Tertiarisation and socio-spatial differentiation in Wales

Processes of economic restructuring and social recomposition have been proceeding at an accelerated pace in Wales of late. This paper seeks to show that these changes, which began with a redistribution of manufacturing employment initially, but which have more recently been dominated by the restructuring of the tertiary sector, can best be understood as a regional effect of the growing spatial division of labour in the UK and internationally. Of special interest is the manner in which the dual spatial divisions in secondary and tertiary economic activity produce new combinations of spatial and social differentiation at the sub-regional level.     

Evidence of women’s empowerment in India: a study of socio-spatial disparities

Various national and international communities have addressed women’s issues and taken various efforts to empower them so as to enhance their social and health status and involve them in developmental activities. The Indian DHS survey (National Family Health Survey, 1998–1999) provides an opportunity to study women’s empowerment in India. The survey collected information on several dimensions of women’s empowerment from 90,303 ever-married women (ages 15–49), from all the states of India. Utilizing these data sets, four indices – household autonomy index, mobility index, attitude towards gender index and attitude towards domestic violence index – are constructed to measure the different dimensions of empowerment. Using these indices, the spatial and socio-economic and cultural disparities that exist within India are analyzed. Finally, an attempt is made to identify some important determinants for women’s empowerment using multiple logistic regression analysis. The results show that at the national level, 43% of the women have high household autonomy; 23% of the women have high freedom to move outside their home; 40% of the women have no gender preference attitude; and only 43% of the women defy domestic violence. But there are significant divergences in these indices of women’s empowerment across the different states and socio-economic and cultural settings within India. Women’s educational levels emerged as an important predictor for all the four dimensions of women’s empowerment. Additionally, media exposure and age have emerged as the important predictors for some dimensions of woman’s empowerment. This paper was presented by Prof. Kamla Gupta at the International Geographical Union Conference (IGU), held in Canada, 2002.     

World-views of Arab Geographers

This paper describes the fundamental attitudes toward nature, land, and human existence which characterize Koranic teachings. Created by God of Heavens and Earth, Land is a substratum of life and resource for human welfare, subject to Divine Will and the fulfillment of human vocations through belief and right action. No land is the eternal or unequivocal possession of any group and the abuse or destruction of the land is due to pride and arrogance which leads to violence, oppression, and the division of mankind between Greeks and barbarians. Arab geography, while drawing on pre-Islamic sources and constantly adapting to new environments and challenges, was a unified science incorporating astronomy, geology, botanics, metallurgy, ethnology, mathematics and metaphysics. Travel accounts provided empirical foundations for mathematical, commercial, economic, and maritime geography, the Portolan charts and other maps providing guides for Spanish and Portuguese sailors and the geographical discoveries of European explorers.     

Activity-composition relations in feldspars

Seck's (1971a) compositional data on coexisting feldspars in the Or-Ab-An ternary at 650° C and 1 kb were used to calculate the activity-composition relations in binary alkali feldspar and binary plagioclase. The energy constants in Guggenheim's expression for excess free energy of mixing are A ₀=3920 and A ₁=657 cal/mole for alkali feldspar, in excellent agreement with values obtained by Thompson and Waldbaum (1969), and 1320 and 373 cal/ mole for plagioclase. Using Orville's (1972) data from ion-exchange experiments between plagioclase and Na—Ca chloride solutions at 700° C and 2 kb, we obtained 967 cal/mole for A ₀ and 715 cal/mole for A ₁ in the plagioclase crystalline solution.Activity-composition relations for plagioclase are interpreted in terms of a continuous, random substitution of CaAl for NaSi across the high structural state plagioclase series. This interpretation is consistent with that obtained from a consideration of lattice parameters.     

Compaction characteristics of granular soils in United Arab Emirates

Most of the topsoils encountered in United Arab Emirates and in the Arabian Peninsula are granular soils with small percentages of silt and clay. Determination of the compaction characteristics of such soils is an essential task in preparing for construction work. The accumulating experience over many years of soil testing in our laboratories suggested that there exists an underlying trend that governs the compaction characteristics of such soils. As such, a study was undertaken to assess the compaction characteristics of such soils and to develop the governing predictive equations. For the purposes of this study, 311 soil samples were collected from various locations in the United Arab Emirates, and tested for various including grain-size distribution, liquid limit, plasticity index, specific gravity of soil solids, maximum dry density of compaction, and optimum moisture content following ASTM D 1557-91 standard procedure C. Following the development of the predictive equations, a new set of 43 soil samples were collected and their compaction results were used to test the validity of predictive model. The range of variables for these soils were as follows: percent retained on US sieve #4 (R#4): 0–68; Percent passing US sieve #200 (P#200): 1–26; Liquid limit: 0–56; Plasticity index: 0–28; Specific gravity of soil solids: 2.55–2.8. Based on the compaction tests results, multiple regression analyses were conducted to develop mathematical models and nomographic solutions to predict the compaction properties of soils. The results indicated that the nomographs could predict well the maximum dry density within ±5% confidence interval and the optimum moisture content within ±3%. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Assessing environmental justice through potential exposure to air pollution: A socio-spatial analysis in Madrid and Barcelona,Spain

