Research@THEA (Technological Higher Education Association)
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A standardised core outcome set for measurement and reporting sedentary behaviour interventional research: the CROSBI Consensus Study
Get PDF: Heterogeneity of descriptors and outcomes measured and reported in sedentary behaviour
(SB) research hinder the meta-analysis of data and accumulation of evidence. The objective of
the Core Research Outcomes for Sedentary Behaviour Interventions (CROSBI) consensus study
was to identify and validate, a core outcome set (COS) to report (what, how, when to measure) in
interventional sedentary behaviour studies. Outcomes, extracted from a systematic literature review,
were categorized into domains and data items (COS v0.0). International experts (n = 5) provided
feedback and identified additional items, which were incorporated into COS v0.1. A two round
online Delphi survey was conducted to seek consensus from a wider stakeholder group and outcomes
that achieved consensus in the second round COS (v0.2), were ratified by the expert panel. The final
COS (v1.0) contains 53 data items across 12 domains, relating to demographics, device details, wear time criteria, wear-time measures, posture-related measures, sedentary breaks, sedentary bouts and
physical activity. Notably, results indicate that sedentary behaviour outcomes should be measured
by devices that include an inclinometry or postural function. The proposed standardised COS is
available openly to enhance the accumulation of pooled evidence in future sedentary behaviour
intervention research and practice.ye
Zero-padding and spatial augmentation-based gas sensor node optimization approach in resource-constrained 6G-IoT paradigm
Get PDFUltra-low-power is a key performance indicator in 6G-IoT ecosystems. Sensor nodes in this eco-system are also capable of running light-weight artificial intelligence (AI) models. In this work, we have achieved high performance in a gas sensor system using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with a smaller number of gas sensor elements. We have identified redundant gas sensor elements in a gas sensor array and removed them to reduce the power consumption without significant deviation in the node’s performance. The inevitable variation in the performance due to removing redundant sensor elements has been compensated using specialized data pre-processing (zero-padded virtual sensors and spatial augmentation) and CNN. The experiment is demonstrated to classify and quantify the four hazardous gases, viz., acetone, carbon tetrachloride, ethyl methyl ketone, and xylene. The performance of the unoptimized gas sensor array has been taken as a “baseline” to compare the performance of the optimized gas sensor array. Our proposed approach reduces the power consumption from 10 Watts to 5 Watts; classification performance sustained to 100 percent while quantification performance compensated up to a mean squared error (MSE) of 1.12 × 10−2. Thus, our power-efficient optimization paves the way to “computation on edge”, even in the resource-constrained 6G-IoT paradigmye
Supporting International Students Using UDL
Get PDFUniversal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that
is applied to curriculum development, assessment, and
teaching and learning strategies. It aims to enhance the
learning experiences of all students by creating a flexible
learning environment (Cornell University, 2022). Adapted
from the more general principles of Universal Design,
UDL in the sphere of education promotes learning that is
open and accessible to all, without the need for specific
accommodations for individual learners.
What is Universal Design for Learning?
Realising that a one-size-fits-all approach in education is not
possible, CAST (2018) created a framework that recognises
the diversity in learning communities and the challenges of
meeting the needs of all learners. The framework consists
of three principles, with accompanying guidelines that can
be implemented in an educational context to create a more
inclusive learning environment:
• Multiple means of Representation: sharing information
in a variety of formats so that a learner can choose their
preferred mode to access the material;
• Multiple means of action and expression: creating
opportunities for learners to adapt materials in order to
access them more fully, as well as allowing opportunities
for learners to demonstrate their learning in more than
one way, and interact with learning materials;
• Multiple means of engagement: identifying ways to
motivate learners as well as developing autonomy as
learners (CAST, 2018).
The need to support students with recognised disabilities
or learning difficulties is well recognised and specific
accommodations are provided to help them participate fully
in university life. However, many learners from the wider
student community also face learning challenges that can
impact on their success. The benefits of making the learning
environment more accessible for students with recognised
disabilities or learning difficulties will also apply to the wider
learning community
The design, development, and testing of novel next generation in vitro agar-based urethral models for medical device innovation
Get PDFCatheters are one of the most utilised medical devices in modern medicine with catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) being ubiquitous in worldwide healthcare settings.
These infections negatively affect patient mortality and morbidity as well as providing
reservoirs for the proliferation of antimicrobial resistant genes in culpable strains. The aim of
this study was to develop a novel, robust and reproducible, in vitro urethra model that can aid
in the development and testing of next generation urological devices; with a specific interest
in testing the efficacy of intermittent catheters to prevent friction-mediated bacterial
displacement and assessing indwelling catheters for the prevention of extraluminal bacterial
migration.
