Quantifying Bed Surface Roughness in Bedrock and Boulder‐Bed Rivers

The surface roughness of river beds affects flow resistance and sediment transport. In rough‐bedrivers (RBRs), where flow is shallow relative to roughness height, the surface roughness is difficult to define due to complex multi‐scale roughness elements (bedrock, boulders, and sediment patches). Here, neither the sediment grain size distribution percentiles (e.g., D84) nor the bed elevation standard deviation (Zσ) fully captures the surface roughness. This paper uses high‐resolution digital elevation models of 20 RBR reaches to evaluate their channel morphology and surface roughness. A set of 29 different multi‐scale elevation, gradient‐based, and area‐based, roughness metrics are assessed. Correlation analysis and robust feature selectionidentified interchangeable metrics, revealing which roughness metrics provided independent information on channel characteristics. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis showed that a comprehensive description of RBR topography requires the concurrent use of multiple metrics encompassing(a) a vertical or horizontal scale‐based roughness metric, (b) a slope‐ or area‐based metric, and (c) surface elevation skewness or kurtosis. Slope‐ and area‐based metrics can include roughness directionality relative to the bulk flow. We demonstrate how surface roughness metrics, specifically the use of multiple metrics in unison, are suitably capable of representing and distinguishing between RBRs with differing characteristics. In some cases, rivers with different morphology types (e.g., boulder bed or bedrock) are found to have greater similarity in their surface roughness metrics than rivers classified as morphologically similar. We then discuss RBR morphological and roughness characteristics in the context of flow resistance and sediment transport processes

A multi-methodological framework combining text mining and causal mapping to engage experts, policymakers, and stakeholders in policy design

Views of experts in a particular field of knowledge are pivotal in shaping the outcomes of public policies. When designing policies, policymakers and stakeholders often struggle to incorporate the views of both experts and those affected by policy implementation. The complexity and volume of data stored from public interviews with experts make it difficult for policymakers to structure themes that could be fully understood and translated into public policy design/implementation. This paper addresses this problem, advancing a multi-methodology framework to facilitate the dialogue between experts, stakeholders, and policymakers. Combining text mining and causal mapping, two (quantitative and qualitative) methods from different paradigms, the proposed methodology aims to overcome the challenge of translating experts’ views into clear themes and patterns that can be embedded into policies. Using a set of media interviews concerning literacy problems in Brazil, the paper demonstrates the framework’s value in linking experts and policymakers. Findings suggest that policymakers could be guided by a list of key themes to bring into focus the main concerns of those potentially affected by the policies. By proposing and testing a novel framework and illustrating, the paper contributes to public policy design and the debate about multi-methodological practice in Operational Research

Speculative net zero from the margins

This chapter examines the experiences of individuals from marginalised communities-such as LGBTIQ+, people with disabilities, under-or unemployed-and what they imagine a net zero future to look like. It then introduces government policies related to global warming and climate change, acknowledging that these communities are often excluded by both government and media in research and discussion on policy development. Using a participatory design methodology, the research provided opportunities for members of these groups to speculate on future needs

Art music for brass: Aspects of brass chamber music and its performance practice

The following critical appraisal of submitted published works presents me with an opportunity to track my activities as a performer-scholar, to bring new knowledge of my subject field to music students and scholars and add a practical dimension to the archival resources of RNCM, that now includes the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble Archive and the papers of Elgar Howarth (1935–2024). My monograph, The Modern Brass Ensemble in Twentieth-Century Britain (2022), is the first detailed account of a branch of music making that has been active for half a century. In addition, a selection of sixteen audio recordings in which I have played significant performing roles breaks new ground in several ways; these recordings are integral to my thesis as evidence of my arguments in regard to performance practice, viewpoints of contemporary music composers, concepts of virtuosity, reception of brass music, and historically informed performance. The earliest submitted recording, Pictures at an Exhibition (LP, 1978) captures a performance given by the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble that marked a point of change in performance practice and reception, and to many an epiphany. Likewise, Peter Maxwell Davies: Music for Brass (CD, 2015) captures The Wallace Collection’s performance of his Brass Quintet, op. 100 (1981), a key work that received acclaim as an important chamber music work of its time. A further fourteen recordings document historical re-creations of original works and transcriptions for brass from the long nineteenth century. This branch of music making has grown significantly since the 1990s and my thesis will refer to my contribution to this development. Overall, this thesis underlines my concentration on maintaining dialogue between performance and scholarship and intends to contribute towards the cause of enhancing live art music-making in the widest sense

