http://wlv.openrepository.com/wlv WIRE captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material. Search the Channel search http://wlv.openrepository.com/wlv/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/2436/93942 Title: A genre analysis of the processes of professional document design<br/><br/>Authors: Wheatley, John<br/><br/>Description: Digitized version available at EThOS, British Library Electronic Theses Online Service http://hdl.handle.net/2436/93940 Title: High selectivity and affinity of Linde type F towards NH+4 on application as a soil amendment for maize growth<br/><br/>Authors: Jakkula,Vijay S.; Williams, Craig D.; Hocking, Trevor J.; Fullen, Michael A.<br/><br/>Abstract: Linde type F (LTF) the synthetic form of edingtonite (EDI) was synthesised in K form and ion exchanged with NH4NO3. Zeolite wasthen characterised before and after ion exchange by XRD, XRF, TGA and SEM. Ammonium exchanged LTF was introduced as a soilamendment (1%, 2% and 4% zeolite to soil loadings) to look at growth of maize plant (Zea mays) and compared with a control comprisingof NPK fertiliser added soil. Results showed LTF had a very high selectivity upon ion exchange and high affinity when introducedas a soil amendment towards NH+4. Results were promising for ion exchange reactions in a zeolite–soil system, whereby cations present insoil exchanged for K+ more freely than NH+4 present in the LTF framework. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/93930 Title: A superior kind of hobby : women managers in the John Lewis Partnership 1918-1950<br/><br/>Authors: Faraday, Judith<br/><br/>Abstract: During the interwar period, a radical departure from earlier traditional management practices in British department stores can be identified. Increasing trade, combined with the introduction of new systems and stock, required a dramatic increase in the number and calibre of managers employed to run the shops. Using a case study approach, this thesis will identify the reasons for the implementation of a new recruitment and employment strategy. For the John Lewis Partnership, it considers how this translated into jobs and opportunities for middle-class educated women, a group of workers whose experience of the work place has previously received little academic attention. It assesses the contribution the women made to the overall development of the company. Addressing the social and practical issues which surrounded their employment, with specific reference to staff turnover, pay and conditions, the thesis considers how these recruits were perceived by their employer, their peers and by themselves. It presents a group of workers who entered and often left the workplace after achieving levels of managerial status. It identifies the influence these women were able to exert on their employers, creating and retaining their position within specialist fields of employment and dominating the middle management of the John Lewis Partnership during the period 1918 - 1950.<br/><br/>Description: A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Master of Philosophy http://hdl.handle.net/2436/93918 Title: Summary of teaching and research activities on the Hilton experimental site, East Shropshire, 1976-2010<br/><br/>Authors: Fullen, Michael A.<br/><br/>Abstract: The Hilton Experimental Site is used for a range of studies on soil erosion and conservation and for studies on water, sediment and solute dynamics within the 40 km2 Claverley Brook Catchment. The site is located 15 km west of Wolverhampton and 8 km east of Bridgnorth at 52o33’05.7”N, 2o19’18.3”W (U.K. National Grid Reference SO778952). It covers 0.52 hectares (5,214 m2) and has an upper elevation of 67.46 metres O.D.. The soil is a loamy sand (Psammept) of the Bridgnorth series. The site was established in 1976 and possesses a meteorological station, 21 runoff plots and soil moisture measuring equipment, including lysimeters. Stream monitoring equipment includes an Ott stage recorder at a rated section, an automatic water sampler and bedload traps. The Hilton Site supports undergraduate, postgraduate and staff research programmes.