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This three-paper dissertation systematically investigates the methodology issues related to using observational systems to observe, analyze, and interpret teachers' reformed teaching practices within the K-12 classroom context. Each paper contributes a distinct perspective to evaluate instructional practices accurately, consistently, and effectively in science classrooms. The first paper offers a systematic literature review on classroom observation protocols (OPs) used for evaluating science teaching practices. In this study, I proposed an analytical framework, underpinning four crucial aspects of OP studies: the research objectives, design, data collection strategies, and data analysis and interpretation. This framework serves as the cornerstone for analyzing 37 distinct studies that have used OPs to evaluate the instructional practices of K-12 science teachers. The study underscores the need for transparent rater training procedure, sampling choices, and the advanced statistical techniques to address rater-associated variances and eventually enhance the reliability and validity of the teacher measures. The study also suggests continued development of OPs that are aligned with current and future science education standards and the application of advanced statistical methods to examine rater effects in classroom observation studies. In the second paper, we developed a comprehensive classroom observational system, utilizing the Rasch model to validate the instrument, guide rater training, and analyze observational data. We implemented this system with 321 full-length high school chemistry classroom observation videos. We proposed this system, because the exclusive reliance on developing new OPs may not lead to valid and reliable measurements of instructional practices, as ratings are often affected by construct-irrelevant variances such as rater bias and data analysis strategies. This study shifts the focus from the OPs alone to a classroom observation system that includes instrument validation, rating training, and data analytical strategies. The psychometric evidence in this study supported this system's feasibility of yielding reliable measures of instructional practices. The third paper examines rater effects by applying a Partial Credit Many-Facet Rasch Measurement (PC-MFRM) in a science classroom observation context. As shown in the first two papers, classroom observation studies employing OPs are mediated by human raters, who are susceptible to errors. These errors introduce construct-irrelevant variance, which can adversely impact the validity and reliability of measurement of instructional practices. This study aims to identify and control these variances, particularly focusing on three rater effects: rater severity, central tendency, and the halo effect. I applied PC-MFRM to concurrently examine the three rater effects and their impacts on measurement of instructional practices. MFRM results indicate the significant discrepancies in rater severity and identified the specific raters who showed central tendency and halo effects. The finding suggests that researchers can incorporate MFRM diagnostic information throughout the rating training and calibration process to reduce any potential halo and central tendency. To address the rater severity, researchers should focus on intra-rater consistency as well rather than inter-rater reliability only. This study extended the application of MFRM to classroom observation by offering a multi-dimensional understanding of rater effects; thereby it contributed to the improvement of rater training process, which can consequently enhance the reliability and validity in measuring teaching practice. The validity and reliability of classroom observations for evaluating teacher practices hinge considerably on rater effects and the systematic evaluation the impact of rater-related effects. While Observation Protocols (OPs) provide a structured framework for such evaluations, the literature indicates that rater behavior introduces construct-irrelevant variances such as rater severity, halo effect, and central tendency. Previous studies have employed the Many-Facet Rasch Model (MFRM) to examine some of the effects, but these efforts have predominantly focused on single-dimensional analyses. Addressing this research gap, current study applies MFRM to concurrently investigate three critical rater effects--rater severity, central tendency, and halo effect--in the context of a longitudinal efficacy study on the Connected Chemistry Curriculum (CCC). Specifically, we aim to (1) assess the degree to which MFRM can identify the presence of these rater effects, and (2) evaluate the implications of using MFRM on enhancing rater training programs for classroom observations. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

This study investigated the impact of AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) English General Paper courses on the academic progress of 10th-grade students with disabilities, specifically their performance in Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) scores. The primary objective was to examine the correlation between ninth-grade FSA scores and 10th-grade AICE English General Paper scores among students with disabilities. The research sample included 67 students from a large public high school in Southern Florida, all with either Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans. A correlational quantitative approach was utilized to analyze the relationship between FSA and AICE scores. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between ninth-grade FSA scores and 10th-grade AICE English General Paper scores, indicating that students with higher FSA scores tend to perform better in AICE courses. The study holds implications for future studies and policy enhancements aimed at improving the educational experiences of students with disabilities in advanced coursework. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The use of paper as a sensing platform has great potential for point-of-care diagnostics in low-resource settings. However, there is a need for approaches that enable a higher level of control and customisation of the paper properties and reduce the cost of production and immobilisation of bioreagents onto paper. This thesis explores whether introducing digital printing into papermaking in combination with the recombinant protein production of paper-binding bioreagents could provide an accessible, scalable tool for the fabrication of affordable paper-based microfluidic biosensors with customised and varying paper properties. A novel printing method based on the localised vacuum-driven filtration of fibre suspensions ('vacuum-driven printing') was explored for the direct formation and patterning of engineered paper. An analytical model based on incompressible cake filtration theory was derived to predict the final thickness of the printed paper as a function of printing parameters and showed good agreement with the experimental data. This model enabled the rational design of complex 2D paper patterns with controlled and varying thickness profile that could be formed in a single printing process. The recombinant fusion of a cellulose-binding domain (CBD) into the protein reagent enabled its one-step immobilisation and purification onto paper fibres directly from the crude lysate, significantly reducing the cost and number of downstream processing steps required for the production of the bioreagent. The specific immobilisation provided by the CBD helped retain the protein's diagnostic activity during air drying and long-term dry storage, even after four months at 20-37°C, when compared to direct physisorption of the protein reagent onto paper. The protein-bound fibres could be directly patterned with the vacuum-driven printing technique into the detection zone of a paper-based assay, forming bioactive paper. A proof-of-concept paper-based microfluidic biosensor was fabricated in a single vacuum-driven printing process, using unmodified paper fibres to form microfluidic channels of varying thickness, and protein-bound fibres to form bioactive paper at the detection zone of the assay. This research demonstrated a simplified, accessible, and lower-cost pathway to the production of paper-based biosensors with customised properties.

This doctoral dissertation explores the transcultural use of the material of blue paper for figure studies and figural compositions by artists working in sixteenth-century Venice and seventeenth-century Amsterdam. The research focuses on artists' use of blue paper made with blue fibres, or that which is coloured blue during its production, rather than neutral papers that are prepared with a coloured wash. Blue paper provided a readily available mid-tone and its texture allowed friable drawing implements like chalk and charcoal to be absorbed into the paper at varying degrees. This interplay contributed to the achievement of rilievo, or the ability to model three-dimensional forms in space on a flat surface. Understanding the broader artistic, cultural, and theoretical frameworks that led to the employment of blue paper in these two centres of commercial and artistic exchange is central to our understanding of the material's role in early modern artistic practice, as well as to our interpretations of the drawings themselves. Through object-based, technical, and archival research, as well as analyses of contemporary texts on art, this research is inherently interdisciplinary in examining the significance of the role of blue paper in Italian and Dutch artistic practice and stylistic development.

This thesis is a study of non-objective works on paper by the German artist Joseph Beuys (1921-1986) selected from the one hundred and six original works on paper in the 'Artist Rooms' collection, owned and managed jointly by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland. It investigates ways in which works on paper that do not depict objects might be interpreted. The question of non-objectivity in Beuys's works on paper has not previously been addressed, perhaps because non-objectivity is less common in the more familiar early works, or perhaps due to the difficulty of reconciling non-objectivity with Beuys's contention that he was not an abstract artist. I show that non-objectivity and abstraction need not be equivalent, so Beuys's work can be regarded as concrete (non-abstract) even when it does not depict an object. Previous Beuys scholarship mostly uses iconological approaches, which are necessarily object-based; for non-objective works on paper an alternative is required. My approach is founded on identifying arenas of interpretation through detailed formal analysis of the works and critical appraisal of what Beuys said, combined with socio-political contextual analysis, comparison with other artists, and a study of the phenomenological effect of non-objectivity on the viewer. Beuys was well-read and well-connected, alert to the ideas of the past and of his own time. I examine Beuys's non-objective works on paper in the light of Romanticism, Expressionism, Suprematism, Neo-Plasticism, art informel, and American Minimalism, concluding that while Beuys did not align himself with these movements, he did incorporate a wide range of historical and contemporary ideas into his work. Thus, this thesis offers an approach to Beuys's non-objective works on paper through arenas of interpretation based on a distinction from abstraction, close critical attention to his works and words, the socio-political context in which he lived, resonances with the ideas of others, and the role of the viewer.

In this three-paper dissertation project, I explore how 'English' becomes a recognizable object within the context of adult ESOL education. Building on scholarship on named languages (Garcia, 2019; Makoni & Pennycook, 2006), the historical construction of languages (Bonfiglio, 2010; Irvine & Gal, 2000), and raciolinguistic ideologies (Flores & Rosa, 2015; Rosa & Flores, 2017), I analyze how language, both as an abstract concept and as a collection of linguistic features, is treated within adult ESOL, looking at specific contemporary classrooms, as well as historical texts. This work culminated in the three studies I present here -- focused, in turn, on classroom discourse and pedagogical practices, curriculum, and language scholarship -- as something of a "self portrait" of English (del Valle, Lauria, Orono, & Rojas, 2021). I start with "'The good English': The ideological construction of the target language in adult ESOL", a study which employs classroom-based ethnography and classroom discourse analysis (Rampton, 2006; Reyes, 2011; Rosa, 2019) to look at the construction of 'English' in a nonprofit, community-based adult ESOL program in New York. I argue that the structural conditions of the program promote reliance on a conception of 'English' shaped by linguistic racism, despite the program's progressive ideals. Drawing on ethnographic observation and interviews, I outline the discursive and pedagogical practices that uphold this conception of 'English', and how students destabilize it, with an eye toward possibilities for alternate conceptions and pedagogies. In the next paper, "English by the book: Linguistic (and social) normativity in adult English curriculum over time", I explore how the ideologies I observed in contemporary classrooms developed over time by looking at 12 adult English textbooks from the 20th and early 21st centuries. Drawing on raciolinguistic genealogy (Anais, 2013; Flores, 2021), metapragmatics (Cutler, 2020; Urban, 2006), and the discourse analysis of textbooks, I argue that while normativity remains a core focus of mainstream adult immigrant education from its early institutions into the contemporary moment, linguistic normativity has become increasingly more central to mainstream conceptions of adult English learning (and, therefore, immigrant socialization) than broader social normativity. I end with a discussion of the potential reasons for this shift, and the ways it perpetuates the marginalization of adult immigrants. In the last paper, "Whiteness as the standard: Shifting ideologies, race, and social context", I explore how these ideologies developed more broadly, analyzing historical language scholarship, again employing elements of raciolinguistic genealogy and metapragmatics. I find that while the linguistic features of 'nonstandard' English have remained remarkably consistent in the popular imagination, they became increasingly linked with Blackness, especially during and after white backlash to the Great Migration (and other cultural and political changes) in the mid-20th century. I argue that this represents a larger pattern in the relationship between language and race in the United States, and conclude with a discussion of the implications this has for adult immigrants and the ESOL classroom. With this dissertation, I aim to fill in gaps in my own syllabi, and to create helpful tools for the educational linguistics classroom. Together, I hope these studies help current and future educators better understand the connection between language norms and racism, and to be aware of the history they are inheriting and also their role in it now, so they can, with their students, imagine and co-create alternatives. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Prevalence of mental health needs, particularly those related to anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation, are on the rise in higher education institutions (Auerbach et al., 2016; Blanco et al., 2008). Research has shown college and university student help-seeking behavior varies by identity and many students are often reluctant to seek support (Oswalt et al., 2020; Rickwood et al., 2007), and yet, there are increasing rates of students seeking counseling supports on college and university campuses (Abrams, 2020; Prince, 2015; Son et al., 2020; Xiao et al., 2017). To support students' mental health needs, creative, preventive mental health care is needed in higher education institutions. The present study is situated within the context of a preventive mental health care intervention for undergraduate students in the form of an optional, universally offered course. The course draws on principles of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance-Commitment Therapy, and Positive Psychology. In order to track intervention efficacy and support generalization and rehearsal of learned skills, students are tasked with using a self-monitoring tool called a diary card. Behavior change literature suggests that self-monitoring is a key factor in goal attainment and can even promote better intervention outcomes (Harkin et al., 2016; Kruglanski et al., 2002). Effective self-monitoring is that which is completed with fidelity, meaning high accuracy and consistency, both of which stand to be improved by technology. Digital formats of self-monitoring are increasingly popular because of their implications for self-monitoring fidelity and social acceptability (Aguilera, 2015; Avina, 2008; Cristol, 2018; Bedesem, 2012; Borntrager & Lyon, 2015; Dennison et al., 2013; Marzano et al., 2015; Melbye et al., 2020; Murnane et al., 2016; Sin et al., 2020; Ysseldyke et al., 2006). However, there remains a lack of robust evidence to support the use of digital self-monitoring tools in mental health interventions. This study adds to existing literature by using quantitative and qualitative methods to further explore the efficacy and social acceptability of a digital diary card used within a preventive mental health course at the university level. Students enrolled in the course were randomly assigned either to the Business as Usual (BAU) paper diary card or the digitally formatted diary card. Multiple regression analysis showed the digital diary card format uniquely predicted lower completion fidelity and social acceptability. Qualitative interviews further revealed students had difficulty with using and submitting the digital diary card, but even in spite of these challenges, would prefer a digital diary card in the future, emphasizing the importance of ease of use and submission in future designs. This paper concludes with recommendations for the design and implementation of a digital self-monitoring tool and directions for future research. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

