• An examination of the perceptions of tribalistic behaviours in nursing and how they vary in the journey from student nurse to post qualification

      Matheson, David; Bell, Brian; Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (University of Wolverhampton, 2024-01)
      The aim of this study was to examine perceptions of Tribalistic Behaviours in nursing during the journey from student nurse to post registration. There are concerns regarding the existence of a construct in nursing that promotes a structure of protective behaviours and allegiances within recognised nursing groups, establishing “Them v Us” beliefs (Rozenblit, 2008; Harari 2011). Despite the drive for a more generically skilled nursing workforce and new ways of working (NMC 2018a, NMC 2018b), professional tribes rather than being eradicated, appear to have survived within modern nursing cultures. In the absence of research exploring “Tribalistic Behaviours”, this thesis initially explored existing literature examining potentially aligned signs whilst utilising a semiotic framework. Guided by a qualitative methodology, current nursing students within the last six months of their MSc programme were invited to participate in the research. Mental Health student nurses (n = 6) and Adult student nurses (n = 6) engaged in field specific nursing focus groups and following a period of six months post qualification were also invited to participate in individual semi structured interviews. The study’s findings highlighted specific themes of social civilities and nursing rituals directly influenced by field specific tribalistic behaviours. The study’s findings led to the creation of three new themes as a result of the analysed data. The findings identified that students were exposed to tribalistic behaviours within their nurse education structures from an early stage, before being reinforced within their new clinical tribes in practice. Continued development within their nursing roles over time highlighted a deeper exposure to tribalistic behaviours and an increased awareness of field specific nursing codes and rituals. The new knowledge emerging from this study will heighten awareness of Tribalistic Behaviours in nursing and their encouraged development, along with the implications for nurse education and professional practice. Finally, the study’s limitations were examined, and recommendations were made for future nursing research.
    • An exploration of the efficacy of instructor modelling in the application of situated learning to educating student British Sign Language/English interpreters in healthcare interpreting

      Stone, Christopher; Williams, Clare; Hughes, Thaïsa; School of Social Science and Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-11)
      The aim of this thesis was to determine whether the performance of student sign language interpreters in simulated healthcare assignments was positively impacted by viewing a modelled interpretation, done by an experienced interpreter beforehand. It also explores the benefits of situating learning in a semi-authentic clinical environment, populated by members of the community of practice, where students can experience legitimate peripheral participation. This improvement in practice was sought in response to the call for interpreter education to address the perceived ‘readiness to work’ gap, which contributes to the disparity in health outcomes between deaf people and their hearing counterparts. This was achieved by undertaking an educational intervention as part of an action research cycle, to evaluate the benefits of situated learning and the cognitive apprenticeship stage of instructor modelling. The study demonstrated that student performance in simulated healthcare assignments was improved in several areas as a result of the educational intervention. For example, there was a reduction in the number of undesirable zero-renditions (which lead to a loss information). Students demonstrated a more proactive and successful approach to negotiating their positioning for the interpretation of a physical examination. They also showed an increased awareness of the role of cues of interest and back channels when used by an authentic healthcare professional. The study also revealed that authentic healthcare professionals use different communication behaviours than an actor playing the role of the professional and that the authenticity of participants in simulation activities is key. Whilst there is some limited existing research about the application of situated learning to interpreter training, it is largely perceptual in nature, without empirical evidence to support the use of such a method of education. This study provides evidence about the impact of this type of andragogy. The results have implications for interpreter education programmes and suggest that using situated learning and instructor modelling is a beneficial stage in the development of students who are soon to transition into practicuum.
    • The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and the Niger Delta: analysing the role of local communities in the programme between 1999 and 2017

      Kassimeris, George; O'Kane, Eamonn; Cunningham, Michael; Nnanta Amadi, Anele; School of Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-11)
      This thesis examines the role of local agencies in peacebuilding initiatives within resource-rich conflict regions, focusing on the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) in Nigeria's Niger Delta. The Niger Delta has faced protracted unrest due to tensions between minority ethnic groups, the government, and multinational oil companies (MNOCs) operating in the area. In 2009, the government implemented the PAP centred on the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) of militants. However, the emergence of new militant groups suggests the Programme failed to achieve durable peace. This study aims to analyse how the PAP's conceptual foundations align with local needs and desires. It also investigates the level of participation of local stakeholders like youth, communities, and civil society organisations in PAP's design and delivery. Additionally, the research explores more inclusive and hybrid approaches to peacebuilding tailored to the Delta context. An embedded multiple case study methodology is utilised to examine perspectives from various local actors. Semi-structured interviews provide primary data on community experiences. The study argues that lasting peace depends on reconciling external templates like DDR with indigenous resources and agency. It contributes to scholarship on everyday peacebuilding and localising interventions. For policy, the findings recommend integrating top-down and bottom-up efforts for a hybrid approach resonant with the society being transformed.
    • Antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of acute schizophrenia after the first episode

