Arid regions tend to take careful measures to ensure water supplies are secured to consumers, to help provide the basis for further development. The distribution network is the most expensive part of the water supply infrastructure and it must maintain performance during unexpected incidents. Many aspects of performance have previously been discussed separately, including reliability, vulnerability, flexibility and resilience. This study aimed to develop a framework to bring together these aspects as found in the literature and industry practice, and bridge the gap between them. Semi-structured interviews with water industry experts were used to examine the presence and understanding of robustness factors. Thematic analysis was applied to investigate these and inform a conceptual framework including the component and topological levels. Robustness was described by incorporating network reliability and resiliency. The research focused on resiliency as a network-level concept derived from flexibility and vulnerability. To utilise this new framework, the study explored graph theory to formulate metrics for flexibility and vulnerability that combine network topology and hydraulics. The flexibility metric combines hydraulic edge betweenness centrality, representing hydraulic connectivity, and hydraulic edge load, measuring utilised capacity. Vulnerability captures the impact of failures on the ability of the network to supply consumers, and their sensitivity to disruptions, by utilising node characteristics, such as demand, population and alternative supplies. These measures together cover both edge (pipe) centric and node (demand) centric perspectives. The resiliency assessment was applied to several literature benchmark networks prior to using a real case network. The results show the benefits of combining hydraulics with topology in robustness analysis. The assessment helps to identify components or sections of importance for future expansion plans or maintenance purposes. The study provides a novel viewpoint overarching the gap between literature and practice, incorporating different critical factors for robust performance.

Looking over a tidal wetland, the tidal network characterised by its intricate system of bifurcating, blind-ended tidal courses clearly stands out from the overall landscape. This tidal landform exerts a fundamental control on the morphology and ecology within the tidal environment. With today’s recognition of the ecological, economical and societal values provided by tidal wetlands, which has been notably reflected in the development of restoration management strategies across Europe and USA, there is a need to fully understand the nature and development of tidal networks as well as their relationships with associated landforms and biotic components (e.g. vegetation), to eventually guarantee the success of current and future restoration practices. Accordingly, this research aims to bring further insights into the bio-physical controls on the geomorphology of tidal networks. To this end, a combination of remote sensing, modelling and field activities was employed. A geo-spatial analysis was performed at Queen Mary, University of London (UK), to address the variability of tidal network patterns. A series of network scale morphometric variables was extracted using airborne LiDAR data among selected tidal networks across the UK depicting different planview morphologies, and supplemented with the collection of corresponding marsh scale environmental variables from published sources. Multivariate statistics were then performed to characterise the variability of tidal network patterns and identify the inherent environmental controls. The analysis has revealed that every network type can be characterised based upon measures of network size and complexity, with each network pattern depicting proper morphometric aspects. Particularly, the stream Strahler order and the median depth of the network main channel have the highest discriminating weight on the patterns investigated. High correlation between the latter variable and network main channel width has revealed that linear, linear-dendritic and dendritic networks followed a transitional gradient in their aspect ratio approximated by a power law and thus are seen to depict similar erosional processes. To the contrary, meandering networks clearly depart from this relationship, and show particular segregation in their aspect ratios with respect to dendritic networks. Globally, differentiation on network morphometric properties has been linked to environmental conditions specific to the marsh physiographic setting within which a tidal network develops. Conceptually, tidal networks seem to adapt to marsh environmental conditions by adopting suitable morphologies to drain their tidal basin effectively. An eco-geomorphic modelling framework was developed at University of Trento (Italy), to address tidal network morphological development. In line with current theories as well as modelling advances and challenges in the field of tidal network ontogeny, emphasis was thus placed on the investigation of tidal channel formation and evolution in progressive marsh accretional context. Under these environmental conditions, tidal network development can be ascribed to the combination of two channel-forming processes: channel initiation results from bottom incisions in regions where topographic depressions occur; channel elaboration results from differential deposition, contributing to the deepening of the tidal channels relative to the adjacent marsh platform. Further evolutionary stages including channel reduction proceed from the horizontal progradation of the marsh platform which may lead eventually to channel infilling. Moreover, both qualitative and quantitative results allude to an acceleration of the morphological development of the synthetic tidal networks with increasing sediment supply. These different observations thus emphasise the prevalence of depositional processes in shaping tidal channels. In a second stage, the investigation was extended to the role of the initial tidal flat morphology as an inherent control on tidal network development, by considering different scenarios of topographic perturbations, which has revealed its legacy on tidal network morphological features. Modelling experiments have also acknowledged salt marsh macrophytes as a potential control on network evolution depending on their biomass distribution within the tidal frame. However, tidal channel morphodynamcis appears to be sensitive to the way biomass growth is mathematically parameterised in the model. In view of the current challenges in transcribing mathematically such a dynamic process and the relevance of bio-physical interactions in driving salt marsh and tidal network evolution, a field survey was conducted in a temperate salt marsh in the Netherlands, as part of the mobility to UNESCO-IHE (Netherlands) in partnership with University of Antwerp (Belgium), to assess vegetation distribution and productivity in the tidal frame. Particularly, emphasis was placed on extending investigations on the possible presence of relationships involving vegetation properties in different climatic and ecological conditions from those characterising these previously documented relationships. Regression analysis has revealed that biomass growth can be expressed as a linear function of marsh relative elevation, providing therefore direct empirical validation for corresponding assumptions reported in the literature and used in the present modelling framework; surprisingly, that increase did not correlate with an increase in species richness and diversity. Analysis of likely associations between vegetation morphometrics and total standing biomass yielded only a single linear relationship linking the latter variable to stem height. In truth, these observations may bear reconsiderations on the global validity of the assumptions used in the formulation of some eco-geomorphic processes which are applied in the study and prediction of wetland resiliency facing climate change.