The concept of environmental justice (EJ) has recently gained currency, both as a factor for and a goal of sustainable development. Its implementation in practice implies establishing current environmental injustice patterns and analysing planning policies, with the aim to reduce socio-demographic inequalities in the negative environmental impact borne by different population groups. This paper proposes a method to assess differential exposure to excessive pollution levels by socio-demographic groups in intra-urban spaces.The approach developed in this paper is based upon GIS and quantitative spatial analysis techniques. It incorporates the idea of an ‘environmental justice weighting scale’ for policy-making, using normative pollution thresholds to measure inequalities more objectively and consistently. Spain’s two largest cities, Madrid and Barcelona, have been chosen as case-studies, taking nitrogen dioxide as the pollutant, and the geographic distribution of six vulnerable population groups (children, elderly people and international immigrants) in the year 2010. The results reveal that a large part of these groups suffer exposure to air pollution exceeding the maximum permitted levels disproportionately, which would imply a case of environmental injustice.     

A bibliometric-based evaluation on environmental research in the Arab world

The Arab world’s environment is among the most vulnerable and harsh ones across the globe. This entails much efforts to mitigate the potential environmental risks. Analysing contributions of Arab scholars in environmental research in terms of quantity and quality can bring up insights on their endeavours in this regard. Bibliometric techniques are proposed to conduct such this analysis over publications originated from Arab world in a leading environmental journal “Science of the Total Environment”. Research productivity is being used as quantitative indicator, while citation rates and Hirsch index (h-index) are being used as qualitative indicators. The research outputs were compared with those obtained from non-Arab Middle Eastern countries (Iran, Turkey and Israel). Worldwide research productivity was 17,258 documents, while that from Arab countries, Iran, Turkey and Israel were 215, 34, 83 and 87 documents, respectively. The h-index of Arab world research was 31, and total citations were 3616 with an average of 16.8. The highest share of publications was recorded by Saudi Arabia (53 documents; 24.7%). Egypt and Saudi Arabia had highest h-index with 15 for each one. American University of Beirut in Lebanon was the highest productive institution (16; 7.4%). The most collaborated country with Arab world was France (29; 13.5%). In the conclusion, the study reveals a clear gap in terms of research productivity between Arab countries and other Middle Eastern countries, precisely Israel and Turkey. More research efforts through optimizing investments in environmental research, developing regional experiences and fostering international collaboration are required to eliminate these lags.     

Geopolitical codes and popular representations*

Geopolitical codes – intellectual tools for practising statecraft – share a certain basic understanding of the world with less articulate, popular representations. Both are influenced by national geographies and histories. The international power game may (particularly in large countries) temporarily alienate codes from popular representations but the ensuing conflicts also prove the solidity of popular visions about the world order. Change is nevertheless possible and should be one of the central themes of research in geopolitical representations. This article concludes with specifying five perspectives that can be adopted in cross-national research: time/space models of the world, national myths, territorial narratives, active/passive approach of international relations and reactions to international crises.     

Shipping policies of the Arab oil producing countries

The arab oil producing countries have characteristics of both less developed and more developed countries. They are diversifying their economies and entering into shipping. There are arguments for and against some participation in shipping, but industrialisation generates shipping requirements. These are being met on a Pan Arab basis and by joint ventures with traditional maritime nations.     

Assessment of contaminants in Dubai coastal region, United Arab Emirates

Coastal uses and other human activities have inevitably impinged on the Gulf environment; therefore, these regions require continuous monitoring. The investigated area covered the maximum fragments of Dubai coastal region in the Arabian Gulf. The determination of major oxides and trace metal concentrations in Dubai sediments revealed three heavily and moderately contaminated regions. One is in the far northeastern part at Al-Hamriya Sts 1–3 and contaminated by Fe, Cu, Pb, and Zn; the second is in the mid-northeastern part at Dry Docks and contaminated by Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn; and finally, the third is in the near southwestern part at Dubal and contaminated by Fe, Mg, Cr, Ni, and Zn. Al-Hamriya St 3 represented the highest values of Cu, Pb, and Zn, whereas Dubal exhibited the maximum values of Fe, Mg, Ba, Cr, Mn, Ni, and V. The anthropogenic discharge and natural deposits are the main sources of contamination. In general, all trace and major elements showed the minimal levels at Jebel Ali Sanctuary (Sts 11, 12, 13) except for Sr and Ca, which showed their maximum values. The highest concentrations of Ca and Sr are mainly attributed to carbonate gravel sands and sands, which cover most stations. Each of V and Ni showed negative correlation with TPH, which may be indicated that the source of oil contamination in the region is not related to crude oil but mostly attributable to anthropogenic sources. The significant positive correlation, which was found between trace metals and TOC indicates that organic matter plays an important role in the accumulation of trace metals in case of Cu, Zn, and Pb.     

