RSS 1.0PhD e-theses
University of Bedfordshire PhD e-theses
@ University of Bedfordshire
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Study of electrical properties of nerve cells by conductive atomic force microscopyThe prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epilepsy, characterised by deterioration of the nervous system, continues to exhibit an exponential upward trend. Despite decades of research, the understanding of the underlying pathology and mechanisms of these neurodegenerative remains insufficient. Although scientists have proposed various ideas, the development of methods or drugs that can completely cure these diseases still has not yet been achieved. Previous research has focused on using biological methods to study the complex relationship between cells and related diseases. However, the study of the cellular physical properties in diseased states remains limited, especially when patients suffered from neurodegenerative diseases, the changes in the physical properties of nerve cells. In this work, we employed atomic force microscopy (AFM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM) to study the physical properties of SH-SY5Y cells, analysing their mechanical and electrical properties. Furthermore, we extend our work to study the pathogenesis and drug screening of related neurodegenerative diseases. The effect of AFM measurement parameters on the detection of cellular mechanical properties was studied to improve the accuracy of the obtained mechanical data. The effects of indentation force, indentation speed, lifting height and cantilever shape on the detection of cellular mechanical properties were studied, and the force curves obtained by detecting A549 cells using different measurement parameters were compared, which helps to choose and determine the most suitable detection parameters for the subsequent experiments. The neurotoxic effect of amyloid-beta (Aβ) on the physical properties of SH-SY5Y cells was studied in this work. Results showed the Aβ25-35, can significantly reducing the cell viability and altering the physical properties of SH-SY5Y cells, including cell morphology, membrane roughness, Young's modulus (YM), and membrane potential. This validated the neurotoxicity of Aβ25-35 from a physical perspective and provides data support for subsequent research. The neuroprotective effect of edaravone (EDA) was analysed from a perspective of cellular physical properties. The SH-SY5Y cells were treated with 20 μmol/L concentration of Aβ25-35 to simulate the AD environment for cells, and the cells of experimental groups were added with different concentrations of EDA simultaneously for 24 h. The results indicated that EDA can effectively protect cell viability of SH-SY5Y cells from being reduced by Aβ25-35, and also can protect multiple physical properties of SH-SY5Y cells affected by Aβ25-35. These results demonstrate the neuroprotective effect of EDA, and providing a new insight for the multi-targeted therapy of AD. Nimodipine (NM) was used to treat on SH-SY5Y cells, as the calcium imbalance was a deep trigger of oxidative stress and can also lead to AD. The effect of Aβ25-35 on the cell membrane was mainly studied, as Aβ25-35 could directly act on the cell membrane and its neurotoxicity could make the cell membrane rough and damage its integrity. The results indicated that NM could protect the viability of SH-SY5Y cells reduced by Aβ25-35 and alleviate related physical properties changes. It also could attenuate the damage of Aβ25-35 to the cell membrane, thereby reducing the impact on the cell membrane potential.
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Healthcare providers’ perceptions of dementia: understanding help-seeking behaviour for dementia in northern region of GhanaBackground. Dementia is a significant global health challenge, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Ghana. Research on dementia reveals that there has been a substantial increase in the number of people living with dementia worldwide due to an increasing ageing population. Despite the rapid increase of dementia cases worldwide, symptoms of dementia are often unrecognised in Sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, there is very little evidence of research that explore perceptions of dementia and help-seeking behaviour for dementia in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ghana. Understanding the socio-cultural dynamics of dementia and help-seeking behaviours for dementia in a Sub-Saharan African setting such as Ghana is crucial for developing culturally appropriate health promotion strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to explore healthcare providers’ perceptions of dementia and their perspectives on factors influencing help-seeking behaviour for people with dementia in the Northern Region of Ghana. Method. The PEN-3 cultural model was adopted as the conceptual framework for this research, which aided in the understanding of perceptions and help-seeking behaviour for dementia within a socio-cultural context. An interpretative philosophical stance was adopted to answer the research questions and to achieve research objectives. The study employed two complementary methodologies: a systematic review and a qualitative method. The systematic review critically synthesised and appraised existing primary qualitative evidence-based studies that explored healthcare providers' perceptions of dementia and their perspectives on help-seeking behaviour for people with dementia in Sub-Saharan Africa. The review employed Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) critical checklist for qualitative research to draw current existing evidence. The primary qualitative approach used semi-structured interviews. A total of 43 interviews were conducted among formal and informal healthcare providers. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) step-by-step guide to thematic analysis approach. Findings. The systematic review's findings revealed that there is limited knowledge and understanding of dementia in Sub-Sahara Africa. It also shows that help-seeking behaviour for dementia is influenced by perceptions of dementia associated with normal ageing, spirituality and the availability of healthcare services. The findings from the primary qualitative study indicate that there is limited knowledge and understanding of dementia, particularly among informal healthcare providers. The findings reveal that healthcare providers in the Northern Region of Ghana hold varying perceptions about dementia; ranging from supernatural beliefs and normal ageing among informal healthcare providers to biomedical models among formal healthcare providers. Furthermore, the findings identified four different help-seeking pathways: first point of call for help-seeking pathway, emergency or deteriorated help-seeking pathway, blended or multiple help-seeking pathway, and informed or advice-based help-seeking pathway. The main factors influencing help-seeking behaviour are identified as: religious or cultural factors, socio-economic factors, trust or reliability of healthcare services, attitudes and professionalism of healthcare providers, and Language barrier. Conclusion and recommendation. The study highlights the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance healthcare providers' understanding of dementia and to promote appropriate help-seeking behaviour. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of community engagement, emphasising on collaboration between community-based healthcare providers such as faith healers, traditional healers, and healthcare professionals.
