scholarly journals A systematic assessment of drought termination in the United Kingdom

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Parry ◽  
R. L. Wilby ◽  
C. Prudhomme ◽  
P. J. Wood
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Termination Phase ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Thames River

Abstract. Drought termination can be associated with dramatic transitions from drought to storms and flooding, and this is certainly true for recent events in the United Kingdom (UK). Attention devoted to these newsworthy and memorable events may be at the expense of drought terminations that proceed gradually and pose a different set of challenges for water resource managers. This paper defines drought termination as a phase of drought in its own right and makes the case for a more systematic approach to its identification and characterisation, applying an objective approach to detect drought terminations in observed river flow records for 52 catchments. The resulting archive of 459 drought terminations provides an unprecedented historical perspective on drought termination in the UK. Nationally- and regionally-coherent drought termination events are identifiable, although drought termination characteristics vary both between and within major episodes. Contrasting drought termination events in 1995--1998 and 2009--2012 are described in greater depth. The dataset is also used to assess potential linkages between metrics of drought termination characteristics and catchment properties. The duration of drought termination is moderately negatively correlated with elevation and catchment average rainfall, suggesting that wetter catchments in upland areas of the UK tend to experience shorter drought terminations. More urbanised catchments have a tendency for gradual drought terminations, contrary to perceptions of flashy hydrological response in these areas, although this may also be related to the type of catchments typical of lowland England. Potential linkages are found between both the duration and rate of drought termination and the duration of the preceding drought development phase, which may have important implications for water resources management during a drought. The dataset helps to place individual events within a long-term context. The drought termination phase in 2009--2012 was, at the time, regarded as exceptional in terms of magnitude and spatial footprint but the Thames river flow record reveals comparable events before 1930. Hence, the approach adopted and the chronologies of drought termination enable objective intercomparison of events. The dataset may in due course provide a basis for better understanding the drivers, long-term trends in occurrence and characteristics, and impacts of historical and contemporary drought termination events.

scholarly journals A systematic assessment of drought termination in the United Kingdom

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 4265-4281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Parry ◽  
Robert L. Wilby ◽  
Christel Prudhomme ◽  
Paul J. Wood
Keyword(s):  
River Flow ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Average Rainfall ◽  
Termination Phase ◽  
Development Phases ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Thames River

Abstract. Drought termination can be associated with dramatic transitions from drought to flooding. Greater attention may be given to these newsworthy and memorable events, but drought terminations that proceed gradually also pose challenges for water resource managers. This paper defines drought termination as a distinctive phase of the event. Using observed river flow records for 52 UK catchments, a more systematic and objective approach for detecting drought terminations is demonstrated. The parameters of the approach are informed by a sensitivity analysis that ensures a focus on terminations of multi-season to multi-year droughts. The resulting inventory of 467 drought terminations provides an unprecedented historical perspective on this phenomenon in the UK. Nationally and regionally coherent drought termination events are identifiable, although their characteristics vary both between and within major episodes. Contrasting drought termination events in 1995–1998 and 2009–2012 are examined in greater depth. The data are also used to assess potential linkages between metrics of drought termination and catchment properties. The duration of drought termination is moderately negatively correlated with elevation (rs =  −0.47) and catchment average rainfall (rs =  −0.42), suggesting that wetter catchments in upland areas of the UK tend to experience shorter drought terminations. More urbanized catchments tend to have gradual drought terminations (contrary to expectations of flashy hydrological response in such areas), although this may also reflect the type of catchments typical of lowland England. Significant correlations are found between the duration of the drought development phase and both the duration (rs =  −0.29) and rate (rs =  0.28) of drought termination. This suggests that prolonged drought development phases tend to be followed by shorter and more abrupt drought terminations. The inventory helps to place individual events within a long-term context. The drought termination phase in 2009–2012 was, at the time, regarded as exceptional in terms of magnitude and spatial footprint, but the Thames river flow record identifies several comparable events before 1930. The chronology could, in due course, provide a basis for exploring the complex drivers, long-term variability, and impacts of drought termination events.

scholarly journals Language Legislation and Policy in the uk and Ireland: Different Aspects of Territoriality in a ‘Celtic’ Context

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 454-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Dunbar
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Indigenous Languages ◽  
Scottish Gaelic ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Language Legislation ◽  
The Uk

In spite of the long-term dominance in Britain and Ireland of English, other indigenous languages continue to be spoken, and in relatively recent years several of those languages have benefited not only from a more coherent and supportive language policy but also from significant language legislation. One of the interesting features of these other indigenous languages is that, although strongly associated with rural ‘heartlands’ in the particular jurisdictions with which they are associated, they are also spoken in other parts of those jurisdictions, and, indeed, in other parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. In this article, the ways in which the concept of territoriality has impacted upon legislation and on broader policy for two of these languages, Irish and Scottish Gaelic, will be considered.

