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Supporting Young Carers in Early Childhood: Mapping Power, Threat, Meaning, and Strengths: A PTMF-Informed Qualitative Study
No full textBackground/Objectives: This qualitative study examines strengths and strains faced by professionals working with young carers throughout the United Kingdom (UK) in the context of society’s youngest carers; young carers in early childhood (YCEC) (0–8 years). Methods: The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) was utilised to map key findings of three focus groups. This conceptual lens offers a narrative-based understanding of ways in which power operates in society. Increasingly applied to explore experiences of individuals, communities, and groups, the PTMF proposes that concepts of distress are founded in broader contexts of injustice and social inequalities. Twenty-four participants were recruited from throughout the UK via the Carers Trust Young Carers Alliance. Results: Findings highlight the strength of legal, ideological, and economic power shaping societal beliefs and policy concerning YCEC. This informs constructs of perceived social norms regarding who young carers are most likely to be, and where they may be found. This power threatens the health and well-being of YCEC, impacting the ability of professionals to provide optimal support. Inappropriate policy formed from these assumptions disempowers those providing services to young carers at the frontline of service delivery. Professionals and adults with living experience of caring in their early childhoods reflect upon silent tensions that exist within society, suggesting that YCEC remain the ‘elephant in the room’. Conclusions: We make recommendations to review the efficacy of statutory mandates concerning the needs assessment of young carers in England, and to align policy concerning early childhood and young carers to embed young carers’ rights consistently, starting in early childhood
The Effects of Altered Partial Pressures of Gas on Cognitive and Neural Function
No full textOxygen is central to neural function, yet the precise mechanisms and effects by which varying oxygen levels, whether through Hypoxia, Hyperoxia, or Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), shape cognition and brain activity remain incomplete. This thesis adopts a novel, multi-modal framework that integrates normobaric gas manipulations, cognitive testing, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Electroencephalography (EEG), Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), and HBOT to examine how gas and pressure variability influences cognitive, motor, and neural processes. Chapter 3 presents the findings of a preliminary experiment investigating normobaric oxygen manipulations on cognition. Standardised cognitive assessments revealed domain-general impairments (i.e. memory and executive function) under Hypoxia, whereas Hyperoxia produced smaller, and more inconsistent domain-specific changes. Notably, both conditions increased movement time but left reaction time unaffected, implicating the motor system rather than broad cognitive slowing. Chapter 4 extends this by probing the motor system with TMS to measure Corticospinal Excitability (CSE). Hypoxia increased early motor neuron recruitment at lower stimulation intensities yet lowered maximum excitability, while Hyperoxia raised the saturation threshold for excitability, highlighting distinct motor responsiveness under different levels of oxygen. Based on these motor findings, Chapter 5 explores neural oscillations and evoked responses with EEG. Hypoxia reduced Critical Flicker Fusion (CFF) thresholds and altered Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs), while Hyperoxia generated smaller more transient changes in CFF and VEPs, with a specific reduced motor Beta power, suggesting more localised oscillatory disruptions. Chapter 6 then investigates HBOT using mobile EEG during a hyperbaric “dive,” to understand the neural impacts of HBOT. The results showed Delta power decreased cumulatively throughout the session, whereas Alpha, Beta, and Theta power increased during transitions to a relatively lower partial pressure of oxygen, pointing to “relative Hypoxia” as a potential driver of neuroplasticity. These results also showed heightened neural entropy during transitions to higher oxygen levels, emphasising the importance of dynamic pressure changes for neural adaptability. Chapter 7 examines CO₂-induced anxiety via a Carbon Dioxide Challenge Model (CCM) and fMRI, revealing transient anxiogenic responses that increased functional connectivity within networks involving the insula, amygdala, and frontal regions. A correlation between subjective anxiety and connectivity between the brainstem and frontal cortex was observed, highlighting the role of top-down emotional regulation and how physiology interacts with anxiety. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that oxygen variability significantly impacts cognition, motor systems, and neural plasticity, with relative Hypoxia emerging as a particularly potent stimulus for adaptive changes. By illustrating how normobaric manipulations, HBOT, and CO₂induced anxiety each alter neural excitability and connectivity, this thesis offers an integrated perspective on oxygen’s role in shaping brain function. It further establishes a framework for potential novel therapeutic interventions, ranging from enhanced neurorehabilitation protocols to strategies for managing anxiety and cognitive decline, that leverage controlled oxygen variability for clinical and performance benefits
The problem of insight: An interpretive phenomenological approach to understanding awareness following acquired brain injury
