Research@THEA (Technological Higher Education Association)
Not a member yet
2857 research outputs found
Sort by
Cooking and food skills confidence of team sport athletes in Ireland
Get PDFNutritional support often focuses on cooking and food skills such as food selection,
recipe planning and meal preparation. Individuals with greater cooking
and food skills confidence have previously displayed higher diet quality scores
and lower intakes of overall calories, saturated fat and sugar. Despite this, the
cooking and food skills of team sport athletes have yet to be investigated. This
study aimed to evaluate the relationship between cooking and food skills confidence
and athletes' demographic characteristics. A validated measure for the
assessment of cooking and food skills confidence was distributed via an online
survey. Participants were required to rate their confidence on a Likert scale (1
“very poor” –7
“very good”) for 14 items related to cooking skills and 19 items
for food skills. Food engagement, general health interest and self-reported
fruit
and vegetable consumption as a measure of diet quality were also measured.
The survey was completed by 266 team sport athletes (male: 150, female: 116,
age: 24.8 ± 6.1 years). Group differences were explored using t-tests
and ANOVA
and associations were evaluated using Spearman's correlation and hierarchical
multiple regressions. Athletes' total cooking and food skills confidence was
62.7 ± 17.4 (64.0 ± 17.8%) and 83.8 ± 20.1 (63.0 ± 15.1%), respectively. Females
reported greater confidence in both cooking (+20.3%, p < 0.01) and food skills
(+9.2%, p < 0.01). Hierarchical multiple regressions explained 48.8% of the variance
in cooking skills confidence and 44% of the variance in food skills confidence
with gender, previous culinary training, cooking learning stage, general
health interest and food engagement all remaining significant in the cooking
skills confidence model and cooking frequency, previous culinary training, general
health interest and food engagement remaining significant in the food skills
confidence model. Male team sport athletes may benefit the most from educational
interventions designed to increase cooking and food skills confidence.ye
Synthesis and characterisation of hydrogels based on poly (N-vinylcaprolactam) with diethylene glycol diacrylate
Get PDFPoly (N-vinylcaprolactam) is a polymer that is biocompatible, water-soluble, thermally sensitive, non-toxic, and nonionic. In this study, the preparation of hydrogels based on Poly (N-vinylcaprolactam) with diethylene glycol diacrylate is presented. The N-Vinylcaprolactam-based hydrogels are synthesised by using a photopolymerisation technique using diethylene glycol diacrylate as a crosslinking agent, and Diphenyl (2, 4, 6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide as a photoinitiator. The structure of the polymers is investigated via Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The polymers are further characterised using differential scanning calorimetry and swelling analysis. This study is conducted to determine the characteristics of P (N-vinylcaprolactam) with diethylene glycol diacrylate, including the addition of Vinylacetate or N-Vinylpyrrolidone, and to examine the effects on the phase transition. Although various methods of free-radical polymerisation have synthesised the homopolymer, this is the first study to report the synthesis of Poly (N-vinylcaprolactam) with diethylene glycol diacrylate by using free-radical photopolymerisation, using Diphenyl (2, 4, 6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide to initiate the reaction. FTIR analysis shows that the NVCL-based copolymers are successfully polymerised through UV photopolymerisation. DSC analysis indicates that increasing the concentration of crosslinker results in a decrease in the glass transition temperature. Swelling analysis displays that the lower the concentration of crosslinker present in the hydrogel, the quicker the hydrogels reach their maximum swelling ratio.ye
Unsteady DSMC Simulation of blunt nose with spike at hypersonic rarefield flows
Get PDFTo design an efficient ram-air intake for an air-breathing propulsion system for VLEO (Very-Low) / SLEO (Super Low) Earth Orbit satellites requires consideration of the unsteady effects in the hypersonic low-density or rarefied environment. This study aims to analyze the unsteady effects due to shock instabilities on a forward facing spike geometry attached to a flat blunt nose in low-density hypersonic flows. The Direct Simulation Monte-Carlo (DSMC) approach is used to study two flow-conditions: 1) ground test facility (V∞ = 2075 m/s, Kn = 1.4×10−3 ) and 2) at an altitude of 100 km (V∞ = 8557 m/s, Kn = 0.45) for a spiked blunt nose with flat face. It was found that gas surface interaction (specular and diffuse reflection) results in changing dynamics of flow field for both conditions. The large amplitude shock fluctuations are not observed in lower density environments as compared to continuum flow in previous literature. The diffuse reflection leads to higher drag and higher unsteadiness at Vin fty = 2075 m/s, when compare to specular reflection, while lower drag and unsteadiness at high Knudsen number case of Vin fty = 8557 m/s.ye
Deep Eutectic solvents and green reagent based process for polyethylene terephthalate depolymerisation
Get PDFPolyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a ubiquitous thermoplastic polymer which has
numerous industrial applications including textile, construction, and packaging
applications due to its versatile nature, transparency, strength, and barrier properties.
