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Drought events are influenced by a combination of both climatic and local catchment characteristics. In Great Britain the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has long been recognised as the leading mode of climate variability, and studies have also noted the role of the East Atlantic Pattern (EA) as a secondary mode. This study aimed to develop an understanding of the combined influence of the NAO and EA on rainfall distribution and magnitude and the variable nature of meteorological to hydrological drought propagation. Initially, this study explores correlations between teleconnection indices and standardised precipitation and streamflow indices for 291 catchments across Great Britain, before focusing on nine case study catchments for further analysis. For each case study catchment, we use quantile regression and an analysis of drought frequency to explore the combined influence of the NAO and EA on drought conditions.Through a convergence of evidence from these analyses we make three observations. Firstly, in the winter months both the NAO and EA exert an influence on drought conditions, however there is spatial variability in the relative influence of the NAO and EA; the NAO has a stronger influence in the north-west, whilst the EA has a stronger influence in the southern and central regions. Secondly, in the summer months, less distinctive spatial differences were found, with higher probability of drought conditions under NAO+ phases, which however can be enhanced or moderated by the EA. Finally, as a result of catchment characteristics there is spatio-temporal variability in the propagation of meteorological to hydrological drought. Our findings suggest that by considering the NAO and EA in combination, we can better describe climate and drought variability. We conclude by noting the potential implications our study has on the role of monthly teleconnection forecasts in water management decision making in Great Britain, and acknowledge the current limitations associated with incorporating such understanding.

Background: Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is recommended by national hypertension (HTN) guidelines as an evidence-based approach to improve HTN control. The use of wireless BP devices that transmit data to the electronic health record (EHR) makes HBPM eligible for remote patient monitoring (RPM) billing codes. Little is known about barriers and facilitators to HTN RPM program referral. Methods: We implemented a HTN RPM program at two adult primary care clinics in New York City. Patients were loaned a two-way tablet and wireless BP cuff and received virtual nursing support. We conducted 1:1 semi-structured interviews with primary care physicians (PCPs) from these clinics to elucidate attitudes about the program. Barriers and facilitators were categorized according to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), which includes 14 domains of behavior change helpful for guiding implementation. Interviews were conducted by video, audio-recorded, and professionally transcribed. Three study physicians (NL, IK, CO) independently coded transcripts using content analysis, coming to consensus for discrepancies. Results: We interviewed 13 PCPs (7 had referred patients, 6 had not), at which point saturation of ideas was reached. Most barriers and facilitators fell into the following TDF domains: knowledge, beliefs about consequences , environmental context and resources . PCPs knew the evidence supporting HBPM and were aware of the RPM program, but confusion about eligibility, ordering, and program features were barriers to referral. Most PCPs were confident in their ability to manage RPM data and felt the program increased patient engagement in care. However, some questioned whether it would improve the status quo and others worried it might increase anxiety in certain patients. Virtual nursing support and EHR integration were seen as program benefits. However, some were concerned about increased workload, interruptions, and insufficient support to manage data between visits. Reimbursement from billing was not a strong incentive to refer. Conclusion: Improving communication during implementation, developing workflows to minimize interruptions, and increasing support structures may be needed to promote uptake of HTN RPM programs in primary care.

The Covid-19 pandemic led to significant changes in higher education institutions, with a rapid pivot from on-campus to online teaching and learning. The move to predominantly online teaching resulted in a very different learning experience for many campus-based students, offering new opportunities and challenges. This Directions article is co-written by a student-staff partnership team and shares advice on how to thrive when studying online. The approaches developed to support online and blended learning during the pandemic are likely to be long-lasting, and so the top tips identified in this article have relevance to and beyond possible future disruptions to the higher education learning experience. We discuss four elements to support a successful and meaningful online learning experience: 1) Carefully managing time and balancing different tasks; 2) Staying motivated and rewarding yourself on completion of tasks; 3) Engaging and participating with online learning materials and classes, related to the effective use of online tools to study and stay in touch with peers and staff; 4) Engaging in professional development opportunities and seeking help and support when needed. Following the advice in this article will enable you to approach your studies with confidence, leading to a positive and meaningful learning experience.

