East Lancashire Research 2008

East Lancashire Research 200

John Dewey and an ecological philosophy of religion

This dissertation carries out a systematic study of the religious thought of the 20th century American philosopher John Dewey. Its motivation is that Dewey’s religious views have been seriously misunderstood and under appreciated by philosophers and Dewey scholars to date. Breaking with the standard interpretation of Dewey as a thoroughly scientific and secular thinker, the dissertation shows that Dewey’s writings reveal a robust and highly original religious naturalism. It further demonstrates that Dewey’s novel understanding of the religious dimensions of nature and the experiencing self can capably meet the challenges posed to philosophy of religion by the ecological turn presently transforming the philosophical landscape. The driving insight of the ecological turn in contemporary philosophy is the need to reconstruct our basic philosophical concepts and principles in light of the results of the ecological sciences, many of which challenge core tenets of modern Western thought. To make the case for Dewey as a serious religious thinker, the dissertation places him into critical-constructive dialogue with other theorists representing a wide range of philosophical and scientific perspectives, including those of pragmatism, naturalism, ecological and Gestalt psychology, deep ecology, and recent cognitive science. Dewey’s religious views are also analyzed in relation to the self-cultivation doctrines of Daoism and Zen Buddhism, highlighting rich connections between Dewey and Eastern thought; all of these thinkers and schools of thought share Dewey’s overriding concern to restore continuity between facts and values, between knowledge and action, between nature and the full range of human experience. The dissertation shows that by recovering Dewey’s religious naturalism, full of ecological insight and relevance, a new paradigm for philosophy of religion can be discerned, one that promises to bring philosophy of religion’s core problems and methods in line with the most up-to-date scientific developments

Investigating Public Sector Online Communication Channel Adoption and Usage Amongst Older Adults: a UK Local Government Perspective

Since governments around the world are moving away from conventional ways of face to face communication to a more digital approach when delivering services to their citizens. Advancements in using novel information and internet technology e.g. Online Social Networks (OSN) for communications has become a fast-developing strategy in the public sector of the economy. However, research has found that not all the citizens use these online tools; thereby, causing a digital divide. A societal demographic group causing immense concern for governments, organizations and society is the ageing population. It is also this group that is not extensively investigated in e-government research. Recognising the role of older adults in the society and for e-government research, the aim of this research is to identify, explore and understand the factors that encourage older adults of 50 years old and above to continue using a particular online communication channel (Facebook versus Email) when interacting with the government. For this purpose, a conceptual framework was developed which was the Model of Online Communication Channel (MOCC) based on the Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Channel Expansion Theory (CET) along with service quality and trust factors. To achieve this aim, a quantitative research approach was employed for the data collection process to test the MOCC model. The data collection process was carried out in three phases namely; the content validity, pilot phase and final phase. The data was collated using an online survey tool (SurveyMonkey) which resulted in 222 completed response for the pilot and 1014 completed response for the final data collection. Findings revealed that older adults will continue using a particular online communication channel to interact with the government if they have good knowledge and previous experience of using an online communication medium for interaction. Equally, having a strong satisfactory experience with a medium will encourage them to trust and use that particular online communication medium when interacting with the government. Most significantly, the consequences of ailments being suffered by older adults impacted on their continuance intention to use an online communication channel for interaction. Additionally, to validate and verify the results obtained from the quantitative data collated, an evaluation study was carried out using a qualitative research approach in form of telephone interview. In summary, this research study contributed to the growing research body of Information Systems (IS) knowledge on adoption and continuance usage of technology. Moreover, this research would benefit industry by informing providers of online communication channels to the government to be aware of the factors that influence older adults’ choices when interacting with the government. In so doing, the public sector providers of ICT can learn whether the provided services and products are indeed being accepted by citizens, more than it is recognised as one that is disadvantaged. The major implication of this study is that it provides information with regards to the generational difference within this age segment i.e. 50 years and above. This would help the government determine the best strategy to employ while tackling this issue. Finally, due to the limitations of time, finance and manpower research findings could not be nationally representative of the UK. They are only representative of a single group of society residing in an affluent area of the UK which is Hertfordshire