The base in vitro urethra model comprised of multiple preformed channels within a
chromogenic agar-based matrix. The base model was then modified. A novel in vitro urethra
friction model was designed to study friction-mediated bacterial displacement during
intermittent catheter insertion. A novel in vitro urethra diffusion model was developed to
assess the diffusion of antimicrobial compounds from a novel polymer coating in the three
dimensional space of the urethra. A novel in vitro urethra extraluminal migration model
was devised to visualise bacterial migration on the outer surfaces of a catheter during long term placement.
The design and development process for each model, and associated methodology, was long
and at times arduous. The in vitro urethra friction and extraluminal migration models were both
validated with E. coli and S. aureus through twelve independent tests each and were found to
be highly reproducible (P ≥ 0.265 and P ≥ 0.851, respectively). The development and findings
of these models have been disseminated at international conferences and submitted/published
in peer review journals. The novel in vitro urethra friction model directly influenced IP
protected changes in the design of a novel friction-eliminating intermittent catheter, developed
by the industry partner of this study. The novel in vitro urethra extraluminal migration
model guided the IP protected redesign of an antimicrobial coated catheter, developed by the
industry partner of this study, to reduce the antimicrobial coating by ≥50% without reducing
its antimicrobial efficacy. Unfortunately, the novel in vitro urethra diffusion model
development did not reach fruition as the needs and the overall aims of the project evolved, it
still presents a novel idea that could prove useful in other future studies.
Whilst the knowledge of this thesis could have been IP protected, it was openly published in
the interest of public health to allow uninhibited innovation in urological medicine.
Innovation in the field of urological medical devices has been long overdue with little changes
in the basic function and design of catheters since the early 20th century. Healthcare-associated
infections and in particular CAUTIs are contributing to the global overuse of antibiotics and
the looming problem of antibiotic resistance. The novel in vitro urethra models described
herein, have the potential to inspire change in the medical device industry’s design of urinary
catheters and strategies for CAUTI prevention.ye
Speed Dating For Ideas Generation
No full textSummary of Teaching & Learning Context
Group activity, ideally 5 or more people.
Helps come up with ideas and build on each other’s ideas.This
can be used as a starting point for an assessment.
Implementing the Strategy
The steps involved in carrying out the Speed Dating for Idea
Generation are:
• Make sure everyone has the tools necessary (pen &
paper, whiteboard, online meeting access, etc).
• Present the topic in a clear concise manner.
• Invite everyone to come up with ideas around the
specified topic.
• Ask the students to come up with as many ideas as
possible in a given time (e.g. 5 minutes), then to build
upon each other’s ideas and/or make other people’s ideas
even better.
• Start with their own idea (no more than 5 minutes).
• After writing that down, they will move clockwise (or
whatever suits the room) to their neighbour to discuss
each other’s ideas and to build upon their own.
• After that, they move again to the next idea to build upon
that.
• Make sure it is clear how they will be moving to the next
idea (clockwise, etc) and how you will be keeping and
announcing time (2 minutes per person).
• This will repeat until they are back at their own ‘starting’
point.
• When people have rotated back to the starting point, ask
them to reflect on their initial idea and how it has evolved.
Ask them to also think about the new ideas, which ones
they like and dislike.
• Finally allow some time for the entire group to discuss.
• Be sure to encourage openness and positivity (even when
critiquing)
• This can be done in-class or online using breakout rooms
Functionality of gold-edge-coated triangular silver nanoparticles in monitoring extracellular matrix protein conformations in C2C12/MC3T3-E1 culture in the presence of biomimetic bone tissue regeneration scaffolds
No full textIn the cellular environment high
noise levels can both mediate and
interfere with cellular functions.The extracellular matrix (ECM)
regulates protein dynamics and
trajectories, which underpin
critical biological processes
involved in the development of
human disorders and healing
processes, FRET and Raman Spectroscopy are
conventional techniques for the
study of proteins, however, they
are elaborate, and their signals are
hindered by the high noise levels
of cellular environments
An exploratory study of Digital Marketing implementation by SMEs in the West of Ireland during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThis exploratory research focuses on how SMEs in the West of Ireland have upscaled their use of Digital Marketing since March 2020. This study reviews how SMEs in the West of Ireland reacted during this rapid digitalisation period, and uncovers the benefits of this digitalisation as well as difficulties encountered during the process. It also examines the attitudes of participating SMEs to Digital Marketing and challenges they faced along the way. The research methodology employed was exploratory comprising eight in-depth semi-structured interviews chosen as the primary data collection. The study employed a thematic analysis to best answer three research questions: 1. What barriers, if any, have prevented SMEs in the West of Ireland from utilising Digital Marketing? 2. How has the use of Digital Marketing by SMEs been impacted by the challenges presented during the period of the COVID-19 Pandemic? 3. Has the West of Ireland location of SMEs impacted their use of Digital Marketing? The study found some interesting results including how SMEs in the West of Ireland were leveraging their location to their advantage to not only survive this difficult period but also to grow and conquer new markets. From the research it is clear that SMEs in the West of Ireland have a clear preference for Digital Marketing methods with an eagerness to improve on their own skillsets. Unlike what previous research would suggest, their marketing practices are highly organised and data driven. It is hoped that this study will act as a foundation for future research on the Digital Marketing activities of SMEs in the West of Ireland.n
