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Cardiff University
1.
Williams, Emma.
Lies and Cognition:How do we tell lies and can we detect them?.
Degree: phd, 2012, Cardiff University
URL: http://opus.bath.ac.uk/49081/
► The aims of the present thesis are twofold. Firstly, to examine the particular cognitive processes that are involved in telling lies, and how they differ…
(more)
▼ The aims of the present thesis are twofold. Firstly, to examine the particular cognitive processes that are involved in telling lies, and how they differ from those involved in telling the truth, in a variety of different circumstances. Secondly, to examine the different factors that affect human ability to detect deception, with a particular focus on individual and cultural differences in both detection accuracy and response bias. In relation to the first aim, a minimalist approach was taken, which allowed us to examine the contribution of individual cognitive processes to telling a lie. A simple computer task was developed, whereby participants lied and told the truth regarding the colour of a square and their vocal response times recorded. Response times have been shown to be greater when individuals lie compared to when they tell the truth, which supports the idea that additional processes are required in order to tell a lie. The relative contribution of these processes, and the factors that may affect this, remain unknown. Our experiments allow for an extension of previous work regarding the theoretical understanding of why telling a lie is more difficult than telling the truth, as well as the factors that may decrease or increase this difference. Since our experiments demonstrated that telling a lie does involve additional processes compared to telling the truth, and that this is reflected in measurable behavioural differences, our second aim was to examine the judgement factors that may affect the ability to identify this enhanced difficulty and accurately detect deception. In relation to the second aim, human ability to detect deception was examined through the creation of video statements of individuals both truthfully and falsely describing an image they had previously viewed on a computer screen. Some of these statements were provided by individuals of the same cultural background as the judge, whilst others were provided by individuals of a different cultural background to the judge. Judges viewed these statements and evaluated whether they thought each one was truthful or a lie, as well as completing a variety of individual difference measures related to the ability to correctly interpret the behaviour and mental states of others. These experiments allowed us to examine possible relationships between both individual difference measuresand cultural background, on response bias and judgement accuracy, thus extending previous judgement studies.
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APA (6th Edition):
Williams, E. (2012). Lies and Cognition:How do we tell lies and can we detect them?. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://opus.bath.ac.uk/49081/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Williams, Emma. “Lies and Cognition:How do we tell lies and can we detect them?.” 2012. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://opus.bath.ac.uk/49081/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Williams, Emma. “Lies and Cognition:How do we tell lies and can we detect them?.” 2012. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Williams E. Lies and Cognition:How do we tell lies and can we detect them?. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2012. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://opus.bath.ac.uk/49081/.
Council of Science Editors:
Williams E. Lies and Cognition:How do we tell lies and can we detect them?. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2012. Available from: http://opus.bath.ac.uk/49081/

Cardiff University
2.
Abd Rahman, Rahisham.
Investigations of ZnO microvaristor for stress control on polymeric outdoor insulators.
Degree: School of Engineering, 2012, Cardiff University
URL: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/4674/
► This thesis is concerned with the investigation of the efficiency of Zinc Oxide microvaristor compound for stress control on polymeric outdoor insulators. The preliminary work…
(more)
▼ This thesis is concerned with the investigation of the efficiency of Zinc Oxide
microvaristor compound for stress control on polymeric outdoor insulators. The
preliminary work has involved a comprehensive literature survey, followed by extensive
computational modelling and simulation studies as well as laboratory works covering
experimental investigations and fabrication of insulator prototypes.
The literature survey reviewed stress-induc2d degradations as the cause of ageing and
insulation failures, the determination of electric field distributions, considerations for
outdoor insulator modelling, and field-optimisation techniques for achieving stress
relief.
An 11 kV polymeric insulator has been modelled and simulated under dry-clean and
wet-polluted surface conditions in order to obtain electric field distribution along the
insulator creepage path. The critical high field regions on polymeric surfaces were
identified. In addition, clean fog solid layer tests were carried out to experimentally
examine dry band formation and electric discharges. Experimental investigations
confirmed the results previously achieved from theoretical simulations.
A non-linear pollution model has been developed for simulating polluted outdoor
insulators. The field-dependent conductivity was derived from layer conductance
measurements in a non-standard low voltage test. The proposed model was used to
simulate insulators under fog and light rain conditions yhich respectively represent a
uniform and non-uniform wetting action in practice. It was demonstrated that the nonlinear
pollution model yields a more detailed and realistic field distribution compared
with results obtained with models using constant/linear conductivity.
Short-length microvaristor coating, having a cone-shaped structure, was introduced at
both insulator ends for controlling high field, pirticularly near the high voltage and
ground terminals. The performance of field grading was evaluated through a number of
simulation scenarios. The introduction of microvaristor material with an appropriate
switching characteristic has led to a substantial improvement in the electric field and
heat distributions along the insulator profile. .
The prototype of an 1 lkV insulator with microvaristor grading material was fabricated
in-house for preliminary tests. Lightning impulse (1.2150 ps) flashover tests were
carried out using the 'up and down' method, and the flashover voltage was estimated by
the 50% probability breakdown, Use. The results of the lightning impulse test have
indicated a considerable increase in the flashover voltage up to 21% when using
microvaristor-graded insulator. Favourable field distributions obtained in the simulation
study have indicated a strong correlation with the experimental results.
Subjects/Keywords: TK3001-3521 Distribution or transmission of electric power
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APA (6th Edition):
Abd Rahman, R. (2012). Investigations of ZnO microvaristor for stress control on polymeric outdoor insulators. (Thesis). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/4674/
Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:
Not specified: Masters Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Abd Rahman, Rahisham. “Investigations of ZnO microvaristor for stress control on polymeric outdoor insulators.” 2012. Thesis, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/4674/.
Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:
Not specified: Masters Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Abd Rahman, Rahisham. “Investigations of ZnO microvaristor for stress control on polymeric outdoor insulators.” 2012. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Abd Rahman R. Investigations of ZnO microvaristor for stress control on polymeric outdoor insulators. [Internet] [Thesis]. Cardiff University; 2012. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/4674/.
Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:
Not specified: Masters Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation
Council of Science Editors:
Abd Rahman R. Investigations of ZnO microvaristor for stress control on polymeric outdoor insulators. [Thesis]. Cardiff University; 2012. Available from: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/4674/
Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:
Not specified: Masters Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation

Cardiff University
3.
Kamarudin, Muhammad Saufi.
Experimental investigation of cf3i-co2 gas mixtures on the breakdown characteristics in uniform and nonuniform
field configurations
.
Degree: phd, School of Engineering, 2013, Cardiff University
URL: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/7799/
► This thesis is concerned with the investigation of trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) gas mixtures as an alternative for an insulation medium in high voltage applications. The work…
(more)
▼ This thesis is concerned with the investigation of trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) gas
mixtures as an alternative for an insulation medium in high voltage applications. The
work has involved a broad review of literature, followed by developing a test rig for
carrying out experimental investigations, extensive computational modelling and
simulation studies as well as extensive laboratory tests on CF3I gas and its gas mixtures.
The literature survey reviewed the current trend of efforts taken by researchers to find
solutions for minimizing the usage of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) as a gas insulator,
focusing on CF3I and its mixtures. The physical properties of CF3I are investigated,
along with thermal and electrical properties.
A new test rig has been designed and constructed specifically to be used for gas
insulation research. The test rig is integrated with wireless temperature and humidity
sensors, as well as an electrode gap length control system. The test rig is completed with
a gas recovery system to ensure proper gas handling is carried out after each test.
Extensive laboratory experimental investigations on CF3I mixtures have been
completed, focusing on the mixture of CF3I-CO2 gas with a ratio of 30%-70%. Standard
lightning impulse of 1.2/50 has been used, with both positive and negative polarity. The
effects of electrode configuration, impulse polarity, electrode gap length, gas pressure,
and CF3I content have been investigated. Insulation properties such as 50% breakdown
voltage (U50) and V-t characteristics for each test condition are investigated and
presented, as well as the electric field behaviour. Finite element method (FEM) has been
used to determine the electric field behaviour of a given test condition. This study
revealed that CF3I gas mixtures perform better under more uniform field condition. It
was also found that an increase in gas pressure will increase the insulation strength and
an increase in CF3I content is more likely to give benefit in conditions with a more
uniform field when compared to less uniform field conditions. Also, relation between
liquefaction temperatures of a CF3I-CO2 mixture with varying CF3I content has been
developed for various pressures based on literature.
Observations on solid by-products of CF3I have also been carried out. It has been found
that iodine particles are deposited on both high voltage and ground electrodes, which
can affect the insulation properties of CF3I and its mixtures.
Subjects/Keywords: TK2000-2891 Dynamoelectric machinery and auxiliaries
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❌
APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Kamarudin, M. S. (2013). Experimental investigation of cf3i-co2 gas mixtures on the breakdown characteristics in uniform and nonuniform
field configurations
. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/7799/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Kamarudin, Muhammad Saufi. “Experimental investigation of cf3i-co2 gas mixtures on the breakdown characteristics in uniform and nonuniform
field configurations
.” 2013. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/7799/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Kamarudin, Muhammad Saufi. “Experimental investigation of cf3i-co2 gas mixtures on the breakdown characteristics in uniform and nonuniform
field configurations
.” 2013. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Kamarudin MS. Experimental investigation of cf3i-co2 gas mixtures on the breakdown characteristics in uniform and nonuniform
field configurations
. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2013. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/7799/.
Council of Science Editors:
Kamarudin MS. Experimental investigation of cf3i-co2 gas mixtures on the breakdown characteristics in uniform and nonuniform
field configurations
. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2013. Available from: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/7799/