      Morrissey, Hana; Ball, Patrick; Sherzad Qadir, Zina; Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-10)
      Background: Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) represent the treatment of choice for psychotic disorders, but uncertainty surrounds the optimal selection of agents. Methodology: This was a mixed method study which included a systematic review and psychiatrists’ opinion survey. The systematic review focused on comparative analysis of APDs, regardless of being typical or atypical, which are used for the treatment of schizophrenia, to determine their relative efficacy, rate and causes of discontinuations and potential side-effects. The review followed the PRISMA-P© statement and checklist and used the RevMan© statistical analysis tool to report on the findings. PubMed©, CINHAL© and ScienceDirect™ were searched for suitable studies. The primary outcomes of interest were clinical response measured by symptoms improvement, tolerance to side effects and discontinuation rate and reasons. The study analyses were presented as forest plots, with 95% confidence intervals and p value of 0.05 or less as significant. The selected study population was adults who were APD-naïve or only a short history of APD use (<16 weeks). A cross-sectional survey of psychiatrists from the UK and India was conducted to understand their opinions regarding their choice of APDs, their experience with tolerance and efficacy in managing psychosis in patients diagnosed with acute schizophrenia after first episode of psychosis. Both categorical and qualitative data was collected and analysed. The survey was opened from 26 April 2022 to 31 July 2022. Findings: Twenty one RCTs were included in the systematic review. There was better individual patients’ response to aripiprazole vs. ziprasidone (CDSS p=0.04), aripiprazole vs. quetiapine (BPRS p=0.02, YMRS p=0.001) and ziprasidone vs. quetiapine (CGI p=0.02, CDSS p=0.02) in the study sample. In the short term APDs use, the difference between aripiprazole and risperidone was statistically significant for diminished sexual desire (p=0.01). Long term APDs use, the difference between aripiprazole and ziprasidone was significant for increased duration of sleep (p=0.003), rigidity (p=0.02), erectile dysfunction (p=0.005), ejaculatory dysfunction (p=0.02) and weight gain (p=0.01); aripiprazole and quetiapine for sleepiness (p<0.001), increased duration of sleep (p=0.001), tremors (p=0.04), erectile dysfunction (p=0.002), akathisia (p=0.05); quetiapine and ziprasidone for rigidity (p=0.03), vertigo (p=0.05), weight gain (p=0.003) and akathisia (p=0.005); olanzapine and quetiapine for weight gain (p<0.001), risperidone and quetiapine for increased duration of sleep (p=0.02), olanzapine and risperidone for weight gain (p=0.03), olanzapine and haloperidol for weight gain (p<0.001) and akathisia (p=0.0003), haloperidol and quetiapine for akathisia (p=0.02), haloperidol and ziprasidone for weight gain (p=0.03) and olanzapine and ziprasidone weight gain (p<0.001). Total discontinuation after short term use for quetiapine vs. aripiprazole, ziprasidone vs. olanzapine, ziprasidone vs. quetiapine, ziprasidone vs. olanzapine and aripiprazole vs. risperidone was not significantly different (p>0.05) but it was for ziprasidone vs. olanzapine (p=0.02). After long term use of APDs, total discontinuation rate difference was significantly different in six pairs: p=0.03 for quetiapine vs. olanzapine, p<0.001 for quetiapine vs. ziprasidone, p<0.001 for quetiapine vs. aripiprazole, p=0.02 for olanzapine vs. ziprasidone, p=0.002 for haloperidol vs. olanzapine, p=0.05 for haloperidol vs. ziprasidone. However the difference was not significantly different (p>0.05) between quetiapine vs. risperidone, haloperidol vs. quetiapine, ziprasidone vs. aripiprazole, risperidone vs. olanzapine, ziprasidone vs. risperidone haloperidol vs. risperidone. Discontinuation reasons were possible to analyse only with long term APDs use and 12 pairs were compared. The difference was significant between olanzapine and risperidone due to the lack of efficacy (p<0.001), quetiapine and ziprasidone due to lack of efficacy (p<0.001) and side effects (p<0.001), quetiapine and haloperidol due to side effects (p=0.01), quetiapine and aripiprazole due to lack of efficacy (p<0.001) and drop-out (p=0.04), aripiprazole and ziprasidone due to side effects (p<0.001) and lack of compliance (p=0.0005), olanzapine and haloperidol due to lack of efficacy (p<0.001) and side effects (p=0.001), haloperidol and ziprasidone due to lack of compliance (p=0.01) and olanzapine and ziprasidone due to lack of efficacy (p=0.01), side effects (p<0.001) and lack of compliance (p=0.05). For risperidone vs. olanzapine, risperidone vs. ziprasidone vs. risperidone, quetiapine vs. risperidone vs. haloperidol, there was no significant difference in reported reasons (p>0.05). The most selected first line APDs in both countries were olanzapine (47.5%), risperidone (42.8%) and aripiprazole (25.3%). 60% of psychiatrists from India (60%) and 48% from UK (48%) selected that ‘medication efficacy’ as the main reason for choosing specific APD. Switching one APD to another within 4-6 weeks from initiation was selected by 53.7% of psychiatrists and 3-6 months was selected by 11.6%. The main reasons for switching APDs indicated were poor clinical efficacy (69%) and lack of tolerability (45%). Poor efficacy was the most selected reason by the Indian practitioners (68%) and the UK practitioners(71%) for switching APDs. When one APDs did not control the symptoms, 35% of the UK psychiatrists waited 3-6 months and 47% of Indian psychiatrists waited for 4-6 weeks before adding another APDs to manage poor efficacy. Nonadherence was the most common reason for relapse (90% UK psychiatrist and 70% Indian psychiatrist) followed by elicit drug use (27.6%). The most reported side effects which led to nonadherence were weight gain (10.8%), drowsiness (10.4%), erectile dysfunction and movement disorders (equally 8.7%). Weight gain (8.1%), movement disorders (7.7%) and hyperprolactinaemia (7%) were the highest reported side effects that caused psychiatrist to switch to another APDs. Similarly, weight gain (11.4%) was the most common side effects prompting patients to seek termination of the treatment, followed by drowsiness (10.3%) and erectile dysfunction (9.4%). Life threatening rare side effects was the main reason to discontinue the use of APDs (10.5%). Conclusion: Olanzapine, risperidone and aripiprazole were the most selected as initial treatment choice by psychiatrists from India and UK and are perceived as widely effective and/or widely tolerated. It was concluded that no single antipsychotic stands out as uniquely effective or free of side effects for all treated individuals. Individual patient clinical response, tolerance to side effects or life threatening side effects remain the most reliable basis for continuing the use of APD. relevant However, lack of clinical effect or intolerable side effects lead to therapy being reviewed, APD switched or ceased.
    • Additively manufactured aluminium auxetic architecture with targeted mechanical and energy absorption characteristics