An ensemble machine learning method for microplastics identification with FTIR spectrum
Get PDFMicroplastics (MPs) (size < 5 mm) marine pollution have been investigated and monitored by many researchers
and found in many coasts around the world. These toxic chemicals make their way into human diet through food
chain when aquatic organisms ingest MPs. Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(ATR-FTIR) is a very effective method to detect MPs. To provide the automatic detecting method for MPs,
Numerous studies have proposed Machine Learning (ML) based methods, such as Support Vector Machines, K Nearest Neighbours, and Random Forests, for identification and classification of MPs through using the ATR FTIR data. The evaluations of these ML based methods primarily focus on the average scores across all types
of MPs. However, the existing FTIR datasets are normally imbalanced. Furthermore, some MPs contain the
identical functional group, and some MPs may be fouled or contaminated, which will reduce the quality of FTIR
data samples (e.g. lacking of peaks or creating noises). These factors will interfere the ML classification algo rithms and cause the algorithms to perform differently while identifying different MPs. Hence, this work pro poses an ensemble learning algorithm to exploit the advantage of different ML algorithms based on a systematic
evaluation of the existing ML based MP identification approaches. A neural network is employed to fuse the
outputs of chosen ML algorithms to improve the overall metrics. The evaluation results show that the proposed
algorithm outperforms existing single ML based approaches.n
Development of a digital model and metamodel to improve the performance of an automated manufacturing line
Get PDFDigitalization in manufacturing is the conversion of information into digital format, the integration of this digital
data and technologies into the manufacturing process and the use of those technologies (eg: simulation) to
change a business model to provide new revenue and value-producing opportunities. Digitalization may be seen
as the increased generation, analysis, and use of data to improve the efficiency of the overall manufacturing
system. Simulation in manufacturing is often applied in situations where conducting experiments on a real
system is impossible or very difficult due to cost or time to carry out the experiment is too long. A key input to the
simulation model of automated equipment is the acquisition of valid data in relation to cycle time and reliability
of various workstations on this line. As a consequence of being able to simulate equipment processes and interact
with this validated simulation model, both the understanding of how the production system will perform under
varying reliability and cycle time conditions is achieved. The simulation model then enables the experimentation
of ‘what if scenarios’ that can be tested easily, while also providing a valuable tool to inform the maintenance
personnel what station reliabilities they need to target in order to sustain a high performing manufacturing line.
Simulation metamodeling is an approach to line design which is of great interest to design engineers and research
experts. However, its application in automated medical devices manufacturing line design has never been well
explored. The author has adopted an open-source simulation tool (JaamSim) to develop a digital model of an
automated medical devices manufacturing line in the Johnson & Johnson Vision Care (JJVC) manufacturing
facility. This paper demonstrates with a high level of rigour, fidelity and overall system design/approach, how a
digital model along with the use of a metamodel can be used for the development of an automated manufacturing
line in the medical devices industry. The digital model and metamodel can be used by manufacturing engineering
teams to perform scenario testing during the design and development phase of the line or as part of the
continuous improvement stage when the line is in full operation. The overall average absolute error when
comparing the simulation model outputs to the metamodel outputs was 0.87% was achieved with the metamodel
for the actual industrial application used by the author.ye
Packaging environmental impact on seafood supply chains: a review of life cycle assessment studies
Get PDFPackaging is fundamental for food preservation and transportation but generates an
environmental burden from its production and end-of-life management. This review
evaluates packaging contribution to the environmental performance of seafood products.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) studies were evaluated by both qualitative and quantitative
analysis. The qualitative analysis assessed how direct (e.g., packaging material)
and indirect impacts (e.g., influence on seafood loss and waste) have been considered,
while the quantitative analysis evaluated packaging contribution to products’ weight
and climate change impact. Qualitative analysis revealed that seafood LCAs focus
mainly on direct environmental impacts arising from packaging materials, for which
some articles conducted sensitivity analysis to assess materials substitution. Recycling
was found to be the most common recommendation to diminish direct potential environmental
impacts arising from packaging end-of-life. However, standardized recovery
rates and other end-of-life options (e.g., reuse), should be considered. Quantitative
analysis revealed that cans’ production contributes significantly to the overall climate
change impact for canned products. On average, it contributes to 42% of a product’s
climate change impact and 27% of a product’s weight. Packaging has a lower contribution when considering freezing, chilling, and other post-harvesting processing. It represents on average less than 5% of a product's climate change impact (less than 1 kg CO2 eq/kg) and 6% of a product's weight. Packaging material production is more relevant to aluminum, tinplate, and glass than for plastic and paper. Therefore, it is essential to accurately include these materials and their associated processes in inventories to improve the environmental assessment of seafood products.ye