White individuals can play a key role in the realization of an education policy and can drastically impact how a policy is implemented because of their resources and the status that come with associating with the privileged racial group in the current racial hierarchy that exists in the United States. Several education policies, such as school desegregation and bilingual education, have goals of attaining education equity or targeting services to marginalized student groups, but these policy goals may not be realized when policies are implemented if White individuals' exploit these policies. This dissertation is comprised of three papers that examine White individuals in different policy settings including policies that are designed to intentionally achieve a more diverse student body. In my first paper, I use data from a unique survey experiment conducted in November 2020 informed by interest convergence theory, I aim to understand how different policy frames regarding student benefits influence White individuals' support for a policy that would increase the racial diversity of schools in their community. In my second paper, I conduct interviews with White parents at intentionally diverse charter schools throughout Denver to understand why they chose these schools and how they perceive the diversity of the schools' student body. In my final paper, I employ a mixed methods approach to analyze which students are served by dual language immersion programs in North Carolina. I draw on various theoretical frameworks such as policy framing, colorblindness, diversity ideology, Whiteness as property, and interest convergence theory to illustrate how White individuals make sense of and relate to policies that attempt to integrate students from different backgrounds, while also challenging the initial frames of the policies so accommodate their own interests. These three papers draw on both qualitative and quantitative research methods to examine these behaviors. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The purpose of this study is to understand how women describe their journey to becoming senior leaders within the operations sector of the Paper Manufacturing Industry. This study will provide insights about how women in the male-dominated Paper Manufacturing Industry (PMI) assumed leadership positions. This pre-registered study will offer the framework for this study to be carried out at the University of Arkansas. The researcher will apply a descriptive phenomenological approach that will use semi-structured questions to understand the strategies they used to navigate their career path. Snowball sampling will be used to select 5-15 participants who provide their perceptions and lived experiences to describe the obstacles to advancement faced in the United States PMI, and how they can be overcome. To examine how senior women leaders in the PMI navigate the socio-cultural landscape of a male-dominated field, the following research question will be examined: What strategies do women in the United States PMI use to advance to senior leadership positions within manufacturing operations? [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The current study was conducted to examine undergraduate psychology students' feedback processes associated with developing a research proposal paper. Previous research has investigated how feedback can be effective for student learning, but it has been limited by not considering the effectiveness of multiple, smaller assessments and the frequent feedback provided on them, from both instructors and peers, as students complete a single, larger assignment. It also has been limited by not considering the application of one model of feedback at the postsecondary education level. The case study research design was selected both to describe my students' feedback processes when completing a semester-long assignment and to compare these feedback processes when the feedback was provided by either me or other students. Course-based data, including students' assessments, the feedback provided on them, and their responses to questionnaire items, from two class sections were analyzed using pattern matching within the two cases and cross-case syntheses between the two cases. The findings indicated students' feedback processes were: (1) informing them of the type and level of performance to be attained; (2) helping them to progress and attain the type and level of performance; (3) providing them with information associated with performance; (4) conveying their progress and how they should proceed; (5) impacting student learning; and (6) leading to greater possibilities for student learning. In general, students indicated these processes were more helpful when I provided feedback rather than when other students provided feedback, although most feedback provided by both me and other students was directed at the same levels. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

In recent years, the growing popularity of NPS within the prison system has contributed to the increase in violence, psychotic episodes and self-harm, undermining the rehabilitation of prisoners. A systematic literature review on the detection of NPS in prison settings was carried out to establish an understanding of current research in the field. MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases and the grey literature were consulted in line with the PRISMA-S guidelines leading to the identification of 50 articles which met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed that the most prevalent NPS class reported in prison was synthetic cannabinoids mainly deposited on paper matrices and smuggled through the postal services. Laboratory-based techniques i.e., LC-HRMS/MS and GC-MS were predominantly employed for the detection of NPS. The IMS was the only technique used for in-field analysis, highlighting a gap in knowledge for specific and selective in-field analytical techniques for such samples. Therefore, the aim of the thesis was the development of an extraction method of psychoactive substances from paper samples which can be used to facilitate the development of a minimally invasive, highly sensitive, in-field detection technique of psychoactive substances on such samples. Basic extraction properties of paper impregnated with psychoactive substances were investigated to gain knowledge of the process and the percentage recovery using traditional analytical techniques such as LC-UV-Vis and UPLC-PdA-QDa-MS. An extraction method using simulated paper samples impregnated with paracetamol employed as a model substance was optimised and led to the extraction of 80.1 ± 0.7% of paracetamol, over two consecutive extractions. The extraction method was then applied to simulated paper samples impregnated with a ternary mixture of caffeine + cocaine + THJ-018 and the percentage recovery was calculated at 74.7 ± 1.3%, over one extraction. Qualitative analysis of a seized paper sample from prison was carried out to gain insight into the concentration found on such samples, using corroborative analytical techniques i.e., HPLC-PdA-QDa-MS, GC-MS, and NMR, leading to the identification of 5F-ADB. Following up, 5F-ABD was found on another seized paper sample from prison from the same evidence bag as the previous one and was quantified using an optimised and validated UPLC-PdA-QDA-MS method. Concentrations of 5F-ADB calculated on 39 subunits of the sample after three consecutive extractions ranged between 0.00026-0.055 mg/cm2. Furthermore, the percentage recovery of 5F-ADB from simulated paper samples (n=15) was calculated at three concentrations (C1=20 µL of 1 mg/mL, C2=50 µL of 0.1 mg/mL and C3=10 µL 0.1 mg/mL) over five consecutive extractions, this was found to be 98.7 ± 0.8%. A matrix effect study evaluating five paper matrices impregnated with 5F-ADB was performed, the low RSD calculated over the measurement for each type of paper was of suggested that no matrix effect arises when quantifying 5F-ADB on these specific types of samples. A PCA model was developed to understand if Raman spectra of psychoactive substances and cutting agents/adulterants i.e., 5F-PB-22, amphetamine, benzocaine, caffeine, cocaine, diazepam, and paracetamol, as a single neat reference standard, as neat binary mixtures and as soaked or pipetted on simulated paper samples, could have been discriminated. Good discrimination could be achieved between the spectra of neat psychoactive substances and related adulterant/cutting agents reference standard analysed. Discrimination using PCA of the Raman spectra of mixtures of psychoactive substances and related adulterant/cutting agents reference standard has been proved challenging due to the impact of the orientation of oscillations of light waves of the excitation laser irradiating the molecules and the different Raman scattering properties of the compounds in the mixtures. While most of the paper samples impregnated with psychoactive substances and related adulterant/cutting agents formed a 'mega cluster' in the scores plot near the BP samples, due to the paper background present in the spectra. However, observation of Raman spectra of such samples showed potential for their discrimination. For instance, when the line plot of the psychoactive substances i.e., 5F-PB-22, amphetamine, cocaine and diazepam reference standard pipetted on the simulated paper samples at five concentrations and collected using Raman Rigaku were examined characteristic peaks of the related reference standard were visible at the highest concentration e.g., 5F-PB-22 pipetted on paper at 20 and 15 mg/mL; cocaine pipetted on paper at 60, 40, 35 and 30 mg/mL. Finally, a minimally invasive extraction of 5F-PB-22 from simulated paper samples using agar gel was developed and optimised using Design of Experiments techniques. This was performed to facilitate the development of a minimally invasive, highly sensitive, in-field NPS detection technique. The screening phase performed using a 25 full-factorial design led to the selection of two statistically significant factors in the process i.e., agar concentration and sonication time. The optimisation phase was then carried out using a two-factor CCD, in which the maximum of the AUC was sought. This identified the optimum agar concentration and sonication time at 2% and 10.95 min, respectively. The extraction time, weight applied, and extraction number were fixed at 120 sec, 85 grams, and 2 extractions, respectively. The model was successfully validated by running five confirmation experiments using the same parameters as the optimised conditions. A 99.67% increase in the extraction of 5F-PB-22 from simulated paper samples was achieved (unoptimised vs. optimised process 1.20 ± 0.09% vs. 2.36 ± 0.19%). Furthermore, the optimised extraction method has also been successfully applied to a seized paper sample known to contain 5F-ADB.

Cost effectiveness is one of the crucial key factors driving the shipping and trading industry. Nowadays global trade involves multiple parties and sectors across international borders, and numerous paper transport documents, such as paper bills of lading (pBLs), are handled and disseminated around the world. With the advent of digital technology, electronic solutions are arguably ripe for the replacement of pBLs. The key benefits of using an electronic bill of lading have long been identified as the speed of transfer, the avoidance of external costs and removal of need to use Letters of Indemnity. As an alternative to the transfer of physical endorsements, electronic bills of lading (eBLs) are processed and transferred automatically by a computer system that constructs the information electronically using agreed standards. However, the journey of promoting eBLs is not all smooth sailing. Despite the growing number of private and public projects and initiatives during the past 40 years, the maritime world has yet seen the dawn of the electronic age. On the contrary, pBLs remain a staple in international trade, despite years of criticism over delays, costs and security risks. This thesis seeks to identify the underlying reasons for the stagnation in the development of this key legal document. It will demonstrate that, apart from the technical challenges, the real impediment to a true replacement of the pBL is the formidable legal challenges in reproducing the three principal functions of the antique paper-based trade document, for which the existing paperless implementations have failed to provide anything but a piecemeal solution. In coming to this finding, the thesis will also examine the effectiveness of the various legislative efforts, both nationally and internationally, to address the legal issues identified in the thesis. Finally, the author will attempt to speculate on the trends and prospects of the evolution of eBLs in the light of the observations submitted in the thesis.

