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Governance and guidance as alternatives to law change: solutions from a comparison of UK prescribed persons’ approaches to whistleblowing with contemporary international practice
Get PDFThis thesis aims to evaluate whether the organisations prescribed in UK law to receive qualifying disclosures from whistleblowers appear to understand the relevant law and apply it accurately, and in turn, whether UK law reflects contemporary international practice, including Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law. These aims are encapsulated in two research questions: (i) Do UK prescribed persons meet the requirements of the whistleblowing framework, including government guidance? and (ii) where not, how can identified incompatibility be addressed, where possible without recourse to law change and having regard to contemporary international practice? Thereafter, the thesis posits practical solutions to deficits identified by the research.
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA 2000) responses from UK prescribed persons (with comparable functions to the material scope of the Directive) assisted evaluation of the UK’s de jure alignment with the Directive, and de facto application of prescribed persons’ policies, procedures and processes when compared both with UK law and the Directive. Corroboration and contradiction of the FOIA 2000 responses were sought through examination of the prescribed persons’ whistleblower policies, procedures and processes, where available. Given that prescribed persons are expected by law to publish annual reports about whistleblowing reports received, analysis was undertaken of such reports, where identified. Further comparison was made between the UK’s de jure and de facto situations with comparable legislation in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa. Following this analysis, the research distilled practical guidance from international comparators to assist prescribed persons in addressing the inconsistent approaches that were identified. Finally, the lack of oversight, particularly of local authority prescribed persons’ approaches, suggested a role for local government ombudsmen augmented by private sector audit capability
A study of bacteria producing carbonic anhydrase enzyme for CaCO3 precipitation and soil biocementation
Get PDFWe study the carbonic anhydrase (CA) pathway using autochthonous CA-producing bacteria as a means of inducing calcite precipitation, which acts as a biocement to improve the engineering soil properties. Forty different microbial strains producing CA were isolated from the foundation soil of a railway embankment in Prickwillow, UK. Three of the best CA-producing strains were selected and identified by DNA sequencing as Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus toyonensis and Bacillus pumilus with CA activity values respectively of 1.79 U/ml, 1.42 U/ml and 1.55 U/ml. To optimise the treatments, we investigated the effect of pH, temperature, zinc co-factor and cementation solution molarity on the growth and CA activity and bioprecipitates, with CO2 added in the form of bicarbonate. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of the bioprecipitates showed that these had characteristic morphologies of calcite and vaterite crystals. The formation of calcite was further corroborated by FT-IR and Raman analysis of bioprecipitates. The precultured bacteria were injected into the fine-grained soil together with cementation solution. Unconfined compressive strength in treated soil increased up to 1 MPa, and its calcium carbonate content increased by 2.78%. This, as well as the stability of the treated soil upon water immersion, proved the biocementation of the fine-grained soil. These findings suggest the potential of employing the CA biocementation route for soil stabilisation pending further development of the technique
An exploration of women’s lived experiences of event centrality resulting from childhood trauma – an existential perspective
Get PDFObjective: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of Event Centrality, being when an event becomes central to identity, of women who have experienced trauma in childhood. A systematic review of literature demonstrates a lack of qualitative research in the field. The study aimed to provide qualitative insight into the lived experience of Event Centrality. Following a narrative literature review of existential literature on trauma, the study explored Event Centrality through an existential lens, specifically within the framework of Eventual Hermeneutics; there is currently has no supporting research for this approach. Method: Participants (N= 8), all female, and residing in the UK, aged 24–45 years old, completed the Adverse Childhood Events and Centrality of Events Scales. This was then followed up with semi-structured interviews on their experiences of Event Centrality resulting from childhood trauma. Data were analogised using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings: Five themes emerged from the data: self-identity, self and others, making sense, constraints and possibilities, and distress and growth. The combined results offered insight into the experience of Event Centrality resulting from childhood trauma from the perspective of the participants. Conclusion: The findings supported Event Centrality research on the effects of trauma becoming central to identity and existential theories on the impact of trauma. They provide relevance to clinical interventions for the sample population, counselling psychology, and social policy. Furthermore, they add to existing literature on Event Centrality and existential theories
Power in practice: clergy workplace experiences within the Pentecostal assemblies of Canada
Get PDFThis study is the first indicative, qualitative research to explore the impact of power differentials experienced by clergy within the PAOC. A rich and varied sample of twenty-five current and former PAOC clergy were interviewed on the subject of their own lived experiences in relation to power differentials within the ecclesial system. Utilizing an inductive approach, abuse of power was not assumed as an experience; however, each participant disclosed multiple experiences of mistreatment from their superiors, resulting in significant personal harm (whether emotionally, spiritually, relationally, economically, or otherwise) as a direct result. This study analyzes and codes those experiences, and subsequently categorizes them along three major typological axes, presenting them in a ranked order of prominence. An analysis of the themes and relevant literature emerging around the research topic was also engaged; using Cameron et. al's “Four Voices of Theology” this study articulates a model of renewed praxis for power and leadership that is rooted in an intentional and applied integration of normative theological anthropology. It ultimately concludes with practical recommendations for the PAOC along with particular convictions on what constitutes an ethic of power that is faithfully Christian
