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Co-designing a research agenda for UK agroforestry using a multi-actor approach
No full textThere is growing recognition of agroforestry’s potential to help mitigate and provide resilience to the climate and biodiversity crises. Beyond its environmental benefits, agroforestry can also enhance production and profits, making it a sustainable farming solution that is scalable. Despite this, uptake within Europe is low, and many knowledge gaps remain that need to be addressed to promote adoption and optimize the management and implementation of agroforestry systems. We co-developed a research agenda for agroforestry using a multi-actor approach and a modified Delphi method in 2023. 156 UK-based stakeholders contributed to this process, including farmers, advisors, policy makers, NGOs, and researchers. An initial list of 238 research priorities (high-priority research questions) was submitted via a survey and a workshop. This was shortened during a second workshop with 48 participants. The final list included 40 research priorities across the themes “environment and production,” “human livelihoods, knowledge, and perceptions,” and “policy, financing, and markets.” There was high agreement about which priorities to include, with questions on policy incentives, knowledge-exchange, agroforestry design (e.g., tree/crop selection), biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, well-being, markets, and food security. We identified a need for landscape-scale and longer-term research. Our agenda is a rare example of a research-prioritization process that includes farmers and other agricultural stakeholders throughout the research process. The value of this approach can be seen in the inclusion of research priorities that are grounded in the real world and relevant to different actors. Our agenda goes beyond existing evidence syntheses in scope, and should be used alongside them to identify stakeholder-relevant gaps for future primary research and evidence synthesis. By guiding researchers and funding bodies to impactful areas of enquiry, it can promote evidence-based agroforestry practice and policy. Addressing this research agenda requires better support for long-term, transdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder research, and funded demonstration sites or living labs.This research was funded by the Department of Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) via the UKRI Future of UK Treescapes Programme coordinated by the Countryside & Community Research Institute at the University of Gloucestershire. The Future of UK Treescapes Programme is led by the Natural Environment Research Council (UKRI-NERC) and jointly funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (UKRI-AHRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (UKRI-ESRC).Agronomy for Sustainable Developmen
An investigation of bus design parameters affecting rollover
No full textReduction in the number and severity of bus and coach rollover accidents is the broad aim of this thesis.
Chapter 1 outlines, from accident data, research needs and priorities regarding bus safety. Rollover accidents, particularly those due to sliding sideways into a "tripping" obstacle, are recognised as a major contributor to bus occupant casualties. Occupant injuries and fatalities are significantly higher if a coach rolls onto its roof or beyond, than if it rolls onto its side. A typical sequence of events leading to overturning accidents and consequently to occupant casualties is identified, and research needs into appropriate countermeasures for each step are suggested. Work towards two of these countermeasures is outlined.
Chapter 2 describes the first area. A full-scale coach rollover test for measuring superstructure impact strength against a standard, required a mathematical model to explain and predict the motion of unsymmetric vehicles. A computer model was developed, and reasonable agreement between simulation and actual tests is demonstrated, despite the large unmeasurable energy losses hiring the "kerb-impact" phase of the tests.
Research into "tripping" rollover stability, the second area, occupies Chapters 3 to 8. Experimental measurements of centre of gravity height, mass, moment of inertia, roll centre heights, suspension and tyre stiffnesses, and maximum stable tilt angle were undertaken on nine representative buses and coaches. A twelve degree-of-freedom computer simulation of a kerb-impact-initiated rollover for a vehicle with front and rear suspensions has been developed, Checked against other methods, and used to predict rollover threshold velocities (which ranged from 2.8 to 4.2 m/s for the tested vehicles).
The effect of varying bus parameters on the rollover threshold was assessed and compared with their influence on tilt test performance as evaluated using a tilt test simulation. Centre of gravity height and track width had the greatest effect on results from both simulations. Correlation between tilt test results and computed rollover thresholds is reasonable. Both methods are recommended above a number of others as alternative ways of demonstrating adequate roll stability. Rollover threshold standards and new tilt platform limits are proposed, based on the current double-decker standard, but without self-levelling valves operating. Prohibition of tilt valves and disabling of self-levelling valves during a tilt test are recommended. These are some of the recommendations made to the U.K. Department of Transport concerning methods and standards of overturning stability testing.