A bank under a letter of credit transaction is always expected to become a pledgee on the goods which are the subject of the transaction by holding the related bills of lading. However, the process of creating a pledge in a letter of credit transaction is much more complicated than a mere delivery of a bill of lading, and there are many inherent factors that might impair a bank's ability to become a pledgee on bills of lading. These factors are deeply associated with the mechanism of letters of credit and the characteristics of bills of lading. Some of these factors were identified in the authorities in decades ago; but since then, they have been overlooked by both English courts and academia; meanwhile, some have been being misunderstood for many years. These factors have existed as a risk to a bank's security for a long time and would continue to act as a threat when paper bills of lading are replaced by electronic bills of lading (eB/Ls). This thesis aims to identify these factors and examine the impacts thereof on bank's position under letter of credit transactions. Also, it evaluates how the usage of eB/Ls to replace paper bills of lading will change the bank's position, especially in the occurrence of the factors mentioned above; last but not least, it proposes suggestions for lawmakers to address the risks brought by these factors, in the context of both the paper world and the digital world. Through examining each stage of pledging a bill of lading associated with the performance of the parties in a sale of goods transaction, the thesis identifies the following factors that affect (or are assumed to affect) a bank's security under a letter of credit: first, goods have been discharged before a sellers' tender of bills of lading; secondly, the ownership in the goods has passed to buyers before sellers' tender of bills of lading; thirdly, sellers have not intended to transfer constructive possession to banks through their transfer of bills of lading or sellers have not indorsed their bills of lading properly (if necessary) to banks; fourthly, buyers fraudulently dispose of the pledged bills of lading, which are previously redelivered by banks against a trust receipt. From the detailed discussion on these factors, it concludes that banks' position under letter of credit transactions is less secured than it appears and that the impact of the replacement of paper bills of lading with eB/Ls on banks' position will vary depending on types of electronic-bills-of-lading platforms used. To deal with these factors, the thesis proposes that more certainty and clarity in the law are necessary, especially the law of bills of lading as well as the law of pledge; moreover, more preparation in legal infrastructure is required before entering the digital context.

Sport nutrition is a fast growing discipline within sport science with many sports team now employing a sport nutritionist on either a full or part time basis. Despite this growth in the discipline, and a resultant abundance of sport nutrition literature, often the literature can be inappropriately implemented in practice or even worse ignored. This is particularly dangerous in sport nutrition given the risks to health, performance and the anti-doping risks inherent in the sport nutrition discipline. To help the sport nutritionist in practice we initially developed a framework termed 'Paper to Podium (Chapter 1). This framework then provides the basis of the thesis by presenting operational guidance for practitioners to critically evaluate the translational potential of sport nutrition research to practice and provide a time efficient protocol for practitioners to appraise research and inform practice. Once the framework had been developed, this thesis via publication splits into two main themes based upon two major roles of the Sports Nutritionist in applied practice. The first theme, presented in Chapter 2, is based around current tools for measuring energy intake, energy expenditure and body composition and resulted in 4 publications. The first publication demonstrates that the practical ways in which applied practitioners often estimate energy intake is not necessarily a valid or reliable measure in practice, despite the experience of the practitioner or the simplicity of the meal. This was particularly timely given the growing use of the term 'Gold Standard' to describe the 'Snap-n-Send' method. The second manuscript focusses upon the estimation of energy expenditure in free living athletes. Here we utilise a joint measure of heart rate and accelerometery to assess the energy requirements of golf, as previous research had failed to do this accurately. We found that prior literature significantly over-estimated the energy expended across a round of golf suggesting a MET value in excess of that reported during jogging. This manuscript highlighted the importance of using the most appropriate measurement tool in as close to real conditions as possible as well as highlighting the dangers associated with poor measurement techniques and is already being used to prescribe more accurate diets to elite professional golfers. The third publication focusses upon the assessment of body composition within an applied model using a weight-making athlete. Here we observed large discrepancies in body composition data dependent on the selected assessment method. Specifically, we found that some methods (e.g. DEXA) were more effected than others (skinfold thickness) during acute and chronic weight loss and rapid regain. This observation led to the fourth publication in this chapter, which involved a review of the available methods for measuring body composition in practice including novel insights from DEXA scans on professional athletes. Publications derived from Theme 1 had a number of practical implications, such as informing CPD sessions of sporting organisations for their practitioners, direct changes to practitioner planning of nutritional interventions, and changes to the body composition collection practices, especially for larger athletes or those where ideal operating conditions could not be controlled. Having assessed and appraised some of the field field-based tools available to nutrition practitioners, theme 2 provides guidance on supplementation practices and procedures for applied practitioners (Chapter 3) and resulted in a further 5 publications. Advice surrounding supplementation is required by nutritionists daily, however due to the stigma surrounding supplementation, a growing 'food-only' approach is being advocated by many organisations, where supplementation is deemed somewhat taboo. The first publication provides a commentary to introduce a 'food-first but not food-only' framework for advising supplements to athletes and forms the basis of the resultant papers in this chapter. The second publication investigates a common practice reportedly used by both team sport athletes to avoid bloating as well as well as weight-making athletes aiming to 'train-low'. This study used the 'Paper to Podium' Framework to design an ecological model to test the hypothesis that carbohydrate mouth rinse combined with caffeine had a benefit on decrements to performance that athletes may experience when restricting carbohydrates or fluids. The third publication investigates another practice that many athletes commonly participate in, oral nicotine use (e.g. snus). As such, we felt the need to produce a short review with the aim of educating athletes and support staff as to the current landscape of oral tobacco use in sport. We highlight the lack of data on snus and that the data available suggests detrimental effects to health and performance and therefore should not be advised in practice. Contrary to snus, cannabidiol (CBD) is a supplement that has a number of proposed benefits, however, although observed first- hand by authors, it was important to first review its prevalence within sport. The fourth article presented within this theme assesses the prevalence, awareness of inadvertent doping, and rationale for CBD use in rugby. We found that players supplemented with CBD in a quest for pain relief despite the apparent risk of inadvertent doping. As the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) prohibits all cannabinoids other than CBD, we thought it pertinent to understand the effects of the whole cannabinoid profile on performance. The final publication of the thesis concentrates on reviewing the existing evidence for the physiological effects of cannabis, THC and CBD on sporting performance. The manuscripts presented in Theme 2 have been used in a number of key note conference addresses educating academics and practitioners, adopted by organisations to form the basis of position stands, and applied directly within the elite sporting environment. Having set the goal of answering some of the key questions that arise daily within applied practice, I can reflect that this novel approach to conducting a PhD allowed me to focus on answering these key sport-nutrition questions, whilst also guiding other practitioner's, researcher's and student's practice. Taken together, the publications presented within the current thesis have helped shape applied practice, educate practitioners and academics, and have had direct impact within the real-world of elite sport in a number of ways highlighted throughout. There is a need for 'fast' research and Researcher-Practitioners based predominantly in applied environments as these publications can often help bridge the gap between science and practice.

The research follows questions arising from a scientific illustration of asbestos, once part of the paper museum of Cassiano dal Pozzo (1646 ca.). As a physical object, capable of perceptually illustrating the filamentous nature of the mineral through a noticeable lint textured sheet, the illustration invites consideration of the scope of the fibre-made medium of paper. What brought paper to be so finely adopted by Cassiano as an expressive tool? What understanding did users have of the substance they used? To what extent did paper contribute to the development of the contents it carried? The aim of the thesis is to present a new, material-focused narrative of paper history in the contexts of Italy and England. In particular, the thesis explores the engagement of the learned and craftsmen with paper as a pervasive substance, in connection with a crucial phase of scientific and technological development between the end of the 16th and the 18th centuries. The project moves away from the conventional ground of paper history and embraces a broader perspective offered by the theories and methodology of material culture. It derives evidence from and within objects, including adopting an ethnographic approach to study papermakers’ understanding of fibres, a topic largely inaccessible through archival sources. The argument develops across three main instances of material engagement of the scholarly world and workshop practices with paper: using, looking, and making. It aims to demonstrate how each of these, with different modalities and contexts, mobilized thought, engendering the articulation of knowledge. The first instance of the material engagement with paper focuses on its instrumental function and delineates a significant transition from the artisanal practice to that of the scientific community. By looking in particular at nature prints and herbaria as epistemic objects, the analysis traces a progression in the adoption of that versatile material technology for visualization, from the development of textual and figurative contents to the physical inclusion of actual specimens. The second instance, on the visual engagement, addresses the rising awareness of paper as a fibrous matter within the new scientific interest for fibres among the learned. From the earliest appearance of paper samples in the cabinets of curiosity to the observations of Bacon and the Linceans, the section reveals how such scrutiny into paper’s matter prompted questions regarding the theoretical framework of the artificial/natural dichotomy, stimulating the emerging understanding of organic physiology in early modern Europe. The third aspect investigates the technique of papermaking as an applied process of knowledge production. The material cognition of paper is explored through the different perspectives of naturalists, who accessed paper mills as an empirical means to investigate fibrous substances, and papermakers, depositaries of dynamic and long accrued insights into the fibres’ functional properties. As a whole, the thesis demonstrates that, between the 17th and 18th centuries in Italy and England, engagement with paper did not simply end with the embrace of a technology, although complex. As a heuristic tool, with its substance of meshed fibres, paper became crucially ingrained in the same advancement of knowledge to which it was making a significant contribution as the principal material for books. The thesis thus outlines a vital involvement of the spheres of art and science with the material of paper: one that engendered knowledge in a mutual progression. While the new scientific observation into living matter and the nature of fibres helped driving the artisanal process of papermaking, the latter supported scholars in their journey of discovery. As a result, the consequence of such exchange shaped the development along with the material landscape of European civilization itself.

Voids, Choreographing Exhibitions, the exhibition of a film, The Anti-Museum, and Gustav Metzger, Writings 1953 - 2016. It is through the prism of emptiness, choreography, cinema, dialectic antagonism and an artist's corpus of writings that these experimental publications propose a redefinition of the semantics involved. They foster new theoretical and practical perspectives through the exploration of extreme philosophies and cultural practices. These publications deconstruct the normative acceptations of what exhibitions, and catalogues, can be. Advancing extreme forms for exhibitions, these manifest anthologies are calls for action. In addressing their inherent materialities, I challenge the tacitly accepted theories of what to curate is. A curator is in turn and simultaneously a playwright, a choreographer, a filmmaker, a writer, a historian, (...). A curator voices a voice, as s-he builds a repertoire. Considering exhibitions as materials, Voids and The Anti-Museum stem from a history of radical exhibitions. Both offer a re-appraisal of modern and contemporary art history seen through the prism of radical culture. Seizing the materiality of exhibitions, Choreographing Exhibitions recast exhibition-making in museum contexts, whilst the exhibition of a film challenges the museology of cinema and exhibitions made films. Gustav Metzger, Writings 1953 - 2016 offers a lasting testimony to a revolutionary artist, a radical theorist, and critic of our times. Metzger consciously produced sparingly. The accumulated wealth of his writing is akin to proposing a retrospective of his work in its original materiality, an art of propositions. The red thread that binds these publications together is a study in radicality. Uncompromising attitudes as forms, radical exhibitions as books and a complete re-materialisation of forms: all affirm a voice as a polyphony of voices. As Manifest Paper Exhibitions, these publications comprise a complex autonomous entity of manifest positions where the exhibition is the catalogue, and the catalogue is the exhibition.