      Arjunan, Arun; Baroutaji, Ahmad; Singh, Manpreet; Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-10)
      Auxetic materials offer unconventional properties owing to their negative Poisson’s ratio (−𝜐) leading to deformation modes and mechanical characteristics different to traditional porous architecture. This leads to favourable outcomes for lightweight applications where precise control of the mechanical and crashworthiness responses is required. In this regard, the thesis puts forward an open innovation framework for the selective laser melting (SLM) of auxetic architecture that offers stiffness (E), strength (𝜎𝑡) and energy absorption characteristics suitable for a targeted scenario. The primary objective is to create a framework that integrates numerical modelling, multi-criteria decision-making, and optimisation tools to generate scenario-based auxetic architectures that offer targeted performances. The selection of the five-unit cells were informed by the density and auxeticity criteria. A lower density is required to accommodate large deformation during loading, leading to a relative density range of 0.17-0.26 as suitable to achieve the required porosities. When it comes to unit-cell shape, all fundamental architectures that can lead to auxetic performance were considered. Experimental and numerical analysis is used to reveal the range of −𝜐, E, 𝜎𝑡, specific energy absorption (SEA), peak crush force (PCF), and crush force efficiency (CFE) of the auxetic architectures. The surrogate model developed in this thesis enables the manufacturing of auxetic structures with tailored stiffness (E), (𝜎𝑡) strength, and energy absorption characteristics (SEA, PCF, CFE) to meet specific requirements of the target scenario. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) found the central composite design (CCD) to be suitable for developing the surrogate model and capturing the influence of all design variables on–𝜐, 𝜎𝑦, E, SEA, PCF, CFE for AlSi10Mg metamaterial architecture informed by the sinusoidal ligament architecture (AUX5). When optimising the selected auxetic architecture AUX5 for lightweight application (Scenario 1) a stiffness and strength of 991-1023 MPa and 5.95-5.68 MPa can be expected at a strut thickness and length of 0.371 and 0.632 mm respectively. For crashworthiness performance (Scenario 2), CFE, SEA and PCF can be expected in the range of 69.10-71.62%, 14.48-14.14 kJ/kg and 1762-1850 kN respectively at a strut thickness and length of 0.304 and 1.268 mm. When the scenario changes to a balanced performance (Scenario 3) between targeted mechanical and crashworthiness behaviour can be obtained at 𝑡𝑠 and 𝑙𝑠 of 0.229 mm and 1.268 mm respectively. The resulting characteristics for −𝜐, E, 𝜎𝑦, CFE, SEA and PCF can be expected in the range of -0.21-0.125, 761-771 MPa, 5.53-5.69 MPa, 73.23-69.98%, 17.23-16.89 kJ/kg, 983-960 kN. The error percentage of three scenarios (S1-S3) was less than 5% which justifies the accuracy of the predicted model. The errors were minimised using a validated finite element model to predict the performance characteristics of the auxetic architectures considered. Furthermore, a mesh sensitivity analysis was carried out to ensure results were independent of the meshing strategies used. The results of this study provide a solid foundation for future research and applications in the field of auxetic Material. The thesis demonstrates the use of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methodology to select the best-performing architecture based on five criteria. Overall, this thesis offers a new direction in the development of scenario-based tuneable auxetic architectures.
    • Recalling trauma: the legacy of slavery and colonialism in contemporary black women’s fiction

      Colbert, Benjamin; Otuegbe, Nneoma; School of Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-09)
      This thesis examines key literary representations of black women’s historical trauma linked to colonialism and slavery. Through comparative readings of contemporary fiction by black women writers from two continents, I explore the intimate links between the historical traumas of colonialism and slavery and the identity of black women in novels by Toni Morrison, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Edwidge Danticat, Tsitsi Dangarembga and Scholastique Mukasonga published between 2004 and 2014. The authors I consider represent literary historians engaging with traumatic pasts in order to rewrite and (re)present black women in a global present. From a postcolonial feminist and cultural trauma viewpoint, I reflect on the manifestations of slavery and colonial trauma on black women characters and explore the ways in which they navigate the historical limitations of collective trauma in their respective locales. My readings interrogate and demonstrate the possibility of a postcolonial feminist and decolonised trauma model that is specific to black women’s writing through a global, transcultural, and transnational outlook. This is a model which centres the experiences of black women from around the world as it is depicted in literature by black women. In addition to this, I examine the solidarities envisioned by the authors under investigation in this thesis in terms of a progressive decolonised trauma studies which encourages healing beyond borders for female descendants of former slaves and formerly colonised peoples. By uncovering the links between the remembering of traumatic events and the processes of healing as groups –– as opposed to the individualised Euro-American models articulated by pioneer theorists ––I situate my interrogation of a specific postcolonial feminist trauma theory as being crucial to my reading of my primary texts and argue that through this, we can uncover ways in which the fiction discussed here articulates and offers routes to communal healing from (initially through voicing) the previously unsaid traumas that are specific to the experience of black women in postcolonial settings. As its contribution to knowledge, this thesis introduces and utilises a decolonised trauma model which situates the black female historical perspective into specific focus and includes as well as studies postcolonial women’s fiction as part of a historical corpus. The thesis also demonstrates a closure of the gap between cultural texts written by American black women and other black women from around the world. Through a comparative analytical methodology and a theoretical framework which combines theories of cultural trauma, black and postcolonial feminisms, it locates black women’s trauma as a significant specific area in the fields of feminism, postcolonial trauma studies, comparative literature, world literatures in English, women’s studies, and studies in fiction.
    • A solar energy strategy for the Dominican Republic