The global retail business is extremely dynamic and this brings new issues in front of us and deserves responsibilities to address those issues. The Textile Retail Business is also experiencing this change as the whole retail textile supply chain has already become globalized with the time especially in terms of sourcing of raw materials and production as well. This phenomenon has raised the questions of threats regarding sustainability and resiliency of the supply chain. Today‘s retailers are working closely with these topics in a competition basis to achieve competitive advantages in their supply chain. This dissertation aims to sketch out the possible latent challenges for which the companies prefer to work with a scattered supply chain in terms of different geographical location as it involves lot of time, transportation and risks too and it additionally disputes the total environmental and resilient approach of the supply chain and moreover to validate the inter-relation between ecological sustainability and resiliency of the supply chain. Based on the case study on two companies having different sizes but similar values towards environment which are also located in different geographical region, we have tried to find out the answers. Companies build up supply chain firstly evaluating flexibility and resiliency of their own supply chain only by considering the technology availability, quality and pricing involved with the product and then they want to be sustainable and resilient by addressing other issues. The main challenges for the companies to alter their position are the product specific characteristics, availability of know-how and the suitable process cost involved with product. It has proposed for the companies who are working with numerous supply chains located in different geographical location to do some adjustments among their nearby suppliers for a typical product on experimental basis especially providing technological and logistics support to their suppliers to attain more concrete approach towards their values that they believe. / Program: Magisterutbildning i Applied Textile Management