A single-subject, combined multiple-baseline-across-participants and ABC study was conducted to examine the functional relation between a traditional paper-based graphic organizer (PBGO) and a computer-based graphic organizer (CBGO) with technological enhancements (audio-prompting comments and text-to-speech) intervention and the improvements in persuasive essay writing by upper elementary students. Participants for the study were four fourth and fifth-grade students with either an Emotional-Behavioral Disorder (EBD) or mild Autism in two socioeconomically disadvantaged rural schools. Dependent variables included total number of words written, number of sentences, number of transition words, and holistic writing quality of the overall essay. Students' engagement with the PBGO and CBGO, including the audio prompts and text-to-speech tools, was analyzed. The results indicated that students tended to engage with more parts of the CBGO than PBGO. Additionally, the results indicated that students were apt to utilize the technology enhancements in the CBGO. Visual analysis of data and calculations of effect sizes using PND and PEM were completed. The analyses indicated no evidence of a functional relation between the PBGO intervention and all the measures and moderate evidence of a functional relation between the CBGO intervention and all the measures. Social validity of the PBGO and CBGO was assessed at the end of the study through semi-structured student interviews and analyzed using qualitative analysis. Most students reported finding the computer-based graphic organizer (CBGO) intervention more helpful than the paper-based graphic organizer (PBGO) and shared positive perceptions of the CBGO and use of audio prompts. Implications, limitations and directions for future research are discussed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Assessments are some of the most common tools used to evaluate student learning. While exams have always been a part of evaluating how well students learn and retain information, the most effective way to administer them has always been debated. However, remarkably few studies have compared online and paper testing, and even fewer have examined such assessments in the field of computer science. This quantitative study aimed to determine whether differences exist in the performance of computer science students between open-book exams administered via paper and those administered online. Examining the different levels of Webb's Depth of Knowledge guided the investigation. Exam data from 258 and 243 students who took exams in-person and online, respectively, were collected and analyzed by using the Mantel-Haenszel test and calculating the common odds ratio. This study determined that no statistically significant difference existed in performance between students who took examinations face-to-face and those who took them online. In terms of implications, this study's findings can be considered evidence that assessments for a course can be performed in-person or online without sacrificing the quality of the course or the assessment. Future research is recommended to replicate this study in other disciplines, in different timeframes when online pedagogy is more commonly adopted, at different community colleges, and at different 4-year universities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The relationship between computer-based and paper-based testing may vary. Students with special needs may or may not perform better on computer-based testing compared to paper-based testing. Over the past few decades, computers and technology have increased in society and in classrooms. The use of technology has increased during the era of the pandemic. The three articles in this dissertation are designed to discuss the importance, benefits, and the relationship between special needs students while utilizing computer-based testing vs paper-based. The first article, "Relationship Between Computer-based and the Traditional Paper-based Testing in Special Education: Correlational Study." This article studies the relationship technology has endured with special needs students. The quantitative study describes the background information on different testing modes and their effects on student performance. Research suggests that paper-based testing is the preferred method of testing for special education students. The second article, "The Use of Technology in Reading Comprehension for Special Needs Students and Struggling Readers," studies the relationship between computer-based and paper-based testing to measure reading comprehension for special-needs students. It is designed to provide background information on whether computer-based testing will show significant growth in reading comprehension. The third article is titled "Reading Components and Theories Aligned to Computer-Based Testing." This article focuses on learning theories and reading components for the successful evaluation of alignment with computer-based testing. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Administration and scoring of cognitive assessments have evolved from a paper-based platform to a digital format. Since this advancement, Pearson has created a system (Q-interactive) that allows examiners to administer the WISC-V via two iPads. However, limited research exists exploring the effects of this new method of administration when compared to the traditional format of the WISC-V. The Wechsler scales have a Verbal Comprehension Index that has historically been shown to be prone to examiner errors given that scoring can be subjective and requires clinical judgment and the recording of lengthy responses. This study aimed to assess whether there is a difference in the total number of errors between administrations of the traditional and the digital formats of the WISC-V. A total of 22 paper and 38 digital WISC-V Similarities and Vocabulary protocols completed by practicing school psychologists were collected. Consistent with previous literature, errors were common. Further, digital protocols had significantly more errors than the traditional format. This was mostly due to recording errors, specifically failing to record verbatim responses, as well as failing to query when needed. On both formats, school psychologists frequently failed to record verbatim responses, failed to query, and assigned an incorrect point value to a response. Limitations of the study as well as implications, recommendations, and future research are discussed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Carbon-based nanostructures are receiving increasing attention over the past two decades due to their outstanding multi-functional features. However, the macro-scale structural applications of these nanostructures have not yet come to full fruition due to the involvement of complex multi-scale computations and manufacturing. Recently, the research community has started investigating macroscopic paper formats of graphene and carbon nanotubes (PFGCN). The PFGCNs include graphene paper and buckypaper. The buckypaper is a membrane composed of a network of bundles of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), or a mixture of both. The graphene paper is also a macroscopic membrane composed of a network of graphene nanosheets. The current thesis thrives on advancing the science and technology of PFGCN by focusing on three goals. The first goal is to perform a thorough statistical analysis of the mechanical properties of PFGCN. The second goal is to conduct a computational bridging of different length scales involving six levels in the range of nano to macro-scale behaviour concerning PFGCN composites. The third goal is to demonstrate the compatibility of the PFGCN with an engineering product. The statistical analysis has reviewed 600 research papers to examine the mechanical properties of PFGCN and its associated composite materials. The data spanning 20 years of research has been quantitatively and qualitatively presented here, with the aid of statistical tabulations and Ashby plots. Mainly, the influence of geometry and chemistry of PFGCN on mechanical properties has been investigated. To address the second goal, the multi-length scale simulations consider sequential carbon derivatives at six levels, involving graphene, SWCNT, MWCNT, CNT bundle, buckypaper and buckypaper composite automotive components. The multi-scale simulations are based on a coupled atomistic-continuum modelling approach for multilevel simulations. At the macro-scale, an industry-relevant multi-material composite automotive component has been investigated, wherein the buckypaper is proposed to be embedded involving sheet moulding compound (SMC) and carbon prepreg. The simulations have led to the determination of mechanical properties at each carbon-based material level and their mutual dependence. To address the third goal, a detailed numerical analysis as per the industry regulations has been carried out on the PFGCN embedded automotive component. The numerical results demonstrate that a buckypaper composite can enhance the durability and vibrational performance with respect to conventional monolithic metallic designs while reducing the component weight. Such outcomes lead to the realization that carbon-based nanostructural derivative in the form of buckypaper can significantly improve the mechanical properties of advanced lightweight structural components as reinforcements for the next generation of aerospace and automotive structures.

This research establishes an original clay form - a clay page - that stands apart from traditional clay-based archetypes such as the vessel, the figurine and the tile. The surface treatment and the presentation of the new clay page, formed from porcelain paperclay, all correspond with the language of the paper page. My research asks how this new physical clay page can be developed, and what it might mean. These questions are examined by conducting practice-based investigations. In the studio, the primary research involves tests and compositions in which the clay page corresponds with international paper sizes and the characteristics of the paper page, such as thinness, flatness and lightness. Outside the studio, the research engages in wayfaring (as theorised by Ingold) predominantly in the urban environment of the UK; information is recorded using a camera and brought back to the studio. Layers of coloured slip and glaze are applied to the clay page surface to construct abstract compositions that respond to the clay page form, and which reflect wayfaring. The clay pages are then composed into a group, using the grid, and are presented on the wall. My research explores repetition and variation; grids and edges; borders and framing; levels and layers; lightness and minimality; the ordinary and the everyday; colour and spatial organisation; series and progressions; arrangement and rearrangement; temporality and flexibility. It involves an ethos of working in a self-sufficient manner. The meaning of the clay page and its surface is interpreted as a story of the self, finding a place in the world, seeking joy and freedom within a framework of restricted order and balancing tensions, elevating ordinary, everyday experiences into the extraordinary. The interplay of subject, object and place is grounded in Modernist abstraction and colour theory (Itten) and later theoretical frameworks of the grid (Krauss), the parergon (Derrida) and the overlooked (Bryson). Besides fine art and anthropology, secondary research also draws on poetry, economic theory, philosophy and ceramics. Continual processes of making and material thinking, alone in the street and the studio, are the means by which the new clay archetype develops. Through these collective research procedures, the clay page achieves the aim of the title: a new dimension to the language of ceramics. The research expands the potential of paperclay, ceramic practice and its theorisation, and will be of interest to both specialist and interdisciplinary constituencies.

Literature Review: The literature suggests that many adolescents with sexual offence histories (AWSOHs) have experienced adversity in their childhood which significantly impacted their psychosocial development. This review sought to systematically appraise the literature of 3 major data bases to explore to what extent maladaptive psychosocial development mediates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and sexual offending in adolescents. Studies that met criteria were assessed for quality, summarised and critically evaluated; 10 papers were included for the final review. Three key findings were that emotion dysregulation (anxiety and depression), attachment (insecure) and development of offence themed fantasies mediate the relationship between childhood adversity and sexual offending in adolescence. Some papers were able to demonstrate whether and to what extent these variables mediate the relationship. Due to the methodological weaknesses of some studies, however, it is unclear how and to what extent the factors discussed in their papers mediate the relationship. The authors of the studies make suggestions for how the link could be mediated; these are evaluated in this review. The findings are discussed in the context of attachment theory and the stages of psychosocial development. The review is consistent with previous literature proposing etiological causes for sexual offending and pathways to offending. Implications for clinical practice include considerations for risk assessment, preventative measures in school and health environments and treatment options for adolescents. Future directions could include completing a qualitative review to add to this quantitative review and improving on previous methodology to make firmer conclusions. Empirical Paper: The evidence base suggests many persons with sexual offence histories (PWSOHs) have experienced adversity in their childhood. This study sought to explore the narratives of these individuals and how they believe adversity impacted on their offending behaviour. 12 men in the community who had childhood adversity, a sexual offence history and treatment within the prison and probation service volunteered to share their story. Key narratives elicited included: experiences of relationships, the absence of gendered socialisation, the internal struggle, the problem with current treatment and wider attitudes and moral issues. This analysis provides support for the developmental psychopathological perspective that suggests adversity and trauma directly impacts psychosocial and psychosexual development, creating a catalyst for later offending behaviour. Clinical implications include a need for change in societal attitudes to improve access to preventative support for at risk individuals, improved 1:1 therapy access for PWSOHs and a need for a trauma informed approach in prisons and probation. Strengths, limitations and future directions are considered. Future directions include conducting similar interviews in a prison population to explore contrasts and comparisons to the narratives from this study.

Paper-based electrode sensors are low-cost, biodegradable and easy to fabricate, and are usually developed for single-use detection, to avoid cleaning and cross-contamination. Nanomaterials have gained wide interest as key components for paper-based electrode sensors, as they can be easily deposited onto paper substrates. The aim of this research is to prepare a water-based multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) ink for paper-based electrode sensor fabrication using a home inkjet printer (Canon PIXMA TS205). Different MWCNTs ink formulations were studied to identify the most compatible inks for inkjet printing. Pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalised with a carboxylic acid group mixed with sodium dodecyl sulphate provided the optimum homogeneity with high electrical conductivity and compatibility with the inkjet printer. This formulation was used to fabricate the MWCNTs-based electrode sensor on Whatman filter paper. However, one of the major challenges with paper-based sensors is water absorption by the paper substrate, making it inappropriate for multiple uses. Three types of coating, perflourocyclobutane (PFC), acrylic acid (AA) and allylamine (AAm), were plasma polymerised onto the paper substrate to enhance the paper substrate stability and electrode sensor performance. The purpose of using PFC is to make the paper substrate surface hydrophobic, to prevent water absorption that may degrade the electrode sensor, while AA and AAm are plasma polymerised to induce hydrophilicity to the surface of PFC-coated filter paper for MWCNTs printing and electrode sensor fabrication. The success of the plasma polymerisation technique and improved performance of the sensor was confirmed using a range of analytical techniques. This PhD project foreshadows the future development of paper-based sensors with high durability and enhanced performance.

It is known that numerous studies have been conducted to understand properties of European papers, and to explore impact of additives on paper stability, while little attention has been paid to starch effect on Chinese paper. To narrow this knowledge gap, case studies were conducted using contemporary unsized Xuan paper and 19th-20th-century Tibetan manuscripts, as wheat starch is often used as glue in conservation mounting treatment for Xuan paper-based artifacts and in preparation of laminated Tibetan paper sheets. Firstly, a series of characterisation was conducted to explore material properties for the two types of papers, proper alkaline reserve, neutral pH and degree of polymerisation (DP) at ~2000, no appreciable amount of transition metals, all indicate good stability for both paper types. Also, glue content, i.e., starch and protein content, was successfully measured in paper materials for the first time. Durability of the representative papers (selection based on the above results) was then explored by carrying out thermal and light degradation experiments. The results indicate that degradation of the two types of papers proceed in the same way as western papers, principally guided by paper pH, temperature, and relative humidity of the environment. Subsequently, starting from keeping heritage collections intact, non-invasive near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate analysis, was used to gain insights into its applicability on quantitative and qualitive analyses for both starch-free and starch-treated papers. The results indicate that partial least squares (PLS) regression using NIR spectra is feasible to predict paper properties and that NIR spectroscopy coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) can be used to successfully distinguish starch-free and starch-treated paper materials. The obtained results are expected to give knowledge and reference support for achieving effective and scientific conservation management in a long run for heritage institutions.

