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Dark Sky Eco Tourism Guide
No full textThe
dark sky evokes basic human emotions and
connects us all to the human story, of how we
watch the dark sky, tell and create stories about
the stars in the sky and beings in the dark
With
the deterioration of the quality of darkness
due to increased lighting, we miss out on
enjoying the beauty of the night sky, which was
a self evident part of existence on Earth until
fairly recently
At
the same time, we endanger our fellow
creatures who rely on the dark for their
existence, such as insects, birds, bats and many
more
Guests
are constantly seeking out opportunities
to travel in a more immersive way, away from
typical crowded tourist attractions towards
more nature based experience
A review of Spaulding's classification system for effective cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of reusable medical devices: viewed through a modern-day lens that will inform and enable future sustainability
No full textDespite advances in medicine and innovations in many underpinning fields including disease prevention and control,
the Spaulding classification system, originally proposed in 1957, remains widely used for defining the disinfection and
sterilization of contaminated re-usable medical devices and surgical instruments. Screening PubMed and Scopus databases
using a PRISMA guiding framework generated 272 relevant publications that were used in this review. Findings
revealed that there is a need to evolve how medical devices are designed, and processed by cleaning, disinfection (and/
or sterilization) to mitigate patient risks, including acquiring an infection. This Spaulding Classification remains in use
as it is logical, easily applied and understood by users (microbiologists, epidemiologists, manufacturers, industry) and
by regulators. However, substantial changes have occurred over the past 65 years that challenge interpretation and application
of this systemthat includes inter alia emergence of newpathogens (viruses, mycobacteria, protozoa, fungi), a
greater understanding of innate and adaptive microbial tolerance to disinfection, toxicity risks, increased number of
vulnerable patients and associated patient procedures, and greater complexity in design and use of medical devices.
Common cited examples include endoscopes that enable non- or minimal invasive procedures but are highly sophisticated
with various types of materials (polymers, electronic components etc), long narrow channels, right angle and heat-sensitive components and various accessories (e.g., values) that can be contaminated with high levels of microbial
bioburden and patient tissues after use. Contaminated flexible duodenoscopes have been a source of several significant
infection outbreaks, where at least 9 reported cases were caused by multidrug resistant organisms [MDROs] with no
obvious breach in processing detected. Despite this, there is evidence of the lack of attention to cleaning and maintenance
of these devices and associated equipment. Over the last few decades there is increasing genomic evidence of
innate and adaptive resistance to chemical disinfectant methods along with adaptive tolerance to environmental
stresses. To reduce these risks, it has been proposed to elevate classification of higher-risk flexible endoscopes (such
as duodenoscopes) from semi-critical [contact with mucous membrane and intact skin] to critical use [contact with
sterile tissue and blood] that entails a transition to using low-temperature sterilization modalities instead of routinely
using high-level disinfection; thus, increasing the margin of safety for endoscope processing. This timely review addresses
important issues surrounding use of the Spaulding classification system to meet modern-day needs. It specifically
addresses the need for automated, robust cleaning and drying methods combined with using real-time
monitoring of device processing. There is a need to understand entire end-to-end processing of devices instead of
adopting silo approaches that in the futurewill be informed by artificial intelligence and deep-learning/machine learning.
For example, combinational solutions that address the formation of complex biofilms that harbour pathogenic and
opportunistic microorganisms on the surfaces of processed devices. Emerging trends are addressed including future
sustainability for the medical devices sector that can be enabled via a new Quintuple Helix Hub approach that combines
academia, industry, healthcare, regulators, and society to unlock real world solutions.ye
Apprenticeship Strategic Implementation Plan
Get PDFThe vision of the Technological University
of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS)
Strategic Plan 2023 – 2026, is to be a
catalyst for sustainable change through
education and research that transforms
lives, in the Midlands and Midwest regions
and the world beyond. The Department of
Further and Higher Education, Research,
Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) Action
Plan for Apprenticeship, 2021–2025 sets
out to reimagine the apprenticeship system
in Ireland and to recreate one that is flexible
and responsive, providing a strong value
proposition for employers and potential
apprentices, is attractive and easy to
engage with, and delivers high standards
and sought after qualifications. This
Apprenticeship Strategic Implementation
Plan lays out the ways and means through
which TUS will be an active participant in,
and contribute to, the DFHERIS Action Plan
for Apprenticeship through the vision and
priorities of the university Strategic Plan.
