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Item Metadata only Operation Enigma: A novel case study investigation(2025-05-12) Able, Joel; Russell, Alexandra; Donovan, Gemma; Nichols-Drew, LeisaDe Montfort University is the only UK university to be a United Nations Academic Impact SDG (Sustainable Development Development) Chair Hub for SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. We embrace the SDG16 ethos within the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences accredited BSc Forensic Science undergraduate degree. Experiential/Participatory learning is integral to our curriculum, aligned to the Criminal Justice System: Crime Scene, Forensic Laboratory, and Court. We implement a Tri-modal approach for student active learning experiences: physical (utilising on campus facilities such as the crime scene house and non-residential space, industry specification laboratory facilities, vehicle and the former Leicester Crown and Magistrate courtrooms), integrating contextual information (provided by academic colleagues from our practitioner casework experience and research informed teaching portfolios), with the virtual world (embracing innovative and immersive technologies; asynchronously within our VLE, and synchronously; in timetabled sessions). Here, we showcase Operation Enigma – a unique organised crime group case study created in a cross-Faculty and interdisciplinary partnership, involving a County Lines criminal investigation, incorporating crime scenes, seminars, and practical laboratory classes. Linking the entirety of Operation Enigma is digital technology (mobile phone, CCTV, social media, and background intelligence). This is a transformative heutagogy, integrating professional expectations, via co-creation, peer feedback, reflection, and problem-based learning to enhance students’ Graduate Attributes, with development of 21 century employability skills (collaboration, critical analysis, communication, creative thinking). Operation Enigma demonstrates the paramount importance of authentic real-world learning. Ultimately, this will interest global Criminal Justice educators (academics, practitioners, trainers) as to innovative and immersive learning opportunities.Item Metadata only Application of the Behaviour Change Wheel to Optimise Infant Feeding in Bangladeshi and Pakistani Communities in the UK: Co-Development of the Learning About Infant Feeding Together (LIFT) Intervention(Wiley, 2025-04-24) Kwah, Kayleigh; Bartle, Naomi; Sharps, Maxine; Choudhry, Kubra; Blissett, Jacqueline; Brown, KatherineBreastfeeding rates in the UK are amongst the lowest in the world, largely driven by individual- and social-level barriers. Evidence has also highlighted that cultural factors can play an important part, such as for the UK South Asian community. Although aggregated breastfeeding data indicates that initiation is high amongst the UK South Asian population, sub-group data shows that this is substantially lower amongst people of Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnicity. As such, culturally tailored interventions are called for. This research aimed to systematically develop an evidence-based culturally tailored intervention to support the optimisation of infant feeding in these communities. The ‘Learning about Infant Feeding Together’ (LIFT) intervention was co-developed by researchers, six community peer group champions, and a 3rd sector organisation supporting UK South Asian women. Development was guided by the REPLACE approach (a framework for the development of culturally specific community-based interventions) and the Behaviour Change Wheel (a framework for describing, designing and evaluating behaviour change strategies). It involved three co-development intervention workshops as part of a rigorous systematic intervention development approach. A culturally tailored intervention incorporating nine behaviour change techniques was produced. The intervention aims to increase breastfeeding by targeting six infant feeding behaviours identified as important, changeable and pertinent to the communities involved. The final intervention includes posters, leaflets, and an animation. The transparent reporting of intervention content and the approach taken to development will support the growth of evidence-based practice in the field of infant feeding.Item Open Access Academic Citizenship - A Visual Model(2020-10-27) Nichols-Drew, L.Item Open Access Amorphous solid dispersion formulation of pimobendan for bioavailability enhancement: A comprehensive study on miscibility, interactions, and