National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Maynooth University ePrints and eTheses ArchiveNot a member yet
18158 research outputs found
Sort by
On the Ratio of Reactive to Active Power in Wave Energy Converter Control
No full textOptimal control of wave energy converters (WECs), while converting wave energy into a usable
form, such as electricity, may inject (reactive) power into the system at various points in the wave cycle.
Though somewhat counter-intuitive, this action usually results in improved overall energy conversion. However, recent experimental results show that, on occasion, reactive power peaks can be significantly in excess of
active power levels, leaving device developers with difficult decision in how to rate the power take-off of the
system i.e. whether to cater for these high reactive power peaks, or limit power flow to rated (active) levels.
The origins of these excessive power peaks are currently poorly understood, creating significant uncertainty
in how to deal with them. In this paper, we show that, using both theoretical results and an illustrative
simulation case study, under matched controller conditions (impedance-matching optimal condition), for
both monochromatic and panchromatic sea-states, that the maximum peak reactive/active power ratio never
exceeds unity. However, under mismatched WEC/controller conditions, this peak power ratio can exceed
unity, bringing unrealistic demands on the power take-off (PTO) rating. The paper examines the various
origins of system/controller mismatch, including modelling error, controller synthesis inaccuracies, and
non-ideal PTO behaviour, highlighting the consequences of such errors on reactive power flow levels. This
important result points to the need for accurate WEC modeling, while also showing the folly of catering for
excessive reactive power peaks
Defining the Role of Diminished CD73 Expression and Altered Extracellular Adenosine Signalling on Wound Healing and Barrier Function in Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
No full textEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus,
believed to be triggered by an allergen-specific immune response, resulting in progressive
barrier dysfunction and impaired wound healing. EoE is characterised by the influx of
inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and leukocytes to the esophagus driving a type-2
inflammatory response in EoE, sequestering available oxygen in the esophageal epithelium
and creating a pathologically hypoxic microenvironment. Previously published literature
has demonstrated a significant attenuation of HIF-1α signalling in EoE patients and
additionally in an in vivo L2-IL5OXA EoE mouse model, contributing to esophageal epithelial
barrier dysfunction mediated via decreased claudin-1 expression within EoE. Furthermore,
HIF-1α, via transcriptional upregulation of target genes is critical for mediating homeostatic
epithelial functions such as cell migration, proliferation and barrier restoration, essential
processes for effective wound healing responses, which have been demonstrated to be
dysregulated in EoE.
Building on previously published data, CD73 a direct downstream transcriptional
target of HIF-1α was shown to be significantly diminished in EoE patients. CD73/ecto-5’-
nucleotidase plays a critical role in the production of extracellular adenosine, a signalling
molecule important for playing an adaptive and protective role during hypoxia via
interaction with extracellular adenosine receptors. These studies aimed to investigate for
the first time in the esophagus, the functional consequence diminished CD73 expression
has on mediating esophageal epithelial dysfunction within EoE. With reference to the
growing body of literature that extracellular adenosine receptor ADORA2B is critical in
protecting epithelial barrier integrity and wound healing responses during hypoxia, it
became an attractive novel pathway to further investigate in the esophageal epithelium.
We hypothesized that diminished CD73 expression in EoE, results in altered downstream
ADROA2B signalling, mediating esophageal epithelial dysfunction within EoE.
In line with this, we combined pharmacologic studies and in vivo mouse model studies
using a L2-IL5OXA EoE mouse model to address our hypothesis. Our studies demonstrated
that pharmacological inhibition of CD73 using adenosine 5’-(ɑ-β-methylene) diphosphate
(APCP) resulted in defective wound healing responses in in vitro scratch assays and
dysfunctional epithelial barrier in 3-dimensional air liquid interface cultures measured by
transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). In concordance with published literature, we
demonstrated for the first time in the esophagus that activation of downstream ADORA2B
signalling via administration of ADORA2B agonist BAY606583 improved wound healing
responses and barrier functions via restoration of fibronectin (FN1) and occludin (OCLN)
expression, which have previously been shown to be associated with downstream
ADORA2B signalling. Similarly, in vivo studies in L2-IL5OXA EoE mouse models recapitulated
our in vitro findings of improved epithelial barrier integrity characterised by increased
expression of occludin following treatment with ADORA2B specific agonist BAY606583.