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Child maltreatment and metabolic syndrome in midlife: a life-course approachEvidence suggests that childhood adverse events are associated with an elevated risk of adult diseases in later life. However, there is limited knowledge of child maltreatment (CM) on the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adulthood. This study examined the role of CM and the mechanism through which CM influences the development of MetS in midlife. The National Child Development (NCDS) 1958 British birth cohort study in the UK consists of approximately 18,558 babies born in the same week in March in England, Scotland and Wales. At intervals, the NCDS cohort was followed up from birth to the age of 60 in 2018, and information on CM was prospectively measured at ages 7, 11, and 16 and retrospectively at age 45. Also, research professionals measured information on MetS during the biomedical survey when the cohort members were 45 years old. The association between CM and MetS was examined using suitable statistical methods such as Logistic regression and Structural equation modelling, and estimates were presented as odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and standardised coefficients. The main finding shows an indirect path where smoking fully mediated the effect of all CM measures obtained retrospectively on the risk of MetS. Hence, the knowledge of the mechanism through which CM influences MetS should play a significant role in the prevention of MetS. Further research is required to consolidate these findings further.
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The feasibility and acceptability of remote positive movement: a remotely delivered adapted mind-body physical activity intervention for older peopleBackground: People are living for longer, and with ageing comes changes in physical, psychological, and social functioning. Due to a decline in overall functioning, there is a need for adapted physical activity interventions. Furthermore, access to such interventions might become challenging with reduced abilities therefore, remotely delivered interventions might provide an avenue for people to remain active. This thesis aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of Remote Positive movement using mixed methods. Methods: The Medical Research Council (MRC) and Person Based Approach (PBA) research frameworks were employed resulting in a mixed methods study. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the effectiveness of adapted mind-body physical activity interventions for older people. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted pre-intervention to explore perceptions and experiences of older people on physical activity and the use of digital technologies, as well as post intervention to identify benefits and challenges to participating in remote Positive Movement. A quantitative approach was utilised to test the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, looking at recruitment, study procedures, data collection materials, retention, attendance, and initial impact. The experimental design was conducted in two phases (two sessions/week over eight weeks and one session/week over 20 weeks). Findings: The systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that adapted mind-body interventions for older people could result in small to moderate effects on some components of physical function, quality of life and wellbeing. No remotely delivered interventions were identified in the review, presenting a knowledge gap within the literature. The qualitative findings showed that the target population were willing to participate in the remotely delivered intervention in the context of COVID-19 and absence of face-to-face alternatives. In addition, recruitment, data collection and intervention delivery via Zoom was conducted successfully and deemed a feasible mode of delivery. The retention and attendance rates were reported to be within acceptable ranges, however there were mixed views on whether participants preferred face to face or remote interventions. The quantitative findings reported that remote Positive Movement shows some promise in improving quality-of-life and overall physical function in older people. Conclusions: Older people were willing to engage in remote interventions and some found it beneficial and convenient, whilst others still preferred face to face interventions. A gender bias and addressing digital literacy and access were concerns identified for future research to address. This PhD encourages a culture of developing hybrid interventions that offer the choice of face-to-face or remotely delivered interventions to encourage uptake of physical activity from older adults. The findings reported in this thesis highlight the importance of developing and implementing tailored interventions that aim to cater to the different population needs and the role of joined up working within communities to facilitate this. Additionally, recommendations for future research have been made. In conclusion, remote delivery of the intervention was deemed feasible, a larger study is needed to evaluate its effectiveness. Contribution to knowledge: This thesis includes a systematic review that was to the authors knowledge, the first to look at the effectiveness of adapted mind-body physical activity interventions for older people. No digital interventions were included in the review highlighting a knowledge gap. The delivery of physical activity interventions over Zoom or other video conferencing platforms became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, however there is limited literature on the feasibility of conducting instructor-led, interactive live-stream adapted mind-body interventions for community dwelling older people. This thesis aims to add to this evidence base.