      Renukappa, Suresh; Fullen, Michael A.; Suresh, Subashini; Severino De La Cruz, Victor J.; School of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-08)
      The Dominican Republic has a historical crisis in its energy sector due to an unreliable electrical grid system that causes high levels of technical and non-technical losses in transmission and distribution. This is exacerbated by the fact that the country depends on fossil fuels for over 80% of its electricity supply to the population. However, there is enormous potential for solar energy projects due to the country's abundant solar radiation levels. Law 57-07 was enacted to support renewable energy development in the country, and while there has been progress in solar energy implementation since its passage, there have been challenges in their execution. The government must do more to support solar energy development if the country is to reach its 2030 energy goals. To understand why the country has struggled to implement solar energy, an exploratory qualitative research was conducted with a pragmatic philosophy at its core due to the scarcity of sources available regarding the topic in the DR. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the areas of knowledge involved in the implementation of solar energy worldwide that were lacking in the DR. To understand the specific solar environment of the DR, 14 semi-structured interviews were performed with experts from the Dominican energy sector, selected through purposive and snowball sampling methods. Interviews were the subject of thematic analysis to identify the factors influencing the implementation of solar energy in DR. The study discovered that commitment to international agreements and high levels of radiation are major drivers for the implementation of solar energy in the country; furthermore, the possibility of using off-grid, fast development of projects and steady income along with other 3 more factors were highlighted as driving forces. In contrast, 11 challenges hindering the implementation were also identified with the majority belonging to regulatory deficiencies and a particular case of conflict of interest, which partially prevented the implementation of new projects for several years. Other barriers present in the country are technical deficiencies in the system and how costly some of the technologies are. Nevertheless identifying five main strategies supporting solar energy implementation, the study also highlights deficiencies in their execution; additionally, nine new strategies, based on the experts’ opinions, to improve the implementation were proposed including the definition of a renewable energy standard to improve the project planning, project procurement and ease of financing, which will consequently produce social, economic, and environmental benefits to the DR, such as the increase in public health, creation of new jobs and the stabilisation and affordability of energy prices. Further analysis was performed with an ISM method to determine the interrelationship between the different parameters. All these findings were brought together to develop a strategic framework to support the energy sector’s stakeholders in their efforts to implement solar energy initiatives in the country, which was the aim of the study.
    • The genetic interactions of PKHD1 and ATMIN in autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD)

      Goggolidou, Paraskevi; Richards, Taylor; Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-08)
      The main gene associated with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD) is PKHD1 which encodes a ciliary protein associated with planar cell polarity. In mice, mutations in the transcription factor Atmin can present with an ARPKD-like phenotype with kidney disease similar to an early manifestation of ARPKD. Like the mouse gene Pkhd1, mutations in Atmin are associated with altered WNT/PCP expression. Previous work has suggested that Atmin and Pkhd1 do not physically interact, but Atmin may modulate Pkhd1 expression. However, the mechanisms governing this relationship are unknown. ARPKD is a rare disorder typically associated with severe kidney and liver disease in children. The disease has considerable clinical and familial variability, but little is known regarding genotype-phenotype relationships. It has been proposed that genetic modifiers may influence disease severity. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) using ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq techniques in mouse kidneys and intermedullary collecting duct (mIMCD3) cells identified new transcriptional targets of Atmin, which did not include Pkhd1 but included genes associated with cystic kidneys in animal models (Camk2g and G6pc). NGS in Atmin and Pkhd1 KDs identified a common transcriptional network between the two genes. Gene enrichment analysis suggests this common network is associated with immune system processes. Dysregulated genes associated with double KDs showed greater enrichment of processes associated with the actin cytoskeleton, cell cycle and energy metabolism. Loss of Atmin expression negatively impacts the ciliary localisation of Fibrocystin, suggesting that Atmin may be needed for the proper localisation of Fibrocystin to the cilium. NGS in ARPKD kidneys highlights mutations in ATMIN as a potential regulator of disease severity, associated with reduced ARPKD severity. Expression differences in WNT genes may be present between severe and moderate ARPKD and transcriptomic profiling identified candidate diagnostic markers in ARPKD which included MSC, FGA, WNT4, WNT9B and KIF26B. This work indicates that Atmin and Pkhd1 interact in a similar transcriptional network in mice. Atmin is not a transcription factor of Pkhd1 but may modulate its function by governing its ciliary localisation by a yet unknown mechanism. Additionally, ATMIN mutations may modulate ARPKD disease severity, and the amount of differential expression in WNT/PCP genes may be a marker of disease severity.
    • The impact of servant leadership on job satisfaction within Indian family firms in the UK

