135 research outputs found
Sort by
Examining the Predictive Capability of Statically Determined Mechanical Properties on the Dynamic Behaviour of 32-Panel Footballs
No full textData file contains quasi-static compression loading files and impact data for 12 footballs for the paper titled "Examining the Predictive Capability of Statically Determined Mechanical Properties on the Dynamic Behaviour of 32-Panel Footballs". This file consists of an results table, matlab data and script
Examining Universities’ Construction Projects to Better Understand Their Civic and Sustainability Ambitions
No full textABSTRACT
This thesis examines how civic universities enact and materialise their civic and sustainability commitments through major campus construction projects. While civic universities are currently being studied regarding how they realise their civic engagement commitment (Dobson & Ferrari, 2023; Dobson & Owolade, 2025), this thesis focuses on a less examined but highly significant civic activity: engagement during the campus construction phase. These construction operations are not merely technical zones of delivery; they are spatially embodied expressions of their civic responsibility. By examining how universities involve
neighbouring communities during construction, this thesis positions campus sites as critical interfaces where civic responsibility is either realised or undermined.
Despite financial constraints impacting UK higher education, many institutions have pursued ambitious development schemes positioned as emblematic of civic renewal and environmental responsibility (Office for Students, 2023; Whyte, 2023). By comparing case studies of Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) and the University of Sheffield (UOS), this research shows how campus construction reflects the interplay of multiple institutional logics. Empirical data collected between 2023 and 2024 included document analysis, semi-structured interviews with university leaders, estates and sustainability staff, contractors, city planners, and residents affected by UOS's construction, alongside site observations.
Through a thematic analysis, the findings revealed that both universities invoke multiple logics—civic, environmental, academic, market, financial, and reputational—to legitimise
campus investment, although their emphasis and configuration differ. Second, architectural forms expressed civic logic but were also shaped by planning regulations: SHU’s restrained, grid-aligned design contrasts with UOS’s iconic spectacle, each reflecting regulatory codes. Third, sustainability implementation varied between the institutions: SHU adopted a pragmatic zero-carbon-ready approach, with perceived biodiversity gains, while UOS
pursued a capital-intensive net-zero operational building, with perceived biodiversity loss.
Additionally, the thesis identified an implementation gap between universities’ civic engagement rhetoric and actual construction-phase engagement practices, analysed
through Arnstein’s Participation Ladder. SHU’s engagement was tokenistic; whereas UOS’s was reactive and nonparticipatory. Procurement models emerged as a determinant of engagement and accountability: SHU’s alliance fostered shared accountability, whereas UOS’s Novated Design & Build led to institutional disengagement.
This study advances understanding of the spatial materialisation of institutional logics, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability in higher education estates. It contributes to knowledge by reimagining campus construction as a “civic interface”—a space for
expressing and testing institutional civicness. The study advocates for embedding social value in procurement, adopting holistic sustainability approaches, and fostering genuine community collaboration
Oral hearings conducted by the Parole Board of England and Wales: transcripts
No full textTranscribed extracts from oral hearings conducted by the Parole Board of England and Wales. These extracts underpin the published outputs produced from the research. Also contained are analysis notes and codin
C3-VULMAP: A LINDDUN-CWE privacy healthcare-related vulnerability dataset
No full textThis document presents a comprehensive narrative of applying the LINDDUN privacy threat modeling methodology to a Healthcare Information System (HIS). It covers system modeling with Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs), iterative threat identification across seven LINDDUN categories, and threat mapping to Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) standards. All key formulas are explicitly shown, and the primary mapping matrix (Table 1) is included. For deeper scenarios, refer to the accompanying files: LINDDUN_Threat Trees (detailing use and misuse-case trees) and UseMisuse Cases vs CWE Category (mapping scenarios to CWE categories)
A multi-modal mass spectrometry approach for the detection and mapping of date rape drugs in fingermarks
No full textDrug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is an issue of growing concern. As these drugs are metabolised very quickly, toxicological evidence from biological fluids, corroborating the victim’s statement, is challenging to recover, especially with late reports. Ihe data collected and deposited here pertain to the development of an additional method involving the analysis of the victim’s fingermarks recovered at the scene(s) of the crime, which may contain the parent drug and its metabolite.In this light, the dataset deposited includes the raw imaging and profiling data acquired using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Desorption Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Soft Ionisation by Chemical Reaction In Transfer from fingermarks contaminated with risperidone and/or its pharmacologically active metabolite paliperidone as a case study
Immersive Virtual Reality for Myoelectric Prostheses Training: Home Feasibility Trial
No full textMyoelectric prostheses (MEPs) offer significant benefits to individuals with amputations by enabling more natural and intuitive control. However, accepting and mastering MEPs control remains a challenge. The learning process is often lengthy and painful, requiring users to adapt to complex and extensive training. Factors such as device weight, discomfort, lack of sensory feedback, and psychological adjustment contribute to a high rate of MEPs discontinued use. Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) offers a unique approach to prosthesis training, allowing patients to practice in a safe, engaging and controlled environment before the fitting.
