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Leveraging Natural Language Processing Methods For Next Generation Customer Service In Telecommunications Industry, Hesham Abdelmotaleb Jan 2026

Leveraging Natural Language Processing Methods For Next Generation Customer Service In Telecommunications Industry, Hesham Abdelmotaleb

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

This research explores application of Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods to better understand and improve customer service feedback in telecom industry. We collect novel reallife datasets of customer reviews and social media comments within British telecommunication industry over one year. Then, we apply three main modelling approaches. First, we study topic modelling for short text: we propose a new evaluation metric for GSDMM model and demonstrate that our metric helps to choose meaningful topics when texts are very brief. Second, we perform an extensive comparative study of word embedding models for text classification: we test nine word embedding and feature …

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Investigating The Biocompatibility Of Nanosilver Hydroxyapatite Coatings With Human Gingival Fibroblasts To Enhance Abutment Integrity For Periodontal Health, Sian Morgan Jan 2026

Investigating The Biocompatibility Of Nanosilver Hydroxyapatite Coatings With Human Gingival Fibroblasts To Enhance Abutment Integrity For Periodontal Health, Sian Morgan

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Dental implants are susceptible to bacterial colonisation, which can initiate peri-implant inflammation and ultimately lead to peri-implantitis and implant failure. Antimicrobial surface modifications represent a promising strategy to mitigate bacterial infection however, such approaches must preserve biocompatibility with peri-implant soft tissue cells to ensure effective mucosal sealing and long-term implant success. In particular, human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) play a critical role in soft tissue integration at the implant-abutment interface, yet their interactions with antimicrobial silver-based coatings remain insufficiently understood. This thesis investigates the biocompatibility of nano silver-hydroxyapatite (Ag+nHA) coatings deposited on titanium substrates, with the aim of developing an antimicrobial …

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Mapping The Uk Commercial Fishing Network: A Knowledge-Based Framework For Sustainable Technology Adoption And Environmental Decision-Making, Matthew Prowse Jan 2026

Mapping The Uk Commercial Fishing Network: A Knowledge-Based Framework For Sustainable Technology Adoption And Environmental Decision-Making, Matthew Prowse

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The UK commercial fishing industry operates within a complex web of stakeholders, technologies, and environmental pressures that challenge traditional approaches to sustainability and resource management. This research develops a comprehensive framework for understanding how technological advancement in UK fisheries creates unintended consequences that threaten long-term sustainability. Through a mixed-methods approach combining PESTLE analysis, grounded theory methodology, stakeholder mapping, case study investigation, this study introduces the "By-Product and Excess" theoretical framework to explain how fishing technologies generate two critical outcomes: by-products (undesirable environmental impacts such as CO₂ emissions, microplastics, and ecosystem damage) and excess (enhanced capacity to harvest beyond sustainable limits).The …

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Coupled Thermo-Structural Analysis Of Steel Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete Structural Members, Bin Zhang Jan 2026

Coupled Thermo-Structural Analysis Of Steel Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete Structural Members, Bin Zhang

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

This thesis investigates the coupled thermal, flexural and steel–concrete bond response of steel-reinforced geopolymer concrete (GPC) and ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPCC) beam cross-sections subjected to one-sided standard fire exposure. A sequential analytical framework is developed to link transient heat-transfer analysis, temperature-dependent sectional flexural analysis, and temperature-dependent bond and flexural–bond coupling assessment.The thermal analysis is performed using a one-dimensional transient heat-conduction model implemented in MATLAB PDEPE. Separate temperature-dependent density, specific-heat and thermal-conductivity relationships are adopted for OPCC and GPC. A dedicated OPCC model of the B1 validation specimen is assessed against 13 matched experimental reinforcement-temperature measurements, giving R^2=0.9542 and an …

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Life Cycle Assessment Of Marine Composite Recreational Craft Manufacturing And Operations, Badr Moutik Jan 2026

Life Cycle Assessment Of Marine Composite Recreational Craft Manufacturing And Operations, Badr Moutik

