REVERSING THE NUCLEAR ARMS RACE: GEOPOLITICAL BASES FOR PESSIMISM

Political geography's contribution to the debate about war and peace should include re-examining traditional geopolitical concepts (e.g. heartlands, buffer zones) which apparently infuse the superpowers’ nuclear strategies. The latter contain dangerously mismatching geopolitical perspectives, which beget NATO's “flexible response” vs. total retaliation by the Warsaw Pact and the latter's view of so-called “theater” weapons like Cruise as strategic. The research agenda also needs to consider whether new weapons technology may make traditional geopolitics and current nuclear strategies obsolete.     

A SPATIAL AND TOPICAL ASSESSMENT OF DIGITAL GEOGRAPHIC DATABASE ACTIVITIES IN THE U.S.*

Characteristics of digital geographic databases throughout the U.S. are examined using data from a nationwide survey of potential digital data users/producers. The survey, conducted by Rand McNally-Infomap, identified more than 900 digital databases. Emphasis is on categories of data, differences in data at various scales and among organization types, and the spatial distribution of databases and data categories. Categories examined include boundaries, locational identifiers, property/valuation, utilities/energy/communication, transportation, socioeconomic, physical environment, and natural resource utilization.     

Infrared Spectroscopy of V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's Object)

IR spectroscopy and photometry in the 0.8–2.4 and 3–14 mregions are reported for seven dates between March 21 1998 and July20 2000 UT. The shorter wavelength region displays a smooth continuum increasing to longerwavelengths that is indicative of the Wien tail of a Planck function. Only theHe I 1.0830 line is present early and it shows a P-Cygni profile which laterdisappears. The long wave spectra show a smooth continuum between 3 and 13m that was well fit by a gray body at 1000 K. A weak, unidentifiedemission feature appears between 8 and 10 m.     

Quantitative modeling of compaction in the Holyoke flood basalt flow,Hartford Basin,Connecticut

Compaction in the Holyoke flood-basalt flow is modeled using a quantitative phase equilibrium routine based on the MELTS algorithm that is coupled with compaction-driven heat and mass transport equations. For a crystal-liquid mush that is cooling from both the top and the bottom, the compaction is qualitatively different in the upper and lower parts of the flow. The solid fraction in the lower part increases as a result of concurrent compaction and solidification. In contrast, cooling from the upper boundary results in an increase in viscosity and a decrease in permeability toward the top. This causes the velocity of the solid matrix to increase downward and the upper part to undergo dilation of the solid matrix. The result is an "S"-shaped profile for compatible elements, and an inverse profile for incompatible elements. The region of modeled maximum dilation matches the location of segregation sheets in the Holyoke flow. Discrepancy between observed deformation, as calculated from textural deformation of plagioclase chain networks versus compositional profiles, suggest some crystal accumulation and/or compaction prior to the formation of the plagioclase chains.     

A casting procedure for reproducing coarse‐grained sedimentary surfaces

In the ?eld, the measurement of near‐bed hydraulics remains problematic. Greater precision is possible in the laboratory, but, in the case of gravels, it is dif?cult to create a water‐worked channel‐bed that is realistic enough to replicate faithfully the conditions found in nature. In this paper, a technique to reproduce coarse‐grained sedimentary fabrics of large areal extent is described. It involves moulding natural river‐bed surfaces from which facsimiles are cast. Remarkably realistic casts with dimensions of 1 m by 2 m have been produced and their quality assessed using spatial data derived using automated digital photogrammetry. The casts reproduce the prototype surfaces with errors at millimetre scale (0·5 per cent of the microrelief). The technique has facilitated the introduction of sedimentary surfaces that incorporate natural, complex structures of grains up to cobble size into experimental channels where detailed studies of near‐bed hydraulics can be carried out. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Accessibility tradeoffs in public transit planning

 Spatial accessibility is a critical consideration in the provision of services, both public and private. In public transit planning, accessibility is comprised of access and geographic coverage. Interestingly, these two considerations are somewhat at odds with each other. Access is important because it is the process associated with getting to and departing from the service. Such access is typically perceived of in spatial terms as the physical proximity to transit stops or stations. Additional stops along a route usually mean greater access, because a stop is more likely to be within an acceptable walking/driving standard for a larger number of people. On the other hand, more stops and greater access slow transit travel speeds, thereby decreasing the area of service reachable given a travel time budget. More stops along a route translate to greater service interruption and longer travel times. The faster the travel time, the more desirable the service. Further, if travel times become excessive, then user demand for service will decrease. All of this means that stop spacing along a route is central to accessibility, as it is a tradeoff of access (more stops) and geographic coverage (service efficiency through less stops). This paper details modeling approaches for addressing accessibility concerns in an integrated fashion. Bus-based transit service in Columbus, Ohio will be utilized to illustrate the usefulness of these approaches in transit planning. Received: September 2002 / Accepted: January 2003 This research was supported in part by an Ohio State University seed grant.     