<br/><br/>Description: First Version January 2000Updated July 2000, June 2001, January 2002, October 2002, January 2003, September 2003,November 2005, March 2006, June 2006, October 2006, March 2007, July 2007, October 2007, January 2009, June 2009, March 2010 http://hdl.handle.net/2436/93882 Title: Soil conservation in relation to maize productivity on sub-tropical red soils in Yunnan Province, China<br/><br/>Authors: Milne, Eleanor<br/><br/>Abstract: Agricultural land in China is being degraded, with soil erosion becoming anincreasing problem. In Yunnan Province, south-west China, there is a long history ofsoil erosion due to soil type, climate, anthropogenic influence and because 95% of theProvince is mountainous. Population pressure and lack of flat land necessitatecultivation of steep slopes. The Yunnan Government prohibits cultivation of slopes>25°, however policy enforcement would result in food shortages in the Province, dueto a lack of suitable land <25°. Therefore, the most appropriate way to curb soilerosion in Yunnan is to devise affordable agronomic means of reducing soil loss,which do not decrease crop productivity on sloping land currently under cultivation.At present, very little research has addressed these issues.A research project, building on existing work from 1993-1996, was initiated in 1998.The aim was to test the hypothesis that contour cultivation and contour cultivationplus straw mulch decrease runoff and soil erosion rates on sloping land in YunnanProvince under maize cultivation and to assess the impact of these conservationmeasures on maize productivity and soil nutrient status. Thirty runoff plots, located onthree different slope angles (I 3°, II 10° and III 27°), in three groups of 10, were usedto examine three cropping treatments in a replicated plot design in 1998 and 1999.Treatments were downslope cultivation (control), contour cultivation and contourcultivation plus straw mulch. In addition, there was an unreplicated bare plot in eachgroup. Runoff and soil loss were measured on a storm-by-storm basis. Soil nutrientstatus was measured at the beginning and end of each cropping season. Crop growthparameters and soil physical properties were measured throughout the croppingseasons (21/05–7/10 in 1998 and 22/05–2/10 in 1999).In 1998, seasonal rainfall was 1024 mm, ~28% greater than the 30-year mean. Soilloss was significantly reduced by contour cultivation on Slopes I and II. On Slope I,downslope cultivation produced 3.07 t ha-1 soil loss and contour cultivation reducedthis by 81.4 %. On Slope II, downslope cultivation produced 19.11 t ha-1 and contourcultivation reduced this by 58.0%. The addition of straw mulch gave a further, nonsignificant,reduction on both slopes. On Slope III, downslope cultivation and contourcultivation produced 6.92 and 6.29 t ha-1 of soil loss, respectively, with contour cultivation plus straw mulch having 99.4% less erosion than downslope cultivation. Inthe much drier 1999 season, no treatment significantly reduced soil loss on Slope I.Contour cultivation significantly reduced soil loss on Slopes II and III. On Slope II,downslope and contour cultivation produced 11.52 t ha-1 of soil loss and contourcultivation reduced this by 85.8%. On Slope III, downslope and contour cultivationproduced 8.62 and 0.23 t ha-1, respectively; a reduction of 97.3% by contourcultivation. The addition of straw mulch did not further decrease soil loss.Treatment effects on soil nutrient status varied between the two years. At the end ofthe 1998 season, there was significantly higher soil available N under contourcultivation plus straw mulch on all three slopes (Slopes I and II P <0.001, Slope IIIP <0.05), an effect that was not found in 1999. At the end of the 1999 season, soilavailable K was significantly (P <0.001) higher under contour cultivation plus strawmulch on Slope III. In both years, contour cultivation plus straw mulch significantlyreduced soil temperature. However, this did not result in yield reductions incomparison with the control. There was an increase in soil moisture content undercontour cultivation plus straw mulch during dry periods, which was particularlynoticeable in 1999. In 1998, there were no significant treatment effects on grain orshoot yield. In 1999, on Slope II, contour cultivation plus straw mulch significantlyincreased grain yield by 50.3% compared with the downslope treatment (P <0.05). In1999, contour cultivation plus straw mulch also significantly increased leaf plus stemyield on Slopes I and II by 12.4 and 36.8%, respectively. It is concluded that on ≤10° slopes, contour cultivation alone is a suitable soilconservation measure. However, use of straw mulch would benefit soil moisture andnutrient status and could, therefore, increase crop yield. On ≥27° slopes, it isrecommended that contour cultivation plus straw mulch be used as a soil conservationmeasure to ensure maximum soil conservation, even in extreme rainfall conditions.<br/><br/>Description: A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor ofPhilosophy http://hdl.handle.net/2436/93796 Title: Construction for a sustainable environment<br/><br/>Authors: Sarsby, Robert W.; Meggyes, T.