scholarly journals A Comparative Survey Of Capital Investment Decision Practices In The United States And The United Kingdom

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Klammer ◽  
Neil Wilner ◽  
Jan Smolarski
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
The United States ◽  
Capital Expenditures ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Comparative Survey ◽  
The Uk

Capital expenditures can be crucial to firms long-term success, especially in a complex global environment. As companies increasingly compete in the global market place, it is important to study project evaluation processes from an international perspective. Capital investments involve substantial monetary commitments and risks that affect long-term firm profitability and influence capital allocation decisions in the future. Survey research in the area of capital expenditure analysis has been extensively done in both the United States [US] and the United Kingdom [UK]. This research is the first comparative survey of practices in both countries that we are aware of. A direct comparison of the use of project evaluation, management science, and risk management techniques in the two countries is made. The survey instrument used is an adaptation of the Klammer [1970] instrument that has been used repeatedly in surveys of American firms. This is the first time that it has been applied to British firms. The use of a common instrument allows for more meaningful comparisons. The samples consisted of 127 American and 59 British firms with sales of at least $100 million and capital expenditures of at least $10 million. Preliminary results indicate a continued extensive use of discounted cash flow techniques by US firms. Techniques such as payback or urgency continue to be used, but to a lesser degree than discounting. Firms in the UK also make extensive use of discounting but do so to a lesser degree than their American counterparts. Payback is widely used in the UK. Risk management techniques are widely used in both countries, with sensitivity analysis being the most popular technique in both countries. Extensive use of technical and administrative procedures, such as detailed budgets, standardized forms and post-audits, are evidenced in both countries. The paper offers reasons that have to do with organizational structure and form, as well as market differences, to explain our results.

scholarly journals Heterogeneous Mental Health Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Ellwardt ◽  
Patrick Praeg
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk

Aim. The COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation measures by governments have upended the economic and social lives of many, leading to widespread psychological distress. However, how distress developed during the pandemic and who was most affected is poorly understood. We explore heterogeneity in trajectories of psychological distress during the first six months of the pandemic in the United Kingdom and relate this heterogeneity to socio-demographic and health factors. Subjects and Methods. We analyze six waves of longitudinal, nationally representative survey data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (N = 15,218), covering the first lockdown in 2020. First, latent class mixture modelling (LCCM) is used to identify trajectories of psychological distress. Second, associations of the trajectories with covariates are tested with multinomial logistic regressions. Results. We find four different trajectories of distress: continuously low, continuously moderate, temporarily elevated, and continuously elevated distress. One-fifth of the population experienced severely elevated risks of distress. Long-term exposure was highest among younger people, women, those who lost income, and those with previous health conditions or COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusion. Given the threat of persistent stress on health, policy measures should be sensitized to the unintended yet far-reaching consequences of non-pharmaceutical interventions.

11. The United Kingdom: Towards a Parting of the Ways

2020 ◽  
pp. 257-279
Author(s):  
Anand Menon ◽  
Luigi Scazzieri
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
Institutional Development ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Integration Process ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
History Of ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
The Uk

This chapter examines the history of the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European integration process. The chapter dissects the long-term trends in public opinion and the more contingent, short-term factors that led to the referendum vote to leave the European Union. The UK was a late joiner and therefore unable to shape the early institutional development of the EEC. British political parties and public opinion were always ambiguous about membership and increasingly Eurosceptic from the early 1990s. Yet the UK had a significant impact on the EU’s development, in the development of the single market programme and eastward enlargement. If Brexit goes through, Britain will nevertheless maintain relations with the EU in all policy areas from agriculture to energy and foreign policy. Europeanization will remain a useful theoretical tool to analyse EU–UK relations even if the UK leaves the Union.

scholarly journals Upscaling non-residential bio-based circular construction in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Vol 855 (1) ◽  
pp. 012015
Author(s):  
B Dams ◽  
D Maskell ◽  
A Shea ◽  
S Allen ◽  
V Cascione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Distribution Centre ◽  
Vested Interests ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

Abstract Non-residential circular construction projects using bio-based materials have been realised in the United Kingdom. Case studies include the Adnams Distribution Centre, the University of East Anglia’s Enterprise Centre and the British Science Museum’s hempcrete storage facility. The bio-based buildings utilise the natural properties of bio-based materials to insulate and regulate internal environments, particularly with reducing fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity, which can be harmful to sensitive stored products and artefacts. Projects have been successful on both on environmental and physical performance levels; however, they have not led to a subsequent proliferation of non-residential large-scale circular projects within the UK using emerging bio-based materials. This study examines why and uses analysis based upon exclusive interviews with key figures associated with bio-based case studies. Challenges faced include the ability to upscale production by manufacturers of bio-based materials, problems surrounding initial costs, gaining accreditation for materials, the vested interests present in the construction industry and levels of knowledge among clients and construction professionals. Potential upscaling solutions identified include long-term financial savings on running costs and high staff productivity, policies regarding grants, incentives and planning applications and local economic regeneration.

