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Professionals working with children and families who have had adverse childhood experiences
Get PDFD. Ed. App. Psy. ThesisUK professional networks and services have begun accommodating into their practices what
is known about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Including international research
efforts, there is growing interest and awareness regarding their health and social impact.
However, debate continues regarding the potentially reductionist and deterministic nature
of the ACEs model, causing concern given growing public attention.
A systematic literature review was conducted exploring education- and community-based
interventions aiming to mitigate ACEs’ impact. The best available evidence was collated,
synthesising eight empirical papers of varying research design and context. Papers were
critically analysed, and results synthesised using their assessed quality and strength of
findings. The findings mirror the depth and complexity of the ACEs model. Themes and
differences across intervention content and impact are identified and
discussed. Implications for the interpretation and use of the model are discussed, especially
within education and connected services.
Arising from this literature exploration, an action research project took place in a primary
school. Collaborating with a staff working party, this explored the way in which Continuing
Professional Development (CPD) about ACEs could be facilitated in school. Group data were
analysed using an abbreviated constructionist grounded theory approach and findings are
situated alongside Hope Theory.
Further discussion focuses on the links between the two pieces of research and the personal
decisions made regarding their significance. Ontological and theoretical underpinnings are
explored, along with the impact of the complex positioning of the researcher when using an
action research process and engaging in constructionist grounded theory analysis. Attention
is also given to ethical issues
Mechanisms of moral responsibilities: Designing and deploying digital technologies for perpetrators of domestic violence
Get PDFPhD ThesisWhere prevention and intervention resources should be focused to mitigate domestic
violence is an important topic within academic policy and practice. While there are a
range of digital tools available to support victim-survivors subject to domestic violence,
no tools have been designed to challenge the abusive and harmful behaviours of
perpetrators. In this thesis, I explore the experience of how existing and novel
technologies used in the context of perpetrator interventions in the third sector within
the United Kingdom are being leveraged to rebalance the over-responsibility society
bestows on victim-survivors, along with the under-responsibility we ascribe to
perpetrators. I accomplish this through developing a conceptual framework that seeks to
promote spaces for design and further intervention capable of assisting such organisations
in holding perpetrators responsible for their abusive behaviours and facilitating their
journey of behaviour and attitude change towards non-violence.
Through this work, I conceptualise the compelling moral responsibilities intrinsic to
interactions with technological systems between perpetrators and support workers, which
I elicit through a focused ethnography. I highlight four spaces of negotiation concerning a
person’s responsibility for changing their abusive behaviour, which I refer to as
‘mechanisms’ to convey their fundamental and interconnected nature: self-awareness,
acknowledging the extent of harms, providing peer support, and being accountable to
demonstrate change. To further investigate these spaces for negotiation, I conducted
three studies to understand the contextual dependencies of design that focuses on the
responsibility of domestic violence perpetrators through: (1) the development of an
interactive storytelling system to promote learning about agency and perspective-taking,
(2) the design of a smartphone application to support crisis management and the
prevention of physical violence, and (3) the design, deployment and evaluation of an
asynchronous peer support process between two groups of perpetrators.
The outcomes of this conceptual and empirical inquiry are manifold. First, I provide a
detailed account of how responsibility is explored in practice between support workers
and perpetrators to suggest design considerations for future systems in this context.