No full textContext: Acquired brain injury (ABI) can result in executive impairments that can detrimentally impact an individual’s level of insight into the changes in functioning caused by their ABI. This, along with the difficulty professionals have in identifying executive impairments and relating these to functional changes, can lead to wrongful assumptions of functional abilities among those affected. Objective: This study aimed to explore the experience of individuals with ABI who demonstrate an impairment of insight with a view to documenting specific examples of impaired insight. Method: Four participants took part in a semi-structured interview analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Feedback on the interviews was provided by professionals who worked closely with the participants. Findings: The Crosson et al. (1989) model of awareness was used as a framework for understanding the three emergent themes: 1) understanding of brain injury, 2) recognition of the impact of brain injury (with the sub-theme insight into the origin of impairment), and 3) planning for the impact of impairment. These demonstrate that while individuals with ABI often have a good understanding of brain injury, they can struggle to recognise, or plan for, the impact of their brain injury on daily functioning. Limitations: The study was unable to explore issues of executive impairment across a range of individuals due to the small sample size employed to provide rich, detailed data. Implications: The findings highlight the need for changes to the way in which assessments of need are conducted with individuals with ABI
Hard-wired for success? Unravelling genomic signatures in pollinators
No full textGlobal decline among bumblebees shows strong evidence of phylogenetic structure, with the subgenus Pyrobombus over-represented among stable/range-expanding species. Based on this striking pattern, a hypothesis was drawn up suggesting that Pyrobombus species have acquired advantageous traits that enhance their survivability and dispersal compared to other subgenera. This hypothesis explores the possibility that these advantageous traits were acquired via the evolutionary process and are detectable as genomic signatures unique to the subgenus when compared with other subgenera.Twenty-four bumblebee species, representing all 15 subgenera and including 6 Pyrobombus species, were compared. The first study investigated genomic inversions and duplications. Pyrobombus was characterized by a set of 59 inversions present in four or more of its species but absent from all other subgenera. In the second study, gene presence absence variation (PAVs) was analysed. Pyrobombus-specific PAVs (present in one or more Pyrobombus species but absent from all other subgenera), were more strongly associated with GTPase signalling pathways and certain innate immunity pathways compared to genes present only in non-Pyrobombus species. The third study compared gene family expansions/losses. It detected a faster rate of gene family evolution in Pyrobombus, as well as a higher number of gene family expansions than most other species. The fourth study investigated positive selection, detecting a higher number of genes evidencing positive selection in Pyrobombus compared to other lineages, which were enriched for small molecule metabolism functions. In the final study, the first whole genome resources were generated for Bombus haematurus, a range-expanding Pyrobombus species that previously lacked them. This study generated a draft genome assembly for the species and through interrogation of the genome detecting a strikingly low nucleotide diversity compared to other bumblebees, as well as signatures of directional selection in developmental biology genes
Distress calls as social stressors affecting chicken welfare
No full textSocial signals about current environmental risks can shape development in young animals. Distress calls made by young chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) may also encode affective state, with high arousal, potentially ‘anxiety-like’ state characterized by continuous calling, and learned helplessness or potentially ‘depression-like’ state by a more intermittent pattern. During early life (age 4–7 days), we played chicks artificial stimuli mimicking these two call patterns. Growth effects suggest caller affective state can modulate this social signal: chicks exposed to bouts of ‘Continuous’ calls grew faster and were heavier by late commercial life (day 43) than Controls. In contrast, chicks exposed to ‘Intermittent’ calling showed slow, then compensatory, growth. A third experimental treatment with similar ‘noisiness’ to distress calls did not influence growth. Responses to a late-life social isolation trial suggested lasting impacts on stressor perception or resilience. Comb temperature elevation during isolation, indicating acute stress, was greatest in the Continuous group. Call rate decline during isolation, potentially indicating a tendency towards learned helplessness, was steep in all three experimental treatments; hence, noise-related disturbance from vocalizations may also shape development. Distress calls are consequently an important consideration in farms, where young are raised at high density and one individual is heard by many
Natural and reduced anthropogenic injuries rates in reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) from the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean
No full textAbandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) accounts for nearly two-thirds of plastic debris in the open ocean and can entangle marine megafauna. Reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) are susceptible to entanglement in ALDFG, with consequences ranging from sublethal injuries to mortality. Mobula alfredi are listed as Vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, in part, due to their slow reproduction rate and susceptibility to unsustainable fishing pressures. Their exposure to ALDFG could further hinder their survival; therefore, it is essential to quantify the impacts of ALDFG. This study assesses a photographic identification database for evidence of entanglement and other injuries in the reef manta ray population of the Chagos Archipelago, a large, remote, no-take marine protected area (MPA) in the Indian Ocean where illegal fishing persists. Only one individual (0.3% of the photographed population, n = 325) showed evidence of entanglement injury, which is substantially lower than rates reported in other populations globally (mean = 7.1%). Additionally, 18.2% of the population showed evidence of predatory bites, which is comparable to the percentage of individuals with predation injuries in other populations (mean = 21.5%). The results of this study suggest that the remoteness, protected status, and large size of the MPA may contribute to reducing entanglement of reef manta rays. Continued enforcement of the MPA is essential to reduce illegal fishing activities and other anthropogenic impacts on the species it protects
Exploring the experience of co-designing mental health services in the national health service as an Expert by Experience