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Development of digital investigation framework for Robot Operating System (ROS)The incorporation of robot use into each industry has made industrial operations dependent on automation and precision in completing tasks. Though it is advanced, security problems within the robots, particularly ROS, are new challenges that pose an even higher risk because of their increased vulnerability to cyber-attacks. One of the most widely used frameworks in robotics, ROS presents unique forensic challenges through its architecture, open communication protocols, and lack of built-in security features. To discuss the above issues, this thesis proposes the ROS Forensic Framework (ROSFF) specially designed to address forensic issues specific to ROSbased environments. The ROSFF is somewhat different from conventional digital forensic frameworks, with a few differences outlined as follows. Unlike the frameworks for traditional systems such as desktop computers, mobile phones, or even IoT devices, ROSFF is custommade to cope with the decentralized and modular nature of ROS. The number of existing systems focused on particular operating systems or isolated forensic phases is on a major increase, whereas ROSFF integrates all aspects - organizational, technical, and legal. The ROS Forensic Framework (ROSFF) is not similar to all the traditional digital forensic frameworks because it addresses the unique characteristics of the architecture, including ROS decentralized and modular. Traditional forensic framework tools are designed for centralized systems that are ineffective for communication across several nodes and topics in ROS. In contrast, ROSFF is specifically designed to collect evidence across these distributed components making sure that complete evidence collection is taken into account with the system's dynamic nature. ROSFF uses decentralized logging. The mechanism of evidence collection from numerous nodes and topics of the ROS system thus ensures comprehensive data collection, with all relevant interactions and communications in a networked environment. It integrates seamlessly with ROS’s architecture to collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence ensuring that every stage of the forensic process is systematically addressed. The immutable data storage system implemented by ROSFF maintains digital evidence without losing its integrity, and the use of ROS-specific tools in real-time analysis ensures critical forensic data capture and interpretation without loss of validity. Moreover, while existing frameworks mostly fail to provide real-time capabilities, in ROSFF realtime monitoring and automated anomaly detection are made, where certain suspicious activities can quickly be marked. By the mechanism of ROSFF, anomaly detection algorithms continuously monitor system activity for suspicious behavior. Any suspicious information is marked, and then this marking allows irregularities to be identified immediately by streamlining the forensic investigation process. Forensic checks in ROSFF are also robust, including systematic data acquisition, verification mechanisms, and reconstruction of incidents. Furthermore, ROSFF provides a flexible meta-model, allowing investigators to adapt the framework to different ROS versions and configurations. ROSFF has a four-phase process in its forensic checks, containing data collection, examination, analysis, and reporting. Unlike most of the frameworks, which rely on general-purpose forensic tools, ROSFF emphasizes flexibility with accuracy, using specially designed ROS-specific tools to extract log files, traces from the system, and histories of events. This leads not only to gathering the evidence but also to understanding an incident in context within the ecosystem of ROS. This ensures both technical and legal aspects of the investigation warrant that the forensic findings are valid and make them reliable for presentation in court. This thesis applies ROSFF to real-world scenarios to demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of such an approach. The results indicate that ROSFF enables more comprehensive forensic evaluations in ROS-based systems, better overcoming the limitations of existing digital forensic frameworks. Thus, it concludes by saying that ROSFF offers a novel, systematic approach toward forensic investigations within robotic environments, both opening new avenues for academic research and contributing to reallife digital forensics.
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Exploring motivation in FE adult language settings: Zoltan Dörnyei’s strategies to enhance learner motivationThe teacher’s use of motivational strategies in the classroom is commonly believed to increase student motivation, yet there is limited experimental evidence to support this claim. This action research study explored the impact(s) of motivational practices of an ESOL teacher on students’ second language learning motivation and motivated classroom behaviour in an FE college in England. Data regarding the applied motivation teaching strategies by teachers were collected using a series of lesson observations and the findings were cross-examined by two trained teachers independently to ensure the reliability of the collected data. ESOL students were recruited voluntarily and their motivational behaviour was measured by questionnaires, motivational-adapted observation sheets, and interviews. In the main study, eight groups from eight classes selected to participate. The results compared between the groups that received the motivation teaching strategies and those that did not receive the teaching intervention, aiming to uncover students’ reactions to these strategies. Results, derived from both quantitative and qualitative data, revealed that integrating motivational teaching strategies into the content and processes of L2 instruction and teaching in general correlates with different levels of motivation. Responses from student participants indicated a direct relationship between language teachers’ motivational teaching practices and increased levels of motivated learning performance. This outcome was observed following the implementation of a set of teaching interventions aimed to generate motivation.
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From augmentation to inpainting: improving Visual SLAM with object detection and removal, signal enhancement techniques and GAN-based image inpaintingIn dynamic indoor environments, the operation of Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (vSLAM) systems requires careful consideration of moving objects, as they can significantly affect the stability of visual odometry and the accuracy of position estimation. This challenge requires the exploration of signal enhancement techniques to improve vSLAM performance. This thesis proposes a vSLAM system based on ORB-SLAM3 and YOLOR, augmented with the YOLOX object detection model, which achieves an improvement in accuracy of 2—- 4% compared to previous systems. By utilizing static feature points for camera position calculation and dynamic object tracking, the system effectively mitigates environmental disturbances. Furthermore, a novel approach is introduced that leverages Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) for image inpainting following object removal, thereby enhancing both the accuracy and execution speed of the system. Through a comprehensive investigation, this study not only evaluates existing methods, but also proposes innovative denoising techniques. The integration of signal enhancement and advanced denoising contributes to improved accuracy, robustness, and computational efficiency in real-world vSLAM scenarios, thereby advancing the field’s capabilities.