Secondly, I provide a conceptual framework to aid researchers and designers in better
navigating designing for responsibilities for violent behaviours, and outline implications
for how this might be achieved. Finally, I offer a methodological and ethical
ii
considerations which outlines ways in which support workers and perpetrators can be
actively included within the co-design of digital tools while mitigating the elevation of
risk. These contributions aim to fundamentally reimagine the roles and possibilities for
digital tools within domestic violence, looking beyond today’s victim-focused and
security-oriented paradigms to propose a more transformative orientation focused on
preventing the harm done by perpetrators
Mediated Representations of Women in Qatar : a mixed-methods study exploring symbolic annihilation, presentation of self, and postfeminist sensibilities in the Gulf Times and among women influencers on Instagram
No full textPhD ThesisLittle scholarship on women’s representations in the news media or on social media
has focused on Arab Gulf countries. This study addresses research gaps on women’s
representations in the media in non-Western contexts, in both the mainstream media and on
social media in Qatar. The datasets for the quantitative content analysis of the Englishlanguage daily newspaper The Gulf Times comprises news items and photographs from a
rolling constructed two-week sample from a 14-week period in 2019. Three datasets were
compiled, covering articles (n=456), photographs (n=435), individuals named in the news
(n=933). I coded items using a modified codebook based on the Global Media Monitoring
Project and conducted descriptive and non-parametric statistical analyses. The results showed
that women in Qatar exceeded global and regional figures for representations in newspaper
articles and photographs, though they were directly quoted at a rate lower than the global and
regional averages. For the qualitative ethnographic content analysis of social media content, I
collected Instagram posts and stories of ten of Qatar’s Instafamous women during a threemonth period in late 2019. I conducted qualitative textual and visual analysis of a portion of
their posts (n=146) and all of their stories, using Goffman’s social role performance and
gender expression frameworks and Gill’s postfeminist sensibilities. The results indicate that
the Instafamous of Qatar both conform to and subvert dominant representations of women,
and they do so through microcelebrity practice, visibility labor, and impression management,
among other tools. My research challenges the Orientalist orthodoxy of the silenced Arab or
Muslim woman, and presents empirical evidence to decolonize theoretical frameworks
developed in the Western world. Women in Qatar exert agency by both conforming to and
subverting societal expectations by knowingly navigating gender-based boundaries on social
media and presenting themselves in meaningful waysAssociation for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication & Northwestern
Universit
Three-dimensional eddy current pulsed thermography and its applications
Get PDFPh. D. Thesis.The measurement and quantification of defects is a challenge for Non-DestructiveTesting and Evaluation (NDT&E). Such challenges include the precise localisation and
detection of surface and sub-surface defects, as well as the quantification of such defects. This
work first reports a three-dimensional (3D) Eddy Current Pulsed Thermography (ECPT)
system via integration with an RGB-D camera. Then, various quantitative measurements and
analyses of defects are carried out based on the 3D ECPT system.
The ECPT system at Newcastle University has been prooven to be an effective nondestructive testing (NDT) method in surface and sub-surface detection over the past few years.
Based on the different numerical or analytical models, it has achieved precise defect detection
on the rail tracks, wind turbines, carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and so on. The ECPT
system has the advantage of fast inspection and a large lift-off range. However, it involves a
trade-off between detectable defect size and inspection area compared with other NDT
methods. In addition, there are challenges of defect detection in a complex structure. Thus, the
quantification of defects gives a higher requirement of the measurement the object geometry
information. Furthermore, the analysis of thermal diffusion requires a precise 3D model. For
this reason, a 3D ECPT system is proposed that adds each heat pixel with an exact X-Y-Z
coordinate.
In this work, first, the 3D ECPT system is built. A feature-based automatic calibration
of the infrared camera and the RGB-D camera is proposed. Second, the software platform is
built. A fast 3D visualization is completed with multi-threading technology and the Point
Cloud Library. Lastly, various studies of defect localization, quantification and thermal
tomography reconstruction are carried ou
A System-of-Systems Architecture Methodology to Evaluate Energy Systems Integration as a Pathway for the Energy Transition
Get PDFPh. D. ThesisOne pathway for the energy transition is Energy Systems Integration (ESI), which aims to
exploit synergies across the multiple energy vectors of electricity, gas and heat. This will create
new interactions between different components of the energy system and increase the
complexity involved. Existing studies focus on planning and operational models for ESI, but
the literature lacks comprehensive studies around evaluation of ESI. This thesis develops a
novel methodological framework for evaluating the effectiveness of ESI as a pathway for the
energy transition. The framework provides a model to encompass stakeholders’ perspectives
in an indicator-based evaluation while reducing the complexity of the energy system
architecture.
The framework is based on three main contributions presented in this research, drawn from the
areas of sustainability assessments, sustainability transitions and systems engineering,
respectively. Firstly, the framework exhibits principles identified to reflect a whole systems
approach for evaluation being: multidimensional, multivectoral, systemic, systematic,
futuristic, and applicable. Secondly, the framework operationalises an understanding of ESI in
relation to the Multi-System Perspective for transitions, being conceptualised as a System-ofSystem (SoS). Thirdly, the framework combines systems engineering concepts and methods to
(i) model the integrated energy system architecture as a SoS; (ii) identify the structural and
functional relationships between its components and with its stakeholders at different levels of
abstraction; and (iii) select indicators to measure the effectiveness of the energy system towards
achieving its requirements.