in vitro dissolution behavior(Elsevier, 2025-04-03) Qu, Beibei; Wu, Hengqian; Ding, Zhuang; Bu, Rupeng; Zheng, Heng; Han, Jun; Li, M.; Wang, ZhengpingAmorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) of poorly soluble pimobendan (PIMO) in cellulose matrices, including hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS-HG, HPMCAS-MG, HPMCAS-LG), polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate (PVPVA64), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPK30), were investigated, aiming to identify the optimal polymer to enhance its solubility and stability of the drug product. The results indicated that the miscibility between PIMO and the selected polymers can be predicted by Hansen solubility parameters and Flory-Huggins interaction parameters, with the ranking order of PVPVA64 > PVPK30 > HPMCAS. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed significant interactions between PIMO and these polymers. Recrystallization inhibition and dissolution performance were ranked as HPMCAS-HG > HPMCAS-MG > HPMCAS-LG > PVPK30 > PVPVA64. Additionally, the results also indicated that HPMCAS-HG had superior stability compared to PVPVA64 and PVPK30 under elevated humidity, as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. These findings provide a theoretical basis for selection of the optimal polymer for design of PIMO ASDs.Item Embargo Tubulin targeting agents and their implications in non-cancer disease management(Elsevier, 2025-03-27) Snape, Timothy J.; Lal, SamridhiMicrotubules act as molecular ‘‘tracks’’ for intracellular transport of accessory proteins to enable them to assemble into various larger structures, such as spindle fibers formed during the cell cycle. Microtubules provide an organizational framework for healthy functioning of various cellular processes which work through the process of dynamic instability, driven by hydrolysis of GTP. In their role, tubulin proteins undergo various modifications and in doing so modulate various healthy or pathogenic functioning of physiological processes within cells. In this review, we provide a detailed update of small molecule chemical agents which interact with tubulin, along with their implications, specifically in non-cancer disease management.Item Open Access Current Issues: Is the workplace about to get better or worse for disabled people in the United Kingdom?(Taylor and Francis, 2025-04-01) Berghs, Maria; Wilkinson, MeredithIn the United Kingdom, the new labour government has recently unveiled two new bills, the Employment Rights Bill and Equality Race and Disability Bill, that seem to strengthen the 2010 Equality Act. However, it is not clear how these bills will address the disability employment gap. The government’s policy to Make Work Pay has many good points like more transparency in terms of race, gender and disability pay gaps but it also raises questions about what devolvement to local authorities to get more disabled and chronically ill people into work will look like? This seems to target disabled and chronically ill people and does not think about how to create more enabling workplace environments following the social model.Item Metadata only How do patients determine when their inhaler is empty? Insights from an analysis of returned inhalers and a patient survey(BMJ, 2024-12-25) Murphy, Anna C.; Carroll, Will; Gotsell, Marissa; Potter, Charles; Quint, Jennifer K.; Malone, RachelBackground Inhalers are widely used for the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, there is little knowledge about the extent to which an inhaler is used and when it is disposed of, despite the implications for an individual’s health (when used beyond the recommended number of doses (overused)), and medicine wastage, healthcare costs and the environment (when discarded with remaining doses (underused)). To explore inhaler use, we assessed the number of doses remaining in pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) returned via a Chiesi Inhaler Recycling scheme. Methods pMDIs were dismantled, and components recycled where possible. Each canister was weighed and the mass of the formulation remaining was calculated. pMDIs were categorised based on number of doses remaining (underused, used, empty (indicating correct use) and overused) and by dose counter presence/absence. A separate online survey was used to obtain patient feedback on inhaler use and disposal behaviours. Results Overall, 2614 pMDIs were analysed (55.9% maintenance, 44.1% reliever inhalers); 1015 (38.8%) had an integrated dose counter. The proportion of pMDIs