Far-from-equilibrium systems are ubiquitous in nature. They are also rich in terms of diversity and complexity. Therefore, it is an intellectual challenge to be able to understand the physics of far-from-equilibrium phenomena. In this article, we revisit a standard tabletop experiment, the Rayleigh–Bénard convection, to explore some fundamental questions and present a new perspective from a first-principles point of view. We address how nonequilibrium fluctuations differ from equilibrium fluctuations, how emergence of order out of equilibrium breaks symmetries in the system, and how free energy of a system gets locally bifurcated to operate a Carnot-like engine to maintain order. The exploration and investigation of these nontrivial questions are the focus of this article.

A Tertiary, dacitic volcanic land-form in Kelowna, British Columbia, shows layering that has not been recognized elsewhere. Layering is expressed as thin (0.5 m) layers separated by thick (4.5 m) layers exposed along a weathered fault scarp. The major elements show that both thick and thin layers are dacitic and geochemically very similar. Trace element modelling indicates that thin layers formed from thick layers via crystal fractionation involving removal of plagioclase, biotite and magnetite in the proportions 75:20:5, and with only 12% fractionation. The thin layers represent segregation veins generated during crystallization of the dacite. They formed when the crystal mush at the bottom of the upper crust successively, thermally contracted, fractured and foundered, siphoning evolved interstitial liquid from the mush into the horizontal crack. Cooling of the segregation veins led to further fracturing. Later, fluids following these fractures altered the thin layers and precipitated secondary carbonate minerals. The altered thin layers weather preferentially, thus visually accentuating the small primary chemical differences between thick and thin layers. The scale of layering, mode of formation and differentiation mechanisms appear different from those in felsic magma chambers and it is unclear how common this phenomenon is. However, similar layering is more easily identified and commonly developed in mafic lava flows.

The chemistry and textures of the minerals in the layered syenites of Nunarssuit and West Kûngnât record a complex post-crystallisation history. The initial cumulus phases were alkali feldspar, pyroxene and olivine, apatite and opaque oxides. Grain size distributions of the pyroxenes and olivines have been modified since crystallisation, possibly during transport of these grains in a density current, prior to deposition in layers. Olivines and pyroxenes re-equilibrated with intercumulus melt. The lower ratio of mafic phases to intercumulus fluid in leucocratic layers has resulted in pyroxene and olivine in these layers undergoing more re-equilibration that in melanocratic layers, consequently pyroxenes and olivines in leucocratic layers are more ferroan. Pyroxenes reacted with either intercumulus or deuteric fluid to form amphibole. In West Kûngnât pyroxene and amphibole re-equilibrated via a later fluid. Olivines reacted with deuteric fluid to produce biotites, probably at temperatures < 550°C. After crystallisation alkali feldspars exsolved, the exsolution textures coarsened in the presence of deuteric fluids with a magmatic origin, possibly at temperatures as low as 450°C. Zoning patterns of apatites and zircons were modified during interactions with either, or both intercumulus or deuteric fluids. Leucocratic layers underwent more modification than melanocratic ones, probably due to the higher concentration of intercumulus melt in the former leading to a higher concentration of deuteric fluids as water exsolved from the magma during cooling. The syenites underwent little compaction during solidification.

Fluids, together with alteration and ore mineral assemblages, were studied in representative hydrothermal gold-bearing quartz veins from the western part of the Variscan belt in France (La Bellière, Montagne Noire district, Villeranges-Le Châtelet district, and Limousin province). Petrographic studies of the relationships between ores, fluid inclusions, microfracturing and quartz textures show that chronological and genetic relationships between gold deposition and fluid trapping may be very complex and difficult to establish for veins which show multi-stage fracturing and shearing. Systematic studies of secondary fluid inclusions in microcracks and recrystallized zones of the early quartz veins indicate two contrasting physical-chemical conditions: 1 relatively high temperature (250–400°C) and pressure (>1 kbar) event with CO2-CH4-H2S-N2 (±H2O-NaCl)-rich fluids related to the early sulphide deposition; 2 lower temperature (150–250°C) and pressure with aqueous fluids related to the late native-gold-sulphide (or sulphosalt) assemblage, which constitutes the economic ores in some deposits.

In deposits where gold occurs predominantly in a combined state within arsenopyrite and pyrite (Châtelet and Villeranges), primary fluid inclusions in authigenic quartz combs cogenetic with arsenopyrite are almost purely aqueous (H2O-NaCl) and have a low salinity (1–4 wt. % NaCl). P-T conditions (150–250°C), nearly hydrostatic pressures) are similar to those of the second stage in the multi-stage quartz veins.