According to recent studies, the production of PET is increasing at a growth rate of 8% per
annum with of plastic waste rising to 8 million tons every year. It is therefore imperative to
develop sustainable and scalable plastics recycling methodologies to reduce plastic waste
accumulations stockpiles.
Recently enzymatic treatment methodologies have emerged as promising and
environment-friendly techniques for efficient PET depolymerisation. Higher selectivity of
desired monomers is achievable due to specific targeting enzymes. Considerable further
research and development is required to overcome the enzyme costs, sensitivity limitations
and long reaction times to become amenable to industrial-scale production. Chemical
recycling of PET has advantages over other recycling techniques due to increased
efficiency while utilising a wide range of PET waste products and converting them into
primary building blocks that could be used in repolymerisation to make virgin PET.
However, the usage of harsh solvents and longer reaction conditions restrict their large scale applications. Therefore, it is important to develop a most efficient and industrial
applicable PET depolymerisation techniques.
Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are mixtures of different compounds with many applications
in organic, analytical, and polymer chemistry fields. Recently, DESs were proposed as
green catalysts in plastics chemical recycling and have shown remarkable potential as
catalysts in PET depolymerization reactions. Microwave (MW) technology has been
investigated as an efficient method for fast PET depolymerization reactions. The rapid
heating achievable via MW while utilising DESs as model catalysts has allowed significant
shortening of reaction times while delivering acceptable monomers conversion yields.
As there is insufficient knowledge in this area, this thesis aims to address PET waste pre treatments and depolymerisation reactions under new and instant MW technology coupled
with DESs. Three studies were carried out to investigate DESs based MW depolymerisation
technology and are detailed in the appended papers. As this research work explores the
ultra-green and sustainable depolymerisation methodologies for PET, Paper I
demonstrates combined ultra-green chemical and biocatalytic depolymerization of PET
using DES-based MW treatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. A green DES with a
triplet composition of choline chloride, glycerol, and urea was selected for PET
depolymerization under MW irradiation without the use of additional depolymerization
agents. Under the optimized conditions of 20 mL DES volume, 260 W MW power, and 3
min MW irradiation time, a significant increase in the carbonyl index and PET percentage
weight loss was observed. The combined MW-assisted DES depolymerization and
enzymatic hydrolysis of the treated PET residue using LCC variant ICCG resulted in a total
monomer conversion of ≈16% (w/w) in the form of terephthalic acid, mono-(2-
hydroxyethyl) terephthalate, and bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate. Paper II illustrates
combined green and fast glycolysis-hydrolysis depolymerization of PET under MW with excellent efficiencies. In MW-assisted glycolysis of PET, the catalytic activity of two DES
based on (choline chloride-urea (DES 1)) and (choline chloride-thiourea (DES 2)) was
evaluated and compared. Optimised glycolysis conditions were determined using Box
Behnken Design (BBD) to attain maximum weight loss of PET, low crystallinity and
increased carbonyl index of residual PET.