ABSTRACTThe global retail business is always changing and this change brings new issues in front of us and deserves responsibilities to address these issues. The Textile Retail Business is also experiencing this change as the whole retail textile supply chain has already become globalized with the time especially in terms of sourcing of raw materials and production as well. This phenomenon has raised the questions of threats regarding sustainability and resiliency of the supply chain. Today’s retailers are working closely with these topics in a competition basis to achieve competitive advantages in their supply chain. This dissertation aims to sketch out the possible latent challenges for which the companies prefer to work with a scattered supply chain in terms of different geographical location as it involves lot of time, transportation and business risks. Additionally this scattered supply chain disputes the environmental and resilient approach of the total chain. Moreover, we try to shed light to validate the inter-relation between ecological sustainability and resiliency of the supply chain. Based on the case study on two companies having different sizes but similar values towards environment which are also located in different geographical region, we have tried to find out the answers. Companies build up supply chain firstly evaluating flexibility and resiliency of their own supply chain only by considering the technology availability, quality and pricing involved with the product and then they want to be sustainable and resilient by addressing other issues. The main challenges for the companies to alter their position are the product specific characteristics, availability of knowhow and the suitable process cost involved with product. It has proposed for the companies who are working with numerous supply chains located in different geographical location to do some adjustments among their nearby suppliers for a typical product on experimental basis especially providing technological and logistics support to their suppliers. / Program: Magisterutbildning i Applied Textile Management

Sport activites and their impact on the psychological resilience of a primary school age child The work is focused on the study of the relationship between the psychological resistance and the top dance sport. The aim of this paper is to verify whether is the psychological resilience in children of a primarys school age positively influenced by the top dance sport. In the theoretical part are described possible approaches to psychological resistance. Chapters ares dedicated to its definition and a list of potential diagnostic measuring methods. The study describes the relationship of sport and psychological resilience, which is based on those studies illustrated the positive impact of sport. Attention is also paid to the theoretical interpretation of the relationship of sport and children. For research are used: Mirror drawing test and questionnaires. The research confirmed the assumption that a higher resistance rate is witnessed in case of top athletes children than in the control group children. In the characteristics as adaptability - maladaptability. Higher level of resistance was confirmed when comparing the questionnaire "Self-efficacy to regulate exercise" and "Children's self-efficacy scale". Key words: psychological resiliency, primary school age child, self-efficacy, sport

This study explores the risk and resiliency factors for stress within a correctional environment and how correctional staff are impacted personally and professionally by occupational stress. Employing a qualitative research methodology, this research utilized thematic analysis to examine existing literature on stress in corrections. Study findings revealed that high levels of stress impacted the physical health, emotional well-being, family and relationships of correctional staff as well as the quality of service provided to clients. The risk factors for stress were identified as increased workload, lack of resources, time pressures, performance expectations, the culture of the criminal justice system, job experience/training, inadequate management support and dangerous working conditions. The resiliency factors utilized by correctional staff to cope with stress were divided into the themes of colleagues, family, social activities, career changes, training and organizational support and self-preservation. The themes of race, gender and neoliberalism also emerged throughout the literature and a Critical Race Feminism lens was applied to explore how these themes were interconnected with stress within a correctional environment. A deductive analysis of the themes of race, gender and neoliberalism revealed the further complicated nature of occupational stress and how racism, sexism and the infiltration of neoliberal policies contribute as risk factors for stress. / Graduate