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Marine composite recreational craft are growing in number. Sectoral roadmaps for sustainable development are increasing pressure to demonstrate life cycle environmental performance. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been identified as a key strategic decision support tool. However, current practice is undermined by sparse, non-representative data and methodological inconsistencies. These weaknesses increase the risk of biased or misleading interpretation, constrain wider uptake of LCA, and limit the sector’s ability to respond credibly to tightening environmental sustainability expectations. This thesis assesses the cradle-to-grave environmental impacts of a market-representative glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) motor yacht across 16 impact categories. The research builds on …

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Modelling And Optimisation Of Dynamic Power Cable Configurations For Floating Offshore Renewable Energy, Anna Holcombe Jan 2026

Modelling And Optimisation Of Dynamic Power Cable Configurations For Floating Offshore Renewable Energy, Anna Holcombe

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Floating offshore renewable energy requires dynamic power cables to transmit generated electricity from the floating device to the seabed, or to an adjacent device, so that it can be exported to shore. Dynamic power cables are connected at the top end to a floating device, and traverse the water column, subjected to loading at the hang-off, and direct hydrodynamic loading from waves and currents. Their reliability has been a concern within industry and research, particularly due to historically high failure rates of static subsea cables. It is essential that design and analysis of dynamic power cables is accurate, to mitigate …

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The Effects Of Altered Partial Pressures Of Gas On Cognitive And Neural Function, Daniel Graham Jan 2026

The Effects Of Altered Partial Pressures Of Gas On Cognitive And Neural Function, Daniel Graham

School of Psychology Theses

Oxygen is central to neural function, yet the precise mechanisms and effects by which varying oxygen levels, whether through Hypoxia, Hyperoxia, or Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), shape cognition and brain activity remain incomplete. This thesis adopts a novel, multi-modal framework that integrates normobaric gas manipulations, cognitive testing, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Electroencephalography (EEG), Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), and HBOT to examine how gas and pressure variability influences cognitive, motor, and neural processes. Chapter 3 presents the findings of a preliminary experiment investigating normobaric oxygen manipulations on cognition. Standardised cognitive assessments revealed domain-general impairments (i.e. memory and executive function) under …

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Multimodal Imaging Markers Of Brain Dysfunction In Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy: Sleep-Wake Regulation And Metabolic Dysfunction, Hannah Windmill Jan 2026

Multimodal Imaging Markers Of Brain Dysfunction In Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy: Sleep-Wake Regulation And Metabolic Dysfunction, Hannah Windmill

School of Psychology Theses

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication of chronic liver disease, with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) characterised by subclinical cognitive dysfunction, mood disturbance, and sleep disruption. MHE remains underdiagnosed due to poor correlation of prevalence with disease severity and absence of a standardised clinical diagnostic tool. This thesis employs a multimodal neuroimaging framework, integrating MR spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion MRI, fMRI, and EEG, to identify sensitive early markers of MHE and examine the confounding influence of sleep on brain-based outcomes.Chapter 4 investigated neuroimaging biomarkers of MHE in a cross-sectional cohort of liver disease patients and healthy controls. Primary outcomes were EEG …

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A Psychosocial And Psychometric Exploration Of Hikikomori In The Uk, Gregory Gorman Jan 2026

A Psychosocial And Psychometric Exploration Of Hikikomori In The Uk, Gregory Gorman

School of Psychology Theses

Hikikomori - originally identified in Japan as a severe form of social withdrawal - has evolved into a global phenomenon mirroring broader transformations in labour, technology, and identity. Once deemed a culture-bound syndrome, it is increasingly understood as a “society-bound” expression of psychosocial strain, existential unease, and retreat from normative life scripts. This thesis advances understanding of hikikomori by developing and validating psychometric tools, identifying subtypes of withdrawal, and situating the phenomenon within wider socio-cultural, digital, and philosophical frameworks.Empirical chapters detail the development of two novel tools: the Hikikomori Risk Inventory-13 (HRI-13) and the expanded Hikikomori Syndrome Behaviour Scale (HSBS). …