Cardiff University
4.
Brown, Lloyd A.
Banks and secured lending: environmental risks and due diligence.
Degree: PhD, 2014, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/80782/
► In the 1990s and early 2000s lender liability for the remediation of contaminated land was considered the greatest environmental risk for lenders. The threat of…
(more)
▼ In the 1990s and early 2000s lender liability for the remediation of contaminated land was considered the greatest environmental risk for lenders. The threat of liability from Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 initially drove the introduction and use of environmental due diligence in banks. But instances of such lender liability are now considered highly unlikely.
It is because of the low risk of lender liability and the empirical knowledge gaps that existed in the literature basis that this research was necessary. The overarching research question of this thesis examines the lenders’ current perceptions of the threat of the environmental risks, as well as the main drivers for the use and development of environmental due diligence in banks. Unique interview data were collected from fifteen semi-structured interviews with elite banking professionals to test the research premise.
There are three, primary environment-related risks. According to the banking respondents’ data the current environmental risk ranking is: (1) lender liability – low risk; (2) the indirect risks – medium risk(s); and (3) reputational risk – high risk. Thus reputational risk has now replaced lender liability as the greatest risk.
The interview data further verify that banks use a range of due diligence techniques before and after the grant of loan finance to manage environmental risks. And further to this, the main driver for the continued use and development of environmental due diligence in banks has shifted from lender liability to reputational risk.
Originality is assured in this thesis by the use of the interview data. The research fills the empirical knowledge gaps that existed in the literature basis, and has implications for the theory, practice and future research opportunities in a number of areas, including law and banking.
Subjects/Keywords: K Law (General)
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APA ·
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MLA ·
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Export
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APA (6th Edition):
Brown, L. A. (2014). Banks and secured lending: environmental risks and due diligence. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/80782/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Brown, Lloyd A. “Banks and secured lending: environmental risks and due diligence.” 2014. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/80782/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Brown, Lloyd A. “Banks and secured lending: environmental risks and due diligence.” 2014. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Brown LA. Banks and secured lending: environmental risks and due diligence. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2014. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/80782/.
Council of Science Editors:
Brown LA. Banks and secured lending: environmental risks and due diligence. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2014. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/80782/

Cardiff University
5.
Clinch, Susanne.
Developing and evaluating behavioural tasks to assess basal ganglia function.
Degree: PhD, 2017, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/100957/
► Huntington’s disease (HD) is a primary example of a basal ganglia disorder, from which, medium spiny neurons in the striatum degenerate. As this causes a…
(more)
▼ Huntington’s disease (HD) is a primary example of a basal ganglia disorder, from which, medium spiny neurons in the striatum degenerate. As this causes a breakdown in basal ganglia cortico-thalamic circuitry, this leads to a range of symptoms including motor, cognitive and behavioural deficits. One therapeutic option is to replace medium spiny neurons with precursor striatal cells and reconnect the lost circuitry. However, the lack of performance based functional outcome measures for people with HD have made it difficult to assess how the graft affects standards of daily living. Although neuroimaging techniques can be used to quantify the morphological and molecular effects that the intervention has on that brain region, and associated circuitry, an important question still remains, namely whether there has been any effect on functional ability. Using assessments that have high ecological validity, such as dual tasks could be a valuable measure, especially as previous studies suggest that the striatum is required for optimal performance in such tasks. Therefore the focus of this thesis was to design, develop and assess performance based functional tasks that involve the neurocircuity affected in HD; namely the basal ganglia.
The aim of the study in Chapter 2 was to select, develop and evaluate motor-cognitive dual task paradigms for use in people with HD. The findings revealed that the Step and Stroop which targeted lower limb function, best distinguished disease stage in HD compared to the other lower limb assessments tested. During this experiment, it became apparent that upper limb assessments for people with HD were particularly limited. Therefore, in Part 2, a new upper limb dual task assessment was developed and called the Clinch token transfer test (C3t). The findings revealed that this was sensitive to disease stage and could provide a useful outcome measure for people with HD in the future.
To take the findings from Chapter 2 further, a new, standardised C3t was developed. This version was evaluated, optimised, and then validated in a large group of people gene positive for HD, and in heathy controls. The findings revealed that the C3t significantly correlated with all the Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale measures, successfully distinguished between all disease stages, and revealed that the performance in this task was also sensitive to the subtle disease symptoms in the early stages of HD.
As the Stroop task is commonly used in people with HD, the aim of Chapter 3 was to use immediate early gene expression to identify if the striatum was activated during a rodent analogue of the Stroop task. The findings revealed what could be the first in a series of experiments in that, striatal activation significantly correlated with performance in the congruent and the incongruent versions of this test when compared to cage controls.
The findings presented in this thesis support that dual task assessments could have an important role in assessing function in HD, which could translate to performance in tasks…
Subjects/Keywords: QH426 Genetics; RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
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❌
APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Clinch, S. (2017). Developing and evaluating behavioural tasks to assess basal ganglia function. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/100957/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Clinch, Susanne. “Developing and evaluating behavioural tasks to assess basal ganglia function.” 2017. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/100957/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Clinch, Susanne. “Developing and evaluating behavioural tasks to assess basal ganglia function.” 2017. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Clinch S. Developing and evaluating behavioural tasks to assess basal ganglia function. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2017. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/100957/.
Council of Science Editors:
Clinch S. Developing and evaluating behavioural tasks to assess basal ganglia function. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2017. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/100957/

Cardiff University
6.
Roy Chowdhury, Sharmistha.
Assessment of putative risk factors in the development of Diabetic Retinopathy in Wales.
Degree: md, 2016, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/101021/
► The aim of this thesis was to assess the relationships between glycaemic exposure and β-cell function with prevalence, incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR)…
(more)
▼ The aim of this thesis was to assess the relationships between glycaemic exposure and β-cell function with prevalence, incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) over 5 years in newly-diagnosed treatment-naïve subjects with type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
At diagnosis, we studied 544 subjects and demonstrated DR was independently associated with fasting and postprandial hyperglycaemia and reduced fasting β-cell function during standardized meal and intravenous glucose challenge. The insulin-independent component of glucose tolerance (SG) was also impaired and independently associated with presence of DR at diagnosis. We followed up 233 subjects over 5 years and established independent association between chronic glycaemic exposure (HbA1c,/fasting/ postprandial hyperglycaemia) at diagnosis and incident DR during this period. We also demonstrated that fasting and postprandial β-cell responsiveness to nutrient challenge along with SG at baseline was independently associated with development of DR over 5 years. There was no difference in glycaemic status between those with or without DR at 5 years highlighting the relevance of early history of glycaemic exposure in our subjects to future incidence of DR.
Finally, in 45 T2DM subjects with DR at diagnosis, fasting, postprandial glucose and HbA1c along with fasting, postprandial β-cell responsiveness at diagnosis were all independently associated with DR progression.
Thus, this study has indicated that hyperglycaemia resulting from pancreatic β-cell deficiency contributes to the risk of development and progression of DR. The data emphasises the need for earlier diagnosis of T2DM and cautious normalization of glycaemia to eliminate glucotoxicity on the already impaired β-cell function. The evidence indicates the potential value of supporting β-cell function aiming to achieve near-normal glycaemia and thus preventing the onset and progression of DR in subjects with T2DM.
Subjects/Keywords: R Medicine (General)
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❌
APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Roy Chowdhury, S. (2016). Assessment of putative risk factors in the development of Diabetic Retinopathy in Wales. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/101021/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Roy Chowdhury, Sharmistha. “Assessment of putative risk factors in the development of Diabetic Retinopathy in Wales.” 2016. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/101021/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Roy Chowdhury, Sharmistha. “Assessment of putative risk factors in the development of Diabetic Retinopathy in Wales.” 2016. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Roy Chowdhury S. Assessment of putative risk factors in the development of Diabetic Retinopathy in Wales. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2016. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/101021/.
Council of Science Editors:
Roy Chowdhury S. Assessment of putative risk factors in the development of Diabetic Retinopathy in Wales. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2016. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/101021/
7.
Jones, Christopher T.
The evaluation and development of a retinal imaging densitometer.
Degree: PhD, 2017, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111545/
► The research described in this thesis presents the development and evaluation of a prototype multispectral, imaging densitometer. Ultimately, the aim was to develop a method…
(more)
▼ The research described in this thesis presents the development and evaluation of a prototype multispectral, imaging densitometer. Ultimately, the aim was to develop a method of simultaneously isolating the contributions from the three main photoreceptors, across the retina. Thus, providing the clinician with a viable tool for assessing outer retinal function both efficiently and directly.
The construction and use of the prototype multispectral imaging densitometer was described in detail. Healthy participants were recruited and imaged to evaluate the baseline capability of the device. The results were validated through comparison to published values for optical density, regeneration rates and photopigment distribution as obtained through in vivo, in vitro and in situ techniques. A novel ocular reflection model was developed to characterise and mathematically remove the pre-receptoral stray light from the images.
Whilst the preliminary investigation returned regeneration rates in line with values from the literature, a ‘red shift’ of approximately 30nm was highlighted in the experimental absorption spectra of the visual pigments, hindering their isolation. Investigation into this phenomenon suggested that the cause was pre-receptoral stray light, with both the crystalline lens and the inner retinal layers contributing to the effect. Attempts to remove the crystalline lens component showed a partial reduction of the ‘red shift’. Greater success was achieved through the modelling of the experimental ocular reflection data to simultaneously characterise the contribution from both components.
This research has shown that mapping of visual pigment optical density across the retina is possible with the retinal densitometer described. With further development, the technique is likely to become a useful tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of outer retinal disease.
Subjects/Keywords: RE Ophthalmology
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❌
APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Jones, C. T. (2017). The evaluation and development of a retinal imaging densitometer. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111545/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Jones, Christopher T. “The evaluation and development of a retinal imaging densitometer.” 2017. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111545/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Jones, Christopher T. “The evaluation and development of a retinal imaging densitometer.” 2017. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Jones CT. The evaluation and development of a retinal imaging densitometer. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2017. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111545/.
Council of Science Editors:
Jones CT. The evaluation and development of a retinal imaging densitometer. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2017. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111545/