"This one is a bit of a taboo subject": a mixed methods investigation into the impact of head and neck cancer upon sexuality

Background: Previous research demonstrates Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) survivors are vulnerable to a negatively impacted sexuality although it is unclear whether changes are attributable to HNC sequelae or other (e.g. maturation) factors. Sexuality is important to wellbeing and unmet sexuality needs following cancer can increase psychological distress. Gaps in knowledge surround the impact of HNC on sexuality: there is considerably less research in relation to HNC’s impact on sexuality in comparison to other cancers.This is surprising as HNC is the seventh most common cancer and can produce various functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial difficulties. Individual differences in coping/response style account for variability in experiences of living with cancer – there are links between particular coping styles and levels of psychological distress which could be explored in relation to sexuality outcomes. These differences can be targeted through psychological intervention in ways that clinical or demographic characteristics cannot be. Additionally, professionals struggle to discuss sexuality, meaning that the perceived support needs for physical, practical, and psychological support around sexuality are not fully known. Aims: This study investigated the impact of HNC upon sexuality, whether psychological flexibility and other coping responses were associated with sexuality and quality of life outcomes, and what the perceived support needs were, if any, for support around sexuality. Method: A mixed method design was used: 60 participants took part in an online survey and 18 participants completed semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlational analyses.Qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with an inductive-deductive design. Results: Findings support previous literature, showing that for many of the current study’s sample, sexuality is negatively impacted by HNC. This study extended upon extant research, showing that: for those classified as clinically impaired in relation to sexuality, impairment represented a post-HNC deterioration that was not attributable to other measured variables (e.g., age). The themes developed illustrated a series of events where sexuality is necessarily deprioritised during treatment, sexuality is not discussed by professionals, there is still an impact of altered sexual behaviour which can be understood as due to either psychological or physical barriers, and participants respond by attempting to rebuild/renavigate their sexuality. Significant relationships were not found between response styles and sexuality outcomes. A clear support need was identified for greater physical, practical, and psychological support around sexuality. Conclusions and Recommendations: The provision of HNC-specific informational resources would benefit patients and assist professionals with discussions of sexuality: the timings of such discussions must be sensitive to the fact that individuals necessarily deprioritise sexuality during active treatment. Consideration should be given to which professional is most appropriate to raise the topic of sexuality in terms of who is most likely to be involved following physical treatment.Future research could helpfully triangulate the perspectives of the HNC patients with healthcare professionals to deepen the understanding of the barriers to discussing sexuality for staff, particularly within a population where impacted sexuality is so relevant. Furthermore, to enhance the generalisability of the results obtained from the current sample, research into this study area should be conducted with an explicit focus on increasing ethnic representation within sample participant

"This one is a bit of a taboo subject": a mixed methods investigation into the impact of head and neck cancer upon sexuality