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Recent Advances In High Surface Area Porous Materials For Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices, Anu Prathap Mylamparambil Udayan, Balwinder Kaur, Anandhakumar Sundaramurthy, Kirtanjot Kaur, Baljit Singh Jan 2026

Recent Advances In High Surface Area Porous Materials For Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices, Anu Prathap Mylamparambil Udayan, Balwinder Kaur, Anandhakumar Sundaramurthy, Kirtanjot Kaur, Baljit Singh

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Electrochemical energy storage devices can be classified into two categories: supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries. These devices are designed to store and release energy, finding applications in both portable electronics and electrical vehicles. To remain competitive, a material must possess high energy density (Ed) and power density (Pd), allowing for higher mileage, faster charging, and slower discharge. Another crucial factor to consider is the overall weight/volume reduction and the material's high mechanical strength. Recently, porous carbon-based materials and multifunctional materials with high mechanical strength, flexibility, and electrical properties have garnered significant attention. This review summarizes recent developments in high surface area …

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Nanoparticle-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassays For Detecting Marine Biotoxins In Seafood: A Systematic Review Of Trends In Development Over Two Decades, Perveen Akhtar, Gayathree Thenuwara, Hugh J. Byrne, Furong Tian, Bilal Javed Jan 2026

Nanoparticle-Based Lateral Flow Immunoassays For Detecting Marine Biotoxins In Seafood: A Systematic Review Of Trends In Development Over Two Decades, Perveen Akhtar, Gayathree Thenuwara, Hugh J. Byrne, Furong Tian, Bilal Javed

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Marine and freshwater biotoxins threaten public health and seafood safety due to their tendency to accumulate in fish and shellfish. This systematic literature review summarises findings from 51 peer-reviewed studies published between 2004 and 2025 that focus on nanoparticle-enhanced lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) for toxin detection. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were by far the most used label, employed in ∼75 % of studies, which consistently delivered the lowest limits of detection (LODs) as low as 0.03 ng/ml for okadaic acid detection. Despite increasing concerns over the co-occurrence of multiple toxins, ∼88 % of the studies were based on single-analyte detection, only …

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Influence Of Surface Features On Heat Transfer During Dropwise Condensation Over Superhydrophobic Surfaces In Shear Flow, Shaur Humayun, R. Daniel Maynes, Julie Crocket, Brian D. Iverson Jan 2026

Influence Of Surface Features On Heat Transfer During Dropwise Condensation Over Superhydrophobic Surfaces In Shear Flow, Shaur Humayun, R. Daniel Maynes, Julie Crocket, Brian D. Iverson

Faculty Publications

This study investigates heat transfer during dropwise condensation (DWC) on superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces in humid air shear flow, emphasizing the effect of increased drop mobility and the influence of surface micro/nanostructure on heat transfer rates. Experiments were conducted on smooth hydrophobic, microstructured SH, nanostructured carbon-infiltrated carbon nanotube (CICNT) surfaces, and two-tiered SH surfaces with both micro and nanostructures. Heat transfer rates were measured under humid air flow rates in the range of 2–4 CFM. Experimental results demonstrate that surfaces with nanostructure (including two-tiered structures) exhibit increased drop mobility and coalescence-induced drop jumping, enhancing drop removal rates and overall heat transfer …

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Academics’ Experiences Of Work-Life Balance And Work-Life Conflict In A Familialist State: The Case Of Bosnia And Herzegovina, Sara Clavero, Caitriona Delaney Jan 2026

Academics’ Experiences Of Work-Life Balance And Work-Life Conflict In A Familialist State: The Case Of Bosnia And Herzegovina, Sara Clavero, Caitriona Delaney