Cardiff University
8.
Davies, Ruth.
The role of sIL-6R mediated trans-signaling in cardiovascular morbidity in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/113095/
► Cardiovascular mortality in patients with RA is 50% higher than the general population. Although well established that the incidence of CVD is increased, the precise…
(more)
▼ Cardiovascular mortality in patients with RA is 50% higher than the general population. Although well established that the incidence of CVD is increased, the precise cause is unclear. There is increasing recognition that systemic inflammation is a major driver of increased CV risk. IL-6 is implicated in CVD in the general population but its role in CVD in RA is undefined. Of the two modes of IL-6 signaling, evidence demonstrates that trans-signaling is pro-inflammatory whereas classical signaling has regenerative or anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this thesis is to examine the role of IL-6 trans-signaling in CVD in RA by experimental and translational studies.
Methods
Myography was used to determine the effect of IL-6 trans-signaling blockade, using sgp130Fc, on aortic constriction in mice with CIA. Serum CCL2 and VCAM-1 were measured. The effect of IL-6 trans-signaling, using Hyper-IL-6, on atherosclerotic plaque size and fibrous cap thickness was assessed in ApoE-/- mice. Arterial and plaque VCAM-1 expression was assessed. The relationship between sIL-6R-regulated CVD Candidate Proteins (SCCPs) and CVD in established RA was investigated in a cross-sectional study. An observational longitudinal study investigated whether SCCPs were associated with presence and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in early RA, using carotid ultrasound to measure CIMT.
Results
Sgp130Fc reduced arthritis severity and restored vascular dysfunction in CIA. This was associated with reduced serum CCL2 and VCAM-1. In ApoE-/- mice, Hyper-IL-6 increased plaque size and VCAM-1 expression in the brachiocephalic artery. In established RA, VCAM-1 correlated with disease activity and CV risk. In early RA, baseline RA disease activity was associated with CIMT change at 6 months. Patients that were ‘rapid progressors’, in terms of CIMT change at 12 months, had higher baseline VCAM-1, HbA1c, total cholesterol:HDL ratio and LDL cholesterol.
Discussion
IL-6 trans-signaling appears to play a pivotal role in vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis in mouse models. In early RA, proteins regulated by IL-6 trans-signaling are associated with progression of subclinical atherosclerosis. Inflammation from RA onset in CVD susceptible individuals may accelerate atherosclerosis. Findings suggest that IL-6 trans-signaling blockade may be beneficial to RA patients, and perhaps for atherosclerosis in the general population.
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❌
APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Davies, R. (2018). The role of sIL-6R mediated trans-signaling in cardiovascular morbidity in Rheumatoid Arthritis. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/113095/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Davies, Ruth. “The role of sIL-6R mediated trans-signaling in cardiovascular morbidity in Rheumatoid Arthritis.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/113095/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Davies, Ruth. “The role of sIL-6R mediated trans-signaling in cardiovascular morbidity in Rheumatoid Arthritis.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Davies R. The role of sIL-6R mediated trans-signaling in cardiovascular morbidity in Rheumatoid Arthritis. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/113095/.
Council of Science Editors:
Davies R. The role of sIL-6R mediated trans-signaling in cardiovascular morbidity in Rheumatoid Arthritis. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/113095/

Cardiff University
9.
Werrell, Jessica Mary.
Characterisation and preparation of superconducting diamond films for the production of NEMS and SQUIDS.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/121201/
► Boron doped nanocrystalline diamond has intrinsic properties (namely a high young’s modulus to density ratio) that make it an appealing material for the construction of…
(more)
▼ Boron doped nanocrystalline diamond has intrinsic properties (namely a high young’s modulus to density ratio) that make it an appealing material for the construction of nano-electro-mechanical systems and superconducting quantum interference devices; which can then be used to investigate macroscopic quantum states. This thesis seeks to characterize the superconducting properties of films of this material, as measured by AC susceptibility and magnetic relaxation, in preparation for its use in the aforementioned fabrications. The properties under investigation using the AC susceptibility are the superconducting volume fraction of the sample, its critical temperature and critical current density. This thesis investigates how these properties change for diamond films grown to different thicknesses, 160 - 564 nm. It is shown that all films consist of a hundred percent superconducting material; although these typical volume fraction calculations simplify the results such that details of the transition are lost. The critical temperature is shown to be in close agreement with a critical temperature calculated considering fluctuating conduction behaviour from resistivity measurements. This thesis also gives further evidence for the recently discovered superconducting glass state within diamonds phase diagram. A pinning potential is also calculated for the thickest diamond sample in the set; which is a factor of 2 smaller than the only published value of diamond available. This difference is likely due to the growth and measurement set up variations. Finally this thesis shows how simple improvements can be made the chemical mechanical polishing of this material, which will ultimately improve device performance
Subjects/Keywords: QC Physics
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APA (6th Edition):
Werrell, J. M. (2018). Characterisation and preparation of superconducting diamond films for the production of NEMS and SQUIDS. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/121201/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Werrell, Jessica Mary. “Characterisation and preparation of superconducting diamond films for the production of NEMS and SQUIDS.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/121201/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Werrell, Jessica Mary. “Characterisation and preparation of superconducting diamond films for the production of NEMS and SQUIDS.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Werrell JM. Characterisation and preparation of superconducting diamond films for the production of NEMS and SQUIDS. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/121201/.
Council of Science Editors:
Werrell JM. Characterisation and preparation of superconducting diamond films for the production of NEMS and SQUIDS. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/121201/

Cardiff University
10.
Mehler, David.
Clinical applications of real-time FMRI neurofeedback training – premises, promises, and pitfalls.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/117027/
► Neurofeedback training represents a form of biofeedback training with a history of over 50 years. During neurofeedback training participants aim to gain control over a…
(more)
▼ Neurofeedback training represents a form of biofeedback training with a history of over 50 years. During neurofeedback training participants aim to gain control over a feedback signal that represents the activity of a brain region or network of interest. As such, it holds promise for clinical translation as an add-on treatment for psychiatric and neurological conditions. Yet, currently available evidence for its therapeutic efficacy remains limited.
Originally provided based on cortical signals measured with electroencephalography (EEG), methodological developments have allowed providing neurofeedback based on (cortical and subcortical) brain signals acquired from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The aim of this thesis was to test the feasibility and clinical efficacy of fMRI neurofeedback (fMRI-NF) training in a psychiatric population and to develop protocols that allow translating the technique to motor rehabilitation. Specifically, this thesis summarises the clinical and neuroimaging results from a randomised controlled trial conducted in patients suffering from depression. Depression represents a leading cause of disability in adults and epidemiological data indicates that up to one third of patients remain depressed after treatment.
Another focus was the development of a motor imagery-based fMRI-NF protocol in healthy participants. This work has informed a proof-of-concept study for motor rehabilitation in stroke survivors, for which the methodology was preregistered on a public platform before data collection started to increase transparency. The thesis aims to address problematic research practices that have been attributed to the replication crisis in many areas of science, including a clear separation of planned and exploratory hypotheses and the use and adaptation of alternative statistical methods. A review chapter discusses potential electrophysiological target signatures for EEG-NF to improve motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients. The thesis concludes with a discussion of current premises, promises, and pitfalls in clinical applications of neurofeedback training and considerations for clinical trials development.
Subjects/Keywords: BF Psychology
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Mehler, D. (2018). Clinical applications of real-time FMRI neurofeedback training – premises, promises, and pitfalls. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/117027/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Mehler, David. “Clinical applications of real-time FMRI neurofeedback training – premises, promises, and pitfalls.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/117027/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Mehler, David. “Clinical applications of real-time FMRI neurofeedback training – premises, promises, and pitfalls.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Mehler D. Clinical applications of real-time FMRI neurofeedback training – premises, promises, and pitfalls. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/117027/.
Council of Science Editors:
Mehler D. Clinical applications of real-time FMRI neurofeedback training – premises, promises, and pitfalls. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/117027/

Cardiff University
11.
Stott, Matthew.
Activation and inactivation of the complement anaphylatoxins during chronic neutrophilic inflammation of the cystic fibrosis airway.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/118523/
► Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a fatal genetic disease that affects 1/2500 people in the UK. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cause…
(more)
▼ Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a fatal genetic disease that affects 1/2500 people in the UK. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cause dehydration of mucosal membranes, leading to mucus obstruction of the small airways. The CF lungs are susceptible to recurrent infection promoting chronic neutrophilic inflammation. Neutrophils recruited to the CF lungs become dysfunctional and are ineffective at clearing pathogens, perpetuating inflammation. Neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) released by neutrophils collaterally remodel the airway, reducing lung function and causing mortality.
The complement anaphylatoxins (C5a and C3a) are important mediators of inflammation. C5a and C3a are chemotactic for monocytes and granulocytes, they also stimulate degranulation and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). C5a is particularly potent towards neutrophils and is critical for orchestrating their response towards pathogens. C5a and C3a are elevated in the CF airway. Furthermore, in addition to complement activation these anaphylatoxins can be generated by non-complement proteases including NSPs. The mechanisms by which C5a and C3a promote chronic neutrophilic inflammation in the CF airways are not fully understood.
In my study I show that C5a and C3a correlate with markers of neutrophilic inflammation (neutrophil count and CXCL8) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from paediatric CF patients. I further characterise the generation of functionally active C5a-like and C3a-like forms by NSPs. Moreover, I demonstrate that atypical C5a production by NSPs cannot be prevented by therapeutic complement inhibitors. I show for the first time that NSP-generated C5a-like fragments are resistant to inactivation by carboxypeptidase B, an important regulator of C5a activity.
I also further characterise the interaction between C5a and soluble glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), these are abundant during chronic neutrophilic inflammation of the CF airway. Additionally, I show that GAG interaction influences C5a activity. In conclusion, the CF airway environment modifies C5a function; these mechanisms could promote chronic neutrophilic inflammation.
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Stott, M. (2018). Activation and inactivation of the complement anaphylatoxins during chronic neutrophilic inflammation of the cystic fibrosis airway. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/118523/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Stott, Matthew. “Activation and inactivation of the complement anaphylatoxins during chronic neutrophilic inflammation of the cystic fibrosis airway.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/118523/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Stott, Matthew. “Activation and inactivation of the complement anaphylatoxins during chronic neutrophilic inflammation of the cystic fibrosis airway.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Stott M. Activation and inactivation of the complement anaphylatoxins during chronic neutrophilic inflammation of the cystic fibrosis airway. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/118523/.
Council of Science Editors:
Stott M. Activation and inactivation of the complement anaphylatoxins during chronic neutrophilic inflammation of the cystic fibrosis airway. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/118523/

