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Appleton's ionosphere
Get PDFA century after Appleton’s pioneering experiment, his measurement techniques still underpin our monitoring of the Earth’s ionosphere. Christopher Scott and Matthew Wild assess their influence
Synergistic effects of intermolecular copigmentation and high-pressure processing on stabilizing mangosteen pericarp anthocyanins
No full textThe mangosteen pericarp contains unstable non-acylated ACNs, rendering it prone to degradation. Therefore, intermolecular copigmentation of semi-purified ACNs (SPA) with tartaric acid (SPA-TA), sinapic acid (SPA-SA), catechin (SPA-CE), and sucrose (SPA-SU) in 1:5 and 1:10 molar ratios wereused to increase their stability during storage for 77 days at 25± 1°C in pH 3 buffer solution. The SPA-TA1:5 complex showed the significant highest stability of total monomeric ACN content (TMAC) with a half-life (t1/2) = 56.9 days, cyanidin
-3-O-sophoroside (C3S) with t1/2 = 48.1 days and color retention (69.80%) compare to SPA with TMAC (t1/2 = 37.4), C3S (t1/2 = 13.3) and color retention (57.2%) after 49 days (p<0.05). The thermal stability of SPA-TA1:5 at 60℃ improved after high-pressure processing (HPP) at 300 and 500 MPa for 10 min. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and molecular docking indicate copigmentation interactions, including hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions. This study demonstrates a sustainable method to stabilize non-acylated ACNs, offering a natural alternative to synthetic dyes for food and beverage applications
Pears, pests and natural enemies: modelling tri-trophic interactions in a changing climate
Get PDFPears are an important crop to the UK and global fruit industry, with 17.9 thousand tonnes of pears
produced in the UK and over 26.3 million tonnes produced globally in 2022. Pests pose a threat to
the industry, most notably pear psyllid. Cacopsylla pyri is the dominant species within the UK,
causing an estimated £5 million in damage and control per year. These phloem feeding pests
damage orchards; nymphs produce honeydew, a sugary secretion that encourages the growth of
black sooty mould on fruits and leaves, whilst adults are vectors of ‘pear decline’
(Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri); which can reduce shoot and fruit growth and cause tree death. Due
to insecticide withdrawal and increased pesticide resistance, many growers rely on integrated pest
management (IPM) for managing pear psylla. In addition, future impacts on this agroecosystem
should be considered. UK Climate Projections (UKCP18) predict hotter, drier summers and warmer,
wetter winters, which could have considerable impacts on pear flowering phenology, pear psyllid
and natural enemy emergence and trophic interactions.
The aim of this thesis was to highlight current methods used within pear psyllid management and
potential changes that could occur under future climate scenarios, with emphasis on phenological
shifts and trophic mismatches. Analysis of current management methods revealed the use of
biorational compounds such as kaolin and the release of biological control agents was reasonably
common within UK orchards. However, there were concerns whether biological control agents
would continue to be effective in controlling psyllid populations, with respect to climate change.
Findings indicated that all three trophic levels (pear, pest and natural enemies) are shifting with
respect to climate change. Peak abundance date of first-generation C. pyri nymphs has become 14
days earlier compared to historical time periods, whilst pear flowering time has become 11 days
earlier.
However, natural enemies A. nemoralis and F. auricularia, are likely to remain suitable biocontrol
agents under future temperature scenarios; anthocorid functional responses did not significantly
differ under current temperature regimes compared to temperatures predicted for 2080 (RCP4.5
and RCP8.5 scenarios). Whilst earwigs consumed significantly more C. pyri nymphs under the RCP8.5
scenario (43.7 nymphs) compared to the current temperature scenario (36.0 nymphs) and showed
synchrony with pear psyllid populations in phenological models. The importance of long-term
monitoring data should be noted, this thesis recommends the collection of UK wide pear psyllid and
natural enemy abundance data to assess phenological shifts
The importance of the timing of anchor observations in 4D variational bias correction: theory and idealised experiments
Get PDFVariational bias correction (VarBC), by correcting for significant biases in satellite radiances, is a key component of
many modern numerical weather prediction systems. However,
there is a risk that VarBC may be contaminated by biases
present in the assimilating model, inducing a bias in the
analysis and in turn reducing forecast skill. Due to the limited
reliability of metrics for assessing the value of anchor
observations inNWP, this paper instead takes the approach
of developing and exemplifying new theory to understand
how to optimise the impact of anchor observations (assimilated
observations with negligible bias) to minimise the contamination
of model bias in VarBC. This is important because
the number and variety of satellite radiances assimilated
are expected to increase in the future. Therefore, the
new theory presented can guide how the anchor observation
network should also be developed. The new insight
may also be crucial in optimising the anchoring effect of
historically sparse observations in the context of reanalyses.