returned empty was greater for inhalers with dose counters than for those without (51.3% vs 25.1%; p<0.0001); the proportion of pMDIs returned underused was lower for inhalers with dose counters than for those without (5.2% vs 33.2%; p<0.0001). The proportion of pMDIs returned overused was substantial and similar for devices with and without dose counters (34.0% vs 23.2%; p>0.01). Most respondents (55.2%) using devices without a dose counter reported that they were not confident in identifying when their inhaler was empty. Furthermore, many respondents (20.6%) who used inhalers with a dose counter reported continued use beyond ‘zero’. Conclusions Our study suggests that many inhalers are returned underused or overused, with inadequate knowledge among patients about the number of therapeutic doses remaining in the device and appropriate inhaler disposal. These have concerning implications for patient health and the environment and highlight a need for high-quality education for patients and healthcare professionals.Item Open Access The use of non-thermal plasma for DNA decontamination in a forensic vacuum metal deposition chamber: A proof of concept study(Elsevier, 2025-03-30) Hussain, Katie; King, Roberto S.P.; Allan, Raymond N.; Farrugia, Kevin; Krzeminska-Ahmadzai, UrszulaVacuum Metal Deposition (VMD) is routinely deployed for fingermark development on various types of evidence. In efforts to implement a sequential forensic workflow where fingermarks are processed before DNA collection to maximise evidential value, it is essential to prevent cross-contamination between analysed items. Non-thermal plasma (NTP) presents a potential advantage in DNA decontamination as it can reach areas that are inaccessible to conventional UV-C light and eliminates the need for solvents that might interfere with the vacuum-based systems. In this study, different NTP conditions generated within a VMD chamber were tested on human cells with known DNA concentrations, and cell-free DNA. This included variations in power (maximum and medium), exposure times (0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h), and pressures (1.68, 2, 4.27 ×10−1 mbar). Overall, a reduction of approximately 100-fold in DNA concentration was observed after plasma treatment. Out of the tested conditions 1 h, 2 × 10−1 mbar and maximum power proved to be the most stable plasma for the DNA removal. While UV-C light was more efficient at degrading cell-free DNA in direct line of sight by reducing DNA levels below the limit of detection and showing significant degradation, NTP was more effective at eliminating DNA out of the line of sight. These findings suggest that NTP could be a promising tool for DNA decontamination of forensic instruments like VMD. Future research should focus on optimizing NTP settings, including power output and vacuum conditions, to ensure complete DNA removal.Item Open Access An evaluation of the effect of powders on fingermarks developed with cyanoacrylate fuming(Elsevier, 2025-03-18) Stoddart, Will; Blackman, Emily; Pearson, Hannah; Deacon, Paul; Armitage, Rachel; Farrugia, Kevin J.The use of cyanoacrylate (CA) fuming for the detection of fingermarks is generally followed by a secondary process such as dye staining or powdering. This study presents Phase 2 trials with planted fingermarks across five enhancement sequences comparing the use of basic yellow 40 (BY40) dye staining and a variety of powders (black magnetic powder, Bristol Black and fpNatural® 1 and 2) after cyanoacrylate fuming on two different types of plastic materials. Other variables included 10 fingermark donors, four ageing periods and 50 depletions. These trials were then followed by Phase 3 trials to assess whether the results observed in Phase 2 trials are replicated on similar plastic items typically submitted to forensic laboratories. For Phase 2 trials, the use of BY40 as secondary process to CA fuming resulted in more high-quality graded marks when compared to powdering. The fingermark grading data from the five enhancement sequences showed a significant difference with a moderate effect size. With the exception of black magnetic powder, the powdering of cyanoacrylate treated marks resulted in a detrimental effect due to infill of ridge detail. BY40 staining after the use of powders improved some of the detrimental effects; however, the use of BY40 without powders, in general, was more effective. Phase 3 trials yielded a correlation to Phase 2 trials whereby the two-step process of CA fuming with BY40 was the most effective enhancement sequence. It is therefore