Research@THEA (Technological Higher Education Association)
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A Part D and L regulation investigation of internal and external wall insulation used in Irish dwelling retrofits
No full textThe energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the European Union's main policy instrument for reducing the built environment contribution to climate change. Reducing the energy needs of existing buildings has a significant place in reducing
global energy demands. Huge savings can be made by achieving passive renovations and retrofits. The application of external insulation and retrofitting of insulation internally in dwellings has now become common practice to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings. Buildings are an important part of society's environmental impact, particularly in their use phase, as the energy performance of buildings improve due to retrofits. It is most important that the work that is carried out in these retrofits comply with the building regulations. Energy performance certificates (EPCs) are a tool of the energy performance of Building Directive, and these give all buildings a performance rating. The object of this research was to explore the installation of insulation on retrofits and to investigate the possibility of the effect of bad workmanship on compliance with the building regulations and to what extent that same is carried out in practice. Literature insights from peer reviewed journals, articles and papers on retrofit projects was examined and these outlined the problems associated with incorrectly fitted insulation and the long term affect same has on a retrofit dwellings. Mix method mode using triangulation was the preferred method for the data collection and analysing the research results where an electronic questionnaire was sent to 637 number professionals involved in retrofit projects and together with selected interviews of chosen professionals in that particular field. Returned data provided an abundance of information on the status of retrofit and the consequences of same for compliance with Part D and Part L of the Technical Guidance Documents.
The findings of the collected date indicated a number of problems with attitude, workmanship and choice of materials for retrofit projects being the main issue. A lack of education, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and site supervision were the main findings and evidence revealed a gap between the predicted and actual energy saving identified due to poor workmanship along with inaccurate assumption made during the retrofitting of a dwelling.n
The identification of a sound evidence basis for design for fire escape purposes within a typical Irish vernacular dwelling house and the evaluation of its effectiveness in facilitating egress for all
No full textThe design of dwelling houses is changing, with increased focus on the design and delivery of lifetime adaptable homes, suitable to facilitate use for a wide range of people, irrespective of ability. This move to increased flexibility and adaptability in homes, is enshrined in international and national policies, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities. Those same dwelling houses incorporate fire safety design characteristics that have evolved over time. This research explored that evolution, to establish an evidence basis for the core fire safety elements of dwelling house design, and assesses perceptions with respect to means of escape for a specific vulnerable section of society - the elderly. Evidence of the changes in fire safety provisions for dwelling houses was obtained through a documentary analysis of standards and guidance for fire safety in dwellings relevant to Ireland. Using a grounded theory approach and a time-series analysis, the core elements, and how they have changed over time have been codified. Data relating to attitudes and perceptions in relation to evacuation, in case of fire, from a dwelling house was also gathered, by means of surveys and interviews. The research, for the groups surveyed has established that there is a specific reduction in confidence in the use of
upper floor windows in the absence of assistance and support, while also identifying that there is a preference for use of such apertures, where additional means of evacuation are available – escape to a roof, use of stairs, or ladders.n
Compendium of Approaches to Internationalisation of the Home Curriculum
No full textFor decades, universities and higher education
institutions in Ireland and abroad have pursued a
strategy of internationalisation. Whereas in the past,
internationalisation in higher education may have been
driven by economic motivations with an emphasis on
mobility and co-operation, it has been defined more
recently by de Wit et al. (2015) as ‘the intentional process
of integrating an international, intercultural or global
dimension into the purpose, functions and delivery of
post-secondary education, in order to enhance the quality
of education and research for all students and staff, and
to make a meaningful contribution to society’.
Increasingly, the focus is on Internationalisation
at Home, which seeks to offer all students global
perspectives during their programme of study, regardless
of whether they can avail of mobility opportunities
to spend time abroad. It allows us to learn from and
with others, exploring new ideas and opportunities
while also responding to the sustainability imperative.
Within the formal curriculum, it may comprise
specialist programmes, foreign language modules
and internationalised learning outcomes and course
content, but as explained by Beelen and Jones (2015,
p.63), internationalisation of the home curriculum ‘is
also delivered through the informal curriculum, the non assessed elements of the student experience, which
are nevertheless provided by or associated with the
institution’.