Geopolitics and politics in the Arab Gulf States (GCC)

The Geopolitics of the Arab Gulf region stems out of its geographic location on world important crossroads, and is dominated by its oil wealth which is sought after world-wide. Strategically, the Gulf is in the friction zone of world power. It is also located in the shatter zone of regional power, that is, Arabia, Persia, and India. Active membership in a non-aligned organization represents the official framework of Gulf politics, i.e., the Arab League, Islamic Congress, and the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** ABI02027 00002     

Rethinking representations of the space in human-environmental relationships in Uruguay

The aim of this paper is to discuss the representation of spatiality in the interaction between humans and the environment. The work focuses on the movement and relations involved in these past and present interactions. Theoretical reflections are based on the study of the human use of Butiá palm trees in Uruguay. A variety of techniques were used to carry out an ethnographic work that proposes an exercise for the representation of spatiality. The dialogue among these different ways of representing diachronic spatiality in human-palm relationships aims to critically analyse the use of participatory mapping in land management. We propose a non-aerial representation of the spatiality of human-palm relationships with implications on the discussions on the hegemonic ways of representing space.     

Phase Relations in the System Pb—Sn—Fe—Sb—S

Phase relations in the system Pb-Sn-Fe-Sb-S were investigated through the diagrams of projecting plane 8x(PbS-SnS-SnS2)from the vertrex point Fe0.96Sb2.04S4.12by vacuum silica tube technique.Experimental results have shown that franckeite has a wide solid solution with substitution of Pb^2 by Sn^2 ,In franckeite s.s.the content of Sn^2 varies from 0 to 4.8 atoms (total metal atoms are 11 atoms per formula) at 500℃ and 0-4.0 atoms at 400℃,respectively,Meanwhile,the content of Sn^4 ranges from 1.3to 2.0 atoms at 500℃ and 1.5-2.1 atoms at 400℃ in franckeite s.s.These results are consistent well with analytic data on natural franckeite.The cylindrite solid solutiopn has a relatively small range with Sn^2 -1.8atoms and Sm^4 =3.2-4.2 atoms per formula at 500℃ and ,Sn^2 =0.5-1.7 atoms and Sm^4 =3.3-4.2 atoms at 400℃ which are comparable with natural cylindrite.The phases coexisting in equilibrium with franckeite s.s. are galena,boulangerite,robinsonite.teallite,SnS,cylindrite.s.s.and synthetic phase Ⅲ ss or I ss.The cylindrite s.s.coexists with SnS2 and the above mentioned phases,but not with galena.teallite and SnS,and probably not with boulangerite in this projecting plane.     

Feldspar relations in a composite magma

The coming together of basic and acid magma in a volcanic plug is believed to have produced above-liquidus temperatures and effected temporary fusion of oligoclase phenocrysts in the acid component. Electron-probe analyses of the minerals show a high degree of feldspar ternary solid solution which is related to composition of the magma and possibly to the effect of superheating.     

Postbellum race relations in commodity exchange

A structural imperative of capital is to expand commodity exchange. To realize surplus value, capitalists not only have to exploit workers in the production process, but also make workers buy what they produce. This paper examines how this imperative of capital shaped race relations from the end of slavery through the Jim Crow era. The racism that sustained black slavery was highly exclusionary––a fixed racism that undermined this imperative of capital to expand commodity exchange. A more flexible racism would resolve this contradiction. Reconstruction was a move to erase all vestiges of the fixed racism that sustained slavery from relations of commodity exchange. Jim Crow countered with a more flexible racism that maintained the racial status quo but was less of a barrier to blacks participating in commodity exchange in the consumption process.     

Phase relations in the tremolite-pargasite join

The join tremolite (Tr)-pargasite (Pa) has been studied in the temperature range 750 °–1,150 ° C under a water vapor pressure of 1 and 5 kbar. There is a continuous solid solution series between the compositions Tr₈₅Pa₁₅ and Tr_oPa₁₀₀ at 850 ° C and 5 kbar. Tremolite and pargasite are separated by a solvus at 1 kbar and the field of tremolitic amphibole +pargasitic amphibole+vapor is present in the region between Tr₉₀Pa₁₀ and Tr₁₀Pa₉₀ at 800 ° C. The phase assemblages at 850 ° C and 1 kbar change as follows with increasing pargasite component; clinopyroxene +orthopyroxene+quartz+vapor, tremolitic amphibole+vapor, tremolitic amphibole+clinopyroxene +forsterite+plagioclase+vapor, tremolitic amphibole+pargasitic amphibole+vapor, and pargasitic amphibole+vapor. The petrological significance of amphibole pairs in metamorphic rocks is discussed on the basis of the experimental results.