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Background: This paper explores how women academics in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) navigate work-life conflict and the main strategies they deploy to balance their work and personal lives. It examines the range of institutional support available to them and assesses their effectiveness in facilitating work-life balance and reducing work-life conflict. Methods: Drawing on 12 semi-structured interviews with female academics at various career stages from public and private universities across BiH, this study captures personal narratives of managing work and caregiving responsibilities. Results: Thematic analysis revealed the respondents’ personal strategies to find work-life balance while trying to achieve their career goals, …

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A Multi-Method Study Evaluating The Inference Of Compartmental Model Parameters From A Generative Agent-Based Model, Elizabeth Hunter, Jim Duggan Jan 2026

A Multi-Method Study Evaluating The Inference Of Compartmental Model Parameters From A Generative Agent-Based Model, Elizabeth Hunter, Jim Duggan

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Calibrating process models such as compartmental SIR Models to real data can be performed using either optimization or Bayesian techniques. To accurately assess the performance of these methods, synthetic outbreak data can be used. All information about the data generative process is known for synthetic data, while when using real data there are many unknowns such as under-reporting of cases or real parameter values. We propose using an agent-based model to generate synthetic data. Calibrating to synthetic datasets created using different agent contact structures can provide us with information on how changes in contact structures impact SIR model parameters. We …

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Axial Length To Corneal Curvature Ratio Is Insufficient For Detecting Pseudomyopia In Children: A Multi-Cohort Study, The Cream-Kids Consortium, Huyen T. Bui, Dirk J. Van Hemert, Tianli Peng, Shuhui Yang, Hai Yen T. Nguyen, Hannah Noor, Siofra C. Harrington, Sander C.M. Kneepkens, Lene A. Hagen, Craig S. Walker, Edward Mallen, Matthew Cufflin, Rigmor C. Baraas, Neema Ghorbani-Mojarrad, Olavi Pärssinen, Louise Terry, Shi Ming Li, Amanda N. French, Jason C. Yam, Caroline C.W. Klaver, Jeremy A. Guggenheim Jan 2026

Axial Length To Corneal Curvature Ratio Is Insufficient For Detecting Pseudomyopia In Children: A Multi-Cohort Study, The Cream-Kids Consortium, Huyen T. Bui, Dirk J. Van Hemert, Tianli Peng, Shuhui Yang, Hai Yen T. Nguyen, Hannah Noor, Siofra C. Harrington, Sander C.M. Kneepkens, Lene A. Hagen, Craig S. Walker, Edward Mallen, Matthew Cufflin, Rigmor C. Baraas, Neema Ghorbani-Mojarrad, Olavi Pärssinen, Louise Terry, Shi Ming Li, Amanda N. French, Jason C. Yam, Caroline C.W. Klaver, Jeremy A. Guggenheim

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Purpose: Pseudomyopia is an accommodative disorder that can be identified by the difference between pre- and post-cycloplegic refractive error. The current study aimed to evaluate whether the axial length to corneal curvature (AL/CR) ratio, in conjunction with non-cycloplegic refractive error, can reliably identify pseudomyopia in children, thus avoiding the need for cycloplegia. Methods: Refractive error and biometry data from longitudinal studies based in Denmark (n = 645; age 7–17 years) and China (Anyang Childhood Eye Study; n = 2487; age 6–13 years) were used to train separate linear mixed models for children of European or East Asian ancestry, respectively, with …

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Impact Of Protein Corona Morphology On Nanoparticle Diffusion In Biological Fluids: Insights From A Mesoscale Approach, Beatrice Cipriani, Hender Lopez Jan 2026

Impact Of Protein Corona Morphology On Nanoparticle Diffusion In Biological Fluids: Insights From A Mesoscale Approach, Beatrice Cipriani, Hender Lopez

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrate considerable potential in medical applications, including targeted drug delivery and diagnostic probes. However, their efficacy depends on their ability to navigate through the complex biological environments inside living organisms. In such environments, NPs interact with a dense mixture of biomolecules, which can reduce their mobility and hinder diffusion. Understanding the factors influencing NP diffusion in these environments is key to improving nanomedicine design and predicting toxicological effects. In this study, we propose a computational approach to model NP diffusion in crowded environments. We introduce a mesoscale model that accounts for the combined effects of the protein corona …