This study investigated the feasibility of a co-designed, home-based IVR training program for MEPs users through a clinical trial conducted at two sites, involving seven individuals with upper limb amputations aged 17 to 59 (M = 40.86, SD = 15.67). Qualitative data on the training protocol and design constraints were collected from Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) representatives and clinicians during the co-design process. Usability, acceptability, and engagement were collected from participants and Occupational Therapists (OTs), along with quantitative assessments of motivation, quality of life, and functional use of the MEPs at baseline, post-training, and follow-up, which informed the evaluation in two hospitals.
The trial revealed that participants found the training enjoyable and engaging, although design improvements are necessary to further enhance system usability and accessibility. Future deployment will focus on improving the system's user-friendliness and streamlining the onboarding process for participants and OTs. By enabling effective home-based training, this IVR system has demonstrated strong potential to reduce hospital visits, support early functional recovery, and improve long-term prosthesis adoption
Combined Palaeolimnological and Glacial Geomorphological Reconstruction of Environmental Change in Southeast Iceland
No full textIceland offers an excellent location to investigate North Atlantic Holocene climate change, due to its setting in the North Atlantic Ocean, where atmospheric and ocean patterns have a significant influence on terrestrial climate. Sub-Arctic locations such as Iceland are sensitive to climatic change and palaeoclimatic records are important for understanding Holocene climate variability and the mechanisms behind these changes. This thesis presents a combined palaeolimnological and glacial geomorphological record of Little Ice Age (LIA) environmental and climatic change since AD ~1440. Despite the growing body of research on chironomid-based studies in Iceland, no records yet exist for southeast Iceland. This lake sediment record from Káravatn includes the first chironomid-inferred temperature (C-IT) record for southeast Iceland, that provides quantitative July temperature estimates, by applying both the Icelandic (Langdon et al., 2008) and Arctic (Medeiros et al., 2022) transfer functions. The C-IT reconstructions have been validated using instrumental temperature measurements from nearby meteorological stations. The lake sediment core was dated using AMS radiocarbon dating and tephrochronology, to provide a well-constrained dating model throughout the core. Sedimentological analysis included magnetic susceptibility, loss on ignition, particle size analysis and geochemical (Itrax) data. The C-IT record, chironomid assemblage and sedimentological data show a cold phase occurring between AD ~1770 and ~1850, which agrees with other palaeoclimatic and glaciological studies. New glacial geomorphological mapping using high-resolution Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data is presented for Skálafellsjökull, an outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull ice cap. Ice margin reconstructions from aerial imagery and geomorphology were used to propose a conceptual model of deglaciation since the end of the LIA, initiated by rapid warming in the early 20th century and influenced by underlying bedrock topography. This combined glacial and palaeoclimatic record has expanded our understanding LIA climate in southeast Iceland, which is important for producing accurate glaciological and climatic simulation
When it is no longer a bit of banter: Coaches’ perspectives of bullying in professional soccer
No full textStudies exploring bullying in sport psychology remain relatively limited despite various media reports of the abusive practice of some professional football coaches. This research explores coaches’ views of bullying in professional football academies and how it is framed in relation to banter. Five professional football coaches were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The methodology and analysis were guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis. Coaches highlighted key components which identify bullying in professional football environments, such as: intent to harm; frequency of behaviour; and an imbalance of power. Coaches also highlighted different individual and contextual factors which separated bullying from banter. These included: individual differences; unintentional behaviour; immaturity; and the masculinity of the football culture. These findings provide an important extension to the bullying literature in sport by highlighting coaches’ own perspectives on this concept within the professional football context. The findings also illustrate the subtle nuances through which coaches separate bullying from banter. As such, important applied implications are discussed for the development of coach education programmes to raise greater awareness around these concepts as well as the potential consequences of bullying and banter on player welfare in professional football
Women’s dignity and sense of self in experiences of support whilst homeless
No full textThis thesis seeks to understand women’s support choices whilst homeless through exploring how their dignity and sense-of-self is affected by, and affects, their experiences of informal support. Dignity is largely unexplored in homelessness research and, despite an increase in research on women’s homelessness, few studies explore women’s experiences away from services in-depth. Inspired by recent social care best practices foregrounding the psychological wellbeing of those accessing support, this study employs a dignity-centred methodology. Fourteen women with experiences of homelessness participate through interviews (face-to-face, written or walking) and observations. Seventeen support workers and informal supporters, a perspective rarely included in research, participated in semi-structured interviews. An organisation observation was conducted with five workers.
These perspectives are used to develop an original conceptualisation of informal support in the context of women’s homelessness. The definition captures more nuance than in existing research by considering quality and motivation for support. It sees informal support as wider than family/friend support relationships, with examples of communities mobilising, and support workers going beyond or outside their professional roles.
The study’s theoretical framework combines societal discourse and capital theory to construct an understanding of dignity. Using this framework, informal support conceptualisation, and diverse avenues of participant recruitment, this study contributes unique insight into women’s homelessness. It finds societal discourse on women, motherhood, asylum seekers and homelessness to affect women’s dignity, sense-of-self and consequently their support choices. Women’s support choices largely result from dignity maintenance and risk management strategies, but the strategies available to women, and the impact of societal discourse on them, vary depending on their embodied capital. The study concludes that informal support honours women’s dignity, viewing them as deserving of support and resources. Yet it can position them as victims of structural disadvantage affecting their agency, ability to build capital and raise their societal status