Prediction of soil organic partition coefficients by a soil leaching column chromatographic method

The soil organic partition coefficient (K-oc) is one of the most important parameters to depict the transfer and fate of a chemical in the soil-water system. Predicting K-oc by using a chromatographic technique has been developing into a convenient and low-cost method. In this paper, a soil leaching column chromatograpy (SLCC) method employing the soil column packed with reference soil GSE 17201 (obtained from Bayer Landwirtschaftszentrum, Monheim, Germany) and methanol-water eluents was developed to predict the K-oc of hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs), over a log K-oc range of 4.8 orders of magnitude, from their capacity factors. The capacity factor with water as an eluent (k(w)') could be obtained by linearly extrapolating capacity factors in methanol-water eluents (k') with various volume fractions of methanol (phi). The important effects of solute activity coefficients in water on k(w)' and K-oc were illustrated. Hence, the correlation between log K-oc and log k(w)' (and log k') exists in the soil. The correlation coefficient (r) of the log K-oc vs. log k(w)' correlation for 58 apolar and polar compounds could reach 0.987, while the correlation coefficients of the log K-oc-log k' correlations were no less than 0.968, with phi ranging from 0 to 0.50. The smaller the phi, the higher the r. Therefore, it is recommended that the eluent of smaller phi, such as water, be used for accurately estimating K-oc. Correspondingly, the r value of the log K-oc-log k(w)' correlation on a reversed-phase Hypersil ODS (Thermo Hypersil, Kleinostheim, Germany) column was less than 0.940 for the same solutes. The SLCC method could provide a more reliable route to predict K-oc indirectly from a correlation with k(w)' than the reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RPLC) one.

Surface Perception from Local Analysis of Texture and Contour

The visual analysis of surface shape from texture and surface contour is treated within a computational framework. The aim of this study is to determine valid constraints that are sufficient to allow surface orientation and distance (up to a multiplicative constant) to be computed from the image of surface texture and of surface contours.

Local Rotational Symmetries

This thesis describes a new representation for two-dimensional round regions called Local Rotational Symmetries. Local Rotational Symmetries are intended as a companion to Brady's Smoothed Local Symmetry Representation for elongated shapes. An algorithm for computing Local Rotational Symmetry representations at multiple scales of resolution has been implemented and results of this implementation are presented. These results suggest that Local Rotational Symmetries provide a more robustly computable and perceptually accurate description of round regions than previous proposed representations. In the course of developing this representation, it has been necessary to modify the way both Smoothed Local Symmetries and Local Rotational Symmetries are computed. First, grey-scale image smoothing proves to be better than boundary smoothing for creating representations at multiple scales of resolution, because it is more robust and it allows qualitative changes in representations between scales. Secondly, it is proposed that shape representations at different scales of resolution be explicitly related, so that information can be passed between scales and computation at each scale can be kept local. Such a model for multi-scale computation is desirable both to allow efficient computation and to accurately model human perceptions.

Crescimento retardado de seringueira plantada como toco alto em faixas abertas em capoeira alta, com enxertia de copa no local de plantio.

Por ser especie heliofila, a seringueira e' plantada em pleno sol. Por esse motivo, foi testado o comportamento de plantio, em trilhas abertas na capoeira, de toco alto que, por medir de 2,10m a 2,40m de altura e possuir maior quantidade de reservas do que as mudas tradicionais, traria as vantagens de reducao do custo de preparo da area, evitando a derruba e queima, com preservacao da materia organica do solo, alem da incorporacao gradual da biomassa da capoeira. As copas de Hevea pauciflora apresentam derrama natural tardia, sugerindo que seu ponto de compensacao luminosa e' mais baixo do que o de H. brasiliensis. Desse modo, copas enxertadas com H. pauciflora poderiam tolerar melhor a fase de crescimento a sombra parcial da capoeira. O tratamento com copa propria apresentou o menor perimetro de caule, com valores tambem baixos nos blocos em pleno sol. Os incrementos anuais em perimetro de caule, apos a decapitacao dos enxerto de copa, permaneceram muito baixos na capoeira, nos tres anos consecutivos, e atingiram valores sucessivamente mais altos em pleno sol, exceto com a copa propria. Os resultados com as copas enxertadas de H. pauciflora demostram, portanto, ser inviavel o plantio em capoeira, nas condicoes descritas neste trabalho.

The local and global dimensions of metalliferous pollution derived from a reconstruction of an eight thousand year record of copper smelting and mining at a desert-mountain frontier in southern Jordan

Grattan, J.P., Gilbertson, D.D., Hunt, C.O. (2007). The local and global dimensions of metaliferrous air pollution derived from a reconstruction of an 8 thousand year record of copper smelting and mining at a desert-mountain frontier in southern Jordan. Journal of Archaeological Science 34, 83-110

The Dirichlet problem in convex bounded domains for operators with L^\infty-coefficients

M.Hieber, I.Wood: The Dirichlet problem in convex bounded domains for operators with L^\infty-coefficients, Diff. Int. Eq., 20, 7 (2007),721-734.

Local studies collections online: an investigation in Irish public libraries

Barry, L., Tedd, L.A. (2008). Local studies collections online: an investigation in Irish public libraries. Program: electronic library and information systems, 42(2), 163-186.