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An institutional ethnography of exclusionary processes and practices in English primary schoolsThis thesis investigates the exclusionary processes and practices in English primary schools, examining how school ethos, behaviour policies, and institutional frameworks contribute to the exclusion of vulnerable children. Grounded in Institutional Ethnography (IE), this study uncovers the often-hidden mechanisms that lead to formal and informal exclusions. IE provides a methodological lens that traces how ruling relations, such as behaviour policies, shape local practices, often without regard for the developmental needs of younger children (Smith, 2005). By focusing on primary schools, this research addresses a significant gap in the literature. While much research has been dedicated to exclusions in secondary schools, primary schools remain under-explored, despite growing evidence that exclusionary practices can have long-lasting effects on children’s educational trajectories. Exclusion rates disproportionately affect children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), those from minority ethnic backgrounds, and socio-economically disadvantaged children (Gazeley et al., 2020). The study adopts a multi-method approach, combining interviews, observations, and policy analysis. A key finding is that exclusion is not only the result of overt policy decisions but also stems from the informal, everyday practices that reinforce institutional norms. These hidden exclusions, such as the use of isolation rooms or unofficial removals, often escape scrutiny and disproportionately impact vulnerable children (Done & Knowler, 2020). Moreover, this research highlights the tension between national accountability frameworks, which emphasise discipline ii and performance, and the need for flexible, child-centred approaches that can better accommodate the needs of primary-aged children. The findings challenge the notion that exclusion is a necessary response to challenging behaviour, arguing instead that it is often a systemic failure to address the root causes of that behaviour. The research calls for more inclusive, trauma-informed approaches to behaviour management that move away from punitive measures and towards supportive interventions. These approaches not only reduce the risk of exclusion but also foster a more inclusive learning environment, promoting equity and improving outcomes for all children. In conclusion, this thesis makes a significant contribution to the understanding of exclusionary processes and practices in primary schools. It advocates for urgent reforms in national and local policy, promoting inclusive practices that are developmentally appropriate and responsive to the unique needs of vulnerable children. By shifting the focus from punishment to support, schools can become environments where all children, regardless of background or challenges, are given the opportunity to thrive.
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How to do things without wordsFor this thesis there are two backgrounds: 1 systemic practice in social work, family therapy, training, coaching and consultancy, and 2 physical theatre, martial arts and other physical practices. As a starting point there is a suspicion or hunch from my own practice that systemic practice overly relies and focusses on verbal communication, missing out on the potential for change that non-verbal communication offers. This was suspected to be particularly the case after the linguistic turn that could be summarised in the sentence: Reality is created in language. Three research questions were developed that build on each other: 1 Is there now a tendency to focus on the spoken and written word or verbal communication in the field of systemic practice? 2 If so, what are the consequences for practitioners of a focus on verbal aspects of communication? 3 Are there ways the practitioner can include non-verbal aspects of communication in a useful way? Methodologically there are two main strands: 1 A review of the literature examines introductions to systemic practice and philosophical, sociological and linguistic trends that underpin and influence developments in systemic practice on the level of approach, to map the terrain of systemic practice. Ideas from communication theory are used to further investigate what is focussed on and what is meant by language. This review offers a new distinction of symbolic and dynamic action instead of verbal and non-verbal communication. Using ideas from process philosophy and affect theory alongside ideas from physical theatre in a framework of metaphors, a new theoretical frame for both practice and the research of it is developed. 2 A series of workshops with systemic practitioners and practitioners from physical practices investigated how (social) reality is also created in dynamic action. These workshops were video recorded and followed up with verbal discussions with the practitioners. Earlier workshops were analysed within a social constructionist framework and later workshops were analysed to incorporate the arguments made when developing a new theoretical frame for both practice and the research of it. Both the practical and theoretical investigations lead to answer the research questions: While practitioners might attend to dynamic action and are certainly influenced by it, this is not theorised much. The literature as well as practitioner interviews (as part of the workshops) indicate that after the linguistic turn in the field the central metaphor has changed from systems and feedback loops to language and meaning. If practitioners respond to dynamic action they do this mostly in symbolic action. But language in form of symbolic action can only ever approximate what it describes and there is a lot of potential for change in using dynamic action. Beyond developing a theoretical frame for attending to and using dynamic action in systemic practice and systemic practitioner research, techniques for use in practice are developed. These ideas, by no means an exhaustive list, are offered as a catalogue of ‘cards’, brief descriptions with some thoughts in which circumstances these ideas might be useful and video examples.
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Understanding transnational online child sexual exploitation and abuse by British men against Filipino childrenOnline child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) causes significant harm to victims, with governments and organisations around the world seeking to prevent and tackle it. To support these efforts, the factors that facilitate this crime must be understood. Research shows that online CSEA offending is facilitated by a range of sexual, psychological, and non-sexual factors, but there is no consideration within the existing literature of the factors that facilitate online CSEA that occurs across national borders. This research helps to address this gap. Specifically, this study explores the factors within Britain that facilitate transnational online CSEA of children in the Philippines by British men. Through semi-structured interviews with 30 CSEA professionals based in the Philippines and Britain, this research explores the range of factors that these professionals perceive as facilitating transnational online CSEA. Many of the factors that apply for online CSEA offending in general apply for transnational online CSEA, including sexual motivations, offenders’ desire for power, and permission-giving thoughts that excuse or normalise abuse. This study uniquely surfaces and examines facilitating factors that may be present in transnational online CSEA offending. A key finding discussed throughout this study is the role of racism, with geographical distance and cultural and physical differences between themselves and their victims providing a means for offenders to dehumanise their victims and justify the abuse. This study also finds that the media, pornography, and online communities can play a significant role in shaping social attitudes about race and sex that can act to facilitate or excuse transnational online CSEA. These factors are explored through the Technology Conscious Socio-ecological Model, developed for this research to enable an exploration of the range of factors that exist within an offender’s whole environment, including the role of the internet and technologies in facilitating this abuse. The findings from this research are used to develop a set of recommendations for government, technology companies and for further research. These should be considered and taken forward to support the development of effective evidence-based solutions that will help to prevent transnational online CSEA from occurring in the first place.