Le contexte libanais actuel de l’enseignement est caractérisé par une pluralité de types d’établissements et par une liberté d’enseignement. Ces établissements (publics, privés, subventionnés) connaissent, chacun à son niveau, de grandes difficultés qui les menacent, et de véritables problèmes accentués par divers phénomènes sociaux, économiques et politiques. Cette réalité a des incidences notables sur l’état actuel de l’enseignement scolaire en général, sur le statut de chaque type d’école, sur le niveau professionnel des enseignants et sur les réussites scolaires. Notre étude cible les écoles subventionnées, comme constituant une originalité libanaise. C’est un secteur « compromis », situé au croisement du privé et du public, offrant une qualité d'enseignement avec une scolarité accessible à une population défavorisée. L’étude vise à voir de près les enjeux en termes d’équité éducative, et à repérer, au sein d’une situation contraignante, l’aspect militant de certains enseignants de ces écoles, visant à atténuer les sentiments d’équité (sur-équité et sous-équité) et à réduire les écarts par l’efficacité éducative. Les conditions de travail sont à l’origine d’un épuisement professionnel chez certains enseignants. Elles sont par ailleurs un moteur-défi pour d’autres enseignants qui réussissent à se développer professionnellement malgré tous les facteurs de risque. Ce phénomène s’apparente au concept de résilience éducationnelle introduit récemment dans le monde de la psychopédagogie. La résilience du personnel scolaire se présente alors comme un facteur primordial valorisant l’évolution professionnelle et l’efficacité éducative en milieux scolaires modestes et ayant à réguler, en conséquent, certaines in-équités entre apprenants et entre milieux scolaires. / The current Lebanese context of the education is characterized by a plurality of types of establishments and by a freedom of education. These establishments (public, private, subsidized) know, each at the level, of great difficulties which threaten them, and with real problems stressed by diverse social, economic and political phenomena. This reality has notable incidences on the current state of the school education generally, on the status of every type of school, on the professional level of the teachers and on the successes at school. Our study targets the subsidized schools, as constituting a Lebanese originality. It is a sector, situated in the crossing of the private and the public, offering a quality of education with an accessible schooling to a disadvantaged population. The study aims at seeing closely the stakes in terms of educational equity, and at spotting(locating), within a binding situation, the militant aspect of certain teachers of these schools, to limit(ease) the feelings of equity (on equity and sub-equity) and to reduce discard by the educational efficiency. The working conditions are at the origin of a professional exhaustion at certain teachers. They are besides an engine-challenge for other teachers who manage to develop professionally in spite of all the risk factors. This phenomenon is similar to the concept of “resiliency in education” introduced recently into the world of the education. The resiliency of the school staff appears then as an essential factor(mailman) valuing the professional evolution and the educational efficiency in modest school circles and having to regulate, in consequent, some in equities between learners and between school environment.

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The perspective of the caregiver is vital to understanding the experiences of raising a child with autism, including the challenges faced in accessing services. The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of primary caregivers raising a school-age child with autism and to bring about an understanding of the challenges faced in accessing services. Resiliency theory provided the conceptual framework for the study. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 participants raising a child with autism in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Data were analyzed using Moustakas's descriptive approach. Results yielded 5 themes: overall experience, challenges, relationships, access to services, and stressors. Findings revealed effective ways to support caregivers through programs and services and highlighted the importance of supportive relationships and family connections. Implications for social change include opening conversations regarding the unique perspectives and needs of primary caregivers of children with autism, supporting awareness of the stressors associated in daily caregiving, and engaging in broader discussions regarding the importance of establishing supportive relationships among physicians, mental health providers, specialists, social workers and care managers in order to support the advocacy efforts of caregivers.

Public administrators and civil servants working with vulnerable youth have the challenging yet critical job of supporting their young clients in overcoming adversity and achieving optimal life outcomes. Public administrators and civil servants work with vulnerable youth to help shift their trajectories toward positive life outcomes; however, if these professionals are not thriving in the workplace, they may not have the best possible positive influence on youth. Little was known about how to support the ability of professionals to experience professional thriving, defined as the experience of feeling energized at work and motivated toward professional growth and success. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the experiences that youth-serving professionals, employed by the Bermuda Government, have in transformational coaching as a first step in understanding its potential to enhance individuals' experiences of thriving at work. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 8 individuals working in public education, a subset of youth-serving public sector employees. Data were subjected to Thomas's 5-step data analysis procedure, including inductive coding and categorization of codes into themes. Findings indicated 5 common themes experienced by participants: perspective taking, responsibility and commitment, better relationships and results, personal well-being, and risk taking and growth. These themes have all previously been linked to thriving, indicating the potential for transformational coaching to positively affect workplace thriving. The positive social change implication is to provide public administration leadership with an effective professional development strategy to boost employees' potential to thrive and maximize their influence on youth.