases regularly with increasing metamorphic temperature. The fractionations are independent of absolute ??13C values of calcite (-2.9 to +5.0). For T = 600-800??C, the Adirondack data are described by ??(Cc-Gr) = -0.00748T (??C) + 8.68. This good correlation between ?? and T suggests that carbon isotope equilibrium was attained in these high-grade marbles and that the theoretical calculations of this fractionation by Bottinga are approximately 2 permil too large in this temperature range. Because of the relatively high temperature sensitivity suggested by these results and by Bottinga's calculations, and the pressure independence of isotope fractionation, ??(Cc-Gr) may provide a very good thermometer for high-grade marbles. Comparison of this field calibration for ??(Cc-Gr) vs temperature with results from other terranes supports the utility of ??(Cc-Gr) for geothermometry and suggests that graphite is much more sluggish to exchange than calcite, that exchange between calcite and graphite occurs at temperatures as low as 300??C, and that equilibrium may normally be attained only when peak metamorphic temperatures are greater than 500-600??C. Because 13C exchange is an unavoidable metamorphic process at temperatures above 300??C, high values of ??13C(Gr) in moderate- to high-grade carbonate-bearing rocks do not provide a sufficient criterion to infer an abiogenic origin for the graphite. ?? 1981.

Marble waste and pig manure amendments decrease metal availability, increase soil quality and facilitate vegetation development in bare mine soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zornoza, Raúl; Faz, Ángel; Martínez-Martínez, Silvia; Acosta, José A.; Gómez, M. Dolores; Ángeles Muñoz, M.

2013-04-01

In order to bring out a functional and sustainable land use in a highly contaminated mine tailing, firstly environmental risks have to be reduced or eliminated by suitable reclamation activities. Tailing ponds pose environmental hazards, such as acidity and toxic metals reaching to waters through wind and water erosions and leaching. As a consequence, soils have no vegetation and low soil organic matter and nutrients. Various physicochemical and biochemical properties, together with exchangeable metals were measured before, 6 months and 12 months after the application of marble waste and pigs manure as reclamation strategy in a tailing pond from SE Spain to reduce hazards for environment and human health. Three months after the last addition of amendments, eight different native shrub species where planted for phytostabilization. Results showed the pH increased up to neutrality. Aggregates stability, organic carbon, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, bioavailable phosphorus and potassium, microbial biomass and microbial activity increased with the application of the amendments, while exchangeable metals drastically decreased (~90%). After one year of plantation, only 20% planted species died, with a high growth of survivals reaching flowering and fructification. This study confirms the high effectiveness of initial applications of marble wastes together with pig manure and plantation of shrub species to initialize the recovery of the ecosystem in bare mine soils under Mediterranean semiarid conditions. Key Words: pig manure, marble waste, heavy metals, mine soil. Acknowledgements This work has been funded by the European Union LIFE+ project MIPOLARE (LIFE09 ENV/ES/000439). J.A. Acosta acknowledges a "Saavedra Fajardo" contract from Comunidad Autónoma de Murcia (Spain)

Surface dating of bricks, an application of luminescence techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galli, Anna; Martini, Marco; Maspero, Francesco; Panzeri, Laura; Sibilia, Emanuela

2014-05-01

Luminescence techniques are a powerful tool to date archaeological ceramic materials and geological sediments. Thermoluminescence (TL) is widely used for bricks dating to reconstruct the chronology of urban complexes and the development of human cultures. However, it can sometimes be inconclusive, since TL assesses the firing period of bricks, which can be reused, even several centuries later. This problem can be circumvented using a dating technique based on a resetting event different from the last heating. OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) exploits the last light exposition of the brick surface, which resets the light-sensitive electron traps until the surface is definitely shielded by mortar and superimposed bricks. This advanced application (surface dating) has been successfully attempted on rocks, marble and stone artifacts, but not yet on bricks. A recent conservation campaign at the Certosa di Pavia gave the opportunity to sample some bricks belonging to a XVII century collapsed wall, still tied to their mortars. This was an advantageous condition to test this technique, comparing the dating results with precise historical data. This attempt gave satisfactory results, allowing to identify bricks surely reused and to fully confirm that the edification of the perimetral wall occurred at the end of XVII century.

