Alterations of soil chemical properties by eucalyptus cultivation in five regions in the Rio Doce Valley

Little is currently known about modifications in edaphic characteristics caused by short-rotation eucalyptus and the impacts of these alterations on the sustainability of eucalyptus wood production. This study was carried out to identify theses changes at five sites of eucalyptus plantation in the region of the Rio Doce Valley, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Areas with more than three previous eucalyptus cycles, adjacent to pasture land or native forest, were chosen. Soil samples were collected and soil fertility analyzed by routine methods and other fractionation methods in order to measure alterations in the K, Ca and Mg contents as a consequence of eucalyptus cultivation. In the eucalyptus areas, reductions in the exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ contents and pH were observed and increased Al3+ and H + Al contents. Of all nutrients, only P contents (Mehlich-1 P) increased in the eucalyptus areas. The reduction in exchangeable forms and in medium-term soil nutrient pools indicates the need for higher nutrient rates than the currently applied in order to prevent nutritional limitations and soil nutrient exhaustion. After several eucalyptus rotations there was a recovery in the SOM content in comparison to degraded pasture soils, although not to the level of the native forest soil. The positive correlation between effective CEC and medium-term non-exchangeable Ca, Mg and K with SOM emphasizes the need for adequate fertilizer and plant residue management to sustain or even increase forest productivity in future cycles.

Affaires de patrons, usages de la frontière : géographie des réseaux marchands entre Niger, Bénin et Nigéria

Résumé L'objectif de la thèse est de comprendre le mode d'organisation économique spécifique aux petits centres urbains qui composent les espaces frontaliers sahéliens, en s'interrogeant sur leur concurrence ou leur complémentarité éventuelle à l'intérieur d'un régime de spatialité particulier. En s'appuyant sur l'exemple du carrefour économique de Gaya-Malanville-Kamba situé à la frontière entre le Niger, le Bénin et le Nigeria, il questionne le rôle de la ville-frontière ainsi que le jeu des acteurs marchands localement dominants, à partir de quatre grandes interrogations : Quelles sont les spécificités de l'Afrique sahélienne qui obligent à renouveler les approches géographiques de l'espace marchand? Quels sont les facteurs déterminants de l'activité économique frontalière? Les formes d'organisation de l'espace qui concourent à la structuration de l'économie sont-elles concurrentes ou coopératives? Les logiques économiques frontalières sont-elles compatibles avec l'orientation des programmes de développement adoptés par les pays sahéliens et leurs partenaires bi- ou multilatéraux? Dans une première partie, un modèle territorial de l'Afrique sahélienne permet de rendre compte de la prédominance des logiques circulatoires sur les logiques productives, une propriété essentielle de toute organisation économique confrontée à l'instabilité climatique. Dans une seconde partie, l'étude considère les facteurs déterminants de l'activité économique frontalière que sont le degré d'enclavement des territoires, la libre circulation des biens et des personnes, les relations concurrentielles ou coopératives qui lient les marchés ainsi que les liens clientélistes qui unissent patron et obligés. Une troisième partie est consacrée aux productions agricoles de tente organisées sous forme de coopératives paysannes ou d'initiatives privées. Une quatrième partie s'intéresse aux réseaux de l'import-export et du commerce de détail qui bénéficient de l'augmentation des besoins engendrée par l'urbanisation sahélienne. L'économie spatiale qui résulte de ces flux est organisée selon deux logiques distinctes : d'une part, les opportunités relatives à la production agricole conduisent certains investisseurs à intensifier l'irrigation pour satisfaire la demande des marchés urbains, d'autre part, les acteurs du capitalisme marchand, actifs dans l'import-export et la vente de détail, développent des réseaux informels et mobiles qui se jouent des différentiels nationaux. Les activités commerciales des villes-marchés connaissent alors des fluctuations liées aux entreprises productives et circulatoires de ces patrons, lesquelles concourent à l'organisation territoriale générale de l>Afrique sahélienne. Ces logiques évoluent dans un contexte fortement marqué par les politiques des institutions financières internationales, des agences bilatérales de coopération et des ONGs. Celles-ci se donnent pour ambition de transformer les économies, les systèmes politiques et les organisations sociales sahéliennes, en faisant la promotion du libéralisme, de la bonne gouvernance et de la société civile. Ces axes directeurs, qui constituent le champ de bataille contemporain du développement, forment un ensemble dans lequel la spécificité sahélienne notamment frontalière est rarement prise en compte. C'est pourquoi l'étude conclut en faveur d'un renouvellement des politiques de développement appliquées aux espaces frontaliers. Trois grands axes d'intervention peuvent alors être dégagés, lesquels permettent de réconcilier des acteurs et des logiques longtemps dissociés: ceux des espaces séparés par une limite administrative, ceux de la sphère urbaine et rurale et ceux du capitalisme marchand et de l'investissement agricole, en renforçant la coopération économique transfrontalière, en prenant en considération les interactions croissantes entre villes et campagnes et en appuyant les activités marchandes. Abstract: Urbanisation in West Africa is recent and fast. If only 10 % of the total population was living in urban areas in 1950, this proportion reached 40 % in 2000 and will be estimated to 60 % in 2025. Small and intermediate cities, located between the countryside and large metropolis, are particularly concerned with this process. They are nowadays considered as efficient vectors of local economic development because of fiscal or monetary disparities between states, which enable businessmen to develop particular skills based on local urban networks. The majority of theses networks are informal and extremely flexible, like in the Gaya - Malanville - Kamba region, located between Niger, Benin and Nigeria. Evidence show that this economic space is characterised by high potentialities (climatic and hydrological conditions, location on main economic West African axis) and few constraints (remoteness of some potentially high productive areas). In this context, this PhD deals with the economic relationships between the three market cities. Focusing on the links that unite the businessmen of the local markets - called patron; - it reveals the extreme flexibility of their strategies as well as the deeply informal nature of their activities. Through the analysis of examples taken from the commerce of agricultural products, import and export flows and detail activities, it studies the changes that have taken place in the city centres of Gaya, Malanville and Kamba. Meanwhile, this research shows how these cities represent a border economical area based on rival and complementary connections. In the first Part, it was necessary to reconsider the usual spatial analysis devoted to the question of economic centrality. As a matter of fact, the organisation of West African economic spaces is very flexible and mobile. Centrality is always precarious because of seasonal or temporary reasons. This is why the first chapters are devoted to the study of the specificity of the Sahelian territoriality. Two main elements are relevant: first the population diversity and second, the urban-rural linkages. In the second part, the study considers three main factors on which the cross-border economic networks are dependent: enclosure that prevents goods to reach the markets, administrative constraints that limit free trade between states and cities and the concurrent or complementary relationships between markets. A third part deals with the clientelist ties engaged between the patrons and their clients with the hypothesis that these relationships are based on reciprocity and inequality. A fourth part is devoted to' the study of the spatial organisation of commercial goods across the borders, as far as the agriculture commercial products, the import-export merchandises and the retail products are concerned. This leads to the conclusion that the economic activity is directly linked to urban growth. However, the study notices that there is a lack of efficient policies dealing with strengthening the business sector and improving the cross-border cooperation. This particularity allows us to favour new local development approaches, which would take into account the important potential of private economical actors. In the same time, the commercial flows should be regulated with the help of public policies, as long as they are specifically adapted to the problems that these areas have to deal with.