recommended that BY40 dye staining, rather than powders, is employed as a secondary process to CA fuming, unless the use of BY40 is not possible due to the porosity of the substrate.Item Open Access The Fire Behaviour of Fabrics Containing Dried Emollient Residues(MDPI, 2025-03-29) McDermott, Roisin; Richards, Mya; Wright, Megan-Mae; Shajan, George; Morrissey, Joanne; Hall, SarahA significant number of UK fire fatalities have been reported to involve textiles contaminated with emollients. In the following study, the flammability of a variety of fabrics containing 14 different emollients, including paraffin-free creams, was evaluated. This is the first time the impact of the presence of such a large range of emollients has been examined. Horizontal burn tests were conducted on emollient-contaminated fabrics. Significantly earlier ignition time were noted upon heating for all emollient-contaminated fabrics (p < 0.001) when compared to the behaviour of blank fabrics were noted using a vertical burn test. The mean time to ignition for 100% cotton fabric (151 ± 2 g/m2) was reduced from 71.5 to 14.4 s and for 52%/48% polyester/cotton fabric (103 ± 2 g/m2) from 328 to 12.9 s by the presence of emollients. Horizontal burn tests with a direct flame on 100% cotton fabric (114 ± 1 g/m2) displayed an accelerated mean flame speed from 0.0032 to 0.0048 ms−1 and an increased maximum flame height of 56.6 to 175.4 mm for emollient-contaminated fabrics. These findings demonstrate the fire risk of fabrics contaminated with a dried emollient. Their potential to ignite quickly and to propagate a fire may strongly decrease the reaction time of an impacted individual. Therefore, it is important that this risk and appropriate safety advice be continually highlighted and communicated not only in the UK but worldwide.Item Open Access Insight into the Precipitation Inhibition of Polymers within Cocrystal Formulations in Solution Using Experimental and Molecular Modeling Techniques(ACS, 2025-02-28) Alinda, Peace; Botana, Adolfo; Li, M.This study investigated the role of various polymers as precipitation inhibitors in solutions of flufenamic acid (FFA) and its cocrystals with theophylline (FFA-TP) and nicotinamide (FFA-NIC). Through a combination of NMR spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, and nucleation studies using Crystal16, we evaluated the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate (PVP-VA), and Soluplus (SOL), both individually and in combinations, on the nucleation, diffusion, and self-association of FFA molecules in solution. 1H NMR and DOSY measurements revealed that while PEG was highly effective in reducing molecular mobility, thus significantly delaying nucleation, PVP-VA facilitated nucleation by enhancing FFA diffusion and aggregation. SOL provided a balance, enhancing molecular mobility but maintaining a delayed nucleation effect, likely due to micellar encapsulation, as evidenced by line broadening in 1H NMR. Combination systems such as PVP-VA-PEG and PVP-VA-SOL showed synergistic effects, with PVP-VA-SOL proving particularly effective in inhibiting FFA nucleation across all systems. Molecular dynamics simulations supported these findings by highlighting changes in intermolecular interactions and aggregation tendencies in the presence of each polymer. This comprehensive analysis suggested that selecting appropriate polymeric excipients, or combinations thereof, can finely tune the nucleation behaviours of drug solutions, offering a strategic approach to optimizing the stability of supersaturated drug solutions.Item Open Access Chemopreventive properties of naturally occurring methoxylated resveratrol analogues(Elsevier, 2025-03-22) Brucoli, Federico; Neba Ambe, Gael Noel Neh; Bhambra, Avninder; Arroo, RandolphWhereas thousands of papers have been published on the cancer chemopreventive properties of resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) and related monomeric stilbenoids, there still is no consensus on their mechanism of action in a dietary setting. A widely held assumption is that the naturally occurring trans stilbenoids act as phytoestrogens, and thus affect cell metabolism of estrogen sensitive cells. This is known to be the mechanism of action for Tamoxifen, a synthetic drug with a stilbene moiety at its core, which is now approved as a chemopreventive agent. The bioavailability of resveratrol is low, which means that the doses known to inhibit cell proliferation in vitro (IC50 in the range 3–30 µM) are never reached in vivo. The cytotoxic activity of a methoxylated analogue of resveratrol, pterostilbene (3,5-dimethoxy-4’-hydroxy trans stilbene), is in the same range as resveratrol. However, the methoxylated trans stilbenoid appears have better pharmacokinetic properties. Still, its overall bioavailability in vivo seems insufficient to make it have any significant effect on modulation of carcinogenesis. Polymethoxylated cis-stilbenoids (combretastatins), in contrast to the trans-stilbenoids, are too cytotoxic to be considered as chemopreventive agents. Combretastatin A4 has been considered as a cancer therapeutic agent; it inhibits tubulin polymerization by interacting at the colchicine binding site of microtubules, a mechanism of action that is fundamentally different from that of the trans-stilbenoids. It may be speculated that naturally occurring trans stilbenoids selectively accumulate in precancerous cells, thus locally reaching sufficiently high levels. This hypothesis may be difficult to prove experimentally. Further clues on the material properties of stilbenoids will most likely come from synthetic chemistry, where a wide range of analogues can be investigated for structure–activity relationships.Item Open Access Amination of Flavonoids Possessing a Pyrogallol Group in Cell Culture Medium at 37◦C(Wiley, 2025-02-18) Zhang, Haolin; Zhang, Jingjing; Cao, Hui; Högger, Petra; Arroo, Randolph; Farag, Mohamed A.; Shpigelman, Avi; Xiao, Jianbo; Li, ChunlinA class of flavonoid aminated derivatives that had been consistently overlooked in literaturewas shown to be formed as artefacts in cell culturemedium. In this study, 34 flavonoids from different subclasses were incubated in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’sMedium (DMEM) at 37◦C for 2 h to identify the reaction mechanism behind aminated derivatives formation from flavonoids. Baicalein, scutellarein, dihydromyricetin, (−)-gallocatechin (GC), (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-GC gallate, and (−)-EGC gallate were found to yield corresponding nitrogenous derivatives in both DMEM and amino acid solution. The nitrogen source of these seven flavonoid -aminated derivatives was revealed to be amino acids in DMEM. The pyrogallol group of the flavonoids was a key structural motif, being first oxidized into quinone and then further reacting with amino acids (Strecker degradation) to yield aminated flavonoids and corresponding aldehydes. A slightly alkaline environment accelerated the amination of flavonoids, possibly via the formation of flavonoid quinone. These results provide the mechanistic evidence for the in vitro generation of flavonoid -aminated derivatives, yet to be tested using in vivo assays.Item Metadata only Application of Design of Experiment for development of orally disintegrating tablets(University of Huddersfield Press, 2023-12-30) Ermolina, I.; Hackl, E.The current work presents the formulation development methodology for Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODTs) using Design of Experiment (DoE). The statistical software JMP was used to design the experiments and analyse the data for producing sodium Ibuprofen freeze-dried ODTs. In the first stage, several pure excipients (polymers, amino acids, and polyols) were freeze-dried and the quality attributes of the cakes were evaluated. Four critical quality attributes (CQAs) were determined based on the target profile: disintegration time, mechanical strength, moisture uptake, appearance. In the second stage, the placebo tablets comprising sodium alginate, alanine, and mannitol (working as a matrix shape-former and lyo-/cryo-protectors), were designed using Mixture DoE, freeze-dried and characterized to identify the optimal combination of the excipients. In the third stage, the ODTs containing sodium Ibuprofen were designed within a reduced design space to optimize the formulation. The wettability and dissolution of the ODTs were studied. The proposed methodology enabled the estimation of working design space and facilitated the production of freeze-dried ODTs with the required quality attributes. Sodium alginate was identified as the key excipient in the formulation, affecting all CQAs. The optimal combination of sodium alginate, alanine and mannitol corresponding to the desirable target profile was found (30%:40%:30%).Item Metadata only DMU Forensics: Tripartite (Tri Active Modal) Experiential Learning from Crime Scene to Court(2021-10) Nichols-Drew, L.DMU Forensics: Tripartite TAME (Tri Active Modal Experiential) Learning from Crime Scene to Court Experiential learning is at the heart of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences accredited BSc (Hons) Forensic Science undergraduate degree at De Montfort University. The course accreditation requirements are aligned to key stages within the Criminal Justice System: Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Laboratory Analysis and the Evaluation, Interpretation and Presentation of Evidence at Court. At DMU, we implement a Tri Active Modal Experiential approach for the student active learning experience: physical (utilising on campus facilities such as the crime scene house and non-residential space, industry specification laboratory facilities and court rooms), integrating contextual information provided by academic colleagues from our practitioner casework experience, with the virtual world (embracing innovative and immersive technologies). This is a transformative heutagogy, integrating professional expectations with essential employability skills, via co-creation, object and problem-based learning. This novel approach will be of interest to courses across DMU and will demonstrated the paramount importance of experiential learning in enhancing the student experience.Item Metadata only Using physiology teaching to support pharmacists to assess patients in the community(The Physiology Society and the Academy of Healthcare Sciences, 2022-04-01) Harrison, TimThe role of the pharmacist is rapidly evolving, with pharmacists increasingly involved in holistic patient-centred care. This is driven by a focus on community-based health services and the increasing use of the pharmacy workforce to fill gaps in other sectors. The Community Pharmacy Consultation Service (CPCS), commissioned in 2019 connects patients with minor illness with community pharmacists, with referrals coming from NHS111 and general practice. As part of this service, pharmacists need to be able to assess patients and be vigilant for acute illness presentation, understanding how to refer patients for whom they have concerns. Central to this is the application of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS), as developed by the Royal College of Physicians, an aggregated score allocated to physiological measurements that standardises and improves the detection and response to acute illness in adult patients. NEWS, including the relevance of the physiological response has been taught in postgraduate pharmacy practice in recent years as part of non-medical prescribing studies. However, with the advent of the CPCS, and the recently revised initial education and training standards for pharmacists, which both recognise the evolving role of the pharmacist, NEWS is being increasingly taught across all levels of pharmacy education so that pharmacists are equipped to keep patients safe as they deliver clinically appropriate near patient services, and support patients with self-care.Item Open Access How to use clinical reasoning in pharmacy(Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 2022-02-01) Rutter, Paul; Harrison, Tim; Mills, LizzieItem Metadata only Effect of lubricants on the properties of tablets compressed from varied size granules(University of Huddersfield Press, 2023-12-30) Hackl, E.; Ermolina, I.; Kabova, E.Magnesium stearate (MgSt) is one of the most widely used solid lubricants in oral solid dosage forms. However, MgSt can negatively impact the tablets, decreasing their mechanical properties and lengthening disintegration/dissolution times. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of MgSt and Sodium Stearyl Fumarate (SSF) lubricants on the physical characteristics of immediate release caffeine tablets compressed using granules of different sizes. Overall, the results demonstrate that using SSF as a lubricant significantly enhances tablet mechanical strength and reduces disintegration/wetting times for all granule sizes used to compress tablets. With smaller granules, SSF tends to be more effective. Over-lubrication with SSF leads to a decrease in tablet hardness as well, though to a significantly lesser extent than over-lubrication with MgSt.Item Open Access The Impact of the Current Student Loans Regime on Muslim Student Engagement and Retention in English Higher Education.