The framework is validated using a test case study on the local energy system in Findhorn
village and through a group interview with academic experts, whose feedback helped
implement necessary improvements. From this, a Reference System Architecture Model that
can be readily used as a standard approach for evaluation is developed. A full scale study is
conducted on the North of Tyne energy system to demonstrate the framework applicability and
usefulness.EPSR
The role of stakeholder participation in tourism planning in Oman
Get PDFPhD ThesisWhile stakeholder participation is recognised as an important element in sustainable tourism development, research on its applicability within different political and socio-cultural contexts is still evolving. This thesis examines the applicability of the democratic concept of stakeholder participation, to tourism planning efforts in the Sultanate of Oman, a non-democratic and emerging tourism destination. In doing so, it seeks to understand how stakeholder participation can contribute to tourism planning in the Omani context. This study is rooted in the constructivist epistemology and followed a qualitative methodology that included analysis of planning documents, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with different tourism stakeholders. Tourism planning documents and stakeholder discourse are analysed to understand the challenges in the current planning process and the perspectives of tourism stakeholders on strengthening stakeholder participation to ensure sustainable tourism development.
The findings reveal that the current system of planning in Oman is characterised by decision-making power vested at the very top of the government hierarchy. All planning decisions are made by the government with bigger companies and experts providing input. The system has several weaknesses as perceived by stakeholders, including, a lack of clear direction for the tourism sector, fragmented decision-making, and lack of coordination among government stakeholders leading to delays in implementation. Stakeholders’ discourse reveals enthusiasm for more stakeholder participation as an effective mechanism to address the weaknesses, reduce community resistance to tourism and to ensure effective longer-term tourism development. However, in contrast to existing typologies of stakeholder participation, non-government stakeholders in Oman do not see themselves as part of the decision-making process; rather they emphasise that the government should make the ultimate decisions, which these should be based on stakeholder recommendations. The main contribution of this thesis is that it builds on and extends the existing typologies of stakeholder participation and stages of tourism planning by proposing an integrated framework for tourism planning and stakeholder consultation that is contextualised for Oman. The framework provides solutions that addresses the weaknesses in the Omani tourism planning system and can reduce community resistance to tourism development efforts. The framework has the potential to be applied in other non-democratic countries, which share similarities with Oman, but this is subject to validation from future research
Modeling and simulation of data-driven applications in SDN-aware environments
Get PDFPhD ThesisThe rising popularity of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is increasing as it promises
to offer a window of opportunity and new features in terms of network performance,
configuration, and management. As such, SDN is exploited by several emerging applications and environments, such as cloud computing, edge computing, IoT, and data-
driven applications. Although SDN has demonstrated significant improvements in industry, still little research has explored the embracing of SDN in the area of cross-layer
optimization in different SDN-aware environments.
Each application and computing environment require different functionalities and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. For example, a typical MapReduce application would require data transmission at three different times while the data transmission of stream-based applications would be unknown due to uncertainty about the number
of required tasks and dependencies among stream tasks. As such, the deployment of SDN with different applications are not identical, which require different deployment strategies and algorithms to meet different QoS requirements (e.g., high bandwidth,
deadline). Further, each application and environment has unique architectures, which impose different form of complexity in terms of computing, storage, and network.
Due to such complexities, finding optimal solutions for SDN-aware applications and environments become very challenging.
Therefore, this thesis presents multilateral research towards optimization, modeling, and simulation of cross-layer optimization of SDN-aware applications and environments. Several tools and algorithms have been proposed, implemented, and evaluated,
considering various environments and applications[1–4]. The main contributions of
this thesis are as follows:
• Proposing and modeling a new holistic framework that simulates MapReduce ap-
plications, big data management systems (BDMS), and SDN-aware networks in cloud-based environments. Theoretical and mathematical models of MapReduce
in SDN-aware cloud datacenters are also proposedThe government of Saudi Arabia represented
by Saudi Electronic University (SEU) and the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Cultural
Burea
Cartographies of Heritage : Mapping the Interpretation of Landscape
Get PDFPh. D. Thesis.This thesis critically assesses the capabilities of data visualisation as a medium for effectively
presenting and communicating fuzzy data, exploring cartographic methods as an effective
form of knowledge communication. It considers how data visualisation can be used to explore
landscape themes, specifically by integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to
represent and analyse qualitative data for understanding cultural heritage landscapes. Using
heritage as a key geographical theme, the thesis considers how individuals place ‘value’ onto
locations by reviewing theories of landscape aesthetics as a way of conceptualising landscape
recognition.
By utilising GIS, the thesis devises a mixed-methods approach to map interpretations and
responses to heritage landscapes, developing techniques to enable the visualisation of
landscape responses through forms of digital cartography. The methodology is designed to be
completed in two separate stages. The first stage involves the collection of categorical and
quantifiable data through identified research methods. The second stage requires utilising the
empirical data collection to create data visualisation and subsequent maps as evidence of the
possibility to deploy qualitative cartographies.