We present this new theory and theory-driven examples
to show that the timing of the anchor observations can substantially impact the accuracy of VarBC. Anchor observations
towards the end of the assimilation window provide
more information about the accumulated model bias
and offer a stronger constraint to VarBC; as such VarBC, is
more successful at quantifying and correcting the radiance
biases only. However, precise anchor observations at the
end of the window can increase the contamination of the
initial state analysis by model bias. The interaction between
the model bias contamination of VarBC and the initial state
analysis is studied in idealised cycled data assimilation experiments
using the Lorenz 96 model, highlighting the importance
of VarBC for an accurate analysis of the state
Exploring CSR and its links to reputation within an Arabian context
No full textExtant literature has explored Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its impact on
business outcomes (Blowfield & Frynas, 2005; Bhattacharya et al., 2008; Visser, 2008; Khurshid
et al., 2014; Wu et al., 2016). However, while CSR is well studied in general, the implications of
cultural subjectivity on CSR are largely understudied, particularly regarding cultural
subjectivity’s impact on reputation and associated outcomes within an Arab context (Mele, 2015;
Alfakhri et al., 2018; Koleva, 2021). This is surprising, given that previous research has
acknowledged that cultural factors can potentially make a significant impact on the
understanding and expression of CSR (Wang & Juslin, 2009; Sukhdeo, 2020; Sanchez et al.,
2024).
Thus, driven by the increased geopolitical and economic importance of the Arab region
and gaps identified in existing research, the present study investigates the implications of
subjective constructs unique to the Islamic-dominant region on reputational outcomes. This
research addresses these gaps by developing three empirical studies that fulfil the overall aim of
this thesis of enhancing our nascent understanding of CSR from an Arabian perspective. The
three-paper format is used as the research is split over three unresolved questions that revolve
around the common denominator of company reputation.
In the first paper (which has already been published in Emerald’s World Journal of
Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2024 – see appendix) the
extensive literature highlighting the importance of CSR and its impact on reputational elements,
is investigated. The work then focuses on the Religious Responsibility (RR) aspect of CSR.
Mainstream literature reveals that RR should take contextual elements into consideration, with
limited research signalling that it could result in both positive and negative consequences. The
available research is then elevated one step further, and a qualitative assessment is conducted to
determine where RR stands within the context within the Arab context. Through conversations
with policymakers, industry professionals, and civil society advocates, it was found that RR is
often practiced through an Islamic CSR (i-CSR) lens locally and commonly practiced as a
passive behaviour and/or part of routine CSR strategies. This is an important element to consider.
All stakeholders interviewed agreed that because the Islamic religion is highly subjective and has
several layers of compulsory and non-compulsory components, there is no standardized method
to either implement or report i-CSR activities. The findings of this qualitative study also reveal
that i-CSR is well understood and frequently practiced, although it may not always be reported or
identified as an organization’s responsibility. Often, i-CSR is bundled under the general activities
agenda under CSR, and it is not uncommon for entities to forego reporting it at all. The findings
contribute to the general knowledge of CSR literature and aid in better understanding the
motivations, barriers, and definitions of the term as they currently exist. They also offer insights
into various stakeholders’ perceptions of sustainability strategies in emerging and developed
markets. Furthermore, the study identifies obstacles to the successful implementation of CSR
locally, such as the lack of synchronization between non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
the government, and other stakeholders, confirming the findings of Al-Abdin et al.’s (2018)
work, which identifies gaps in relationships between stakeholders identified in the CSR
literature. Moreover, it supports the conclusion that the same stimuli (religious duty) led to
varied outcomes from individuals, both within and across demographic profiles, similar to
findings observed by Bhattacharya and Sen (2004), Walker (2010) and West et al. (2016).
The second paper discusses the implications of i-CSR on reputational elements. To
conduct this investigation, a local telecom giant with vast reach within the Islamic-dominant
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region was approached, to gain feedback from a multi-stakeholder perspective; thus, the research embarks on the quantitative portion of this research
with the employee stakeholder group. The questionnaire, which focused on the socially
responsible activities of the company, consisted of both Western-style CSR elements (borrowed
from Fombrun et al., 2016) as well as i-CSR (measured by RR). The aim was to explore the
impact of the mentioned two main components, both independently and collectively, on
reputational elements (namely Emotional Appeal (EA) and Supportive Behaviour (SB)). The
research revealed that while conventional CSR has a direct impact on SB, the impact of i-CSR
on SB is partially mediated by EA. The impact of i-CSR may thus be more slow-burning and
could represent a long-term investment that impacts EA and SB. The findings identify the
importance of investigating the implications of i-CSR in isolation and highlight the mediating
effect of EA on SB. In addition, the findings reveal that while CSR has short-term benefits,
focusing on i-CSR strategies can offer more long-term benefits. The findings also indicate that
CSR significantly influences SB, while i-CSR directly impacts both SB and EA. This
underscores the need to consider social and religious responsibilities as distinct elements within
organizations’ responsibility strategies, particularly within an Arab context. These insights
contribute to stakeholder reputation theory by highlighting the importance of understanding
region-specific perceptions in shaping reputational dimensions. Overall, the findings signal to
practitioners that while CSR has a direct impact on SB, i-CSR follows a more indirect route at a
slower rate as it works its way through EA. Moreover, the findings contribute to CSR research
by implying a need for a more localized approach to CSR that aligns with the cultural and
religious values of the region (Xu & Ma, 2021; Butt & Uddin, 2019). Furthermore, the study
contributes to i-CSR and research, suggesting that companies should focus on creating strategic
initiatives that resonate emotionally with their employees (Schmidt, 2017).
