Research@THEA (Technological Higher Education Association)
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Keep calm and carry on: moral panic, predatory publishers, peer review, and the emperor’s new clothes
Get PDFThe moral panic over the impact of so-called predatory publishers continues unabated. It is important, however, to resist the urge to simply join in this crusade without pausing to examine the assumptions upon which such concerns are based. It is often assumed that established journals are almost sacrosanct, and that their quality, secured by peer review, is established. It is also routinely presumed that such journals are immune to the lure of easy money in return for publication. Rather than looking at the deficits that may be apparent in the practices and products of predatory publishers, this commentary invites you to explore the weaknesses that have been exposed in traditional academic journals but are seldom discussed in the context of predatory publishing. The inherent message for health and medical services staff, researchers, academics, and students is, as always, to critically evaluate all sources of information, whatever their provenance.ye
A study of the practicality of cell-free protein synthesis for the commercial manufacture of monoclonal antibodies /
Get PDFBackground: Monoclonal antibodies are tetrameric proteins with a complex folded
structure, bound together by numerous disulfide bonds, and decorated with a functionally
important oligosaccharide. Current production methods rely on recombinant cell cultures.
Aims: The aim of this project was to highlight the benefits of a transition to cell-free
manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies, to identify the technological gaps which prevent
this transition, to suggest possible solutions, and to critically assess the state of
development of these new technologies with a view to suggesting areas for further
research.
Method: A literature review was performed based on a list of pre-defined search terms.
The information was grouped into themes aligned with the aims.
Results: Cell-free protein synthesis has been used in research for many years, and it is
apparent that the technological foundations exist for large-scale cell-free protein
manufacture, boosted by recent advances in understanding of folding mechanisms and
disulfide bonding. Nevertheless, the complex glycosylation of monoclonal antibodies
cannot yet be performed in vitro. In fact, even current cell culture techniques cannot
produce a pure glycoprotein. Counterintuitively. this is a strong argument for developing
cell-free production technologies as these are less complex, are easier to control, and are
more amenable to alternative technologies for glycosylation. Three emerging
technologies were identified as possible solutions, each of which may be capable of
attaching a pre-formed, pure oligosaccharide to the non-glycosylated monoclonal
antibodies that are currently produced in cell-free systems: gene code expansion,
antibody-drug conjugation techniques, and glycoengineering.
Conclusion: The results are significant as they indicate that cell-free techniques may
soon become the predominant platform for the production of mono-clonal antibodies,
bringing financial and societal benefits, as well as faster development timelines. A shift to
pure glycoforms could mean a much faster introduction of biosimilars, or even their
replacement by identical biogenerics.n
SingStrong - a singing and breathing retraining intervention for respiratory and other common systems of long COVID: a pilot study
Get PDFBackground: Management of Long COVID (LC) is hugely challenging for clinicians. This pilot study evaluated a breathing retraining and singing programme (SingStrong for LC) to address common LC symptoms. The study hypothesized that this intervention would improve symptoms impacting disordered breathing and participant wellbeing.
Methods: The 10-week, bi-weekly online programme was comprised of a 45-min class of mindfulness, breathing retraining, vocal exercises, and singing. Sessions were recorded for non-attenders and conducted by a trained vocal coach experienced in respiratory cohorts. Persons with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and persisting symptoms were invited to participate. Demographic and COVID-19 data were collected, and the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire Short Form (DSQ- SF) and COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehab Screen questionnaires were administered. Post-intervention focus groups were also conducted.
Results: Of 27 (F = 23(85%)) participants recruited, data from 21 who completed at least 10 (50%) classes were analysed. Participants showed significant pre-post-intervention improvements in all breathlessness symptoms (at rest: P < 0.001; dressing: P = 0.01; stairs: P < 0.001), fatigue (P = 0.03), usual activities (P = 0.04), pain/disability (P = 0.03), voice quality (P = 0.01), and communication/cognition (P = 0.04). Pre-post number of instances meeting DSQ-SF criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) decreased by a net of nine cases (14.3%). No association between COVID-19 hospitalisation status and diagnosis of ME/CFS was identified. Qualitative feedback from eight participants was overwhelmingly positive with all reporting improvements in breathing and general well-being.