Consequently, this thesis shows that cartographic representations can interrogate the
relationships between people and place using mixed methods through a qualitative GIS
approach. Whether these are part of a series of ongoing innovations, as unique stand-alone
maps or as complimentary and supplementary methods of visualisation, data representations
can effectively communicate people's experiences with or interpretations of landscapes. Data
graphics and cartographic representations can be used alongside or in tandem to one another
as part of the same visualisation, to create new innovative forms of data visualisation for
interrogating and deciphering the complexities between people and place.Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), North East
Doctoral Training Centre (NEDTC
Accelerated cell line development and improved characterisation of lentiviral vector production through application of MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry and multivariate data analysis.
Get PDFPh. D. Thesis.Several cell and gene therapies will be commercially launched within the next
few years using lentiviral vectors as the gene delivery vehicle. Oxford BioMedica’s
Lentivector® platform is an advanced lentiviral-based gene delivery system designed for
improved safety and efficacy. The growing interest in these vectors has created a strong
demand for large scale production of lentiviral vectors as well as for development of
packaging and producer cell lines. This EngD project used a combination of matrix
assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS)
and multivariate data analysis (MVDA) to analyse cell and lentiviral vector samples. A
comparison between mass spectra of samples produced across small and large scale in
adherent and suspension culture was used to identify what aspects of the manufacturing
process had the biggest impact on cell and vector variation. Principal component
analysis was applied to compare different lentiviral vector production methods, assess
data structure of the process parameters and examine whole cell and vector mass
spectrometry data. This approach led to improved characterisation of lentiviral vectors
and HEK293T cells. It demonstrated the capability to differentiate between adherent
and suspension cells as well as cell lines of different levels of performance as defined by
lentiviral vector infectious titre. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA)
was used to calibrate and validate a predictive model of cell line performance based on
mass spectrometry and viral vector titre data obtained from multiple HEK293T cell
lines. PLS-DA model validation resulted in 87.5% accuracy in classification of cell lines
as high or low producers based on a discrimination threshold determined by viral
vector titre. The results of PLS-DA modelling indicated that this method can be used for
accurate cell line performance prediction, accelerating cell line development by several
weeks, improving cell selection and reducing campaign timelines.EPSR
Impact of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on cardiorespiratory reserve, sarcopenia and quality of life in oesophago-gastric carcinoma
Get PDFM. D. Thesis.Background
The UK management of locally advanced oesophago-gastric (OG) adenocarcinoma includes
three cycles of MAGIC protocol neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). NAC may have a
detrimental impact on fitness, quality of life and sarcopenia. Determination of the oxygen
uptake at the anaerobic threshold (AT) by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)
objectively measures cardiorespiratory reserve (fitness). AT can be used to predict
perioperative risk. Sarcopenia is defined by decreased skeletal muscle mass and is a poor
prognostic factor. Patients view their health by means of quality of life (QOL) rather than
traditional clinical outcomes. This study was conducted to determine the impact of
neoadjuvant chemotherapy on fitness, sarcopenia and quality of life following neoadjuvant
chemotherapy.
Methods
Patients with locally advanced OG adenocarcinoma were recruited. CPET, sarcopenia and
QOL were measured before and following NAC. AT and peak oxygen uptake (VO2 Peak)
were used to assess fitness before NAC, immediately after, and at two and four weeks interval
post neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Computerised topography (CT) at staging and upon
completion of NAC was used to measure sarcopenia (muscle mass and function). Quality of
life was assessed at similar intervals to CPET, using European Organisation for Research and
Treatment quality of life questionnaires: EORTC QOL-Core 30 and QLQ-Oesophagogastric
25.
Results
Thirty one patients with a median age of 65 (41-81) were recruited, 27 patients completed all
three cycles of NAC. The results of pre and post NAC measured parameters, represented in
mean (+/-1 standard deviation) are as follow: Anaerobic Threshold (ml/kg/min) 15.3 (3.4)
versus 11.9(2.5) P<0.01, Peak Oxygen Uptake (ml/kg/min) 21.7 (3.9) versus 17.5(3.0)
P<0.01, Mean Muscle Index (cm2
/m2
) 53.3 versus 49.6(9.5) P <0.001, Grip Strength 39.4
(6.6) versus 36.5(6.5) P<0.01 and Global Health Status (QoL) 72.2(20.5) versus 59.3(25.3)
p=0.043.
Conclusion
NAC significantly impacts fitness, sarcopenia levels and QoL. Preventing this reduction
through development of ‘prehabilitation’ strategies, or optimising timing of surgery after
recovery of the observed decline, may decrease perioperative risk, reduce postoperative
complications and improve quality life. This should be the focus of future studies