Cardiff University
12.
Flack, Timothy.
The development of novel techniques to
analyse particle diffusion in battery materials: The case of lithiated and sodiated olivine phosphates.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/118525/
► Energy storage technologies, in particular second-generation rechargeable batteries, are instrumental in addressing the current global demand for clean and sustainable energy. The progress of portable…
(more)
▼ Energy storage technologies, in particular second-generation rechargeable batteries, are instrumental in addressing the current global demand for clean and sustainable energy. The progress of portable electronics, electric and hybrid-electric vehicles and large-scale grid storage depends on the available technology of rechargeable batteries. Innovation requires a fundamental atomicscale
understanding of the properties of the constituent battery materials.
Critical to a battery’s performance is the electronic and ionic conductivity of the material. Poor ion transport leads to poor rate capability, practical capacity and
cyclability. The current research into particle diffusion is predominantly based on single-particle potential energy calculations. Such an approach neglects not only the entropic contribution to diffusion, but the contributions of the collective dynamics which are present in a many particle configuration Using two novel, state-of-the-art enhanced sampling techniques, the ‘Shooter’ method’ and metadynamics, particle diffusion within a many particle system is analysed. The ‘Shooter’ method is able to connect single particle translocation events into a general particle diffusion mechanism and elucidate diffusion
pathways that are otherwise disregarded by single-particle potential energy calculations. This is achieved under consideration of all degrees of freedom, explicitly allowing for local structure changes and lattice dynamics.
The application of metadynamics simulations to battery materials is shown for the first time. Using novel collective variables to distinguish between nondiffusive
and diffusive regimes, the free energy barrier for diffusion is calculated, therefore considering the entropic contribution. The free energy surface is also
reconstructed, highlighting the complex nature of particle diffusion with the olivine phosphates.
Using the two novel approaches, the short-time evolution of disorder within the system can be followed and allows for the characterisation of highly complex and correlated translocation events. Additionally,rare events such as twodimensional diffusion and the formation of antisite defects are observed on nominal simulation timeframes. In summary, several novel computational approaches to analysing particle diffusion within battery materials have been developed.
Subjects/Keywords: QD Chemistry
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Flack, T. (2018). The development of novel techniques to
analyse particle diffusion in battery materials: The case of lithiated and sodiated olivine phosphates. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/118525/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Flack, Timothy. “The development of novel techniques to
analyse particle diffusion in battery materials: The case of lithiated and sodiated olivine phosphates.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/118525/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Flack, Timothy. “The development of novel techniques to
analyse particle diffusion in battery materials: The case of lithiated and sodiated olivine phosphates.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Flack T. The development of novel techniques to
analyse particle diffusion in battery materials: The case of lithiated and sodiated olivine phosphates. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/118525/.
Council of Science Editors:
Flack T. The development of novel techniques to
analyse particle diffusion in battery materials: The case of lithiated and sodiated olivine phosphates. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/118525/

Cardiff University
13.
Cameron, Darren.
Gene regulation in microglia and genetic risk for complex brain disorders.
Degree: PhD, 2019, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128465/
► In recent years, genome wide association studies (GWAS) have established that common genetic variation plays an important role in complex brain disorders, such as autism…
(more)
▼ In recent years, genome wide association studies (GWAS) have established that common genetic variation plays an important role in complex brain disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, as the vast majority of GWAS risk loci are located in poorly characterised non-coding regions, interpretation of GWAS data is difficult. As very few associations can be attributed to effects on protein-coding sequence, the majority of common risk loci for complex brain disorders are believed to operate through effects on gene regulation.
In order to elucidate genetic risk mechanisms for complex brain disorders, it is important to establish in which cell types these risk loci are operating. Microglia are the primary immune cell of the central nervous system and are important regulators of brain function throughout life. As such, there has been growing interest in the potential role of microglia in brain disorders. One means of interpreting the function of the non-coding genome in a cell of interest is to measure the cell’s chromatin landscape. For example, the assay for transposase accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) maps regions of ‘open’ chromatin, which have the potential to regulate gene expression through binding of transcription factors.
In this thesis, I use ATAC-seq to map open chromatin in adult ex vivo microglia, 2nd trimester foetal microglia, and in vitro human cell models of microglia. I then integrate this with complex brain disorder GWAS data to investigate whether gene regulatory processes in human microglia contribute to genetic risk for complex brain disorders. I find evidence that risk variants for late onset Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia are enriched within regulatory regions utilised by foetal and / or adult microglia, suggesting a primary role for this cell type in these conditions. Using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, I further show that two single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and within regions of open chromatin in adult microglia, alter binding of protein from microglial nuclei.
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
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CSE |
Export
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APA (6th Edition):
Cameron, D. (2019). Gene regulation in microglia and genetic risk for complex brain disorders. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128465/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Cameron, Darren. “Gene regulation in microglia and genetic risk for complex brain disorders.” 2019. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128465/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Cameron, Darren. “Gene regulation in microglia and genetic risk for complex brain disorders.” 2019. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Cameron D. Gene regulation in microglia and genetic risk for complex brain disorders. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2019. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128465/.
Council of Science Editors:
Cameron D. Gene regulation in microglia and genetic risk for complex brain disorders. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2019. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128465/

Cardiff University
14.
Al-Braiki, Nasiha.
Exploring how NICU nurses in Oman experience and understand neonatal pain and its management.
Degree: PhD, 2019, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128563/
► Minimizing infant pain has become a significant concern worldwide. However, in Oman there are no standardized, evidence-based (EB) guidelines of care for achieving this goal.…
(more)
▼ Minimizing infant pain has become a significant concern worldwide. However, in Oman there are no standardized, evidence-based (EB) guidelines of care for achieving this goal. Pain management strategies and protocols vary considerably among neonatal health care professionals and between neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and are not evidence based. Moreover, there are no neonatal pain assessment tools to help staff detect and learn how to manage pain.
This study used an ethnographic approach to explore how nurses approach and interact with babies being cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit in Oman, with a particular focus on pain. There have been very few qualitative studies of NICU nursing, and no studies have been found that focused on neonatal pain.
An ethnographic approach enabled me to explore how organizational culture informs the management of neonatal pain; for example, how pain was perceived, assessed, and managed by nurses, the barriers or challenges the nursing staff face from implementing appropriate strategies, the impact of NICU environment on how nurses interact with babies.
The study’s primary aim was to explore the experiences and understanding of neonatal pain and its management among NICU Nurses caring for babies who have been admitted to NICU in ‘Hope’ Hospital in Oman. Data collection took place over four months. A range of qualitative data collection methods were used to answer the research questions (observational field work and interviews). Following a period of 6 weeks general observation of nurses’ work in NICU, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 20 Omani and Non- Omani Neonatal Nurses until data saturation was reached. The sample included nurses with different levels of training, to explore whether, how and why nurses differ in their behaviours, approaches and beliefs regarding pain and pain management.
The immediate outcomes of the study were to achieve a better understanding of how neonatal pain was assessed and managed by nurses in NICU, how this was influenced by organizational culture, and to gain insight into nurses’ understandings of baby’s pain and how it was managed. Four themes emerged from the research data collection, the NICU environment, complexity of organisational culture, lack of professional autonomy and inconsistency of pain practice. In the first theme, the NICU environment has particular environmental stressors (crowded, busy, noisy, and handling). It appeared that the environment is one of the major challenges for nursing staff in their practice and interaction with the babies. The majority of nurses reported that these stressors affect babies' development and cause the NICU nurses to experience stress. In the second theme, the organisational culture appear to have an impact on nurses' performance, as the culture was experienced as unhealthy, blaming and unsupportive to the nursing staff. Due to that, all the nursing staff revealed that they were overwhelmed, depressed and unsatisfied. Lack of training was a major…
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Al-Braiki, N. (2019). Exploring how NICU nurses in Oman experience and understand neonatal pain and its management. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128563/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Al-Braiki, Nasiha. “Exploring how NICU nurses in Oman experience and understand neonatal pain and its management.” 2019. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128563/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Al-Braiki, Nasiha. “Exploring how NICU nurses in Oman experience and understand neonatal pain and its management.” 2019. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Al-Braiki N. Exploring how NICU nurses in Oman experience and understand neonatal pain and its management. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2019. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128563/.
Council of Science Editors:
Al-Braiki N. Exploring how NICU nurses in Oman experience and understand neonatal pain and its management. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2019. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128563/

Cardiff University
15.
An, Haiyan.
Molecular pathomechanisms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis caused by FUS mutations.
Degree: PhD, 2019, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128572/
► Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common type of motor neuron disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons. About 10% of ALS cases…
(more)
▼ Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common type of motor neuron disease affecting both upper and lower motor neurons. About 10% of ALS cases run in families with known genetic background, and mutations in the Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) gene are responsible for about 5% of the fALS cases (ALS-FUS). Despite normal FUS is a predominantly nuclear protein, mutant FUS is found to accumulate and aggregate in the cytoplasm of affected neurons and glial cells in ALS-FUS. It is generally believed that mutations are the primary cause of FUS protein mislocalisation, and additional stresses are required to trigger the formation of insoluble FUS aggregates (FUSopathy). However, no clear consensus has been achieved on many important questions. For instance, what are the consequences of FUS protein mutation for its nuclear function and how do they contribute to ALS-FUS development? What is the nature of the stress that promotes the massive protein accumulation and inclusion formation in the cytoplasm? This thesis attempts to address these questions using novel cellular models with targeted modifications of the FUS gene. It is demonstrated that the presence of endogenous mutant FUS protein in the nucleus causes hyper-assembly of structurally and functionally abnormal paraspeckles - nuclear bodies assembled on the long non-coding RNA called Nuclear Paraspeckle Assembly Transcript 1 (NEAT1). Dysfunctional paraspeckles together with accumulation of NEAT1 outside paraspeckles might contribute to the disease severity. Stresses capable of triggering cytoplasmic FUS aggregates are also investigated, and as a result, antiviral immune response has emerged as a potent stress promoting formation of persistent cytoplasmic FUS-positive assemblies. In addition, type I interferon expressed during antiviral response is found to cause FUS protein accumulation by increasing FUS mRNA stability. I propose a multi-step model where antiviral immune response serves as the "second hit" provoking FUSopathy. This thesis offers novel insights into the cellular and molecular events leading to the initiation and progression of ALS-FUS, which should help inform the development of therapeutic strategies in the future.
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
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CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
An, H. (2019). Molecular pathomechanisms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis caused by FUS mutations. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128572/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
An, Haiyan. “Molecular pathomechanisms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis caused by FUS mutations.” 2019. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128572/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
An, Haiyan. “Molecular pathomechanisms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis caused by FUS mutations.” 2019. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
An H. Molecular pathomechanisms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis caused by FUS mutations. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2019. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128572/.
Council of Science Editors:
An H. Molecular pathomechanisms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis caused by FUS mutations. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2019. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128572/