Brittleness Effect on Rock Fatigue Damage Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nejati, Hamid Reza; Ghazvinian, Abdolhadi

2014-09-01

The damage evolution mechanism of rocks is one of the most important aspects in studying of rock fatigue behavior. Fatigue damage evolution of three rock types (onyx marble, sandstone and soft limestone) with different brittleness were considered in the present study. Intensive experimental tests were conducted on the chosen rock samples and acoustic emission (AE) sensors were used in some of them to monitor the fracturing process. Experimental tests indicated that brittleness strongly influences damage evolution of rocks in the course of static and dynamic loading. AE monitoring revealed that micro-crack density induced by the applied loads during different stages of the failure processes increases as rock brittleness increases. Also, results of fatigue tests on the three rock types indicated that the rock with the most induced micro-cracks during loading cycles has the least fatigue life. Furthermore, the condition of failure surfaces of the studied rocks samples, subjected to dynamic and static loading, were evaluated and it was concluded that the roughness of failure surfaces is influenced by loading types and rock brittleness. Dynamic failure surfaces were rougher than static ones and low brittle rock demonstrate a smoother failure surface compared to high brittle rock.

Bayesian evidence for the prevalence of waterworlds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simpson, Fergus

2017-07-01

Should we expect most habitable planets to share the Earth's marbled appearance? For a planetary surface to boast extensive areas of both land and water, a delicate balance must be struck between the volume of water it retains and the capacity of its perturbations. These two quantities may show substantial variability across the full spectrum of water-bearing worlds. This would suggest that, barring strong feedback effects, most surfaces are heavily dominated by either water or land. Why is the Earth so finely poised? To address this question, we construct a simple model for the selection bias that would arise within an ensemble of surface conditions. Based on the Earth's ocean coverage of 71 per cent, we find substantial evidence (Bayes factor K ≃ 6) supporting the hypothesis that anthropic selection effects are at work. Furthermore, due to the Earth's proximity to the waterworld limit, this model predicts that most habitable planets are dominated by oceans spanning over 90 per cent of their surface area (95 per cent credible interval). This scenario, in which the Earth has a much greater land area than most habitable planets, is consistent with results from numerical simulations and could help explain the apparently low-mass transition in the mass-radius relation.

Adverse effect of diesel engine produced particulate matter on various stone types and concrete: a laboratory exposure experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farkas, Orsolya; Szabados, György; Antal, Ákos; Török, Ákos

2015-04-01

The effect of particulate matter on construction materials have been studied under laboratory conditions. For testing the adverse effects of diesel soot and particulate matter on stone and concrete a small scale laboratory exposure chamber was constructed. Blocks of 9 different stone types and concrete was placed in the chamber and an exhaust pipe of diesel engine was diverted into the system. Tested stones included: porous limestone, cemented non-porous limestone, travertine, marble, rhyolite tuff, andesite and granite. The engine was operated for 10 hours and the produced particulate matter was diverted directly to the surface of the material specimens of 3 cm in diameter each. Working parameters of the engine were controlled; the composition of the exhaust gas, smoke value and temperature were continuously measured during the test. Test specimens were documented and analysed prior to exposure and after the exposure test. Parameters such colorimetric values, weight, surface properties, mineralogical compositions of the test specimens were recorded. The working temperature was in the order of 300°C-320°C. The gas concentration was in ppm as follows: 157 CO; 5.98 CO2, 34.3 THC; 463 NOx; 408 NO; 12.88 O2. Our tests have demonstrated that significant amount of particulate matter was deposited on construction materials even at a short period of time; however the exposure was very intense. It also indicates that that the interaction of particulate matter and aerosol compounds with construction materials in urban areas causes rapid decay and has an adverse effect not only on human health but also on built structures.

Interaction of mining activities and aquatic environment: A review from Greek mine sites.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasileiou, Eleni; Kallioras, Andreas

2016-04-01

In Greece a significant amount of mineral and ore deposits have been recorded accompanied by large industrial interest and a long mining history. Today many active and/or abandoned mine sites are scattered within the country; while mining activities take place in different sites for exploiting various deposits (clay, limestone, slate, gypsum, kaolin, mixed sulphide ores (lead, zinc, olivine, pozzolan, quartz lignite, nickel, magnesite, aluminum, bauxite, gold, marbles etc). The most prominent recent ones are: (i) the lignite exploitation that is extended in the area of Ptolemais (Western Macedonia) and Megalopolis (Central Peloponnese); and (ii) the major bauxite deposits located in central Greece within the Parnassos-Ghiona geotectonic zone and on Euboea Island. In the latter area, significant ores of magnesite were exploited and mixed sulphide ores. Centuries of intensive mining exploitation and metallurgical treatment of lead-silver deposits in Greece, have also resulted in significant abandoned sites, such as the one in Lavrion. Mining activities in Lavrio, were initiated in ancient times and continued until the 1980s, resulting in the production of significant waste stockpiles deposited in the area, crucial for the local water resources. Ιn many mining sites, environmental pressures are also recorded after the mine closure to the aquatic environment, as the surface waters flow through waste dump areas and contaminated soils. This paper aims to the geospatial visualization of the mining activities in Greece, in connection to their negative (surface- and/or ground-water pollution; overpumping due to extensive dewatering practices) or positive (enhanced groundwater recharge; pit lakes, improvement of water budget in the catchment scale) impacts on local water resources.