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Navigating the personal and professional: insights from global majority family systemic psychotherapistsThis thesis explores the journeys of Global Majority (GM) Family Systemic Psychotherapists as they navigate the interplay of personal and professional identities in the UK. By centring and co-constructing knowledge through their personal stories and lived experiences, this research asks: What can we learn from the journeys of Global Majority family systemic psychotherapists as they navigate their personal and professional identities within predominantly white contexts? Employing a multi-methodological approach grounded in narrative inquiry, critical autoethnography, critical race theory, intersectionality, and storytelling, the study critically engages with participants’ narratives. One paired interview and individual narrative interviews with six therapists, three of whom further contributed reflections on their interview transcripts, highlight systemic challenges such as racism, cultural marginalisation, and identity negotiation. While all participants were from the UK, limiting generalisability, the combination of narrative, autoethnographic, and storytelling methods provides rich, in-depth insights into their journeys, thereby illuminating an intricate tapestry of personal and professional identities that broadens the discourse on diversity and inclusivity in mental health practice. Findings reveal the complex interplay between personal and professional selves, shaped by systemic biases, cultural heritage, and prevailing professional norms. Some themes that emerged include dual identity navigation, resilience afforded by cultural heritage, and ethical positioning, underscore the ways in which GM therapists adapt to institutional inequalities. Participants identified gaps in training and institutional support, calling for inclusive reforms that acknowledge and integrate the diverse lived realities of therapists from GM backgrounds. This thesis provides original insights into how systemic therapy training and professional practice can evolve to become more inclusive, reflective, and responsive to previously underacknowledged experiences. It emphasises the importance of integrating therapists’ cultural identities into training and practice as assets that enhance therapeutic relationships and foster authenticity. Tailored supervision and peer networks emerge as strategies. Through the transformative power of storytelling and the co-construction of knowledge, this thesis contributes meaningfully to Family Systemic Psychotherapy. It advocates for structural changes, encouraging professionals and institutions to incorporate the nuanced, culturally informed perspectives of GM therapists, enabling more equitable and inclusive therapeutic spaces, ultimately enriching the field of systemic practice.
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Challenging journeys: stress, coping and expeditionsThis thesis examined stress and coping situated in an expedition context which thus far is under-represented in research literature. The three studies draw extensively upon transactional stress models and contemporary derivatives to generate a holistic understanding of expedition coping. Adopting a qualitative methodology to capture expedition narratives, the main aim of the research was to explore the stress and coping processes using a range of transactional approaches as adventurers participate in demanding journeys. The three studies employed both ethnographic and pluralistic case studies to provide a naturalistic perspective of the lived expedition experience. Study one focused on the exploits of a solo adventurer travelling in the High Pyrenees. The findings illustrated the emotional intensity of solo journeys, recognising the centrality of emotions in the coping process. It became apparent that both emotional regulation and self-regulation are integral to the appraisal process, resulting in a clear sense of significance and meaning for the participant. The second study considered the challenges of leading youth expeditions in wilderness settings. This identified the prominence of commitment and coping resources when leading expeditions. Further, study two established the importance of personal values, beliefs and motivation in the coping process as an essential quality when taking responsibility for young explorers. The final study analysed the experiences of two elite runners in their quest to complete a record breaking “fast” expedition. Using broader, integrated transactional models to provide temporal congruity, the findings reinforced the importance of dyadic relationships in fostering robust collective coping. This was one of a number of resources which were found to contribute towards preventative, reactive and proactive coping. Additionally, social support in various guises was found to be an important factor to all three journeys. Collectively, by using micro-analytical, naturalistic inquiry the three studies revealed that most participants recognised that expedition coping has a profound meaning, potentially leading to a sense of growth and purpose. Detailed analysis using integrated perspectives highlighted a number of significant patterns revealing a range of important coping considerations. These included: self-regulation, dyadic coping, coping flexibility, conservation of resources, meaning making and stress-related growth. The findings will have an applied efficacy for the expedition community who can benefit from the detailed insights into expedition stress and coping.
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Change management strategies in Jordanian electronic transformation: a senior management perspective at Greater Amman MunicipalityE-government is a critical strategic initiative that governments worldwide are rapidly adopting to enhance public service delivery. The successful implementation of e-services depends on the engagement of citizens and the private sector in digital transformation efforts. The Jordanian government, particularly the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), is committed to advancing e-government; however, change management among senior public officials remains a significant challenge. This study evaluates change management strategies and leadership practices in GAM’s e-government services, assessing their effectiveness in addressing transformation challenges. A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing secondary sources (published reports, prior studies) and primary sources (interviews with GAM senior management). The findings reveal both strengths and obstacles in GAM’s e-transformation efforts. While mayoral support facilitated progress, a lack of clear sustainability and accountability measures remains a challenge. To address these gaps, the study proposes a conceptual framework for effective change management, highlighting the critical role of leadership, internal and external barriers, and sustainability concerns in e-government projects. This framework serves as a strategic guide for policymakers and organizations, contributing to improved digital governance and facilitating smoother public sector transitions to e-government. Keywords: E-government, digital transformation, change management, leadership, public sector innovation.