Cardiff University
16.
Tuson, Mark.
Understanding the impact of social networks on the spread of obesity.
Degree: PhD, 2019, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128597/
► The spread of obesity through social networks has been well documented most notably by Christakis and Fowler in 2007. In this research we sought to…
(more)
▼ The spread of obesity through social networks has been well documented most notably by Christakis and Fowler in 2007. In this research we sought to understand the nature of the interaction between social networks, the spread of
obesity and the behaviours that drive it. We applied this knowledge in a case study, seeking to evaluate the impact of these effects on different sub-groups of the population.
These objectives were addressed in a hybrid systems modelling approach implemented in a hybrid simulation. An agent based model simulated the social
network and embedded inside each agent was a system dynamics model replicating individual behaviour. The model was parameterised using a stochastic approximation algorithm. This approach allowed us to explore a range of scenarios and also evaluate the topology of the network generated by those scenarios.
The model allowed us to forecast BMI (Body Mass Index) issues for different
age-groups and genders. We were also able to infer the network topography and its effects. We found that for the youngest population sub-groups the network magnified the impact of external factors on the individuals weight, conversely for the other sub groups it acted to reduce that impact. The magnitude of the network effect was inversely correlated with age.
Subjects/Keywords: QA Mathematics
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Tuson, M. (2019). Understanding the impact of social networks on the spread of obesity. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128597/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Tuson, Mark. “Understanding the impact of social networks on the spread of obesity.” 2019. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128597/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Tuson, Mark. “Understanding the impact of social networks on the spread of obesity.” 2019. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Tuson M. Understanding the impact of social networks on the spread of obesity. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2019. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128597/.
Council of Science Editors:
Tuson M. Understanding the impact of social networks on the spread of obesity. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2019. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/128597/

Cardiff University
17.
Armstrong, Robert.
Partial oxidative upgrading of ethane with Fe- and Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts.
Degree: PhD, 2013, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/59701/
► The selective oxidation of lower alkane components of natural gas, such as ethane, to partial oxygenates remains a major challenge for both industry and academia.…
(more)
▼ The selective oxidation of lower alkane components of natural gas, such as ethane, to partial oxygenates remains a major challenge for both industry and academia. At present 60% of industry’s 7.8 Mt annual acetic acid demand is met through the carbonylation of methane, the operation of which is highly energy intensive, leads to formation of corrosive iodide by-products and requires high pressures of CO. Meanwhile ethene, a feedstock of great industrial importance, is produced via steam cracking of alkanes such as ethane, a process which is typically operated at > 800 °C and accounts for ca. 40% of the petrochemical industry’s annual energy consumption. The development of an atom efficient, low temperature, environmentally benign process for the direct conversion of ethane to either of these molecules would circumvent the need for current practices and thereby represent an important milestone in the valorisation of natural gas.
The heterogeneous catalyst system explored in this thesis is based upon zeolite (ZSM-5) catalysts, which may be modified via post synthesis deposition of either or both of iron and copper and are shown to selectively transform ethane to a variety of higher value products including but not limited to ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetic acid and ethene under mild, environmentally benign conditions (H2O2 as oxidant, water as solvent, temperatures of < 90 °C). C-C scission of C2 products led to formation of carbon centred radicals and yielded C1 products including methylhydroperoxide, methanol and formic acid, whilst deep oxidation yielded CO2, typically at selectivities of < 5%. The method by which catalysts were prepared was shown to impact significantly upon catalyst performance, with chemical vapour impregnation, a novel vapour deposition technique being shown to yield highly active catalysts. Investigations of reaction conditions such as ethane pressure, ethane partial pressure, temperature, oxidant concentration and catalyst mass
[Chapter 1]
III
were conducted in a batch reaction system. All parameters were found to impact significantly upon both catalytic activity and product distributions allowing for directed selectivity to either ethanol or acetic acid as major product. Through extensive mechanistic studies, it was shown that a complex reaction scheme operates with these catalysts, which results in the primary C2 products ethanol, ethylhydroperoxide and ethene. Of these the former two were shown to undergo consecutive oxidation to acetaldehyde and acetic acid, whilst ethene was shown to react under test conditions to yield acetic acid. Additionally, upon deposition of Cu2+ onto ZSM-5 catalysts ethene was shown to become the major reaction product, with selectivities of 45.5% at 1.15% conversion.
Following development under batch reaction conditions, the ZSM-5 catalysts were then applied under a continuous flow regime through co-feeding of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and mixed ethane/ argon feed through a custom built fixed bed trickle bed reactor system. Through optimisation of…
Subjects/Keywords: QD Chemistry
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
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CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
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APA (6th Edition):
Armstrong, R. (2013). Partial oxidative upgrading of ethane with Fe- and Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/59701/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Armstrong, Robert. “Partial oxidative upgrading of ethane with Fe- and Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts.” 2013. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/59701/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Armstrong, Robert. “Partial oxidative upgrading of ethane with Fe- and Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts.” 2013. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Armstrong R. Partial oxidative upgrading of ethane with Fe- and Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2013. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/59701/.
Council of Science Editors:
Armstrong R. Partial oxidative upgrading of ethane with Fe- and Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2013. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/59701/

Cardiff University
18.
Han, Catherine Paula.
Reimagining the Brontës: (post)feminist middlebrow adaptations and representations of feminine creative genius, 1996-2011.
Degree: PhD, 2015, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/83347/
► Investigating conceptualisations of the feminine creative imagination, this thesis examines representations of the Brontës and adaptations of their novels released between 1996 and 2011. I…
(more)
▼ Investigating conceptualisations of the feminine creative imagination, this thesis examines representations of the Brontës and adaptations of their novels released between 1996 and 2011. I focus on portrayals of Charlotte and Anne Brontë alongside reworkings of Jane Eyre (1847) and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848) in various media. Contributing to existing research on the cultural afterlives of the Brontës and their novels, I position the works discussed within contemporary middlebrow culture whilst considering the influence of feminism.
The Introduction discusses the gendering of creative genius before identifying the tensions between critical, middlebrow and popular discourses’ conceptualisations of the Brontës’ imaginations. Thereafter, the first chapter proposes the contemporary usefulness and
considers the gendering of the concept of the middlebrow. I demonstrate that middlebrow culture is fascinated by the Brontës’ lives, art and feminine creative imaginations. To further this argument, the second chapter analyses neo-Victorian novels’ engagement with Charlotte
Brontë’s life, art and creativity. I illustrate that these works draw from second-wave feminist criticism on Jane Eyre and belong to a tradition of middlebrow feminine writing about the Brontës. The third chapter also examines representations of feminine creativity and discusses
how screen adaptations portray the artistry of Jane Eyre’s heroine. Additionally, the legacies of second-wave feminism in a wider postfeminist cultural context are explored. In the fourth chapter, the thesis turns to analyse the cultural dissemination and reputations of Anne Brontë
and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I delineate how middlebrow culture has rediscovered the youngest Brontë, her novel and her feminism.
Ultimately, this thesis suggests that the works examined indicate middlebrow culture’s efforts to engage with feminism through the feminine creative imagination. Yet these works expose a prevailing tension in feminism between the status of the individual and the collective.
Subjects/Keywords: PR English literature
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APA (6th Edition):
Han, C. P. (2015). Reimagining the Brontës: (post)feminist middlebrow adaptations and representations of feminine creative genius, 1996-2011. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/83347/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Han, Catherine Paula. “Reimagining the Brontës: (post)feminist middlebrow adaptations and representations of feminine creative genius, 1996-2011.” 2015. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/83347/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Han, Catherine Paula. “Reimagining the Brontës: (post)feminist middlebrow adaptations and representations of feminine creative genius, 1996-2011.” 2015. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Han CP. Reimagining the Brontës: (post)feminist middlebrow adaptations and representations of feminine creative genius, 1996-2011. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2015. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/83347/.
Council of Science Editors:
Han CP. Reimagining the Brontës: (post)feminist middlebrow adaptations and representations of feminine creative genius, 1996-2011. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2015. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/83347/

Cardiff University
19.
Letchford, Robert.
A study of functional recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Degree: PhD, 2015, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/91571/
► Introduction Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and rehabilitation is an accepted intervention for non-coping ACL injured subjects. There is an expectation from ACL injured subjects…
(more)
▼ Introduction
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and rehabilitation is an accepted intervention for non-coping ACL injured subjects. There is an expectation from ACL injured subjects and the international clinical community that ACLR should enable recovery to pre-injury knee function, activity performance and participation. However, few studies use comprehensive methods to assess this expectation and the reality seems to be a highly variable and often incomplete recovery that is difficult to predict. Improved understanding of recovery of these subjects may identify targets for novel rehabilitation interventions that improve outcomes.
Methods
Prospective longitudinal data were collected from 74 ACL injured subjects before surgery and on 5 occasions during the first year following ACLR. Data from a matched healthy group (n=61) were used to define healthy normative values. Outcome measures included; Structure (arthroscopic and MRI findings), Function (IKDC SKF, Lysholm, VAS pain), Activity (2D digital video motion analysis of performance and strategy variables during gait, single leg squat and hop for distance) and Participation (Tegner). Group differences and recovery were assessed with inferential statistics; regression methods identified predictors of recovery.
Results
These ACL injured subjects were highly symptomatic non-copers with a prolonged period between injury and surgery. There were statistically and clinically significant deficits from healthy in all outcome measures before surgery, which improved one year following ACLR; however the majority failed to fully recover. Bilateral deficits in activity performance and strategy were identified during all three functional activities. Recovery at one year was not predicted by any of the outcome measures in the pre or post-operative period. However, activity performance at one year was predicted by pre-operative and early post-operative gait velocity and squat depth.
Conclusions
Whilst these highly symptomatic non-coping ACLD subjects benefited from ACLR and rehabilitation, expectations of full recovery by one year proved unrealistic for most. Pre-operative deficits appear to be too large for current interventions to overcome. Early diagnostics, classification and intervention should be considered to reduce pre-operative impairments. Bilateral and hierarchical deficits in activities suggest that further development of task oriented rehabilitation strategies should be built on biomechanical and motor control / learning theories to improve outcomes. Utilising technology to facilitate greater engagement in rehabilitation and increasing frequency and intensity of rehabilitation interventions should be considered. Further development of clinically applicable methods to measure and provide real time feedback on both performance and strategy in functional activities are therefore required.
Subjects/Keywords: R Medicine (General)
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MLA ·
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APA (6th Edition):
Letchford, R. (2015). A study of functional recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/91571/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Letchford, Robert. “A study of functional recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.” 2015. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/91571/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Letchford, Robert. “A study of functional recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.” 2015. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Letchford R. A study of functional recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2015. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/91571/.
Council of Science Editors:
Letchford R. A study of functional recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2015. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/91571/

