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An investigation into the development of ACT-based approaches to increase physical activity
Get PDFIt is well documented that regular physical exercise supports physical and mental wellbeing. Despite the promotion of physical activity by world health experts and governments, physical inactivity within the population remains a cause for concern and disorders associated with sedentary lifestyles have continued to increase. Evidence suggests that the uncomfortable private-events people experience during physical exertion can become psychological barriers to participation in physical activity
and thus result in avoidant behaviours. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has been used to promote increased physical exercise by enhancing psychological flexibility in relation to private-events that are perceived as unpleasant. However,
relationships between the individual ACT processes and the theories which underpin their use in interventions designed to promote physical activity have yet to be fully explored. Understanding the relationship between ACT processes and physical exercise is key for appropriate and robust intervention development. This thesis aimed to explore the theoretical and practical application of ACT processes in relation to exercise and inform further development of effective brief interventions designed to increase activity levels. The programme of work within this thesis had two phases. The first phase included two studies: a systematic review to explore the existing evidence; and a quantitative survey study to determine if associations exist between physical activity levels and the individual core processes of ACT. Results from phase one found that the reviewed literature failed to explore the use of Relational Frame Theory (RFT) critical to ACT, and a survey suggested that ACT processes of defusion, self-as-context and personal values were likely to play a significant part in activity levels. The second phase comprised of three interrelated quantitative intervention studies designed using RFT. Each explored the ACT processes by measuring task duration and the intensity of private-events experienced during exercise. The first intervention study combined defusion and self-as-context with no significant effects on an exercise task. The second combined defusion, self-as-context and value orientated cues to behaviour change. Exercise duration was significantly increased in the ACT intervention, while there was no decrease in the intensity of private-events. The final study tested a values clarification task with cues to behaviour change and reported significantly increased exercise duration. The thesis demonstrates that relational frame theory applied to ACT processes
can influence the duration of exercise although the relationship with private-events remains uncertain. The robust, theory focused approach to this work represents a small but valuable contribution to the development of intervention strategies and has implications for future research. Strategies worked best using a combination of both deictic and hierarchical relations for training cognitive defuison and self-as-context, and especially for the clarification of personal values used as cues to behaviour
change. Further research is needed to establish both the external validity and longevity of observed effects
Key Terms in Comics Studies: 22 Entries
Get PDFThis entry is related to 'Key Terms in Comics Studies: Introductory Chapter' - http://hdl.handle.net/10034/625503 and 'Key Terms in Comics Studies: Cover illustration' - http://hdl.handle.net/10034/62634322 entries in the book 'Key Terms in Comics Studies'
An Investigation into CO 2 –Brine–Cement–Reservoir Rock Interactions for Wellbore Integrity in CO 2 Geological Storage
Get PDFFrom MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-08-12, pub-electronic 2021-08-16Publication status: PublishedFunder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; Grant(s): EP/K035967/1Geological storage of CO2 in saline aquifers and depleted oil and gas reservoirs can help mitigate CO2 emissions. However, CO2 leakage over a long storage period represents a potential concern. Therefore, it is critical to establish a good understanding of the interactions between CO2–brine and cement–caprock/reservoir rock to ascertain the potential for CO2 leakage. Accordingly, in this work, we prepared a unique set of composite samples to resemble the cement–reservoir rock interface. A series of experiments simulating deep wellbore environments were performed to investigate changes in chemical, physical, mechanical, and petrophysical properties of the composite samples. Here, we present the characterisation of composite core samples, including porosity, permeability, and mechanical properties, determined before and after long-term exposure to CO2-rich brine. Some of the composite samples were further analysed by X-ray microcomputed tomography (X-ray µ-CT), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX). Moreover, the variation of ions concentration in brine at different timescales was studied by performing inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis. Although no significant changes were observed in the porosity, permeability of the treated composite samples increased by an order of magnitude, due mainly to an increase in the permeability of the sandstone component of the composite samples, rather than the cement or the cement/sandstone interface. Mechanical properties, including Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, were also reduced
Transcriptome Analysis in a Primary Human Muscle Cell Differentiation Model for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1
Get PDFFrom MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-08-06, pub-electronic 2021-08-10Publication status: PublishedMyotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by CTG-repeat expansions leading to a complex pathology with a multisystemic phenotype that primarily affects the muscles and brain. Despite a multitude of information, especially on the alternative splicing of several genes involved in the pathology, information about additional factors contributing to the disease development is still lacking. We performed RNAseq and gene expression analyses on proliferating primary human myoblasts and differentiated myotubes. GO-term analysis indicates that in myoblasts and myotubes, different molecular pathologies are involved in the development of the muscular phenotype. Gene set enrichment for splicing reveals the likelihood of whole, differentiation stage specific, splicing complexes that are misregulated in DM1. These data add complexity to the alternative splicing phenotype and we predict that it will be of high importance for therapeutic interventions to target not only mature muscle, but also satellite cells
How supervisee self-care is addressed in the clinical supervision of counsellors and psychotherapists: A qualitative exploration
Get PDFThis research explored how supervisee self-care is, or isn't, addressed in clinical supervision, using a sequential qualitative method. The aims of the study were to analyse the process and dialogue used: to explore supervisee and supervisor understanding; how addressing supervisee self-care can be enhanced or maintained and how this can be implemented into training and practice. Both self-care and clinical supervision are ethical requirements. Counsellors and psychotherapists are not
immune to personal stress and work-related well-being impairment. Clinical supervision can form part of a self-care strategy. Few studies have focussed explicitly on the combination of the topics. Few studies in counselling and psychotherapy have
used a mixed sequential qualitative approach to investigate an aspect of clinical supervision.