In 2019, the Higher Education Research Group (HERG) formally became the Geography and Education Research Group (GeogEd). What may appear as a simple change in name masks a renewed understanding of the synergies between geography education (at all levels) and the geographies of education. In this paper we contextualise that change through the relationships between the two inter-related fields. We suggest that these fields are integrally linked, iteratively and reciprocally, and that research across both is vital for a truly holistic understanding of each. We reflect on the discussions and process of forming the new Geography and Education Research Group, which we trust is sensitive to the historic remit of HERG while being inclusive to those working in geography and education beyond higher education. We conclude by looking ahead to a renewed, inclusive, and progressive Research Group, aspiring to be more diverse and enabling fruitful discussions across the geography and education nexus.

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) teleconnection is often cited as the leading mode of climate variability in Great Britain. The NAO has been found to produce significant rainfall deviations that vary in space and time. This study sought to analyse the effect of the NAO at the catchment scale across a large number of catchments in Great Britain across a long study period (1900–2015). We first quantify the effect of the NAO on rainfall and streamflow at a monthly scale, revealing distinctive spatio-temporal patterns under positive and negative phases of the NAO. Through a comparison of correlation analyses we also explore whether catchment characteristics moderate the propagation of NAO–rainfall deviations to streamflow, and classify catchments based on their resilience and susceptibility to NAO–rainfall deviations. In summary, our analyses combined contribute to an improved understanding of the hydrometeorological impact of the NAO in British catchments.

The opening paper in our special section sets the scene for the discussions that follow by evidencing and reflecting upon the history of the Higher Education Research Group. We report on the purpose of the Group when it was established in the late 1970s as the Higher Education Learning Working Party, and trace its development to late 2019 when its members voted to change the name of the Group to the Geography and Education Research Group. Through a systematic analysis of the annual reports published in Area (from 1980 to 1994) and the minutes of the Annual General Meetings (from 1998 to 2019), alongside personal correspondence with former members of the Committee, we explore the history of the Group. We contend that the Group has passed through four distinct phases related to the broader geography and education context. The recent re-naming of the Group to publicly codify and celebrate the diversity of links between geography and education represents a fifth phase in the Group’s evolution. Throughout its history, the Group has had strong connections with geographies (and geographers) of education across a range of\ud \ud sectoral levels, indicating that this fifth evolutionary phase aligns well with the Group’s original purpose and vision.

Atmospheric-oceanic circulations (teleconnections) have an important influence on regional climate. In Great Britain, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has long been understood as the leading mode of climate variability, and its phase and magnitude have been found to influence regional rainfall in previous research. The East Atlantic Pattern (EA) is also increasingly recognised as being a secondary influence on European climate. In this study we use high resolution gridded rainfall and Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) time series data for Great Britain to map the monthly rainfall signatures of the NAO and EA over the period January 1950–December 2015. Our analyses show that the influence of the two teleconnections varies in space and time with distinctive monthly signatures observed in both average rainfall/SPI-1 values and incidences of wet/dry extremes. In the winter months the NAO has a strong influence on rainfall and extremes in the north-western regions. Meanwhile, in the southern and central regions stronger EA-rainfall relationships are present. In the summer months opposing positive/negative phases of the NAO and EA result in stronger wet/dry signatures which are more spatially consistent. Our findings suggest that both the NAO and EA have a prominent influence on regional rainfall distribution and volume in Great Britain, which in turn has implications for the use of teleconnection forecasts in water management decision making. We conclude that accounting for both NAO and EA influences will lead to an enhanced understanding of both historic and future spatial distribution of monthly precipitation.