Corrigendum to ‘Health impacts of daily weather fluctuations: Empirical evidence from COVID-19 in U.S. counties’ [J. Environ. Manag. (2021) 112662] (Journal of Environmental Management (2021) 291, (S0301479721007246), (10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112662))

The authors regret . The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused

Amniotic fluid metabolic biomarkers of fetal physiology and pregnancy success

Amniotic fluid (AF) profiling provides a minimally invasive window into early fetal physiology. We characterized the AF metabolome from first trimester (Day 68) Holstein dairy heifers (n=45), considering fetal sex, conception method [in vitro fertilization (IVF) vs. artificial insemination (AI)], and eventual pregnancy outcome as key variables. Multivariate statistics uncovered differentially abundant metabolites for each comparison – including markers that preceded spontaneous abortion – independently of recipient age, weight, gestation length, or fetal genetics. Thereafter, a machine learning algorithm using panels of six metabolites accurately predicted fetal sex (AUROC=0.76; P=0.023) and pregnancy viability (AUROC=0.81; P=0.018), while corroborating conception method (AUROC=0.91; P=0.001). External validation using AF (Day 42) from an independent cohort of beef heifers (n=22) reproduced the fetal sex classifier with similarly high sensitivity and specificity (AUROC=0.85, P=0.029). These findings reveal metabolic signatures that forecast fetal sex and pregnancy viability, while confirming distinct metabolic imprints of assisted-conception modalities. These data lay the groundwork for next-generation AF prenatal diagnostics in veterinary and human obstetrics

Stand up and walk! Are we missing information about trunk movement?

Introduction The trunk represents almost 50% of the total mass of a person [1] and, because it comprises multiple segments, has a large range of motion [2]. Trunk posture and movement are important in the execution of activities of daily living (ADL), especially those related with arm function [3]. In movement analysis, the trunk is usually defined as a single rigid, segment between the shoulders and pelvis. This representation ignores the trunk’s large movement potential [2], preventing a complete evaluation of its movement; however, it is not clear how much information is missed when assessing performance of ADL. Research Question Are there differences in the movements quantified by a single- and multi-segment trunk model? Methods The University Ethics Committee (ref:47565) approved the project. Eleven people (7 male; (mean ±SD) age: 27.82 ±3.18years, height: 1.74 ±0.11m; weight: 75.0 ±12.7kg) participated after signing the consent form. An upper-body marker-set was used: left/right acromion, iliac-crest, ASIS; manubrium, S1; five inverted "L" clusters of 3 markers: two 2.5cm lateral either side of C7, T3, T7, T11 and L3, with the third marker on the long end of the "L" with the length adjusted based on the participant’ s size. These defined a single-segment-trunk (acromia to iliac-crests), and upper-, mid- and lower-thoracic, and upper- and lower-lumbar segments (multi-segment-trunk). Participants were asked to stand from a bench set so the thigh was parallel to the floor and walk towards the left. Motion capture data were recorded (100Hz), and analysed to provide segmental angles (in relation to the absolute coordinate system) in each trial. Change in each segmental angle [flexion-extension (X), inclination (Y), rotation (Z)] was calculated between the start of the trial and the maximum angle (part A), and between the maximum angle and the end of the trial (part B). A repeated measures ANOVA was done between the single-segment-trunk angles and each of the other segments. Results The statistical analysis showed no overall difference between the single-trunk-segment and each if the segments of the multi-segment-trunk for either part A or B. Looking at the independent components the analysis (figure 1) showed that for part A there was a mean difference between the single-trunk-segment and the upper-thoracic segment for component X of 26.13° (SE 3.4°); and for part B a mean difference with the upper-lumbar segment component X of -8.06° (SE 2.1°), and the lower-thoracic component Z of -29.42° (SE 17.8°), which is double the difference with the other segments. Discussion The single trunk model does quantify the general behaviour of the trunk during the tasks assessed. There is variation in the amount of movement occurring across the different segments, but how useful this additional information is, or what it may contribute to, is yet to the determined

How time is experienced and conceptualised when conducting ethnography mapping NEET interventions in education settings

The importance of ‘time’ is well-established within ethnography, yet how time is experienced and conceptualised in specific research settings remains embryonic. Duncheon and Tierney’s (2013) theory of time is developed to understand how time is accepted, valued and recorded by both the ethnographer and the participants in a neoliberal, post-covid era where virtual means of communicating are fast developing. Data mapping interventions for young people vulnerable to becoming NEET illustrate how time is experienced differently according to the site, participants, research questions, the opportunity to explore emerging issues and the management of available stakeholders and resources. How the ethnographer manages time can sometimes come into conflict with neoliberal ways of working. Nevertheless, ethnographers must retain the value of spending time becoming immersed in the daily lives of people to gain trust, give voice to participants who may otherwise be muted and resist temptations to quickly plunder fields for data

A cluster randomised feasibility trial assessing an interactive film intervention to improve wellbeing of young people in school settings in the North of England

Background Adolescence is a critical period for the onset of mental illness. A partnership of a health and care network and filmmakers developed an interactive film for youth wellbeing. While such films have potential as a cost-effective preventative tool, their effectiveness remains unproven. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a randomised controlled trial of the interactive film intervention to improve wellbeing in school-aged youth. Methods In a mixed-methods cluster randomised feasibility trial in North East England (2021–2022), students in years 10 (14–15 years) and 12 (16–17 years) from three schools were recruited and randomised to the following conditions: (1) watching the film in class, (2) watching the film in class with support from youth workers or (3) regular class activities. Feasibility outcomes included willingness of schools to participate, participant recruitment, and retention, which were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. Data were analysed descriptively and with the use of thematic analysis. Results School recruitment targets were met, although this was challenging due to resource constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic. Questionnaires were completed before watching the film by 172 students (48% of the recruitment target). Follow-up targets for retention were met at 3 months (n = 138) and 6 months (n = 136). Retention of year 10 students was high (96%), but year 12 students had lower retention (60%). Qualitative findings showed students and teachers supported the intervention and trial and measurements; however, consent-taking required more time. Communication and resource issues within schools were challenging and need addressing before moving to a larger trial. Conclusion Although some trial aspects were feasible and acceptable, particularly the intervention, others, such as recruitment, retention and school communication, posed challenges. We recommend future feasibility studies should address barriers such as randomisation, communication with schools, recruitment of older students (16–18 years), consent and measurement alignment before moving to a larger-scale trial. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06807931. Retrospectively registered 04 February 2025 https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06807931

Co-creating and managing resident-place relationships in place marketing and branding: A place brand equity approach

Purpose: Successful place marketing and branding necessitates a solid understanding of how residents evaluate and relate to their living environments. Using a place brand equity perspective, this study provides new insights into how the perception of valuable place aspects affects residents’ attachment with places and place-supportive attitudes. Furthermore, we investigate how residents attribute meaning and value to specific place aspects. Design/methodology/approach: Our research is based on mixed methods. In order to confirm the constituents of (resident-based) place brand equity, we first develop and test an empirical model with a cross-sample from different places (n = 597). In the second part of the research, we use semi-structured interviews (n = 32) with residents from an urban and rural environment to explore our quantitative findings on a deeper level and offer new insights into the processes through which residents attribute residential value to places. Findings: We identify that access to nature, cultural activities, social bonding, place attachment and pro-place consumption attitudes constitute dimensions of resident-based place brand equity. Our findings thus demonstrate that perceptions of valued place attributes foster residents’ attachment with places, which fuels consumer localism. We further show that the perceived value of residential places is co-created through residents’ relationships with places at the individual (micro), group (meso) and societal (macro) level. Originality: Our research provides empirical insights that were validated in a cross-place context and go beyond summative assessments of place image. We show that residents’ perceptions of valuable (leisure) place attributes enhance their affective place attachment, which plays a mediating role in explaining pro-local consumption preferences. Considering the lack of studies into how (resident-based) place brand equity is actually expressed, our research also offers new explanations of how residents’ co-create meaning and attribute value to their place of residence