20413 research outputs found
Sort by
Publication Overview
No full textRecent years have seen considerable advances in methods for virtual representation, digital recording, and documentation of built heritage. Despite these technological developments, the cultural heritage sector in Ireland has yet to fully embrace and integrate these innovations into standard practice. A clear gap remains between research-driven advancements and practical, widespread application within heritage organisations and among professionals. Bridging this gap is essential to ensuring that new approaches become embedded in the everyday workflows of the sector
Accuracy and repeatability of autorefraction in young adults: a comparison of cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic methods
No full textClinical Relevance: Cycloplegic refraction remains crucial in young adults, where accommodative activity can obscure accurate refractive status. Autorefractor repeatability is essential for precise optical correction and refractive error categorisation in clinical and research settings.
Background: Cycloplegic autorefraction is recommended for individuals up to 20 years to prevent hyperopia underestimation and myopia overestimation. This study evaluated differences between non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction following cyclopentolate hydrochloride (cycloplegic agent) administration in young adults. This study also explored whether this difference varied by refractive status (hyperopia (≥1.00D), emmetropia ( \u3e−0.50, \u3c 1.00D), myopia (≤-0.50D)) or pre- instillation of proxymetacaine hydrochloride and whether cycloplegia improved autorefractor repeatability.
Methods: Participants were 182 young adults (17–30 years) (mean (standard deviation): 21.66 (2.86) years). The right eye received 0.5% proxymetacaine hydrochloride and one (blue/green irides) or two drops (brown/hazel irides) of 1.0% cyclopentolate hydrochloride. The left eye received cyclopentolate hydrochloride only. Autorefraction was performed before and after cycloplegia. Analysis included paired t-testing, Deming regression, Bland-Altman analysis and equivalence testing.
Results: Cycloplegic autorefraction was significantly more hyperopic than non- cycloplegic autorefraction (mean difference: 0.68(0.71) D in right eyes, 0.53(0.53) D in left eyes; p \u3c 0.001) with 48.4% of participants exhibiting clinically significant differences of ≥ 0.50D. Agreement between non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic measurements was poor (limits of agreement: −0.71 D to +2.07 D, right eye). Hyperopes showed the greatest shift (1.39(0.91) D), compared to emmetropes (0.66(0.47) D) and myopes (0.31 (0.34) D). Cycloplegia improved repeatability, narrowing limits of agreement (−0.16 D to +0.15 D vs −0.24 D to +0.21 D). Proxymetacaine hydrochloride pre-instillation enhanced cycloplegic effect (+0.15 (0.07) D), particularly in hyperopic participants.
Conclusions: A clinically significant difference was observed between non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic autorefraction in young adult participants, particularly among hyperopes. Cycloplegic measurements showed better repeatability, supporting their use for accurate refraction. Further research is needed on potential enhancing effects of proxymetacaine hydrochloride, particularly in diverse populations
Information Management / BIM Technology Deployment Plan
No full textThis technology deployment plan sets out the practical steps required to implement and operationalise selected Information Management and BIM (BIM) technologies. It defines activities, responsibilities, sequencing, and dependencies to ensure systems are configured, tested, and adopted in a controlled and coordinated manner. The plan supports effective change management, training, and transition to business-as-usual use, reducing risk and disruption. Overall, it provides a clear, actionable framework for moving from technology selection to consistent, reliable use that supports standards-aligned Information Management / BIM delivery
How can tailored entrepreneurship training effectively support the emancipation of people with disabilities in Ireland?
No full textThis thesis investigates the impact of tailored entrepreneurship training on the perceived emancipation of aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities in Ireland. This community is significantly underrepresented in the labour market, yet it is hindered in accessing self-employment opportunities due to a lack of specific training and limited access to necessary resources. Furthermore, there is a dearth of knowledge in academic literature addressing the influence of tailored entrepreneurship programmes targeted at people with disabilities. To address this knowledge gap, this study gathered data from in-depth interviews with 21 key informants (including nine participants from TU Dublin’s entrepreneurship training programme, five representatives from support agencies, and four government officials), and following detailed analysis of the data, a novel conceptual model was developed.
The qualitative analysis offers detailed insights into the perspectives, unique experiences, and challenges faced by people with disabilities in entrepreneurship. Participants shared their personal experiences regarding the effectiveness of the training programme. At the same time, representatives from support agencies and policymakers provided organisational perspectives, discussed policy challenges, identified opportunities, and offered recommendations for improving support mechanisms.
The research is structured around one critical research question and three objectives focused on the entrepreneurial knowledge and competencies, perceived emancipation, and entrepreneurial opportunities for people with disabilities in Ireland. Key findings reveal that entrepreneurship training significantly improves the entrepreneurial knowledge, competencies, and perceived emancipation of people with disabilities. Both male and female participants reported substantial gains in knowledge and competencies, with males being more incessant in seeking financial gains and females adopting a more methodical approach due to caregiving responsibilities.
Overall, the study offers valuable insights into potential methods for enhancing entrepreneurial activities among individuals with disabilities by improving policy and practice. The research fills gaps in the literature by offering three significant contributions: (I) Benefits of tailored entrepreneurship training on knowledge and competence; (II) Insights into economic and personal emancipation of people with disabilities; and (III) Development of an emancipatory entrepreneurship training model to address the gap between training and perceived emancipation.