The accuracy of a river bed moulding/casting system and the effectiveness of a low-cost digital camera for recording river bed fabric

Digital photogrammetry has been used to develop and test an artificial river bed moulding and casting system, which allows the pebbles within a coarse-grain river bed to be recreated for hydraulic research in a laboratory flow channel or flume. Imagery of both the original streambed and the cast facsimile was acquired using a non-metric Kodak DCS460 digital camera and digital elevation models and orthophotographs were derived and compared to assess the accuracy of the moulding and casting system. These comparative tests proved to be critical in modifying and developing the system.
Additional imagery was obtained in the field using a non-metric Olympus C3030 'compact' digital camera to assess whether far cheaper camera technology could deliver data appropriate for such comparative examinations. Internal calibration parameter sets and data that were generated were compared with data obtained by the non-metric Kodak DCS460. These tests demonstrate that digital sensors built around high-quality 35 mm professional camera bodies and lenses are required for comparative examinations and for similar system development.     

Identifying trends in groundwater quality using residence time indicators: an example from the Permian aquifer of Dumfries, Scotland

The Permian sandstone and breccia aquifer of Dumfries has an important role in supplying water to the principal town in southwest Scotland. The area comprises mainly pastoral farmland with some industry and fish farming. Ongoing development of the aquifer has revealed the existence of complex groundwater flow through fractures and increasing nitrate concentrations. To further investigate these issues, the age and quality of groundwater throughout the aquifer has now been assessed using standard hydrogeochemical techniques together with CFCs and SF₆ as residence time indicators. The aquifer consists of sandstone- and breccia-dominated units: the Locharbriggs Sandstone in the east and the Doweel Breccia in the west. Groundwater throughout the aquifer is of Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type and moderately mineralised; pH is near neutral. The observed groundwater chemistry is the product of maritime rainfall modified by the dissolution of carbonate material in the breccia, sandstone and surficial deposits. CFC and SF₆ concentrations are interpreted on the basis of mixing between older (>50 years) and recent (1990s) components. Although there is generally a higher proportion of older water within the Locharbriggs Sandstone compared to the Doweel Breccia, stable isotope evidence suggests that the older water component in the interbedded sandstones of the breccia is of much greater antiquity, possibly containing an element of palaeowater. Concentrations of nitrate across the aquifer can be directly related to the amount of recent recharge. Modern groundwater contains approximately 9 mg l^–1 NO₃-N and pre-1950s groundwater has approximately 2 mg l^–1 NO₃-N. Nitrate concentrations measured at individual boreholes are explained by the relative proportions of modern and pre-1950s groundwater. If current practices continue, the concentrations of nitrate measured across the Dumfries Basin will rise as the proportion of pre-1950s groundwater diminishes.

