On sediment dispersal in the Whitsand Bay Marine Conservation Zone

Some ‘thought experiment’ modelling results and interpretations of data and theory are presented to investigate the possibility that Whitsand Bay, and its recently (2013) designated Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), might have been affected in the past both by intrusion of dredge-spoil sediments from the now-closed disposal site located close to the seaward boundary of the MCZ and by suspended sediment and low salinity waters from the adjacent Tamar Estuary and Plymouth Sound. The schematic modelling work (2D and 3D) is considered to provide approximate indications rather than precise predictions. The component of Tamar waters present within the MCZ is computed to be small (<10%). The location of the dredge-spoil (model tracer/particle-release) source point is crucially important to the intrusion of tracer within the MCZ. Modelled bedload sediment transport from the disposal site toward or away from the MCZ occurs with high waves and is dependent on near-bed tidal, wave and wind-driven currents

Bringing sensory anthropology to consumer research

Purpose Multisensory stimulation is integral to experiential consumption. However, a gap persists between recognition of the importance of multisensory stimulation and the research techniques used to study the effects of such stimulation on consumption experiences. This article draws on sensory anthropology to narrow the gap. Design/methodology/approach Sensory anthropology has the potential to help consumer researchers understand multisensory stimulation and its effect on consumption experiences. To highlight this potential, ethnographic fieldwork is reported for two related experiential settings: yacht racing and adventure racing. Findings It is shown how consumer researchers can apply concepts and data collection techniques from sensory anthropology to derive powerful insights into consumption experiences. A set of guidelines and examples is derived from the embodied concepts associated with sensory anthropology, namely, kinaesthetic schema, bodily mimesis, the mindful body and local biology. These concepts are used to comprehend how consumers experience sensations phenomenologically, understand them culturally and re-enact them socially. Practical implications By acknowledging and engaging the senses, researchers can acquire embodied information that would not be evident from the conventional interview, survey or experimental data. Sensory anthropology adds to what is known from psychological, social and cultural sources to enable organisations to differentiate their offerings by means of the senses and sensory expressions, not only in yacht and adventure racing but potentially in many other experiential settings, such as travel, shopping, entertainment and immersive gaming. Originality/value This article offers distinct and original methodological insights for consumer researchers by focusing on concepts and data collection techniques that assist the study of experiential consumption from an embodied and corporeal perspective

Investigation and Identification of Dye Structure as a Function of Solvent and Temperature

Triarylmethane dyes have absorption spectra that contain two peaks which overlap in polar solvents. The second peak being described as a shoulder peak. The body of work recorded in this dissertation aims to discover which of the theories behind the shoulder present on these absorbance spectra holds most precedence. Stock solutions of 5 different dyes with a range of steric factors and symmetries were prepared to a concentration of 10-3 M in 5 different solvents. These were primary, unbranched alcohols with chain lengths of C1 to C4 and water. The stock solutions were diluted to a concentration of 10-5 M, before analysis. The absorbance spectra, were obtained at room temperature, then between the ranges of 0-10°C, 10-20°C, 30-40°C and 40-50°C. In total, 125 different spectra were recorded plus an additional 30 spectra to characterise the uncertainties in the experimental procedure. Graphs of the difference in the λmax and the secondary peak (Δν) in wavenumbers against the solvatochromic parameters α, β and π* were plotted. These graphs indicate that the solvent was interacting with 4 of the dyes via inducing dipoles in dye and hydrogen bonding. Victoria blue R interacted with the solvent by hydrogen bonding too, though the hydrogen comes from the dye rather than the solvent. It was found that the number of auxochromes and if they were sterically hindered would impact how strong the hydrogen bond interaction was and change the degree of splitting. A decrease in temperature would decrease the splitting between the 2 peaks also. The interaction between the dye and solvent causes a decrease in the dye symmetry. This is shown on the absorption spectra as a shoulder peak at the shorter wavelength side. The cause of the reduction in symmetry of the dyes is by the interaction of the solvent with the dye

The development and evaluation of a first-year undergraduate physical chemistry experiment

The laboratory in chemistry has been a place for student learning for many years. The study here developed a practical experiment to form part of the curriculum of Plymouth University’s BSc (Hons) Chemistry course for first year students. The experiment focused on physical chemistry and explored rates of reaction using a modified crystal violet and sodium hydroxide reaction. The modifications from an original method included the concentrations of sodium hydroxide and the instrument used. The practical was finalised and lab script produced in eight weeks. Further studies were also conducted surrounding the effect of temperature on the reaction. The resultant K’ values concluded that there is a linear relationship between K’ and temperature. The Meaning Learning in the Laboratory Instrument (MLLI) was used to measure students’ cognitive and affective learning in the laboratory. This consisted of two questionnaires to be completed on a voluntary basis by the students. The MLLI yielded results that indicated that meaningful learning was obtained in the laboratory for the devised experiment. A trend in the data was seen through use of box and whisker plots, positive relationship to meaningful learning saw an increase in students’ percentage agreement and a negative relationship saw a decrease in percentage agreement after the practical. Where questions were asked about data, the trend was still seen, but not as significantly as other questions. Influences upon the impact of meaningful learning were perceived to come from: the laboratory instructor, structure of laboratory and pre-lab, previous experiences, instrumentation, and group work. A focus group was held which further supported the findings of the questionnaire. It also provided insight into other aspects of the practical including the preparation leading up to the experiment where students watched a pre-lab video. Other aspects included the timing of the experiment in the curriculum timetable

Models of consumer shopping behaviour in urban areas

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Lending Division - LD:D65637/86 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Tidal propagation in strongly convergent channels

Simple first‐ and second‐order analytic solutions, which diverge markedly from classical views of cooscillating tides, are derived for tidal propagation in strongly convergent channels. Theoretical predictions compare well with observations from typical examples of shallow, “funnel‐shaped” tidal estuaries. A scaling of the governing equations appropriate to these channels indicates that at first order, gradients in cross‐sectional area dominate velocity gradients in the continuity equation and the friction term dominates acceleration in the momentum equation. Finite amplitude effects, velocity gradients due to wave propagation, and local acceleration enter the equations at second order. Applying this scaling, the first‐order governing equation becomes a first‐order wave equation, which is inconsistent with the presence of a reflected wave. The solution is of constant amplitude and has a phase speed near the frictionless wave speed, like a classical progressive wave, yet velocity leads elevation by 90°, like a classical standing wave. The second‐order solution at the dominant frequency is also a unidirectional wave; however, its amplitude is exponentially modulated. If inertia is finite and convergence is strong, amplitude increases along channel, whereas if inertia is weak and convergence is limited, amplitude decays. Compact solutions for second‐order tidal harmonics quantify the partially canceling effects of (1) time variations in channel depth, which slow the propagation of low water, and (2) time variations in channel width, which slow the propagation of high water. Finally, it is suggested that phase speed, along‐channel amplitude growth, and tidal harmonics in strongly convergent channels are all linked by morphodynamic feedback