Coupled Hydrogeophysical Modeling to Constrain Unsaturated Soil Parameters for a Slow‐Moving Landslide

Geophysical methods have proven to be useful for investigating unstable slopes as they are both non‐invasive and sensitive to the spatial distribution of physical properties in the subsurface. Of particular interest are the links between electrical resistivity and near‐surface moisture content; recent work has demonstrated that it is possible to calibrate hydrological models using geophysical measurements. In this study we explore the use of in‐field electrical resistivity data for calibrating unsaturated soil retention parameters and saturated hydraulic conductivity used for modeling unsaturated fluid flow. We study a synthetic case study, and a well‐characterized site in the northeast of England and develop an approach to calibrate retention parameters for a mudstone and a sandstone formation, the former being an actively failing unit. Petrophysical relationships between electrical resistivity and moisture content (or saturation) are established for both formations. 2D hydrological models are driven by effective rainfall estimations; subsequently these models are coupled with a geophysical forward model via a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach. For the synthetic case, we show that our modeling approach is sensitive to the moisture retention parameters, while less so to saturated hydraulic conductivity. We observe the same characteristics and sensitivities for the field case, albeit with a greater data misfit. Further hydrological simulations suggest that the slope retained high moisture contents in the months preceding a rotational failure. Therefore, we propose that coupled hydrological and geophysical modeling approaches could aid in enhancing landslide monitoring, modeling, and early warning efforts

Customer Analytics and New Product Performance : The Role of Contingencies

Drawing from the Knowledge Based View (KBV) of the firm and Contingency Theory, this paper examines the extent to which the relationship between Customer Analytics (CA) and new product performance is contingent on the strategic fit of CA with certain internal and external contingencies. The paper first conducts a multiple case study based on secondary data analysis. It then undertakes an empirical analysis based on a survey data of 249 high and medium tech firms based in China. We find that while some internal contingencies (such as exploitative learning strategy and market knowledge breadth) negatively moderate the effect of CA on new product performance, others (such as internal capability and knowledge integration mechanisms) mediate its effect on performance. Technological turbulence, as an external contingency, was found to reduce the positive impact of CA deployment on new product performance. This study contributed to the literature by focusing on how several internal and external contingencies of a firm may affect the relationship between CA and new product performance

Tidal range electricity generation into the 22nd century

Tidal range electricity generation schemes are designed to have a minimum operational life of at least 120 years, making it important to plan for changes such as Sea Level Rise (SLR). Previous studies have shown that schemes can maintain the existing tidal range within the impoundment and protect areas from flooding. Here it is demonstrated that tidal range technology can maintain the current tidal extent despite SLR and suggests the operational strategies to achieve it. The approach is the only way to safeguard existing intertidal habitats. Mechanical and electrical plant requires a major overall, upgrade or replacement every 40 years; the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) is structured in 40year periods reducing after the first period. Increasing the capacity or efficiency of the plant during the refits allows the protection of low-lying areas to be maintained and more electricity to be generated. The strategy requires energy to be used in pumping to achieve the current low tidal limits and the incoming tide to be curtailed to maintain the high tide extent, but there is very little effect on annual electricity production (AEP). Flexible operation can offer some protection from riverine flooding and existing inundation cycles can be maintained. Highlights • Changes to tidal range electricity generation with increasing sea level. • Ability to protect intertidal areas and habitats by maintaining existing tide limits. • Two-way tidal range generation with pumping to existing low tide limits

The Comparative Intercultural Sensitivity of American Faculty Teaching Abroad and Domestically : A Mixed-Methods Investigation Employing Participant-Generated Visuals

This thesis aimed to identify and compare the intercultural sensitivity, or IS, of tertiary American instructors teaching mono-national, non-American student populations abroad in the UAE and that of American tertiary instructors in multinational, non-American student populations domestically in the US. The study investigated the use of reflexive photography and photo-elicitation interviews methods as both data collection approaches and possible cultivators of IS, as well as any variation in findings between the two participant groups. The study employed a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews following a four-week reflexive photography project. Qualitative data were analyzed through the lens of a developmental framework and inductively through thematic analysis to capture fuller images of participants’ environments. Both groups of participants self-report fairly high IS, with the US-based group’s sensitivity averaging higher than the UAE-based group. Both groups, on average, showed slightly increased IS quantitatively following the reflexive photography project and photo-elicitation interviews, with the UAE-based group experiencing a slightly greater increase. This research involves a small number of participants; findings should be considered for indicative purposes only. Participants’ IS, when observed through the theoretical lens, indicate more progressive sensitivity among US-based participants. Thematic analysis of interview data reflects distinct teaching contexts faced by each participant group, with five and six themes emerging from the UAE- and US-based groups, respectively. This research is the first to the best of the author’s knowledge to investigate the IS of tertiary American faculty teaching internationally diverse student populations domestically and is also the first to compare differences in IS between this group and America