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Negligible Rebound In Myopia Progression Following Cessation Of Treatment With 0.01% Atropine For 3 Years: Year-4 Results From The Champ Phase 3 Clinical Trial, Champ Trial Group Investigators, Karla Zadnik, Erica Schulman, Ian Flitcroft, Jennifer S. Fogt, Louis C. Blumenfeld, Tung M. Fong, Eric Lang, Simon P. Chandler, Houman D. Hemmati Jan 2026

Negligible Rebound In Myopia Progression Following Cessation Of Treatment With 0.01% Atropine For 3 Years: Year-4 Results From The Champ Phase 3 Clinical Trial, Champ Trial Group Investigators, Karla Zadnik, Erica Schulman, Ian Flitcroft, Jennifer S. Fogt, Louis C. Blumenfeld, Tung M. Fong, Eric Lang, Simon P. Chandler, Houman D. Hemmati

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Introduction: Stage 2 of the Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression (CHAMP) study was conducted to observe the safety, efficacy and rebound effects of low-dose atropine sulphate ophthalmic solutions (0.01% and 0.02%) for paediatric myopia in the year following cessation of 3 years of prior treatment. Methods: The study was a multicentre, randomised, double-masked, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial. Children aged 3 to < 17 years with myopia (spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) from −0.50 to −6.00 D) who entered and completed Stage 1 (3 years of treatment) participated in the fourth-year follow-up (Stage 2). Stage 1 participants who were treated with atropine 0.01% or 0.02% were re-randomised 1:1:1 to atropine 0.01%, atropine 0.02% or vehicle in Stage 2. Stage 1 vehicle-treated participants were re-randomised 1:1 to atropine 0.01% or atropine 0.02% in Stage 2. Outcomes included changes in cycloplegic SER, changes in axial length (AL), responder status continuity and progression to high myopia. Results: Four hundred and twenty participants were randomised in Stage 2. Negligible rebound was observed among the participants who switched from 0.01% atropine to vehicle compared to those who continued on 0.01% atropine treatment (least square mean difference in SER change from Month 36 to Month 48 between continued treatment and switching to vehicle = 0.019 D, 95% CI [−0.14, 0.18], p = 0.82 for the modified Intent to Treat set). Stage 1 responders remained responders in 83-90% of participants in various Stage 2 groups. Safety profiles were favourable, with mild, transient adverse events. Conclusions: Atropine sulphate ophthalmic solution (0.01%) exhibited negligible rebound in myopia progression after treatment cessation following 3 years of continued treatment, highlighting its potential as a treatment option. The treatment maintained a favourable safety record, and the overall benefit and risk assessment support its potential use as a long-term myopia management option. Clinical trial registration: The Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression (CHAMP) study was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03350620, registration date November 17, 2017).

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Modern Day Saints And The Production Of A Contemporary Pilgrimage Site: Comparative Analysis Of St. Pio Of San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy And Sai Baba Of Shirdi, India, Kiran Shinde, Anna Trono Prof Jan 2026

Modern Day Saints And The Production Of A Contemporary Pilgrimage Site: Comparative Analysis Of St. Pio Of San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy And Sai Baba Of Shirdi, India, Kiran Shinde, Anna Trono Prof

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Places valorised by saints have attracted pilgrimage for a long time as devotion to saints is a way to achieve both material wellbeing and spiritual growth. Yet, the cult following of modern-day saints in contemporary societies has become a topic for exploration only in recent years (Di Giovine, 2010; Shinde & Pinkney; 2013, Srinivas, 2008). A few excellent hagiographies discuss the material and non-material world created around charismatic modern-day saints with global followership (Waghorne, 2004; Weiss, 2005; Shepherd, 1986). Given the immense popularity of modern-day saints many questions arise- what kind of pilgrimage landscape is created around them? Are they …