La forma lògica de les oracions d'acció i la tesi d'Anscombe

This paper has three sections. In the first one, I expose and discuss Davidson's semantic account of adverbial sentences: the basic idea is that these sentences involve quantification over events, and I defend that view from opposing perspectives like the theory of adverbs as predicate modifiers. In the second section I defend the claim that in english constructions following the scheme: ¿X did V by T-ings¿, we are referring to the same action of X; what is sometimes called ¿The Anscombe Thesis¿. Again I discuss competing theories only to conclude that the Anscombe Thesis is true. In the third section, however, it is shown that to assume as premisses these two theses -Davidson's account and the Anscombe Thesis- leads to a serious conflict. Alternative solutions are worked out and rejected. It is also argued that the only tenable solution depends on certain metaphysical assumptions. Finally, however, I will cast doubt on this solution.

Mathematics in Catalonia: 1996-2002

The aim of this article is to present the main conclusions of the Report on research in Catalonia for the area of mathematics**. The report was prepared by Joaquim Bruna, Marta Sanz, Joan de Solà-Morales and the author of this text, and published by the Institute for Catalan Studies in 1998. In the report, scientific activity in the area of mathematics was measured essentially by examining two parameters: papers published in specialised journals and doctoral theses read. It should be recognised that a considerable amount of activity in the field of mathematics consists of applying existing knowledge to the resolution of practical technological problems that arise in particular companies. This kind of scientific activity was not measured in any way in the report due to the difficulty of obtaining objective data. This article is divided into the following sections: human resources, scientific production, funding, research publications, research centres, and conclusions.