Despite emotion being recognised as fundamental to learning, the affective aspects of learning have often been side-lined in higher education. In the context of rising student wellbeing challenges, exploring ways of supporting students and their emotions in learning is increasingly significant. Pedagogic partnerships have the potential to help students to recognise and work with their emotions in their learning in a positive manner. As such, pedagogic partnerships offer opportunities to promote resilience and enhance student wellbeing. In this paper, we develop partnership research in three ways by: 1) considering the ways in which pedagogic partnership may support students to encounter emotions and empower them to develop resilience, leading to positive wellbeing; 2) exploring how this process might be achieved in the disciplinary context of geography; and 3) developing an evidence-based model to summarise the potential effect of pedagogic partnership in enhancing student wellbeing. We draw upon two case studies of student-faculty and student-student pedagogic partnership within geography curricula in order to evidence that emotional awareness in learning comes through the joys and struggles of working in partnership. We argue that pedagogic partnership may be developed to support the wellbeing of modern-day higher education communities.

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is often cited as the primary atmospheric-oceanic circulation or teleconnection influencing regional climate in Great Britain. As our ability to predict the NAO several months in advance improves, it is important that we also continue to develop our spatial and temporal understanding of the rainfall signatures which the circulation produces.We present a novel application of spatial statistics to explore variability in monthly NAO rainfall signatures using a 5km gridded monthly Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) dataset. We first use the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic to map spatially significant hot and cold spots (clusters of high/wet and low/dry SPI values) in average monthly rainfall signatures under NAO Positive and Negative conditions over the period 1900-2015. We then look across the record and explore the temporal variability in these signatures, in other words how often a location is in a significant spatial hot/cold spot (high/low SPI) at a monthly scale under NAO Positive/Negative conditions.The two phases of the NAO are typically more distinctive in the winter months, with stronger and more variable NAO Index values. The average monthly SPI analysis reveals a north-west/south-east ‘spatial divide’ in rainfall response. NAO Positive phases result in a southerly North Atlantic Jet Stream bringing warm and wet conditions from the tropics, increasing rainfall particularly in the north-western regions. However, under NAO Negative phases which result in a northerly Jet Stream, much drier conditions in the north-west prevail. Meanwhile in the south-eastern regions under both NAO phases a weaker and opposite wet/dry signal is observed. This north-west/south-east ‘spatial divide’ is marked by the location of spatially extensive hot/cold spots. The Getis-Ord Gi* result identifies that the spatial pattern we detect in average winter rainfall is statistically significant. Looking across the record, this NW/SE opposing response appears to have a relatively high degree of spatio-temporal consistency. This suggests that there is a high probability that NAO Positive and Negative phases will result in this NW/SE statistically significant spatial pattern.Even though the phases of the NAO in the summer months are less distinctive they still produce rainfall responses which are evident in the monthly average SPI. However, the spatiality in wet/dry conditions is more homogenous across the country. In other words the ‘spatial divide’ observed in winter is diluted in summer. As a result, the occurrence of significant hot/cold spots is more variable in space and time.Our analysis demonstrates a novel application of the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic which allows for spatially significant patterns in the monthly SPI data to be mapped for each NAO phase. In winter months particularly, this analysis reveals statistically significant opposing rainfall responses, which appear to have long-term spatio-temporal consistency. This is important because as winter NAO forecasting skill improves, the findings of our research enable a more spatially reliable estimate of the likely impacts of NAO-influenced rainfall distribution.

Locally nuanced community-based shallow groundwater management interventions have proven important in saline and sodic monsoonal regions. A mixed methods approach characterizes achievement of regeneration of the formerly degraded socio-ecological system of Laporiya village in the semi-arid Salt Lake region of Rajasthan state (India), with a focus on locally adapted chauka systems. Local people are key participants and agents as well as principal beneficiaries of innovative nature-based management interventions. Technological innovations and governance are adapted to environmental processes and local livelihood priorities, resisting imposed engineered solutions. Findings are transferrable to dryland areas facing similar challenges of declining water and livelihood security.