Consideration of chemical equilibria in the C-O-H-N-S system using microthermometric and Raman spectrometric analysis for the fluids, together with data obtained from mineralogical studies, show that during gold deposition, fO2 was below hematite-magnetite buffer at Villeranges and around the Ni-NiO buffer at La Bellière and Montagne Noire. fS2 calculations based on H2S analyses are in good agreement with mineral assemblage estimates and close to that fixed by the pyrite-pyrrhotite boundary at high temperature. Ore fluid pH was significantly lower than in the host rocks as shown by the complete alteration of the host rocks into a quartz-K-mica assemblage. The data illustrate that during the late Hercynian, fluid circulation evolved from high P-T conditions, in some cases linked to late magma intrusions, towards conditions typical of later hydrothermal systems of the geothermal type.

Fluid flow through a fractured granite core and leaching experiments on granite powder (at constant temperatures of 50 and 100°C and during cooling from 100 to 50°C) indicate that the dissolved silica content of the fluids originates from the dissolution of feldspars and phyllosilicates. The dissolution of quartz is not ruled out but it should be a minor phenomenon. The precipitation of quartz may control the dissolved Si content during constant temperature leaching. During cooling from 100 to 50°C chalcedony, alumino-silicates, and chlorite are all capable of precipitation, possibly leading to some clogging or sealing of fissures.

A blueschist-facies mylonite crops out between two high-pressure tectono-metamorphic oceanic units of the Ligurian Western Alps (NW Italy). This mylonitic metabasite is made up of alternating layers with different grain size and proportions of blueschist-facies minerals.

The mylonitic foliation formed at metamorphic conditions of T = 220–310 °C and P = 6.5–10 kbar. The mylonite shows various superposed structures: (i) intrafoliar and similar folds; (ii) chocolate-tablet foliation boudinage; (iii) veins; (iv) breccia.

The occurrence of comparable mineral assemblages along the foliation, in boudin necks, in veins and in breccia cement suggests that the transition from ductile deformation (folds) to brittle deformation (veining and breccia), passing through a brittle–ductile regime (foliation boudinage), occurred gradually, without a substantial change in mineral assemblage and therefore in the overall P–T metamorphic conditions (blueschist-facies).

A strong fluid–rock interaction was associated with all the deformative events affecting the rock: the mylonite shows an enrichment in incompatible elements (i.e. As and Sb), suggesting an input of fluids, released by adjacent high-pressure metasedimentary rocks, during ductile deformation. The following fracturing was probably enhanced by brittle instabilities arising from strain and pore-fluid pressure partitioning between adjacent domains, without further external fluid input.

Fluids were therefore fixed inside the rock during mylonitization and later released into a dense fracture mesh that allowed them to migrate through the mylonitic horizon close to the plate interface.

We finally propose that the fracture mesh might represent the field evidence of past episodic tremors or ‘slow earthquakes’ triggered by high pore-fluid pressure.

Subcutaneous hydration, or hypodermoclysis (HDC), is a very simple technique that should be practised more often by doctors and nurses who care for older patients. It involves less discomfort, generates less cost and has fewer adverse effects than the intravenous route and may reduce the need for admission to the emergency department. The main indication is the management of mild to moderate dehydration, and prevention of dehydration in patients who are intolerant of oral intake. It should not be administered in situations of severe dehydration, in emergency situations, or in patients with fluid overload. Isotonic or hypotonic solutions must be used with appropriate electrolytes. Certain medicines can be given simultaneously by HDC and this may be especially valuable in palliative care settings. In most cases there is no need to add hyaluronidase.

The Outer Hebrides Fault Zone is a major easterly dipping reactivated shear zone which displaces Lewisian gneiss of the Laurentian craton, NW Scotland. Despite a number of detailed field studies, the fault zone remains poorly understood with regard to both its age of inception and precise conditions of reactivation. The island of Scalpay in the northern portion of the Outer Hebrides Fault Zone provides exceptional exposures through a variety of reactivated fault rock types and therefore represents an ideal location to investigate fault zone evolution via fluid inclusion studies of syn-tectonic quartz veins. This fluid inclusion study constrains reactivation temperatures more precisely than hitherto possible with top-to-the-NW ductile thrusting occurring at 500 ± 30°C. Subsequent phyllonitization is associated with oblique sinistral top-to-the-NE strike-slip at 230 ± 20°C, followed by a discrete system of top-to-the-NE/SE extensional detachments at 150 ± 20°C. Other recent fluid inclusion studies in the southern portion of the Outer Hebrides Fault Zone constrain phyllonitization associated with top-to-the-E displacement to 370 ± 20°C, with subsequent top-to-the-NE extensional detachments operating at 150–210°C. Thus, late-stage extensional detachment systems record consistent conditions of reactivation along the strike length of the Outer Hebrides Fault Zone. However, our results also clearly emphasize that conditions of earlier fault zone reactivation and phyllonitization were highly heterogeneous between the northern and southern portions, thus suggesting a spatial and temporal variation in the deformation and/or fluid flux system.

