Research@THEA (Technological Higher Education Association)
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A telehealth monitoring system for target physical therapy in Parkinson's
No full textParkinson’s disease is a neurological movement disorder that
effects more than 10 million people worldwide [1]. Symptoms start
gradually, sometimes as a barely noticeable tremor in one hand.
These symptoms worsen as the condition progresses [2]. A rating
scale, MDS-UPDRS is used universally to assess the symptoms of
Parkinson’s, it’s used to provide information on the severity of the
condition and the quality of life of the patient. [3]
Studies have supported that those who exercise or attend physical
therapy sessions regularly have better function and quality of life as
well as slowing disease progression [4]. However, some problems
associated with these therapies are subjective evaluations, lack of
accessibility, or lack of continuous data [5]. COVID has brought
further limitations in the delivery of clinical care, reducing time with
therapists and doctors, whilst increasing the preference for at-home care
Life history research: stories of social justice & change
Get PDFThe assessment strategy contains two parts:
Summative - Students are asked to select an individual who
has been inspirational in acting for social justice and conduct
life history research on them. They must write 2,000-word
review in response to the following prompts:
• Introduce the life history; explain why this person was
selected; what is the significance in relation to social
policy, social justice and social change?
• How was the persons life shaped by social policy?
Think about issues such as class, race, gender, sexual
orientation, the socio political and historical context.
• How did this person in turn shape progressive social
policy for justice and change? Think about their
contribution to service provision, campaigning, advocacy,
changing policy or legislation.
• What have you learned from this life history research?
Think about the role of social policy in your own life story
and reflect on the impact one person can make for social
justice and change
Systematic review of survival analysis in leprosy studies - including the following outcomes: relapse, impairment of nerve function, reactions and physical disability.
Get PDF: Leprosy is a public health problem in South American, African and Oceanian countries.
National programs need to be evaluated, and the survival analysis model can aid in the construction
of new indicators. The aim of this study was to assess the period of time until the outcomes of interest
for patients with or exposed to leprosy by means of survival analysis surveys. This review researched
articles using the databases of PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Scielo and BVS published in English
and Portuguese. Twenty-eight articles from Brazil, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Indonesia
were included. The Kaplan–Meier method, which derives the log-rank test, and Cox’s proportional
hazards regression, which obtains the hazard ratio, were applied. The mean follow-up until the
following outcomes were: (I) leprosy (2.3 years) in the population who were exposed to it, (II) relapse
(5.9 years), (III) clinical manifestations before, during and after treatment—nerve function impairment
(5.2 years), leprosy reactions (4.9 years) and physical disability (8.3 years) in the population of patients
with leprosy. Therefore, the use of survival analysis will enable the evaluation of national leprosy
programs and assist in the decision-making process to face public health problems.ye
Using pupil dilation to measure cognitive load during a spatial skills test
Get PDFThis full research paper explores how spatial skills and cognitive load interact. Spatial skills allow a person to manipulate and rotate any three-dimensional object. Studies have reported that spatial skills can be a reliable predictor of problem-solving success in engineers. Despite the comprehensive literature on spatial skills, the cognitive load experienced while solving spatial items is not fully understood. Using an eye tracking device, researchers explored how the cognitive load experienced by a high spatial visualizer differs when compared to a low spatial visualizer in solving spatial tasks. Pupil dilation was recorded as a measure of cognitive load via the eye-tracking device as studies have shown that cognitive load causes a task-evoked pupillary response. Previous studies have shown that there is a linear increase in pupil dilation as cognitive load increases.
The current study was conducted in two phases. The first phase recruited 143 undergraduate engineering students from two large, public, R1 institutions. Participants completed three spatial tests. Based on their performance on the spatial tests, 35 participants were selected for the second phase of testing. While the first phase was conducted over a web conference platform, participants came in person for the second phase so that they could wear an eye-tracking device while completing further tasks. The tasks included tests in spatial and verbal analogy and solving six engineering mechanics problems with increasing levels of difficulty. Data related to gender, race, and ethnicity were collected to understand if there were differences by demographic group. The larger study aims to examine several factors, including cognitive load, for high and low spatial visualizers while solving the six mechanics problems. In this paper, analysis results from the spatial testing component of the study will be presented.ye
The Irish War of Independence (1919–1921) in County Galway: Local Histories, Memories & Post-Conflict Heritage Initiatives
Get PDFThe Government of Ireland's Decade of Centenaries programme has aroused much interest of late in the revolutionary events that preceded the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922. This thesis explores local histories, memories and heritages of the Irish War of Independence (or Anglo-Irish War) in County Galway. In the process of compiling local histories, information is furnished about the people and places affected by the conflict. Lasting from 21 January 1919–11 July 1921, this was a guerrilla war fought by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) against the forces of the British Government. By utilising a broad range of sources, including witness statements, pension files, newspapers and literature, this study investigates key events,
such as the Ballyturin and Merlin Park ambushes, the killing of combatants and the impact of reprisals on civilians. New insights are provided about the controversial deaths of individuals such as Louis D’Arcy, Fr Michael Griffin, brothers Pat and Harry Loughnane, Eileen Quinn, and Michael Walsh. These deaths commanded considerable national and international attention. The thesis proceeds by asking how, why and in what ways has memory of the conflict transmitted in County Galway by means of anniversary commemorations and built/cultural heritages? Initially, the focus centres on recovering the lost memories of the women of the revolutionary period, whose contributions and experiences were ignored and forgotten for many years. This section also shows how traumatic legacies of the conflict prompted a series of intergenerational remembrances. Over the course of century, these included the anniversary commemorations of Michael Walsh, the Loughnane brothers, Fr Griffin, and Eileen Quinn. Whilst a more cautious approach to memorialisation unfolded during the Northern Ireland Troubles, opportunities for remembrance still presented in County Galway, albeit through the death of a veteran or a close relative. From the late 1990s onward, the success of the Peace Process led to a revival of interest in the revolutionary period. Notable here was the reinterment of Galway-born Volunteer Thomas Whelan and nine others, including Kevin Barry, who were exhumed from graves in Mountjoy Prison and given a full state funeral in Glasnevin Cemetery in 2001. Buoyed on by the centenary anniversary of the Easter Rising in 2016, there was major public interest in the centenary of the War of Independence in 2019–2021. Whilst restrictions imposed in response to the outbreak
of the Covid-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of many public events, local communities were still able to mark the centenary through online platforms.