Four supervisory dyads were recruited. The study consists of three stages. Stage one required audio recordings of three consecutive clinical supervisions from each dyad, resulting in twelve supervision sessions. A discourse analysis, using a Discursive Psychology lens, was used to analyse extracts from the sessions where instances of supervisee self-care were observed. The discourse shows that there are discursive elements that enable, or limit, discourse on self-care. Stage two involved interviewing the supervisors from the dyad. Supervisees were interviewed in stage three. The data from the semi-structured interviews was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Superordinate themes for the supervisors were 'I am here', 'Where are you?' and 'We're the instruments'. Superordinate themes for the supervisees were 'Me, myself and I' and 'You and I'. The findings indicate that there is an interplay between experience, understanding and discourse. Issues around supervisee self-awareness, evaluations of self-care, the supervisory relationship, and early experiences of supervision impact on how selfcare issues are introduced and subsequently explored. Disclosure of self-care issues can be framed in tentative, or hesitant, language, which can link to the supervisees understanding of how acceptable self-care topics are in supervision. There can be a negative emotional response to disclosing self-care or feeling under scrutiny from the supervisor. Metaphor can assist with self-care disclosure. Supervisors can influence self-care exploration through demonstrating a shared understanding of a self-care issue. Laughter and dialogue that shifts the focus can limit addressing self-care.
The study offers a means of transferring the results into practice: encouraging engaging in a discussion that explores the influential factors on addressing self-care in supervision. The findings of this study are transferrable rather than generalisable.
There are implications for practice and training. Limitations of the study and areas for future research are identified
Quality of life and social support in rare genetic skin conditions: A mixed methods study
Get PDFAim
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between quality of life (QOL) and social support in adults living with rare genetic skin conditions, specifically Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and related conditions.
Background
Measuring QOL has become an increasingly important method of evaluating the effectiveness of health and social care interventions. Living with the effects of a rare genetic condition has a profound impact on QOL for the individual and families.
Design
Methodological triangulation was adopted, in a sequential mixed methods exploratory design. Three stages were included: a literature review, online survey (n=31), and semi structured interviews (n=8).
Outcomes
The literature review concluded that professionals should adopt a biopsychosocial approach to the management of rare diseases. The online survey found a positive correlation between QOL and social support. The role of the family was a prominent theme. Most participants indicated that emotional support was provided by family carers, and tangible (practical) support was the highest rated support need.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated was that health and social care practitioners, policy makers and commissioners have to make room for QOL perspectives that come from the patient. These are wounded storytellers whose narratives are subjective but are spoken through illness. Their collective experiences can influence the direction of their diagnostic journey and must be front and center of any rare disease implementation plans in a post COVID era
An Investigation of Interactions between Heat Shock Proteins and the Immune System
Get PDFThe human body initiates an inflammatory immune response following exposure to certain danger signals. The Danger Model proposes that Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) can be activated by danger or alarm signals. These danger signals come from exogenous molecules such as pathogens, toxins, or even mechanical cell damage. Damage due to cellular stress can initiate the extracellular release of endogenous molecules, such as heat shock proteins (HSPs) into the extracellular environment. HSPs can act as danger signals triggering the immune response. This immune response is based on antigen recognition by specific cell surface receptor proteins, and T-cells, which then determine the type of inflammatory (pro or anti-inflammatory) cytokines produced or expressed.
This thesis investigates the effects of Hsp72 and Hsp27 in the activation of immune cells to secrete cytokines, which are upregulated during inflammatory responses. In determining the role of HSPs in affecting inflammatory immune responses, U937 cells, U937 macrophages, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used. To determine whether the effects observed with recombinant HSPs used in these studies, were due to bacterial contamination: U937 macrophages were exposed either to denatured HSPs, polymyxin B (which can neutralise bacterial lipopolysaccharides), anti-HSPs antibodies, or receptor proteins blocking peptides, and their ability to induce cytokine (ie IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10) secretion were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Western blotting was used to confirm the presence of Hsp72, Hsp27, and Hsp60 in U937 cells and U937 macrophage. Flow cytometry was used to identify the expression of immune responsive receptor proteins such as CD14, CD36, CD11b, TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR7, on U937 cells and U937 macrophages.