This compendium, featuring contributions from
colleagues across TUS, aims to capture examples of
internationalisation of the home curriculum, some
of which are not explicitly documented elsewhere. It
includes cases of internationalised modules; teaching
and assessment practices that promote inclusive learning
by making purposeful use of cultural diversity in the
classroom; mutually beneficial collaborative learning and
teaching projects, both in-person and virtual, involving
RUN-EU and other international partners; co-curricular
intercultural competence and awareness-raising
initiatives; and activities that create opportunities for
engagement with and by our international students.
The sample of approaches collected here represents
a snapshot of just some of the efforts made by TUS to
internationalise our home curriculum. They demonstrate
how, by embracing the ever-increasing cultural diversity
within our university and developing curiosity about and
awareness of international and intercultural perspectives,
we encourage global citizenship, foster empathy, elevate
the learning experiences of our students and enhance
campus life for everyone in our university community.ye
Studies on disease prevention and control: microbial adaptive responses and survival, pathogenesis, decontamination, inactivation and predictive modelling, and sustainability
No full textThis thesis describes research starting in 1997 on five areas of disease prevention and control,
namely food safety microbiology, fundamentals of non-thermal decontamination technologies,
scale up for technology demonstration and applications, alternative therapies and approaches,
and sustainable innovation and frameworks.
Production of safe food and medical devices is vital for society. Key factors governing the safe
manufacture and treatment of these products rely upon achieving an acceptable balance
between microbial destruction including pathogen destruction and the retention of desired
nutritional and organoleptic properties for foods. Similarly, medical device manufactures’
‘instructions for use (IFUs)’ demand high level disinfection or sterilisation without negatively
affecting materials, functionality or biocompatibility. There are ever increasing demands for
personalized or specialist foods and sophisticated devices to meet complexities of modern
society including serving vulnerable groups such as the young, old and immunocompromised.
Whilst there is an expanding volume of published literature on elucidating microbial adaptive
responses to applied lethal stresses associated with food production and to a lesser degree
medical devices, there remains a need to understand why thermal and emerging non-thermal
processes work to desired efficacy and what conditions or circumstances operating at this
balanced interface between microbial destruction and desired product functionality and quality
may promote microbial survivors and triggers pathogenesis. This is an important concept as
cellular and molecular functionality governs microbial survival and this influences the type and
severity (dose) of decontamination modality to be applied. Not all problematical
microorganisms are easily detected nor grow on simple agar plates such as the emergence of
atypical or complicated resilient pathogens like parasites and drug-resistant fungi that require
appropriate decontamination. Understanding the holistic interplay and totality of all applied
and inimical stresses from established and emerging technologies that govern effective
microbial lethality defines critical knowledge, which informs design thinking and effectiveness
to meet required consumer/patient risk reduction and safety. Such understanding also
commensurately shapes sustainability. A holistic knowledge provides valuable insights to help
modern and developing societies in meeting unforeseen threats and shortcomings; as my
elucidation of appropriate sterilization technologies for safe reuse of PPE arising from critical
supplying chain shortages during COVID-19 pandemic along with sustainable waste
management. Applying appropriate disinfection and sterilization technologies for treating beediseases
in heat-sensitive pollen for pollination industry.ye
Enhancing Barrier and Antioxidant Properties of Nanocellulose Films for Coatings and Active Packaging: A Review
No full textCellulose, a natural biopolymer, offers strong potential for sustainable packaging due to its impressive mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. However, its high hydrophilicity remains a key challenge for industrial applications. This review delves into both chemical and physical methods to enhance nanocellulose’s hydrophobicity while also exploring the incorporation of reinforcing fillers like antioxidants, antibacterial agents (e.g., tannins, lignin), and nanoclays to improve functionality in active packaging. Additionally, advanced surface modifications using compounds, such as stearic acid, silanes, and treatments, such as cold plasma, are discussed. By providing detailed insights into these techniques and materials, this review serves as a practical guide for researchers, especially in laboratory settings, to assess the feasibility of applying these innovations in their own work. Ultimately, it aims to advance the development of nanocellulose-based packaging solutions, offering a balance among sustainability, enhanced performance, and practical scientific guidance.ye
Creating a sustainable universal approach to social house design for a lifetime of living specific to vertical circulation, egress, bathrooms, and humanistic storage space requirements.
