The Catoctin Volcanic Province represents a sequence of rift related tholeiitic magmas erupted during late Precambrian opening of the Iapetus ocean basin. Three transects have been mapped across the province in northern Virginia in order to demonstrate that there is a mappable stratigraphy and to provide a framework upon which to construct a chemical stratigraphy. Chemical analyses of multiple samples from single flows containing a contrast in fabric development and mineral assemblages indicate that portions of flows with poorly developed fabric and retaining igneous textures and relict clinopyroxenes have been least affected by hydration reactions and are more likely to retain igneous geochemical signatures. Using primarily the less mobile oxides TiO₂, AlO₃, MgO, FeO, and P₂O₅ the chemical stratigraphy for each traverse can be divided into chemical subunits. Each subunit can be modeled by fractional crystallization predominantly of plagioclase and clinopyroxene. Chemical discontinuities between subunits suggest new magma sources or rejuvination of existing magma chambers. The overall geochemical signature of the magmas can be modeled through gabbro fractionation from a picritic source. Sr isotopic data from only those samples that have been least affected by fluid interaction indicate the magmas evolved from a Sr isotopically depleted mantle source and the age of eruption was at approximately 570 Ma. A depleted Sr_i is in sharp contrast to enriched signatures for a sequence of proximally located tholeiites erupted during Mesozoic rifting between North America and northern Africa, suggesting that if the Mesozoic signature is reflecting contamination by a subducted slab component (Pegram, 1986) this contamination event must have been post Catoctin time. The 570 Ma age of eruption is the fIrst isotopically determined age that is consistent with stratigraphic and paleontologic data. When contrasted with dates of 650-730 for other rift related magmas in the southern and central Appalachians, the 570 Ma age suggests a two stage rift event, the first one failed while the second succeeded at opening the Atlantic ocean basin. / Ph. D.

In Sweden and many other countries of the European Union throughout the entire twentieth century the self-employment has been important and essential for sustainable growth and welfare. The dynamics of self-employment have had an variance between areas that are characterized and distinguished by different labour market conditions, entrepreneurial traditions and other structural factors. In general, the agricultural importance in Swedish rural regions has declined over time, hence other small and medium industries have grown and gained more significance in these type of regions. A good example of the decline in industrialised importance for Swedish rural region is Bergslagen. Where the majority of the jobs in the traditional sectors of iron-ore mining were lost without any renewal. This study highlights the self-employment option out of the two-folded perspective. The first and foremost is to investigate the spatial i.e. rural-urban differences with the relation to individual motives as their choice for self-employment. Also, a second and as a side goal of the research, the propensity for self-employment is considered in order to get wider insight of the regional start-up activity in urban and rural regions. By using the rich survey dataset on ex-post motives and the register-based longitudinal data from Swedish Statistics (SCB). The regional differences in determinants for self-employment are examined by applying the binary probit and multinomial logit regressions. Additionally, in order to get a coherent unity within the multidimensional motives a factor analysis is used for grouping the motive variables into the four groups. Simultaneously for easier association to labour market the motives are also divided into typology of pull-push categories. The results regarding propensity for self-employment show small or no differences in the tendency for starting the own venture in rural side or urban regions. On the other hand, results concerning spatial aspects and motive behind the choice of occupation shows that a mutually pull and push reasons are more linked to the urban region than to the rural. Comparable results are observed on the subject of single ex-post motive “non-monetary” in respective area i.e. rural and urban.

published_or_final_version / Earth Sciences / Master / Master of Philosophy

No description available.

Paleomagnetic data were collected from Miocene volcanic rocks in the Turtle Mountains, Clipper Mountain, Colton Hills, and Piute Range of the southern Basin and Range (SBR) province in southeastern California as well as in the Soledad Mountains of the Mojave block in southern California. The data from these two tectonic provinces yield significantly different paleomagnetic directions, which probably indicates the existence of a major crustal and /or lithospheric discontinuity in the area between the Barstow Basin and the Clipper Mountain. Comparing the mean direction from the SBR data to the Miocene expected direction indicates no statistically significant rotation (R = -0.2° ± 18.2°) or flattening (F = -6.5° ± 9.2°). A similar comparison for the Soledad Mountain data, which were combined with data of Burke et al. (1982) from the Barstow Basin, yields a significant rotation of -43.5° ± 12.9° and flattening of 19.3° ± 10.6° for the Mojave block. These Mojave block values may be exaggerated a few degrees due to inadequate averaging of secular variation and possible improper structural corrections.