Conclusion: The SingStrong programme shows promise as a viable treatment option for LC sufferers. Future studies are required to further investigate the efficacy of this intervention.ye
Digital Twin – A Tool for Project Management in Manufacturing
Get PDFThe Digital Twin concept has the potential to be a useful tool in project management and in Lean manufacturing. The common goal of risk management by project managers and mitigating unpredictable behavior using the Digital Twin can improve the development of manufacturing systems. Digital Twins would also aid project managers in managing resources and communication between stakeholders. The researcher is working with a manufacturing SME in the engineering sector in the application of digitalisation tools to optimize production operations. A Digital Twin is being developed, and this will be used to investigate aspects of risk and resource management as well as the benefits of communication using visualization. Are there aspects of process development that can now be measured using Digital Twins that we were not capable of previously? The Digital Twin as a central point of reference for information about a manufacturing process and its associated equipment could add efficiencies to maintenance and process improvements over the lifecycle of a system.ye
Speed qualities and methodological considerations in Gaelic games: a systematic scoping review
Get PDFIn recent years, there has been a marked
increase in research examining speed
qualities in Gaelic Games; ladies and mens
Gaelic football, hurling and camogie.
The distribution of speed qualities
examined across Gaelic games in addition
to the monitoring methods utilised is yet
to be examine
Differences in perceived stress levels and measured stress while solving spatial tests
Get PDFMany events, including tests, personal conflicts, and hard deadlines, may result in a high level of stress for both students and educational practitioners. For example, taking a test is particularly stressful for students who are less prepared and who may have limited knowledge of the subject. There is a dearth of literature regarding the stress levels, real or perceived, experienced by students while solving spatial tests. Advancements in micro-electromechanical systems have helped researchers in collecting physiological data with smart devices such as wristbands, chest bands, and armbands. In particular, wristbands have been widely recommended by researchers because they are easy to wear, easy to use, and “non-invasive,” since they are similar to watches or exercise tracking devices.
This paper aims to explore the differences in self-reported stress levels perceived by engineering students and their stress levels recorded by a wristband while solving spatial tasks. An Empatica E4 wristband sensor was used to collect multiple body signals including 3-axis acceleration signals, Electrodermal Activity (EDA) signal, heart rate, and body temperature. In particular, recorded EDA signals reveal information on emotional and cognitive state by measuring the electrical resistance of the skin. If a person is under stress or experiencing increased cognitive load, the skin conductance increases. To measure the perceived stress levels by the participants, a perceived cognitive load instrument scale was used. This study involved 143 undergraduate engineering students at two large public research universities. The study was conducted over two sessions. The first phase of the study was online with participants completing three spatial tests including the Mental Cutting Test (MCT), the Paper Folding Test (PFT), and the Surface Development Test (SDT). The perceived cognitive load instrument was administered after each spatial test. During the second phase of the study, 35 participants were selected based on their performance on the spatial tests to come in person and wear the wristband device while completing spatial and verbal analogy tests and solving six engineering mechanics problems. The same perceived stress scale was administered at the end of each of these tests/tasks. Data was analyzed and evaluated to determine how stress level, both perceived and measured, varied for high and low spatial visualizers while solving spatial tests. The result highlights that engineering students experience stress while solving spatial problems. Analysis indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between the high and low spatial visualizers. Limitations of the study are discussed at the end.ye
Characterising public participation as an international law norm
Get PDFThis article considers the nature of the right to public
participation in environmental decision-making in
international law. In doing so it briefly examines the
rationales for public participation, its features and the
various manifestations of the right in different international
law treaties and instruments, as well as jurisprudence on
the international scale which deals with it, finally addressing
the question of whether the twin requirements for a
customary international law, state practice and opinio juris,
are met
Group Presentation: Presenting Problems Professionally
No full textSummary of Teaching & Learning Context
The assessment is a group presentation for business students
studying financial services modules. The assessment is
deigned to be examine the students across Year 1 to Year 3 in
subjects such as Savings and Investments and Pensions.
Overview of the Assessment Strategy
The assessment is a presentation on a problem-based
scenario designed to examine learning outcomes of the
selected modules. As part of the assessment students will be
required to demonstrate their ability to apply key theoretical
knowledge to real life scenarios.