Improving hospital palliative care between COVID-19 waves : A retrospective cohort study

A specialist palliative care service in an acute hospital characterized care patterns during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were delayed referrals for minoritized ethnic groups. COVID-19 treatments (dexamethasone, anticoagulation, remdesivir) alongside service changes were introduced in the second wave. To examine changes in care patterns and trends in the context of COVID-19 treatments. A secondary objective is to examine differences in ethnic disparity between the first and second wave of COVID-19. Retrospective cohort study comparing patients referred to an acute hospital palliative care service with confirmed COVID-19 infection either at the peak of the first (Mar-Apr 2020, W1), or second (Dec 2020-Feb 2021, W2) wave of the pandemic. Demographic, clinical characteristics, and outcomes data were compared using statistical tests; generalized linear mixed models for modelling of elapsed time from admission to referral; and survival analysis. Data from 165 patients (W1 = 60, W2 =105) were included. Patients in W1 were referred earlier to palliative care than in W2, particularly in the first 10 days from admission. Receiving dexamethasone or anticoagulants, and absence of dementia, hypertension, and fever were associated with longer time to referral to palliative care. Delays in referrals of Black and Asian patients during W1 was no longer observable in W2. There was no association between socioeconomic status and care patterns and trends. The Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Status (HR 3, 95% CI: 2 - 5) were good predictors of survival. Our findings have the potential to inform strategies that improve palliative care response and equity beyond COVID-19, and in future pandemics or crises. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The effects of green brand image on brand loyalty : The case of mainstream fast food brands

While a number of studies have explored consumer attitudes and behaviors towards green brands, the importance of green brand image for mainstream brands is less well understood. This study seeks to explore if the green image of mainstream fast food brands influences consumer loyalty and how their attitudes towards and knowledge of environmental issues may affect perceptions of the environmental performance of fast food brands. Using data gathered from a convenience sample of 2001 Gen Y and Gen Z consumers in France, our study establishes a critical linkage between consumers' environmental values and brand loyalty by including green brand image as a mediator. Further, by exploring mainstream brands, rather than brands that are positioned primarily on green attributes, we find that the mediating effect of green brand image may be dependent on the brand positioning

Equity Lens Podcast : Ep. 12 - Equitable research methods: What about surveys?

In this episode, we focus on research methods, and in particular surveys. What makes a questionnaire equitable and what implications does the use of surveys have for the equity sensitivity of our study design? Dr Rebecca Geary talks with Katalin about challenges and good practice when employing surveys as a data collection method in health research

Arabic within culture forensic interviews : Arabic native speaking lay-observer truth and lie accuracy, confidence, and verbal cue selection

Cross cultural differences in behavioral and verbal norms and expectations can undermine credibility, often triggering a lie bias which can result in false convictions. However, current understanding is heavily North American and Western European centric, hence how individuals from non-western cultures infer veracity is not well understood. We report novel research investigating native Arabic speakers’ truth and lie judgments having observed a matched native language forensic interview with a mock person of interest. 217 observers viewed a truthful or a deceptive interview and were directed to attend to detailedness as a veracity cue or given no direction. Overall, a truth bias (66% accuracy) emerged, but observers were more accurate (79%) in the truth condition with the truthful interviewee rated as more plausible and more believable than the deceptive interviewee. However, observer accuracy dropped to just 23% when instructed to use the detailedness cue when judging veracity. Verbal veracity cues attended too were constant across veracity conditions with ‘corrections’ emerging as an important veracity cue. Some results deviate from the findings of research with English speaking western participants in cross- and matched-culture forensic interview contexts, but others are constant. Nonetheless, this research raises questions for research to practice in forensic contexts centred on the robustness of western centric psychological understanding for non-western within culture interviews centred on interview protocols for amplifying veracity cues and the instruction to note detailedness of verbal accounts which significantly hindered Arabic speaker’s performance. Findings again highlight the challenges of pancultural assumptions for real-world practices

ROBB·E the Robot GenFixer Pendant

Developed as part of the AHRC IAA Generation Fix project, our ROBB·E the Robot pendent is a soldering PCB/LED kit which serves as a tangible tool for engaging audiences in creative discussion regards the Right-to-Repair and circularity of electronic/smart devices