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Am I Top Of The Pops? Does Feedback Of Live Gps Between Sets Of Hurling-Specific Small-Sided Games Improve Subsequent Running And Physiological Performance?, Shane Malone, John Keane, Tom Hargroves, Conor P. Clancy, John David Duggan, Damien Young, Kieran D. Collins Jan 2026

Am I Top Of The Pops? Does Feedback Of Live Gps Between Sets Of Hurling-Specific Small-Sided Games Improve Subsequent Running And Physiological Performance?, Shane Malone, John Keane, Tom Hargroves, Conor P. Clancy, John David Duggan, Damien Young, Kieran D. Collins

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The investigation aimed to determine if live feedback of team- and player-specific global positioning system (GPS) running performance data between bouts of hurling small-sided games (SSGs) altered the physical and physiological responses during subsequent bouts of SSGs during a 6-week hurling pre-season period. Twenty-four (n = 24) hurling players (age 25.5 ± 3.2 years; height 177.9 ± 3.2 cm; body mass 83.5 ± 4.5 kg) received either feedback or no feedback during hurling-specific SSGs across a 6-week pre-season period. Teams were assigned to two specific groups, a) GPS live feedback or b) no GPS live feedback (control) for each session, …

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Efficacious Anti-Cancer Drugs Targeting Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (Nnmt) In Cultured Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Oscc), Brian Maloney, Martyna Kubisztal, Ziqian Ge, Yin Lu, Lisa Strotmann, Adrianna Budziňska, Mary F. Rooney, Marilena Karavyraki, Andrew Knox, Richard K. Porter Jan 2026

Efficacious Anti-Cancer Drugs Targeting Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (Nnmt) In Cultured Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Oscc), Brian Maloney, Martyna Kubisztal, Ziqian Ge, Yin Lu, Lisa Strotmann, Adrianna Budziňska, Mary F. Rooney, Marilena Karavyraki, Andrew Knox, Richard K. Porter

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Background/Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major cause of human cancer. The enzyme, nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), is overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, including OSCC. Our objective was to target NNMT with novel inhibitors and determine their anti-cancer efficacy while shedding light on their possible mechanism of action. Methods: We identified two small molecule inhibitors of NNMT (AG-670 and AO-022) based on a pharmacophore of the in silico nicotinamide binding site. These inhibitors were investigated for (i) potency to inhibit the activity of the isolated NNMT enzyme (EC50 values), (ii) cytotoxicity (IC50 values) against the …

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Editorial: Harnessing Of Soil Microbiome For Sustainable Agriculture: Harnessing Of Soil Microbiome For Sustainable Agriculture, Debasis Mitra, Marika Pellegrini, Leonard Koolman Jan 2026

Editorial: Harnessing Of Soil Microbiome For Sustainable Agriculture: Harnessing Of Soil Microbiome For Sustainable Agriculture, Debasis Mitra, Marika Pellegrini, Leonard Koolman

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

No abstract provided.

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From Platelets To Particles: Optimizing Extracellular Vesicle Isolation In A National Blood Centre, Y. Chintala, A. Waters, F. Mcgrath, A. Lorusso, C. Wynne, S. Meaney Jan 2026

From Platelets To Particles: Optimizing Extracellular Vesicle Isolation In A National Blood Centre, Y. Chintala, A. Waters, F. Mcgrath, A. Lorusso, C. Wynne, S. Meaney

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Background and Objectives: Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) are submicron, membrane-bound particles released upon platelet activation, with a recognized role in haemostasis, inflammation and immunoregulation. PEVs remain insufficiently characterized in blood products. This study compared four isolation methods to evaluate their impact on PEV yield, purity and characteristics, aiming to identify a practical approach for transfusion service workflows. Materials and Methods: PEVs were isolated from expired single-donor aphaeresis platelet concentrates (n = 12) using methods based on different isolation principles: ultracentrifugation (UC), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), mixed size/charge separation (hybrid) and an affinity-based spin column method (affinity). Size, number and biochemical …