Background: Previous research demonstrates Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) survivors are vulnerable to a negatively impacted sexuality although it is unclear whether changes are attributable to HNC sequelae or other (e.g. maturation) factors. Sexuality is important to wellbeing and unmet sexuality needs following cancer can increase psychological distress. Gaps in knowledge surround the impact of HNC on sexuality: there is considerably less research in relation to HNC’s impact on sexuality in comparison to other cancers.This is surprising as HNC is the seventh most common cancer and can produce various functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial difficulties. Individual differences in coping/response style account for variability in experiences of living with cancer – there are links between particular coping styles and levels of psychological distress which could be explored in relation to sexuality outcomes. These differences can be targeted through psychological intervention in ways that clinical or demographic characteristics cannot be. Additionally, professionals struggle to discuss sexuality, meaning that the perceived support needs for physical, practical, and psychological support around sexuality are not fully known. Aims: This study investigated the impact of HNC upon sexuality, whether psychological flexibility and other coping responses were associated with sexuality and quality of life outcomes, and what the perceived support needs were, if any, for support around sexuality. Method: A mixed method design was used: 60 participants took part in an online survey and 18 participants completed semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlational analyses.Qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with an inductive-deductive design. Results: Findings support previous literature, showing that for many of the current study’s sample, sexuality is negatively impacted by HNC. This study extended upon extant research, showing that: for those classified as clinically impaired in relation to sexuality, impairment represented a post-HNC deterioration that was not attributable to other measured variables (e.g., age). The themes developed illustrated a series of events where sexuality is necessarily deprioritised during treatment, sexuality is not discussed by professionals, there is still an impact of altered sexual behaviour which can be understood as due to either psychological or physical barriers, and participants respond by attempting to rebuild/renavigate their sexuality. Significant relationships were not found between response styles and sexuality outcomes. A clear support need was identified for greater physical, practical, and psychological support around sexuality. Conclusions and Recommendations: The provision of HNC-specific informational resources would benefit patients and assist professionals with discussions of sexuality: the timings of such discussions must be sensitive to the fact that individuals necessarily deprioritise sexuality during active treatment. Consideration should be given to which professional is most appropriate to raise the topic of sexuality in terms of who is most likely to be involved following physical treatment.Future research could helpfully triangulate the perspectives of the HNC patients with healthcare professionals to deepen the understanding of the barriers to discussing sexuality for staff, particularly within a population where impacted sexuality is so relevant. Furthermore, to enhance the generalisability of the results obtained from the current sample, research into this study area should be conducted with an explicit focus on increasing ethnic representation within sample participant

How to Teach Mechanical Engineering Design Using Industry Methods While Still Assessing to University Criteria

There is a growing demand from industry for qualified design engineers. Many design engineers are trained in industry at vast expense in time and money, while many more are trained at universities and colleges. This thesis will explore how to maintain the training by universities and colleges to be as up to date and relevant as possible. It will look at the modern techniques and methods such as design teams, use of computer software, communication, use of the internet, and methods to solve design problems. All these techniques and methods are used by world-leading industries during the 21st century; this century, known also as the Third Industrial Revolution, or the Information Technology Revolution. It will show how appropriate techniques and methods can be applied in academia. A challenge is highlighted, and a solution found, how to get students to design to modern industry standards but at the same time make it possible to assess their work to satisfy the needs of academia and achieve the awarding criteria. Modern techniques and methods will be applied to university students and an assessment made of the results. Use of group working will be explored, and an algorithm developed to grade the completed work. What do students need now, to equip them to become competent designers, and how do lecturers support these students in these new methods? A knowledge gap between full-time students and part-time students in their final year of a degree programme was identified. This gap was reduced by reviewing the curriculum from earlier years and specifically targeting improving the student’s knowledge. To reduce the gap further, the development of a new teaching theory based on reverse engineering and a reversed application of Bloom’s Taxonomy was developed. This new teaching theory was applied to engineering student in their final year of a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering Degree. The above methods and theories were validated by experienced industry design engineers from world leading companies

Modulation of salivary inflammatory markers and proteomic analysis in HNC and OSCC patients undergoing radiotherapy