Overall, our studies demonstrate a significant contribution of diminished CD73 expression
and altered ADORA2B signalling in mediating epithelial dysfunction within EoE via defective
wound healing and barrier dysfunction and establishes an exciting possibility for ADORA2B
agonist, such as BAY606583 as a potential novel therapeutic approach for EoE
Innovation Districts: Assessing Their Potential as a Strategy for Urban Economic Development
No full textInnovation districts have gained attention as a fast-spreading urban economic development strategy, raising numerous questions. What are their distinguishing attributes? Are they a substantive policy innovation? Are they likely to succeed in fostering innovation and economic dynamism? We propose a definition of innovation districts based on their characteristic features. Given the ambiguity of the term in practice, this is crucial for understanding and analyzing the strategy. We then evaluate innovation districts by applying theories and current understandings of the spatial and economic development aspects of innovation, entrepreneurship, and human capital, illustrating with examples from Boston, Detroit, Saint Louis, and San Diego. We conclude that the combination of components that comprises innovation districts is both new and valuable. Innovation districts present a potential pathway for advancing regional economic development goals via the pathways of innovation and entrepreneurship. We stress the importance of rigorous empirical evaluation and research regarding a variety of practical and strategic concerns
Climate Justice and the University. Shaping a Hopeful Future for All.
No full textA radical exploration of how higher education can advance transformative climate justice.
Amid the worsening climate crisis and intensifying inequities, higher education can play a powerful role in addressing the intersecting crises facing humanity. Institutions of higher education hold untapped potential to advance social justice and reduce climate injustices. However, universities are not yet structured to accelerate social change for the public good. In Climate Justice and the University, Jennie Stephens reimagines the potential of higher education to advance human well-being and promote ecological health.
Drawing on over thirty years of experience working on the climate crisis within higher education, Stephens offers a provocative and pathbreaking vision of how higher education can accelerate the shift toward more equitable, healthy, and stable futures for all. Building on a US and European context, she integrates examples from the innovative landscape of transformative education initiatives around the world.
With climate chaos exacerbating instability of all kinds, reimagining the transformative power of higher education is hopeful and empowering. By inviting readers to collectively reimagine different priorities and structures within higher education, Stephens disrupts long-held assumptions about how universities advance learning and research, suggesting possibilities to shape a more equitable future for all
Supported Decision-Making with Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, their Family Carers and Professional Carers
No full textSupported decision-making (SDM) – where people use trusted friends, family members, and professionals to help them understand the situations and choices they face, so they may make their own decisions – is a means for increasing autonomy. This research aimed to explore the views and experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland and their decision-making supporters (family and professional carers) regarding SDM in order to inform the development of recommendations for guidelines to facilitate SDM for this cohort in anticipation of the commencement of Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act. A mixed methods systematic review identified a gap in current understanding of how adults with intellectual disabilities and their supporters use SDM to make everyday decisions. A qualitative survey exploring family and professional carers’ experiences of providing decision-making support during the COVID-19 pandemic indicated that carers struggled to facilitate decisional support for adults with intellectual disabilities while restrictions were in place. An environmental scan of online Irish resources on SDM for adults with intellectual disabilities and their supporters identified a paucity of resources relating to the application of SDM in everyday decision-making. Focus groups conducted separately with four stakeholder groups (adults with intellectual disabilities, family carers, professional frontline staff and professional supervisory staff) explored aspects of SDM each group valued most. Two World Cafe-style multi-stakeholder workshops were held to show focus group participants the preliminary focus group conclusions and obtain further thoughts and perspectives on SDM. All findings across this project were synthesised into five key recommendations for the construction of a guide to SDM. This thesis contributes to the literature by providing a multi-stakeholder perspective on the most valued aspects of SDM for adults with intellectual disabilities and their decision-making supporters in an resource to be designed for their benefit
