Research@THEA (Technological Higher Education Association)
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Effects of climate and environmental variance on the performance of a novel peatland-based integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system: implications and opportunities for advancing research and disruptive innovation post COVID-19 era
Get PDFAdvancing wet peatland ‘paludiculture’ innovation present enormous potential to sustain carbon-cycles, reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) gas emissions and to transition communities to low-carbon economies; however, there is limited scientific-evidence to support and enable direct commercial viability of eco-friendly products and services. This timely study reports on a novel, paludiculture-based, integrated-multi-trophic-aquaculture (IMTA) system for sustainable food production in the Irish midlands. This freshwater IMTA process relies on a naturally occurring ecosystem of microalgae, bacteria and duckweed in ponds for managing waste and water quality that is powered by wind turbines; however, as it is recirculating, it does not rely upon end-of-pipe solutions and does not discharge effluent to receiving waters. This constitutes the first report on the effects of extreme weather events on the performance of this IMTA system that produces European perch (Perca fluviatilis), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiis) during Spring 2020. Sampling coincided with lockdown periods of worker mobility restriction due to COVID-19 pandemic. Observations revealed that the frequency and intensity of storms generated high levels of rainfall that disrupted the algal and bacterial ecosystem in the IMTA leading to the emergence and predominance of toxic cyanobacteria that caused fish mortality. There is a pressing need for international agreement on standardized set of environmental indicators to advance paludiculture innovation that addresses climate-change and sustainability. This study describes important technical parameters for advancing freshwater aquaculture (IMTA), which can be future refined using real-time monitoring-tools at farm level to inform management decision-making based on evaluating environmental indicators and weather data. The relevance of these findings to informing global sustaining and disruptive research and innovation in paludiculture is presented, along with alignment with UN Sustainable Development goals. This study also addresses global challenges and opportunities highlighting a commensurate need for international agreement on resilient indicators encompassing linked ecological, societal, cultural, economic and cultural domains.ye
The effects of resisted sprint training on sprint performance in field-based invasion team sport athletes: a systematic review & meta-analysis
Get PDFSpeed is an essential performance attribute for field-based invasion team sport (FITS) players. Traditional training methods used to enhance
sprint performance (SP) such as resistance training, typically aim to improve one’s ability to produce force and power [1, 2] or technical
efficiency [3]. However, resistance training exercises (e.g. back squat, deadlift) may lack the movement specificity to optimally enhance SP.
The principle of specificity states that the training effect which occurs in response to an exercise overload is specific to the way in which the
load was applied [4]. Hence, training methods which adopt comparable mechanical properties to the performance movement (i.e.
sprinting) may elicit a greater transfer effect. The resisted sprint training (RST) method applies external resistance to the sprinting
movement, allowing maintenance of sprint specific mechanical properties. Consequently, RST methods utilised by coaches may represent a
more specific and, in turn, a more effective method for enhancing SP than traditional training methods. Therefore, the aim of this review was to investigate the effectiveness of RST methods on improving SP of FITS players
Hyaluronic acid: a review of the drug delivery capabilities of this naturally occurring polysaccharide
Get PDFThe inclusion of physiologically active molecules into a naturally occurring polymer matrix can improve the degradation, absorption, and release profile of the drug, thus boosting the therapeutic impact and potentially even reducing the frequency of administration. The human body produces significant amounts of polysaccharide hyaluronic acid, which boasts exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and one-of-a-kind physicochemical features. In this review, we will examine the clinical trials currently utilizing hyaluronic acid and address the bright future of this versatile polymer, as well as summarize the numerous applications of hyaluronic acid in drug delivery and immunomodulation.ye
An examination of the diversity of beer and cider products sold in Irish supermarkets in the context of health promotion advice
Get PDFAim: Current health promotion advice relating to the consumption of beer and cider in
Ireland is very firmly based on nominal pints and half pints of beer. This study sought to
determine if the assumed alcohol strength of beer and cider available in a sample of
mainstream supermarkets was appropriate. This study also sought to examine if the assumed
size of containers of beer and cider was accurate.
