Growing up with rivers? Rivers in London children's worlds

This paper presents the results from exploratory research which set out to investigate London children's perceptions and uses of river environments. Mainly qualitative, multi-method research was carried out in four primary schools with children aged 9–11, focusing on two rivers near to the schools. Rivers were found to be marginal to the children's everyday lives and outdoor play, being perceived as polluted, neglected, and initially dangerous places. However, when experienced on visits observed as part of the research, some of these perceptions changed and rivers were also found to afford many special activities and experiences for the children. The visits were generally seen to have a positive effect on the children's perceptions of rivers, at least in the short term. This suggests that, if managed appropriately, rivers could be potentially rewarding play areas for children. Moreover, children could provide valuable input for river managers in suggesting ways of improving suitable local rivers for increased recreational uses.     

Soil-pile-structure interaction effects on the seismic response of a cooling tower

A study of the effects of soil-pile-structure interaction on the response of rotational shell structures supported by a group of vertical piles is presented. The interaction effects are included in the dynamic analysis through the development of a frequency dependent boundary system at the interface between the shell and the underlying foundation. The substructure method is used to simplify the connection problem between the shell and the pile foundation. A free vibration analysis of a cooling tower is carried out to investigate the dynamic properties of rotational shells with four different foundation stiffnesses. The effects of soil-pile-structure interaction on the response in the shell are demonstrated by a complex response analysis of a cooling tower.     

An On Line Atmospheric Dispersion Model (OLADMO) for the World Wide Web

This paper presents an overview of earlier and current methods of modelling atmospheric dispersion, and proposes and evaluates a screening model for operation over the World Wide Web. The On Line Atmospheric Dispersion Model (OLADMO) is a quasi boundary layer parameterised Gaussian plume model with additional algorithms to account for plume rise, building wake effects and deposition processes. The Monin–Obukhov length boundary layer parameter is utilised to define six stability classes in order to determine atmospheric turbulence and stability, whilst new equations, derived from an intercomparison study of old and next generation dispersion models, are used to calculate the horizontal and vertical dispersion coefficients σ _y and σ _z . Using data from two field experiments in Copenhagen, Denmark and Lillestrøm, Norway, the model results from OLADMO are found to compare favourably with the results from several old and next generation dispersion models. As a consequence of the unique nature of the meteorological and location factors of the Lillestrøm experiment, all models struggled to represent the concentrations observed during the field study adequately. However, OLADMO was the best performing model in this case, with a mean normalised crosswind integrated concentration 13% closer to the mean observed concentration than its nearest competitor. Because the evaluation of the model was conducted with a limited dataset, several limitations and improvements to both the model and experimental procedure are suggested.     

Estimating Small-Area Populations by Age and Sex Using Spatial Interpolation and Statistical Inference Methods

The objective of this research is to compute population estimates by age and sex for small areas whose boundaries are different from those for which the population counts were made. In our approach, population surfaces and age‐sex proportion surfaces are separately estimated. Age‐sex population estimates for small areas and their confidence intervals are then computed using a binomial model with the two surfaces as inputs. The approach was implemented for Iowa using a 90 m resolution population grid (LandScan USA) and U.S. Census 2000 population. Three spatial interpolation methods, the areal weighting (AW) method, the ordinary kriging (OK) method, and a modification of the pycnophylactic method, were used on Census Tract populations to estimate the age‐sex proportion surfaces. To verify the model, age‐sex population estimates were computed for paired Block Groups that straddled Census Tracts and therefore were spatially misaligned with them. The pycnophylactic method and the OK method were more accurate than the AW method. The approach is general and can be used to estimate subgroup‐count types of variables from information in existing administrative areas for custom‐defined areas used as the spatial basis of support in other applications.     

A geoarchaeological approach to the analysis of secondary lithic deposits

The methods and techniques presented provide a means for evaluating raw material characteristics in those situations where secondary deposits of lithic materials were exploited for stone tool production. Those aspects of secondary deposits measured or estimated include size, form, roundness, crystallinity, homogeneity, and raw material frequency. A comparison and discussion of two sampled areas in eastern New Mexico demonstrate how these procedures can be used to elucidate meaningful archaeological information. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Ultra‐reduced phases in Apollo 16 regolith: Combined field emission electron probe microanalysis and atom probe tomography of submicron Fe‐Si grains in Apollo 16 sample 61500

The lunar regolith contains a variety of chemically reduced phases of interest to planetary scientists and the most common, metallic iron, is generally ascribed to space weathering processes (Lucey et al. 2006 ). Reports of silicon metal and iron silicides, phases indicative of extremely reducing conditions, in lunar samples are rare (Anand et al. 2004 ; Spicuzza et al. 2011 ). Additional examples of Fe‐silicides have been identified in a survey of particles from Apollo 16 sample 61501,22. Herein is demonstrated the utility of low keV electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), using the Fe Ll X‐ray line, to analyze these submicron phases, and the necessity of accounting for carbon contamination. We document four Fe‐Si and Si⁰ minerals in lunar regolith return material. The new Fe‐Si samples have a composition close to (Fe,Ni)₃Si, whereas those associated with Si⁰ are close to FeSi₂ and Fe₃Si₇. Atom probe tomography of (Fe,Ni)₃Si shows trace levels of C (60 ppma and nanodomains enriched in C, Ni, P, Cr, and Sr). These reduced minerals require orders of magnitude lower oxygen fugacity and more reducing conditions than required to form Fe⁰. Documenting the similarities and differences in these samples is important to constrain their formation processes. These phases potentially formed at high temperatures resulting from a meteorite impact. Whether carbon played a role in achieving the lower oxygen fugacities—and there is evidence of nearby carbonaceous chondritic material—it remains to be proven that carbon was the necessary component for the unique existence of these Si⁰ and iron silicide minerals.     

Co-management and protected area management: Achieving effective management of a contested site,lessons from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA)

Marine protected management has gained acceptance as a way forward to achieve enhanced biodiversity outcomes. Simultaneously, co-management has gathered momentum as a mechanism to incorporate indigenous cultural aspirations within environmental management domains. Each management process has its own methodologies; when the two models intersect, they present a number of challenges to overall management outcomes. We review the journey of an indigenous co-management initiative within a marine protected area (MPA), the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), Australia, to explore how different management paradigms intersect with both negative and positive results. We argue that lessons learned from this initiative will help participants to adapt and innovate, so as to implement effective on ground management despite the region being a contested site.