---

Resumen El acuífero de areniscas y brechas Pérmicas de Dumfries desempeña un papel importante en el abastecimiento a la ciudad principal del Sudoeste de Escocia. El área comprende sobretodo tierras de pastoreo y granjas, junto con algunas industrias y piscifactorías. El desarrollo iniciado en el acuífero ha revelado la existencia de un complicado flujo subterráneo a través de las fracturas y de un aumento progresivo en la concentración de nitrato. Con el fin de profundizar en el conocimiento de estos temas, se ha determinado la edad y calidad de las aguas subterráneas en todo el acuífero por medio de técnicas hidrogeoquímicas estándar y de indicadores del tiempo de residencia como los clorofluorcarbonados (CFCs) y el fluoruro de azufre (SF₆). El acuífero está formado por las areniscas de Locharbriggs, al Este, y las brechas de Doweel, hacia el Oeste. Las aguas subterráneas son de tipo bicarbonatadas cálcico-magnésicas y presentan una mineralización moderada, mientras que el pH es prácticamente neutro. La química de las aguas subterráneas es el resultado del aerosol marino modificado por la disolución de materiales carbonatados en las brechas, areniscas y depósitos superficiales. Las concentraciones de CFCs y SF₆ se interpretan a partir de una mezcla de aguas entre una componente antigua (más de 50 años) y una reciente (de la década de 1990). Aunque en general se da una mayor proporción de aguas antiguas en las areniscas de Locharbriggs que en las Brechas de Doweel, los isótopos estables sugieren que la componente de aguas antiguas en las intercalaciones de areniscas que aparecen en la formación de brechas es mucho más antigua, y que, posiblemente, se trate de paleoaguas. Las concentraciones de nitrato en el acuífero pueden ser relacionadas directamente con la aportación de recarga reciente. Las aguas subterráneas modernas contienen aproximadamente 9 mg l^–1 de nitrato, mientras que las aguas subterráneas anteriores a 1950 tienen unos 2 mg l^–1. Se puede explicar las concentraciones de nitrato en pozos individuales por las proporciones relativas de aguas subterráneas modernas y anteriores a 1950. Si las prácticas actuales continúan, se producirá un aumento de las concentraciones de nitrato en la cuenca de Dumfries debido a la disminución de la proporción de aguas antiguas.

---

Résumé L'aquifère des grès et brèches du Permien de Dumfries joue un rôle important dans l'alimentation en eau de la principale ville du sud-ouest de l'Écosse. La région est principalement soumise à de l'élevage pastoral avec quelques industries et des piscicultures. La progression de l'exploitation de cet aquifère a révélé l'existence d'un écoulement souterrain complexe en fractures et des concentrations en nitrate croissantes. Dans le but d'étudier ces deux points plus en détail, l'âge et la qualité de l'eau souterraine dans tout l'aquifère ont été évalués en utilisant des techniques hydrogéochimiques conventionnelles avec les CFC et SF₆ comme marqueurs du temps de séjour. L'aquifère est constitué par des unités dominées par des brèches et des grès: les grès de Locharbriggs à l'est et les brèches de Doweel à l'ouest. L'eau souterraine dans tout l'aquifère a un faciès bicarbonaté calcique et magnésien et est moyennement minéralisée; le pH est proche de la neutralité. Le chimisme observé de l'eau souterraine résulte des apports marins par la pluie modifiés par la dissolution du matériau carbonaté des brèches, des grès et des formations superficielles. Les concentrations en CFC et SF₆ sont interprétées sur la base d'un mélange entre des composantes ancienne (>50 ans) et récente (années 1990). Bien qu'il y ait en général une plus forte proportion d'eau ancienne dans les grès de Locharbriggs que dans la brèche de Doweel, les isotopes stables suggèrent que la composante d'eau ancienne dans les grès interstratifiés des brèches est beaucoup plus ancienne, contenant probablement un élément d'eau fossile. Les concentrations en nitrate dans l'aquifère peuvent être directement reliées au taux de recharge récente. L'eau souterraine moderne contient approximativement 9 mg l^–1 en NO₃-N et l'eau souterraine d'avant 1950 environ 2 mg l^–1 en NO₃-N. Les concentrations en nitrate mesurées dans des forages individuels sont expliquées par des proportions relatives d'eaux souterraines moderne et antérieure à 1950. Si les pratiques actuelles continuent, les concentrations en nitrate mesurées dans le bassin de Dumfries augmenteront alors que la part de l'eau souterraine d'avant 1950 diminuera.

---

     

Seismic Hazard Mitigation for Buildings

Recent natural hazards have exposed the dire consequence of damage and impact upon the built environment. It appears that one of the biggest challenges to the natural hazard mitigation community is how to improve the performance of older building and infrastructure to enhance their ability to withstand natural hazards. By improving their performance, the risk associated with buildings and infrastructure against natural hazards can be mitigated. Within the context of risk management of buildings against earthquakes, the general practice is to follow a three-step process, namely screening, evaluation and mitigation. Screening constitutes a preliminary evaluation process and sets priority for detailed evaluation. Evaluation compares a built environment with code requirements for new construction and sets priority for mitigation. Mitigation can be achieved by means of retrofit or replacement. Retrofit is intended to improve the performance of built environment as required. Replacement may be the only viable solution when economical, technical and environmental considerations are account for.