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Global River Topology (GRIT): A Bifurcating River Hydrography
Full text linkExisting global river networks underpin a wide range of hydrological applications but do not represent channels with divergent river flows (bifurcations, multi-threaded channels, canals), as these features defy the convergent flow assumption that elevation-derived networks (e.g., HydroSHEDS, MERIT Hydro) are based on. Yet, bifurcations are important features of the global river drainage system, especially on large floodplains and river deltas, and are also often found in densely populated regions. Here we developed the first raster and vector-based Global RIver Topology that not only represents the tributaries of the global drainage network but also the distributaries, including multi-threaded rivers, canals and deltas. We achieve this by merging a 30 m Landsat-based river mask with elevation-generated streams to ensure a homogeneous drainage density outside of the river mask for rivers narrower than approximately 30 m. Crucially, we employ the new 30 m digital terrain model, FABDEM, based on TanDEM-X, which shows greater accuracy over the traditionally used SRTM derivatives. After vectorization and pruning, directionality is assigned by a series of elevation, flow angle and continuity approaches. The new global network and its attributes are validated using gauging stations, comparison with existing networks, and randomized manual checks. The new network represents 19.6 million km of streams and rivers with drainage areas greater than 50 km2 and includes 67,495 bifurcations. With the advent of hyper-resolution modeling and artificial intelligence, GRIT is expected to greatly improve the accuracy of many river-based applications such as flood forecasting, water availability and quality simulations, or riverine habitat mapping
Contrasting responses to riverine barrier modification and fish pass provision in two anadromous non-salmonid species during their spawning migrations
No full textAnthropogenic in-river structures represent barriers to migrating fishes. Fish pass designs usually focus on passing anadromous salmonids, and fish pass studies usually focus on site-scale metrics, failing to consider the wider effects. Weir passage metrics and spawning distributions of anadromous iteroparous twaite shad Alosa fallax and semelparous sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus were assessed using acoustic telemetry between 2018 and 2023, within a catchment-scale reconnection programme on the River Severn (‘Unlocking the Severn’ [UtS]). Reconnection was by fish pass installation (Severn mainstem; 3 deep-vertical slot (DVS), 1 column bypass) and weir modification (Teme tributary; 1 partial removal/reduced head height, 1 reduced gradient). Time-to-event analysis revealed reconnection increased the probability of lamprey passing both the most downstream DVS and modified weir, and virgin shad were more likely than previous spawners to pass the DVS, but not the modified weir. Improvements in the proportion of tagged shad (to 7%) and lamprey (to 48%) passing the most downstream DVS were modest, but shad passage times were significantly reduced (by 20 days). Weir modification resulted in greater improvements in shad (to 58%) and lamprey (to 78%) passage. Reconnection also enabled passage on substantially lower flows; shad passed the most downstream Severn weir (via the DVS) at Q89 versus Q3 prior to construction, and lampreys at Q86 versus Q45. At catchment scales, reconnection significantly increased the proportion of shad passing the pre-reconnection migration limit. However, the upstream extent of both species in the mainstem was not significantly increased. This was attributed to the limited motivations of individuals to access previously fragmented reaches; returning shad expressed fidelity to previous spawning sites and lamprey lacked pheromone cues from ammocoetes upstream. Passage motivations are predicted to increase subsequently as more individuals' spawn in these reaches. Synthesis and applications. UtS succeeded in facilitating both species to pass weirs under lower flow conditions than before. Weir modification improved passage rates more than fish pass installation, although catchment-scale benefits currently remain limited. Project legacies include identifying long-term monitoring needs to measure accumulating catchment-scale benefits, and information on the suitability of reconnection methods to inform similar reconnection programmes
How should abnormal uterine bleeding be managed in people with bleeding disorders: a systematic review of the literature and thematic synthesis
Full text linkAbnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) describes any bleeding from the uterus that deviates from the norm in terms of regularity, duration, or volume. AUB is a common condition that can significantly affect quality of life. Although inherited bleeding disorders (IBDs) can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, there is no clear consensus on how AUB is best managed in those patients. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap using evidence based on clinical findings to define the best management of AUB in patients with IBD by conducting a systematic review of the literature. Searches were conducted for articles published from January 1, 2000, until May 6, 2024 in the Embase (PubMed), Medline, Scopus, Cochrane library, Google Scholar, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature complete via the Elton B. Stephens Company databases. In total, 244 studies were assessed for eligibility based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included studies were appraised for risk of bias and quality assurance using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale, after which data was systematically coded to generate descriptive and analytical themes. Thirteen studies were included in the thematic synthesis, encompassing over 893 participants. Thematic synthesis identified hormonal treatments, such as the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), to be largely effective in the symptom management of AUB in IBDs. Treatment of AUB patients with LNG-IUS, followed by tranexamic acid or 1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) commonly led to amenorrhea. The use of LNG-IUS as first-line therapy is recommended for those with AUB, followed by the use of combination therapy such as tranexamic acid and desmopressin. We identified the need to strengthen communication between specialists involved in the care of those with AUB and IBDs
Exploring Imagined Movement for Brain–Computer Interface Control: An fNIRS and EEG Review
