Micropalaeontological investigation of late Pliocene marine sediments at Sangiran,Central Java

The Upper Kalibeng Formation and the marine intercalations of the lower part of the Pucangan Formation at Sangiran, Central Java, contain more than 30 taxa of fossil calcareous nannoplankton. These fossils indicate a Late Pliocene age for the Upper Kalibeng and lower Pucangan. The Upper Kalibeng Formation is assigned to calcareous nannoplankton Zone NN 16 (3.25 – 2.3 m.y.). The lower Pucangan Formation is within the NN 16 to NN 18 interval (3.25 – 1.65 m.y.).     

Gravity-Type Interactive Markov Models—Part I: A Programming Formulation of Steady States

An important class of interactive Markov migration models is characterized by gravity-type transition kernels, in which migration flows in each time period are postulated to vary inversely with some symmetric measure of migration costs and directly with some population-dependent measure of attractiveness. This two-part study analyzes the uniqueness and stability properties of steady states for such processes. In this first part, it is shown that a flow version of the steady-state problem can be given a programming formulation which permits global analysis of steady-state behavior. Within this programming framework, it is shown that when attractiveness is diminished by increased population congestion, the steady states for such processes are unique. The second part of the study will employ these results to analyze the stability properties of such steady states.     

Intergenerational Trust Funds in the Pacific

This paper serves to introduce the topic of intergenerational trust funds and their legal forms in the Pacific. It gives an overview of the nature of these funds, what distinguishes them one from the other, and their strengths and weaknesses from a legal point of view. Intergenerational trust funds started with primarily budget support purposes but have been adapted over the years to serve other purposes, in particular the protection of ecosystems and for climate adaptation and environmental protection and disaster relief. Following a consideration of the structural and operational aspects of some key Pacific funds, the paper concludes with a reflection on practice over the years and identifies what is or should be best practice for such funds.     

DISH and the monastic way of life

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is common condition and its prevalence increases markedly with age. This paper describes the pathology and aetiology of the condition; DISH seems to be related to obesity and type II diabetes and is probably a multisystem hormonal disorder. DISH occurs frequently in human skeletal remains, particularly in those recovered from monastic sites. Evidence is presented to confirm this association and the causes are discussed. We also present criteria for the diagnosis of DISH in human remains, which we suggest would permit valid inter‐study comparisons. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Globalization and the Changing Networks of Food Supply: The Importation of Fresh Horticultural Produce from Kenya into the UK

Set within the context of the global food supply system, this paper examines the growing trade in fresh horticultural produce between Kenya and the UK. The links between UK retailers and Kenyan producers are investigated using the concept of the marketing chain. Two major chains are identified - wholesale and supermarket – and, whilst having no direct investment in Kenya, it is the supermarkets who control production there, through intermediaries who ensure that standards of quality and presentation are met. Importers play a crucial role in facilitating this trade, acting as a vital link between farmers and exporters in Kenya and supermarkets in the UK. The need for quality and traceability dictates that contractual arrangements are made predominantly with large-scale farms using productivist farming methods. The irony is that it is post-productivist demands by 'new consumers' in the UK that are encouraging these productivist horticultural systems in Kenya.     

An unusual cluster of meningiomas?

Three cases of meningioma are described from a single site in Hertfordshire yielding a total of 83 male and 84 female burials. The lesions were present in the parietal and frontal bones, and were bilateral in one case. All presented as a defect in the inner table of the skull and were supplied by a large aberrant artery; in two instances the lesion had eroded completely through the skull but no hyperostosis was present. The unusually high prevalence of this tumour is discussed in the light of other palaeopathological findings. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.