My research focuses on how to overcome the resistance of language in addressing military-related trauma. Additionally, how can the narrative be stopped from slipping between the lines and sinking without trace? By transforming trauma into testimony, the healing narrative creates a valuable weight of words. My epistolary novel, The Paper Talisman, highlights the psychological battle between the suppression of military trauma versus the need for disclosure. The dilemma is analogised by applying Hemingway's Iceberg Theory, whereby the conspicuous events of wartime are evidenced as the visibly surfaced tip of the iceberg, with the resultant trauma suppressed beneath the surface as an untold narrative, represented by the submerged remainder of the iceberg, This underlying dialogue was rudimental to Hemingway's theory, the implicit narrative instrumental in illuminating the story. Critically, however, dependent upon the subjective interpretation of the reader, the intended intimation of the concealed narrative - if overly oblique - may fail or be misconstrued. My creative artefact is an innovational novel, representing a fresh take on the classic epistolary form. The story is narrated not solely through the abiding use of letters but includes a broad anthology of old and modern techniques of communication and information sharing. This methodology incorporates traditional elements of letter writing and personal diaries/journals, but also includes e-mails, text messages, transcripts, social media posts, and exercises in therapeutic writing. The accompanying Commentary, The Weight of Words, furthers the theoretical concept of 'cognitive-offloading' by introducing the notion of a trauma-conduit, a therapeutic means of unburdening traumatic memory into a written self-testimony. The artefact is then transferred to a technological and metaphorical point of safe storage for future recall, thereby enabling a process of healing to be initiated.

From the moment of its first publication in March 1836, Charles Dickens's first serial novel The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (1836-37) was re-purposed extensively by the newspaper press. From acting as innocuous filler material, to making strategic political statements, Pickwick was used in a variety of rich and tactical ways: it was plundered for its anecdotes, which were liberally excerpted for literary and 'Varieties' columns; its characters and scenes were adapted to form political commentaries; and it was disguised as spurious news items or self-help pieces under new headings. Its individual scenes and characters became familiar bywords for both journalists and readers, deployed and absorbed as part of political discussion and debate, and appearing in a wealth of different columns - from leaders and letters to the editor, to reports of public readings and political gatherings. This project examines the motivations behind and impact of this extensive journalistic phenomenon, reading Pickwick's remediation as a valuable index to a considerable and critically understudied area of nineteenth-century media history. Crucially, the thesis demonstrates that literature can be found at the very heart of newspapers' political strategies, as in their columns they carved out political identities both for themselves and for their communities of active readers. Using a replicable, data-driven methodology, the thesis examines digitised newspapers in the British Newspaper Archive in order to draw new connections between the literary, journalistic and political realms. In doing so, it reads Pickwick's words and tropes as rhetorical devices that were successfully mobilised in, and that drew together, all three of these spheres, as part of a networked, trans-genre debate. The project brings new material to light, including previously uncatalogued reviews and excerpts, evidence of dozens of public readings for which Pickwick became part of a programme of entertainment or education, and two politically strategic newspaper adaptations of the serial that have as yet eluded critical notice. Across its three chapters, which respectively examine the excerpting, adaptation and evocation of Pickwick both during its initial serialisation and throughout Dickens's lifetime, the project questions what the re-use of Pickwick in the newspaper press can tell us about the role played by popular literature in nineteenth-century political discourse; in what ways the serial's style and structure influenced the nature and extent of its use in the press; and how attention to journalistic remediation can nuance our understanding of Dickens's relationship with the reception of his works.

Literature review: The Role of Inter-goal Conflict in Depressive Symptomatology: A Systematic Review Objective: Intra-psychic conflict underpins theories of motivation; however, its mechanisms and correlates remain poorly understood. Goals represent a broad category of motivational constructs which are conceptualised hierarchically, according to their specificity (level of abstraction), from low-level, action-oriented, goal-tasks to high-level, organising values. The goals literature has investigated the links between inter-goal conflict and a broad range of outcomes, including depression, well-being and psychopathology. This review set out to synthesise existing evidence for a relationships between inter-goal conflict and depressive symptoms. Method: Studies exploring the relationship between inter-goal conflict and depression in adults were selected from multi-disciplinary and subject-specific databases, published prior to the 20th of March 2021. A systematic search yielded 122 records with 79 non-duplicated results. Screening of 28 full-text publications led to 10 eligible studies, from which data were synthesised in narrative form. Results: The evidence reviewed indicates that inter-goal conflict is positively correlated with depressive symptoms in adults, although findings were mixed and longitudinal studies did not support a causal association. Effect sizes of eligible studies ranged from small to medium, with some controlling for covariates. Studies were predominantly cross-sectional; therefore, scope for casual inference was limited. Conclusions: At present, evidence supporting the hypothesis that inter-goal conflict is associated with depressive symptoms in adults is modest. More longitudinal investigations are needed to determine the presence and direction of causality. Construct specificity, implicit motivation and rumination also require further investigation to understand their relationship to inter-goal conflict and depression. Empirical paper: The Relationship Between Intrapersonal Goal-Value Conflict and Depressive Symptomatology Background: Intrapsychic goal-conflict underpins classical and contemporary theories of motivation; however, its mechanisms and correlates remain poorly understood. Motivational conflict is associated with a broad range of outcomes, including depression, well-being and psychopathology. It is hypothesised that rumination mediates the link between cognitive-motivational conflict and depression. To date, research has focused on horizontal conflict between motivational constructs with similar specificity. Little is known about vertical relationships between motivational constructs with divergent specificity. Values are thought to be central to conceptions of personal identity because they serve as high-level, organising reference points for low-level action-oriented goal constructs; thus, clarifying vertical relationships may shed light on the mechanisms of depression, well-being and psychopathology. The present study investigated the relationship between goal-value conflict and depressive symptoms with rumination hypothesised as a partial mediator of the relationship. Method: This cross-sectional, correlational study recruited a non-clinical, unselected sample of 218 adult participants from the student population of Exeter University. Participants were assessed on measures of depressive symptomatology, rumination, personal strivings, values and goal-value conflict using matrix methods. Trait rumination and striving importance were entered as covariates in the mediation analysis. Results: A significant association was not found between striving-value conflict and depressive symptomatology. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with trait and striving rumination; however, striving rumination was not found to mediate a relationship between goal-value conflict and depression. On average, participants reported harmony between strivings and values. Conclusions: Striving-value conflict was not found to be a significant factor in depression or goal rumination. This could be due to values being abstract and, therefore, not action-oriented, or because unmeasured implicit motivational factors were at play. Future research should explore the role of both construct specificity and implicit cognition in goal-value relationships, rumination and depression.

A transdisciplinary archival project, this dissertation uses counter-institutional student literacies emanating out of the City University of New York (CUNY) in the 1990s--placing them within much bigger political, educational, and geographic contexts--to think through the dynamics of ground-up resistance in the face of profound, institutionally sanctioned raced-classed dispossession. In this decade, New York and the US were marked by increased racial-economic inequality, notably via intensified policing and incarceration in Black/brown neighborhoods alongside cuts to public resources like schooling. As the city's only public college option, serving mostly multilingual, low-income students of color, CUNY was especially targeted by such budget cuts. Most vulnerable were programs, such as "basic writing," supporting minoritized students accepted via Open Admissions, a 1970 policy won by Black/Puerto Rican student organizers guaranteeing college admission for all New Yorkers. Yet budgetary attacks culminated in the policy's 1999 reversal, and a move toward a more exclusionary CUNY. In response to these classist, ableist, xenophobic, and anti-Black policy shifts on and off campus, multiracial, cross-institutional student activist coalitions organized and spoke out, turning to grassroots rhetorical practices to do so. Across varied student-run publications--feminist zines, radical newspapers, hip-hop literacies, organizing materials, early blogs--"The Act of the Paper" traces these students' insurgent rhetorics to re-write a more just education system and world, and the ways that they cultivate community and activist praxis through writing. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

For over a century, liquid and solid insulations have been widely used in high voltage power transformers. Degradation of paper insulation and the loss of its insulation integrity are one of the major causes for transformer failure. This has stimulated research into the ageing of paper insulation and led to the development of ageing indicators. An ageing indicator is a detectable parameter whose value is directly linked to the state of transformer paper insulation. This thesis is devoted to an experimental investigation of the behaviour of low molecular weight chemicals in the thermally accelerated ageing process of Kraft paper. A particular focus is directed towards acidity as a paper ageing indicator. Although acidity is a well-known indicator for assessing the ageing condition of the transformer liquid, only more recent studies found that acidity is mainly made up of short and long chain carboxylic acids. The short chain acids, otherwise known as low molecular weight acids (LMA), play a significant role in the paper ageing. In this thesis, a perfectly sealed oil-paper ageing system was designed and developed. The proposed test and measurement strategy uses oil samples of 10 ml and paper samples of 0.5 g. The perfectly sealed samples completely eliminate mass exchange between the samples and their environment, allowing the realization of strict ageing conditions. Additionally, specific array formations are used to enable a uniform thermal ageing environment for a large number of samples to be aged concurrently. A high extraction efficiency of LMA from transformer liquid, containing a mixture of LMA and HMA (high molecular weight acids), has been achieved by the development and use of a water based acid extraction system that uses Erlenmeyer flasks equipped with internal mixers. An LMA detection efficiency of >80% for synthetic ester fluid and >90% for mineral was achieved for LMA concentrations as low as 0.017 mg KOH/g of liquid. The change of LMA concentration during the ageing process of Kraft paper at an elevated temperature of 130 °C in two types of transformer liquids with different initial conditions were systematically measured in parallel to the measurement of moisture, 2-FAL and methanol concentrations. This enabled the study of the ageing process from different angles based on experimental results. Results from samples with different ageing durations show that LMA are produced from the ageing of Kraft paper. The LMA concentration in mineral oil and synthetic ester is different because of the polar nature of the latter, but the liquid LMA concentration is strongly coupled to the change in degree of polymerization (DP) of the paper, providing pivotal evidence for the development of LMA concentration in liquid as a transformer paper ageing indicator. The effect of the presence of excessive LMA in transformer liquids was also studied. It was shown that an initial LMA-rich ageing environment (with formic acid of 0.4 mg KOH/g added to the liquid) greatly accelerates the ageing of Kraft paper, by a factor of 5 for mineral oil and 2 for synthetic ester. The lower ageing acceleration factor of LMA in synthetic ester manifests its ability to mitigate the catalytic effect of LMA in paper ageing.

Passports, IDs, and related identification documents are powerful objects: redrawing borders on bodies and projecting states onto people, the documents we (do not) hold define how we become known in the public arena, which privileges and obligations we (do not) hold, and what our official status is in the societies in which we exist. This reality gives rise to what I call the passport paradigm, wherein the governance of basic rights, mobility, and belonging is enacted by identity qua documentary form. Yet why and how have documentary identifiers become so consequential? And what do those who use them and those who make them want from these documents? Drawing on a multi-scalar, object-oriented ethnographic approach, I trace these questions across the lifeworlds of various groups shaping and experiencing the documentary regime in Germany as well as on the supra-national level. The constituencies portrayed range from border guards and document experts, regulators and passport manufacturers, to normal people navigating the passport paradigm. Across these different groups the roles, meanings, and consequences of documents fluctuate, leaving us with the realisation that the devices we use to stabilise identity do not hold a fixed identity of their own. The only continuity to be found, it appears, is the inherent fallibility of the identificatory project itself. Notwithstanding, a consensus that identification documents do work persists among all studied groups. What to make of this? I suggest that the fluid quality of identification documents, reflected in their changing roles, renders them an effective Ersatz in the fulfilment of the often-contradictory desires pervading the administrative system. This Ersatz-quality - identification documents' ability to stand in for a large number of wants and functions - is crucial to their long-term prevalence and intense consequentiality for it enables an identificational realism in which any identificatory failures - social, technical, political - are eventually absorbed and transformed by the system into a demand for more of it. In a world in which identification technologies, both documentary and digital, gain increasing currency in ever more dimensions of daily life and an abundance of scholars across the board of social science are engaged in their study, this realisation is crucial, for it may set us on a new path to formulating critiques and alternative visions more attuned to identification's evasive nature and thereby the wider fields of activity, such as governance, policing, and state-making in which it is immersed.

