Changes in benthic algal communities following construction of a run-of-river dam

Ecological responses to dam construction are poorly understood, especially for downstream benthic algal communities. We examined the responses of benthic algal communities in downstream reaches of a tributary of the Xiangxi River, China, to the construction of a small run-of-river dam. From February 2003 to August 2006, benthic algae, chemical factors, and habitat characteristics were monitored upstream and downstream of the dam site. This period spanned 6 mo before dam construction and 37 mo after dam construction. Benthic algal sampling yielded 199 taxa in 59 genera that belonged to Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, and Cyanophyta. Some physical factors (flow velocity, water depth, and channel width) and 3 algal metrics (diatom species richness, Margalef diversity, and % erect individuals) were significantly affected by the dam construction, whereas chemical factors (e.g., NH4-N, total N, SiO2) were not. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordinations showed that overall algal assemblage structure downstream of the dam sites was similar to that of upstream control sites before dam construction and for 1 year after dam construction (p > 0.05). However, sites belonging to upstream and downstream reaches were well separated on NMS axis 1 during the 2(nd) and 3(rd) years after dam construction. Our results suggest that impacts of dam construction on benthic algal communities took 2 to 3 y to emerge. Further development of a complete set of indicators is needed to address the impact of small-dam construction. Our observations underscore the need for additional studies that quantify ecological responses to dam construction over longer time spans.

Spatial distribution of benthic algae in the Gangqu River, Shangrila, China

This study consisted of sampling benthic algae at 32 sites in the Gangqu River, an important upstream tributary of the Yangtze River. Our aims were to characterize the benthic algae communities and relationships with environmental variables. Among the 162 taxa observed, Achnanthes linearis and Achnanthes lanceolata var. elliptica were the dominant species (17.10% and 14.30% of the total relative abundance, respectively). Major gradients and principal patterns of variation within the environmental variables were detected by principal component analysis (PCA). Then non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) divided all the sites into three groups, which were validated by multi-response permutation procedures (MRPP). Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that three environmental variables (TN, TDS, and TP) significantly affected the distribution of benthic algae. Weighted averaging regression and cross-calibration produced strong models for predicting TN and TDS concentration, which enabled selection of algae taxa as potentially sensitive indicators of certain TN and TDS levels: for TN, Achnanthes lanceolata, Achnanthes lanceolata var. elliptica, and Cymbella ventricosa var. semicircularis; for TDS, Cocconeis placentula, Cymbella alpina var. minuta, and Fragilaria virescens. The present study represents an early step in establishing baseline conditions. Further monitoring is suggested to gain a better understanding of this region.

Optimising the dynamic performance of an all-wide-bandgap cascode switch

A SPICE simulation model of a novel cascode switch that combines a high voltage normally-on silicon carbide (SiC) junction field effect transistor (JFET) with a low voltage enhancement-mode gallium nitride field effect transistor (eGaN FET) has been developed, with the aim of optimising cascode switching performance. The effect of gate resistance on stability and switching losses is investigated and optimum values chosen. The effects of stray inductance on cascode switching performance are considered and the benefits of low inductance packaging discussed. The use of a positive JFET gate bias in a cascode switch is shown to reduce switching losses as well as reducing on-state losses. The findings of the simulation are used to produce a list of priorities for the design and layout of wide-bandgap cascode switches, relevant to both SiC and GaN high voltage devices. © 2013 IEEE.

Is UK Planning a Barrier to Energy Efficient Heritage Retrofit: A Comparative Analysis of a Selection of London Boroughs

This paper is part of a larger PhD research project examining the apparent conflict in UK planning between energy efficiency and conservation for the retrofit of the thermal envelope of the existing building stock. Review of the literature shows that the UK will not meet its 2050 emission reduction target without substantial improvement to the energy performance of the thermal envelope of the existing building stock and that significantly, 40% of the existing stock has heritage status and may be exempted from Building Regulations. A review of UK policy and legislation shows that there are clear national priorities towards reducing emissions and addressing climate change, yet also shows a movement towards local decision making and control. This paper compares the current status of thirteen London Boroughs in respect to their position on thermal envelope retrofit for heritage and traditionally constructed buildings. Data collection is through ongoing surveys and interviews that compare statistical data, planning policies, sustainability and environmental priorities, and Officer decision-making. This paper finds that there is a lack of consistency in application of planning policy across Boroughs and suggests that this is a barrier to the up-take of energy efficient retrofit. Various recommendations are suggested at both national and local level which could help UK planning and planning officers deliver more energy efficient heritage retrofits.