Building the future: the Brazilian university library in 2010

Information technology will affect academic activities as well as the nature of the high education sector. This sector besides the need to assimilate these technologies will need to attend the requisites of market globalization and, as consequence, all theses changes will be reflected in the university library. Prospectives impacts will affect the structure (emphasis in user services, outsourcing of several services), in the financing aspect (growing of consortia in order to reduce costs), in services (electronic reference, support to long distance education programs, intelligent agents) and in the clientele (attending the great demand por high education which implies a diversity of people).

Cardiologie [Cardiology]

Heart failure and atrial fibrillation are the main problems in general cardiology. Our therapeutic reflections summarize new ideas in the treatment of theses pathologies but we will not forget importance of PCI. All these therapies have proven now the clinical benefit but also reduction in more morbidity and mortality. Cardiac resynchronisation therapy has shown promising results. The art of medicine to develop will be to better identify the patients benefiting from this therapy. Interventional cardiology is focusing on the acute coronary syndrome. Not only rapid intervention but also the stent technology allow significant modification of endothelial tissue reaction and therefore improve the general benefit for the patient.

Technology and research in a global Networked University Digital Library (NUDL)

Digital Libraries (DLs) are extremely complex information systems that support the creation, management, distribution, and preservation of complex information resources, while allowing effective and efficient interaction among the several societies that benefit from DL content and services. In this paper, we focus on our experience facing challenges of building, maintaining, and developing the Networked University Digital Library (www.nudl.org), an extension of the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (www.ndltd.org). NUDL is a worldwide initiative that addresses making the intellectual property produced in universities more accessible, stimulating international collaboration across all disciplines. We detail technological aspects of our solutions and research activities carried out to provide powerful and enriched services for the communities served by this initiative.

ETDs, NDLTD, and open access: a 5S perspective

Worldwide initiatives toward digital library (DL) support for electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs), facilitated by the work of the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD), are a key part of the move toward open access. When all graduate students learn to use openly available ETDs, and have experience with authoring and submission in connection with their own research results, it will be easy for them to continue these efforts through other contributions to open access. When all universities support ETD activities, they will be key participants in institutional repositories and open access, and will have engaged in discussion and infrastructure development supportive of further open access activities. Understanding of open access also can be facilitated through modeling of all of these efforts using the 5S framework, considering the key aspects of DL development: Societies, Scenarios, Spaces, Structures, and Streams.

Behavior of Carbonate Rocks as Concrete Aggregates, HR-15, 1962

The problem of determining the suitability of carbonate rocks as concrete aggregates is extremely complex and calls for more new data than has been available or obtainable from usual methods. Since 1955 the approach which has served as a primary basis for the project has been to gather as much new information as possible to apply to the problem. New information obtained by new and different techniques provides better understanding. This approach was decided on since, in all prior studies, a standard petrographic and petrologic approach correlated in many instances with standard engineering tests did not provide the answer in Iowa or elsewhere. One can theorize that concrete fails (excluding external causes such as traffic, foundation failure, etc.) because of stresses of internal origin. The stresses can be of a physical nature, such as frost action, or result from chemical activity such as the alkali aggregate reaction. If, as service records show, the aggregate is considered the cause of distress in concrete, it will without doubt be the manner in which an aggregate can create or contribute to stress of internal origin by physical or chemical means. Therefore the main emphasis was placed on studying physical and chemical properties of aggregates as well as the behavior of carbonate rocks in concrete environments. Although standard geologic and engineering methods were also utilized, the approach adopted required considerable effort in devising new techniques and methods. This report is intended to be a detailed summary of the research performed. Whenever possible, the work accomplished will be summarized and all pertinent data will be included. For further details, reference to the various theses and publications transmitted with this report or at previous times will be made wherever possible.

Cómo elaborar, tutorizar y evaluar un trabajo de fin de máster

Los estudios de nivel superior en el marco de la Unión Europea se componen del Grado y del Postgrado (Másters y doctorados). Los Másters son titulaciones producto de una formación avanzada, multidisciplinar o especializada, dirigida a la consecución de logros académicos en profundidad, de especialidades profesionales o de iniciación a la investigación. Los estudios deMaster exigen la evaluación continua del proceso de aprendizaje que se concreta finalmente en el denominado Trabajo de Fin de Máster, verdadera piedra angular de la formación del estudiante. Ese trabajo final está pensado para evidenciar las competencias adquiridas a lolargo de todo el programa formativo y para demostrar el logro de los objetivos globales del aprendizaje. Es la prueba definitiva de la madurez y de la profesionalidad de una carrera hecha a conciencia...