Head and neck cancer (HNC) includes malignant tumours that most commonly arise from the oral mucosa or lining of the head and neck regions. They are characterized according to their primary site of origin as malignancies of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx, salivary glands and oral cavity. The majority of these neoplasms are epithelial tumours, among them the 90% are squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). HNC including the Oral Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is the sixth most common neoplasia worldwide with an incidence estimated at 650,000 cases and 330,000 deaths per year. Despite all of the diagnostic and therapeutic advances, the 5-year survival rate remains relatively poor, around 50%. The typically late diagnosis usually requires surgical intervention, often followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and/or chemotherapy (CT) treatment. Ionizing radiation is known to increase the expression of a number of cytokines involved in inflammation and wound healing. Inflammation has become an important hallmark of cancer, the chronic inflammatory microenvironment is associated with the release of various pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors that make it more vulnerable toward tumorigenesis. Salivary cytokines have promising features to be used as biomarkers for screening and outcome prediction in this malignancy. To date, the majority of saliva studies have focused on the levels of these inflammatory proteins comparing HNC patients with healthy individuals. However, changes from pre to post RT-treatment have not been extensively explored due to salivary glands destruction and subsequent xerostomia. Therefore, the main goals of this research project are 1) the evaluation of salivary inflammatory markers and 2) the investigation of salivary proteome before and after the irradiation process, in order to identify potential predictive biomarkers of RT response in HNC. A panel of eight salivary inflammatory markers (IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, TNF-α, VEGF, and EGF) was analysed in a group of HNC patients (N=30), pre- and post-RT, and a group of healthy subjects (N=37) as well, using immunoassays based on Multi Analyte Profiling technology (Luminex xMAP). The investigation of the salivary proteome was carried out using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry technique with SWATH acquisition (LC-MS/MS-SWATH), which consisted of two phases: generation of a peptide spectral library using 10 HNC saliva samples and quantification of 30 individual salivary proteome profiles, selected from the two cohorts of the study. Results concerning the salivary inflammatory markers showed a post-treatment augmentation in multiple cytokines, being the increment of IL-8 and MCP-1 statistically significant (p-value ≤ 0,001 and ≤ 0,0001, respectively). The comparison between the control group and the HNC patients before receiving the RT reported a significant increase of IL-6 levels (p-value ≤ 0,0001), to be associated with the presence of the tumour lesion. Lastly, ROC curves analysis pointed out the strong potential of IL-8 as a predictive biomarker of RT outcomes (AUC= 0.84; p-value= 0.018). Results from the proteomic investigation demonstrated that the salivary proteome varies in saliva of HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy. Comparing pre- and post-treatment conditions a total of 21 proteins results differentially expressed. Besides, analysing the pattern followed by the control subjects and the HNC patients not yet treated, an altered salivary protein profile was detected. Among the salivary markers identified, gene NUCB2 product, gene PPIB product and gene HSPE1 product may be considered as potential predictive biomarkers of RT response, gene LTF product can help to discriminate between HNC cases pre- and post-RT, whereas gene SERPINA3 product and gene AGPAT1 product are related to the presence of HNC. Our data support the hypothesis that screening salivary inflammatory molecules could provide a useful approach to identify biomarkers in this malignancy. Proteomic results need to be validated in a larger cohort of samples before its potential translation into clinical research. These findings may serve as the foundation of studies exploring the use of saliva as a biofluid to monitor treatment outcomes

Gift-giving of toys from adults to children.

The focus of this study is the consumer behaviour habits of adults giving of toys to children aged 11 and under as gifts. It is borne out of a need to understand why adults buy gifts for children adding to the issues on consumption practices and materialism. It begins by discussing the issues of researching with children, outlining an exploratory artwork session conducted with children prior to making a decision to use adults as the unit of assessment for the study and to take a positivist stance. The literature review chapter explores the concepts of gift-giving of toys to children by synthesising topics of consumer behaviour and gift-giving as fields of study. It considers gift-giving models and focuses on buyer behaviour when gift-giving; information sources used in gifting; whether adults are concerned about gift-giving; adults roles and motivations in gift-gifting and relationship impacts between adults and children for incorrect gifting. These themes are researched within a demographic perspective keeping in mind the consumer socialisation issues and a figure is developed to show the hypotheses for testing. The methodology takes into account both interpretivist and positivist philosophies reaffirming the reasons for a positivist choice. Semi structured interviews are used in two phases to explore adults perceptions of gift-giving in general and gift-giving of toys to children. The main data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire which developed and extended previous researchers items. This questionnaire was distributed across a sample section of schools within the Aberdeen City and suburbs via a homework bag method. The value of the study lies in the contribution to knowledge through the analysis of the data. Contribution was found to exist with roles and motivations in gifting where three new roles were highlighted and one discounted. For information sources the interpersonal sources were important to mothers; the internet was found to be a new source, and mass media was found to be popular with a lower educated strata giving rise to issues for TV advertising policy. Differences existed between gifting at Christmas and birthday times and to adults own and other children providing contribution to the lack of birthday gifting research and to the givers perspective. A number of demographics such as gender, education and marital status were found to be important in understanding this gifting behaviour, whereas age on the other hand, did not. Finally, recommendations are made to policy makers from these contributions in particular regarding information sources and the education of children