Choices of approaches in e-moderation: conclusions from a grounded theory study

Much has been published in recent years about the desirable nature of facilitated interactions in on-line discussions with educational purposes. However little has been reported about the roles which tutors actually adopt in real life learning contexts, how these range between ‘tutoring, ‘managing’ and ‘facilitating’, and what the distinctions between these three roles may be. In this paper choices of priorities in e-moderation, which were made in three naturalistic (real life) case studies by three higher education practitioners, are identified and discussed. These contrasting approaches were captured and analysed using grounded theory principles. The paper also discusses these occasions when the facilitation was less effective than might have been desired. It finally summarises the potential of various approaches within e-moderation – and some of the attendant risks. The finding is that principles and practices developed for face-to-face support of student-directed learning were found equally applicable in e-moderated online group work, despite several significant differences between the two types of setting. Keywords: higher education, e-learning, e-moderation, asynchronous discussions, learning outcomes, grounded theory

Evaluating SWICE-R (South West Information for Clinical Effectiveness - Rural). Final report for South West Workforce Development Confederations (Knowledge Resources Development Unit)

Yeoman, A., Durbin, J. & Urquhart, C. (2004). Evaluating SWICE-R (South West Information for Clinical Effectiveness - Rural). Final report for South West Workforce Development Confederations, (Knowledge Resources Development Unit). Aberystwyth: Department of Information Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth. Sponsorship: South West WDCs (NHS)

Assessing training and professional development needs of library staff. Report for National Library of Health

Urquhart, C., Spink, S. & Thomas, R., Assessing training and professional development needs of library staff. Report for National Library of Health. (2005). Aberystwyth: Department of Information Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth Sponsorship: National Library for Health (NHS Information Authority)

Evaluating the development of virtual learning environments in higher and further education

Urquhart, C., Spink, S., Thomas, R., Yeoman, A., Durbin, J., Turner, J., Fenton, R. & Armstrong, C. (2004). Evaluating the development of virtual learning environments in higher and further education. In J. Cook (Ed.), Blue skies and pragmatism: learning technologies for the next decade. Research proceedings of the 11th Association for Learning Technology conference (ALT-C 2004), 14-16 September 2004, University of Exeter, Devon, England (pp. 157-169). Oxford: Association for Learning Technology Sponsorship: JISC

Procurement of electronic content across the UK National Health Service and Higher Education sectors. Report to JISC executive and LKDN executive.

Spink, S., Urquhart, C., Cox, A. & Higher Education Academy - Information and Computer Sciences Subject Centre. (2007). Procurement of electronic content across the UK National Health Service and Higher Education sectors. Report to JISC executive and LKDN executive. Sponsorship: JISC/LKDN

Irrelevant or Indispensable? ESDP, the ?War on Terror' and the Fallout from Iraq

Shepherd, Alistair, 'Irrelevant or Indispensable? ESDP, the ?War on Terror' and the Fallout from Iraq', International Politics (2006) 43(1) pp.71-92 RAE2008

Bezpieczeństwo państwa w Unii Europejskiej na przykładzie Polski. Analiza realistyczna i państwowo-centryczna