The major conclusions are presented in Chapter 9, which gives an overview of the thesis contents and findings.National Research Advisory Council (NARC)PhD in Engineerin
IMF interventions and financial market reactions: evidence from currency, equity, and interest rate markets in emerging and developed economies
No full textThis article belongs to the Section Applied Economics and FinanceThis paper examines how International Monetary Fund (IMF) lending affects financial markets across emerging and developed economies from 2002 to 2023 using an event study approach. Our findings indicate that IMF loans are typically granted during periods of global financial distress. While aggregate effects on debt, currency, and equity markets appear limited, a more detailed analysis reveals significant shifts in currency and stock markets around loan announcements. Notably, markets often react up to seven days before an official IMF announcement, with the strongest effects seen in the interest rate markets of emerging economies. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring IMF programs to account for market heterogeneity and structural differences between developed and emerging economies.Journal of Risk and Financial Managemen
Methodological advances in diatom research for aquatic biomonitoring and water quality evaluation
No full textDiatoms, a unique class of microalgae, play a pivotal role in global ecosystems due to their photosynthetic capabilities and adaptability to diverse aquatic environments. Composed of opaline silica, they serve as sensitive indicators for water quality monitoring. This review covers various diatom research techniques, including sampling and isolation. It highlights methods for different substrata, such as epiphyton, epipelon, and epipsammon, as well as traditional isolation approaches like agar plate methods and serial dilution. Automation techniques, such as flow cytometry (FACS), are also discussed. The review emphasizes the potential of diatoms for pollutant removal, particularly heavy metals, and presents various diatom-based indices for water quality assessment. Future research is encouraged to refine isolation techniques, enhance the effectiveness of indices, and explore biochemical pathways that could improve diatoms’ bioremediation capabilities, thereby fully leveraging their potential for environmental monitoring and remediation.Financial support for this study had been provided by ASEAN-India Science, Technology & Innovation Cooperation, AISTDF Secretariat, Department of Science & Technology Government of India, India [Grant number CRD/2022/000595].Archives of Microbiolog
Defect depth estimation using through-transmission pulsed thermography: a numerical and experimental investigation
No full textThrough-transmission pulsed thermography is widely recognised for offering higher defect resolution than reflection mode, yet its development has been hindered by challenges such as quantifying defect depth. This study addresses the depth quantification gap by introducing a novel depth estimation technique based on the relationship between defect depth and the Fourier number. The method is validated through both finite element modelling and laboratory experiments using calibration samples with embedded air-gap defects at known depths. Results show that depth estimation accuracy improves as defects approach the backwall, consistently across both simulation and experimental environments. Finite element analysis also demonstrates that the proposed technique outperforms the log second derivative method typically used in reflection mode. These findings advance the capability of through-transmission thermography for precise subsurface defect characterisation.This research was performed with the help of the EPSRC platform grant (grant number EP/P027121/1)The authors of this paper would also like to thank the Cranfield Industrial Partnership PhD Scholarships Scheme (CIPPS), Cranfield University and Sun resources for co-funding this research.International Journal of Thermal Science
Improving ADM1 predictions via Bayesian analysis for continuous anaerobic digestion
No full textThe Anaerobic Digestion Model No.1 (ADM1) application for continuous anaerobic digestion is often constrained by challenges in reliably calibrating model parameters, especially when long-term data are unavailable. This study presents a Bayesian inference-based framework that enables ADM1 calibration using only initial-stage digester performance data. A custom Python implementation was developed, integrating modules for global sensitivity analysis, Bayesian calibration and parameter identifiability evaluation. Key microbial and ionic parameters were refined through Random Balance Designs–Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (RBD-FAST), identifying sugar/acetate degraders and cation/anion levels in the inoculum as critical drivers of steady-state performance.
With informative priors derived from similar ADM1 studies, the model was calibrated with less than two hydraulic retention times of data and validated against steady-state performance data. It predicted pH and total chemical oxygen demand (tCOD) with mean percentage errors of 1.10 % and 5.38 % respectively. Biogas production trends were captured within the 95 % credible interval for 63.14 % of observations. Compared to uniform priors, the Bayesian approach with informative priors improved predictive accuracy. Jensen-Shannon divergence revealed that hydrolysis rates is the most identifiable for thermally hydrolysed sludge.