      Firth, Janet; Wang, Yong; Singh, Guriqbal; Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences; University of Wolverhampton Business School, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-08)
      Family businesses, including those owned by ethnic minority groups, are vital to the UK's economy. Indian family firms, for example, contribute significantly to the nation's GDP, providing employment, fostering innovation, and supporting local communities. The importance of servant leadership emphasises the leader's responsibility to serve others and prioritise their well-being and growth. This leadership style has been linked to higher job satisfaction among employees, a crucial factor for the success of small family firms. In family businesses, both family and non-family employees play essential roles. Family employees often profoundly understand the business's values, history, and long-term goals. In contrast, non-family employees bring diverse perspectives and expertise, contributing to the company's adaptability and resilience. Balancing the needs and expectations of both groups is vital for maintaining a harmonious and productive work environment, ultimately leading to the firm's success. Despite growing interest in leadership research within family businesses, there remains a notable gap in the study of ethnic minority businesses, particularly in the United Kingdom. This thesis addresses this gap by focusing on servant leadership and its influence on job satisfaction among family and non-family employees. It also explores the moderating effect of socioemotional wealth (SEW) on this relationship. This study aims to understand the subject matter using a mixed-method research design. The findings suggest that job satisfaction in small family firms differs in terms of its impact on family and non-family employees. This research offers several valuable contributions to understanding servant leadership within UK-based family firms, particularly those of Indian origin. Examining the role of servant leadership in enhancing job satisfaction for family and non-family employees in family businesses, thus shedding light on the potential benefits of adopting this leadership approach within such firms. Investigating the moderating impact of SEW on the relationship between servant leadership and job satisfaction reveals that while SEW positively influences family employees, it harms non-family employees. Expanding the scope of research on Indian family businesses in the UK contributes to the broader knowledge base on ethnic minority enterprises within the country.
    • Aberrant expression of miR-133a in endothelial cells inhibits angiogenesis by altering the expression of key angiogenic genes

      Armesilla, Angel; Ahmed, Suhail; Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-07)
      Angiogenesis is a physiological process involved in the formation of blood vessels from pre-existing ones and is tightly regulated by a balance between pro- and anti- angiogenic signals. Disturbance to this balance is associated to human diseases characterised by excessive or insufficient angiogenesis. MicroRNA (miRNA) are small non-coding RNA molecules, which inhibit gene expression by inducing mRNA degradation or suppressing protein translation. Emerging evidence highlights a novel role for miRNAs as regulators of angiogenesis. In endothelial cells miR-133a is expressed at very low levels in physiological conditions however, increased expression of this microRNA in the endothelium has been strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have reported conflicting results regarding the effect of miR-133a expression in endothelial cells during blood vessel formation. The study involved assessing the specific effect of mature miR-133a strands in angiogenesis and the expression of endothelial angiogenic genes. The study evaluated the consequences of aberrant expression of miR-133a in endothelial cells via transfection of miR-133a-3p, -5p, or negative control mimics in primary endothelial cells. This significantly inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tubular morphogenesis. The screened gene arrays were performed to identify genes involved in the regulation of signalling pathways, which play a key role in angiogenesis. The results have been further validated by qPCR, which revealed that aberrant expression of miR-133a-3p led to a decrease in the expression of genes encoding pro-angiogenic molecules, whilst increasing those with anti-angiogenic functions. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of a network of genes differentially expressed in cells harbouring miR-133a-3p, predicted decreased cellular functions related to vasculature branching and cell cycle progression, underlining the inhibitory role of miR-133a-3p in angiogenic cellular processes. The results indicate that enhanced expression of miR-133a-3p in endothelial cells during cardiovascular disease impairs pro-angiogenic cellular processes by altering the expression of specific target genes. Therefore, the results suggest that controlled delivery of miR-133a-3p mimics in diseased endothelial cells may open new therapeutic interventions to treat patients suffering from cardiovascular pathologies associated with excessive or insufficient blood vessel formation.
    • Do they know why they know? Student nurses’ experiences of mentors’ judgements of their clinical competence: an interpretative phenomenological study

      Biscomb, Kay; Jester, Rebecca; Westwood, Nicky; Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-07)
      Introduction: Expectations of mentors vary in relation to the judgements made in the assessment of student nurses’ clinical competence. It is not clear in the existing literature how the subjective nature of judgements impacts on the student nurse. Aim: This research aims to explore the subjective nature of judgments of student nurse competency by mentors within clinical practice placements and how this is perceived and experienced by adult student nurses. Methods: A qualitative approach, focusing on adult student nurses’ experiences, perceptions and voice was utilised. A purposive sample of 10 participants was recruited and one-to-one semi-structured interviews were undertaken. An interpretive phenomenological analytical framework was employed to conduct the analysis of interviews. Findings: Findings from each participant were discussed in relation to their experiences and perceptions of the impact of mentors’ judgements of the assessment of their clinical competence. A cross case comparison was then undertaken with common themes being drawn across participants aligned to the complexities of being a student, the impact of the mentor role, the contribution of the clinical learning environment, relationship with your mentor and how the mentor’s judgement of the individual impacts on the assessment of their clinical competence. Discussion and Recommendations: The study contributes to the evidence base by being one of the first to specifically focus on the student voice and provide findings in relation to the adult student nurse experiences and perceptions of impact pertaining to the judgements made by mentors of their assessment of clinical competence. Significant findings portrayed the personal and emotional impact this had on participants in relation to their learning, development and progression aligned to the assessment process, mentor’s judgements, mentor’s approach, attitudes and characteristics. Dissemination of findings is key to support the development and further training of practice assessors and supervisors involved in the assessment of student nurse clinical competence. Further recommendations for higher education institutions to address at a Local, Regional and National level were highlighted focusing on student support, coping strategies, practice assessor/supervisor preparation, peer support, and consistency for clinical competency assessment.
    • Access to higher education as a point of transition for mature students, an experience by which they are transformed

      Wilde, Julie; Dobson, Mark; Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-07)
      This thesis explores Access to Higher Education (Access) as a site of transition and a transformative experience for mature students studying in Further Education (FE) and interrogates how widening participation policy discourse for under-represented groups, posits mature students’ identity, as one of individual and collective deficit. Employing Mezirow’s concept of transformative learning, ten biographical accounts of ex-Access students provide opportunity to explore emic accounts of identity change. Bourdieu’s notion of habitus allows for exploration of participants’ backgrounds prior to their engagement with Access. Habitus provides location for Bandura’s notions of adult efficacious self-belief and pursuit of identity capital. The research employs Cheng et al.’s model of transition to map the biographical accounts of transformative learning and further informs the thematic analysis. The research design is influenced by my insider researcher status, adopting case study and pragmatic approaches to foreground the participants’ lived experiences of Access. The data collection methods of card sort and semi-structured interviews, that focus upon their voices. Contextual features, changes to Access provision and FE environment, are examined for their impact upon the transformative potential of Access, examining if FE may continue to be a site of intellectual and social transformation within mature students’ experience of education. Significantly, the findings cite academic study skill development, as supporting and sustaining participants’ return to education and illustrate Access as the site for perspective transformation.
    • An investigation into organisational culture permeation and its impact on traits for improved organisation performance

      Firth, Jan; Croker, Kevin; Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-07)
      Fragmented or negative organisational culture can have detrimental effects on morale, turnover, and overall performance. Research suggests that organisational culture plays a crucial role in enabling or hindering an organisation's ability to perform at its best and achieve strategic objectives (Ogbonna and Harris, 2000). When attempting to measure organisational culture, most survey instruments focus on treating the entire organisation as the unit of analysis. This approach is problematic as it overlooks the importance of organisational culture permeation between hierarchical levels and fails to capture the interactions that occur between the levels. To attain a more comprehensive measure and better understanding of organisational culture, it is necessary to adopt a lower level of analysis and consider the permeation of organisational culture between all levels of the organisation. When leaders establish a strong and positive culture throughout it fosters a consistent and cohesive environment (Iqbal, Guohao and Akhtar, 2017). This not only increases engagement, productivity, and overall job satisfaction it also helps to attract and retain top talent, all of which can serve as a competitive advantage and positively influence company performance (Albrecht et al., 2015). Using a mixed methods approach and adopting the Denison Organisational Culture Survey (DOCS) instrument as a framework, this thesis measures the permeation of organisational culture through several hierarchical levels, something not typically achieved by the traditional organisational culture surveys and instruments. Three different-sized diverse UK-based organisations were analysed to provide a comprehensive understanding of potential blockages and gaps that can potentially impact company performance. The researcher’s original contribution to knowledge is the measurement of organisational culture permeation between the hierarchical levels by adopting a rigorous abductive mixed methods approach rarely achieved in practice or academia, thus contributing to the organisational cultural discourse. The study found an association between leadership clarity in defining organisational culture and the implementation of a cohesive plan to ensure its permeation between all hierarchical levels. The findings also indicate that organisational size influences workers' interpretation of espoused values. Overall, the research supports the notion that effective organisational culture permeation throughout all hierarchical levels strengthens traits associated with improved effectiveness and performance.
    • Efficacy and tolerance of injectable biologics and antibiotics used out of hospital: systematic review and meta-analysis

      Morrissey, Hana; Ball, Patrick; Ebhabha, Vincent; School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-06)
      Introduction: Out-of-hospital self-care in patients receiving injectable biologically derived medicines (biologics) is reported to significantly improve patients’ quality of life and reduce hospitalisations, but unexpected complications produce some negative outcomes in health and patient experience. Aim: This study aimed to conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses of published studies to compare health outcomes and therapy complications between long-term injectable antibiotic and biologic therapies compared to placebo or conventional treatment, in and out of the hospital settings for patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis and infections. Methods and design: To achieve the study aim, five systematic review and meta-analyses were carried out to compare outcomes and complications between long-term injectable antibiotic and biologic therapies to a control therapy. The context was based on ‘out of the hospital’ settings for patients diagnosed with IBD, RA, psoriasis and infections. Results: The first review investigated injectable biologics in treating IBD. The test for overall effect demonstrated biologics were effective compared to control (p< 0.001) and did not cause statistically significant death (p = 0.91) or mild side effects (p = 0.29) but produced more significant severe side effects (p <0.001). The second review focused on injectable biologics in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Biologics were effective compared to control (p < 0.0001) and did not cause statistically significant death (p = 0.24), severe side effects (p = 0.98) or mild side effects (p = 0.48) compared to the control group. The third review was on injectable biologics in psoriasis. The results demonstrated that biologics, while were effective compared to control (p = 0.01) and caused severe side effects (p = 0.02) but mild-moderate side effects (p = 0.17) were not statistically different in both groups. The fourth review looked at patient preference for self-administering subcutaneous injections at home (intervention) vs. intravenous injections in a hospital inpatient or outpatient setting. There was a statistically significant difference between homecare (intervention) and hospital (control) group (p = 0.05). The fifth review was on injectable antibiotics. The results demonstrated that the use of injectable antibiotics, at home (intervention) or in hospital (control) produced similar benefits (p = 0.30 cure and p = 0.90 treatment failure) and harm (hospital admission after and during treatment p = 0.64, p = 0.99 respectively, disease complications p = 0.77 and medications side effects p = 0.15). Conclusion: This research found no substantial disparities in patient outcomes based upon setting. Homecare is an essential option to ensure patient autonomy and wellbeing. The recent global COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of an option to continue long term disease management without hospitalisation.
    • An investigation into the mechanisms of angiogenesis and breast cancer metastasis

      Morris, Mark; Olivares, Ivonne; Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-06)
      Breast cancer survival rates have increased over the years due to early detection and therapeutic efficacy. However, after many years of what appears to be disease-free health, cancer can return in the form of a secondary metastatic tumour. Formation of new blood vessels is a crucial stage in the progression of primary tumours to metastatic tumours. In many cases primary breast tumours that metastasise to the brain occur. Brain tumours are heterogenous malignancies with a low survival rate. Tumours often development therapy resistance by secreting different pro-angiogenic growth factors that allow them to overcome the effect of anti-angiogenic drugs. Thus, characterising the mechanisms that promote tumour angiogenesis may help to stop the development of tumour metastasis. Here it was determined that ATF2 is a downstream molecule activated (phosphorylated) by major pro-angiogenic factors and that its suppression in HUVECs resulted in increased upregulation of Notch signalling pathway (major regulator of angiogenesis) ligand DLL1 and DLL4. Additionally, we investigated genomic changes that may be involved in the development and progression of breast to brain metastasis (BBM). Whole exome sequencing (WES) of 26 breast to brain metastases was carried out. Bioinformatic analysis of WES data identified recurrent genomic alterations in several genes that may be associated with BBM development including an ARFEFG protein family member gene, BIG3. Functional analysis of BIG3 showed that this gene is involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter receptors subunits in the BIG3-knockout MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Neurotransmitter regulation has been shown as one mechanism through which brain tumours integrate into the neuronal signalling network to promote colonisation of the brain. Results presented here show that investigating the possible mechanisms behind tumour angiogenesis, and the molecular changes that may be involved in metastatic tumour development and brain colonisation offers a better understanding of tumour mechanisms for growth and survival which can offer an opportunity for the development of new therapeutic targets.
    • The antihuman unconscious in twenty-first century science fiction cinema: structure of feeling, the political unconscious, and problematising the human in science fiction films produced since 1999

      Pheasant-Kelly, Fran; Parr, Christopher; Wolverhampton School of Art, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-06)
      This thesis argues that there is an antihuman unconscious present in science fiction cinema of the twenty-first century, which is the result of the tumultuous events of the previous two decades. These events have led many to question if the human species will, or should, survive into the future, and this is reflected in science fiction films of the last twenty years, many of which feature images and narratives of the commodification, vilification, and annihilation of humanity. Utilising Raymond Williams’ structure of feeling, whereby dominant cultural attitudes are challenged by alternative attitudes, and Fredric Jameson’s political unconscious, in which previously repressed ideologies return to the surface of a text, this thesis explores how and why the antihuman unconscious manifests in twenty-first century science fiction cinema. The reasons for the emergence of the antihuman unconscious are connected with the alternative humanisms – transhumanism, posthumanism, and antihumanism – which have reconceptualised and problematised the human in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. To examine how the antihuman unconscious manifests in science fiction cinema, this thesis utilises film genre theory, equating generic elements with elements of the political unconscious and structure of feeling. Science fiction films continue to present humanist narratives despite the emergence of the antihuman unconscious, and close textual analyses of selected films are conducted to determine how that unconscious is signified in visual generic elements which oppose the often humanist narrative elements of the films. The thesis analyses six English-language science fiction films produced since 1999, grouped into three pairs representing each of the aforementioned alternative humanisms. As crises continue to define the first years of the third decade of the twenty-first century, this thesis elucidates how the present upheavals, along with the scepticism directed towards the human species which can be seen in social movements such as veganism and Extinction Rebellion, are reflected in popular media, and contributes to a gap in the literature concerning this scepticism. Theoretically, it presents a synthesis of the political unconscious and structure of feeling that can be used for analysing emerging and alternative cultural trends. Additionally, the thesis contributes to film genre theory with a methodological approach for examining tensions within a genre which considers the opposition of generic visual and narratives elements.
    • Low back pain in ballet, modern, and hip-hop dancers