Full text linkWith the demographic change which Ireland is experiencing, people are living longer. Adequate housing for an aging population is one of the many challenges that this presents. Government housing policy aspires to meet these needs. The problem is that it is questionable as to whether Irish social housing delivers a design for a life me of living for its occupants. This research examines the feasibility of creating a sustainable universal approach to Irish social house design for a lifetime of living specific to vertical circulation, egress, bathrooms, and humanistic storage space requirements. Literature insights from peer reviewed journal articles outline aging in place, aging mobility, stair falls, universal design, barrier free living, housing adaptation together with examining government policy on housing and the Irish building regulations. Insights from the literature review reveal that the concept of home becomes more significant over me, and it suggests that older people now wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. A case study methodology was used in this research. Empirical data collection was conducted using five separate live case studies, eleven semi-structured interviews, a research survey questionnaire with social housing tenants as participants and a comparison of layouts and associated costs using three samples of 2-storey, three-bedroom, semi-detached social house designs. Data analysis was conducted using mixed mode analysis and the findings were triangulated. One key finding identified that simple layout revisions to the design of 2-storey dwellings, if implemented, would enable homes to organically adapt to the changing needs of all its occupants for their life me of living, thus benefiting both young and old occupants alike. Another finding illustrated how these simple revisions would incur a minimal cost increase when implemented at the initial design stage. Furthermore, this has the potential to reduce and, in some cases, remove the need for future adaption or rehousing in later life and to allow people to age in place, implementing positive psychology into their life me of living in their own homes. This could also reflect a significant saving on additional adaptation works on into the future. One key contribution to the literature made by this research is to demonstrate that by incorporating selected simple UD principles into Irish social house design, it can benefit all occupants in their home, regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability for a lifetime of living while also future proofing against potential additional costs.n
The relationship between Democracy, Public Service Media, and Regulation in an evolving Europe
No full textThis thesis is what is described as a living thesis, that is, in many instances it is informed by contemporary events, happening in real time. It is built around three pillars - democracy, regulation, and public service journalism - as practiced through Public Service Media. It investigates and establishes the interdependence of all three - you cannot have one without the other. It is a safari - travelling from the origins of Public Service Radio with the BBC and John Reith, right through to the metaverse of today and Elon Musk. Concepts explored vary from the news mirage to echo chambers, media capture, churnalism and constructive journalism. It examines the perilous state of democracy on a global scale and how liberal democracy is under threat at a time when traditional media are in freefall. In the US, newspapers are closing at the rate of two every week, television audiences are in decline worldwide, and influencers have become the main news source for Gen Z. This work examines how the creation of a shared reality for society is becoming impossible in an era of
misinformation, disinformation, and polarization. Public Service Broadcasting - state funded but at arm’s length from government and
commercial actors - is proposed as one of the few remaining areas where balanced, truthful, factually based news can be sourced - for society and for the common good. Finally, public service journalism and constructive journalism are advanced as ways to re-engage audiences who are currently actively avoiding news – either because it is depressing, or because it simply does not reflect or represent who they are or how they live. This is not a depressing thesis – rather it is one built on the reality of the new now - with solutions offered where feasible. It is about our future in the digital era and how we will survive in a liberal democracy - in which a mere 13% of the global population now live. It is about informing the village square so that we can all share a common reality, based on factually based information and truth.n
The validation of a novel motion capture system for movement and sports assessment : the precision study /
No full textn
Guide to the Standards of Proficiency for Social Care Workers: domains 1-5.
No full textThis book is a professional response to the standards of proficiency, written entirely by social care workers
for students, workers and educators. Here the voice of social care workers is at the centre of each standard
of proficiency, providing a valid, meaningful and practice-rich discussion. The book has a single chapter on
each of the eighty proficiencies. Each chapter represents the writer’s understanding of the proficiency they
have chosen and offers insights into the context in which they work, their professional relationships, and
how these shape their professional identity as social care workers. A lot of practice is performed intuitively
and draws on personal and professional knowledge and experience built up over a lifetime.n