This thesis was designed to explore the distinctiveness and effectiveness of Anglican church primary schools through the lens of the reflective teacher practitioner approach to educational research. The context is set by an analysis of three themes: the historical development of church schools; philosophical, theological, and operational thinking about church schools; and methodology in church school studies appropriate for the reflective teacher practitioner approach. This contextualisation is followed by six empirical studies conducted within the author's multi-academy trust of church schools within the Diocese of Truro. Drawing on an appropriate range of qualitative and quantitative methods, each study is documented in the recognised style for scientific presentation in an educational journal. The first three studies employed qualitative methods. Governors' perceptions of their role within church schools were explored by interviews. Pupils' religious experience through a labyrinth experience was explored through focus groups. Pupils' generation of intercessory prayer was explored through applying the ap Siôn Analytic Framework for Intercessory Prayer. The other three studies employed quantitative methods. Pupil attitude toward Christianity was explored by the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity. Pupil appreciation of the distinctive ethos of church schools was explored by the Lankshear Student Voice Scales. Pupil spiritual health was explored through the Fisher Feeling Good Loving Life measure that distinguishes among four domains of spiritual health (personal, communal, environmental, and transcendental). Together these six studies make an original contribution to knowledge to the specific field in which it has been shaped, concerning: school governors, religious experience, intercessory prayer, pupil attitude toward Christianity, pupil attitude toward school ethos, and pupil spiritual health. Second, taken together the six studies add new knowledge to the literature concerning the contribution of the reflective teacher practitioner approach to educational research.

This thesis focuses on studying the thermal kinetics behaviour of Subcoal™ gasification using fixed bed thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and bubbling fluidised bed gasifier reactor (BFBGR). Applying this fundamental study to a modern scenario, the current situation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management and the environmental impact of utilising Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) gasification technology to produce more environmentally friendly electricity in Qatar is investigated. Novel kinetic parameters of Subcoal™ pyrolysis, carbon dioxide (CO2) gasification, and combustion at various heating rates without catalyst were obtained in TGA using a model free method. The TGA curves showed that the thermal degradation of Subcoal™ comprises three main processes: dehydration, devolatilisation, and char and ash formation. Nevertheless, substantial variance in activation energy (E_a) was noted between the four stages of thermal decomposition of Subcoal™ on all experiments. The results showed that Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), Tang (TA), and Starink (ST) are more accurate mathematical methods than Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (OFW) method. The effect of olivine and dolomite loadings on kinetic parameters of Subcoal™ pyrolysis, CO2 gasification and combustion has been investigated using Coats-Redfern (CR) model fitting method. Among the 19 mechanism models, second order chemical reaction model (G15) was the best linearity for pyrolysis, while third order chemical reaction model (G14) was the best linearity for CO2 gasification and combustion with dolomite 15 wt.%. First life cycle assessment of SRF air gasification was also conducted using the Recipe2016 model considering five environmental impact categories and four scenarios in Qatar. It considered alternative methods to reduce MSW landfills and produce sustainable energy in line with Qatar's national vision for 2030. The introduction of the SRF gasification reduced climate change-causing emissions by 41.3% because of production of renewable electricity. Thermal gasification behaviour of Subcoal™ pellet and pulverised pellet were also investigated in BFBGR. The producer gas parameters were used to investigate the performance of gasification at different conditions. The findings showed that the increase in temperature enhances the performance of gasification of both SubcoalTM types. Moreover, the optimum gasification temperature tested for SubcoalTM was 750 ºC at equivalence ratio (ER)=0.15. In terms of catalyst effects, the addition of dolomite showed better performance in catalysing the gasification reactions compared to olivine under the same conditions. The Pulverised Subcoal™ pellet performed better than Subcoal™ pellet for gasification due to a shorter reaction time. The Subcoal™ pellet size reduction enhances the conversion efficiency and reduces char formation.

Paper One: Background and aims. Social participation is a key determinant for health and wellbeing across the lifespan, and is a frequent goal for rehabilitation. Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide that can result in persistent difficulties within cognitive, emotional, behavioural, physical, and social domains that contribute to chronic disability and restricted participation. Consequently, survivors are at higher risk of social isolation and reduced quality of life (QoL). The social participatory goals of rehabilitation are increasingly advocated for to support QoL and minimise disability post-ABI. The aim of this review was to explore the efficacy of interventions that facilitate social participation on outcomes of social participation and QoL in adult survivors of ABI. The synthesis of available evidence might support rehabilitation professionals to consider how to improve such outcomes in post-acute settings. Methods. A systematic review was conducted to locate, appraise, and synthesise evidence relating to the review questions. Appropriate intervention studies were identified using a pre-determined search strategy. These were then assessed for inclusion against pre-defined eligibility criteria to investigate the efficacy of their interventions on the target outcomes for this review, social participation and QoL. Results. Of the 1119 possible articles identified in the initial search, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Data were then extracted and methodologies were critically appraised. Intervention programmes were grouped according to intervention methods, and included peer-mentoring, community integration, leisure activities, outpatient neuropsychological rehabilitation, intensive cognitive rehabilitation, and health-promotion. Seven of the 12 studies found statistically significant differences on at least one target outcome following intervention. Four of these identified efficacy on both social participation and QoL, and varied in methodological design and quality. Conclusion. Currently, there is limited evidence for the efficacy of interventions that facilitate social participation on outcomes of social participation and QoL for adults with ABI. The varying objectives, quality, and potential bias of the 12 included studies limits the conclusions that can be drawn. Social participatory interventions appear to have objective and subjective benefits for adults post-ABI. Appropriate intervention methods (i.e., delivery and focus) to support target outcomes is uncertain from the limited literature included in this review. However, interventions that showed efficacy on both target outcomes (four of the 12) were multifaceted and intensive. Rehabilitation of social participation to support social participation and QoL post-ABI may benefit from supporting participants to develop the skills and self-belief needed to actively participate in social activities that are important to them, however, further evidence is needed. Considerations for future research and clinical implications are outlined. Paper Two: Background and aims. Adolescence is a time for significant social development, facilitated by successful peer relationships. Those with reduced social skills are at risk of being rejected or victimised by peers, and can face significant emotional ramifications and implications for quality of life (QoL). Peer relationships for adolescents with acquired brain injury (ABI) have been largely under-recognised in the paediatric neuropsychology literature. Previous interventions aiming to improve social skills (needed for peer relationships) in this population have shown inconsistent efficacy and the targets for intervention are unclear. The intervention mapping (IM) framework offers a systematic and iterative protocol for the co-production of interventions through engagement with key stakeholders. This consists of six steps for intervention design, implementation, and evaluation: (1) creating a logic model of the target problem; (2) stating programme objectives; (3) programme design; (4) programme production; (5) implementation plan; and (6) evaluation plan. This study aimed to: (a) develop a collaborative understanding of peer relationship difficulties for adolescents with ABI; and (b) seek the views of adolescents and other key stakeholders on what might be required to improve peer relationships post-ABI, and what intervention the goals might be. Qualitative methodology was used to support these aims. The findings of this study can inform the co-development of a meaningful intervention to support peer relationships and QoL in adolescents with ABI using the IM protocol in future research. Method. Consistent with IM protocol, a planning group comprising four ABI clinical-researchers provided consultation at each stage of the study. First, the planning group completed a survey to develop an initial logic model. This is a framework for understanding peer relationship difficulties following ABI, the determinants (or contributing factors) for these, and the long-term impact on QoL for adolescents. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were then conducted with four stakeholder groups to develop an in-depth understanding of peer relationship difficulties post-ABI, the impact of these, and the determinants contributing to such difficulties, and to further develop the initial logic model: (1) adolescents with ABI (n=4); (2) parents of adolescents with ABI (n=7); (3) adults who sustained an ABI in adolescence (n=2); and (4) specialist practitioners (n=3). Perspectives were also obtained from stakeholders concerning what might need to change to support peer relationships post-ABI and what the targets for intervention might be. Qualitative data from focus groups and interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results. The analysis of stakeholder conversations yielded 11 themes, grouped into two domains: (1) understanding peer relationship difficulties (e.g., dropped and excluded, a need to belong, restricted independence); and (2) supporting peer relationships (e.g., building understanding, meaningful social connection). The logic model underwent six iterations following planning group and stakeholder feedback. This was provided by stakeholders in the focus groups and interviews, and by planning group members and stakeholders through further member-checking procedures following the analysis. Conclusions. Adolescents with ABI were reported to experience difficulties with peer relationships. At an important time for social development, peer rejection can increase feelings of isolation, loneliness, shame, and hopelessness. This can have further implications for mental health, peer relationships, and QoL. The individual, psychological, behavioural, and environmental determinants for peer relationship difficulties are broad. A meaningful intervention would need to be multifaceted attempting to build understanding in others, facilitate meaningful social opportunities, offer early support post-injury, and help manage psychological wellbeing. A primary focus would be to empower adolescents post-ABI. The presented logic model provides a robust understanding of peer relationship difficulties for adolescents with ABI that can be used to guide intervention development in future research.

Paper 1: High-risk behaviours (HRB) are understood to serve a function of regulating emotions in the absence of other adaptive coping strategies. Engagement in multiple HRBs during adolescence is known to contribute to increased risk of suicide and psychopathology. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) has received attention for treating HRB in adolescents over recent years. Previous reviews have either provided a narrow focus on one HRB in isolation, and/or have focused broadly on several interventions’ effectiveness in treating HRBs. This systematic review aimed to synthesise the literature across six databases, exploring the effectiveness of DBT-A (including both individual and group DBT sessions) on a range of HRBs in various settings. Eleven papers met the search criteria and were included within the review. A narrative synthesis of the findings provided evidence for DBT-A reducing a range of HRBs in comparison to control conditions, with particular benefits for suicidal ideation and self-harm. Improvements in self-harm were more likely to be maintained over follow-up, whereas between-group differences in other HRBs were often lost over time. Studies varied considerably in quality, treatment length, frequency, and intensity. The implications for future research and practice are discussed. Paper 2: Objective: Following early life stress (ELS), individuals have been shown to develop maladaptive coping strategies including externalising behaviours such as aggression that persist across the life span. Yet, little is known about the possible underlying mechanisms for this association. This study explored these relationships using neuroimaging methods and clinical data from a 30-year longitudinal dataset investigating adults with ELS and cross-sectional controls without ELS. Methods: Forty-one participants (Mage = 25.66 years, SD = 2.96) participated in the study: 15 participants with ELS, and 26 controls. Participants completed the Amygdala Reactivity Paradigm while a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan was recorded to probe amygdala reactivity and behavioural responses to emotionally salient stimuli. Blood-oxygen-level-dependent signals from bilateral amygdala and relevant subfields were analysed and correlated with clinical measures of coping in adulthood, and aggressive/hostile behaviour across the lifespan. Results: Although fMRI data showed no significant between-group differences on contrasts of interest, key differences were noted on trials of neutral faces. Compared to controls, individuals with ELS demonstrated significantly faster reaction time on all trials with greatest difference for neutral faces, and significantly less accuracy on trials with negative faces and shapes, but not neutral faces. Higher amygdala reactivity to neutral faces was significantly positively correlated with emotion-oriented methods of coping in adulthood, and aggressive and hostile behaviours during mid-adolescence and adulthood but not childhood or late-adolescence.