Poszukiwanie uniwersalnej definicji bezpieczeństwa Polski w niestabilnym systemie Unii Europejskiej opiera się głównie na odnalezieniu się w roli gracza i aktora, który jako samodzielny podmiot bierze aktywny udział w wielowymiarowym unijnym systemie negocjacji i przetargów (brokering between different interests). Polska musi mieć przygotowany swój program działania w UE o charakterze strategicznym i taktycznym włączając w niego państwo-centryczne priorytety horyzontalne i sektorowe, zarówno antykryzysowe jak i antagonistyczne i dysfunkcjonalne. Wymaga to perfekcyjnego przygotowania wykształconego zespołu ludzi zajmujących się bezpieczeństwem. Konieczne są bardzo wysokie umiejętności organizacyjne i wysoki stopień znajomości sposobu funkcjonowania państw w relacjach do całości i poszczególnych elementów UE. Wszystko to sprowadza się do konieczności wypracowywania specyficznego modus operandi polskiego bezpieczeństwa, na który poza znanymi już regułami i procedurami składa się ich interwencyjne zaplecze instytucjonalno-administracyjne oraz logistyczno-techniczne. Polska musi też posiąść zdolność do adaptacji do otaczającego świata (Europy) poprzez poszerzanie bazy funkcjonowania systemu integracyjnego. Wiąże się to bezpośrednio z dostosowywaniem do permanentnej zmiany w Unii Europejskiej i globalnym otoczeniu. Adaptacja jest również istotna z punktu widzenia potrzeby stabilizowania systemu. Pozwala neutralizować wszelkie próby zakłóceń funkcjonalnych jej struktury, pozycji i zbioru kompetencji. Adaptację powinna uzupełniać realistyczna innowacyjność i misyjność Polski widoczna przez wprowadzanie do środowiska (otoczenia) nowych reguł i mechanizmów bezpieczeństwa. Innowacyjność wiąże się z inicjowaniem nowego stylu/sposobu myślenia o bezpieczeństwie, a w związku z tym z nowatorstwem w zakresie wielopoziomowego (wieloprzestrzennego) ujmowania bezpieczeństwa. Na tak rozumiane bezpieczeństwo państwa składa się nie tylko zdolność obronna (militarna), ale także siła gospodarki oraz zasoby, którym Polska powinna dysponować. Misyjność sprowadza się natomiast do promowania i propagowania wartości przypisanych państwu narodowemu - niezapisanych w unijnych traktatach takich jak potęga, racja stanu i niepodległość.

Polityka ochrony cyberprzestrzeni RP

Celem niniejszego opracowania jest analiza założeń polityki ochrony cyberprzestrzeni RP zaprezentowanych w dokumencie zatytułowanym Polityka ochrony cyberprzestrzeni Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, zaprezentowanym w 2013 r. przez Ministerstwo Administracji i Cyfryzacji i Agencję Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego. Artykuł poddaje analizie postulaty i wytyczne tam zamieszczone, jak również konfrontuje te założenia z elementami systemu ochrony cyberprzestrzeni RP. Zgodzić należy się z twórcami tej strategii, iż zapewnienie stanu pełnego bezpieczeństwa teleinformatycznego, jest niemożliwe. Można mówić jedynie osiągnięciu pewnego, akceptowalnego jego poziomu. Wydaje się, że do osiągnięcia tego celu, powinna w znaczącym stopniu przyczynić się realizacja priorytetów polityki ochrony cyberprzestrzeni RP, a wśród nich w szczególności określenie kompetencji podmiotów odpowiedzialnych za bezpieczeństwo cyberprzestrzeni, stworzenie i realizacja spójnego dla wszystkich podmiotów administracji rządowej systemu zarządzania bezpieczeństwem cyberprzestrzeni oraz ustanowienie wytycznych w tym zakresie dla podmiotów niepublicznych, stworzenie trwałego systemu koordynacji i wymiany informacji pomiędzy podmiotami odpowiedzialnymi za bezpieczeństwo cyberprzestrzeni i użytkownikami cyberprzestrzeni, zwiększenie świadomości użytkowników cyberprzestrzeni w zakresie metod i środków bezpieczeństwa.