The third paper investigates the implications of i-CSR and CSR on reputational elements
from a customer perspective. A similar framework and questionnaire were applied and, in order
to probe i-CSR elements further, the paper examines potential moderators that may build on the
employee study in that they link to the cultural context that may help in understanding the
findings. Here CSR and i-CSR are seen to be drivers of Emotional Appeal (EA) and Advocacy
(AD), while proxies of Religiosity, Humility, and Locus of Control are explored as moderators,
which help reveal the more intricate factors potentially at play. The findings show that while
CSR is positively associated with AD, it seems to also be negatively associated to EA, meaning
that CSR activities may reduce emotional appeal in this context. This can be further explained in
the emerging evidence found, which reveals that a moderator is implicating the relationship. The
findings suggest that humility, which is a pillar of the Islamic religion, could be the reason why
CSR negatively impacts AD. The findings are novel, as they are the first to identify potential
moderators between i-CSR and AD, and they signal the importance of taking religion-related
proxies into consideration in any religion-dominant region. In addition, as the first study to
investigate the implications of both i-CSR and CSR on EA and AD in an Arab context, this
research provides a novel perspective on how culturally specific practices impact customer
perceptions and behaviours. It lays the groundwork for future research to further explore the
dynamics of these unique elements and customer reputational outcomes, emphasizing the
importance of context-specific studies in understanding global business phenomena.
Taken together, the three papers advance knowledge by answering three research
questions:
(a) How do policymakers and experts in the Arab context understand and interpret CSR
in their region, and to what degree do culture, religion, and social norms impact CSR
strategies?
(b) How do employees in the Arab context perceive and respond to CSR and i-CSR, and
how do these perceptions impact reputational outcomes towards their employer?
(c) How do different aspects of organizational responsibilities, particularly CSR and i-CSR, influence supportive behaviour elements of reputation and EA within the Arab
context amongst customers, and what role does humility play in moderating these effects?
In so doing, this research enhances our understanding of the interplay of complex region-specific efforts within organizations’ responsibilities and decision-making processes, particularly
within an Arab context. The thesis also identifies new avenues of research. These are discussed at
the conclusion of each paper. The thesis is structured as follows: Chapter 1 provides an overall
introduction of the thesis. Chapter 2 presents the first paper, discussing decision-makers and
experts’ understanding and implementation of CSR within an Arab society. Chapter 3 presents
the second paper, discussing the implications of CSR and i-CSR on reputational elements within
an employee stakeholder group, while Chapter 4 presents the third paper, which explores the
implications of various drivers of reputation, mediators, and moderators from a customer
perspective
Natural and induced variation in faba bean protein traits
No full textFocusing on the genetic improvement of protein traits in faba bean, the aims of this thesis were: to
quantitatively investigate patterns of variation and covariation among important protein and field
traits; to use GWAS to identify DNA markers associated with positive trait variation; and to characterize
novel sources of protein quality variation.
Over 200 diverse inbred lines were phenotyped for amino acid contents, protein sub-unit composition,
protein and sulphur contents, yield, and seed weight. The genetic and environmental components of
trait (co)variation were estimated using multivariate methods. A well-supported (posterior probability
= 1.00) negative genetic relationship between yield and protein content was observed, while the
relationships between protein content and nutritionally favourable protein quality traits, such as
relative cysteine content, were found to be generally positive.
Using simulated phenotypes, an experiment was carried out to assess the suitability of different
published GWAS methods for use in the study population. Some commonly used frequentist methods
were found to perform poorly in terms of prioritizing causal variants and providing reliable measures
of significance while two lesser used Bayesian methods performed uniformly best by these metrics.
Using real phenotype data, univariate and multivariate GWAS were carried out using the best
performing methods from the simulation study. Almost 150 unique significant associations, some of
which replicated earlier findings, were reported across 44 univariate and multivariate traits. One locus
on chromosome 6 was found to be significantly linked to higher yields and higher protein contents.