Methods: All beer and cider products in a purposive sample of Irish mainstream
supermarkets was examined. Data was input into SPSS and examined.
Results: There is a substantial level of variation in the container size and alcohol content of
beer available in mainstream supermarkets in Ireland.
Discussion: Current health promotion advice in Ireland is out of date and does not enable
people to easily monitor their drinking and follow healthy drinking guidelines. The obvious
answer is the enactment of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, 2018, that has already been
passed requiring alcohol containers to display the number of grams of alcohol contained.
However, this element of the legislation, despite being passed into law, has yet to be either
enacted, or even given a date for enactment.ye
Compendium of Active Learning & Assessment for Student Engagement. Vol.2
Get PDFThis TUS Compendium of Active Learning and Assessment
for Student Engagement -Volume 2 follows the successful
publication and dissemination of The Compendium of Active
Learning: Strategies for Student Engagement (Ryan, M.F.
2021). The first compendium contained profiles of over sixty
active learning strategies and twenty practitioner examples of
active learning in practice.
This Volume 2 edition, develops and expands the focus of
the previous volume. Volume 2 includes the twin themes
of Active Learning and Innovative Assessment for Student
Engagement. This publication is the first official, collaborative
TUS publication in Learning, Teaching and Assessment. It
contains 44 submissions from academic practitioners across
TUS-MMW locations.
The Volume contains: 21 submissions on Active Learning, 13 submissions on innovative assessment and 10 significant theory-practice reflections on a range of Active Learning & Assessment initiatives.Section 1.Active learning strategies for student engagement.
Section 2.Innovative assessment for engaged learning.
Section 3.Theory practice issues
Energy Performance of Building Directive and Access to Justice
Get PDFThis briefing paper discusses potential amendments to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive which
are being put forward by the EEB (who represent 180 member organisations in 38 countries with in excess of
30 million members). The EEB are concerned to ensure the efficacy of the Directive and its compliance with
international law as it is a vital component in the fight against climate change, with buildings being
responsible for more than 36% of GHG emissions, and 40% of energy consumption. It is important this
directive is rendered highly effective to ensure we meet our Paris Agreement obligations and to ensure
compliance with the ESR. The proposed amendments are necessary in order to fulfil the EU's obligations
under international law, specifically the Aarhus Convention, to ensure the coherence and cohesion of EU
law and to ensure that the substantive measures contained in the directive will be effective
The Use Of Moodle Board In Active Learning
Get PDFSummary of Teaching & Learning Context
Subject domain: BSc in Pharmacy Technician
Group size: 15 students
Stage of Programme: Year 3
The TUS Department of Learning and Teaching in conjunction
with DCU have developed a GDPR compliant platform that
allows students to create digital “post-its” on a virtual board.
Moodle Board shares much of the functionality of commercial
software such as Padlet® but located within the familiar
environment of Moodle. Moodle Board allows students to
share text, images, videos and website URLs, opening up
endless possibilities for the creation of engaging student
activities. I use Moodle Board to facilitate creative thinking,
problem solving and peer learning as part of my approach to
active learnin
Assessment and management of cognitive and psychosocial difficulties for people with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland: A national survey of clinical practice
Get PDF. A recent survey of 109 healthcare professionals explored how UK healthcare professionals typically assess and treat
multiple sclerosis (MS)-related cognitive impairment. Little is currently known about what constitutes usual care for cognitive
impairment and psychosocial care for people with MS in Ireland. Aim. 'e aim of the current research was to survey healthcare
professionals (HCPs) who work with people with MS, to understand current assessment and management of cognition and
psychosocial care in people with MS in the Republic of Ireland. Methods. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Data were
collected online through Microsoft forms and through postal responses. 'e original UK questionnaire was adapted, piloted, and
distributed to Irish HCPs. Participants were qualified HCPs who work clinically with people with MS in the Republic of Ireland.