This articulates the TUS commitment to the
apprenticeship model of education and the
vision of our Technological University for
playing a leading role in the delivery of the
Action Plan for Apprenticeships through
the prism of the TUS Strategic Plan
Studies on the novel effects of feeding non-thermally treated honeybee gathered pollen on the colony stability and outputs of commercially-reared bumble bees ( Bombus terrestris) for pollination services
Get PDFPollination is a vital resource, carried out mainly by animals, which without could threaten
food security on a global scale. Of the agricultural crops that are produced globally, animal
pollination is responsible for 40%.
Among animal pollinators, insects such as the honey and bumblebee are considered some of
the most important for pollination of foods such as almonds, apples, strawberries, plums and
blueberries. Commercial colonies of both are sold species are sold every year, which includes
the global importation to over 50 countries of one million bumblebee colonies for the purpose
of pollination. This practice of using commercially produced bee colonies for pollination is
worth an estimated 15 billion to the European economy
per annum.
Despite the largescale use of commercial colonies, wild bees are still seen as major
contributors to the pollination of crops and flowering plants. However, their survival is
undertreat, due to a multitude of factors, such as climate change, pesticides, habitat lose and
disease with the latter being considered as some of the major drivers. One of the major
concerns with disease spread has been brought about by the introduction of commercial
colonies. Commercial colonies are marketed as pathogen free, however many studies have
found that this is not always the case. Disease carrying bees have been known to forage large
distances and then disperse pathogens on flowers, which in turn act as reservoirs. Separate
studies in both Canada and Ireland found that certain bee parasites were more prevalent in
wild bees the closer they were to commercial greenhouses and that this lessened the further
away the bees were captured. Wild bees who then forage on these flowers then pick up the
pathogens and bring them back to their nests, contaminating the hives, a practice known as
pathogen spillover. Furthermore evidence has also being found that suggests not only are
commercial bees a source of contamination, but so is the pollen that they are fed on.
Commercial pollen is collected by honeybees and fed to both commercial honey and
bumblebees colonies. Studies have found that it is often contaminated with parasites such as
Crithidia bombi and Nosema species as well as some viruses. This suggests that commercial
pollen could be a major driver in the spread of pathogens from commercial colonies to wild
colonies and could be responsible.ye
Modulation of the lower critical solution temperature of thermoresponsive poly(N-vinylcaptrolactam) utlizing hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers
Get PDFFour-dimensional printing is primarily based on the concept of 3D printing technology.
However, it requires additional stimulus and stimulus-responsive materials. Poly-N-vinylcaprolactam
is a temperature-sensitive polymer. Unique characteristics of poly-N-vinylcaprolactam -based hydrogels
offer the possibility of employing them in 4D printing. The main aim of this study is to
alter the phase transition temperature of poly-N-vinylcaprolactam hydrogels. This research focuses
primarily on incorporating two additional monomers with poly-N-vinylcaprolactam: Vinylacetate
and N-vinylpyrrolidone. This work contributes to this growing area of research by altering (increasing
and decreasing) the lower critical solution temperature of N-vinylcaprolactam through
photopolymerisation. Poly-N-vinylcaprolactam exhibits a lower critical solution temperature close to
the physiological temperature range of 34–37 C. The copolymers were analysed using various characterisation
techniques, such as FTIR, DSC, and UV-spectrometry. The main findings show that the
inclusion of N-vinylpyrrolidone into poly-N-vinylcaprolactam increased the lower critical solution
temperature above the physiological temperature. By incorporating vinylacetate, the lower critical
solution temperature dropped to 21 C, allowing for potential self-assembly of 4D-printed objects at
room temperature. In this case, altering the lower critical solution temperature of the material can
potentially permit the transformation of the 4D-printed object at a particular temperature.ye
Three-stage MCQ quiz for first years (using moodle & either Zoom or IT room)
Get PDFSummary of Teaching & Learning Context
Subject domain - BSc Nutrition & Heath Science & BSc
Physical Activity & Health Science (Year 1) (n= ~60)
Brief rationale for why you use this learning approach
Previously delivered as summative assessment in paper
format – students did not get their assessment results for
a number of weeks which was unsatisfactory. Introduced a
two-stage “practice test” online to improve test scores and
to provide immediate marks and feedback in the form of
correct answers through Moodle. Then further developed a
three-stage assessment so students rerun the test again after
collaborative work with the group
The relationship between transformational leadership and follower employee work engagement in a remote working environment
Get PDFIn recent years, the move to remote work has provided benefits and challenges. One challenge
is the ability of leaders to keep their employees engaged through remote working. Therefore,
the proposed study investigates how transformational leadership relates to employee work
engagement in a remote environment. The relationship between transformational leadership
and follower work engagement will be measured using the Multifactor Leadership
Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). For this reason, the
study aims to investigate whether transformational leadership is effective in such a challenging
working environment while increasing employees’ engagement levels. An explanatory
sequential mixed-method case study design is proposed. The mixed-methods design will follow
a pragmatist philosophy that will contribute to practical solutions and future work practices.
