ObjectivesTo develop and validate a microdilution method for measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of biosurfactants.ResultsA standardized microdilution method including resazurin dye has been developed for measuring the MIC of biosurfactants and its validity was established through the replication of tetracycline and gentamicin MIC determination with standard bacterial strains.ConclusionThis new method allows the generation of accurate MIC measurements, whilst overcoming critical issues related to colour and solubility which may interfere with growth measurements for many types of biosurfactant extracts.

No abstract

No abstract

Several independent indicators imply a high probability of a great (M N 8) earthquake rupture of the subduction megathrust under the Mentawai Islands of West Sumatra. The human consequences of such an event depend crucially on its tsunamigenic potential, which in turn depends on unpredictable details of slip distribution on the megathrust and how resulting seafloor movements and the propagating tsunami waves interact with bathymetry. Here we address the forward problem by modelling about 1000 possible complex earthquake ruptures and calculating the seafloor displacements and tsunami wave height distributions that would result from the most likely 100 or so, as judged by reference to paleogeodetic data. Additionally we carry out a systematic study of the importance of the location of maximum slip with respect to the morphology of the fore-arc complex. Our results indicate a generally smaller regional tsunami hazard than was realised in Aceh during the December 2004 event, though more than 20% of simulations result in tsunami wave heights of more than 5 m for the southern Sumatran cities of Padang and Bengkulu. The extreme events in these simulations produce results which are consistent with recent deterministic studies. The study confirms the sensitivity of predicted wave heights to the distribution of slip even for events with similar moment and reproduces Plafker's rule of thumb. Additionally we show that the maximum wave height observed at a single location scales with the magnitude though data for all magnitudes exhibit extreme variability. Finally, we show that for any coastal location in the near field of the earthquake, despite the complexity of the earthquake rupture simulations and the large range of magnitudes modelled, the timing of inundation is constant to first order and the maximum height of the modelled waves is directly proportional to the vertical coseismic displacement experienced at that point. These results may assist in developing tsunami preparedness strategies around the Indian Ocean and in particular along the coasts of western Sumatra.

Citation for published item:etersD tFvF nd fenettiD F nd hunlopD F nd ¡ y gofighD gF nd woretonD FqF nd heelerD eFtF nd glrkD gFhF @PHITA 9edimentology nd hronology of the dvne nd retret of the lst fritishEsrish se heet on the ontinentl shelf west of srelndF9D uternry siene reviewsFD IRH F ppF IHIEIPRF Further information on publisher's website: Use policyThe full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that:• a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. Abstract 12The last British-Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS) had extensive marine-terminating margins and was 13 drained by multiple large ice streams and is thus a useful analogue for marine-based areas of modern 14 ice sheets. However, despite recent advances from investigating the offshore record of the BIIS, the 15 dynamic history of its marine margins, which would have been sensitive to external forcing(s), remain 16 inadequately understood. This study is the first reconstruction of the retreat dynamics and chronology 17 of the western, marine-terminating, margin of the last (Late Midlandian) BIIS. Analyses of shelf 18 geomorphology and core sedimentology and chronology enable a reconstruction of the Late 19Midlandian history of the BIIS west of Ireland, from initial advance to final retreat onshore. Five 20 AMS radiocarbon dates from marine cores constrain the timing of retreat and associated readvances 21 during deglaciation. The BIIS advanced without streaming or surging, depositing a bed of highly 22 consolidated subglacial traction till, and reached to within ~20 km of the shelf break by ~24,000 Cal 23 BP. Ice margin retreat was likely preceded by thinning, grounding zone retreat and ice shelf 24 does not allow us to determine conclusively whether these readvances were a glaciodynamic 38 (internally-driven) response of the ice sheet during deglaciation or were climatically-driven. 39Following the <18,500 Cal BP readvance, the Galway Lobe experienced accelerated eastward retreat 40 at an estimated rate of ~113 m/yr. 41