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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhg.2005.05.002 Byline: Michael Chisholm Abstract: Draining the Fens in the seventeenth century led to serious conflicts with navigation, conflicts which have not been properly understood in some important literature. Contrary to common belief, Vermuyden's scheme did incorporate navigation locks at Denver and elsewhere. Trade at King's Lynn and over the inland waterways did expand during the second half of the century. These facts lead to a re-assessment of the drainage/navigation interests, focussing on specific issues such as the funding arrangements for drainage and the damage to embankments by horses hauling vessels. Hence arise further questions about the understanding and motives underlying the public positions adopted by stakeholders. Author Affiliation: Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, UK

The versatility and history of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) from its early exploitation to the present are discussed. This transparent crystal-like material two times as light as and up to eight times less brittle than glass was investigated originally at the research department of the explosives group of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in Scotland. There John Crawford, a chemist, established a new method for its synthesis in 1931. Production, applications development, performance enhancement, and future developments are discussed.

The book 'The State Under Stress' by Foster and Plowden provides a fair account of the alleged deterioration of UK's central government and problems in the structural review of local government units. The formation of the Local Government Commission is marred by several defects, such as the absence of a well-defined purpose and guidance, interference from the executive branch and flaws in its decision-making processes.

The ability of high-speed sintering to fabricate fully functional polymer parts at higher production rates as compared to other alternative additive manufacturing processes makes it prudent to further investigate its capability in processing different materials. The preferential deposition of a radiation absorbing material, which is often presented in the form of a liquid ink, on the powder bed can be considered the highlight of this technology. The effect of 'print density', that is, the amount of ink which is deposited, on the mechanical properties of parts made of an amorphous polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate), was investigated along with its potential role in controlling the porosity and partial melting. The ultimate tensile strength was measured and compared to other additive manufacturing technologies such as laser sintering and was found to be comparable, possibly due to the gradual supply of heat from the infrared lamp which allowed the amorphous poly(methyl methacrylate) particles to melt and have proper bonding with neighbouring particles as compared to the fast lasing action in laser sintering, where the sudden introduction and the withdrawal of the heat source (laser) led to poor inter-particle bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]