Liberal Democracy in Realizing the Traffic Circulation Plan in Groningen, the Netherlands
The City of Groningen, the Netherlands, introduced the Traffic Circulation Plan (Verkeerscirculatieplan, VCP) in 1977. This plan divided the inner city into four sectors by enforcing one-way traffic restrictions overall. It reduced car traffic by half there, while facilitating the use of public transport. This study examines the planning process of this plan in terms of politicization, polarization, and public participation, all of which were political creeds of the New Left who led the process. It turns out that the VCP was indeed the product of politicization and polarization, but by no means the product of public participation. Therefore, this case suggests the effectiveness of liberal democracy rather than participatory democracy in realizing sustainable transport policies.オランダ・フローニンゲン市は1977年、交通循環計画（VCP）に基づき中心市街地を4セクターに分割し、車がセクター間を移動するには一度、環状線に出なければならないようにした。これによって中心市街地の自動車交通量は半減した。本論文はこのVCP導入の政治的プロセスを分析することで、環境にやさしい交通政策の実現にとって必要な民主主義について、示唆を与えることを目的とする。当時導入を主導したニューレフトは、リベラル・デモクラシーの実現手段である政治化、対極化、及び参加民主主義の実現手段である市民参加を、政治信条として掲げていた。ところが実際のVCPの導入プロセスにおいては、政治化と対極化は明確に見て取ることができたが、市民が参加する機会は極めて限られていた。このことは、環境にやさしい交通政策を実現するうえでは、参加民主主義よりもむしろリベラル・デモクラシーが有効であることを示唆している。
Rationality and power
We produce an infinite family of transcendental numbers which, when raised to their own power, become rational. We extend the method, to investigate positive rational solutions to the equation $x^x = \alpha$, where $\alpha$ is a fixed algebraic number. We then explore the consequences of $x^{P(x)}$ being rational, if $x$ is rational and $P(x)$ is a fixed integer polynomial.
Virulence development and genetic polymorphism in Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood after prolonged exposure to sublethal concentrations of nematicides and continuous growing of resistant tomato cultivars.
BACKGROUND
The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood, is an important plant pathogen damaging to tomato. Continuous use of resistant tomato cultivars and nematicides for its effective management might lead to resistance break-up or nematicide failure. Genetic variability and virulence in M. incognita on susceptible Pusa Ruby tomato were analysed by bioassay, esterase and DNA polymorphism after a 5 year weekly exposure to carbofuran, carbosulfan, cadusafos and triazophos at 0.0125, 0.0250 and 0.0500 microg g(-1). Virulence in M. incognita after a 5 year multiplication on resistant tomatoes was assessed.


RESULTS
The nematicidal treatments resulted in the development of virulent M. incognita populations. Their invasion potential increased significantly after continuous exposure to low concentrations of the nematicides. Also, growing resistant tomato cultivars for ten successive seasons resulted in a 6.6% increase in the invasion potential. These virulent populations exhibited 1-3 additional esterase and DNA bands compared with untreated populations.


CONCLUSION
A 5 year exposure of M. incognita to sublethal concentrations of nematicides or resistant tomato cultivars exerted enough selection pressure to cause genomic alterations for virulence development. Isozyme markers can be used for rapid and precise diagnostics of field populations by advisory services, enabling judicious remedial management decisions.