Finally, a novel protein variant was discovered in an induced mutant line and, using biparental crosses,
a putatively causal genetic mutation was mapped to the proximal end of chromosome 4.
Together, these results, by identifying markers for use in molecular selection and by quantifying genetic
trade-offs to be avoided, could help expedite breeding for faba protein traits
A scalable framework for soil property mapping tested across a highly diverse tropical data-scarce region
Get PDFReliable soil property maps are essential for environmental modeling, yet conventional mapping methods remain costly and time-consuming. We developed a machine learning framework that integrates the Soil-Landscape Estimation and Evaluation Program (SLEEP) with gradient boosting to predict soil properties at regional scales and multiple depths. Our approach addresses multicollinearity through a recursive feature selection algorithm. We applied this framework to a tropical region characterized by a ~700-km longitudinal gradient of contrasting topography, climate, and vegetation (~98,000 km²; NE Brazil), where scarce soil physicochemical data limit environmental modeling. We used six topographical, ten climate, and two vegetation covariates, along with data from 223 soil profiles (~1 profile per 440 km²). Training and testing of our framework demonstrated strong spatial performance (r² = 0.79–0.98 and percent bias = -1.39 to 1.14%). Topographic and climatic factors held greater weight than other variables in predicting soil layers, texture, and sum of bases. Moreover, we used our soil parameters combined with multiple pedotransfer functions (PTFs) to derive soil hydraulic properties. Our PTFs-derived estimates of hydraulic conductivity were considerably lower than high-resolution global predictions available for our study areadue to differences in clay fraction and mineralogy. Therefore, we recommend the use of region-specific PTFs for hydraulic properties based on multi-covariate soil property maps. This cost-effective framework accurately integrates diverse environmental covariates, adapts to varying soil data availability, and scales across spatial resolutions, making it highly transferable to other data-scarce regions
Volterra-type inner derivations on Hardy spaces
Get PDFA classical result of Calkin [Ann. of Math. (2) 42 (1941), pp. 839–873] says that an inner derivation
maps the algebra of bounded operators on a Hilbert space into the ideal of compact operators if and only if T is a compact perturbation of the multiplication by a scalar. In general, an analogous statement fails for operators on Banach spaces. To complement Calkin’s result, we characterize Volterra-type inner derivations on Hardy spaces using generalized area operators and compact intertwining relations for Volterra and composition operators. Further, we characterize the compact intertwining relations for multiplication and composition operators between Hardy and Bergman spaces
The barriers facing female entrepreneurs - written evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee
Get PDFIn an ever-evolving world, women encounter considerable difficulties in establishing and expanding their businesses. This policy brief examines the barriers facing female entrepreneurs with a particular focus on intangible factors. It analyses personal characteristics, gender-role orientation, cultural influences, and access to human and social capital. The findings provide recommendations that can benefit both entrepreneurs and policymakers, fostering a broader discussion about women's entrepreneurship
The skill of extended-range ERPAS and GloSea5 models in capturing extratropical-tropical interactions during the north Indian summer monsoon
No full textThe transient eddies in the atmosphere are short-lived, moving disturbances prominent over mid-latitude. Transient eddy transport enables the exchange of mass, energy, and moisture between extratropical and tropical regions. Based on observations, about 40% of the rain that falls in northern India during the summer monsoons is influenced by transient eddy heat and momentum fluxes. During these rainfall cases, the four-stage cycle of transient eddy heat and a momentum feedback process exists. Global-scale circulation anomalies are generated due to their forcing on the mean flow. This impact of transient eddies on mean flow is referred to as eddy-eddy feedback, commencing in around 22 days. On a daily scale, the enhancement of rainfall over the Western Ghats and north-western India is linked with upper-tropospheric poleward transient eddy heat flux transport and equatorward transient eddy momentum flux transport. On a quasi-biweekly scale, however, the transport direction reverses. Additionally, this rainfall pattern is governed by the meridional passage of monsoon intraseasonal oscillation phases (MISO, tropical mode) and the zonal passage of wave number 7-8 patterns (Rossby wave, extratropical mode). Interactions of tropical-extratropical modes are associated with this eddy-eddy feedback that drives the hemispheric upper-tropospheric circulation patterns. This includes wave generation, propagation, and the dissipation of waves away from the source region. The hindcast skill analysis of subseasonal to seasonal scale models, namely Extended Range Prediction Application to Society (ERPAS) and Global Seasonal Forecast version 5 (GloSea5), shows that the models can predict northern Indian rainfall associated with eddy-mean flow interactions at 1-week lead times. After a week, the skill of both models diminishes under the influence of transient eddy transport. The monsoon circulation is more consistent and predictable in both models when transient eddies are absent. A theoretical understanding of the dynamical feedback of upper-tropospheric transient eddies is crucial for improving rainfall prediction