Using non-probability sampling strategies (purposive and voluntary), the data will be collected
in two phases: phase one, a quantitative approach and the use of measures such as the MLQ
and UWES along with multivariate analysis and IBM SPSS; and phase two, a qualitative
approach consisting of semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis using NVivo software.
Conducting this research is expected to provide relevant knowledge and contribute to
organisations' successes in increasing employee engagement and related benefits such as
reduced staff turnover, unity of purpose, and psychological well-being, to mention a few. Such
initiatives may be achieved by providing recommendations in the private sector on practical
solutions and future proceedings to increase employee engagement within remote
environments
Team-based Learning: A Team Reflection
Get PDFIntroduction
The “Fundamentals in Team Based Learning (TBL)” workshop
series offered within TUS Midlands in 2019 and again in 2021
provided faculty with formal training in TBL as well as the
opportunity to apply the TBL process to their subject area.
[Link to TBL Intro]
In TUS Midlands, TBL has been implemented by educators
within subjects as diverse as pharmacology, research
methods, communications, programming, software
engineering, consumer psychology, management, health and
safety and accounting.
The present authors met regularly throughout the academic
year as part of the TUS Midlands TBL Community of Practice
to share insights from their practice. The following is an
overview of how the authors consider that learning about and
adopting TBL has impacted their practice. Less absenteeism
and more engagement make for a better class dynamic.
Overall, we have found that absenteeism from TBL classes is
greatly reduced (e.g., Torralba and Doo, 2020). Low stakes inclass
quizzes seem to encourage students to turn up to class.
We have also found that there is high engagement during the
TRAT and application exercise phase of TBL.
One explanation for this might be that the TBL approach puts
in place conditions where intrinsic motivation can flourish
(Jeno et al., 2017). Students take the driving seat during class
(autonomy) and work within a team (relatedness) to complete
tasks and exercises (competence).
The highly structured approach of TBL helps everyone in the
classroom feel more confident. As students settle into their
in-class teamwork, we observe increases in confidence (Huitt,
Killins and Brooks, 2015) and can see students “coming out of
their shells” as the weeks go by. This motivates and helps us
to be ambitious in terms of what we plan to achieve with our
students
Experiences of undergraduate nursing students who worked clinically during the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFAim: This study explored the experiences of undergraduate nursing students who
worked clinically during the COVID-19 pandemic in Irish healthcare settings.
Design: A qualitative descriptive approach was employed.
Methods: Online focus group interviews were used to collect data from general nurs ing students (N = 47) between February and April 2021. Data were analysed using
thematic analysis.
Results: Descriptive thematic analysis of the data revealed five themes; changes in
care delivery, changes in communication and relationships with the patient, an emo tionally charged work atmosphere, coping strategies during the pandemic and student
learning specific to COVID-19. Challenges such as an increased workload, fear of con tracting the virus and taking on novel and additional roles were revealed. Students re mained undeterred, and despite the many challenges faced, they largely viewed their
experiences as a source of personal and professional growth, and benefitted from the
learning opportunities afforded to themye
Gaining Insight Into Students’ Difficulties Using KWL
Get PDFSummary of Teaching & Learning Context
Peer Assisted Student Support, (PASS) is an optional 5-credit
module available to second year students at TUS: MMW (only
Athlone campus currently). Between 30 – 40 students attend
two days of training to prepare them for their role as PASS
Leaders to run timetabled PASS sessions during semester
one. From induction, first year students are encouraged to
attend PASS sessions to help ease their transition to higher
education.
Instructional technologies allow students to submit
anonymous responses to a question posed and enables
facilitators to collect and analyse data quickly (Bruff, 2009).
One of the advantages of identifying where students’
difficulties lie is that facilitators can adapt their lesson plan or
structure a discussion in response to the points raised (Bruff,
2009).
KWL is used during PASS pre-training (flipped classroom).
Students are asked to complete K and W on a shared Word
document before watching a video about PASS. They return
to the document and compete L. Outstanding questions are
noted by the facilitator to be addressed during the face-to-face training