The role of forestry in flood management in a Welsh upland catchment

Mechanisms of flooding are being investigated in the mountainous catchment of the Mawddach in the Snowdonia National Park of North Wales, where an estimated 300-year maximal flood event in 2001 caused extensive damage to bridges and roads. Interest has centred on the middle course of the river system, where deeply incised valleys cut through the extensive forest of Coed y Brenin. Investigations are combining field hydrological monitoring with modelling of ground and surface water flows. Forestry plantations, now reaching maturity, are found to have significant moderating effects on flooding downstream: Humid microclimates, resulting from cloud catching on steep Atlantic-facing hillslopes, promote prolific moss growth beneath mature conifers. Deep forest brown earth soils have formed, providing an enhanced water storage and buffering effect during storm events. Clear felling leads to rapid soil erosion, with reversion to thin peaty podsols. Areas of floodplain forestry within the deep valleys impede overbank discharges through generation of lateral turbulence. Models indicate a water depth increase of up to 1m in comparison to grassland floodplain. This represents a significant temporary storage capacity during flood events. Natural broadleaf woodland within the riparian zone stabilises river banks and reduces erosion of periglacial gravel deposits which infill the main valleys. Eroded gravel entering rivers can accumulate downstream, reducing the effectiveness of flood defence embankments.

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF COPING, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, SELF-ESTEEM AND PERCEIVED STRESS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC BOWEL DISORDERS

This study had 4 aims. The first aim was to explore the relationships between personal control and coping responses in patients with the chronic bowel disorders of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The second aim examined coping in IBS and IBD patients as a process, by focusing on a specific episode of their primary symptoms. The coping profiles of the IBS and IBD patients were compared to establish whether differences in coping between the 2 groups were present. The third aim examined differences between groups and tested for linear trends across IBS, IBD patients and Non-patient controls in relation to anxiety, depression and self-esteem. A supplementary aim was to evaluate whether anxiety in the 3 groups was considered to be clinically significant (i.e. fell above the threshold for "caseness"). The fourth aim tested differences between the 3 groups in perceived stress, as previous findings have been inconclusive. Fifteen IBS patients and 15 IBD patients who attended a Gastroenterology (G.I.) Clinic were interviewed and completed a battery of self-report measures. Fifteen Non-patient controls completed a battery of self-report measures. The data was analysed using Pearson's product moment correlation coefficients for aim 1; profile analysis using MANOVA for aim 2, and one-way between subjects ANOVA's for aims 3 and 4. The research hypotheses were not met, as the results were not statistically significant. However, two post-hoc findings revealed that patients with bowel disorders used equal proportions of problem and emotion-focused coping and these types of coping were significantly positively correlated. The test of flatness within profile analysis was statistically significant which indicated that patients with bowel disorders do not use a "blanket" approach to coping with an episode of their primary symptoms. A percentage of people in each group met the criterion for "caseness" of clinically significant anxiety. The results were evaluated in relation to the research literature and directions for future research were outlined. It was suggested that there might be a subset of patients with bowel disorders who experience clinical anxiety and/or depression and screening in G.I. clinics was recommended.Southmead Health Services (NHS) Trus

Survey of liver pathologists to assess attitudes towards digital pathology and artificial intelligence

\ua9 Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ. AIMS: A survey of members of the UK Liver Pathology Group (UKLPG) was conducted, comprising consultant histopathologists from across the UK who report liver specimens and participate in the UK National Liver Pathology External Quality Assurance scheme. The aim of this study was to understand attitudes and priorities of liver pathologists towards digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI). METHODS: The survey was distributed to all full consultant members of the UKLPG via email. This comprised 50 questions, with 48 multiple choice questions and 2 free-text questions at the end, covering a range of topics and concepts pertaining to the use of digital pathology and AI in liver disease. RESULTS: Forty-two consultant histopathologists completed the survey, representing 36% of fully registered members of the UKLPG (42/116). Questions examining digital pathology showed respondents agreed with the utility of digital pathology for primary diagnosis 83% (34/41), second opinions 90% (37/41), research 85% (35/41) and training and education 95% (39/41). Fatty liver diseases were an area of demand for AI tools with 80% in agreement (33/41), followed by neoplastic liver diseases with 59% in agreement (24/41). Participants were concerned about AI development without pathologist involvement 73% (30/41), however, 63% (26/41) disagreed when asked whether AI would replace pathologists. CONCLUSIONS: This study outlines current interest, priorities for research and concerns around digital pathology and AI for liver pathologists. The majority of UK liver pathologists are in favour of the application of digital pathology and AI in clinical practice, research and education

Survey of liver pathologists to assess attitudes towards digital pathology and artificial intelligence

Aims: A survey of members of the UK Liver Pathology Group (UKLPG) was conducted, comprising consultant histopathologists from across the UK who report liver specimens and participate in the UK National Liver Pathology External Quality Assurance scheme. The aim of this study was to understand attitudes and priorities of liver pathologists towards digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI). Methods: The survey was distributed to all full consultant members of the UKLPG via email. This comprised 50 questions, with 48 multiple choice questions and 2 free-text questions at the end, covering a range of topics and concepts pertaining to the use of digital pathology and AI in liver disease. Results: Forty-two consultant histopathologists completed the survey, representing 36% of fully registered members of the UKLPG (42/116). Questions examining digital pathology showed respondents agreed with the utility of digital pathology for primary diagnosis 83% (34/41), second opinions 90% (37/41), research 85% (35/41) and training and education 95% (39/41). Fatty liver diseases were an area of demand for AI tools with 80% in agreement (33/41), followed by neoplastic liver diseases with 59% in agreement (24/41). Participants were concerned about AI development without pathologist involvement 73% (30/41), however, 63% (26/41) disagreed when asked whether AI would replace pathologists. Conclusions: This study outlines current interest, priorities for research and concerns around digital pathology and AI for liver pathologists. The majority of UK liver pathologists are in favour of the application of digital pathology and AI in clinical practice, research and education

View of the road wagon fill stand at the Port Kembla terminal, 1 March , 1963 [picture] /

Part of the collection: Ampol and Caltex photograph collection.; Title devised by cataloguer based on information supplied by donor.; Condition: Good.; Inscriptions: "Port Kembla Terminal 1-3-63" -- in ink on reverse; "Arthur Cratchley & Associates Industrial, Aerial, Commercial Photography, Stanleigh Cresent, West Wollongong B 3017" -- stamped in ink on reverse.; Also available in an electronic version via the Internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an24632494

View of the Port Kembla terminal layout, 1 March , 1963 [picture] /

Part of the collection: Ampol and Caltex photograph collection.; Title devised by cataloguer based on information supplied by donor.; Condition: Good.; Inscriptions: "Port Kembla Terminal 1-3-63" -- in ink on reverse; "Arthur Cratchley & Associates Industrial, Aerial, Commercial Photography, Stanleigh Cresent, West Wollongong B 3017" -- stamped in ink on reverse.; Also available in an electronic version via the Internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an24632451

The Arbitristas of the mid-century Programmes of reform and their reception 1643-1667

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:D35338/81 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo