Axially chiral ligands for helical coordination complexes

The work described in this thesis is focused on the use of novel axially chiral ligands as building blocks for interesting coordination structures, with particular emphasis on constructing helical coordination complexes. Ligands were designed in light of the preferred coordination geometries of specific metals in order to attempt to control the final structures. The synthesis of a new series of binaphthyl-based amide and imine ligands was developed, and their coordination to palladium, platinum, nickel, rhenium, ruthenium, and cobalt investigated. In addition, the synthesis of biphenanthroline and biaryl ligand systems was explored and the chemistry of their precursors examined. Finally, a novel range of biquinazolinones were synthesised and their behaviour as ligands was probed. The previously unreported coordination chemistry of this new class of axially chiral ligands is demonstrated by their complexation with rhenium, palladium and ruthenium. The first examples of crystal structures of biquinazolinone metal complexes are presented in this thesis.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Varying c and Particle Horizons

We explore what restrictions may impose the second law of thermodynamics on varying speed of light theories. We find that the attractor scenario solving the flatness problem is consistent with the generalized second law at late time.Comment: Latex file, 8 pages, to be published in Physics Letters

Axially chiral ligands for helical coordination complexes

The work described in this thesis is focused on the use of novel axially chiral ligands as building blocks for interesting coordination structures, with particular emphasis on constructing helical coordination complexes. Ligands were designed in light of the preferred coordination geometries of specific metals in order to attempt to control the final structures. The synthesis of a new series of binaphthyl-based amide and imine ligands was developed, and their coordination to palladium, platinum, nickel, rhenium, ruthenium, and cobalt investigated. In addition, the synthesis of biphenanthroline and biaryl ligand systems was explored and the chemistry of their precursors examined. Finally, a novel range of biquinazolinones were synthesised and their behaviour as ligands was probed. The previously unreported coordination chemistry of this new class of axially chiral ligands is demonstrated by their complexation with rhenium, palladium and ruthenium. The first examples of crystal structures of biquinazolinone metal complexes are presented in this thesis

Days of our lives: Family experiences of digital technology use

© 2018 Association for Computing Machinery. This paper describes findings from a workshop, with 11 parents of children under 12 years of age, that explored family experiences of digital technology use. We found that technology experiences within everyday family life are complicated and interlinked. We highlight four experiences that featured most prominently with our participants: apprehension, ambivalence, compromise and conflict. In addition, we discuss how family values govern these experiences and how families use digital technology. This work contributes to current understandings of how family values guide technology practices. These early findings suggest that deeper understandings of family values; how they are shared, negotiated and put into action, will help inform the design of future technologies that not only support families' practices and activities, but also their experiences and aspirations

Automated Quantification of Mitochondrial Fragmentation in an In Vitro Parkinson's Disease Model

Neuronal mitochondrial fragmentation is a phenotype exhibited in models of neurodegeneration such as Parkinson's disease. Delineating the dysfunction in mitochondrial dynamics found in diseased states can aid our understanding of underlying mechanisms of disease progression and possibly identify novel therapeutic approaches. Advances in microscopy and the availability of intuitive open‐access software have accelerated the rate of image acquisition and analysis, respectively. These developments allow routine biology researchers to rapidly turn hypotheses into results. In this protocol, we describe the utilization of cell culture techniques, high‐content imaging (HCI), and the subsequent open‐source image analysis pipeline for the quantification of mitochondrial fragmentation in the context of a rotenone‐based in vitro Parkinson's disease model

Commissioning home care for older people: scoping the evidence

Context: Many people over the age of 65 receive support from home care providers to enable them to continue to live at home. In the UK, local authorities (England, Wales and Scotland) and Health and Social Care Trusts (Northern Ireland) commission these support services. However, little is known about these arrangements. Objectives: To address this knowledge gap through identifying the lessons from research for commissioners of home care for older people. Method: A scoping review was undertaken to extrapolate the lessons from research for future practice. Searches were conducted in 2016/17 and the analysis was completed 2017/18. Electronic and manual searches of UK literature were undertaken using distinct terms to investigate the people, organisations and processes intrinsic to commissioning home care for older people. Findings: From a total of 1,819 papers and government reports, 22 met the inclusion criteria, indicative of a limited body of knowledge. A variety of research methods and designs were included with mixed methods most frequently used. Four lessons were identified relating to: the marketisation of home care; the future of care at home; promoting integration with local partners in commissioning home care; and areas for future research. Limitations: The focus on research evidence may have meant that potentially interesting insights to inform future commissioning strategies from conceptual articles were omitted from the review. Implications: Understanding the complexities of market management in commissioning home care for older people is still at an early stage of development. This review provides evidence to inform its future development of value to policy makers and practitioners

Exploratory Analysis of Preoperative and Postoperative Risk Stratification Tools to Identify Acute Kidney and Myocardial Injury in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Chronic Subdural Haematoma.

Perioperative statistical risk stratification is widespread. Such tools inform intraoperative and postoperative care as part of the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA)1. Patients with chronic subdural haematomas (cSDH) are often elderly with significant comorbidity2. Despite this, there is a paucity of literature pertaining to risk stratification models in this cohort3. At our centre, as part of a multidisciplinary improvement initiative (the ‘Improving Care in Elderly Neurosurgery Initiative’ (ICENI)4) (Project ID:PRN7705) we demonstrated a significant association between postoperative complications and length of stay2. As a further analysis within this cohort of operated cSDH, we explore the potential of using retrospective electronic health record (EHR) data to generate prognostic statistical models for the identification of two end-organ complications (myocardial injury –troponin above the upper limit of normal and acute kidney injury (AKI) –a rise in serum creatinine of ≥ 1.5 times baseline). Outcomes were chosen based on data availability and veracity as well as clinical relevance. The integrated nature of our EHR permitted incorporation of variables reflecting intraoperative management. This enabled an exploratory analysis of models that, analogous to NELA, could be used preoperatively and updated postoperatively