Full text linkBrain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs) offer a non-invasive pathway for restoring motor function, particularly for individuals with limb loss. This review explored the effectiveness of Electroencephalography (EEG) and function Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) in decoding Motor Imagery (MI) movements for both offline and online BCI systems. EEG has been the dominant non-invasive neuroimaging modality due to its high temporal resolution and accessibility; however, it is limited by high susceptibility to electrical noise and motion artifacts, particularly in real-world settings. fNIRS offers improved robustness to electrical and motion noise, making it increasingly viable in prosthetic control tasks; however, it has an inherent physiological delay. The review categorizes experimental approaches based on modality, paradigm, and study type, highlighting the methods used for signal acquisition, feature extraction, and classification. Results show that while offline studies achieve higher classification accuracy due to fewer time constraints and richer data processing, recent advancements in machine learning—particularly deep learning—have improved the feasibility of online MI decoding. Hybrid EEG–fNIRS systems further enhance performance by combining the temporal precision of EEG with the spatial specificity of fNIRS. Overall, the review finds that predicting online imagined movement is feasible, though still less reliable than motor execution, and continued improvements in neuroimaging integration and classification methods are essential for real-world BCI applications. Broader dissemination of recent advancements in MI-based BCI research is expected to stimulate further interdisciplinary collaboration among roboticists, neuroscientists, and clinicians, accelerating progress toward practical and transformative neuroprosthetic technologies
Written evidence submitted by the Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull to the Environmental Audit Committee inquiry on Flood Resilience. FRE0093
Full text linkOpening paragraph:The Energy and Environment Institute at the University of Hull has a research focus encompassing many of the challenges highlighted by this inquiry’s terms of reference. We work in inter- and transdisciplinary ways on a range of flood resilience topics, from monitoring and modelling of sustainable drainage solutions, to arts-based participatory work with communities. The responses below reflect the breadth of our expertise in these fields based on our extensive knowledge exchange, research and teaching experience
Wind resource assessment and site selection of offshore wind farms in the state of Kuwait
Full text linkAmong several countries, Kuwait has made significant progress in transitioning to renewable energy. As a result, the onshore Shagaya renewable energy park was deployed in 2017 with a total capacity of 70 MW. To effectively progress in the development of offshore renewable energy, it is important to conduct a thorough assessment of wind resources. This paper thoroughly examines and identifies the optimal potential geographical locations for offshore wind farm deployment in Kuwait for the first time. In the initial phase, a number of offshore exclusion criteria were established and analyzed, including wind speed, water depth, exclusive economic zone, marine protected areas, subsea cable distribution, mine locations, annual dust deposition, and shipping traffic density. The second phase included the site selection process, during which the ArcGIS-ArcMap package was utilized to exclude pre-defined exclusion criteria. The results indicate that the highest wind speed ranges from 7.5 m/s to 8 m/s, covering a total offshore area of 1234.55 km2. In addition, the offshore areas in Kuwait are generally shallow and have water depths ranging from 0 to 20 m, covering a total area of 7458.13 km2 in the north. The three optimal offshore wind sites identified in Kuwait are Sabiya Power Station wind farm (Long. 48.3091, Lat. 29.5925), Port of Doha wind farm (Long. 47.9702, Lat. 29.5103) and Camp Arifjan wind farm (Long. 48.236, Lat. 28.9429)
Singing in the rain
Full text linkCan we use opera to engage children with flooding? Professor Stewart Mottram, who leads the AHRC Noah to Now project looking at literature and flooding along England’s East Coast, reflects with Dr Edward Brookes and Lisa J. Coates on their experience working with primary schools in Hull and Grimsby to perform Benjamin Britten’s opera, Noyes Fludde
The Meaning and Experience of Humour for Caregivers of People with Dementia: A systematic review.
Full text linkRationale for the reviewDespite growing interest in non-pharmacological approaches to dementia care, the role of humour as an interpersonal and emotional resource remains under-explored in the academic literature. Previous research has often focused on structured humour-based interventions or on patient outcomes such as mood or agitation, rather than examining how caregivers understand, experience, and use humour in everyday practice. Moreover, no systematic review has synthesised qualitative research on this topic, nor compared the perspectives of formal and informal caregiversSynthesising the qualitative literature will offer a richer conceptualisation of how humour is experienced in dementia care interactions, including its perceived benefits, challenges, and ethical boundaries. Such insight is vital for informing communication training for staff, supporting family caregivers, and shaping compassionate, person-centred care.The findings will also inform and contextualise the empirical component of this thesis, which explores how inpatient mental health staff use humour and laughter in communication with PWD. Together, the systematic review and qualitative study will offer a coherent, clinically relevant contribution to understanding relational communication and emotional labour in dementia care
The effect of mathematics anxiety, question complexity and time pressure on mathematics performance
Full text linkMathematics anxiety (MA) refers to the feeling of tension, panic and helplessness an individual can feel when asked to complete a mathematic task, often leading to poor mathematic performance. Research has also demonstrated that increased mathematic question complexity and the introduction of time constraints can have a negative impact on mathematic performance. The aim of this thesis was to research the impact that MA, question complexity and time constraints can have on mathematic performance in different examination environments. This thesis also considers recent developments in educational practices, particularly those emerging from post-pandemic shifts in learning and assessment. In light of these changes, two experiments were conducted: Experiment 1 was administered online, and Experiment 2 was conducted in person. In both studies, participants' MA levels were assessed before they completed eights sets of mathematic questions that varied in complexity and were presented either with or without time constraints. Results from Experiment 1 indicated that time constraints significantly reduced mathematic performance, particularly for individuals with high MA, and this effect was most evident on simple math problems. In contrast, Experiment 2 showed that time constraints continued to impair performance, especially on complex questions; however, no significant performance differences were found between high and low MA groups. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the influence of environmental and contextual factors in mathematic performance outcomes