The demand for low-cost diagnostic devices that are user-friendly and deliver results rapidly to the patients is a universally accepted goal that has led to extensive development of paper-based microfuidic devices (µPADs). Despite the progress in the field of µPADs, there are still some important requirements yet to be addressed to improve their performance and enable their widespread use as a commercial product. In this thesis, we focus on the use of a laser-based direct-write (LDW) technique for enabling newer functionalities in paper-based devices for improved sensitivity of diagnostic tests as well as the quantitative detection of either a single or multiple analytes. The LDW method we are using for paper patterning is based on the local deposition of a photo-polymer on top of a porous substrate followed by the exposure with a laser light source to create solid polymeric structures. In our first demonstration, we are using the LDW method to create in-line filters on a porous nitrocellulose membrane that are capable of separating particles based on their size. These in-line filters act as barriers to delay the flow of samples and increase the sensitivity for the detection of an analyte. The LDW method is later used to create porous flow-through filters on cellulose paper that again have the ability for the size-exclusive separation of particles. When these flow-through filters are combined with a lateral flow assay they can act as a diagnostic tool for the detection of a single analyte over a wide concentration range. Additionally, the LDW can be extended for the fabrication of platforms that are able to detect multiple analytes within the same device. For that, we report the fabrication of multilayer 3D-µPADs used for the simultaneous detection of three analytes spiked in artificial urine as well as the pH of the tested sample. Finally, we report the use of light-activated materials (hydrogels) on paper-based devices to create optically triggered gates that are able to control the flow of samples, and therefore provide an alternative pathway to increase the sensitivity for the detection of analytes. Adding these newer functionalities to paper-based devices is highly desirable, as this will allow their extensive use as a diagnostic sensor at the point-of-care.

This thesis examines the relationship between institutional quality and regional economic development in African countries. It analyses three elements of institutional quality: the impact of institutional quality on economic development, the drivers of poor institutional quality, and interventions that can be adopted to improve institutional quality. The first paper of this PhD, published in the Journal of Development Studies and co-authored with Neil Lee and Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, examines the relationship between sub-national government quality and economic development across 356 regions in 22 African countries. We create a novel index of sub-national government quality using Afrobarometer survey data, and we use high resolution night-time satellite images as a proxy for economic activity. We find that a reduction in sub-national government quality causes decreases in regional economic activity. In the second paper, I examine one of the drivers of sub-national government quality in African regions - armed conflict. I find that armed conflict leads to a deterioration in sub-national government quality. Contrary to the existing literature which suggests that armed conflict leads to a loss of government legitimacy, I find that this occurs because sub-national governments divert resources away from delivering services and towards crisis response. As a result, I find that armed conflict does not lead to a reduction in national government quality as national governments possess much greater resources. Therefore, national governments are able to respond to crises without significantly reducing the quality of service delivery. The third paper, co-authored with Neil Lee, examines the impact of national government quality on spatial inequality within African provinces. We create, for the first time, an index of within-province inequality using high resolution satellite imagery. We find that national government quality is just as important as differences in geographical endowments in driving spatial inequality within provinces. This is primarily because national governments in African countries have a history of city-specific favouritism - i.e. creating policies that benefit a particular city (typically due to corruption, nepotism or clientelism). This city-specific favouritism does not spill-over and benefit the wider province. Instead, it creates and exacerbates inequality within provinces.

People have long found comfort and support by interacting and sharing their lives with animals, and from this interest has led to a specific modality in human healthcare called Animal-Assisted Interactions (AAI). One application of AAI in higher education has gained much attention in the past 10 years. University campuses are a setting where suicide is the second leading cause of death and where college student mental health is in crisis. However, a robust understanding of the development, implementation, and impact of these programs in relation to these immense challenges remains vastly understudied. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore campus-based AAI programs for college student mental health, and as a three-paper manuscript, the information is presented in a progressive fashion. In the first paper, I describe a scoping review study in which I map the literature on campus-based AAI programs for college student mental health. In the second paper, I present the findings from a repeated, six-year cross-sectional study for academic years 2014/15 through 2019/20 using a secondary analysis of existing data from a campus-based AAI program. In the third paper I define a conceptual model of practice that I developed called the PACE--Practitioner, Animal, Client, and Environment--Model for AAI to frame the way AAI programs are established and applied. The implications presented from this study can inform future practice, education, policy, and research in the fields of social work, college student development, and AAI. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The subject of energy efficiency plays a significant role in protecting future generations from the impact of carbon emissions in the environment. Morally and ethically everyone has a responsibility for improving efficiency and reducing energy use. It has been established that a key issue in doing this is one of addressing where to start. Therefore the research focuses on developing a framework to deliver energy efficiency best practice within the operational footprint of corrugated manufacturing operations. The adoption of a framework approach was inspired by other researchers in the field of energy management. Whilst simple in its delivery the energy framework developed has been the subject of a significant research study. The approach has included action research with interviews and questionnaire research and its development can be considered emergent as knowledge and understanding is gained from experience. The research has identified a gap in the knowledge within the corrugated sector of the pulp and paper industry. In defining this gap the research has actively developed an approach which has been trialled, tested and proven. In doing this the findings have played a significant role in contributing to new knowledge and establishing an approach to adopting energy efficiency in the industry and developing best practice. This research has identified the need for a co-ordinated approach. Future opportunities exist in aligning standards, equipment and cultural aspects of delivering on energy efficiency. In terms of the research implications there are opportunities to establish credible literature and published materials from the study. It is believed that this research has a moral and professional responsibility to facilitate and enable best practice development throughout the corrugated industry. The proposed framework was developed through action research and provides a structured way of implementing energy efficiency technologies within corrugated manufacturing operations.

Systematic Review: Objective: Due to the changing demographics within society, more people are getting older than ever before. The effectiveness of psychological interventions for older adults needs to be better understood. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health difficulties that older adults experience. Although the evidence base indicates that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is effective for late-life depression/anxiety, it is important to explore other approaches to provide older adults with greater choice in their treatment. This review seeks to explore whether third-wave approaches are efficacious in reducing depression and/or anxiety symptoms in older adults. Methods: Guided by PRISMA-P, a systematic review was completed, with relevant articles identified using PsycINFO, Medline, Ageline, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, and Scopus. Quality of included articles was assessed using the Randomised Control Trial of Psychotherapy Quality Rating Scale. Results: A total of eight articles met criteria for inclusion, reporting on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based therapies, and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Overall, it appears that third-wave approaches are efficacious in reducing depression and/or anxiety symptoms in older adults, when compared to control conditions, in addition to two studies showing similar levels of symptom reduction when compared to CBT. Conclusions: Third wave approaches appear to be acceptable approaches for later-life depression and anxiety. More research needs to substantiate these findings, comparing against active therapies, whilst further exploring how efficacious these approaches are in the oldest-old. Empirical Paper: Objectives: People are living longer than ever before, meaning the experiences and challenges of older adults need to be further explored. Older adults have a relationship to their own ageing experience which can influence their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. Evidence indicates that negative attitudes towards ageing are associated with poor physical and psychological outcomes and that poorer health is associated with lower quality of life (QOL) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Thus, research should further investigate the relationship between ageing attitudes, health status, and HRQOL. Methods: A secondary data analysis (N=5144) of a cross-sectional international database explored the relationship between the attitudes to ageing questionnaire (AAQ), subjective health status, and HRQOL, in addition to exploring the contribution of depression status to this. Missing data was managed using multiple imputation. Data was analysed using logistic regression, independent t-tests, and mediation analyses. Results: Jointly, AAQ domains, HRQOL, and depression status correctly predict health status in 79% of cases. Those who consider themselves healthy have a statistically different AAQ profile (lower Psychosocial Loss scores, and higher Physical Change and Psychological Growth scores). Mediation analyses indicate statistically significant partial mediations between health status and HRQOL, with and without covariates including age, gender, depression, and recruitment centre. Effect sizes indicate very small magnitudes for the Psychological Growth domain, and when all covariates were included all domain effect sizes were small. Conclusions: This study provides further support for the relationship between ageing attitudes, health status, and HRQOL, suggesting that positive attitudes are associated with better subjective health. Clinical implications are presented, both for clinicians working with older adults and on a broader societal level, alongside areas for future research.

This study investigated whether Web-based homework (WBH) in mathematics is a method of homework delivery more suitable than traditional paper-based homework (PBH) for United Arab Emirates (UAE) secondary students in Abu Dhabi. Few studies have addressed delivery methods for mathematics homework outside of a context where homework is considered usual practice. The study centres in the UAE because of its culturally distinctive attitudes towards homework completion and reportedly low levels of self-efficacy among Emirate students. If homework completion and performance were to increase, WBH could offer opportunities to enrich student learning and engagement in mathematics. This study used the WBH tools Myimaths and GeoGebra in selected school years. The research questions for this study were as follows: (1) Do students interact more with WBH than with PBH? (2) What are student perceptions of their learning with WBH and PBH? The sample consisted of approximately 2,000 students. The data for this two-group, pre-and post-test control group design was collected over three years, covering school years 2012 to 2015. As a measure of interaction, a Pearson Chi-square test suggested that student homework completion was significantly higher in the WBH group. The result led to the rejection of the null hypothesis for the first research question, suggesting that students do interact more with WBH than with PBH. Analysis of the student survey and interview transcript notes indicated that students perceived they spent more time practicing mathematics using the WBH tools due to the immediate feedback offered by the tools. Furthermore, they were encouraged by the feedback to review their mistakes and revise their thinking, subsequently resubmitting their WBH to get a higher score. Student perceptions in this study were that the availability of multiple homework submissions was a motivating factor that contributed to them spending more time practicing mathematics. Students reattempted the homework tasks that led to the possibility of them revising certain mathematical concepts and procedure while in pursuit of a higher homework score. Though WBH is limited in terms of written explanations and partial credit scores for correct mathematical procedures, in comparison to PBH, student interview perceptions in this study were that the WBH tools used facilitated positive interaction effects. The effects described were improved levels of motivation, positive peer communication, higher rates of homework completion and an improvement in their mathematics homework performance.

This thesis introduces an entirely new class of printed electrical gas sensors that are produced at near 'zero cost'. This technology exploits the intrinsic hygroscopic properties of cellulose fibres within paper; although it feels and looks dry, paper contains substantial amount of moisture, absorbed from the environment, enabling the use of wet chemical methods for sensing without manually adding water to the substrate. The sensors exhibit high sensitivity to water-soluble gases with a fast and reversible response. The sensors show comparable or better performance (especially at high relative humidity) than most commercial ammonia sensors at a fraction of their price (< $0.02 per sensor for the cost of materials for laboratory prototypes). This thesis demonstrates that the sensors proposed can be integrated into food packaging to monitor freshness of protein-rich food. Tests on poultry and cod fish fillet show that the sensors detect an increase in decomposition gases (mainly trimethylamine and ammonia) which correlates to the findings of microbial control experiments. The sensors are implemented into near-field-communication tags to function as wireless, battery-less gas sensors that can be interrogated with smartphones. In a next step this thesis demonstrates functionalized versions of the paper-based gas sensors where the pH of the paper is changed by adding sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide. In the presence of alkaline or acidic gases the neutralization effect in the sensors decouple fluctuations in relative humidity from gas concentration changes. An array of sensors with different pH can distinguish between alkaline and acidic gases. The functionalized sensors quantitatively detect ammonia in a respiratory simulator where relative humidity varies widely with inhalation and exhalation. In healthy human subjects the sensors detect ammonia when a subject eats salty liquorice (an ammonium chloride containing candy) while breathing normally. This can be used to detect increased ammonia levels in human breath which can indicate a variety of renal and hepatic diseases.