Cardiff University
20.
Vasalauskaite, Asta.
Visual function in human and experimental glaucoma.
Degree: PhD, 2016, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/98604/
► Injury to optic nerve (ON) axons plays a major role in glaucoma progression. ON crush is an established model of axonal injury which results in…
(more)
▼ Injury to optic nerve (ON) axons plays a major role in glaucoma progression. ON crush is an established model of axonal injury which results in retrograde degeneration and death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). However, it is unknown how signal transmission to higher visual structures such as primary visual cortex (V1) is affected after ON crush. In human glaucoma, visual function is assessed using visual field (VF) tests, but it is also not clear how the test results relate to the disease progression in the retina.
Unilateral ON crush was performed on the left eyes of adult C57BL/6 mice. V1 function of the right hemisphere was assessed longitudinally by optical imaging (OI) and in vivo calcium two-photon imaging under anaesthesia before and at 7 days, 14 days and 30 days after ON crush. Human retinas from glaucoma patients were investigated for changes in RGC density and compared to the score from the VF data obtained prior to the patients’ death.
ISI and 2P experiments demonstrate a significant shift in OD towards the ipsilateral eye and significant reduction of signal magnitude in V1 in response to contralateral eye stimulation in all ON crush animals. Additionally, response magnitude to ipsilateral eye stimulation was significantly increased after ON crush. While there was significant RGC loss in human glaucoma compared to age matched controls that was correlated to mean VF loss, the scores from the individual VF test points were uncorrelated to RGC density in anatomically equivalent areas.
This work demonstrates that unilateral ON crush results in immediate loss of signal transmission from the retina to V1 via a crushed ON. A significant increase of responsiveness in V1 to non-crushed eye stimulation was observed, which indicates that injury of the ON in adulthood may evoke compensatory plasticity in V1.
Subjects/Keywords: RE Ophthalmology
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
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APA (6th Edition):
Vasalauskaite, A. (2016). Visual function in human and experimental glaucoma. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/98604/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Vasalauskaite, Asta. “Visual function in human and experimental glaucoma.” 2016. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/98604/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Vasalauskaite, Asta. “Visual function in human and experimental glaucoma.” 2016. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Vasalauskaite A. Visual function in human and experimental glaucoma. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2016. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/98604/.
Council of Science Editors:
Vasalauskaite A. Visual function in human and experimental glaucoma. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2016. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/98604/
21.
Routley, Bethany.
Investigating resting-state functional connectivity in health and epilepsy using magnetonencephalography.
Degree: PhD, 2017, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/107113/
► It is now widely accepted that different areas of the brain are functionally connected even in the absence of explicit task demands, the so-called 'resting-state'.…
(more)
▼ It is now widely accepted that different areas of the brain are functionally connected
even in the absence of explicit task demands, the so-called 'resting-state'. Differences in
resting-state connectivity between groups are increasingly used as a marker of
pathology in a number of neurological diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders.
However, in order for a specific pattern of functional connectivity to represent a valid
biomarker, it must be proven to be stable and reliably measurable in the absence of
disease or disorder. Further, much is still unknown about the biological basis and
purpose of resting-state activity, that may help to elucidate the functional relevance in
patient groups.
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a technique that is well suited to the study of
resting-state connectivity because it provides a direct inference of synchronised
neuronal activity. In chapter two of this thesis, the test-retest repeatability of two
different approaches to assessing functional coupling of brain areas using MEG is
examined. Having established a preferential analysis pipeline, chapter three compares
frequency band-limited MEG connectivity with functional connectivity derived from
BOLD-fMRI data. The connectivity pipeline is then used for two different applications.
First, the approach is combined with pharmacological intervention in healthy subjects in
order to investigate the role of AMPA receptors in the glutamate system on the MEG
signal and functional connectivity (chapter four). The final experimental chapter focuses
on comparing functional connectivity in a group of generalised epilepsy patients with
age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects. Taken together, the results of this
thesis have implications for the study of functional connectivity in the resting-state
using MEG, particularly the sensitivity of the technique to microscale as well as
macroscale changes
Subjects/Keywords: BF Psychology
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❌
APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Routley, B. (2017). Investigating resting-state functional connectivity in health and epilepsy using magnetonencephalography. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/107113/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Routley, Bethany. “Investigating resting-state functional connectivity in health and epilepsy using magnetonencephalography.” 2017. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/107113/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Routley, Bethany. “Investigating resting-state functional connectivity in health and epilepsy using magnetonencephalography.” 2017. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Routley B. Investigating resting-state functional connectivity in health and epilepsy using magnetonencephalography. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2017. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/107113/.
Council of Science Editors:
Routley B. Investigating resting-state functional connectivity in health and epilepsy using magnetonencephalography. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2017. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/107113/

Cardiff University
22.
Wang, Zeliang.
Polynomial matrix eigenvalue decomposition techniques for multichannel signal processing.
Degree: PhD, 2017, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/108257/
► Polynomial eigenvalue decomposition (PEVD) is an extension of the eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) for para-Hermitian polynomial matrices, and it has been shown to be a powerful…
(more)
▼ Polynomial eigenvalue decomposition (PEVD) is an extension of the eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) for para-Hermitian polynomial matrices, and it has been shown to be a powerful tool for broadband extensions of narrowband signal processing problems. In the context of broadband sensor arrays, the PEVD allows the para-Hermitian matrix that results from the calculation of a space-time covariance matrix of the convolutively mixed signals to be diagonalised. Once the matrix is diagonalised, not only can the correlation between different sensor signals be removed but the signal and noise subspaces can also be identified. This process is referred to as broadband subspace decomposition, and it plays a very important role in many areas that require signal separation techniques for multichannel convolutive mixtures, such as speech recognition, radar clutter suppression, underwater acoustics, etc. The multiple shift second order sequential best rotation (MS-SBR2) algorithm, built on the most established SBR2 algorithm, is proposed to compute the PEVD of para-Hermitian matrices. By annihilating multiple off-diagonal elements per iteration, the MS-SBR2 algorithm shows a potential advantage over its predecessor (SBR2) in terms of the computational speed. Furthermore, the MS-SBR2 algorithm permits us to minimise the order growth of polynomial matrices by shifting rows (or columns) in the same direction across iterations, which can potentially reduce the computational load of the algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed MS-SBR2 algorithm is demonstrated by various para-Hermitian matrix examples, including randomly generated matrices with different sizes and matrices generated from source models with different dynamic ranges and relations between the sources’ power spectral densities. A worked example is presented to demonstrate how the MS-SBR2 algorithm can be used to strongly decorrelate a set of convolutively mixed signals. Furthermore, the performance metrics and computational complexity of MS-SBR2 are analysed and compared to other existing PEVD algorithms by means of numerical examples. Finally, two potential applications of theMS-SBR2 algorithm, includingmultichannel spectral factorisation and decoupling of broadband multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, are demonstrated in this dissertation.
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❌
APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Wang, Z. (2017). Polynomial matrix eigenvalue decomposition techniques for multichannel signal processing. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/108257/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Wang, Zeliang. “Polynomial matrix eigenvalue decomposition techniques for multichannel signal processing.” 2017. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/108257/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Wang, Zeliang. “Polynomial matrix eigenvalue decomposition techniques for multichannel signal processing.” 2017. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Wang Z. Polynomial matrix eigenvalue decomposition techniques for multichannel signal processing. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2017. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/108257/.
Council of Science Editors:
Wang Z. Polynomial matrix eigenvalue decomposition techniques for multichannel signal processing. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2017. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/108257/