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Understanding The Epigenetic Landscape Of Barrett's Esophagus And Esophageal Cancer: A Review Of Current Findings, Caveats And Future Directions, Louise Lawless, Trevor Doherty, Carla Surlis, Niamh Gilmartin, Therese M. Murphy Jan 2026

Understanding The Epigenetic Landscape Of Barrett's Esophagus And Esophageal Cancer: A Review Of Current Findings, Caveats And Future Directions, Louise Lawless, Trevor Doherty, Carla Surlis, Niamh Gilmartin, Therese M. Murphy

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Esophageal cancer (OC) is currently the eighth most common form of cancer worldwide with a 5-year survival rate of 10%–20%, with the primary risk factor of esophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) being the development of Barrett's Esophagus (BO). Despite its clinical significance, the molecular pathogenesis underlying both BO and OC is not well understood. In recent years, epigenetic dysregulation, particularly aberrant DNA methylation, has emerged as a critical area of investigation, given its potential utility in the identification of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers. This review examines the evolving epigenetic landscape of esophageal cancer, including a focus on its origins in BO …

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Exploring The Postpartum Recovery After Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Qualitative Study, Zeinab El-Dirani, Sergio A. Silverio, Eleni Niarchou, Elana Payne, Pauline Dunne, Melanie Nana, Catherine Williamson, Mary F. Higgins, Eileen O'Brien, Joan Devin, Aisling Walsh, Angela C. Flynn Jan 2026

Exploring The Postpartum Recovery After Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Qualitative Study, Zeinab El-Dirani, Sergio A. Silverio, Eleni Niarchou, Elana Payne, Pauline Dunne, Melanie Nana, Catherine Williamson, Mary F. Higgins, Eileen O'Brien, Joan Devin, Aisling Walsh, Angela C. Flynn

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Introduction: Hyperemesis Gravidarum affects 0.3–3.6% of women during pregnancy and has a significant impact on maternal health. Investigation of both the immediate and longer-term effects remains a high research priority. However, there is limited research on postpartum recovery after hyperemesis gravidarum. Aim: To explore the postpartum recovery experiences of women who had hyperemesis gravidarum. Methods: A large descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to explore the postpartum experiences of women who had hyperemesis gravidarum within the previous 5 years in Ireland. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Forty-one women participated, and four themes were identified: (1) …

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Who Seeks Help? Characteristics Of Doctors Accessing Mental Health Support In England: 4-Year National Review, Rohit Shankar Jan 2026

Who Seeks Help? Characteristics Of Doctors Accessing Mental Health Support In England: 4-Year National Review, Rohit Shankar

Peninsula Medical School

BackgroundMental health difficulties affect the well-being of doctors and compromise the delivery of healthcare. However, large-scale data on doctors’ mental health needs are limited.AimsDescribe patterns of self-referrals for mental health support among doctors in England and explore associations with demographic factors, speciality, neurodevelopmental and mental health indicators.MethodObservational study using data from doctors who self-referred for mental health difficulties to a national service in England over a 4-year period. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between speciality and mental health indicators.ResultsOf the 16 815 doctors who self-referred during the study period, 80% were under the age of 49 and 70.6% …

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Volatility In Transition: Fossil Fuel Dependence, Renewable Shifts, And Financial Risk Across Europe’S Eastern Divide, Lucía Morales, Daniel Rajmil, Bernadette Andreosso-O’Callaghan Jan 2026

Volatility In Transition: Fossil Fuel Dependence, Renewable Shifts, And Financial Risk Across Europe’S Eastern Divide, Lucía Morales, Daniel Rajmil, Bernadette Andreosso-O’Callaghan

