Research@THEA (Technological Higher Education Association)
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The Implications of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs Judgment on Medical Training in the US
Get PDFThe recent US Supreme Court judgement restricting abortion represents an assault upon all women, especially less privileged women. This judgement will result in a rise in maternal mortality, a figure that for the US is already a very public outlier and tragedy. This commentary focusses on the impact of the Dobbs judgement on medical training. The ripple effects of this judgement and subsequent legislation enacted in abortion restrictive States are far wider than many will have assumed.ye
Development of Antimicrobial Blends of Bacteria Nanocellulose Derived from Plastic Waste and Polyhydroxybutyrate Enhanced with Essential Oils
Get PDFThe escalating global concern regarding plastic waste accumulation and its detrimental environmental impact has driven the exploration of sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. This study investigates the development of antimicrobial blends of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) derived from plastic waste and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHB), further enhanced with essential oils. The antimicrobial activity of the resulting BNC/PHB blends was tested in vitro against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The incorporation of essential oils, particularly cinnamon oil, significantly enhanced the antimicrobial properties of the BNC/PHB blends. The BNC with 5% PHB blend exhibited the highest antifungal inhibition against C. albicans at 90.25%. Additionally, blends with 2% and 10% PHB also showed antifungal activity, inhibiting 68% of C. albicans growth. These findings highlight the potential of incorporating essential oils into BNC/PHB blends to create effective antimicrobial materials. The study concludes that enhancing the antimicrobial properties of BNC/PHB significantly broadens its potential applications across various sectors, including wound dressings, nanofiltration masks, controlled-release fertilizers, and active packaging.ye
Numerical investigation of non-premixed oblique detonation operations in scramjet combustor
Get PDFThe present study aims to develop strategies for hydrogen injection to operate scramjet combustor configuration
in detonation mode at higher Mach number flights conditions. The reactive multi-species unsteady
Navier-Stokes equations along with turbulence modelling are solved with detailed chemical kinetics for a
two-dimensional computational domain of cavity based scramjet combustor. In order to establish detonation
mode combustion a finite length wedge at angle is attached to the downstream of cavity in a scramjet combustor
configuration. Initial simulations are performed at Mach 7 incoming air flow with freestream pressure
of 40 kPa and temperature of 300 K for 2 ms time duration. The hydrogen fuel is injected at 30 mm upstream
of cavity with angle of injection 15◦ using straight pipe of 2 mm width to provide mass flow rate equivalent
to ϕ = 0.34 with respect to incoming air mass flow rate. It is found that the presence of cavity between fuel
injector and wedge stabilizes the detonation mode combustion and suppress the intermittent transition between
deflagration and detonation modes in comparison to without cavity case. Further the flow conditions
at the starting of combustor based on hypersonic intake, operating at an altitude of 25 km with flight Mach
number 9 are simulated for cavity based combustor with wegde. The outcome suggest that high temperature
of incoming flow can have adverse effect to develop detonation mode combustion, but with cavity and distance
between wedge and cavity stable detonation front can be established.ye
An Exploration of Student and Staff Experiences of Assessment, Feedback, and Academic Integrity across three programmes in a Technological University
No full textAssessment, feedback, and academic integrity are key components of Higher Education (HE), each is crucial in shaping educational outcomes and enhancing the quality of the learning process. These three components are complex and interconnected, each contributing significantly to the educational experiences of students and staff. Therefore, HE institutions need to prioritise these components and ensure that they are effectively implemented to promote a well-rounded teaching and learning environment. The main aim of this research study is to explore the experiences of students and staff in terms of assessment, feedback, and academic integrity across three programmes in a Technological University. The study employs a case study framework and uses a mixed methods approach to data collection. The methods used include a desk analysis, student and staff questionnaires, student focus groups, and academic staff interviews to investigate the experiences of both cohorts. Following the analysis of the quantitative data a Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) approach was utilised to analyse the findings from the qualitative data. The themes that were identified from the analysis were timing issues, industry-based assessments (authentic assessment), utilising feedback, enablers of success, and understanding of academic integrity. The findings from this study indicate that there is a need for a more holistic approach to assessment scheduling and timing of feedback. Furthermore, there seems to be a lack of a shared understanding among students and staff in relation to the meaning of academic integrity. This research study provides informed recommendations to address these challenges.n
Efficient green Cr(VI) adsorbent from sorghum waste: Eco-designed functionalized mesoporous silica FDU-12
Get PDFThis paper presents an eco-design approach to the synthesis of a highly efficient Cr(VI) adsorbent, utilizing a positively charged surface mesoporous FDU-12 material (designated as MI-Cl-FDU-12) for the first time. The MI-Cl-FDU-12 anion-exchange adsorbent was synthesized via a facile one-pot synthesis approach using sodium silicate extracted from sorghum waste as a green silica source, 1-methyl-3-(triethoxysilylpropyl) imidazolium chloride as a functionalization agent, triblock copolymer F127 as a templating or pore-directing agent, trimethyl benzene as a swelling agent, KCl as an additive, and water as a solvent. The synthesis method offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to the production of a so-called “green” adsorbent with a bimodal micro-/mesoporous structure and a high surface area comparable with the previous reports regarding FDU-12 synthesis. MI-Cl-FDU-12 was applied as an anion exchanger for the adsorption of toxic Cr(VI) oxyanions from aqueous media and various kinetic and isotherm models were fitted to experimental data to propose the adsorption behavior of Cr(VI) on the adsorbent. Langmuir model revealed the best fit to the experimental data at four different temperatures, indicating a homogeneous surface site affinity. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacities of the adsorbent were found to be 363.5, 385.5, 409.0, and 416.9 mg g−1 at 298, 303, 308, and 313 K, respectively; at optimal conditions (pH=2, adsorbent dose=3.0 mg, and contact time of 30 min), surpassing that of most previously reported Cr(VI) adsorbents in the literature. A regeneration study revealed that this adsorbent possesses outstanding performance even after six consecutive recycling. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.ye
Compendium of Approaches to Internationalisation of the Home Curriculum
Get PDFFor decades, universities and higher education
institutions in Ireland and abroad have pursued a
strategy of internationalisation. Whereas in the past,
internationalisation in higher education may have been
driven by economic motivations with an emphasis on
mobility and co-operation, it has been defined more
recently by de Wit et al. (2015) as ‘the intentional process
of integrating an international, intercultural or global
dimension into the purpose, functions and delivery of
post-secondary education, in order to enhance the quality
of education and research for all students and staff, and
to make a meaningful contribution to society’.