Cardiff University
23.
Rountree, Lindsay.
Optimisation of perimetric stimuli for mapping changes in spatial summation in glaucoma.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111180/
► Despite being considered the current reference standard for perimetric testing in glaucoma, standard automated perimetry has several cardinal limitations, including an unacceptably high test-retest variability,…
(more)
▼ Despite being considered the current reference standard for perimetric testing in glaucoma, standard automated perimetry has several cardinal limitations, including an unacceptably high test-retest variability, which increases with increasing depth of defect, and a limited useable dynamic range, with test-retest variability spanning almost the entire instrument range in advanced glaucomatous damage.
Prior studies have shown that spatial summation, the mechanism by which the visual system integrates light energy across the area of a stimulus, differs in disease, with an enlarged Ricco’s area (the limit of complete spatial summation) found in individuals with glaucoma. The aim of this work was to investigate whether a perimetric stimulus designed to exploit these changes in spatial summation would enable a greater signal/noise ratio (SNR) than that of the current standard stimulus, by directly measuring the displacement of the spatial summation function in glaucoma. Three stimulus forms were developed; one varying in area alone, one varying in both area and contrast simultaneously, and one varying in contrast alone, all operating within the local Ricco’s area. These novel stimuli were compared with the standard Goldmann III stimulus, in terms of disease signal, noise, and SNR.
The experiments presented in this thesis indicate that a stimulus modulating in area alone may offer greater benefits for measuring glaucomatous changes in spatial summation in a clinical setting, in the form of a greater disease signal, more uniform response variability with depth of defect, and greater SNR, when compared with the standard Goldmann III stimulus. Additionally, there is some indication that this stimulus is more robust to the effects of intraocular straylight than the Goldmann III stimulus, although test-retest variability and robustness to optical defocus are largely similar.
As this work represents the early investigations of this stimulus, further work is required to examine its translation into a clinical environment.
Subjects/Keywords: RE Ophthalmology
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Rountree, L. (2018). Optimisation of perimetric stimuli for mapping changes in spatial summation in glaucoma. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111180/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Rountree, Lindsay. “Optimisation of perimetric stimuli for mapping changes in spatial summation in glaucoma.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111180/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Rountree, Lindsay. “Optimisation of perimetric stimuli for mapping changes in spatial summation in glaucoma.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Rountree L. Optimisation of perimetric stimuli for mapping changes in spatial summation in glaucoma. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111180/.
Council of Science Editors:
Rountree L. Optimisation of perimetric stimuli for mapping changes in spatial summation in glaucoma. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111180/
24.
Fry, Charlotte.
Executive functions, creativity, and mental health in homeless young people: implications for housing outcome.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111664/
► Background: Homeless young people represent one of the most vulnerable groups in society, yet little is known about cognition, and especially executive functioning, in this…
(more)
▼ Background: Homeless young people represent one of the most vulnerable groups in society, yet little is known about cognition, and especially executive functioning, in this group. Executive functions (EFs), higher-order cognitive processes important for adaptation, have been identified as likely key contributors to the capacity to exit homelessness. However, most homeless young people have experienced multiple adversities, with potential
implications for EF development. To address gaps in current knowledge, this thesis aimed to profile executive functions among homeless young people and compare the profile to housed young people. Associations between EFs and mental health, and relationships between EFs and short-term housing outcomes were also explored.
Methods: Sixty-nine homeless young people (16-19 years) from a homelessness charity, and 37 age-matched housed young people from a college/sixth form participated. Computerised EF tasks spanned the domains of working
memory, set shifting/flexibility, planning, impulsivity/risky decision making, selective attention/inhibition, creative thinking, and verbal fluency.
Results: Homeless young people demonstrated worse performance than housed youth on several EF tasks, particularly working memory and impulsivity/risky decision making. No differences were found between the
groups in creativity. Rates of anxiety were higher in the homeless group, but not depression. Working memory predicted progression into more independent accommodation, such that those with longer working memory
spans were twice as likely to have progressed rather than maintained after six months. Anxiety and depression did not seem to moderate this effect. A minority of young people had negative housing outcomes and were profiled
separately. Conclusion: Findings from this thesis suggest that EFs should not continue to be overlooked by researchers and services, as they can impact on a homeless young person’s ability to move towards independence. Emerging adulthood, as a sensitive period for EF development, is likely to represent an opportune
time for intervention to improve the likelihood of positive housing outcomes in homeless young people.
Subjects/Keywords: BF Psychology
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Fry, C. (2018). Executive functions, creativity, and mental health in homeless young people: implications for housing outcome. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111664/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Fry, Charlotte. “Executive functions, creativity, and mental health in homeless young people: implications for housing outcome.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111664/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Fry, Charlotte. “Executive functions, creativity, and mental health in homeless young people: implications for housing outcome.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Fry C. Executive functions, creativity, and mental health in homeless young people: implications for housing outcome. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111664/.
Council of Science Editors:
Fry C. Executive functions, creativity, and mental health in homeless young people: implications for housing outcome. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111664/

Cardiff University
25.
Moss, Joe.
Anti-inflammatory actions of nutraceuticals: Novel emerging therapies for atherosclerosis?.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111849/
► Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related events such as myocardial infarction and stroke remain the world’s leading cause of death. The incidence of CVD-related events is expected…
(more)
▼ Background
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related events such as myocardial infarction and stroke remain the world’s leading cause of death. The incidence of CVD-related events is expected to rise in the future due to the increase in the global prevalence of obesity and diabetes, in addition to less economically developed countries adopting a western style diet. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease which is the underlying cause of CVD and characterised by the build-up of fatty deposits within the walls of medium and large arteries. Macrophages play critical roles during the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, including the uptake of modified low-density lipoproteins to form foam cells. CardioWise is a dietary supplement developed by Cultech Limited which contains the anti-inflammatory compounds ω-3 PUFAs, flavanols and phytosterols. The aim of this project was to assess the cardiovascular protective effects of CardioWise and its individual components in isolation using in vitro and in vivo model systems.
Results
Foam cell formation was attenuated in human THP-1 macrophages treated with CardioWise. In addition, CardioWise reduced pro-inflammatory gene expression, monocyte recruitment and M1 macrophage phenotype polarisation. CardioWise was also found to increase HDL cholesterol levels and attenuate circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in wild type mice. Further investigation identified (+)-catechin within CardioWise as a key beneficial molecule to explore in greater detail. In vitro experiments demonstrated that catechin reduced monocyte migration and reactive oxygen species generation. Wild type mice treated with catechin were also found to receive anti-atherogenic benefits such as increased HDL cholesterol levels and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.
Conclusion
The findings of this study show that CardioWise and catechin are capable of exerting strong anti-inflammatory effects on several stages of atherosclerosis disease development in vitro. Furthermore initial in vivo studies using wild type mice revealed that both treatments are also capable of exerting several cardiovascular protective effects. Reasons for these beneficial effects have been proposed in this thesis and future studies outlined.
Subjects/Keywords: Q Science (General); RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Moss, J. (2018). Anti-inflammatory actions of nutraceuticals: Novel emerging therapies for atherosclerosis?. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111849/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Moss, Joe. “Anti-inflammatory actions of nutraceuticals: Novel emerging therapies for atherosclerosis?.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111849/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Moss, Joe. “Anti-inflammatory actions of nutraceuticals: Novel emerging therapies for atherosclerosis?.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Moss J. Anti-inflammatory actions of nutraceuticals: Novel emerging therapies for atherosclerosis?. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111849/.
Council of Science Editors:
Moss J. Anti-inflammatory actions of nutraceuticals: Novel emerging therapies for atherosclerosis?. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/111849/

Cardiff University
26.
Padovan, Daniele.
Continuous biomass valorisation with Sn-containing zeolite catalysts.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/113811/
► This work aims to provide a detailed study of the solid Lewis acid catalyst, Sn-Beta, and particularly focuses on its use as a catalyst for…
(more)
▼ This work aims to provide a detailed study of the solid Lewis acid catalyst, Sn-Beta, and particularly focuses on its use as a catalyst for biomass valorisation. Particular emphasis is put on identifying several criteria that are necessary for evaluating the feasibility of the
material for intensified operation during the continuous conversion of biomass, such as stability and productivity. The catalyst is tested in continuous flow apparatus for some
relevant biomass reactions, such as the valorisation of furfural, and the isomerisation of glucose to fructose. Investigation of the deactivation mechanisms is done by combining kinetic data and characterisation of the material, both fresh and used, in order to relate
spectroscopic evidence to catalytic performance. The understanding of deactivation is used to develop countermeasures in order to prevent or mitigate the undesired phenomenon.
Important parts of the work are also focused on material synthesis and optimisation, and combinations of different catalysts are also explored, in order to improve the overall
performance of the catalytic systems studied within the work.
This thesis begins with a detailed study of the effect of metal loading on the intrinsic activity of Sn-Beta (Chapter 3), where a combination of kinetic experiments and characterisation techniques are presented. This permits identification of the most suitable catalyst for
continuous flow catalysis. Continuous flow experiments are then carried out in order to probe the deactivation of the catalyst. A first study of the continuous performance of Sn-
Beta focuses on the model reaction of the transfer hydrogenation of cyclohexanone to cyclohexanol (Chapter 4). Following this, the transfer hydrogenation of a more complex
system is studied. Particularly, the cascade conversion of furfural to 2-(butoxymethyl) furan, through tandem transfer hydrogenation and etherification over bifunctional Sn-Beta
catalysts, is studied (Chapter 5). Having identified the promising stability properties of Sn-Beta during organic phase reactions, the reported “water tolerance” of Sn-Beta is then probed during the continuous isomerisation of glucose to fructose (Chapter 6). Despite showing poor levels of activity and stability in bulk water solvent, excellent continuous performance is observed when solutions of methanol containing small amounts of water (1 – 10 wt. %) are employed. In closing (Chapter 7), the consequences of the findings of this research, in addition to the pertaining challenges these findings open, are also considered.
Subjects/Keywords: QD Chemistry
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APA (6th Edition):
Padovan, D. (2018). Continuous biomass valorisation with Sn-containing zeolite catalysts. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/113811/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Padovan, Daniele. “Continuous biomass valorisation with Sn-containing zeolite catalysts.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/113811/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Padovan, Daniele. “Continuous biomass valorisation with Sn-containing zeolite catalysts.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Padovan D. Continuous biomass valorisation with Sn-containing zeolite catalysts. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/113811/.
Council of Science Editors:
Padovan D. Continuous biomass valorisation with Sn-containing zeolite catalysts. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/113811/