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Europe’s energy landscape has undergone profound disruptions following the escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian war, exposing deep structural vulnerabilities in the continent’s persistent reliance on fossil fuels. The crisis intensified political and economic tensions across the longstanding European Eastern divide, as the abrupt suspension of Russian gas disrupted energy security, triggered unprecedented price volatility, and accentuated disparities in the capacity of European Union Member States to pursue their green transitions. This paper investigates the asymmetric dynamics of fossil-fuel dependency and renewable energy expansion across ten Central/East European countries (CEEs, namely Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, …

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‘Male Victims Of ‘Honour Crimes’: A Critical Examination Of The Concepts Of ‘Honour’ And The Wider Debates Surrounding ‘So-Called Honour-Based Violence’ And ‘Hate Crime’, Narissa Maclennan-Matthews Jan 2026

‘Male Victims Of ‘Honour Crimes’: A Critical Examination Of The Concepts Of ‘Honour’ And The Wider Debates Surrounding ‘So-Called Honour-Based Violence’ And ‘Hate Crime’, Narissa Maclennan-Matthews

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

This thesis critically interrogates the experiences of male victims of ‘so-called honour-based violence and abuse’ (SCHBVA) through an intersectional criminological framework. It draws primarily on Barbara Perry’s theories of ‘Doing Difference’ (2001; 2003) and the ‘in terrorem effects’ of hate crime (Perry & Alvi, 2012), alongside insights from Structural Criminology (Hartjen, 1978; Kramer, 1985) and Humanistic Criminology (Hagan, 1986). Drawing on semi-structured interviews with male survivors and criminal justice professionals, and employing thematic and case study analysis, the study examines how violence is produced and legitimised across intersecting axes of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and religion.Building on Perry’s conceptualisation of ‘Doing …

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A Murder Of Sleuths: A Novel And A Critical Exploration Of Cosy Crime And The Digital/Analogue Binary Through Websleuthing, Olivia Templeton Jan 2026

A Murder Of Sleuths: A Novel And A Critical Exploration Of Cosy Crime And The Digital/Analogue Binary Through Websleuthing, Olivia Templeton

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

My project is comprised of two elements. The first is practice led research taking the form of a novel titled A Murder Of Sleuths. This investigates how the Cosy Crime subgenre might be modified and impacted by the digital nature of the contemporary world. I explore this by taking the key traditional features of the Cosy Crime structure, in particular the manor house setting, the small isolated village, and the amateur sleuth and detective relationship and merging it with the character of Dora Grant, a Websleuth who uses technology and the internet as tools to solve crime. Dora's investment in …

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Exploring And Increasing Women’S And Girls’ Recreational Ocean Access In A Coastal Community In The Tropical Majority, Florence Barraud Jan 2026

Exploring And Increasing Women’S And Girls’ Recreational Ocean Access In A Coastal Community In The Tropical Majority, Florence Barraud

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

Vast gender inequalities restrict women’s and girls’ access to ocean spaces, particularly in the tropical majority. Globally, 68% of women cannot swim, compared to 43% of men. In many coastal communities, women are key stewards of highly biodiverse yet vulnerable marine environments that people rely upon for food security, livelihoods, culture, and coastal protection. Being able to swim is imperative for enabling access to the dominant environment and a core recreational, educational, and economic space. This study aimed to explore and increase women’s and girls’ recreational ocean access in the Maldives, a tropical majority island nation.Utilising a pragmatic feminist approach, …

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Plymouth Naval Command: A Study Of Interservice Co-Operation During The Second World War, James Bartle Jan 2026

Plymouth Naval Command: A Study Of Interservice Co-Operation During The Second World War, James Bartle

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

This thesis examines the role of ideas of interservice co-operation in the operations of Plymouth Naval Command during the Second World War. The importance of naval shore commands has been a significant omission from studies of the war at sea. Located at strategic points around Britain, they were vital in controlling the flow of convoy shipping, while also co-ordinating attacks against enemy surface forces and submarines. This was achieved using a marriage of air and sea power between the Royal Navy and Coastal Command, a relationship that was developed during the 1920s and 1930s. Using Plymouth Command as an entry …

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