Shear Model Development of Limestone Joints with Incorporating Variations of Basic Friction Coefficient and Roughness Components During Shearing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehrishal, Seyedahmad; Sharifzadeh, Mostafa; Shahriar, Korosh; Song, Jae-Jon

2017-04-01

In relation to the shearing of rock joints, the precise and continuous evaluation of asperity interlocking, dilation, and basic friction properties has been the most important task in the modeling of shear strength. In this paper, in order to investigate these controlling factors, two types of limestone joint samples were prepared and CNL direct shear tests were performed on these joints under various shear conditions. One set of samples were travertine and another were onyx marble with slickensided surfaces, surfaces ground to #80, and rough surfaces were tested. Direct shear experiments conducted on slickensided and ground surfaces of limestone indicated that by increasing the applied normal stress, under different shearing rates, the basic friction coefficient decreased. Moreover, in the shear tests under constant normal stress and shearing rate, the basic friction coefficient remained constant for the different contact sizes. The second series of direct shear experiments in this research was conducted on tension joint samples to evaluate the effect of surface roughness on the shear behavior of the rough joints. This paper deals with the dilation and roughness interlocking using a method that characterizes the surface roughness of the joint based on a fundamental combined surface roughness concept. The application of stress-dependent basic friction and quantitative roughness parameters in the continuous modeling of the shear behavior of rock joints is an important aspect of this research.

Populations and productivity of seabirds at South Marble Island, Glacier Bay, Alaska, during May-July, 1999

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zador, Stephani; Piatt, John F.

1999-01-01

In the course of directed research on glaucous-winged gulls, we investigated the numbers and activities of all breeding and non-breeding seabirds associated with South Marble Island in Glacier Bay, Alaska, during mid-May to late July, 1999. Most observations were made from the island; additional observations were made during transportation to and from the island. Data were collected on the presence and numbers of all seabirds observed. Detailed information on breeding chronology and productivity were also collected for glaucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescens), pigeon guillemots (Cepphus columba), black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla), and black oystercatchers (Haemantopus bachmani).

Vocalizations of the Kittlitz's Murrelet

USGS Publications Warehouse

van Pelt, Thomas I.; Piatt, John F.; Van Vliet, Gus B.

1999-01-01

We present the first documentation of Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) vocalizations, based on recordings made in Glacier Bay, Alaska, in 1994. We identified two apparently related types of calls: groan and quack. The Kittlitz's Murrelet calls were markedly different from the most common calls of the congeneric Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), but shared characteristics with the Marbled Murrelet's less common 'groan' call. Phylogeny, breeding biology, and habitat characteristics may explain relationships between the congeneric vocalizations. More complete knowledge of the Kittlitz's Murrelet vocal repertoire is needed before vocalizations can be either used or discarded in the design of effective programs to monitor this rare and poorly-known species.

Effect of biotin supplementation on meat quality of F1 Wagyu/Black Angus feedlot steers of known genotype.

PubMed

Lawrence, R J; Doyle, J C; Elliott, R; Norton, B W; Loxton, I

2007-10-01

Biotin (D-biotin) was supplemented to F1 Wagyu/Black Angus steers fed a wheat-based ration to evaluate the effect on meat quality. One hundred and eight steers of known Wagyu sire lines were assigned to three biotin treatments (0, 10 and 20mg/head/day) with each treatment replicated four times using an unfasted liveweight of 410.5kg (±24.42 SD). Biotin supplementation had no effect (P>0.05) on beef marbling standard at either the 5/6th or 10/11th rib quartering site, 10/11th rib intra-muscular fat percentage, intra-muscular fat fatty acid composition or adipose melting points. Wagyu genotype had an effect (P<0.05) on beef marbling standard and intra-muscular fat percentage at the 10/11th rib, inter-muscular and intra-muscular melting point and fatty acid composition of intra-muscular fat. A significant (P<0.001) but poor correlation existed between beef marbling standard and intra-muscular fat percentage (R(2)=0.198). Total conjugated linoleic acid had a highly significantly (P<0.0001) positive correlation to intra-muscular fat percentage (R(2)=0.446).