<br/><br/>Abstract: The past fifty years have seen rapid development of public and governmental awareness of environmental issues. Engineers and scientists have made tangible contributions to environmental protection. However, further theoretical and practical developments are necessary to address mankind’s growing demands on the environment. Construction for a Sustainable Environment includes recent developments relating to construction and the environment, including: (1) engineered disposal of wastes; (2) treatment of contaminated and derelict land; (3) sustainable construction and infrastructure; (4) supporting the natural environment. Construction for a Sustainable Environment presents clear evidence that common sustainability issues are encountered throughout the world and that only a concerted, international and interdisciplinary approach can tackle these issues.<br/><br/>Description: Proceedings of the Green5 Conference, Vilnius, Lithuania 1 July - 4 July 2008 http://hdl.handle.net/2436/93795 Title: Evaluation of biological geotextiles for reduction of runoff and soil loss<br/><br/>Authors: Smets, T.; Poesen, Jean; Bhattacharyya, Ranjan; Fullen, Michael A.; Booth, Colin A.; Subedi, Madhu; Kertész, Á.; Szalai, Z.; Toth, A.; Jankauskas, Benediktas; Jankauskiene, G.; Bühmann, C.,; Guerra, A.J.T.; Bezerra, J. F. R.; Zheng, Yi; Panomtaranichagul, Mattiga<br/><br/>Abstract: The objective of the work reported is to evaluate the effectiveness of selected types of biological geotextile in reducing runoff and soil lossin continental, temperate and tropical environments. Laboratory simulations used various rainfall intensities, flow shear stresses and slope gradient and field plot data were collected from seven countries. The laboratory experiments indicate that all tested biological geotextiles are effective in reducing interrill runoff (32-73% of the value for bare soil) and interrill erosion rates (5-27 % of the value for bare soil). Since simulated concentrated flow discharge sometimes flows below the geotextiles, their effectiveness in reducing concentrated flow erosion is significantly less (25-153% of the value for bare soil). On field plots, where both interrill and rill erosion occur, all tested geotextiles reduced runoff depth on average to 17-63 % of the control value for bare soil and in some cases, runoff depth increased compared to bare soil surfaces, which can be attributed to the impermeable and hydrophobic characteristics of some biological geotextiles. In the field, soil loss rates due to interrill and rill erosion were reduced on average to 5-20 % of the value of bare soil by the biological geotextiles. For all environmental conditions, the relative reduction of both runoff and soil loss by geotextiles compared to bare soil, increased with increasing rainfall depth. Runoff depths are significantly more reduced by Buriti and Rice straw geotextiles on the longer field plots (6-10 m) compared to the short interrill laboratory plots (0.9 m). Only the Rice straw geotextiles are significantly more effective in reducing soil loss on the longer field plots compared to the short interrill laboratory plot.<br/><br/>Description: Proceedings of the Green5 Conference, Vilnius, Lithuania 1 July - 4 July 2008 http://hdl.handle.net/2436/93794 Title: Rainfall simulator study of the erosion control potential of palm geotextiles for mine dam slope stabilization<br/><br/>Authors: Bühmann, C.,; Paterson, G.; Pienaar, G.M.E.; Nell, J.P.; Mulibana, N.E.; van Deventer, P.W.; Fullen, Michael A.; Subedi, Madhu; Sarsby, Robert W.<br/><br/>Abstract: Mining has been the backbone of the South African economy since the late 19th century. Large volumes of mine waste, such as tailings, have been generated in some areas. Mine waste is highly susceptible to both water and wind erosion, it may create moderate to severe chemical imbalances or toxicities and has a severe abrasive effect on seedlings, a low water-holding capacity and is prone to compaction and crusting. Biogeotextiles are potentially effective and economically-viable erosion control products. The main objective of the study reported herein was to establish the erosion control properties of palm-mats by determining erosion-related variables via rainfall simulation. The textiles were manufactured from the leaves of the Lala palm (Hyphaene coriacea) and covered about 40% of the tailing surface. Ten representative samples of South African mine waste materials were collected for the rainfall simulator studies. Measured erosion parameters included; runoff, sediment load in runoff and interrill erodibility. Seven samples were sand-textured and three were silty. Sediment load was not dependent on exchangeable sodium or organic matter contents, but prominently associated with pH, silt percentage and the quartz content in the clay fraction. When the samples were covered with palm-mats the amount of runoff was similar to that of bare materials, but sediment yield was reduced by about 55%. These results confirm the suitability of palm geotextiles for erosion control on tailing dam slopes.