Digital Commons Network^™

Un-Framing Transiting Trajectories: A ‘Beyond Disciplinary’ Approach To Curating In The Context Of Art And Science Discourse, Christina Ioanna Kazakou

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

Abstract

The Resistant Body In Sound: Cripping Music Creation Through Technology, Embodiment, And Disability Philosophy, Amble Ysgawen-Skuse

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

We are currently in a period where many music organisations are beginning to engage with disabled artists as a part of their diversity agenda. However, practice seems limited to questions of physical access to spaces and asks little around the philosophies of disability and how that might change the way that we think about working with disabled creatives. If issues of physical access are all that are taken into consideration we risk creating projects which embed ableists assumptions and practices into our disabled music making, which results in negative experiences for disabled artists. In order to make the progression of …

An Investigation Of The Awareness And Preparedness Amongst The Tourism And Event Industries Of The Threat Of A Marine-Based Terrorist Attack., Carleen Martin

Plymouth Business School Theses

This study is an investigation of the awareness and preparedness amongst the tourism and event industries of the threat of a marine-based terrorist attack. The purpose was to determine the extent of the threat of a marine-based terrorist attack to the tourism and event industries operating in coastal areas in the United Kingdom and gain an in depth understanding of the perception, awareness, and preparedness of marine-based terrorist risk held by the multiple stakeholders involved. This research took a qualitative approach obtaining the expert testimonies of senior operatives in the field who have been involved in the emergency response to …

The Implementation Of The Guiding Principles On Business And Human Rights By The Office Of The United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (Unhcr), Reema Al Kyed

Plymouth Business School Theses

ABSTRACTThe Implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)Reema Issa Al KyedThis thesis examines the compliance of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), focusing on its commitment to respecting human rights, exercising due diligence, and enabling remediation for adverse impacts. The study has four key objectives: evaluating the relevance of sociological and human rights theories for implementing the UNGPs, assessing UNHCR’s compliance with the UNGPs, identifying areas for improvement, and …

The Impact Of Talent Management On Process Innovation Implementation In The Upstream Oil And Gas Sector, Salim Al Daraai

Plymouth Business School Theses

The oil and gas industry is vital industry in the world. Specifically, the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry plays a crucial role in the global economy, serving as a primary source of energy and revenue generation. It involves exploration and development activities, where exploration involves identifying petroleum resources, including drilling and seismic surveys. In contrast, production involves a way to extract petroleum from the ground. Moreover, the oil and gas industry is highly competitive and rapidly evolving. Process innovation implementation plays an important role in the success and sustainability of organizations in the oil and gas industries. …

Reactive Power Potential: A Contribution Of Hydropower For The Energy Transition, Michael Bohlinger

Plymouth Business School Theses

The growing challenges of climate change and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions make Germany’s Energy Transition a crucial step in addressing these global issues. Climate change, driven largely by rising CO₂ levels, demands a swift shift to renewable energy to minimise its impact on the environment and society. At the same time, the gradual phase-out of conventional power plants presents significant challenges for the electricity grid, especially in terms of expanding the network and ensuring its reliability. This study explores the critical role of hydropower plants in stabilizing the energy system. In addition to generating renewable energy, hydropower …

Investigating The Impact Of Human Resource Practices On The Experiences Of Nigerian Seafaring Officers: An In-Depth Analysis Of The Shipping Industry In Nigeria, Mariah Adeboboye

Plymouth Business School Theses

The maritime industry, a critical component of Nigeria's economic infrastructure, relies heavily on the expertise and dedication of its seafaring officers. Drawing on motivation and commitment theories, this study offers a thorough analysis of the prevalent shipping industry practices within the Nigerian setting, exploring the complex effects of human resource practices on the experiences of Nigerian seafaring officers. Taking a pragmatic ontological position supported by a mixed-methods approach, this study combined qualitative interviews with forty-five seafaring officers, six former seafaring officers and six maritime industry Human Resource managers, alongside crosstabulation analyses of 174 seafaring officer’s questionnaire responses. This study examines …

Stakeholder Engagement In Commercial Art Galleries In Damascus, Syria, Mohamadia Alnasan