DES volume of 4 mL, 5.5–6 mL of ethylene glycol, and 0.5 min MW irradiation time
resulted in a prominent rise in PET weight loss and carbonyl index of residual PET. DES 2
showed an improved catalytic activity than that of DES 1 which is associated to its stronger
interaction with EG and PET polymer chains during the course of the reaction. Residual
PET obtained post glycolysis reaction was further depolymerized using MW assisted
hydrolysis in the presence of weakly basic Na2CO3 and EG. Within 3-minute, the proposed
sequential depolymerization technologies facilitated ≈99% conversion of PET to
terephthalic acid (TPA), monohydroxyethyl terephthalate (MHET), and bis (2-
hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) monomers produced at a yield of 62.79–80.66%,
17.22–34.79% and 0.54–0.59% respectively.
Paper III explains a highly efficient 2-step microwave-based (MW) degradation of PET.
Initially, a MW-assisted pre-treatment was evaluated using glycerol as a non-toxic reagent
for the conversion of PET into a modified form that makes it easily depolymerized. Box
Behnken Design was employed to determine the optimised pre-treatment conditions
attaining maximum PET weight loss and favourable crystallinity and carbonyl indices for
the residual PET. Glycerol of 12 ml volume and 3 min of 182W MW irradiation resulted
in 11% PET weight loss at onset temperature of degradation and gave rise to carbonyl index
up to 4.22 and 33% crystallinity of residual PET. MW assisted hydrolysis of the pre-treated
PET was then performed in the presence of sodium bicarbonate and ethylene glycol as
depolymerizing agents. Within 3 min, the proposed depolymerisation methodology
provided 99.9% conversion of PET into 79.1% terephthalic acid (TPA), 17.6%
monohydroxyethyl terephthalate (MHET), and 1.8% bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate
(BHET). The obtained TPA was separated from the monomers mixtures and its purification
was evaluated via different characterization techniques against a standard TPA. A purity of
95%, 82.4 APHA colour value, 645.3 mgKOH/g acid number and acceptable heavy metal
content indicated that the purified TPA can be repolymerized as virgin PET. Hence, MW assisted DES technology is validated as an efficient process for boosting the
depolymerisation of PET in an ultrafast and eco-friendly mannerye
Combined Effect of Plasma-Activated Water and Topotecan in Glioblastoma Cells
No full textThe increase in cancer diagnoses and cancer deaths, severe side effects of existing treatments and resistance to traditional treatments have generated a need for new anticancer treatments. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common, malignant and aggressive brain cancer. Despite many innovations regarding GBM treatment, the final outcome is still very poor, making it necessary to develop new therapeutic approaches. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) as well as plasma-activated liquids (PAL) are being studied as new possible approaches against cancer. The anticancer activity of PAL such as “plasma-activated water” (PAW) is dependent on the reactive chemical compounds present in the solution. Possible combinatory effects with conventional therapies, such as chemotherapeutics, may expand the potential of PAL for cancer treatment. We aim to explore the therapeutic properties of a combination of PAW and topotecan (TPT), an antineoplastic agent with major cytotoxic effects during the S phase of the cell cycle, on a GBM cancer cell line (U-251mg). Combined treatments with PAW and TPT showed a reduction in the metabolic activity and cell mass, an increase in apoptotic cell death and a reduction in the long-term survival. Single applications of PAW+TPT treatments showed a cytotoxic effect in the short term and an antiproliferative effect in the long term, warranting future exploration of combining PAW with chemotherapeutic agents as new therapeutic approaches.ye
Menstrual cycle characteristics, perceived impact on performance, and barriers to communication: perspectives of high-performance adolescent athletes in Singapore
