Research@THEA (Technological Higher Education Association)
Not a member yet
2857 research outputs found
Sort by
Insights into the mechanisms of Cronobacter sakazakii virulence
Get PDFCronobacter species have adapted to survive harsh conditions, particularly in the food manufacture environment, and can cause life-threatening infections in susceptible hosts. These opportunistic pathogens employ a multitude of mechanisms to aid their virulence throughout three key stages: environmental persistence, infection strategy, and systemic persistence in the human host. Environmental persistence is aided by the formation of biofilms, development of subpopulations, and high tolerance to environmental stressors. Successful infection in the human host involves several mechanisms such as protein secretion, motility, quorum sensing, colonisation, and translocation. Survival inside the host is achieved via competitive acquisition and utilization of minerals and metabolites respectively, coupled with host immune system evasion and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanisms. Across the globe, Cronobacter sakazakii is associated with often fatal systemic infections in populations including neonates, infants, the elderly and the immunocompromised. By providing insight into the mechanisms of virulence utilised by this pathogen across these three stages, this review identifies current gaps in the literature. Further research into these virulence mechanisms is required to inform novel mitigation measures to improve global food safety with regards to this food-borne pathogen.ye
Lower critical solution temperature tuning and swelling behaviours of NVCL-based hydrogels for potential 4DF printing applications.
Get PDFThe phase transitions of poly (N-vinyl caprolactam) (PNVCL) hydrogels are currently
under investigation as possible materials for biomedical applications thanks to their thermosensitive
properties. This study aims to use the photopolymerisation process to simulate the 4D printing
process. NVCL-based polymers with different thermal properties and swellability were prepared
to explore the possibility of synthetic hydrogels being used for 4D printing. In this contribution,
the thermal behaviours of novel photopolymerised NVCL-based hydrogels were analysed. The
lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the physically crosslinked gels was detected using
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, and cloud point measurement.
The chemical structure of the xerogels was characterised by means of Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR). Pulsatile swelling studies indicated that the hydrogels had thermo-reversible
properties. As a result, the effect of varying the macromolecular monomer concentration was apparent.
The phase transition temperature is increased when different concentrations of hydrophilic monomers
are incorporated. The transition temperature of the hydrogels may allow for excellent flexibility in
tailoring transition for specific applications, while the swelling and deswelling behaviour of the gels
is strongly temperature- and monomer feed ratio-dependent.ye
Interpreting A Turnitin Feedback Report
Get PDFSummary of Teaching & Learning Context
Working to support academic writing skills across the whole
university, an instructional video on how to use the information
presented in a Turnitin feedback report was developed.
Students are often asked to review their work for possible
plagiarism. However, anecdotal evidence suggested that
students do not always know how this can be achieved.
The issue of identifying text similarity matches has been
addressed by adding a non-repository Turnitin upload
practice link on the Academic Writing Skills Moodle resource
page. Students can use this link to generate a feedback
report on a draft of an assignment they are writing prior to
submitting the assignment for their module
Optimization of decentralized payment system for future internet
No full textWith the development of Internet,
the future Internet architecture will
have many features. For example,
the high volume of content together
with new emerging and missioncritical applications, that it will
possibly not be able to respond
adequately to its new role. With the
5G application, there are emerging
many small service providers. The 5G
Internet will make the internet of
everything. Besides, IoT and edge
computing will produce a lot of
interactive data, it involves a lot of
equipment and belonging to a
different owner. Then there is also a
large amount of data need to
transport. Therefore, who was
responsible for this cost, which will
involve the between them is how to
pay. These challenges will be a hot
research of future internet
Development of the health promoting sports club - national audit tool
No full textBackground
Sports clubs have requested support from national governing authorities to invest in health promotion (HP), by developing policies, guidelines and dedicated funding. This article outlines the development of a national audit tool to review policies development and implementation to support HP in sports clubs.
Methods
A five-step process was undertaken by an international project team: (i) a rapid literature review to identify items assessing policies in physical activity, HP and sports, (ii) a thematic analysis to categorize items, (iii) a Delphi method to analyze item relevance, country specificity, reformulation, validation and organization, (iv) face validity through an online survey and in-depth interviews with expert representatives on physical activity and sports and (v) audit tool finalization though project team consensus.
Results
Eight sources were reviewed with 269 items identified. Items were coded into 25 categories with 3 broad themes: policies, actors and settings-based approach. The Delphi study extracted and refined 50 items and categorized them into 10 sections. After revisions from 22 surveys and 8 interviews, consensus was reached by the international project team on 41 items categorized into 11 sections: Role of ministry or department; Policies; Communication; Implementation and Dissemination; Evaluation and Measurement methods; Sub-national-level policies; Funding and Coordination; Participative approach; Actors and Stakeholders; National sporting events; Case studies and Implicated stakeholders.