Plymouth Business School Theses

Commercial art galleries (CAGs) are economic and cultural entities at the same time. They depend on stakeholder engagement to thrive and reach success and sustainability. This thesis researches stakeholder engagement in CAGs in Damascus, Syria. Regarding methodology, the thesis adopts case study as a research strategy covering nine commercial art galleries in Damascus as case studies. It conducted 27 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with gallerists and stakeholders, including artists, collectors, critics, and visitors, and 9 participant observation to collect on-site data. It uses thematic and content analysis. The thesis establishes stakeholders for CAGs, examines factors influencing stakeholder engagement according to gallerists …

Patient-Reported Outcomes, Postoperative Pain And Pain Relief After Day Case Surgery (Poppy): Methodology For A Prospective, Multicentre Observational Study*, William M. Hare, Martha Belete, Adam B. Brayne, Harriet Daykin, Matthew Everson, Anna Ratcliffe, Katie Samuel, Lexy Sorrell, Mark Rockett

Peninsula Medical School

Background: In the UK, approximately 70% of surgical procedures are undertaken as day-cases. Little information exists about recovery from day-case surgery, yet international data highlights patients are at risk of developing significant longer-term health problems including chronic post-surgical pain and persistent postoperative opioid use. The Patient-reported Outcomes, Postoperative Pain and pain relief after daY case surgery (POPPY) study was a national prospective multicentre observational study, measuring short- and longer-term patient-reported outcomes, postoperative pain and pain relief after day-case surgery. Methods: This was a collaborative project led by resident anaesthetists under the Research and Audit Federation of Trainees umbrella. Adult day-case …

The Current Clinical Practice And Experiences In Buccal Midazolam Prescribing In Community For Status Epilepticus Termination In The United Kingdom: The Rescue Epilepsy Medication And Training (Remit) Study, Rohit Shankar

Peninsula Medical School

Background: Epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological conditions worldwide and confers a significant mortality risk, partly driven by status epilepticus (SE). Terminating SE is the goal of pharmaceutical rescue therapies. This survey evaluates UK-based healthcare professionals’ clinical practice and experience in community-based rescue therapy prescribing. Methods: A cross-sectional, 21 item questionnaire composed of Likert-style and free-text based questions was administered online. It was distributed through a non-discriminative snow-balling methodology to members of the Epilepsy Specialist Nurses’ Association (ESNA) and the British International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Quantitative analysis used Chi-squared, Fishers’ exact and Mann-Whitney tests. Qualitative data were analysed …

The Added Value Of Narrow Band Imaging In Sinonasal Tumour Resection And Surveillance: Our Experience, Yazan Kanaan, Ra'ed Al-Ashqar, Hisham Khalil, Konstantinos Geronatsios, Marios Stavrakas

Peninsula Medical School

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: Narrow Band Imaging (NBI), developed by Olympus Medical Systems, has played a role in diagnosing digestive tract lesions and cancers, diagnosing and characterizing bladder cancers during cystoscopy and in the diagnosis and management of Head and Neck cancers. We aim to explore the potential use of NBI in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of sinonasal tumours.

METHODS: We present a series of cases treated at our institution, where NBI played a crucial role in the diagnosis, surgical management, intraoperative decision-making, and follow-up. The cases include a patient with sinonasal lymphoma, 2 patients with sinonosal malignant melanoma and …

Impact Of Social Deprivation Upon The Preoperative Pathway And Early Surgical Outcomes After Pancreatoduodenectomy For Pdac And Non-Pdac Periampullary Cancer In England: The Surg-Panc-Uk Study, Surg-Panc-Uk Study Group On Behalf Of Augis, Thomas W Thorne, Siobhan C Mckay, Samir Pathak, Richard Wilkin, Jenifer Barrie, John Moir, Keith J Roberts, Somaiah Aroori

Peninsula Medical School

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic deprivation is linked to poorer outcomes in many cancers, however the impact of social deprivation on survival in resectable pancreatic and other peri-ampullary cancers appears mixed. Moreover, no studies consider the impact of social deprivation on diagnostic pathway length.

METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study of adults with suspected periampullary cancer undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy in England. Following surgery, patients were stratified by cancer type (PDAC, duodenal cancer, cholangiocarcinoma and ampullary cancer) and the impact of social deprivation (IMD deprivation quintiles) upon short-term survival and diagnostic pathway length analysed.

RESULTS: 648 patients from England with social deprivation data were identified, …

Education And Eschatology: Why Theological Education Is Necessary, Jiri Moskala

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Change In Climate: Inclusion And Menopause Experience At Work, Janie D. Stuart

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Dissertations

Inclusion within workplace environments is increasingly important as workforce diversity continues to expand. Despite anti-discrimination laws, women and other underrepresented groups often face exclusion in the workplace, which negatively affects their professional growth, health, and well-being. This research focused on how menopause, a natural biological transition, compounds workplace exclusion for women. Specifically, the study investigated the relationship between Menopause Experience and two workplace outcomes, Organizational Commitment and Turnover Intention, and assessed the moderating effects of Inclusion in organizations, teams, and non-gendered workplace cultures. There were strong positive relationships between all three dimensions of Inclusion with both Organizational Commitment and Turnover …

(Re)Membering: Navigating Culturally Responsive Teaching To Support Black Students From The Cultural Experiences And Life Histories Of Black Women K-3 Teachers, Nicole Newman

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the lived experiences of four Black women teaching in primary grades, focusing on the ways their resilience and culturally responsive pedagogies shape the academic and personal growth of young Black students. Utilizing a qualitative endarkened narrative approach, this research explores how these teachers employ storytelling as both a pedagogical and cultural tool, drawing from their own experiences and ancestral knowledge to foster identity development, bridge the opportunity gap, and empower students during the foundational years of education. Through rich and layered narratives, the participants illuminate their journeys of resilience, detailing how they cultivate inclusive, affirming learning environments …

Understanding Institutional Factors That Hinder Black Students’ Ability To Persist At Community Colleges, Tadael Emiru

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Community colleges face a significant challenge with high attrition rates, which disproportionately impact Black students compared to other student groups. Hope Community Colleges reflect this trend, with a notable percentage of students dropping out before achieving their academic goals. The implications of this high dropout rate extend beyond individual students, affecting the local, state, and national economies.

Although existing research primarily focuses on students’ personal characteristics that influence their ability to stay in college, there is a noticeable gap in understanding the institutional factors that negatively affect student persistence, particularly for Black students in community colleges. This study sought to …

The Power Of Presence: Body Image In Disney's The Little Mermaid, Megan Chatelain

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how body image is represented in Disney’s The Little Mermaid across its 1989 animated film and the 2019 and 2023 adaptations. Grounded in Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory, the research examines how repeated media exposure shapes audience perceptions of morality, beauty, and identity—particularly through the portrayal of body size. Using a triangulated qualitative approach—reflexive journaling, content analysis, and survey responses—the study reveals consistent patterns: thin characters are depicted as virtuous, desirable, and heroic, while larger-bodied characters are often cast as villainous, comedic, or morally flawed. These associations were recognized by participants across all methods and confirmed through both reflective …

Effects Of Cross-Sex Hormone Therapy (Csht) On Aortic Reactivity And Metabolic Parameters In Gonadectomized Male And Female Rats, Rifat Ara Islam

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

With the rising awareness, the number of individuals identifying themselves as transgender in the US is increasing over the years. Cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) may alter cardiometabolic parameters leading to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in transgender population. However, the underlying mechanisms of impaired cardiovascular functions in transgender female (male to female, MtF) or transgender male (female to male, FtM) individuals are not well documented. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2)- and testosterone propionate (Tes)-treatment on key cardiometabolic parameters and aortic reactivity in castrated (CAS) male and ovariectomized (OVX) female Sprague Dawley (SD) …

Knocking On Resistance’S Door: Investigating The Spread And Drivers Of Kdr Mutations In Northern California Culex Tarsalis, Esther Blankenship-Cutshall

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Vector-borne diseases are an increasingly relevant threat to public health as climate change alters the ecology of vector populations in relation to humans. One key to combating vector-borne disease is using pyrethroid insecticides against mosquito populations. However, wild mosquito populations have exhibited resistance to those key pyrethroids. One resistance mechanism under investigation is the altering of the voltage-gated sodium channel, which is associated with the genetic mutations known as kdr. The prevalence and history of kdr mutations has been investigated in some populations of Culex pipiens, however, it is unknown in northern California Culex tarsalis populations. This study aims to …

From Street Codes To School Codes: Transformative Educational Intervention For Gang Affiliated Student. An Active Research Study, Alexandra Saldivar

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Gang-affiliated youth face significant challenges in educational and community settings, often resulting in lower graduation rates, limited career opportunities, and an increased risk for behavioral problems. While gang activity on school campuses has increased in recent years, there is limited research and little effort specifically tailored to meet the needs of this vulnerable population. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the WhyTry intervention, a resilience-focused program designed for at-risk populations, modified with additional counseling and a gang-intervention emphasis to address the unique challenges gang-affiliated students face. The study explores whether the modified WhyTry program can improve academic performance, …

And Yet She Persisted: An Autoethnographic Exploration Of A Mature Doctoral Student Experiencing Grief And Loss During The Doctoral Journey, Jenny Masterman Abbott

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This evocative autoethnographic study explored the lived experiences of a mature doctoral student navigating grief and loss while progressing through a doctoral program. The research connected the personal narrative of the author a nurse, educator, wife, mother, and widow to broader themes of resilience, identity, and persistence in higher education. Using narrative inquiry and self-reflective vignettes, this dissertation sought to illuminate how grief intersects with academic life, shaping both personal meaning and scholarly perseverance.

The study was guided by four research questions: (1) What does it mean for the mature doctoral student to be successful in negotiating the doctoral journey …

Systematic Review Of Paediatric Sudep And Epilepsy-Related Deaths To Inform A Safety Counselling Checklist For Clinical Practice, Rohit Shankar

Peninsula Medical School

BackgroundOne in 200 children - in the UK have epilepsy. Approximately, 1 in 1,000 children with epilepsy die yearly from Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), a leading cause of death in epilepsy. Various risk factors contributing to epilepsy mortality particularly SUDEP, some modifiable, have been identified. Structured discussion of risks results in behavioural change that reduces individual risk factors.AimTo investigate and collate risk factors for SUDEP and epilepsy mortality in children to propose a structured communication tool (“Checklist”) for person centred communication.MethodsA Systematic review for children’s epilepsy mortality risk factors was conducted. The search strategy was developed by clinical …

Patterns Of Intra-Cluster Correlation Coefficients In School-Based Cluster Randomised Controlled Trials Of Interventions For Improving Social-Emotional Functioning Outcomes In Pupils: A Secondary Data Analysis Of Five Uk-Based Studies, Kitty Parker, Michael Nunns, Zhi Min Xiao, Tamsin Ford, Paul Stallard, Willem Kuyken, Nick Axford, Obioha C. Ukoumunne

Peninsula Medical School

Background: The cluster randomised trial (CRT) design is increasingly used to evaluate the impact of school-based interventions for improving social-emotional functioning outcomes in pupils. Good knowledge is required on plausible values of the intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC) of the outcome to calculate the required sample size in such studies. Using data from five school-based CRTs in the UK, we estimate, and describe patterns in, ICCs for social-emotional functioning outcomes. Methods: Mixed effects linear regression models were fitted to estimate the ICC and variance components. Estimates for baseline data were obtained by fitting “null” models that had no predictor variables; estimates …

Evidence For Alcohol-Mediated Hemolysis And Erythrophagocytosis, Chaowen Zheng, Siyuan Li, Johannes Mueller, Cheng Chen, Huanran Lyu, Guandou Yuan, Ane Zamalloa, Lissette Adofina, Parthi Srinivasan, Krishna Menon, Nigel Heaton, Stephan Immenschuh, Ines Silva, Vanessa Rausch, Seddik Hammad, Steven Dooley, Shilpa Chokshi, Antonio Riva, Songqing He, Sebastian Mueller

Peninsula Medical School

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is the most common liver disease worldwide; however, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we identify ethanol-mediated hemolysis and erythrophagocytosis as major contributors to ALD pathogenesis using both in vitro and in vivo models, as well as surrogate markers such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and CD163, a scavenger receptor for hemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes. A key initial observation was the direct optical evidence of serum hemolysis in heavy drinkers, which diminished after one week of alcohol withdrawal. In parallel, soluble CD163 (sCD163) levels declined during alcohol detoxification correlating with liver damage and fibrosis stages. Moreover, red …

Mothers, Social Capital And Children’S Physical Literacy Journeys In Rural Australia, Kate Mccreery, Dawn Penney, Ruth Jeanes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In rural communities in Australia, the provision of sport and physical activities for children almost exclusively relies upon parents and their ability to access and contribute to facilities, funding, volunteers, and administration. This paper brings Putnam’s social capital framework to Whitehead’s conceptualisation of physical literacy as a journey to offer original insight into children’s sport participation and the opportunities arising for physical literacy development in rural communities in Australia. Changes in sport participation in Australia and directions in sport policy set an important context for the project, which is located in a small rural community in Western Australia. It was …

Western Australian Graduate Teacher Perceptions Of Teacher Performance Assessments, Janine E. Wyatt, Caroline Mansfield, Paula Mildenhall

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examined the views of 1593 first-year graduates from five Western Australian universities concerning three nationally endorsed teacher performance assessment (TPA) instruments. Quantitative and qualitative data obtained through the Department of Education Western Australia’s annual first year graduate teacher surveys from 2021-2023 was used. Study findings revealed that overall, most graduates were satisfied that the TPA supported their classroom readiness and understanding of the graduate level of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, and that mentors/supervisors played a critical role in these perceptions. We recommend incorporating the first-year graduates’ insights into the refinement of TPAs. Our study advocates for …

Organizational Accounting In Value-Based Care: How Are You Really Doing?, Stephanie Fischer Mba, Jennifer Stephens Do

Administration & Leadership

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Computer Monitoring On Employees’ Productivity In Telecommuting Arrangements, Yea Hee Ko, In Gyun Baek

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

When employees work from home, organizations have traditionally placed a stronger reliance on output-based controls because of the inability to physically observe its employees. Because of recent advances in technology, however, many organizations now use input-based controls. One such input-based control is computer monitoring, which records the number of hours spent working and leaves out any time in which an employee does not perform work activities. On the one hand, computer monitoring may provide productivity-enhancing benefits by reducing the likelihood of employees experiencing self-control problems, such as procrastination. On the other hand, computer monitoring may motivate reduced effort by decreasing …

Navigating And Transforming Pk12 Systems Through Research-Practice Partnerships, Maia Elkana, Rachel Ruggirello, Jay Hartman, Nikki Doughty, Victoria May

Institute for School Partnership: Research & Publications

This chapter examines how one research-practice partnership (RPP) navigated and impacted complex PK12 systems. Our experiences interrogate the locus of control for those participating in RPP projects in building and sustaining equitable university PK12 relationships and more equitable school communities. Through a case study focused on a school leadership and cultural transformation partnership between an urban school district, university researchers, and community non-profit organizations, we illustrate the ways that RPPs can support participants grappling with PK12 system factors. These systems can serve as both barriers and facilitators to equitable functioning within the context of the partnership as well as for …

Using Appreciative Inquiry To Strengthen Rpp, Maia Elkana, Victoria L. May

Institute for School Partnership: Research & Publications

Research-Practice Partnerships (RPPs) offer a model for mutually beneficial learning and capacity building across disciplines and contexts. Bringing together professionals with different skills and areas of expertise can foster innovation with the goal of creating equitable transformation and improvement. Within these partnerships, individuals often need to approach the work with a different set of skills and mindsets than they might otherwise draw from in their regular roles as researchers, teachers, administrators, or policymakers. Several resources have examined the kind of personal capacities needed for working collaboratively across disciplines and considered the complex ways in which context, systems, and structures external …