Increasingly, the focus is on Internationalisation
at Home, which seeks to offer all students global
perspectives during their programme of study, regardless
of whether they can avail of mobility opportunities
to spend time abroad. It allows us to learn from and
with others, exploring new ideas and opportunities
while also responding to the sustainability imperative.
Within the formal curriculum, it may comprise
specialist programmes, foreign language modules
and internationalised learning outcomes and course
content, but as explained by Beelen and Jones (2015,
p.63), internationalisation of the home curriculum ‘is
also delivered through the informal curriculum, the nonassessed
elements of the student experience, which
are nevertheless provided by or associated with the
institution’.National Forum for Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. Strategic Alignment of Teaching, & Learning Enhancement (SATLE) fundin
The development and implementation of a Peer Mentoring Scheme for Sociology Early Career Academics (ECAs) in Ireland: lessons from research, insights from practice
Get PDFThe paper discusses a structured peer mentoring scheme for Early Career Academics (ECAs) in Sociology during COVID-19 and post-Brexit, the pedagogical framework adopted and programme challenges, benefits and learning. Internationally, structured peer mentoring schemes for ECAs are sparse and discussions of ‘what works’ in the context of dedicated peer mentoring programmes for ECAs are limited. This programme, designed and executed by the Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI) and a professional mentoring trainer in 2022, involved 8 peer mentors, all of whom were senior and mid-career academics and 10 mentees comprising PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. It encompassed formative sessions for peer mentors and mentees and a final joint session, which took place online. Subsequently, peer mentors facilitated online peer mentoring sessions, with mentees supporting them to explore, plan and achieve their professional goals. The authors discuss the pedagogical content and active methodologies adopted in relation to reflective practice and knowledge-exchange, whilst illuminating that more investment in and research on structured peer mentoring programmes in Higher Education can lead to better outcomes for ECAs. We underline the potential of similar inter-professional mentoring schemes for ECAs and key learning, which could benefit future programmes.ye
Linear Sprint Testing Methods in Gaelic Games: A Systematic Review
Get PDFBackground: The most common method used to monitor acceleration and maximum sprinting speed performance is via a linear sprint test. When conducting linear sprint monitoring it is important to ensure the relevant methodologies are all considered and standardised to ensure valid and reliable results. Objectives: The aims of this review are 1) to systematically search the Gaelic games literature and identify studies that have assessed linear sprint performance, 2) to report the methodological variables employed in each study, and 3) to report normative values for linear sprint performance. Methods: This systematic review searched for literature in five databases. Key details (i.e., playing standard, timing technology, split times over various distances), were extracted. A methodological reporting rating tool was created to grade each study. Results: Twenty-two studies; one in camogie, twelve in hurling and ten in men's Gaelic football were included. No study monitoring ladies Gaelic football was identified. Sprint times over 10 m ranged from 1.71 ± 0.08 to 2.11 ± 0.77 s between hurlers and men's Gaelic footballers. The mean rating for methodological reporting was 42%. All included studies failed to report some key methodological variables. Conclusions: This review highlights the importance of utilising and reporting the methods used to conduct accurate sprint performance monitoring across time and allow comparison between studies. The methodological rating tool can be used by practitioners as a 'checklist' to ensure sprint monitoring is conducted in a valid and reliable manner. Future research should seek to examine linear sprint performance in ladies Gaelic football.ye
Effect of Maternal Flavour Conditioning Combined with Organic and Inorganic Iron-Supplemented Creep Feed on Piglet Performance and Haemoglobin Status
Get PDFIron injections are vital but imperfect against iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). This experiment explored the effects on piglets of maternal flavour conditioning and the voluntary intake of anise flavoured, iron-supplemented creep feed compared with iron injections. The experiment was a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: ±maternal exposure to dietary anise flavour and ±intramuscular injections of piglets. Twenty-three sows and their litters (242 piglets) were randomly allocated to one of four treatments (n = 5 or 6 per treatment): no flavour plus no injection (NF + NI); no flavour plus iron injection (NF + I); flavour plus no injection (F + NI); and flavour plus iron injection (F + I). All piglets could access anise flavoured, iron-supplemented creep feed (organic and inorganic forms) from D2 of birth. Sow feed intake and milk anethole concentration, piglet body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG), creep feed disappearance, piglet behavioural time budgets, and piglet blood glucose and haemoglobin concentrations were determined. Over the four-week study, the only significant differences found were that iron-injected piglets had reduced blood glucose (p = 0.036) on D14 and that maternal flavour provision increased the frequency of piglet creep feed interaction (p = 0.023) and decreased the frequency of suckling events (p = 0.009). In summary, maternal flavour conditioning reduced piglet creep feed neophobia without influencing consumption. The supplementation of creep feed with iron and anise flavour to piglets under the conditions of this trial was effective in preventing IDA, regardless of exposure to maternal flavouring conditioning.ye