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Finding our voices: Bangladeshi women’s experiences of domestic violence and abuseThis thesis investigated and explored the challenges in accessing Bangladeshi women to talk about their experiences of domestic violence. The aim of the thesis had been to consider. a) Whether and how the voices of Bangladeshi women are heard within the context of domestic violence and abuse and whether women see themselves as victims of abuse. b) The challenges of hearing Bangladeshi children’s voices and whether mothers see their children as victims of abuse in the home. c) Factors that help or hinder Bangladeshi women and their children sharing their experiences of domestic violence and abuse. My research explored the impact and challenges of the societal, cultural, and community perceptions and the diversity of women’s experiences, through the lens of intersectionality and the positionality of the women. I heard directly from eight women about their lived experiences of different forms of abuse. This took place through face-to-face and online semi-structured interviews conducted in English and Bangla, using a framework to collect data through interviews, video, audio recordings and note taking processes. Accessing women for interviews was difficult as they were fearful of speaking about violence in the home and the repercussions this may bring for them and their wider families. This represented a break from what is considered as a societal norm for Bangladeshi women. There were challenges in the subsequent analysis in terms of translating and transcribing interviews from Bangla to English without compromising on the validity and originality of the women’s own expression of their experiences. I interviewed ten professionals within two focus groups who were mainly from a social care setting. I sought their views on working with Bangladeshi women experiencing domestic violence and abuse and what in their views, helped or hindered women of Bangladeshi origin seeking support from their agencies. The complexity of individuals experiences, their fears, and the community responses highlighted how the women perceive that they deserve to remain in an abusive relationship. The key findings of the research include the understanding and the importance of marriage within the Bangladeshi community and the role of the extended family as highly significant, both of which in turn limits women’s ability and willingness to seek support. It considered the strength women gain from their faith and giving forgiveness of their abusers as a way of healing themselves, and how they blame themselves for the abuse they have suffered. The thesis focused on the barriers and challenges they faced while they navigate the lack of understanding of their multiple identities of being a woman of colour cultural norms, language, and religious belief. The lack of recognition of abuse in a community which is patriarchal is a major factor in women not seeking, or finding, the support they need. The thesis highlighted the role of the extended family and the community pressures that force women to remain in an abusive relationship for much longer they wanted to. Women spoke about leaving being seen as a sense of individual failure and not protecting the name and honour of the family regardless of the women’s emotional, financial, or physical standing in the community. They highlighted how they want to protect the wider family in the UK and abroad, often by remaining in a marriage and suffering the abuse. I also argue that the social structure and inequalities created significant boundaries and limitations for these women, where undue responsibilities were placed on them for being the protector of children and saving the honour of the community and society at large as a woman. Lastly, I conclude my research and discussed how women see the lack of support from agencies and how this collides and intersects with in the choices they make about the abuse they experienced, and how their decisions to remain or leave an abusive relationship are based on who they are as a Bangladeshi woman and how they are seen within the wider society. My recommendations include the need to ensure Bangladeshi women’s experiences of domestic violence and abuse in research become more visible in research, which will require understanding and commitment on the part of researchers. Larger scale and longitudinal research is required that does not begin with the assumption that the community is problematic. Women must have a more prominent voice and opportunities to challenge current policies that do not recognise their specific needs or encourage and support them. This needs to happen through having others like them talking and involving women in support services nationally and locally and, most, within the wider social and faith community. I recommend that women should be able to speak about abuse without threats of alienation and retribution affecting their wider families. I recommend that there need to be government guidelines on destigmatising domestic violence and abuse within the faith community in having joint work tackling domestic violence and abuse. There needs to be more connection across services, including an acceptance that religious beliefs and practices can be used positively to support women victims of domestic violence and abuse. This will also require support through statutory guidance and policies that are accessible to the Bangladeshi community and help open discussion about domestic violence and abuse within the community in a way that is not associated with shame and dishonour.
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Upper Egyptian women and performanceThis thesis examines how Upper Egyptian women negotiate a space, through performance, in the public and private spheres of Egypt. The aim is to use my position as an Egyptian woman to produce an account of some of the different manifestations of patriarchy, which may be affecting Upper Egyptian women’s lives, and which can possibly be embodied in their performative practices. With this examination, I aim to bring to the surface the rich cultural heritage of Upper Egypt, where women are active participants, and which has been disregarded from mainstream Western performance discourses. Furthermore, I aim to contribute to a better understanding of the lived experiences of Upper Egyptian women and their distinctive and contextual negotiation strategies, which are both ignored and marginalised from feminist discourses. Accordingly, I attend their performative events as well as interview them to give voice to the situatedness of their lived experiences and to gain a better understanding. This allows for further insights in the various approaches that Upper Egyptian women adopt in responding to gender inequalities in the public and private spheres of Egypt. Finally, I aim to contribute to theoretical debates pertaining the understanding of agency from Western and non-Western post-structural feminist scholarships where I argue that an amended and fused version of both approaches generate a more textured and nuanced account pertaining the concept of agency, one that provides Upper Egyptian women's embodied experiences accommodation and more consideration.
