Potential restrictions for CO2 sequestration sites due to shale and tight gas production.

Carbon capture and geological sequestration is the only available technology that both allows continued use of fossil fuels in the power sector and reduces significantly the associated CO(2) emissions. Geological sequestration requires a deep permeable geological formation into which captured CO(2)can be injected, and an overlying impermeable formation, called a caprock, that keeps the buoyant CO(2) within the injection formation. Shale formations typically have very low permeability and are considered to be good caprock formations. Production of natural gas from shale and other tight formations involves fracturing the shale with the explicit objective to greatly increase the permeability of the shale. As such, shale gas production is in direct conflict with the use of shale formations as a caprock barrier to CO(2) migration. We have examined the locations in the United States where deep saline aquifers, suitable for CO(2) sequestration, exist, as well as the locations of gas production from shale and other tight formations. While estimated sequestration capacity for CO(2) sequestration in deep saline aquifers is large, up to 80% of that capacity has areal overlap with potential shale-gas production regions and, therefore, could be adversely affected by shale and tight gas production. Analysis of stationary sources of CO(2) shows a similar effect: about two-thirds of the total emissions from these sources are located within 20 miles of a deep saline aquifer, but shale and tight gas production could affect up to 85% of these sources. These analyses indicate that colocation of deep saline aquifers with shale and tight gas production could significantly affect the sequestration capacity for CCS operations. This suggests that a more comprehensive management strategy for subsurface resource utilization should be developed.

A new fimbrial type (PCFO9) on enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli 09:H- LT+ isolated from a case of infant diarrhea in central Australia.

The genes determining the biosynthesis of a new putative colonization factor, designated PCF09 have been cloned from an LT+ enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli 09:H- isolated during an outbreak of infant diarrhea in Central Australia. Electron microscopy has shown it to be of the fibrillar type. Purification of the major pilin subunit showed it to have a size of approximately 27 kDa. NH2-terminal analysis of the major subunit has shown the PCFO9 determinant to be distinct from other fimbriae although there is some conservation of certain residues. A synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide probe based on the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified protein has been used in Southern hybridization analyses to define the region on pPM1320 encoding the structural gene for the major pilin subunit.

Analytical pyrolysis of Streptococcus salivarius as an aid to identification in bite-mark investigation.

The use of pyrolysis mass spectrometry (Py-MS) and statistical analysis of mass spectra is introduced as a method for "finger-printing" strains of Streptococcus salivarius. The objective is to provide correlative evidence regarding the identity of suspects in cases of assault or rape involving bite-marks. The results of the analysis of isolates from two individuals are presented, illustrating the differentiation of S. salivarius at strain level according to the origin of the isolate.

The survival of oral streptococci on human skin and its implication in bite-mark investigation.

Ten-microlitre aliquots of whole saliva applied to human skin were sampled for periods up to 6.25 h. The rate of loss of recoverable bacteria was 45-50% per hour. After 6.25 h, viable oral streptococci could be recovered. The implications for using a "fingerprint" typing method for these bacteria with regard to the identification of bite-marks are discussed.

Disability in full-length feature films: frequency and quality of films over an 11 year span.

The purpose of this study was to assess frequency of disabling conditions in feature films and the general quality of these films (as judged by professional film critics reviews and movie going consumer ratings) over an 11-year span. 'Psychiatric disorder' were most frequently depicted. Professional film critics were markedly more negative in their reviews than ratings made by movie going consumers.

Sociodemographic, physical, and psychosocial characteristics of depressed and non-depressed family caregivers of stroke survivors.

A variety of sociodemographic, physical, and psychosocial variables are linked to depressive behaviour in family caregivers. This study was conducted to determine the best predictors of caregiver depression at onset of the caregiver role among persons providing care to a stroke survivor. The relative contributions of stroke survivor and caregiver sociodemographic characteristics, as well as caregiver general health, physical functioning, social support, life satisfaction, preparedness, and reaction in the prediction of depression status, were examined. A correlational study of 52 primary family caregivers of individuals who had a cerebrovascular accident was conducted. General health and physical functioning scales from the SF-36, and measures of caregiver social support, life satisfaction, preparedness, and reaction were used. Caregiver depression was best predicted by lower life satisfaction, lower physical functioning, and a lack of tangible social support.