The resolution of satellite of satellite-derived soil moisture data products has matured, notably in recent years due to the Soil Moisture Active Passive mission (SMAP) launched in 2015. Whilst spatial resolutions still fall short of those suitable for field-scale monitoring, there are several ‘value-added’ RS soil moisture products available at the regional (e.g. SMAP: 36km) to meso-scale (e.g. SMAP: 9km) resolution. Although the intended 3km scale SMAP product did not materialise due to the failure of the L-Band radar, a potential substitute product has recently become available (Das et al. 2019). The SMAP-Sentinel1 product combines data from SMAP and C-Band Sentinel 1A/B SAR data to synthesise global soil moisture at a 3km and 1km resolution (~6 day revisit for Europe).Evaluation of these products against ground-based measurements in the USA and elsewhere is encouraging, but only preliminary evaluation has been undertaken in the United Kingdom. Evaluation is always challenging because (i) rather than a direct measurement, satellite estimates are based on other measured properties (e.g. brightness temperature) with soil moisture algorithmically inferred, (ii) ground-based measurements are highly localised in comparison with the measurement averaged over the satellites much larger pixel resolution, and (iii) satellite sensors typically estimate only surface soil moisture (0-5cm).The COSMOS-UK network, under development since 2013, provides high resolution soil moisture data at 51 sites in the UK, corresponding to a variety of climatic, soil and land cover settings. Sites typically contain soil moisture probes at a variety of depths (including 10cm) as well as a cosmic ray sensor. The latter integrates soil moisture over an area of ~12ha, and while not matching the spatial scale or soil depth of satellite measurements, it does avoid some of the field-scale heterogeneity issues associated with point-based measurements.The 9km SMAP L3 product performs well against 10cm soil probe measurements at most sites (>70% at ubRMSE

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is one of the primary atmospheric circulations which influence weather patterns in Great Britain. Its two phases (either positive or negative depending on differences in sea level pressure) result in characteristic precipitation patterns, the effects of which cascade down to signatures in streamflow. However, in relation to streamflow response to the NAO, these studies have been spatio-temporally limited as they have been undertaken using a small number of measurement sites with relatively short records.The release of new historic datasets from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) provides a new opportunity to undertake a broad spatio-temporal analysis of the relationship between NAO and streamflow. This research used reconstructed daily flows for 291 catchments and the associated Standardised Streamflow Index (SSI) to explore the relationship between the North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI) for the period January 1900-November 2015. Spearman correlations were calculated at monthly intervals between the NAOI and SSI (with a 1-month accumulation period), and the historic flows dataset was used to explore the variability in flows across the catchments under NAO+ and NAO- phases.This analysis revealed distinct wet and dry spatio-temporal signatures in streamflow. The winter months are characterised by a north-west and south-east divide in this relationship; catchments in the northern and western regions show strong positive correlations between the NAOI and SSI and NAO+ is associated with higher than normal flows in many north-western catchments, and vice versa under NAO-. While catchments in the south-eastern and central regions are negatively correlated and therefore show and opposite wet-dry response. However, during the summer months, while there are some wet-dry signatures under NAO positive/negative phases - the reverse to that seen in winter, almost all catchments show weak NAOI-SSI negative correlation values. Finally, we compare the wet-dry responses to the NAO observed in streamflow to NAO-precipitation patterns, measured via correlations between the NAOI and Standardised Precipitation Index with a 1-month accumulation period over the same study period. The two sets of correlations (NAO-SPI and NAO-SSI) were analysed for spatio-temporal similarity through a Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) analysis and a space-time clustering analysis. This revealed that in winter, as described above, the correlations with SPI and SSI generally behave similarly during the winter months – i.e. the wet-dry signatures in rainfall cascade down and are identifiable in streamflow patterns. In the summer months the NAOI-SPI correlations for the majority of catchments are negative. In the NAOI-SSI correlations, the summer values, while still negative, are notably weaker. The catchments with the weakest NAOI-SSI correlations are those generally in the central/southern region. These catchments have very slow response times due to their characteristics which may moderate the NAO wet/dry rainfall deviation.

