This qualitative intrinsic case study explores the provision of supportive care to people with inoperable pancreatic cancer and their family carers (FCs) in England. The aim of the research was to develop recommendations for optimising supportive care provision for this cohort. Sixty semi-structured interviews were undertaken with patients, their FCs, and HCPs, between May 2022 and November 2023. Patients and FCs were recruited through English NHS sites, Pancreatic Cancer UK (PCUK), and via social media. Thirteen patients and 12 FCs took part in interviews, with several participants from both groups interviewed on multiple occasions. Twenty-four HCPs, including specialist nurses, dieticians, and oncologists, were interviewed once only. Data were analysed thematically using the Framework Approach. Fitch’s Framework for conceptualising patient and FC’s supportive care needs (1994) was used as the theoretical framework for the study. The findings show that the rapid progression of the disease and the symptom…
Neurons are unique in their capacity to build complex systems of information transfer, which comes as a product of their ability to communicate with one another. Neuronal communication occurs at biological structures known as synapses the majority of which are chemical. Chemical synapses comprise a presynaptic neuron, which releases molecular messengers such as neurotransmitters, and a postsynaptic cell, which receives these messages and respond appropriately. To perform its specific role the presynapse utilises a distinct set of proteins at a site known as the active zone, which dictates the location and timing of neurotransmitter release. These active zone functions are thought to revolve around a central protein scaffold, which is visible under electron microscopy as a structure known as the dense projection. While several of the proteins localised to these structures are known, the removal of individual components typically has limited effect on the formation of the presynaptic active zone scaffold/ dense…
With the introduction of real-life testing limitations and the advances in the simulation technology, the driver-in-the-loop type simulation environments have gained great popularity over the past decade and become the norm used in the high level of motorsport engineering for driver and vehicle development purposes. Since the tyre is a critical component affecting the overall behaviour of a road-going vehicle, tyre models offering reliable real-time simulation capabilities have therefore gained significant research interest in the field of vehicle dynamics. However, the commercialised nature of the well-developed tyre models currently available in the literature imposes a number of less than ideal limitations and constraints, which makes the implementation of the state-of-the-art methods a challenging and impractical task. The present research work investigates development of practical, high fidelity and computationally-efficient tyre models applicable for real-time simulation purposes, with the ultimate go…
Introduction: This study investigates the hypothesis that four transition fibre proteins, TFP122, TFP39, TFP104, and CEP90, regulate CEP164C recruitment to control flagellar assembly and length in Trypanosoma brucei, a paristie responsible for African trypanosomiasis. We focus on proteins within the transition fibres of the basal bodies, essential for flagellum assembly and cell division in the procyclic cycle.. In particular, CEP164C is thought to be a key organiser of the transition fibres and an integral part of the “Grow and lock model”, which prevents the old flagellum from growing and directs resources towards the new flagellum. Methodology: Trypanosoma brucei cell lines already expressing CEP164C tagged with mScarlet, each of the four transition fibre proteins (TFP122, TFP39, TFP104, and CEP90) were individually tagged with mNeonGreen. By using Inducible RNAi to deplete each protein, we were able to observe the effects on CEP164C localisation through fluorescence microscopy. Quantative analy…
The aim of this thesis was to understand the experiences of caregivers for patients with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and develop an informative resource to help support these caregivers. Literature on caregiving in other contexts (i.e. neurodegenerative diseases) has consistently shown the prevalence of caregiving burden, and how this causes a range of negative outcomes on a caregiver’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Although the number of CTE diagnoses is increasing, the impact this has on the primary caregiver is still not understood. Through conducting interviews and thematically analysing the experiences of older spousal caregivers and younger caregivers with varying relationships to the care-recipients, I explore what it is like to be a CTE caregiver and what elements make CTE caregiving experiences unique compared to other caregiving contexts. While there are overlaps with caregiving in Dementia, unique challenges in CTE caregiving exist. Older spousal caregivers, for instance, oft…