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How ambiguous loss and postmemory affects the intergenerational memory of the lost men of the SS IsoldaThis thesis examines how creative practice contributes to a heightened portrayal of the emotional history of survivor and victim families, following the sinking of a Commissioners of the Irish Lights Tender, SS Isolda on 19th December 1940 by the Luftwaffe, off the coast of Wexford, Ireland. Six men died and their bodies were never found. Due to wartime censorship and Irish neutrality, the sinking was not reported in the media for five years. The emotional and practical impact of that silence and absence is examined, within a framework of faith, remembrance and grief. The thesis explains why not writing creatively to recreate the actual sinking is a more powerful way to show themes of absence and loss. Including factual reports, photographs, letters and newspaper articles, contributes to a polyphony of voices, intended to add veracity to the creative work. It explores the ethnographic, examining cultural tensions and class hierarchies of Emergency Ireland, the self-reflectiveness of metafiction and how the speculative combines to reanimate stories of the crew and their widows. There is a reflection on both ambiguous loss – the loss where there is no body and on postmemory, as drivers to explain why these stories remain important to families intergenerationally, even if the family stories can be unreliable. There is an examination of the liminality of faction/creative non-fiction and of a cumulative short story structure as an alternative to a linear novel.
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Tourism and the horizons of becoming: the gestation of an ongoing posthuman/post-qualitative inquiry agendaThis study is formed of two main strands. Firstly, this thesis intends to set up a future inquiry agenda where matters of becoming experienced by British Muslim women can be understood. The experiences of British Muslim women who travel internationally will be inspected in order to shed light on how their trajectories of becoming are constructed. Secondly, this thesis will attempt to evaluate the current thinking capacity of the Humanities / Social Sciences and the applied field of Tourism Studies when conceptualising mattes of becoming for these said British Muslim women. This inquiry is heavily guided by the post-humanist philosophies of Deleuze and Braidotti. These hallmark conceptualists will guide how this inquiry approaches and conceptualises becoming, the creation of new possibilities for thinking and in how awarenesses are generated in the understanding of the relationalities between faith / spirituality / mobility / travel / gender. Post-qualitative inquiry will shape the approach to methodology, which is highly emergent, indeterminate and warns against pre-assumptive decision making before the researcher has spent time understanding matters ‘in the field’. Continuing with the Deleuzian intuitions that run throughout this thesis, there are no final, concrete conclusions, instead the last half of this thesis deals with a range of critical implications and future prospects which have been generated in relation to the aims and objectives of this inquiry. Chapter 4, The Implications, explores 10 critical pathways inspired by the nomadic logic of Braidotti (2011) and Deleuzian philosophy to create new visions of subjectivity and more dynamic possibilities of thinking within Tourism Studies as an applied field. Leading on from this, Chapter 5, The Prospects, details 22 areas for possible future inquiry. These 22 possible ‘lines of flight’ dance across the main themes which have been explored in the thesis and display the potential rhizomatic, emergent directions this study could take. Finally, because the 22 areas of possible study are vast and wide ranging, the last chapter, The Recommendations, then go on to select 10 inquiry agendas with more specific areas of investigation which shed light on how the becoming of British Muslim women could be approached through future research. As stated above, this last recommendations chapter focuses on how a selection of these insights and implications can be taken forward to carefully curate a future inquiry agenda based specifically around (i) the inheritances of Islam, (ii) British Muslim women, (iii) matters of spirituality and pilgrimage, (iv) the power of tourism and travel, (v) matters of belonging, (vi) exercise of researcher awareness, (vii) acts of living and aspiration, (viii) deficits of hailed understanding within Tourism Studies, (ix) role and function of research institutions in Tourism Studies and (x) post-human orientations towards globalisation and mobility.
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Swarm robots based SLAM in weak environmental information applicationsIn SLAM, weak environmental information refers to the lack of indications of distinctive landmarks in sensor data. This brings difficulties to SLAM as it relies on the indications. Various approaches of dealing with weak environmental information have been reported. Single-robot-based ones require either large datasets (for running machine learning) or artificial landmarks both of which need the prior knowledge of the environments where robots explore. Multiple-robots-based/swarm-based approaches seem more promising as they rely on information sharing among robots rather than the prior knowledge. They are more robust when facing the failure of individual robots. In the collaborative swarm-based SLAM, individual robots run their own SLAM at local level and contribute to the development of a global map and to the estimation of their locations in the global map. The key to success is the collaboration among the robots. The existing collaboration mechanisms leave SLAM at both local and global levels completely to individual robots, leading to inconsistent global maps. They also require individual robots to have sufficient computational power. This research develops a novel collaborative swarm robot system tailored for global SLAM in weak environmental information scenarios. The system introduces four key advancements: (1) designing a coordination strategy to guide robots toward unexplored regions, improving exploration efficiency and coverage; (2) implementing cross-validation mechanisms to identify and eliminate redundant landmarks from local maps, ensuring data accuracy; (3) enabling individual robots to extend their perception by leveraging peer robots' sensory data, allowing relative localization and integration of local maps in sparse environments; and (4) creating a centralized global map framework to consolidate data from all swarm members, ensuring consistency in the overall mapping process.