The assessment strategy was designed to enable students
to develop enhanced communication skills by presenting
on core components of the module through a professional
medium. The assessment can be tailored to the learning
outcomes of the module and year of study which provides
flexibility to ensure the students are being assessed at the
appropriate level. In addition, the assessment is designed
to provide the connection from the educational setting to
industry and practice.
Given the practical scenario is designed to develop the
students critical thinking through active learning it will assist
with preparing students for work placement where they
potentially will be dealing with similar issues
An investigation of circular economy interventions for the reduction of Construction and Demolition Waste in Ireland.
No full textConstruction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) volumes in Ireland peaked at 17.8 Million Tonnes (Mt) during the economic peak in 2007, before falling to 3Mt in 2011 after the economic recession. The most recent data available shows that an increase in economic activity has coincided with an increase in C&DW generation, with 8.2Mt produced in 2020 (EPA, 2022). With just three landfills left in operation in Ireland in 2022, this is particularly challenging for the Irish waste industry (EPA, 2021). As such, efforts need to be made to divert waste from landfill. A holistic attempt to reduce end of life waste is through the implementation of Circular Economy (CE) principles (WAPCE, 2020). However, the CE has yet to be
effectively implemented in the Irish construction industry. In 2019, Ireland’s circular material use rate was the second worst in the European Union (EU) at 1.6%, compared to an EU average of 11.9% (DoECC, 2022). This research aimed to investigate CE interventions that reduce C&DW on construction sites in Ireland through utilising a mixed methods action research approach, which comprised of a literature review, case study and interviews. To achieve this aim, the literature review examined the CE and waste policies and legislation applicable to the built environment in Ireland and the EU, the causes, volumes, and composition of C&DW; and reviewed C&DWM practices and the barriers and incentives for CE implementation in the Irish construction industry. The case study involved developing a partnership with a building contractor based in Co. Galway. The case study comprised of forty site waste audits and ten semi structured interviews with participants from the case study contractor. Action research interventions were utilised to increase the awareness of the CE and improve waste management behaviours on three case study sites.
The study concluded that waste policy and legislation in Ireland has shifted focus from waste management to resource management in line with CE principles. However, client demands, conservative industry culture with a short-term focus, financial concerns regarding upskilling, uncertainty regarding the benefits of the CE and a lack of stringent legislation are the main barriers preventing the CE in the Irish construction industry. Resource Waste Management Plans (RWMPs), take back schemes, staff training, toolbox talks and displaying posters can help embed CE best practice principles within the case study contractor. This research focused on healthcare projects from one building contractor; future research could examine a broader scope of projects from multiple contractors. This thesis aimed to embed CE best practice within the case study contractor and address the scarcity of literature on the CE in the Irish construction industry. n
Interpretability and performance of deep neural network based anomaly detection in cyber security and telecommunications
No full textThe rapid development of technology and proliferation of data have driven businesses to
pursue anomaly detection research. The application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in
anomaly detection achieves the state-of-the-art, but the end user cannot easily interpret
their output. Therefore, to leverage ANNs in the field of Anomaly Detection, it is important
to interpret the neural network models. This thesis addresses the question of whether it
is possible to design and develop high performance and interpretable anomaly detection
solutions based on artificial neural networks.
Anomaly detection is an important technique in Cyber Security as, compared to signature
based methods, an anomaly detection based approach is capable of detecting previously
unseen attacks. One approach to develop a Host Based Intrusion Detection System for Cyber
Security is to examine sequences of traces of operating system calls. Two approaches to
anomaly detection for sequential data are a prediction based approach and a reconstruction
error based approach. A prediction based approach predicts the next element in a sequence
based on the previously observed sequence. The work incorporates stacked Convolutional
Neural Network (CNNs) with Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs) to analyse the operation system
call sequences with an order of magnitude smaller training times. The reconstruction error
based approach leverage bidirectional autoencoders to detect the anomalous system call se quences. This approach achieved better Area Under the Curve (AUC) when compared to the
predictive approach. This approach to anomaly detection forms the basis for an interpretability
framework.
Anomaly Detection is also an important technique in telecommunications monitoring. The
Cluster Characterized Autoencoder (CCA) Framework was designed, implemented, and evaluated to identify candidate anomalies and interpret the model predictions. This framework addresses the neural network interpretability to support network engineers to perform troubleshooting and aid in root cause analysis.ye