In this study, refined dissolving bagasse fibers was used to reinforce poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to produce hierarchically structured paper-based composite laminates. Initially, a recirculating colloidal mill was used to modify the surface of virgin cellulosic fibers from dissolving bagasse fibers. Accordingly, the gap between refiner disks was kept constant while the refining times were varied. Through this, "hairy" fibers with micron and sub(micron) dimensions was successfully liberated from the surface of the primary fibers at short time (e.g. after 6 min). This promoted areas for hydrogen thus produced dense and strong fiber networks (termed as re-engineered paper). As the use of the recirculating colloidal mill was found useful to produce "hairy" fibers, I extended the approach as a route to manufacture hierarchically structured paper-based composite laminates. My first strategy was to create the multi-layered composite laminates to manufacture ordered composites. Using laminating and papermaking like process, I studied composites with different magnitude of the hierarchy: 1, 2, and 4 denoted the number of re-engineered papers used in the composite laminates. Through morphological, mechanical, and thermal analysis of the multi-layered composites, the composites made perform better as the layers of the papers used increased. However, the limitation was the thinner re-engineered paper suffered from local stress concentration because of poor dispersibility henceforth creating gradient fibers distribution. This, without careful control, caused the properties to fall, hence, the synergism effect of the hierarchy structure was not achieved. Also, "hairy" fibers enhanced hydrogen bonding upon drying, hence, residual stress in re-engineered paper built-up creating micro-compression. Albeit, the effect not distinct on the mechanical performance of the papers and their composites. However, it is important to consider that when micro-compression overrides the bond strength of fibers loss of strength and modulus may occur. In another strategy, I combined cellulose nanofibers (e.g. cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and bacterial cellulose (BC)) with modified cellulosic fiber 7 to obtain fiber networks and composites with ordered higher. This allowed studies on the nano-confinement effect in the modified fiber networks. The composites structure utilising a simple laminate structure whereby the re-engineered (nano)paper sandwiched in between PLA films. The CNFs enhanced the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites, whereas with BC the performances were poor. This is due to BC agglomeration in the fiber networks owing to difficulty in disrupting three-dimensional network of BC fibers in pulp suspension. Consequently, preventing adjacent fibers for hydrogen bonding hence the advantages of nanofibers reinforcement effect not attained. To sum up, it is possible to produce hierarchically structured paper-based composite laminated using the aforementioned strategies. Introducing the recirculating colloidal proved useful as an alternative to existing mechanical equipment to fibrillate cellulosic fibers. Through "hairy" fibers hydrogen bonds were enhanced thereby creating dense and strong fiber networks. Nevertheless, the modified cellulosic fibers introduce itself as a hierarchical internal structure fiber networks model. This, in combination with the laminating technique, proved to level up the complexity of multiscale length in the hierarchy strategy. Nevertheless, nano-reinforcement effect abled to increase the order of hierarchy in composites, however, good dispersibility shall be attained to effect overall performances.

This thesis investigates the origin and evolution of the paper peepshow in nineteenth-century England. It focuses on the second quarter of the nineteenth century, from 1825, when the first known English paper peepshow was published, to 1851, when the popularity of this medium started to dwindle. Challenging the existing scholarship that considers the paper peepshow either as a predecessor of children's pop-up books or an unimportant element in the teleology leading to the invention of the cinema, this thesis argues that the paper peepshow is a medium in its own right. As an optical toy, but also an example of print culture, it had connections with various media that were also part of the visual culture in England in this period. This rich intermedial relationship constitutes one of the major aspects of investigation both in the first chapter that traces the genealogy of the paper peepshow and in the subsequent case studies that focus on its representation of specific subject matters. Through discussing the depiction of a diverse range of topics, this thesis highlights that the origin of the paper peepshow was heavily influenced by other forms of nineteenth-century visual representation or entertainment. At the same time, in the course of the development of the paper peepshow, publishers also often designed their products in response to or even by refashioning other media, in order to keep their products popular on the competitive market. Another focus is the consumption of the paper peepshow. While the visual is an essential part of the experience of using this medium, other sensory elements, especially the touch, played a crucial role too. Through analysing these sensations in combination with different subject matters depicted in paper peepshows, this thesis investigates issues such as the embodied spectatorship, affordances, and the material and materiality of a medium.

This study examines career dynamics of chartered accountants (CAs) in Bangladesh. By conducting 43 interviews with CAs in Bangladesh, I examine the reasons why CAs are underrepresented in the country compared with other professions. Through three papers, I show what happens to their careers when they work in two proximate fields, how their socioeconomic backgrounds and work-life balance affect their careers and, more importantly, whether their habitus plays a role. In addition, I provide new evidence of why the presence of international firms in Bangladesh is tentative, what factors determine links between international and local firms, and how local firms are linked with international firms, including the Big 4. I provide some interesting findings and thereby extend the literature in particular Belal et al. (2017) and Spence et al. (2016). In Paper 1, I show that the accounting field is less dominated by commercial concerns and find no evidence that CAs' movements relate to high workloads or burn-out, nor to issues with work-family life balance. More generally, CAs in Bangladesh feel strongly about the profession. By using Bourdieu's work as my theoretical framework for the study, I show how capitals accumulated in one field retain value in a proximate field. In paper 2, I claim that global professional service firms (GPSFs) need a better understanding of local contexts, as a "one size fits all" strategy for expanding into new markets does not always work and despite some economic, social and cultural obstacles, changes to the economy and to perceptions of audit firms and their partners are leading to changes in how these partners perceive the potential benefits of full membership or affiliation. Finally, in Paper 3, I show that female CAs' habitus helps in their career progression and claim that class seems to override gender-related constraints on the career progression of female CAs in Bangladesh. Overall, the thesis demonstrates that accounting fields are not uniform across borders and that gender, class, cultural and social dynamics all combine to shape economic activity and professional careers in novel ways within specific national arenas.

This thesis examines the affordances of archival research in elucidating the compositional praxis of the composer Thea Musgrave (born 1928), informed primarily but not exclusively by the papers she sold in tranches from 2009 onwards to the British Library (GB-Lbl), where they were arranged and catalogued as part of the research for this thesis. These papers elucidate facets of Musgrave’s praxis that are not always apparent from her publications and other primary sources. The archive thus broadens the domain of primary-source evidence, yet it is still a mediated collection that is not in all respects representative. Such mediation, inasmuch as it is conditioned by the praxis under interrogation, elucidates implicit priorities. Indeed, as a composer who is still professionally active, the transfer of papers to archival collections itself forms part of her praxis. This researcher, whilst maintaining critical distance, has also availed himself of the particular opportunities afforded by a living subject, having conducted a pair of interviews with Musgrave. Through the evidence afforded by archival papers and other primary sources, this thesis situates Musgrave’s compositional praxis in relation to wider traditions, practices, and professions. Her purview as composer extends beyond devising and notating musical ideas, to encompass various artistic, technical, and ambassadorial activities furthering a tacit quest for canonical status for her oeuvre. As a published composer working to commission, her praxis is artisanal and collaborative to some extent, yet her compositional response is still demonstrably individual, and she retains a prerogative as composer resembling an auteur paradigm.

Rooted in practice-based drawing, this enquiry examines ways in which Fine Art drawing might be usefully informed by strategies for conservation retouching of works of art on paper. The two fields are closely aligned with intersecting practices historically bound to both, yet this remains a critically under-explored area for research. Through engagement with conservation processes this thesis contributes to addressing this gap. The aim of this enquiry is therefore to uncover methodological intersections and differences between the two fields of practice as a source for investigation, and to chart the trajectory of these findings. The thesis is in part supported by the Charles Sims R. A. (1873-1928) archive held at Northumbria University, with drawings selected as a source from which to explore the research themes. The transdisciplinary reach of this project is explored through observation and participation in scheduled paper conservation workshops. Distilled through studio practice, evidence from these observations created a unique position from which to illuminate an area of drawing ultimately identified as interpolation. Transcription methods informed by conservation retouching theories and practices were utilised, and existing theoretic models for imitation and copy tested for relevance to conservation, with adaptions subsequently applied to drawing practice. Whilst remaining grounded in Fine Art drawing, the findings of this thesis also contribute to the field of conservation an original point of reference for cross disciplinary discourses concerning conservation and drawing practices. The contribution to knowledge for this enquiry also lies in distilling terms appropriate and distinct to this territory and its critical interpretation of interpolated drawing as drawing that is introduced to another aspect of itself. In addition, this thesis provides a modified three-part model of transcription drawing offering a framework with which to more clearly identify aspects of the research territory as enlightened by conservation, and a parallel model for conservation retouching of works of art on paper.

This paper assesses whether consumer con dence measured by the GfK consumer confidence index, can help explain consumer behaviour using British households data. We assume that the index contains some private information not captured by other economic factors. Using the continuous Household Expenditure Survey for years 1986- 2015, the Euler equation is constructed to estimate the marginal propensity to consume. The model is augmented to include the consumer confidence indicator measured by GfK index, a variable which measures consumer sentiment. We construct a pseudo-panel using age cohorts for each quarter for total consumption and non-durable consumption. We regress changes in consumption against changes in income while controlling for household characteristics. As well as finding that the marginal propensity to consume from predictable changes in income is higher than would be predicted by the Permanent Income Hypothesis, the paper also finds that including the consumer confidence index can improve the ability to predict changes in consumption.

Systematic Review abstact: Background: Emotion regulation (ER) impairments are a common feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It is believed that by targeting ER difficulties directly, individuals with ASD might be better able to manage their difficult emotions and consequently improve their quality of life. Emerging research has begun to explore interventions aimed at treating ER difficulties in ASD, however, it remains unclear which approaches are most effective. Objectives: This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various interventions targeting ER impairments in ASD. Method: Studies evaluating interventions targeting ER impairments in individuals under 18 years with ASD were included. 772 papers were identified across four databases: Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, and Global Health. A systematic screening process led to the inclusion of nine papers in the review. Results: This review found promising evidence to suggest that behavioural and CBT-informed approaches, if appropriately adapted, can be effective at improving ER abilities in children with ASD. One study focused solely on mindfulness techniques with adolescents, demonstrating similarly encouraging findings for its application in ER treatment. Conclusions: Most studies comprised small sample sizes and thus, all results are interpreted with caution. Preliminary evidence indicates that ER impairments can be treated using a range of CBT, behavioural and mindfulness approaches. Larger randomised control trials are needed to determine confidently the efficacy of such treatments in this population. Empirical Paper abstract: Objective: Research shows that structured goal-setting enables goal progress and engenders well-being; however, it is not clear the extent to which this is true in executive dysfunction (EDF) populations. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a goal-setting intervention, supported by the Brain in Hand (BiH) app, on goal progress and well-being in individuals under 18 years with EDF. Methods: Using a multiple-baseline single-case experimental design, six participants (mean age = 14.8 years; SD = 1.94; male: female 2:1) underwent structured goal-setting sessions, during which goals were identified and broken down into achievable steps. Potential challenges to reaching these goals, along with suggested solutions were also considered. This information was uploaded to participants’ personalised BiH accounts on their smartphones, with scheduled prompts/reminders to encourage progress. Repeated measurements of “happiness” and goal satisfaction ratings were taken each weekday over a period of seven weeks. Outcome measures were administered pre- and post-intervention to determine if there were reliable changes in overall functioning and well-being. Results: Statistically significant improvements were found for goal progress, at a group level. No statistically significant changes were observed in participants’ “happiness” ratings. Two participants demonstrated reliable improvements in everyday functioning, with one showing reductions in negative affect. Conclusion: The findings suggest that structured goal-setting supported by the BiH app has the potential to aid young people with EDF progress towards their goals. Future recommendations are made, including extending the data collection period and investigating gender differences. Clinical implications are also described.

Paper produced in the past century is acidic and is becoming too brittle to use. Information that was stored in materials with this paper is becoming lost. Treating these materials is expensive. Libraries are now spending as much to treat and repair old materials as they are on new acquisitions. To decrease the financial need to maintain what libraries already have, materials should be produced on alkaline paper. Most of the research performed on this topic has concentrated on monographs. The need to publish serials on alkaline paper is just as great as it is for monographs. This study tested two issues from 1993 and two issues from 1988 of 546 titles for the pH level of the paper. An equal number of monographs were tested. Spearman rank order correlation coefficient was performed. This study discovered that serials are peer reviewed and published in the United States, Canada, and European countries are more likely to be printed on alkaline paper. Serials that are printed in 1993 are more likely to be printed on alkaline paper than serials printed five years earlier. (Author)