Observational data have suggested that increased water intake decreases the risk of CHD. A postulated mechanism is that increased water ingestion reduces blood viscosity. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of increased fluid intake on blood viscosity. Men (n 67) and postmenopausal women (n 27) with one or more risk factors for CVD who reported intake of ≤ 0·5 litres water daily were randomised to a control group (n 31), an intervention group (n 32) that increased their daily water intake by 1 litre/d and an intervention group (n 31) that ingested 1 litre blueberry juice/d. All were encouraged to continue their usual diet and lifestyle. Whole-blood viscosity and blood and urine chemistries were measured by standard techniques after 2 and 4 weeks. Urine volume increased (by a median of 872 and 725 ml in the water and blueberry juice groups, respectively, v. 10 ml in the control group; P ≤ 0·002), confirming the subjects' adherence to the protocol. Urine osmolality and urinary levels of Na, K and creatinine decreased in the water and blueberry juice groups v. the controls (P < 0·05). No change was seen in whole-blood viscosity or in levels of fibrinogen, total protein, lipids, glucose, insulin, C-peptide or other chemistry and haematology variables. In conclusion, a postulated protective effect of increased water or fluid intake is not explained by a change in blood viscosity and increased fluid intake does not influence CVD risk factors in the short term.

L'expérimentation en microgravité (tours de chute libre, vols paraboliques, fusées sondes et stations orbitales) est intéressante pour certains problèmes de mécanique des fluides où les gradients de densité sont importants sans que la convection forcée ne soit trop grande. On peut y éclaircir certaines situations rendues trop complexes par la présence des forces d'Archimède, reproduire des conditions idéales correspondant à des problèmes types bien connus. En France, le CNES et le CNRS soutiennent ces études au travers de groupements de recherche depuis 1992. L'intérêt de l'expérimentation en micropesanteur et du soutien théorique et numérique associés est mis en évidence dans cet article, tant pour la recherche fondamentale que pour les applications. Les moyens de compenser la gravité terrestre sont présentés. Les considérations de base portent sur la convection naturelle, les effets d'interface, l'évaporation d'une goutte de fluide pur dans un mélange gazeux, la combustion d'une plaque. Les effets de la gravité résiduelle sont abordés à propos de la combustion de gouttes sous haute pression. Les résultats et les perspectives portent sur les points suivants : convection, solidification et croissance cristalline, combustion et phénomènes réactifs, interfaces fluides, milieux granulaires et polyphasiques, fluides critiques.

Experimentally constrained calibrations of the incorporation of H2 O and CO2 into cordierite as functions of P–T-aH2O-aCO2 are integrated with KFMASH grids which define mineral-melt equilibria in pelites. This is used to explore the impact of the volatile content and composition of cordierite on anatexis and melt-related processes in high-temperature (HT) and ultra-high-temperature (UHT) metamorphism. The strongly temperature-sensitive H2O content of cordierite coexisting with dehydration melts (0·4–1·6 wt.%) causes a 10–25% relative decrease in the amount of melt produced from pelites compared with models which treat cordierite as anhydrous.

KFMASH melting grids quantified for aH2O demonstrate consistency between the measured H2O contents in cordierite from granulite-migmatite terrains and mineral equilibria. These indicate anatexis with aH2O in the range 0·26–0·16 at 6–8 kbar and 870–930°C. The pressure-stability of cordierite+garnet with respect to orthopyroxene+sillimanite+quartz in KFMASH is strongly influenced by cordierite H2O content, which decreases from 1·1 to 0·5 wt.% along the melting reaction Grt+CrdH+Kfs=Opx+Sil+Qz+L. The lower-T invariant point involving biotite (8·8 kbar/900°C) that terminates this reaction has aH2O of 0·16±0·03, whereas the higher-T terminating invariant point involving osumilite (7·9 kbar/940°C) occurs at aH2O 0·08±0·02. Osumilite-bearing assemblages in UHT terrains imply aH2O of <0·08, and at 950–1000°C and 8–9 kbar calculated aH2O is only 0·04–0·02. Cordierites stable in osumilite-bearing assemblages or with sapphirine+quartz have maximum predicted H2O contents of ca. 0·2 wt.%, consistent with H2O measured in cordierites from two sapphirine-bearing UHT samples from the Napier Complex.

The addition of CO2to the H2O-undersaturated (dehydration-melting) system marginally decreases the temperature of melting because of the stabilisation of cordierite, the solid product of the peritectic melting reactions. The preferential incorporation of CO2 enhances the stability of cordierite, even at fixed aH2O, and causes the stability fields of Grt+Crd+Sil+Kfs+Qz+L and Grt+Opx+Crd+Kfs+Qz+L to expand to higher pressure, and to both higher and lower temperatures. The minimum solubility of H2O in granitic melt is independent of the CO2 content of cordierite, and the distribution of H2O between melt and cordierite is similar at a given melt H2O-content to the H2O-only system. This enhanced stability of CO2-bearing cordierite leads to a reduced stability range for osumilite-bearing assemblages to temperatures of ca. 950–975°C or greater. Cordierites in the Napier Complex UHT gneisses contain 0·5 and 1·05 wt.% CO2, consistent with a role for CO2 in stabilising cordierite with respect to osumilite in these unusual sapphirine-bearing granul