Cardiff University
27.
Bakx, Tom J.L.C.
The Herschel bright sources sample.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/115889/
► Far-infrared observations have detected dusty star-forming galaxies, a subset of galaxies which is extremely dust-extincted from the ultraviolet down to near-infrared colours. Recent studies show…
(more)
▼ Far-infrared observations have detected dusty star-forming galaxies, a subset of galaxies which is extremely dust-extincted from the ultraviolet down to near-infrared colours. Recent studies show that this population of sources contributes significantly to the history of star formation, especially out to very high redshift.
Recent surveys with the Herschel Space Observatory have uncovered around half a million of these sources, with the largest of these surveys, the H-ATLAS, covering 616 square degrees. One of the most exciting discoveries is the lensing nature of the brightest of these sources, where the gravitational potential of a foreground galaxy lenses and amplifies the signal. The applications of gravitational lensing range from studying individual sources down to unprecidented resolution at high redshift in sub-mm wavelengths with ALMA, to cosmological studies by analysing the distribution of groups of lenses.
In this thesis, I explore the effect of applying a more inclusive selection criterion for lensed sources, and study the properties of the sources that are selected. Whereas the first attempts at finding lensed sources use a strict S500μm > 100 mJy flux density cut, the sample I study is selected with a flux cut at 80 mJy: The Herschel Bright Sources (HerBS) sample. A photometric redshift cut of zphot > 2 is also taken, as most lensing takes place out at higher redshift. This redshift is calculated by fitting a spectral template to the 250, 350 and 500 μm observations from the Herschel SPIRE instrument.
I push down the selection flux in order to select more lensed sources from the sub-mm surveys, whilst potentially including several unlensed sources. These unlensed sources could be among the most intrinsically luminous and star-forming objects in the Universe. Only less than five of such objects are known to exist, while our HerBS sample could contain up to 35 of these sources, which could teach us about the upper-limits of star-formation and their contribution to forming the most massive galaxies in the Universe.
I use 850 μm SCUBA-2 observations on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) to remove blazar interlopers, which results in 209 sources in the HerBS sample, after removing 14 blazar sources. At the time I wrote the paper upon which Chapter 2 is based, 24 sources had a spectroscopic redshift. I use this sub-sample to fit a two-temperature modified blackbody, and find a cold-body temperature of 21.3 K, a warm-body temperature of 45.8 K, a mass ratio of 26.7 and a dustemissivity index of 1.8. These values do not challenge the current knowledge of sub-mm galaxies, but the quality of the fit suggests a large diversity among the galaxies in the sub-sample, and that they are poorly fitted by a single template.
This diversity is also found by the spectroscopic observations with the IRAM 30m-telescope observations on eight of the highest-redshift (zphot > 4) sources of the HerBS sample. We found five spectroscopic redshifts, with one of the sources at the highest known HerBS redshift at zspec =…
Subjects/Keywords: QB Astronomy; QC Physics
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❌
APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Bakx, T. J. L. C. (2018). The Herschel bright sources sample. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/115889/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Bakx, Tom J L C. “The Herschel bright sources sample.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/115889/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Bakx, Tom J L C. “The Herschel bright sources sample.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Bakx TJLC. The Herschel bright sources sample. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/115889/.
Council of Science Editors:
Bakx TJLC. The Herschel bright sources sample. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/115889/
28.
Amoako, Annika Nina.
A systematic review of non-medical interventions in Rett Syndrome and a research study into attenuated behaviours in Rett Syndrome.
Degree: dclinpsy, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/115992/
► This thesis was submitted in May 2018 for the partial fulfilment of the award of Doctor in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) at Cardiff University. The thesis…
(more)
▼ This thesis was submitted in May 2018 for the partial fulfilment of the award of Doctor in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) at Cardiff University. The thesis investigated a review of non-medical interventions in Rett Syndrome and the prevalence of attenuated behaviours in Rett Syndrome. Rett Syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental genetic disorder which is characterised by period of outwardly typical development followed by a period of regression around 12-18 months. The regression is causes progressive disabilities in speech, motor and hand use. Physical comorbidities are often present including breathing difficulties, the requirement of feeding tubes, anxiety, gastrointestinal difficulties and orthopaedic issues. The condition is almost exclusive to females. Despite the inability to use their body to communicate, research has shown that individuals with Rett Syndrome are more intellectually capable than their body allows them to present.
Paper 1 describes a systematic review of non-medical interventions researched into Rett Syndrome. The electronic databases were searched (Embase, PsychINFO and MEDLINE). Thirteen papers which met the quality rating threshold were reviewed and the methodology was assessed. Communication interventions were the most researched intervention. Alternative interventions included fitness and brainstem activation. Eleven of the studies described positive results. Recommendations for clinical practice and future research are made.
Paper 2 describes an empirical study investigating the prevalence of attenuated behaviours [Autistic Catatonia] in Rett Syndrome and its presence during ‘Rett Episodes’. Parents of 28 individuals with Rett Syndrome completed questionnaires relating to attenuated behaviours and Rett Episodes. The findings revealed the presence of attenuated behaviour in individuals with Rett Episodes but this was not specific to Rett Episodes. The severity of attenuated behaviour was negatively correlated with age. Recommendations for clinical implications and further research are made.
Paper 3 discusses an evaluation of the research process. The paper critically appraises the research across both papers including the strengths and limitations. The paper includes key reflections and process information that was not permitted within the constraints of the author guidelines for submission.
Subjects/Keywords: BF Psychology
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APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
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APA (6th Edition):
Amoako, A. N. (2018). A systematic review of non-medical interventions in Rett Syndrome and a research study into attenuated behaviours in Rett Syndrome. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/115992/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Amoako, Annika Nina. “A systematic review of non-medical interventions in Rett Syndrome and a research study into attenuated behaviours in Rett Syndrome.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/115992/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Amoako, Annika Nina. “A systematic review of non-medical interventions in Rett Syndrome and a research study into attenuated behaviours in Rett Syndrome.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Amoako AN. A systematic review of non-medical interventions in Rett Syndrome and a research study into attenuated behaviours in Rett Syndrome. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/115992/.
Council of Science Editors:
Amoako AN. A systematic review of non-medical interventions in Rett Syndrome and a research study into attenuated behaviours in Rett Syndrome. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/115992/

Cardiff University
29.
Jaffa, Sarah.
Statistical descriptors of clouds and clusters.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/116134/
► Star formation is a chaotic process, involving the evolution and interaction of a wide variety of structures. The interstellar medium exhibits substructure over a range…
(more)
▼ Star formation is a chaotic process, involving the evolution and interaction of a wide
variety of structures. The interstellar medium exhibits substructure over a range of
scales, and the clusters which form from the densest parts of this material may be
imprinted with this clumpy distribution. In this thesis, we describe and evaluate
statistical tools for quantifying structures that are important to the star formation
process, in order to constrain the underlying physics and robustly compare observations,
simulations and synthetic observations.
We describe the basic theory and some common applications of fractal theory
in astronomy. We show that some common measures of fractal structure are inconsistent
and that comparing values derived from different data types (e.g. continuum
data of molecular cloud maps and discrete data of star distributions) can lead to
confusion.
We introduce the Q+ algorithm which quantities the substructure in star clusters
in terms of a fractal distribution. We describe the derivation and validation of
this method and apply it to observed and simulated data sets. We examine the possibility
of applying this same analysis to continuum data by converting the greyscale
image into a statistically representative distribution of points.
We introduce the J plots algorithm which uses the principal moments of inertia
of a two-dimensional pixelated structure to quantify its shape. We show that
this can be used to identify the shapes of structures extracted from astrophysical
images using dendrograms. We apply this method (i) to data from the Hi-GAL survey
to demonstrate the identification of ring-like shapes, and (ii) to simulations of
_lament formation to quantify the differences in structure resulting from the nature
of turbulence in the accreting material.
Subjects/Keywords: Q Science (General); QB Astronomy
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❌
APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Jaffa, S. (2018). Statistical descriptors of clouds and clusters. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/116134/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Jaffa, Sarah. “Statistical descriptors of clouds and clusters.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/116134/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Jaffa, Sarah. “Statistical descriptors of clouds and clusters.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Jaffa S. Statistical descriptors of clouds and clusters. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/116134/.
Council of Science Editors:
Jaffa S. Statistical descriptors of clouds and clusters. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/116134/

Cardiff University
30.
Dhiensawadkij, Duangkaew.
Reproducing the politics of climate change: A study of Thai newspaper reporting.
Degree: PhD, 2018, Cardiff University
URL: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/116211/
► This thesis aims to investigate the news reporting of climate change issues in three Thai newspapers, examining in particular the part played by journalistic practices…
(more)
▼ This thesis aims to investigate the news reporting of climate change issues in three
Thai newspapers, examining in particular the part played by journalistic practices in their
representation. Key concepts from theories of risk society and critical approaches to news
production are employed to formulate the conceptual framework. In empirical terms, two
methods are employed to gather and interpret evidence.
Specifically, a textual analysis is employed to initially identify and assess how
climate change issues were constructed in the three selected newspapers. It helps to
document how journalistic values, newsworthiness and news narratives work to reproduce
climate change as a global agenda. The findings interpret evidence that the officials and their
claims dominate news related to climate change. These primary-definers exploit climate
change issues to support the nationalist arguments related to national energy security, while
environmentalists de-legitimize coal-fired power plant investment with climate change
issues. The findings confirm economic and conflict framing in the news coverage.
Next, semi-structured interviews with journalists and news sources produced insights
into the newsgathering processes. Evidence confirms that removing environmental news
beats from the structure of newsgathering, the so-called the news net, sustains the power of
institutional sources over environmental news agendas. The scarcity of skilled environmental
journalists who are keen on environmental politics in Thailand fundamentally intensifies
environmental frame-blindness, usual source dependency, and polarisation in newsrooms.
This results in dominating capital growth news frames and dominated environmental news
frames. These circumstances strengthen the position of the officials and resourceful
organisations as the primary-definers in news related to climate change.
The thesis advances the central argument that journalistic practice sustains the
definitional power of national officials regarding climate change politics in Thailand.
Specifically, the selected newspapers report that reducing national emissions and solving
climate change are priority issues, yet in actual fact the risks associated with climate change
do not receive sufficient coverage. It is shown that by prioritising other types of
environmental news, particularly around financial investment and legal issues, this news
coverage fails to contribute to public understanding of sustainable development to an
adequate extent
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❌
APA ·
Chicago ·
MLA ·
Vancouver ·
CSE |
Export
to Zotero / EndNote / Reference
Manager
APA (6th Edition):
Dhiensawadkij, D. (2018). Reproducing the politics of climate change: A study of Thai newspaper reporting. (Doctoral Dissertation). Cardiff University. Retrieved from http://orca.cf.ac.uk/116211/
Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):
Dhiensawadkij, Duangkaew. “Reproducing the politics of climate change: A study of Thai newspaper reporting.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Cardiff University. Accessed April 10, 2021.
http://orca.cf.ac.uk/116211/.
MLA Handbook (7th Edition):
Dhiensawadkij, Duangkaew. “Reproducing the politics of climate change: A study of Thai newspaper reporting.” 2018. Web. 10 Apr 2021.
Vancouver:
Dhiensawadkij D. Reproducing the politics of climate change: A study of Thai newspaper reporting. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. [cited 2021 Apr 10].
Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/116211/.
Council of Science Editors:
Dhiensawadkij D. Reproducing the politics of climate change: A study of Thai newspaper reporting. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Cardiff University; 2018. Available from: http://orca.cf.ac.uk/116211/
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