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Millennials’ perception of environmental sustainability and its impact on purchase intention and actual purchase: a personal value perspectiveExtensive research has found that Millennials are more environmentally conscious than other age groups, implying they are likely to engage in sustainable practices. However, a gap exists between consumers' intentions and environmentally sustainable behaviour. In addition, research has shown that the intention-behaviour gap increases when consumers make food purchases. Nevertheless, the intention-behaviour gap regarding environmentally sustainable packaging with UK consumers has been insufficiently researched. Additionally, studies have observed consumer’s perception of food packaging; however, there is a gap in research regarding the perception of environmental sustainability in the food industry. Studies have demonstrated that personal values play a role in an individual’s environmentally sustainable purchase intention. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct research in environmental sustainability, to assess the influence of personal values on the perception of environmentally sustainable food packaging among Millennials. An extensive body of research has established that personal values are vital in an individual’s perception of environmental sustainability and purchase intention. However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding whether Millennials' values play a critical role in the perception of environmentally sustainable food packaging and purchase intention. Furthermore, the study will explore the circumstances that hinder consumers from fulfilling their beliefs that bridge or cause the intention-behaviour gap. Therefore, this study adopted Schwartz’s values to examine the interplay between values and the intention-behaviour gap among Millennials. The study was carried out using a mixed methods approach, and it was conducted in two phases. The first phase was an explanatory study which gathered quantitative data from 401 participants through a questionnaire assessing the relationship between personal values and their influence on intentions and behaviour. The study recruited participants via purposive and snowball sampling using social media channels such as Facebook and Nextdoor, the data was analysed using several statistical analysis techniques. The explanatory study revealed that in most cases, personal values influence intention but guide behaviour to a degree. However, one finding was an exception, as the data shows that Universalism led to eco-friendly behaviour in one instance. It was expected that other values, such as Benevolence would lead to eco-friendly behaviour; however, this was not the case. Moreover, the empirical data from the questionnaire showed that there was not a significant difference between Millennials' income, gender, and eco-friendly behaviour. Likewise, the empirical data revealed no significant difference between the level of education and eco-friendliness, except for one finding, which found that Millennials with a degree qualification or above were likely to engage in eco-friendly behaviour. Similarly, the empirical data revealed 4 no significant difference between ethnicity and eco-friendly behaviour; except for two findings, which found that Black African and Black Caribbean were more eco-friendly than other ethnicities. The second phase was an exploratory study, which gathered data from thirty participants via convenience sampling for follow-up interviews, to understand the underlying factors that cause the intention-behaviour gap and was analysed using thematic analysis. Furthermore, the study revealed that several predominant factors were causing the intention-behaviour gap, i.e., Availability, Price, Greenwashing, Carbon footprint, Clarity, Lack of knowledge, Taste and Product quality. This study contributes to knowledge as it confirms that the findings corroborate the results from a wider body of research across numerous research fields, thus showing the robustness of this study’s findings and fortifying the existing body of research among Millennials. Furthermore, the study’s empirical results challenged Schwartz's theoretical perspective, revealing an intricate relationship among Millennials' values, perceptions of environmentally sustainable packaging, and behaviour. Moreover, empirical data showed that values work together simultaneously rather than in isolation. Therefore, the findings revealed that values moderately influence Millennials' intentions and guide behaviour to some degree. The empirical data provides insight into the practical implications of this research, as it is vital to consider personal values and the predominant factors which cause the intention-behaviour gap when marketing and during product development.
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A semi-decentralised framework to enhance credit card fraud detection in a privacy-preserving manner using machine learning approachIn today’s world, financial institutions rely massively on Internet banking to efficiently make services available to customers. Due to the increase in credit card use, the number of frauds has also escalated. Research has been done using state-of-the-art techniques to effectively avoid credit card fraud. The proportion of fraudulent and legit transaction in financial (credit card) data is unbalanced, and Data produced per second from the banking system are substantial in number, diversified, and heterogeneous. Therefore, the conventional methods of fraud detection have been proven to be challenging to tackle all the challenges. Adapting machine learning techniques to credit card fraud detection reduces many obstacles, as illustrated in the literature. Although machine learning techniques are efficient in credit card fraud detection, there are some additional challenges researchers must face, the imbalanced data is one of them. The researchers proposed collecting large amounts of data to balance the data distribution. One of the ways to address the issue of imbalance is to share data from different institutions or organisations. But due to Different regulation, the challenge is the data sharing by banks and financial institutes to access to the continuous stream of real-time data to learn the new heterogeneous patterns. The research was conducted to understand how data can be collect from different institutions without breaking different regulations like GDPR, or Data Protection Act 2018 in a privacy-preserving manner. This study introduces a framework that merges federated learning with other machine learning algorithms to improve credit card fraud detection, while also maintaining the privacy of data across the collaborating institutions. In the research analysis, different machine learning models such as random forest (RF), logistic regression (LR), multilayer perceptron (MLP), artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), and decision tree (DT), were used. Along with these classical models, the research also experimented with the combination of Federated learning framework. The research also analysed the model's performance with and without the combination where it’s been found that ANN, random forest and XGboost performed well. The contribution of the research is a combined approach to integrating the machine learning model with the decentralised approach of the federated learning framework. In this approach, data are trained locally and only the trained model from the individual device is combined on a central server while keeping data privacy. The secure aggregation encryption method used by the FL framework ensures the end-to-end model transmission privacy between the clients and the server, thus following GDPR. The future scope of the contributed framework will allow banks and financial institutes to share the data collaboratively to train the machine learning model for effective CCFD. The initial experiment and results show that the performance of the artificial neural network, random forest and XGboost performed well in combination with federated learning provides better results than the other machine learning algorithms.