Conclusion
To progress HP in the sports club context it is necessary to understand existing national-level policies. This national audit tool will aid in monitoring and assessing national policies for health promoting sports clubs.ye
CARM: a blockchain-based content quality assessment and rewarding mechanism
No full textResearch has identified a gab in contemporary content
creation practices around content quality as well as other
variables such as content authenticity. To fill this gab, this
study proposes CARM, a Content Quality Assessment,
and Rewarding Mechanism. The proposed mechanism
includes:
• A novel Content Quality Assessment Framework (CQ
Score) to calculate a Content Quality Score.
• A system architecture and implementation based on
smart contracts, Ethereum and web3.j
D7.2. Best Practices Annual Report - 1st Report.
No full textThis deliverable is the first of a series of three reports. It summarises best practices used by the RUN-EU PLUS project in communication and dissemination activities related to the work package activities and details the measured impacts by the RUN-EU PLUS alliance partners from M1 until M12 of the project development, matching them with target audiences, tools and channels and key performance indicators. It follows the provisions of the D7.1 Communication and Dissemination Strategy.
The results of the communication and dissemination actions conducted by all RUN-EU PLUS alliance partners from M1 until M12 of the project development are encouraging and positive. They reflect the success of the strategy implemented at the beginning of the project, as well as the members’ commitment and engagement
Using PBL To Publish A Book With Final Year Students
Get PDFIntroduction
This submission is a reflection on the experience of applying
a Problem Based Learning Approach to completing a 4th
Year Final Year Project (FYP). This piece begins with a brief
description of the PBL process and then a reflection on the
experience and identification of lessons for the future.
Outline of the Project
In September 2021, the 4TH Year students of the Early
Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Programme in TUS
Mid West (Thurles) set out on the journey of completing their
FYP using a Problem Based (PBL) approach. PBL is a process
of interest to educators ‘because of its emphasis on active,
transferable learning and its potential for motivating students.
(Hmelo-Silver, 2004). The project was supported by two
modules one in semester 1 and the second in semester 2. This
Module required that
“As a final year capstone module students educated in early
childhood education will have to address research skills and
carry out some form of practice-based research. To provide
students with the opportunity to complete this research… and
approach the process in a creative and innovative manner,
this module will take place over the entire academic year and
be allocated 10 credits. Students will have to engage with
a number of Problem Based Learning (PBL) type activities
and carry out a small piece of related Action Research (AR)
followed by a submission of a short project/thesis/floor book
outlining their work, analysis and findings….
Physical activity and dietary behaviour among adolescents who have completed active cancer treatment – a study protocol for a qualitative investigation
Get PDFIntroduction: Approximately 200 Irish adolescents receive a cancer diagnosis each year (1). Cancer treatment
during youth can be associated with significant toxicity resulting in cancer-related fatigue, musculoskeletal
complications, decreased physical function and quality of life (QoL), and an increased risk for the
development of chronic diseases (e.g., obesity and cardiovascular disease) (3). Physical activity (PA) and
dietary behaviour change interventions can play an important role in treating and managing cancer-related
side effects and support the optimisation of health among adolescent survivors of cancer. (5).
Methodology: An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative research design will be adopted, incorporating focus
groups (FGs) and interviews as methods of data collection (See Figure 1). Adolescents aged 12 to 16 years old
who have completed active cancer treatment, their parents/guardians and oncology healthcare professionals
(e.g., oncologists, nurses, physiotherapists) will be recruited. Semi-structured interview guides will be
developed and will include questions that discuss PA and diet i) before, during and after cancer treatment, ii)
barriers and facilitators to engaging in these behaviours, and iii) recommendations for a PA and dietary health
behaviour change intervention. Data collection will continue until data saturation is achieved (8).
Implications of the Research: To the authors’ knowledge this is the first qualitative investigation of PA and
dietary behaviour to be conducted among Irish adolescents aged 12 to 16 years who have completed active
cancer treatment. This research study will assist in addressing gaps identified in the existing scientific
literature, and provide vital information regarding adolescents’ experiences of these two health behaviours
which can support the optimisation of clinical care for this population. The knowledge obtained in this
investigation will inform the development of a PA and dietary behaviour change intervention for adolescents
who have completed active cancer treatment which will be implemented and evaluated in a subsequent
research study
D4.1. Human Capital Resource Strategies. GAP analysis,
Get PDFResearch and innovation activities are a defining hallmark of higher education –
informing teaching and learning and adding to the global body of knowledge. These
principles detailed within the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ECoC)
together with good research practices are essential for promoting and safeguarding
culture of research integrity in RUN-EU PLUS.
RUN-EU PLUS brings together 7 regionally focused Institutions (more than 75.000
students and 8.000 staff), committed to societal transformation in their regions in the
context of both new and emerging regional and global challenges, sustainable regional
development and regional needs. The members have a regional as opposed to a city
focus and have a proven track record in the delivery of future and advanced skills
activities in teaching, learning, research and engagement relevant to societal challenges
including future industry, sustainable development, environment and climate change,
ageing population and social inclusion. RUN-EU through the RUN-EU PLUS coordinated
support action is committed to building research capacity and scale through the
development of research human capital, facilitating research activity and opportunities
linked to education and enterprise with a regional orientation. Researchers are the most
important asset of the RUN-EU research system