Running event, age and competitive level as predictors of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry-derived body composition and bone health markers in female runners
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to assess the impact of running discipline, competitive level (COMP), and age on body composition measures in female athletes. A total of n=51 female runners (age: 30.9 ± 5.7 years, stature: 166.7 ± 5.7 cm, body mass (BM): 57.1 ± 8.2 kg) completed a full body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan in a cross-sectional design. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis was used to identify differences in DXA measures and independent variables. Stepwise regression determined the contribution of independent variables on DXA measures. Body fat percentage (BF%) and fat mass (FM) differed based on COMP (BF%: H(2) = 17.451; FM: H(2) = 17.406, both p≤0.0001). COMP modestly predicted BF% and FM (BF%: R2adj = 0.316, F(1,50) = 22.660; FM: R2adj = 0.300, F(1,50) = 21.029, both p≤0.0001). Bone mineral density (BMD) and BMD Z-score (BMDZ) did not differ between age, running discipline or COMP (Age: BMD: F(2,50) = 2.825, BMDZ: F(2,50) = 2.215; running discipline: BMD: F(3,50) = 1.145, BMDZ: F(3,50) = 1.474; COMP: BMD: F(2,50) = 0.074, BMDZ: F(2,50) = 1.297, all p≤0.05). Age and running discipline modestly predicted BMD and BMDZ (BMD: R2adj = 0.179, F(1,50) = 5.264; BMDZ: R2adj = 0.173, F(1,50) = 4.545, both p≤0.05). These findings indicate COMP may be a predictor of BF% and FM. Age and running discipline appear predictors of bone health markers. Such findings may enable medical and sport science practitioners to tailor interventions relating to realisation of training adaptations, performance and health
Trans-masc tits: why not chop them off. Volume 2: the phenomenology of trans-masculine gender flux in performance
Get PDFThis dissertation tackles the lived experience of gender dysphoria and states of gender flux from my perspective as a trans-masculine artist-performer, capturing my journey through an intimate lens of phenomenological practice as research. The work is presented in two volumes, a practice portfolio and a written discussion, to provide a discursive weaving between practice and theory. Through transdisciplinary art practice, with a mix of analogue photography, soft sculpture, and performance art, as a reclamation of bodily autonomy and visibility. Drawing on the performance phenomenology concepts of T.J. Bacon, Susan Kozel, and Amelia Jones, alongside the queer theorists Sara Ahmed and Jack Halberstam, this work applies Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and Creative Articulations Processing (CAP) as methods of reflection and analysis of the creative process and written embodied accounts of performance encounters. The grounding motif of ‘having trans-masc tits’ highlights a fluctuating relationship to ‘the chop’ that challenges binary narratives of trans identity with the uneasy joy of living in-between, in flux, and beyond gender norms. Here, Bacon's theory illuminates a multiplicity of Self/s—allowing each iteration of self-encounter to be an artistic and transformative protest against restrictive binary expectations. This project contributes to expanding trans-led academic research by offering a trans-masculine perspective to destabilise binary gender constructs, encouraging an inclusive understanding of gender fluidity and the transformative potential of queer art practices
Silica nanoparticles and kaolin clay decorated with VO
No full textThe importance of controlled hydrocarbon oxidation has sparked interest in methods that catalyze this process. In this vein, controlled oxidative degradation of BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) which are hazardous air and industrial waste water contaminants is very considerable. Accordingly, the reactive VO2+ species was anchored onto silica nanoparticles (VO–SNP) to catalyze the conversion of BTEX into useful compounds. The synthesized heterogeneous VO–SNP catalyst was characterized using different techniques such as FTIR, FETEM, FESEM, XRD, EDX, ICP and XPS. Interestingly, the catalyst performed the activation of the relatively inert C–H bonds of BTEX to produce oxygenated compounds under quite mild and eco-friendly conditions at room temperature with no extra additives. Furthermore, we introduced VO2+ species onto mineral kaolin sheets (VO–kaolin) as a vanadyl decorated natural solid support and the results showed less efficiency compared to VO–SNP
To Byzantium and Beyond
No full textRecorded album with tracklisting:
1-4: Etudes de concert for recorder solo
5: Burmese Memory for electronics
6-9: Sailing to Byzantium for recorder solo
10: Burmese Dreams for electronic
When I have to versus when I am able to: behavioral and resource explanations for firms’ international expansion via exporting
Get PDFThis study investigates how the motivations of firms to expand internationally via exporting in rather different contexts can be explained through either the more traditional “ability to export” as held in the resource-based view of the firm or with a behavioral theory perspective. In a riskier context with numerous roadblocks to international trade and investment, this study found support for the behavioral perspective, showing that under- and over-performing firms in that challenging context tended to export more as a result of problemistic search and slack search, while the firms performing around their aspiration levels tended to export less. And this effect proved stronger for smaller firms and non-state enterprises. In contrast, when the conditions for international expansion turned less risky, due to reduced trade barriers, clearer rules and adjudication, the better-performing, larger, and state-owned firms with more resources tended to engage in more exporting activities than others, supporting the resource-based explanations for taking fairly bold strategic action. Based on data from China’s pharmaceutical firms in a time of major institutional change during the pre- and post-WTO periods, this study revealed that firms’ incentives and propensity for undertaking exports change, with changes in the context and the relevant risks. This underscores the importance of selecting and applying theories judiciously when examining firms' international expansion behaviors, particularly given significant contextual change
Progress in electrical impedance tomography and bioimpedance
Get PDFThis focus collection aims at presenting recent advances in electrical impedance tomography (EIT), including algorithms, hardware, and clinical applications.
This focus collection of articles published by the journal Physiological Measurement introduces the Progress in Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) and Bioimpedance. It follows conferences in South Korea and Germany, that provided a platform for new research ideas