The significance of this study lies in its recommendations for designing and implementing appropriate practices, policies, and specific entrepreneurship programmes that aim to improve income, standard of living, and overall economic development for aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities
An Initial Design Framework for Virtual Historic Dublin
No full textAs a single coherent model, the proposed Virtual Historic Dublin City will improve the current approaches for planning, conserving, presenting and interpreting cultural heritage buildings and their environments. The combination of digital recording, modelling and data management systems enable the interaction with complex, interlinked three-dimensional structures containing rich and diverse underlying data. End users can encompass architectural and engineering conservation, education and research, in addition to public engagement and cultural tourism. In this paper a digital design framework is presented, based on state of the art current approaches for recording, modelling and presenting Virtual Historic Dublin. The modelling sites and structures is based on remotely sensed survey data which is processed and modelled in Historic BIM or GIS allowing the addition of semantic attributes. Archiving and storage of both models and knowledge and information attributes requires open systems and server data base capable of handling vector and point cloud information in addition to other digital data. The dissemination and interaction with the models and attached knowledge attributions is based on combining game engine platforms, Historic BIM, Historic GIS and access to compatible storage and data base
Structural Simulations and Conservation Analysis -Historic Building Information Model (HBIM)
No full textIn this paper the current findings to date of the Historic Building Information Model (HBIM) of the Four Courts in Dublin are presented. The Historic Building Information Model (HBIM) forms the basis for both structural and conservation analysis to measure the impact of war damage which still impacts on the building. The laser scan survey was carried out in the summer of 2014 of the internal and external structure. After registration and processing of the laser scan survey, the HBIM was created of the damaged section of the building and is presented as two separate workflows in this paper. The first is the model created from historic data, the second a procedural and segmented model developed from laser scan survey of the war damaged drum and dome. From both models, structural damage and decay simulations will be developed for documentation and conservation analysis
Development of antimicrobial formulations from natural extracts and silver nanoparticles
No full textFood waste is a current global issue due to the increasing population and climate change. With this in mind, consumers have become more aware of the need for sustainable food preservation methods and they search for natural products. Traditional preservatives can be toxic/harmful to humans in large doses. The increased demand is for using natural preservatives in food preservation such as essential oils (EOs) and Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). In our research a green chemistry method was used to synthesise Silver nanoparticles AgNPs with the amino acid tyrosine. The AgNPs were characterised using UV-Vis, concentration and TEM. The AgNPs had a peak absorbance of 420nm, it had a concentration of 60ppm, and they were 50nm in spherical shape. A nano-emulsion was prepared for the following EOS; Cinnamon, Oregano, Thyme, and Grapefruit. The AgNPs and EOs were tested against pathogenic bacteria commonly found in food (E. coli, S. aureus, Salmonella, and Listeria Monocytogenes. MIC tests with Cinnamon and AgNPs determined that the MBC of cinnamon was 1250ppm and 2500ppm, while the AgNPs had and MBC of \u3e30ppm. The FIC of each formulation tested against was found to be synergistic except for Grapefruit which did not. The strongest formulation was the tertiary FIC with AgNPs, Cinnamon, Oregano and Thyme. This formulation had an FIC below 0.7 for all bacterial strains
An Analysis of Possession Outcomes Following Turnovers and Throw-ups in Sub-Elite Gaelic Football
No full textThis study investigated possessions following turnovers and throw-ups in sub-elite Gaelic football, an area only explored at elite level. A total of 1,735 possessions from 48 championship matches involving 67 teams from the 2023 and 2024 seasons were analysed. Binary logistic regression was employed to model the key predictors of successful possessions following turnovers. Turnovers won in contact significantly increased the likelihood of a score (p=.012), while possession duration between 31–90 seconds was associated with higher scoring rates (p \u3c . 001). Although descriptive statistics indicated that more passes led to more scores, the regression analysis revealed possession sequences of 1-10 passes were more likely to lead to successful possessions (p = .004). The first action following a turnover significantly predicted possession success. Periods of 1-90 seconds ball out of play increased scoring odds (p \u3c .001). The findings of the current study provide novel insights into transition play and possession effectiveness in sub-elite Gaelic football, with practical implications for coaching and analysis
Editorial: 1st Asia Pacific International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conference (APIRTP)
No full textEditorial: 1st Asia Pacific International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conference (APIRTP
Religious Reinterpretation in the Pilgrimage Experience to the Ganges River, India of Balinese Ethnic Hindus
No full textThe interaction between Balinese ethnic Hindus and India in the modern era is reestablishing a connection between Balinese local knowledge with Hindu religious destinations in India. Balinese folklore mentions various holy places, including the Ganges River, which is considered part of Bali\u27s sacred worship domain. This ceremonial tradition causes the ethnic groups to worship the Ganges and request for holy water, eliminating the need for the direct pilgrimage to the holy place. In the modern era, the tradition of seeking holy water has evolved into a driving force behind the interest in the pilgrimage to the Ganges River. This leads to a shift in religious interpretation from worshiping the Ganges to embarking on a journey to the holy place. Therefore, this study aimed to express the transformation by exploring the pilgrimage tendency, religious reinterpretation, and the pilgrimage experience of ethnic Balinese Hindus at the Ganges River. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to address these objectives, complemented by a quantitative approach, using purposive sampling. Data collection included literature reviews, observations, in-depth interviews, and questionnaires. The collected data were subjected to both descriptive quantitative and interpretive qualitative analyses. The results showed that there was a rising trend in the pilgrimage among ethnic Balinese Hindus due to the reinterpretation of the tradition of seeking holy water, which manifested as the pilgrimage to the Ganges River. In addition, this reinterpretation has led to a positive and enriching the pilgrimage experience, motivating repeated visits