Minorities at War, Part 2: Minority Agency in Times of Conflict
No full textThis introduction provides an overview of the second part of thespecial issue titled “Minorities at War. Minority Agency in Timesof Conflict.” The articles in this issue underscore the role ofminority agency during times of conflict at the local, national, andregional levels. It examines how minorities self-organize inresponse to crises, the role of civic organizations and diasporas inproviding aid during wartime, and the impact of war on the creationand evolution of minority identities. Additionally, it explores theliving memories of past traumas among survivors and theirdescendants. The articles featured in this issue are based oncontributions originally presented at the BASEES Study Group forMinority History’s second official biennial symposium, “Minoritiesat War from Napoleon to Putin,” held at the New Europe College inBucharest, Romania, from 11-12 May 2023
Navigating School Attendance Challenges: Towards a Collaborative, Equitable and Unified Community Response in Limerick
No full textWhilst attending school is a positive and rewarding
experience for most children and young people,
concerns surrounding school attendance problems
are increasing both in Ireland and internationally. The
term School Attendance Problems (SAPs) is used
internationally to refer to difficulties labelled as school
refusal, and more recently termed school avoidance
or emotionally-based school avoidance; as well as
other types of school absenteeism, such as truancy,
school withdrawal or school exclusion (Heyne, Gren-Landell, Melvin & Gentle-Genitty, 2019). The reasons
for SAPs are complex and multifaceted and they
have been made more challenging by the COVID-19
pandemic (McDonald, Lester & Michelson, 2023). It is
increasingly clear that the world is changing, students’
needs are more diverse, and as a result, our approach
to school attendance and each student’s relationship
with education must be different too (Heyne, Gentle-Genitty, Melvin, et al., 2024)
Critical Analysis of the Mediation Act (2017)
No full textIn this article I describe how mediation is regulated under the Mediation Act, 2017 with
particular reference to parts 1 and 2 of the Act. I highlight key provisions, providing
rationale for my views
The MSC-EV-microRNAome: A Perspective on Therapeutic Mechanisms of Action in Sepsis and ARDS
No full textMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as innovative therapeutic agents for the treatment of sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although their potential remains undisputed in pre-clinical models, this has yet to be translated to the clinic. In this review, we focused on the role of microRNAs contained in MSC-derived EVs, the EV microRNAome, and their potential contribution to therapeutic mechanisms of action. The evidence that miRNA transfer in MSC-derived EVs has a role in the overall therapeutic effects is compelling. However, several questions remain regarding how to reconcile the stochiometric issue of the low copy numbers of the miRNAs present in the EV particles, how different miRNAs delivered simultaneously interact with their targets within recipient cells, and the best miRNA or combination of miRNAs to use as therapy, potency markers, and biomarkers of efficacy in the clinic. Here, we offer a molecular genetics and systems biology perspective on the function of EV microRNAs, their contribution to mechanisms of action, and their therapeutic potential
Minoritized mother politicians in Ireland: Subjectivities and subjectivation in the political workplace
No full textMinoritized mother politicians that include ethnic racialized minority Traveller (an Irish indigenous community), racialized ethnic minority women, and migrant women face considerable disadvantages as workers arising from the intersection of their maternal status, gender, racialized or migrant and class position. The experiences of minoritized mother candidates and politicians in Ireland are viewed through the lens of subjectivities providing insight into how these mother-workers mediate identities and status positions that place them outside of, or in tension with, a predominantly white masculinist workplace. Empirical data analysis reveals how minoritized mother candidates and politicians respond in strategic ways to forces of subjectivation that may risk affirming idealized motherhood, while obscuring gendered and racialized inequalities in the political workplace. Paradoxically, motherhood seeds political ambition while acting as a material, temporal, and affective constraint, a source of invisible labor and violence in gendered and racialized ways. However, minoritized mothers' presence and representations also offer an important challenge to this white masculinist workplace