Unlike conventional ADM1 calibration approaches that require long-term steady-state data, this Bayesian framework achieves reliable predictions using only early-stage observations. By enabling accurate simulation of organic contaminant degradation and system stability from limited data, the framework supports risk-informed design and operation of anaerobic digesters and offers a solution for data-scarce industrial settings to improve safety, sustainability, and optimisation.Journal of Environmental Managemen
Warehousing 5.0 for the future of the logistics industry
No full textSpecial edition: Warehousing 5.0 for the Future of the Logistics IndustryThis editorial introduces and contextualises the International Journal of Production Research Special Issue on ‘Warehousing 5.0 for the Future of the Logistics Industry’. Building on the principles of Industry 5.0, the concept of Warehousing 5.0 redefines warehouse operations as human-centric, intelligent, sustainable, and resilient systems. It emphasises the integration of advanced automation and analytics with human well-being, environmental stewardship, and data responsibility–shifting the focus from efficiency alone to a balanced socio-technical paradigm. The Special Issue received 45 submissions, from which 12 papers were accepted after rigorous peer review. Together, these studies advance understanding across four interconnected themes: (T1) Human Factors and Human-Centric Design, (T2) Optimisation and Efficiency in Robotics and Automation, (T3) Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Operations, and (T4) Data-Driven and AI-Enabled Warehousing. The contributions highlight innovations in ergonomic design, collaborative robotics, energy-aware scheduling, stochastic and multi-objective optimisation, wearable sensing, and AI-enabled vision systems, demonstrating how operational efficiency can coexist with human welfare and environmental responsibility. Synthesising across these themes, the editorial identifies key insights on human–technology symbiosis, sustainable digitalisation, and cyber-physical-social integration in warehouses. It also outlines future research directions on adaptive human–robot collaboration, circular logistics, responsible AI, and integrative modelling. The practical and policy implications discussed provide a framework for managers and decision-makers to implement Warehousing 5.0 principles effectively. Collectively, the Special Issue contributes to shaping a new generation of resilient, sustainable, and human-aware warehouses, reinforcing IJPR's leadership in advancing innovative and responsible production and logistics systems.International Journal of Production Researc
Guardrailing LLM and agentic decisions for 6G AI-RAN
No full textLarge language model (LLM)-based agents are envisioned as cornerstones for autonomous, zero-touch 6G AI-RAN operations. Numerous frameworks adopt LLM-based agents as decision-makers to optimize network configurations, orchestrate resources, and interact with users and connected use cases. However, intrinsic limitations (hallucinations, misaligned human values) and extrinsic adversarial threats (jail-breaks, prompt injections) pose critical risks to network safety, reliability, and privacy—challenges largely overlooked in existing literature. This paper addresses this gap by reviewing state-of-the-art guardrail techniques for 6G AI-RAN. We categorize guardrails across model-level and agent-level layers and map them to common agent application patterns in 6G networks, providing practical foundations for designing trustworthy agentic decision-making frameworks in future 6G AI-RAN systems.This work is supported by EPSRC CHEDDAR: Communications Hub For Empowering Distributed ClouD Computing Applications And Research (EP/X040518/1) (EP/Y037421/1)2026 IEEE 23rd Consumer Communications & Networking Conference (CCNC
Data "Melt pool geometry control of Ti-6Al-4V utilizing multi-energy source laser-arc + wire directed energy deposition."
No full textExcel .xml providing deposition parameters and geometry measurements accompanied with .tif and .jpeg imagesThis study investigates the applicability of a novel laser-arc multi-energy deposition of Ti-6Al-4V with independent control of bead geometry and thermal input. A plasma transferred arc is used to generate an initial melt pool and melt wire feedstock, before controlled lateral elongation of the melt pool via a fiber laser and galvo scanner. Using previously identified published processing parameters for mild steel deposition, the applicability to Ti-6Al-4V was first investigated. Once successful bead geometry control was achieved, process parameters more conducive to additive manufacturing were investigated. This included investigation of the energy per unit area required to achieve accurate deposition of Ti-6Al-4V with minimal penetration and investigation into scanning strategy. In each case, optical microscopy was conducted and analysis of the bead geometry, penetration and heat-affected zone considered to determine the effect of each parameter change. The results demonstrated that independent control of bead geometry and thermal input could be achieved, allowing deposition of Ti-6Al-4V at a desired scan width and layer height and providing a framework for future multi-energy source directed energy deposition of Ti-6Al-4V.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC
Industrial case study of aerial systems using ray-tracing and antenna optimisation
No full textAn industrial case study of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) operation and communications for integrated satellite-terrestrial networks in remote regions is considered. The objective is to evaluate and optimize the Quality of Service (QoS) of communication networks that combine satellite backhaul and ground-based transmission infrastructure for UAS operations. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a new algorithm for antenna tilt optimization procedure aiming to enhance terrestrial coverage, and maximise average Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) along predefined UAS paths using terrain-aware ray-tracing models. A preliminary analysis of the satellite link is performed using simulation-based model of phased array terminal, assessing its suitability for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations through latency and RSSI profiling under variable link conditions. In addition, the study quantifies the QoS of the terrestrial network by analyzing RSSI, Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR), latency, and throughput across UAS routes between key islands. The findings highlight the effectiveness of hybrid satellite-terrestrial architectures in extending coverage and reliability for critical UAS operations in geographically challenging environments. This work informs future network planning strategies for remote UAS deployments.This work is supported by Connectivity for Remote Orkney Future Transport (CROFT) project, which is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program2026 IEEE 23rd Consumer Communications & Networking Conference (CCNC