No description available.

No description available.

Undersökningar visar att det bland den svenska befolkningen är få som vill att länen ska bli större. Denna uppsats syfte är att utifrån idéer om identitet och legitimitet analysera och lyfta de attityder som finns mot förstoring av regioner. Teorier om regionalism, regionalisering och populism har även använts för att analysera materialet. Undersökningen ha fokuserat på de attityder och åsikter som riktats mot indelningsförslaget SOU 2016:48 Regional indelning – tre nya län. Det empiriska material undersökningen utgått från är insändare till lokaltidningar i ett av de tilltänkta länen, Svealands län. Insändarna har analyserats med hjälp av en anpassad, kvalitativ textanalys. Texterna har lästs ett flertal gånger och för att utläsa det relevanta i texternas budskap har frågor ställts till dem. Därefter har de argument och attityder som utlästs kategoriserats i olika mindre teman. Efter ytterligare läsning har dessa mindre teman delats in i fyra större. Dessa fyra teman är; den kritik som rör centrum och periferi, identitetsaspekter i insändarna, den kritik som ger uttryck för en spänning mellan ”Folket” och ”Eliten” och slutligen de legitimitetsaspekter och demokratifrågor som lyfts i materialet. Två större skillnader i kritiken har även identifierats, den kritik som riktas mot själva resultatet av indelningen och den kritik som riktas mot den process som legat bakom förslaget och de besluts som fattats efter att förslaget presenterats.

This thesis analyzes policy measures taken to curb the private sector credit growth in the period 2003-08. The thesis evaluates the excessiveness of the credit development in the CEE with respect to macroeconomic fundamentals. Based on the results, menu of policy options to counter adverse effects of the credit boom is reviewed. The analysis is based on a survey performed on eleven central banks in the region. The findings reveal high intensity of policy intervention: altogether 82 measures were taken in CEE in the period. Deriving from the country experiences, the thesis argues that in order to eliminate adverse impacts, policy measures should include combination of monetary and prudential tools with special emphasis on domestic environment and role of foreign banks in the CEE region.

A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2013 / Deforestation is a growing environmental concern in tropical areas of the world where it is believed that the increase in human population and associated land use practices are the key drivers of this land cover change transition. This research tests these hypotheses in the Ho Municipality of Ghana and aims to predict future land cover change by assessing remote sensing images and considering the complex interrelationships and synergies of multiple driving forces. The study specifically examines how multiple driving forces of land cover change transition have contributed to the accelerating pace of deforestation in the last 25 years based on observed trends in land use and remotely sensed land cover change data. The study looks at the future prospects for Ghana’s forests. The field study was carried out in four settlements of the Ho Municipality namely Wumenu, Agbokofe, Abutia Kloe and Takla. The data collection was done using structured questionnaires administered to 376 households to investigate their opinions regarding the driving forces of deforestation in the area. The analysis of questionnaire data involved the use of descriptive statistics and factor analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software. Satellite images comprising, Landsat MSS 1975, Landsat TM 1991 and Landsat ETM+ 2001 were classified using the maximum likelihood algorithm supervised classification to determine the extent and nature of vegetation cover change and to assess the potential of using a Markov model to predict the future state of forest cover. The research concludes that the municipality lost forest cover from 1975 to 2001 based on satellite and questionnaire data analysis which suggests that the following are the key underlying drivers of deforestation: demographic pressure, poverty, institutional factors, policies, technology and attitudes. Proximate drivers of deforestation are agricultural expansion, illegal logging and wood energy exploitation. The Markov models showed that in the next 25 years various probabilities of change are possible, such as no change in forest cover, forest cover loss and some probabilities of increase in forest cover. These predictions illustrate the need to study the complex driving forces of change to interpret models that are solely based on past land use change transition. Based on the results of the household surveys, current drivers are unlikely to change. Land use planners should thus be aware that deforestation in Ghana is most likely going to continue. On the basis of these findings the following recommendations have been made. There is a need to intensify tree planting activities in the municipality to increase forest cover. Planting of fast maturing trees for woodlots will reduce pressure on the forest for wood energy. Public education on the advantages of family planning should be undertaken by the Municipal Assembly and NGOs working in the area to reduce population pressure on forests. Poverty reduction strategies should focus on alternative livelihood opportunities to divert attention from forest goods while also increasing the protection of remaining forests. Lastly, community participative approaches to forest management could mitigate both underlying and proximate causes of deforestation.