This paper, written by two former Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Leaders and a PAL Tutor, will support any geographer considering a PAL role. It reflects our experiences of participating in a PAL scheme at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK, and research conducted with Geography PAL Leaders over two academic years (2012-2014). Overall, we found being a PAL Leader was positive, good fun, sociable and had positive benefits in terms of professional development. As such, we encourage you to get involved in your institutional PAL schemes.

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has been long studied as the primary teleconnection affecting the British and European climate. However, previous studies have focused on extremes or have been spatially and temporally limited. In recent years, our ability to predict the NAO has improved. Also, new research is emerging, suggesting that the NAO is a key driver of hydrological extremes. These factors mean that there is a renewed value in enhancing our understanding of how the NAO influences general rainfall patterns. In this study, we spatially analyse correlations between NAO indices and monthly rainfall data and the Standardised Precipitation Index. We also map mean monthly rainfall differences under NAO-positive and -negative conditions. Based on our results, we identify three main observations: (I) there is sensitivity in the rainfall patterns to the chosen NAO index; (II) there is a clear winter north/west and south/east divide in rainfall patterns; and (III) the NAO does have an effect on summer rainfall patterns, although the spatiality of these patterns is less distinctive than in winter. As far as we are aware, this is the first national scale, monthly NAO–rainfall analysis undertaken for a long period.

Essay writing is a fundamental skill for many students, in geography as well as other disciplines. Being able to write a successful essay is important academically, but the transferable skills and attributes you develop are equally as important for professional life after study. Writing an essay allows you to assess your own personal response to a question and deepen your learning about a topic. In so doing, it provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge you have gained and show your understanding. This article has been written by a student and staff team and is aimed at an undergraduate student audience. We will take you through the full process of ‘writing’ an academic essay, from developing your understanding of the essay title or question, to preparing your first draft, seeking and acting on feedback, through to concluding your essay. While focusing on coursework essays, much of our advice will be relevant to examination essays. Throughout this article we will include top tips from students, using their voice to highlight what has worked for them.

The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which Sentinel-2 Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) reflects soil moisture conditions, and whether this product offers an improvement over Landsat-8. Based on drought exposure, cloud-free imagery availability, and measured soil moisture, five sites in the Southwestern United States were selected. These sites, normally dry to arid, were in various states of drought. A secondary focus was therefore the performance of the NDVI under extreme conditions. Following supervised classification, the NDVI values for one-kilometre radius areas were calculated. Sentinel-2 NDVI variants using Spectral Bands 8 (10 m spatial resolution), 5, 6, 7, and 8A (20 m spatial resolution) were calculated. Landsat-8 NDVI was calculated at 30 m spatial resolution. Pearson correlation analysis was undertaken for NDVI against moisture at various depths. To assess the difference in correlation strength, a principal component analysis was performed on the combination of all bands and the combination of the new red-edge bands. Performance of the red-edge NDVI against the standard near infrared (NIR) was then evaluated using a Steiger comparison. No significant correlations between Landsat-8 NDVI and soil moisture were found. Significant correlations at depths of less than 30 cm were present between Sentinel-2 NDVI and soil moisture at three sites. The remaining two sites were characterised by low vegetation cover, suggesting a cover threshold of approximately 30&ndash, 40% is required for a correlation to be present. At all sites of significant positive moisture to NDVI correlation, the linear combination of the red-edge bands produced stronger correlations than the poorer spectral but higher spatial resolution band. NDVI calculated using the higher spectral resolution bands may therefore be of greater use in this context than the higher spatial resolution option. Results suggest potential for the application of Sentinel-2 NDVI in soil moisture monitoring, even in extreme environments. To the best of our knowledge, this paper represents the first study of this kind using Sentinel-2.