Cómo elaborar, tutorizar y evaluar un trabajo de fin de máster

Los estudios de nivel superior en el marco de la Unión Europea se componen del Grado y del Postgrado (Másters y doctorados). Los Másters son titulaciones producto de una formación avanzada, multidisciplinar o especializada, dirigida a la consecución de logros académicos en profundidad, de especialidades profesionales o de iniciación a la investigación. Los estudios deMaster exigen la evaluación continua del proceso de aprendizaje que se concreta finalmente en el denominado Trabajo de Fin de Máster, verdadera piedra angular de la formación del estudiante. Ese trabajo final está pensado para evidenciar las competencias adquiridas a lolargo de todo el programa formativo y para demostrar el logro de los objetivos globales del aprendizaje. Es la prueba definitiva de la madurez y de la profesionalidad de una carrera hecha a conciencia...

Cómo elaborar, tutorizar y evaluar un trabajo de fin de máster

Los estudios de nivel superior en el marco de la Unión Europea se componen del Grado y del Postgrado (Másters y doctorados). Los Másters son titulaciones producto de una formación avanzada, multidisciplinar o especializada, dirigida a la consecución de logros académicos en profundidad, de especialidades profesionales o de iniciación a la investigación. Los estudios deMaster exigen la evaluación continua del proceso de aprendizaje que se concreta finalmente en el denominado Trabajo de Fin de Máster, verdadera piedra angular de la formación del estudiante. Ese trabajo final está pensado para evidenciar las competencias adquiridas a lolargo de todo el programa formativo y para demostrar el logro de los objetivos globales del aprendizaje. Es la prueba definitiva de la madurez y de la profesionalidad de una carrera hecha a conciencia...

Cómo elaborar, tutorizar y evaluar un trabajo de fin de máster

Los estudios de nivel superior en el marco de la Unión Europea se componen del Grado y del Postgrado (Másters y doctorados). Los Másters son titulaciones producto de una formación avanzada, multidisciplinar o especializada, dirigida a la consecución de logros académicos en profundidad, de especialidades profesionales o de iniciación a la investigación. Los estudios deMaster exigen la evaluación continua del proceso de aprendizaje que se concreta finalmente en el denominado Trabajo de Fin de Máster, verdadera piedra angular de la formación del estudiante. Ese trabajo final está pensado para evidenciar las competencias adquiridas a lolargo de todo el programa formativo y para demostrar el logro de los objetivos globales del aprendizaje. Es la prueba definitiva de la madurez y de la profesionalidad de una carrera hecha a conciencia...

Com elaborar, tutoritzar i avaluar um treball de fi de màster

Els estudis de nivell superior en el marc de la Unió Europea es componen del Grau i delPostgrau (Màsters i Doctorats). Els Màsters són titulacions producte d’una formació avançada, multidisciplinària o especialitzada, dirigida a la consecució d’assoliments acadèmics enprofunditat, d’especialitats professionals o d’iniciació a la recerca. Els estudis de Màster exigeixen l’avaluació continuada del procés d’aprenentatge que es concreta finalment en el denominat Treball de Fi de Màster (TFM), vertadera pedra angular de la formació de l’estudiant. Aquest treball final està pensat per evidenciar les competències adquirides al llarg de tot elprograma formatiu i demostrar l’assoliment dels objectius globals de l’aprenentatge. És la prova definitiva de la maduresa i de la professionalitat d’una carrera feta a consciència...

Com elaborar, tutoritzar i avaluar um treball de fi de màster

Els estudis de nivell superior en el marc de la Unió Europea es componen del Grau i delPostgrau (Màsters i Doctorats). Els Màsters són titulacions producte d’una formació avançada, multidisciplinària o especialitzada, dirigida a la consecució d’assoliments acadèmics enprofunditat, d’especialitats professionals o d’iniciació a la recerca. Els estudis de Màster exigeixen l’avaluació continuada del procés d’aprenentatge que es concreta finalment en el denominat Treball de Fi de Màster (TFM), vertadera pedra angular de la formació de l’estudiant. Aquest treball final està pensat per evidenciar les competències adquirides al llarg de tot elprograma formatiu i demostrar l’assoliment dels objectius globals de l’aprenentatge. És la prova definitiva de la maduresa i de la professionalitat d’una carrera feta a consciència...