      Wyon, Matthew; Henn, Erica; Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-06)
      Low back pain (LBP) is a global medical issue that continues to rise in the general population. However, the consequences of low back pain in dance populations have been difficult to quantify, in part due to varying injury definitions. Low back pain is a multifaceted problem that is anecdotally common, but more research is needed to understand how low back pain impacts dancers’ lives and movements. The key aim of this thesis was to investigate low back pain in ballet, modern, and hip-hop dancers, and provide practical recommendations based on the findings. The aims of this thesis were to: (a) investigate the dancers’ perspectives on low back pain and what aspects of their lives and dancing it affects, including a determination of what movements dancers associate with exacerbating their low back pain, and (b) to further examine these movements, through archival and biomechanical research, to provide recommendations to the dance community. Study 1 assessed the dancers’ perspective on the impact and management of low back pain through an online questionnaire disseminated to primarily ballet, modern, and hip-hop dance populations. The results showed that low back pain negatively impacted dancers’ dance movements and non-dance activities, with spinal extension movements being most frequently reported as a movement that increased the dancers’ low back pain. Therefore, Study 2 utilized archival dance videos from YouTube.com to identify how often dancers were exposed to the movements that they reported in Study 1 as exacerbating their low back pain. Results showed that the dance movements that exacerbate low back pain were present in all the dance environments studied: ballet class and performance, modern dance class and performance, and hip-hop breaking, cyphers, and battles. Ballet performance environments had the highest number of total spinal extension movements (77±69.8), and hip-hop cypher environments had the highest frequency of spinal extension movements per minute (7±9.6). Recommendations for training focuses, based on the complete movement profile for each dance genre, are also presented. Study 3 used a case study to examine the biomechanics of three spinal extension movements: the ballet arabesque, the modern dance attitude with body roll, and the hip-hop dolphin dive. The influence of speed on the forces of the spine in dance had not been studied previously. Results suggest that thoracic and lumbar spine joint angles, angular velocity, and angular acceleration increase all three dance genres when performing movements from slow to fast speeds. Collectively, the results in this thesis verified that low back pain is an impactful condition with significant negative consequences for those dancers who are afflicted. The results also revealed dancers are frequently exposed to movements that they report can increase their low back pain. The results show increased angular displacements, angular velocity, angular acceleration in spinal extension movements performed at progressively increasing speeds. However, further research is needed to confirm if the forces at the low back increase as speed increases, and to clarify the role of asymmetry in movements that increase dancer LBP
    • The actor as rehabilitator: an examination of the Geese Theatre Company practitioner training to work with people in prison and those at risk of committing offences

      Caulfield, Laura; Rudge, Helen Carmen; School of Social Science and Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-06)
      The Arts have always played an important role in rehabilitation and this thesis continues to explore that. The main focus however is the role of the practitioner who carries out this work. The thesis examines the six-month training period which new practitioners must complete when arriving at Geese Theatre Company. Geese is an international theatre company founded in 1987 (UK) with National Portfolio status with Arts Council, England since 2003. They use Drama as a tool for rehabilitation with people who have committed offences and those who are at risk of offending. A third of new actor/ practitioner recruits to Geese are not taken on permanently after the six-month training period. There is published research and evaluation on the projects that Geese deliver but there is no research available on how a performer is trained to work with the company. Geese need to intensively train someone to have a combination of strong performance skill as well as an understanding of the psychological demands of this area of work. They are unique in having a substantial period of training following which the recruit is not necessarily taken on by the company. The thesis focuses particularly upon the training methods used by the company and on the journey of a new recruit. It explores the research questions through semi-structured interviews with Geese practitioners as well as conducting structured observations of workshops, facilitation and performance work by the company. The findings allow for: an exploration of the skills and experience a new recruit to Geese starts at the company with, a definition of the elements of the six-month training, an investigation into the skills and attributes needed to be successful at Geese and an analysis of which elements are missing when practitioners are not taken on after the training. This thesis is a contribution to knowledge as it examines the intensive training period for a Geese practitioner. The exploration of this as well as the conclusions about why around a third of trainees do not pass the training is not something which exists currently in literature. In addition, this contributes to the wider research area of actor/ facilitator training.
    • ‘Becoming the teacher’ – self and teacher identity in the context of training to teach on a school direct salaried employment-based route

      Devlin, Linda; Wallis, Tracy; School of Education, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-05)
      This study investigates how trainee teachers in England on an Employment-Based Route (EBR), namely School Direct Salaried (SDS), experience ‘becoming’ teachers in the context of the primary school. Drawing upon Beijaard’s (2006) theory that teachers experience ‘a constant becoming’ the study focuses on aspects such as what the trainees bring to their training from their own biographies and backgrounds, and the influence of the school context on the trainees’ experiences. The study conceptualises teacher identity using the theoretical underpinning of symbolic interactionism and specifically the work of George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer. Whilst much has been written about teacher identity and the experiences of trainee teachers, there is a significant lack of literature which discusses the experiences of those who are employed specifically to train to teach on EBR. With the gradual move away from SDS towards the Post-Graduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA) route into teaching (DfE 2021a) this study not only contributes to the gap in research and writing which focuses on EBR but also to the training of teachers who enter the profession on such routes. Set in the interpretative constructivist paradigm, case study is used as a design frame for the methodology with the EBR as the case. Questionnaires and small focus group discussions were undertaken as the data gathering tools with the whole cohort of 22 trainees on the SDS route into primary teaching. The findings indicate that trainee teachers bring their experiences of education and the values they attach to it to their training which have an impact upon emergent identity. As the SDS route was specifically established in England for career-changers as well as those who were working in schools as Teaching Assistants (TAs) prior to their training (DfE 2010), the study finds that they experience ‘becoming’ teachers in very nuanced and specific ways. The study discusses the influence of the school environment on the development of teacher identity for trainees on the EBR given that they are employed to train to teach and spend most of their training in the school environment. The thesis recommends ways in which Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes might account and plan for the experiences of trainees on EBR and their mentors in developing teacher identity considering how they experience ‘becoming’ teachers differently to trainees on non-EBR.
    • Synthesis, characterisation, and evaluation of novel heterocyclic compounds with potential antimicrobial activity

      Rahman, Ayesha; Karodia, Nazira; Idrees, Muhammad; School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Wolverhampton, 2023-05)