Results. Ninety-eight HCPs completed the survey. Only 34% of those surveyed reported routine screening of cognition for people
with MS within their services; approximately, 36% HCPs reported that they did not provide information or services in relation to
cognition to people with MS and 39% reported not referring elsewhere when cognitive difficulties were suspected. Out of the 98
HCPs, 47% reported assessing mood difficulties as part of their services, with 14% unsure. In total, 70% of participants reported
onward referral took place if mood difficulties were identified. 'e Montreal Cognitive Assessment was the most commonly
administrated cognitive assessment. Cognitive intervention choices were found to be guided by clinical judgement in 75.5% of
cases. Discussion. Despite the high importance placed on cognitive and psychosocial care, there is very little consistency in
treatment and assessment across services for people with MS in Ireland.ye
A physiotherapy-led transition to home intervention for older adults following emergency department discharge: protocol for a pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Older adults frequently attend the emergency department (ED) and experience high rates of adverse outcomes following ED presentation including functional decline, ED re-presentation and unplanned hospital admission. The development of effective interventions to prevent such outcomes is a key priority for research and service provision. This paper reports a protocol designed to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a three arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) within the ED setting and in the patient’s home. The interventions are comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), ED PLUS and usual care. METHODS: The ED PLUS pilot trial is designed as a feasibility RCT conducted in the ED and Acute Medical Assessment Unit of a university teaching hospital in the mid-west region of Ireland. We aim to recruit 30 patients, aged 65 years and over presenting to the ED with undifferentiated medical complaints and discharged within 72 h of index visit. Patients will be randomised by a computer in a ratio of 1:1:1 to deliver usual care, CGA or ED PLUS during a 6-month study period. A randomised algorithm is used to perform randomization. CGA will include a medical assessment, medication review, nursing assessment, falls assessment, assessment of mobility and stairs, transfers, personal care, activities of daily living (ADLs), social supports and baseline cognition. ED PLUS, a physiotherapist led, multidisciplinary intervention, aims to bridge the transition of care between the index visit to the ED and the community by initiating a CGA intervention in the ED and implementing a 6-week follow-up self-management programme in the patient’s own home following discharge from the ED. The outcomes will be parameters of the feasibility of the intervention and trial methods and will be assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. DISCUSSION: Rising ED visits and an ageing population with chronic health issues render ED interventions to reduce adverse outcomes in older adults a research priority. This feasibility RCT will generate data and experience to inform the conduct and delivery of a definite RCT.ye
Shape memory alloy-based wearables: a review, and conceptual frameworks on HCI and HRI in Industry 4.0
No full textEver since its discovery, the applications of Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) can be found
across a range of application domains, from structural design to medical technology. This is based
upon the unique and inherent characteristics such as thermal Shape Memory Effect (SME) and
Superelasticity (or Pseudoelasticity). While thermal SME is used for shape morphing applications
wherein temperature change can govern the shape and dimension of the SMA, Superelasticity allows
the alloy to withstand a comparatively very high magnitude of loads without undergoing plastic
deformation at higher temperatures. These unique properties in wearables have revolutionized
the field, and from fabrics to exoskeletons, SMA has found its place in robotics and cobotics. This
review article focuses on the most recent research work in the field of SMA-based smart wearables
paired with robotic applications for human-robot interaction. The literature is categorized based
on SMA property incorporated and on actuator or sensor-based concept. Further, use-cases or
conceptual frameworks for SMA fiber in fabric for ‘Smart Jacket’ and SMA springs in the shoe soles
for ‘Smart Shoes’ are proposed. The conceptual frameworks are built upon existing technologies;
however, their utility in a smart factory concept is emphasized, and algorithms to achieve the same
are proposed. The integration of the two concepts with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
is discussed, specifically regarding minimizing hazards for the worker/user in Industry 5.0. The
article aims to propel a discussion regarding the multi-faceted applications of SMAs in human-robot
interaction and Industry 5.0. Furthermore, the challenges and the limitations of the smart alloy and
the technological barriers restricting the growth of SMA applications in the field of smart wearables
are observed and elaborated