Performing the Local and the Global : The Theatre Festivals of Lake Constance

Wilkinson, Jane, Performing the Local and the Global: The Theatre Festivals of Lake Constance (Peter Lang, 2007), pp.286 RAE2008

The Dirichlet problem in convex bounded domains for operators with L8-coefficients

Wood, Ian; Hieber, M., (2007) 'The Dirichlet problem in convex bounded domains for operators with L8-coefficients', Differential and Integral Equations 20 pp.721-734 RAE2008

A Framework for Local Anonymity in the Internet

We describe and evaluate options for providing anonymous IP service, argue for the further investigation of local anonymity, and sketch a framework for the implementation of locally anonymous networks.

A Local Circuit Model of Learned Straitial and Dopamine Cell Responses under Probabilistic Schedules of Reward

Before choosing, it helps to know both the expected value signaled by a predictive cue and the associated uncertainty that the reward will be forthcoming. Recently, Fiorillo et al. (2003) found the dopamine (DA) neurons of the SNc exhibit sustained responses related to the uncertainty that a cure will be followed by reward, in addition to phasic responses related to reward prediction errors (RPEs). This suggests that cue-dependent anticipations of the timing, magnitude, and uncertainty of rewards are learned and reflected in components of the DA signals broadcast by SNc neurons. What is the minimal local circuit model that can explain such multifaceted reward-related learning? A new computational model shows how learned uncertainty responses emerge robustly on single trial along with phasic RPE responses, such that both types of DA responses exhibit the empirically observed dependence on conditional probability, expected value of reward, and time since onset of the reward-predicting cue. The model includes three major pathways for computing: immediate expected values of cures, timed predictions of reward magnitudes (and RPEs), and the uncertainty associated with these predictions. The first two model pathways refine those previously modeled by Brown et al. (1999). A third, newly modeled, pathway is formed by medium spiny projection neurons (MSPNs) of the matrix compartment of the striatum, whose axons co-release GABA and a neuropeptide, substance P, both at synapses with GABAergic neurons in the SNr and with the dendrites (in SNr) of DA neurons whose somas are in ventral SNc. Co-release enables efficient computation of sustained DA uncertainty responses that are a non-monotonic function of the conditonal probability that a reward will follow the cue. The new model's incorporation of a striatal microcircuit allowed it to reveals that variability in striatal cholinergic transmission can explain observed difference, between monkeys, in the amplitutude of the non-monotonic uncertainty function. Involvement of matriceal MSPNs and striatal cholinergic transmission implpies a relation between uncertainty in the cue-reward contigency and action-selection functions of the basal ganglia. The model synthesizes anatomical, electrophysiological and behavioral data regarding the midbrain DA system in a novel way, by relating the ability to compute uncertainty, in parallel with other aspects of reward contingencies, to the unique distribution of SP inputs in ventral SN.

Participation by place-based community organisations in local development: case studies from East Cork

The past two decades have witnessed concerted efforts by theorists and policy-makers to place civil society at the centre of social, economic and environmental development processes. To this end, policies grounded in a Third Way approach have sought to forge stronger linkages between the state and voluntary community-based organisations. Concepts such as active citizenship, social capital, partnership and sustainability have underpinned this political philosophy, which reflects a movement in development theory and political science away from notions of state-led development and unfettered neo-liberalism. In the Irish context, a series of initiatives have given expression to this new policy agenda, the foremost amongst them the publication of a White Paper in 2000. New local governance structures and development schemes have multiplied since the early 1990s, while the physical planning system has also been modified. All this has taken place against the backdrop of unprecedented economic development and social change precipitated by the ‘Celtic Tiger’.This thesis examines the interaction between community organisations, state institutions and other actors in development processes in East Cork. It focuses upon place-based community organisations, who seek to represent the interests of their particular localities. A case study approach is employed to explore the realpolitik of local development and to gauge the extent to which grassroots community organisations wield influence in determining the development of their communities. The study concludes that the transfer of decision-making power to community organisations has been more illusory than real and that, in practical terms, such groups remain marginal in the circuits of power. However, the situation of community organisations operating in different geographical locales cannot be reduced to an overarching theoretical logic. The case studies show that the modus operandi of community groups varies considerably and can be influenced by specific local geographies, events and personalities.

The impact of new public management on the roles of elected councillors, management and the community sector in Irish local government: a case study of Cork County Council

The fundamental aim of this thesis is to examine the effect of New Public Management (NPM) on the traditional roles of elected representatives, management and community activists in Irish local government. This will be achieved through a case study analysis of one local authority, Cork County Council. NPM promises greater democracy in decision-making. Therefore, one can hypothesise that the roles of the three key groupings identified will become more influenced by principles of participatory decision-making. Thus, a number of related questions will be addressed by this work, such as, have the local elected representatives been empowered by NPM? Has a managerial revolution taken place? Has local democracy been enhanced by more effective community participation? It will be seen in chapter 2 that these questions have not been adequately addressed to date in NPM literature. The three groups identified can be regarded as stakeholders although the researcher is cautious in using this term because of its value-laden nature. Essentially, in terms of Cork County Council, stakeholders can be defined as decision-makers and people within the organization and its environment who are interested in or could be affected directly or indirectly by organizational performance. This is an all-embracing definition and includes all citizens, residents, community groups and client organizations. It is in this context that the term 'stakeholder' should be understood when it is occasionally used in this thesis. In this case, the perceptions of elected councilors, management and community representatives with regard to their changing roles are as significant as the changes themselves. The chapter begins with a brief account of the background to this research. This is followed by an explanation of the methodology which is used and then concludes with short statements about the remaining chapters in the thesis.