This thesis ends by outlining post-conflict heritage initiatives that have been developed by the ATU Heritage Research Group, in partnership with Galway County Council. The first of these is the Galway County War of Independence Heritage Inventory, which includes listings for historic sites, artefacts and manuscripts, memorials, and memorabilia. A second legacy initiative is The Loughnane Brothers Heritage Trail: Explore Historic Sites & Memorials of Ireland’s War of Independence. This will be disseminated to the public in two formats in December 2022, namely an ArcGIS ESRI StoryMap and a 79-page bilingual guide book. Both versions furnish details about eleven sites related to the capture, killing and memorialisation of Pat and Harry Loughnane. By striving to illuminate connections between the past and present, it is hoped to leave behind a worthwhile cultural legacy for current and future generationsn
PACE-IT: Designing blended learning for accounting education in the challenging context of a global pandemic
Get PDFThis paper describes the design of a blended learning intervention to enhance the
student learning experience, incorporating innovative technologies and
pedagogies within introductory accounting. The design-based research (DBR)
methodology involved 68 learners in the participatory design of the intervention
across three design iterations. Emerging from the design process, a framework
informed by the key themes of Pedagogy, Autonomy, Collaboration,
Engagement, Interaction and Technology (PACE-IT) was conceptualised, tested
and developed. This study presents the PACE-IT model which offers guidelines
to practitioners who seek to design blended learning to provide students with a
rich and meaningful learning experience. The emergence of COVID-19
underscores the relevance of these findings. PACE-IT provides direction to
accounting educators working within an unfamiliar educational context, today
and in the future, where there is an imperative to develop new approaches to
accounting education that combine face-to-face with online interaction and
learning.ye
Integrating Biomedical Engineering Research with Undergraduate Teaching – A Research-Teaching Nexus Approach
Get PDFThe integration of research with undergraduate teaching can further enhance the third-level learning experience, by improving learners’ problem solving, critical inquiry and design thinking skills. Unfortunately, research and teaching are perceived as two diverse activities that rarely meet. The new Atlantic Technological University (ATU) launched in April 2022 in the west and northwest of Ireland will
increase its research capacity and further serve the regional needs. This provides an opportunity to bridge the gap between research and teaching. Four modules within the biomedical engineering degree and two modules from mechanical engineering are shown as examples of integrating biomedical engineering research and infrastructure with undergraduate programme modules. The research-teaching nexus model was applied to aide in this interaction. The feedback from the students was very positive with comments towards the learning environment stating, “new learning experience on biomed engineering, a good change from the usual” and “there was a great atmosphere in class, yet we still were able to learn”. Other student comments on interacting with the research facility was “tour of medical imaging suite assisting in my understanding of the topic” and “the actual physical interactions in the MET centre was the best part”. The integration of research with undergraduate learning is a key learning resource which motivates undergraduate students for further learning and allows teachers to be facilitators of learning. We must therefore think actively about how to bring teaching and research together to enhance the scholarship of learning.ye
Manufacturing Reliability and Cost Improvements through Data Analytics: An Industry Case Study
Get PDFIndustry has entered a new age of industrial change which is revolutionising how products are manufactured. Driving this industry change are newly developing digital technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and the industrial internet. This convergence of technology and manufacturing is driving the digital transformation of every industrial segment from operations to logistics, and from aeronautics to retail product manufacture. The technology advances evident from Industry 4.0 will result in industry disruption and build competitive advantages for the organisations who can master the technologies in their manufacturing processes. However, organisations are struggling to develop a tactical methodology to introduce these technologies while simultaneously transforming their organisation cultures and organisations and maximising the benefits. One of the key reasons for the Fourth Industrial Revolution called Industry 4.0 is the need to strengthen the competitiveness of Western European economies, which as a result of the progressing globalization process and rising labor and business costs [1]. A key benefit of the introduction of Industry 4.0 initiatives in a manufacturing plant is to help overcome current operations management limitations, such as, the lack of knowledge on how the process is performing at a specific point in time. This paper will investigate the impact of deploying a range of Industry 4.0 technologies to access machine and operations performance data, to improve equipment reliability and to reduce the costs associated with the maintenance of equipment. With the introduction of the operational data analytics as a result of data extraction from manufacturing equipment, along with integrating other data sources, the business has realised improvements in key metrics like OTIF (On Time in Full), OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure), MTTR (Mean Time to Return), CuC (Consumable Unit Cost), and Lead Time. This paper discusses this project and the results obtained at Zimmer Biomet while also discussing the research carried out for ZOML to begin its journey on manufacturing digitalisation.
