http://theses.ncl.ac.uk/jspui/handle/10443/60 2026-04-23T06:05:20Z 2026-04-23T06:05:20Z Thaman, Narryn I J http://theses.ncl.ac.uk/jspui/handle/10443/6742 2026-04-17T14:03:50Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The development of four dimensional electrical resistivity tomography for laboratory-scale imaging of soil moisture dynamics Authors: Thaman, Narryn I J Abstract: This study considers the combination of a novel geophysical monitoring system and geotechnical point sensors for use in controlled laboratory conditions to visualise soil moisture dynamics in different engineered soils. The geophysical monitoring system, referred to here as PRIME (Proactive Infrastructure Monitoring and Evaluation system), uses electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technology to non-invasively image subsurface moisture-driven processes. The PRIME system and point sensor arrays have been developed for near real-time data acquisition of transient soil moisture conditions in a suite of soil column experiments. This research aims to provide new tools and approaches to further our understanding of soil moisture movement to better assess shallow geotechnical assets by addressing the challenges associated with designing integrated geophysical-geotechnical laboratory-scale monitoring experiments. A total of nine soil column experiments were carried out in this research. Soil moisture content, grain size and density were changed throughout the study to gauge the proficiency of time-lapse ERT for various soils. Nine soil column experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of time-lapse ERT in various soil compositions, assessing changes in moisture content, grain size, and density. One of the main challenges associated with integrating ERT in a soil column setup is the prevalence of artefacts in the time-lapse imaging. These artefacts, presenting as high or low electrical resistivity contrasts, can be a common feature in ERT surveys and are known to reduce the accuracy of the inversion. This study takes steps to reduce the tendency of artefacts in the results by systematically identifying the source of such modelling errors and adapting the 4D ERT integrated soil column design accordingly. Alongside plotting the electrical resistivity of transient soil moisture conditions in the column experiments, petrophysical relationships derived from the ERT soil columns focus on understanding the link between soil moisture content, electrical resistivity, and suction. These relationships are crucial for improving the interpretation of time-lapse ERT data and enhancing the accuracy of soil moisture monitoring in laboratory and field applications. Findings demonstrate the potential of integrating ERT with geotechnical monitoring systems to advance understanding of soil moisture movement, with applications in geotechnical asset management and environmental engineering. Description: PhD Thesis

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Thomas, Craig Scott http://theses.ncl.ac.uk/jspui/handle/10443/6741 2026-04-17T13:57:06Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Peer power : the 5th Duke of Buccleuch, land, industry and paternalism, c.1820-c.1884 Authors: Thomas, Craig Scott Abstract: This thesis investigates the understudied Buccleuch estates and their industrial context during the dukedom of the 5th Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry (1820-1884). It sets out the first industrial history of the Scottish estates, examining the evolution of trade unionism and its relation to the customary paternalism of the aristocracy which underwent a resurgence during the lifetime of the 5th Duke. It also lays out the political landscape within which the Duke operated and effectively controlled as the de-facto leader of the Conservative Party in Scotland during a tumultuous time for the party. Finally, it examines the religious history of the estates of one of the biggest private landowners in Scotland and the impact of the conversion of his wife, Duchess Charlotte Anne to Catholicism at a time of significant religious disruption in Scotland. This thesis unpacks a crucial period in Scottish history, when the country was undergoing significant social and economic change and explores the role played by the traditional (and in Scotland, exceptionally powerful) landed aristocracy. The weight of historiography has always underpinned analysis and understandings of the Highlands of Scotland: the Lowlands lack in-depth historical analysis. This allows this thesis to contribute to giving an overall picture of how Scotland developed during the Victorian period with one of the most important and notable members of the British aristocracy playing a central role. Description: PhD Thesis

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Topdaş, Muhammed http://theses.ncl.ac.uk/jspui/handle/10443/6740 2026-04-17T13:42:31Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Colonial complicity, exceptionalism, and decoloniality : an examination of Scandinavian national museums’ displays Authors: Topdaş, Muhammed Abstract: Scandinavian countries have long been perceived as havens of untouched nature, simplicity, Protestant values, social egalitarianism, and a deep-rooted democratic culture (Aronsson, 2012, p. 172). This has historically led to exceptionalist identities that view their colonial actions as relatively small and insignificant (Fur & Ipsen, 2009). However, this perspective has recently been challenged to some extent by the growing influence of the decolonial turn, resulting in a wide range of research in this area (Naum & Nordin, 2013). This thesis focuses on the colonial connections of Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Sweden, and Norway), exploring how this colonial complicity is portrayed in museum representations, specifically in displays. The study scrutinises national museums, assessing their influence on shaping exceptionalist identities and their engagement with decolonial discourses, evaluating how these institutions have initiated and incorporated decoloniality into their representations. To achieve this, the research encompasses three case studies: the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen, the Museum of World Culture in Gothenburg, and the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. The research takes into consideration the size of the museums and respectively scrutinises one exhibition from each to determine the nature of knowledge constructed through displays. Interviews with museum curators complement this analysis. Building on literature that demonstrates the Scandinavian countries' colonial relations, the thesis argues that museum displays sometimes challenge exceptionalist narratives but often fall short of being genuinely decolonial. At other times, displays demonstrate a decolonial approach yet simultaneously contribute to the reinforcement of exceptionalist ideas. In this regard, Norway’s case study aligns with the first approach, while Denmark’s resembles the second. On the other hand, Sweden’s case study stands out from Denmark and Norway by achieving a comparatively more impactful representation in both exceptionalism and decolonial approaches. This comparison shows how Scandinavian countries, which are not usually seen as colonial powers, deal with these legacies while maintaining exceptionalist narratives about their colonial involvement. Description: PhD Thesis

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Umashankar, Abishek http://theses.ncl.ac.uk/jspui/handle/10443/6739 2026-04-17T13:07:13Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Unraveling the neurological basis of Tinnitus by studying its initial onset and subsequent chronification Authors: Umashankar, Abishek Abstract: Despite tinnitus being too common and present (prevalence: 13%, remission rate: 17.1%), it is still unclear as to why tinnitus is generated and why it persists, thus making it challenging to come up with definitive treatments. For better understanding of tinnitus mechanism, it is warranted to analyse, how the tinnitus transits from its initial onset or acute stages (duration of tinnitus less than 4 weeks) until its chronic stage (duration of tinnitus greater than 6 months). We were motivated to carry out a tinnitus study with an aim to unravel the neurobiological basis of tinnitus by studying its initial onset until its subsequent chronification. We hypothesized that the neural processes such as synchrony and gain (auditory hypersensitivity) linked to tinnitus will be maximal around the onset and reduces over time as a regression to the mean. The study involved individuals with Acute Tinnitus, who were monitored longitudinally for six months post-onset, alongside individuals with Chronic Tinnitus and a Control group matched to the Acute Tinnitus cohort. Our results culminating multiple measures (subjective and objective) of tinnitus reveal that the neural processes linked solely to the tinnitus activity were maximal around the time of onset and reduced over time which is in line with our hypothesis. We further established that measures of generalized auditory sensitivity (gain) do not significantly differ between the groups. Increased dynamic range adaptation, were observed in the Acute Tinnitus group, but not in the Chronic Tinnitus or Control groups thus indicating that tinnitus is an outcome of excess auditory hyperactivity as an invariance (mitigator) to central gain through properties of increased dynamic range adaptation that tends to persist through modes of sustained attentional networks. This would explain why tinnitus generates and persists as it seeks to modulate excessive hypersensitivity within the auditory system. Description: PhD Thesis

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