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine the menstrual cycle (MC) characteristics, explore the impact on performance, and identify barriers to and facilitators of MC-related communication among high-performance female adolescent athletes in Singapore. Ninety athletes (15.4 ± 1.8 years) from multiple sports completed an online questionnaire. Eighty-four athletes were postmenarcheal (menarcheal age 11.9 ± 1.3 years), including two who were using an oral contraceptive pill (OCP). Secondary amenorrhea, current or history of, was self-reported in 16% of athletes. Sixty-two percent and 67% of non-OCP athletes perceived that the MC affected their ability to train and compete, respectively. Athletes preferred speaking to a parent (85%) and a female figure (67%) about MC-related concerns. Through thematic analysis, three barriers to communication were constructed: (1) pervasive menstrual stigma, (2) constraints of the training environment, and (3) the low value placed on MC-related conversations. Two facilitators of communication were constructed: (1) respect athletes' individual experiences as menstruating girls and (2) foster a safe space for MC-related conversations. Findings demonstrated that menstrual irregularities are common in adolescent athletes and screening for MC disorders, particularly primary amenorrhea should be undertaken in this population, with clear support pathways for management including symptom mitigation. To support athletes in raising MC-related concerns when needed, structured communication pathways that consider individual preferences and involve a (female) point of contact should be established within the training environment. Improving menstrual health literacy among adolescent athletes before any misinformation or negative perceptions are firmly established may contribute to longevity in their athleticye
Exploring the use of immersive technologies to enhance the student experience
Get PDFThis paper reports on the initial phase of a National Forum funded Learning Enhancement Project (LEP), under
the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) funding stream. The purpose of the
LEP is to explore the use of immersive technologies such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and 360
o
Learning in three key domain areas within one higher education institution in Ireland. While significant research
has been conducted into the use of these technologies in training and business contexts, the application and use
in higher education is still scarce. Radianti et al. (2020) suggest that while the use of virtual reality in higher
education is promising, it is still quite experimental and focuses more on performance and usability than
learning-oriented applications. Augmented Reality has been used in areas such as teacher education
(Sáez-López, 2020) and EFL (Arkhipova, 2022) but is also largely experimental. Together with Mixed Reality and
360-degree Learning, these technologies have the potential to offer students a more immersive learning
experience. Three domain areas are involved in this project: Online Learning; the university library; and the
academic discipline of Business Tourism. It is envisaged that based on their expertise and experience team
members will trial at least two of the immersive technologies with their students during the academic year
2023-2024. Engaging the students in the research will foster a partnership approach and provide an
understanding of how this new approach to learning benefits the students but will also reveal the challenges
associated with introducing new technologiesye
Special Care Baby Unit Little Library: promoting parental bonding, early literacy and family-centred care. [Poster]
Get PDFThe Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) Little Library is an initiative to enhance the care provided to premature and sick newborns during their stay in the Special Care Baby Unit. This quality innovation is centered around fostering parental bonding, early literacy, and a family-centered care approach. Notably, empirical studies underscore the profound benefits of early reading and interactive engagement in nurturing the cognitive development of preterm and unwell infants
Laser transmission welding of semi-crystalline polymers and their composites /
No full textLaser transmission welding (LTW) of polymers plays a significant role in joining
semicrystalline polymers in the field of sustainable manufacturing. Therefore, The
present work deals with the systematic study of the laser interactions with semi-crystalline
(SC) polymers and their composites. Since a semi-crystalline polymer is a
microstructurally and mechanically complex system, the literature also describes the
melting and inter-diffusion phenomenon of SC polymers during the laser welding
process. A detailed review has been conducted, using a range of polymer characterisation
techniques, on the effect of various compounding ingredients (especially carbon black:
CB), polymer processing conditions and laser parameters on weld dimensions and shear
strength. Advanced clamping devices utilising different manufacturing technologies are
also discussed. The literature review provides an overview of the capabilities of LTW
technology in the field of advanced manufacturing. It presents the opportunities and
challenges related to LTW applications in terms of providing strong weld joints.