This research examines strategies adopted by Internet intermediaries to counteract the proliferation and impact of hate speech on social media platforms while safeguarding the freedom of expression. It scrutinises the current landscape of hate speech within the UK and Europe, analysing existing legislative frameworks and their approaches to objectionable content. Emphasis is placed on evaluating the compatibility of these legal provisions with essential human rights, notably the right to freedom of expression. The study highlights the Digital Services Act (DSA) as a recent European legislative initiative aimed at establishing a robust regulatory framework for online content, including provisions for user-initiated reporting and platform-based content review processes. Additionally, it delineates a risk-based approach to content moderation, aligning with overarching objectives of user protection and societal welfare. Conversely, the UK’s 2023 Online Safety Act (OSA) emphasises holding online service providers …
Animal sanctuaries have proliferated around the world in recent decades and play an important role in the growing wildlife tourism industry. With a general expectation that animal sanctuaries ensure animal welfare and conservation, the lack of an officially agreed definition and the absence of regulatory systems leave sanctuary operators largely free to choose which practices to adopt. This can lead to facilities marketing themselves as 'sanctuaries', but in reality using exploitative practices to attract visitors. This research examines existing governance systems for tourist-accessible animal sanctuaries in emerging economies and assesses their effectiveness from a stakeholder perspective. To examine a variety of stakeholder perspectives, this research uses qualitative data in the form of 12 interviews representing industry experts, six documents representing industry standards (guidelines and certification schemes) and 920 TripAdvisor reviews representing the customer view. The data is analysed using an i…
This study aims to understand the reciprocal relations between contested Zionist ideologies and the architectural formulation of Kibbutz Beit Alpha (1922), one of the first kibbutzim in Israel, which was known for its highly ideological community. The study focuses on the processes that brought about the making of the first permanent building of Kibbutz Beit Alpha, the Children House (Beit ha-Yeladim), known to epitomise kibbutz’ unique social structure and educational framework. It was the first permanent building of its kind in the Kibbutz movement. Scholarship concerned with the relationship between ideology and architecture during the early years of the Kibbutz movement focuses primarily on the professional perspective of architects who were employed by the Zionist settling agencies which helped establish the early kibbutzim. Kibbutz architecture in these studies, is rendered as the physical manifestation of a Zionist-Socialist ideology whilst marginalising the broader sphere of architectural production …
Background The number of students at UK universities experiencing mental health problems during their studies is increasing year on year. Despite the risks associated with leaving these problems unaddressed, many students will not seek any form of help due to a number of current barriers such as stigma and lack of accessibility. Social media plays a big part in students' day-to-day lives and previous work has highlighted its potential to facilitate help-seeking. The aim of this work was to co-develop and assess the feasibility of a social media-based intervention to increase student help-seeking behaviours. Method An initial survey and workshops were conducted to understand students current help-seeking behaviours, preferences and barriers faced. Based on these results, a student team co-developed an intervention to address the barriers outlined with guidance from the behaviour change wheel framework. Finally, a feasibility study of the intervention was conducted to assess its acceptability in its intended …
The Ainu are an Indigenous group hailing from what is now considered to be Japanese and Russian territory. This thesis explores how Ainu identity is presented in British museums and exhibitions, evaluating displays and their curation. Analysing these institutions through a decolonial lens, I consider: the extent to which Ainu ontologies have shaped displays; how colonial history is presented; and current levels of Ainu-museum collaboration. Investigation based on these parameters is important because the content and framing of displays impacts perception of the Ainu, who have the right to self-definition. Co-curation can help challenge colonial legacies, but institutions often remain dominant. Museums analysed were the British Museum; National Museum of Scotland; Pitt Rivers Museum; and the Victoria and Albert Museum. I also covered two exhibitions: ‘Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River’ at Japan House and ‘Art Without Heroes: Mingei’ at William Morris Gallery. Results were derived through qual…