(De Montfort University, 2025-02-05) Loonat, Sumeya; Hall, Richard; Maryam, YusraaThere is much interest in the potential for an alternative funding system for higher education students in England to support the spiritual and worldly needs of British Muslim students. At present those who wish to study in English universities and HE providers are still tied to a financial system that is contentious for many because it is predicated upon paying back interest, known as riba. From Arabic, riba points towards financial arrangements that are a form of usury, and are seen to be exploitative. This is haram, or forbidden, for practicing Muslims. The relationship between access to (and progression through) academic study and engagement with finance is contentious where it reveals the tensions between Islam as a deeply-spiritual, faith-based way of life (in Arabic, deen), and the reality that this way of life is lived, materially, in a worldly existence (in Arabic, dunya). The extent to which these tensions both play out for Muslim students and impact their lived experiences of HE has received limited attention. Although recent UK Governments have promised an alternative system, and have even engaged in consultation on the issue, there is a need for richer educational research on the impact of this system on Muslims who are trying to adhere to Islamic teachings This report engages with this gap, and discusses one Academic Innovation Project (AIP), funded at De Montfort University (DMU) in the 2023/24 academic session. This project developed, cross-institutionally, the outcomes of a third-year, DMU Education Studies dissertation undertaken in 2022/23, by Yusraa Maryam (with Richard Hall as her supervisor). This dissertation undertook a small scale, qualitative investigation of the experiences of Muslim students who saw interest-bearing loans as a barrier to their higher learning. In the AIP, Yusraa and Richard, working with Sumeya Loonat, extended and enhanced this pilot. Sumeya, a DMU PhD student and a British Muslim female, acted as a research mentor to Yusraa, and this enabled the team to ground this student-led research around retention. At its heart lay a desire to explore the factors that shape retention for Muslim students who see student loans as a barrier to their retention and ability to stay the course. Thus, we focus on the outcomes of in-depth interviews with 12 British Muslim undergraduate and postgraduate taught students, which were designed to evaluate the impacts of interest-bearing loans on Muslim students retention in one University in English HE. The analysis of these interviews highlighted how the struggle between the spiritual deen and the worldly dunya shaped much of what was reported by these students, with money challenging and conditioning faith. In this, the complex ways in which individuals engage with student finance were related to their spiritual intentions, and this then shaped their educational experiences and choices. Whilst the role of family was important in engaging with their studies, this struggle had an affective, emotional impact. In managing these outcomes, the students demonstrate very deep layers of inner faith, commitment, drive and hope for the future. These are also moulded in family and in community. At the same time, our participants made a plea for the recognition of the significance of this issue for students like them by University senior leaders. At the core of this work, we note that these students are engaged in a struggle for recognition, and in this they deserve to be heard.Item Embargo Multicomponent Crystal Forms of Albendazole for Bioavailability Improvement(ACS, 2025-01-22) Adegbolagun, Mayowa A.N.; Wang, Ke; Yamaguchi, Toshio; Hamaguchi, Tomohiko; Yoshida, Koji; Kawata, Satoshi; Seaton, Colin C.; Harano, Azuchi; Han, Jun; Wang, Zhengping; Li, M.In this study, a large-scale screening of multicomponent crystal forms of albendazole (ABZ) was carried out, aiming to improve its solubility and dissolution rate for bioavailability improvement. A computational pre-screening tool based on the hydrogen bond energy was employed for initial selection of the coformer candidates to shorten the period and number of the experimental investigations, leading to the discovery of eight ABZ multicomponent solids, e.g., 1:1 albendazole-alpha-ketoglutaric acid (ABZ-AKA), 1:1 albendazole - etidronic acid (ABZ-ETA), 1:1 albendazole – (R)-mandelic acid (ABZ-RMA), albendazole – (S)-mandelic acid (1:1 ABZ-SMA), albendazole - citraconic acid (1:1 ABZ-CTA), 1:1 albendazole - mandelic acid (ABZ-MDA), 1:1 albendazole - cyclamic acid (ABZ-CYA), and albendazole - malonic acid (1:1 ABZ-MLA). Although these solids are salt cocrystal adducts based on the ΔpKa rule, they are all salt forms according to the structure analyses and FTIR results. The dissolution study has shown that the cocrystals of both ABZ-ETA and ABZ-CYA significantly improved the ABZ dissolution performance in comparison with the parent drug of ABZ.