scholarly journals NATIONAL DATABASE OF METAL IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM & INDONESIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachma Puspitasari ◽  
Raldi Koestoer
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
National Database ◽  
Success Story ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Research Institutes ◽  
The Uk

The ocean is a source of mega-biodiversity that is supposed to perform optimally for current and future generations. The health of the ocean must be evaluated by measuring heavy metals in sediment because they can be accumulated and stored in long term. This metal can be released and absorbed by an organism, and affect the ecological risk and human health. The purpose of this article is to share viewpoints and those in a comparative study in terms of the metal database of both countries, the UK and Indonesia. The methodology used in this paper is critical review and analysis to compare a success story about compiling metal data into a national database in the United Kingdom (UK). Indonesia already has an open public access database issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The further step is to strengthen collaboration between research institutes, universities, and government to assign a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) to collect, analyze and report the data to a national depository. This database will be worthwhile to describe the pollution status in Indonesia and basic data for best practice decisions. 

The Management of Historic Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste in the United Kingdom

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Horsley ◽  
Bruce McKirdy
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Intermediate Level ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Environmentally Sound ◽  
Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste ◽  
The Uk

Nirex is the organisation responsible for long-term radioactive waste management in the UK. Our Mission is to provide the UK with safe, environmentally sound and publicly acceptable options for the long-term management of radioactive materials. The United Kingdom has a significant legacy of long-lived intermediate level radioactive waste. This has arisen from 50 years of investigation and exploitation of nuclear technology. Some of the waste is stored in old facilities that do not provide the standards of containment that would be incorporated in modern facilities. Also the risk to people and to the environment from the inventory in these facilities will increase with time as the structures age and degrade, increasing the chance of containment failure. There is, therefore, a need to retrieve this raw waste and process and package it to make it demonstrably safe for continued storage, pending a decision on disposal of radioactive waste. This packaging should, as far as is practicable, be compatible with the UK long-term waste management strategy. Nirex has developed its Phased Disposal Concept for intermediate and low-level radioactive waste. Based on that concept, Nirex has developed waste package specifications and carries out assessments of waste packaging proposals. For legacy wastes it may not always practicable to demonstrate full compliance with all Nirex disposal criteria. This paper describes an approach, agreed between Nirex and BNFL, for managing these wastes. The proposed approach takes account of long-term waste management issues whilst recognising the need for timely improvement of storage conditions.

scholarly journals The influence of long term trends in pollutant emissions on deposition of sulphur and nitrogen and exceedance of critical loads in the United Kingdom

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 882-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Matejko ◽  
Anthony J. Dore ◽  
Jane Hall ◽  
Christopher J. Dore ◽  
Marek Błaś ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Critical Loads ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Long Term Trends

scholarly journals Recruiting individuals into the HTLV cohort study in the United Kingdom: clinical findings and challenges in the first six years, 2003 to 2009

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (46) ◽  
Author(s):  
L J Brant ◽  
C Cawley ◽  
K L Davison ◽  
G P Taylor ◽  
collective the HTLV National Register Steering Group
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Spastic Paraparesis ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
T Lymphotropic Virus ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Multicentre Cohort Study ◽  
The Uk

Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection is rare in the United Kingdom (UK) and few studies are available worldwide. Following introduction of blood donation testing in 2002, a cohort of individuals could be identified and prospectively recruited to describe progression and onset of disease. Here we describe baseline characteristics of participants, and evaluate recruitment into the UK HTLV National Register over the first six years, from July 2003 to June 2009. A multicentre cohort study recruited participants from the UK blood services (recipients and donors) and specialist HTLV clinics. Almost half of the 148 participants recruited were blood donors, nine were blood transfusion recipients, 40 contacts and 29 clinic attendees (nine asymptomatic and 20 symptomatic). Most participants were HTLV-1 positive (n=115); 11 had HTLV-2 and 22 were HTLV-negative. Baseline self-completion questionnaires were received for 83%. The most commonly reported condition was a past operation/serious illness (69%). Twenty-six participants reported four or more possible signs/symptoms of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. Recruitment into a study of a rare, long-term infection is challenging. This cohort will enable descriptions of HTLV-associated disease progression amongst people recruited from varying sources; it is the first prospective study of its kind in Europe.

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