The paper starts with a background in Industry 4.0. The next section provides a background on the company where the problem statement and project have come from with some detail on their digitalisation journey. The following section details the problem and the project that the research is derived from and the final section is in relation to the results of the research and the project.ye
Ganodiesel: a new biodiesel feedstock from biomass of the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum
Get PDFThere is a pressing demand for new sustainable eco-friendly approaches to producing
green energy worldwide. This study represents the novel production of biodiesel feedstock from
the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum QRS 5120 using state-of-the-art biotechnology tools.
Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to enhance G. lucidum production in a repeated-batch
fermentation strategy. By referring to the broth replacement ratio (BRR) and broth replacement time
point (BRTP), RSM that was formulated using a central composite design (CCD) resulted in a signifi cant model for all tested variables, which are exopolysaccharide (EPS), endopolysaccharide (ENS) and
biomass, with BRR (%) of 60, 75 and 90, and BRTP (days) of 11, 13 and 15. The model was validated
using the optimised conditions, and the results showed 4.21 g/L of EPS (BRR 77.46% and BRTP
12 days), 2.44 g/L of ENS (BRR 60% and BRTP 12.85 days), and 34.32 g/L of biomass (BRR 89.52%
and BRTP 10.96 days) were produced. Biomass produced from the G. lucidum was subsequently used
as feedstock for biodiesel production. Approximately 20.36% of lipid was successfully extracted
from the dried G. lucidum biomass via a solvent extraction and subsequently converted to Ganodiesel
through a transesterification process. The Ganodiesel produced fulfilled most of the international
standards, i.e., US (ASTM D6751-08) and EU (EN 14214). Overall, this study demonstrates the
optimised G. lucidum production and its lipid production as a new biodiesel feedstock.ye
Co-designing interactive systems to increase autonomy and improve the door-to-door customer journey for irish rail
Get PDFPublic transport companies like Irish Rail have a vital role to play in countering the many
problems that modern society is facing, such as climate change, energy independence while at
the same time increasing the mobility of citizens and improving their independence. Accessible,
high-quality public transport with low barriers is more likely to be sustainable and potentially
contribute to a modal switch whereby private vehicle owners reduce their dependency and
increase their utilisation of public transportation (Doyle et al , 2020, Ch. 5). Literature highlights
the increased use of technology and digital platforms and the transport and travel industry
globally has been quick to embrace new opportunities that these platforms afford. However,
even the most cursory look at the selection of smartphone apps provided by the industry shows
a focus on the ticketing / commercial / timetabling aspects of their business, overlooking the
in-depth needs of public transport travellers. In the absence of deep design research on Irish
Rail to determine gaps and unmet customer needs, this research considers these needs in the
context of the broadest possible door-to-door journey.
The overall objectives of this research are to inform Irish Rail on new areas for interactive
systems for travellers through a user centred design process, learning how to do so and to
provide information on how to do this type of design activity in the future. The research
questions for this study are as follows
1. What interactive systems should be designed to improve experience and autonomy
for Irish Rail's customer’s door to door journey?
2. How can user centred design frameworks assist Irish Rail to meet this objective?
To answer these questions the study applies a mixed-methods methodology using qualitative
and quantitative data from surveys (N=316) and co-design workshops (4 workshops N=15),
following the guidance of Irish Standard I.S. EN 17161:2019 Design for All. The research collects
deep insights into the mindsets and needs of Irish Rail travellers to show the potential to
improve the door to the door customer journey. Interpreting and analysing these needs,
emerging outcomes vis-à-vis the complex stakeholder relationship are reviewed, to parse out
the results related to Irish Rail in the context of information technology. The research concludes
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that travellers' autonomy and the sense of freedom they experience can be improved,
particularly if their needs across the complete door-to-door customer are supported in the
areas of information accuracy, personal safety and general accessibility.
The study proposes a high-level conceptual model for a new digital assistant for travellers
supporting most of their needs throughout the door-to-door journey which Irish Rail will
consider in their technology roadmap for 2022 to 2025. This model and several data
visualisations showing the general findings from this research and recommendations for further
research will be provided to Irish Rail.
The process of user-centred design and 'co-designing' has successfully yielded many positive
outcomes in this study. This method of 'designing with, not for customers' is a method that Irish
Rail can and should adopt. This study provides a Design Guide for the company and summarises
many of the lessons learned throughout the study to communicate the need for improved usercentred
design and further design research by Irish Rail.ye