<br/><br/>Description: Proceedings of the Green5 Conference, Vilnius, Lithuania 1 July - 4 July 2008 http://hdl.handle.net/2436/93789 Title: Effects of tobacco waste tipping on the Sefton coastal dunes (North-West England)<br/><br/>Authors: Millington, J. A.; Booth, Colin A.; Fullen, Michael A.; Trueman, Ian C.; Worsley, Annie T.; Richardson, Nigel; Newton, M.; Lymbery, G.; Wisse, P.; Brockbank, A.<br/><br/>Abstract: Between 1956-1974, the British Nicotine Company Ltd tipped some 22,000 tonnes per year of wet tobacco waste onto the Sefton coastal sand dunes, at Formby, North-West England. The effect on the natural dune vegetation is evident by a dense coverage of non-native stinging nettles (Uritica dioica), displacing native flora species, such as sand sedge (Carex arenaria) and marram grass (Ammophilia arenaria), on this internationally-recognized calcareous dune system. In turn, this is affecting current coastal processes, as dune building has been interrupted by the presence of vegetation less capable of trapping sand than native dune species. Resultant dune deflation has caused the shoreline to migrate landwards, exposing the tobacco waste, thus creating eroding cliffs (up to 3 m high) of waste and depositing it on the beach. The National Trust advocates the wide understanding of the importance of such natural coastal processes and therefore accepts dune rollback as a positive process in tobacco waste management, rather than the costly total removal strategy.<br/><br/>Description: Proceedings of the Green5 Conference, Vilnius, Lithuania 1 July - 4 July 2008 http://hdl.handle.net/2436/93783 Title: The BORASSUS Project: towards an integrated approach to soil conservation<br/><br/>Authors: Fullen, Michael A.<br/><br/>Abstract: Field and laboratory studies indicate that utilization of biogeotextile mats constructed from palm-leaves and other selected organic materials are an effective, sustainable and economically-viable soil conservation technique. The three-year plus (01 July 2005-28 February 2009) EU-funded BORASSUS Project (Contract Number INCO-CT-2005-510745) evaluated the long-term effectiveness of biogeotextile mats in controlling soil erosion and assessed their sustainability and economic viability. These studies progressed in 10 countries, both in the ‘industrial north’ (in Europe) and in the ‘developing south’ (Africa, South America and South-East Asia). The studied countries in the ‘developing south’ included Brazil, China, The Gambia, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. The ‘industrial north’ countries included Belgium, Hungary, Lithuania and the UK. Biogeotextiles offer potentially novel bioengineering solutions to environmental problems, including technologies for soil conservation, sustainable plant production and use of indigenous plants, improved ecosystem management by decreasing deforestation, improving agroforestry and cost-effective biogeotextile applications in diverse environments. Biogeotextiles may provide socio-economic platforms for sustainable development and the benefits for developing countries may include poverty alleviation, engagement of local people as stakeholders, employment for disadvantaged groups, small and medium enterprise (SME) development, earning hard currency, environmental education and local community involvement in land reclamation and environmental education programmes. These benefits are achieved through: (a) promotion of sustainable and environmentally-friendly palm-agriculture to discourage deforestation, promoting both reforestation and agroforestry; (b) construction of biogeotextiles enabling development of a rural labour-intensive industry, particularly encouraging employment of socially-disadvantaged groups and (c) export of biogeotextiles to industrialized countries could earn hard currency for developing economies, based on the principles of fair trade. Research and development activities of the BORASSUS Project have improved our knowledge on the effect of biogeotextile mats on the micro- and macro- soil environments and at larger scales through controlled laboratory and field experiments in diverse environments.<br/><br/>Description: Proceedings of the Green5 Conference, Vilnius, Lithuania 1 July - 4 July 2008