No full textPurposeThe number of Experts by Experience (EbE) working in mental health services has grown in recent years. The National Health Service (NHS) five-year plan states EbE should be used across different levels, including service delivery, design and commissioning. While current research explores the role of EbE in service delivery, little is known about their experiences of co-designing services. This study aims to explore EbE experiences of co-designing NHS mental health services.Design/methodology/approachThis research used qualitative semi-structured interviews with ten participants who had worked on projects focused on co-designing NHS mental health services as an EbE. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.FindingsAnalysis identified four themes and associated subthemes. Themes emphasised the importance of being involved from the start of projects, with late or limited involvement leading to feelings of tokenism. Co-design was described as emotionally demanding but meaningful. Findings suggested that connection both between EbE and with the wider organisation was central to supporting feelings of safety. When organisational support or feedback was lacking, participants questioned if their contributions were listened to. Findings emphasised the need for systemic support to enable meaningful co-design.Originality/valueThis research provides new insight into how EbE experience co-designing NHS mental health services. It highlights how EbE find community and value in co-design work, and stresses the need for systemic support to enable EbE to fully participate. Future research should explore how intersecting, marginalised identities shape experiences of co-design
Development of a reversible quiescence model to identify signals enabling glioblastoma cancer stem cell transition between active and quiescent states
No full textGliomas are the most common primary brain tumour in adults with only limited therapies available. Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are a subpopulation with tumorigenic capacity associated with increased glioma malignancy, particularly in glioblastoma (GBM), the most frequent and aggressive adult glioma (1). GSCs can enter a non-proliferative reversible quiescent state, in which they evade conventional therapies, and can re-enter the cell cycle to re-initiate tumour growth (1, 2). Quiescence is a heterogenous state with different depths, defined as ‘shallow’ and ‘deep’, depending on the rate at which cells re-enter the cell cycle (3, 4). This PhD project aims to develop a reversible GSC quiescence model using Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4) in combination with Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) for different durations (3, 4), to model different depths of quiescence. BMP4 plus FGF2 treatment results in cell cycle exit, downregulation of protein synthesis, a key hallmark of quiescence (5) and impaired tumourigenic potential. Intensity of stemness marker expression is reversibly downregulated but GSCs do not undergo neuronal differentiation, however, glial marker levels increase. Reactivation of quiescent-like GSCs by withdrawal of BMP4 and re-exposure to growth factors reverses the majority of these characteristics. A longer period of BMP4 plus FGF2 treatment induces a deeper quiescent-like state, shown by an extended period until reactivation. Proteome profiling of proliferating, quiescent-like and reactivated GSCs identified expected as well as novel changes in protein expression and overrepresented biological processes and pathways, including cell cycle, metabolic and cell adhesion-associated, which may play a role in maintaining GSCs quiescence and regulating transition between quiescent-like and reactivated states. Expression analysis of cell adhesion molecules further validates the data and points to regulatory roles. The established model and findings described in this project contribute to expose molecules and pathways that could be targeted in the future to prevent GSCs entering a quiescent state or lock them in dormancy, which in combination with conventional chemotherapy, has the potential to eradicate whole tumours and prevent recurrence
In what ways do political factors and relations of power interfere with the legal protection of human rights in Cameroon?
No full textABSTRACTTitle: In what ways do political factors and relations of power interfere with the legal protection of human rights in Cameroon?In November 2016, a socio-political crisis erupted in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, mainly due to the marginalisation of English-speaking populations in these two regions. This crisis has since metamorphosed into an armed conflict between government forces and armed separatist groups operating in these warring regions. The conflict has resulted in severe human rights abuses committed both by the government forces and armed separatist groups operating in these regions. The conflict, also known as the Anglophone crisis, began due to the harsh approach the Cameroonian government forces took in dealing with the peaceful protests of lawyers and teachers’ trade unions. This thesis aims to address the following research question: In what ways do political factors and relations of power interfere with the legal protection of human rights in Cameroon? The thesis presents a legal and political analysis of the situation to address this research question, with a primary focus on human rights violations and the failure to effect reform. The thesis employs a mixed-methods approach to achieve this objective, combining legal analysis, textual analysis, immersive fieldwork, and semi-structured interviews, all underpinned by a theoretical framework informed by political theory. Many have argued that the crisis has degenerated due to the authoritarian approach the Cameroon government has taken in handling it since November 2016; this research elaborates on this and explains (using the concept of neopatrimonialism) exactly how the political and legal systems have been unable to accommodate legal and political reforms. The thesis aims to contribute original knowledge by first filling the existing gaps in the literature about the crisis, providing substantial new empirical evidence, and offering a precise application of the neo-patrimonial concept to demonstrate how political dynamics interact with legal structures to the detriment of fundamental human rights and national cohesion. The research also proposes recommendations for legal and political reforms, a permanent crisis resolution, and a return to peace