Tectonics Inversions & Emerald Deposits

In spite of the great amount of emerald deposits throughout the world, the priorities in quality and volume of extracted rough material are the sites of Colombia (Muzo and Chivor emerald belts). This sites are know even before the Spanish conquistadores. Emeralds were extracted from Somondoco mine (today Chivor) since 1537 and from Muzo in 1567. Contrariwise to the majority of the emerald deposits of the world, which are associated with granitic rocks, the Colombian emerald deposits are associated with hydrofracturing (the main factor controlling emerald mineralization) and hydrothermal fluids, rich in beryl, chrome and vanadium, induced by a tectonic inversion of the deep Mesozoic backarc basin, which is also responsible of the majority of the petroleum systems of the foredeep and foldbelt areas (maturation of the source-rocks andcreation of structural traps). The host rocks of the emeralds are carbonaceous calsiltites (calcareous schists) rich in organic matter of Lower Cretaceous age, which are cut by calcite veins, which, often, contain emeralds, particularly when they are folded. Indeed, since long time (Cheilletz, A. and Giulliani, G., 1996) suggested a two-stage model for the formation of the Colombian emeralds : (i) Stage I is characterized by décollement planes (early compressional tectonic regime) within the carbonaceous calsiltites, hydrothermal fluid infiltration and wall-rock metasomatic alteration ; (ii) Stage II (late tectonic regime) deforms the previous veins by thrust-related folds (development of stratiform and hydraulic breccia), which are synchronous of the emerald mineralization. The resulting tectonic structures are complex fold patterns characterized by propagation anticlines with emerald veins and emerald hydraulic breccia in the apexes, as in Quipama, Tendenquema and Chivor mines. Otherwise stated, since all emerald exploitations are, presently underground, exhaustive geological and particularly structural studies are required to reduce the probability of disappointments. The color of emeralds is from light green to thick green with obvious pleochroism. They appears with different colors when observed at different angles, especially with polarized light. The emeralds from Coscuez deposits have a homogeneous intensive color and bluish tone. At Muzo deposit, the emeralds have middle or dark green color with yellowish tone. At the Chivor deposits, the emeralds have less intensive green color with slight bluish tone. The typical inclusions are albite and pyrite, as well as long bubbles with three phase-inclusions according the zones of growth and along the crystal shapes.

Clergy, crusified within the body of Christ - a challenge to pastoral care

M.A. Thesis / University of Pretoria / Department of Practical Theology / Advised by Prof M Masango

Singing Through Struggle: Music as a Mode of Cultural Exchange in African American Border City Churches After Emancipation, 1862-1890

This project investigates how religious music, invested with symbolic and cultural meaning, provided African Americans in border city churches with a way to negotiate conflict, assert individual values, and establish a collective identity in the post- emancipation era. In order to focus on the encounter between former slaves and free Blacks, the dissertation examines black churches that received large numbers of southern migrants during and after the Civil War. Primarily a work of history, the study also employs insights and conceptual frameworks from other disciplines including anthropology and ritual studies, African American studies, aesthetic theory, and musicology. It is a work of historical reconstruction in the tradition of scholarship that some have called "lived religion." Chapter 1 introduces the dissertation topic and explains how it contributes to scholarship. Chapter 2 examines social and religious conditions African Americans faced in Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, and Washington, DC to show why the Black Church played a key role in African Americans' adjustment to post-emancipation life. Chapter 3 compares religious slave music and free black church music to identify differences and continuities between them, as well as their functions in religious settings. Chapters 4, 5, and 6 present case studies on Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (Baltimore), Zoar Methodist Episcopal Church (Philadelphia), and St. Luke’s Protestant Episcopal Church (Washington, DC), respectively. Informed by fresh archival materials, the dissertation shows how each congregation used its musical life to uphold values like education and community, to come to terms with a shared experience, and to confront or avert authority when cultural priorities were threatened. By arguing over musical choices or performance practices, or agreeing on mutually appealing musical forms like the gospel songs of the Sunday school movement, African Americans forged lively faith communities and distinctive cultures in otherwise adverse environments. The study concludes that religious music was a crucial form of African American discourse and expression in the post-emancipation era. In the Black Church, it nurtured an atmosphere of exchange, gave structure and voice to conflict, helped create a public sphere, and upheld the values of black people.