This is the second of two Directions articles, which together offer guidance to help you gain the maximum benefit from participating in institutional and national multi-disciplinary undergraduate research conferences. The article focuses on how to make the most of these excellent opportunities when you are participating. To do this, you need to understand the importance of networking and engaging with the full conference programme. You also need to be able to identify and action the principles of effective research communication. This paper will provide you with the information you need to work through this process.

This is the first of two articles that offer guidance to help you maximize the benefits from participating in multi-disciplinary conferences. In this paper, we explain why you might wish to participate, identify the usual conference format and preparation process, and talk you through the steps you should take to prepare an effective verbal or poster presentation.

Drought is a common hydrometeorological phenomenon and a pervasive global hazard. As our climate changes, it is likely that drought events will become more intense and frequent. Effective drought monitoring is therefore critical, both to the research community in developing an understanding of drought, and to those responsible for drought management and mitigation. Over the past 50 years remote sensing has shifted the field away from reliance on traditional site-based measurements and enabled observations and estimates of key drought-related variables over larger spatial and temporal scales than was previously possible. This has proven especially important in data poor regions with limited in-situ monitoring stations. Available remotely sensed data products now represent almost all aspects of drought propagation and have contributed to our understanding of the phenomena. In this review we chart the rise of remote sensing for drought monitoring, examining key milestones and technologies for assessing meteorological, agricultural and hydrological drought events. We reflect on challenges the research community has faced to date, such as limitations associated with data record length and spatial, temporal and spectral resolution. This review then looks ahead to the future in terms of new technologies, such as the ESA Sentinel satellites, analytical platforms and approaches, such as Google EarthEngine, and the utility of existing data in new drought monitoring applications. We look forward to the continuation of 50 years of progress to provide effective, innovative and efficient drought monitoring solutions utilising remote sensing technology.

Jack, Meadows. Innovation in information: twenty years of the British Library Research and Development Department Kinnell, Margaret and MacDougall, Jennifer. Meeting the marketing challenge: strategies for public libraries and leisure services Baverstock, Alison. Are books different? Marketing in the book trade Smith, John W T (Editor). Internet world & document delivery world international

Increasingly, metropolitan communities are recognizing the importance and potential of multi-jurisdictional, participatory planning. The experiences of the Atlanta and Oklahoma City regions dramatize the value of broad inclusion and partnering across sectors. Diverse participation also aids in mobilizing the resources and institutions needed for implementation.

A computer graphics based advisory system has been developed to aid in the design and manufacture of submarine hulls. The design and manufacture advisor incorporates models of the materials (steel) and processes (bump forming, roll bending, welding, and fixturing) used for the manufacture of the hulls, and allows the user to explore the effect of different material qualities (described in terms of variances of thickness and yield strength), and different manufacturing parameters (punch penetration, punch spacing, and number of fixtures, for example) on the resulting quality (circularity) of the hull section. By "designing through manufacture" in this way the resulting design of the submarine hull section is not just a geometric representation of the desired shape of the hull, but incorporates explicit information about the materials and processes used to create the shape, and of the quality that results from the designer's choice of materials and processes.

Many future applications of robotic systems will require manipulators to operate from moving vehicles. Such vehicles will be compliant in comparison to the rigid bases on which most manipulators are mounted today. Base compliance can seriously degrade system performance. Statically base compliance may lead to error in the position of the end effector, and dynamically base compliance may interact with the motion of the manipulator and impair the stability of the system. The accuracy of the manipulator may be improved by modelling the base compliance and compensating for its deflection. Further improvement in accuracy may be achieved by endpoint feedback control of the position of the end effector relative to the task frame. A Vehicle Emulator System (VES) has been developed for experimental investigation of the static and dynamic behavior of manipulators mounted on compliant bases. The VES operates under admittance control and can experimentally simulate a wide variety of linear and non-linear six-degree-of-freedom compliances. A series of experiments are described that use modelling of the base compliance and end point control to achieve precise positioning of the end effector of a manipulator manipulator mounted on a compliant base.