The result presented in this thesis also showed that Hsp72 and Hsp27 can stimulate immune responses independent of bacterial contamination. These HSPs are able to induce an inflammatory immune response, possibly through interactions with a number of immune responsive receptor proteins, which were identified in U937 cells and U937 macrophages. Further evidence using CD14, CD36, CD11b, TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR7 blocking peptides, also confirmed that an interaction between cytokine secretion caused by, Hsp72 and Hsp27 were likely due to their interactions with specific immune responsive receptor proteins. Interestingly, some of the receptor proteins identified are not activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), again highlighting the fact that the results presented in this thesis, are unlikely to be artifacts caused by bacterial contamination. Furthermore, it is clear that HSPs are interacting with numerous receptor proteins, and possibly more than even demonstrated in this thesis. This therefore highlights the promiscuous nature of HSPs interaction with different signalling pathways through the different receptor proteins. The promiscuous property of HSPs could thus be used for the treatment of diseases, since HSPs have been linked with many diseases, including cancer. Therefore, understanding the full relationship
between HSPs and these signalling pathways, may prove promising in using HSPs for therapeutic purposes in future
A modified grounded theory study exploring the impact of military service in Northern Ireland on mental wellbeing
Get PDFMilitary service in Operation Banner during the Northern Ireland Troubles posed significant challenges for individual soldiers. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of service in Operation Banner on the mental wellbeing of veterans who served in this conflict, and factors that have hindered or facilitated acquiring help in those who have experienced mental distress.
This is a qualitative study that has utilised a modified grounded theory methodology and adopted a symbolic interactionism theoretical framework. Data were collected in semi-structured interviews with 16 veterans, recruited via advertising in newsletters distributed by veterans’ organisations to their members, advertising via posters and local radio and through snowballing. Data analysis was by open and focussed coding, supported by computer assisted qualitative data analysis software.
The study confirms that for the majority, military service did not result in long-term mental distress and participants gained useful career and life skills. Yet, for some mental distress has persisted. Since leaving Operation Banner, the ability of veterans to cope with the past and meet present or future challenges has been through a combination of innate skills, resilience, individual initiative, outside support, and making use of opportunity. For some, though, coping has been hindered by internal barriers such as self-isolation, emotional suppression, legacies of military culture and veterans’ perceptions of indifference or even hostility by society and politicians. These barriers have led to some veterans to being predominantly oriented towards the past and unable or unwilling to seek help, a situation made worse by threats of prosecuting veterans, which have reinforced memories of the past.
This study theorises, therefore, that there is no single way to help these veterans without understanding each veteran’s perception of themselves. When this self-identity is predominantly past-oriented, internal barriers negate the relevance of external help. When the veteran’s self tends towards future-orientation, external barriers to accessing help are more relevant.
Understanding this individuality of self-perception may help to address factors that are maintaining past-orientation. Yet, for those who seek a resilient future, providing the right services, at the right time and in the right format is critical. This study helps to fill the relative gap in qualitative studies on UK veterans and those from Operation Banner in particular. Recommendations are made for the support of Operation Banner veterans and for future research
Terahertz probing of low‐temperature degradation in zirconia bioceramics
No full textFrom Crossref journal articles via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: epub 2021-09-30, issued 2021-09-30Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedFunder: China Scholarship Council; FundRef: 10.13039/501100004543; Grant(s): 20170637017
“Hey you there!” An autoethnographic exploration of the impact of neoliberalism on the role and identity of the primary school teacher
Get PDFThe purpose of this thesis is to explore the agency of teachers in the development of their professional identities. The research is grounded in my lived experience as a primary teacher, senior leader and mentor of trainee and newly qualified teachers during the tumultuous three decades that followed the 1988 Education Reform Act. It is the result of an extensive period of research into and reflection on my experiences, actions and compromises during this period. Teacher identity is often seen as a dynamic and fluid process; one that is influenced by a range of factors and contexts (Beijaard et al, 2004). I conceptualise the influence and effects of neoliberalism as an example of a dominant ideology on the role and identity of primary teachers through the utilisation of Althusser’s theory of the interpellation of the subject by ideology (1971/2001). Although, Althusser saw schools as the major ideological state apparatus (ISA), he did not provide any detail on what takes place within the classroom (Macris, 2014). This research applies Althusserian theory to the experiences of teachers and explores the extent to which ideology can be seen as constituting teacher-subjects who in turn take up their interpellative roles within the educational ISA. An autoethnographic methodology is adopted making the author’s voice and experience central to the research while also conducting dialogue with professionals at the start of their careers. Data, gathered from a wide range of sources, are presented in the form of a series of vignettes focussing on three main areas which emerged from analysis - centralised curriculum control, Ofsted and performativity. From this emerge questions about the scope and nature of agency exercised by teachers during the course of their professional and personal development which are explored through an Althusserian lens. The findings show how ideology exisiting in the material practices of twenty first century schools have shaped the way teachers construct and communicate their professional identity but also that there exists within this the possibility of retaining personal values and convictions and using the two-way process on subjection in ever changing and innovative ways
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