The present research work aims to optimise the laser parameters and the plastic
formulation to obtain the best possible weld dimensions and shear strength using isotactic
polypropylene (iPP) as the base material. The effect of varying carbon black (CB) in the
laser absorptive layer (LA) welded with neat iPP and varying pigment in the laser
transmissive layer (LT) welded with 0.5 wt.% CB was studied in detail as separate studies.
The laser process window and welding suitability of the neat iPP and its CB (0-3 wt.%)
composites were defined for LTW using thermal characterisation and thermal simulation.
This novel approach to welding feasibility moves from trial and error to robust analytical
methods. For pigmented composites, thermal characterisation of the iPP base material
was also carried out to understand the melting and degradation behaviour. The thermal
characterisation along with the laser processing window from earlier studies facilitated
the definition of the laser process window for pigmented composites.
The weld quality is often an integration of optical, thermal, morphological, and
rheological properties. The properties of the base iPP and their composites were
determined before the laser trials to understand the material system. These properties were
correlated to the mechanical properties obtained after lap joint shear testing of the welded
composites with few properties dominating over the others. Central composite design and
Box Behnken Design of Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Design of Experiment
xiv
approach was used by varying laser power and welding speed. Weld lap shear strength
and apparent weld width measured during mechanical testing were optimised using
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Composites with 1 wt. % CB welded at laser power 120
W and welding speed 1000 mm/s resulted in maximum output responses with weld lap
shear strength 8.98 MPa and weld width 1.7 mm. For samples with varying pigments
welded to 0.5 wt. % CB, composite containing 3 wt.% pigments welded at laser power
98 W and welding speed 850 mm/s showed maximum weld lap shear strength of 2.6 MPa
and weld width of 1.74 mm. The most desirable combination based on mechanical
strength was the composites containing 0.5 wt.% CB welded with neat iPP.
This study emphasizes the importance of crystallinity in defining weld integrity and
quality. The non-contact spacer method is also a novel feature of this study, followed by
morphological studies using X-ray diffraction of the laser-treated iPP and its CB
composites. This study is of keen interest to industrialists and researchers.ye
Do contextual variables influence the spatial organisations of elite-level Brazilian professional soccer players
Get PDFPurpose. This study investigated the influence of contextual variables on individual and collective team spatial organisation
in professional Brazilian players.
Methods. Seventeen matches were analysed during the 1st division Brazilian National football League of 2019. Global
Positioning System devices were used to track players’ in-game movements. The data were analysed using Matlab to calculate
linear tactical variables. The selected tactical variables were ‘Distance from the last defender to the goal’; ‘Width and length’;
‘LpWratio’; ‘Spread’; ‘Space exploration index’ and ‘Stretch index’. Five contextual variables were considered: (i) playing
time, (ii) match location, (ii) ranking of the opposition, (iii) match outcome, and (iv) match status.
Results. Results demonstrated that the LpWratio values were significantly greater during the second half of matches when
compared with the first half (p = 0.03; d = 0.62). Significantly greater length and spread values were identified when the
team was playing against a bottom six team when compared with the medium eight teams (p = 0.05; d = 1.58–1.60).
Significantly higher stretch index values were reported when playing a top six opposition team when compared with the
medium eight opposition teams. During losses, the stretch index was significantly higher when compared with wins and
draws, respectively (p = 0.01; d = 1.47–1.89). Finally, the LpWratio values were significantly higher during periods when
the team was losing, when compared with periods of drawing and winning (p = 0.01; d = 1.07–1.12).
Conclusions. In conclusion, the spatiotemporal organisations of professional-level Brazilian club players are significantly
influenced by contextual variables. The current findings support the use of GPS devices in soccer as a time-efficient and
logistically viable method to characterise tactical behaviour and examine spatiotemporal movement patterns.
Key words: soccer, organisations, performance analysis, time-motion, tactical behavioursye