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Prohibiting commercial surrogacy in Ireland
No full textThe Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 regulates surrogacy for the first time in Ireland. The Act is based on a model of altruistic surrogacy, which applies to both domestic and international arrangements undertaken by Irish intending parents. The definition and prohibition on ‘commercial’ surrogacy in the legislation are broad, covering virtually all payments connected with surrogacy. Certain exceptions to the prohibition on commercial surrogacy apply in respect of international surrogacy, but not domestic surrogacy. Most notably, intending parents are permitted to make payments to surrogacy intermediaries in international surrogacy, but no such payments can be made domestically. In fact, the prohibition on commercial surrogacy appears to prohibit all payments other than the payment of legal fees and the surrogate’s reasonable expenses in the domestic context. As a result, this article argues that the definition and prohibition on commercial surrogacy under the 2024 Act will stymie domestic surrogacy in practice and create a two-tier approach to the prohibition on commercial surrogacy. At the same time, notwithstanding the exceptions that apply in respect of payments in international surrogacy, it is suggested that the 2024 Act will also restrict attempts by Irish intending parents to engage in surrogacy outside of the State due to the unworkable nature of the relevant provisions.</p
Assessing the clinical utility of pre‑operative neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of clinicopathological parameters in patients being treated for primary breast cancer
No full textBackground There is a paucity of data supporting the role of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratios (NLR) to determine clinicopathological parameters in patients being treated for primary breast cancer. Aims To evaluate the association between pre-operative NLR and clinicopathological parameters in patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed. This included consecutive patients indicated to undergo surgery for primary breast cancer at University Hospital Limerick between January 2010 and June 2017. NLR was expressed as a continuous variable. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the correlation between NLR and clinicopathological data. Data analytics was performed using SPSS v29.0. Results 673 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the median preoperative NLR is 2.63 (standard deviation: 1.42). At univariable analysis, patient age (beta coefficient: 0.009, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.001–0.017, P=0.027), tumour size (beta coefficient: 0.013, 95% CI 0.005–0.021, P=0.001), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 status (beta coefficient: − 0.370, 95% CI − 0.676–0.065, P=0.017) were all predicted using NLR. However, at multivariable analysis, tumour size was the sole parameter predictable by NLR (beta coefficient: 0.011, 95% CI 0.002–0.019, P=0.013). Conclusions This study demonstrates that pre-operative NLR may serve as an independent predictor of tumour size in patients being treated with primary breast cancer. Ratification of these preliminary findings is warranted before robustly adopted into clinical practice.</p
An Ultramicroporous physisorbent sustained by a trifecta of directional supramolecular interactions
No full text 2D and 3D porous coordination networks (PCNs) as exemplified by metal−organic frameworks, MOFs, have garnered interest for their potential utility as sorbents for molecular separations and storage. The inherent modularity of PCNs has enabled the development of crystal engineering strategies for systematic fine-tuning of pore size and chemistry in families of related PCNs. The same cannot be said about one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymers, CPs, which are understudied with respect to porosity. Here, we report that permanent porosity is exhibited by the previously reported family of linear (L) 1D porous CPs, PCPs, of formula [M(bipy)(NO3)2(H2O)2]n (L-chn-1-M-NO3: M = Co, Ni; bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine). Their pore structure comprises 1D channels sustained by three types of directional interaction: coordination bonds; hydrogen bonds; offset π−π interactions. Heating L-chn-1-M-NO3 in vacuo or above 383 K resulted in removal of the aqua ligands and concomitant transformation to nonporous anhydrate phases ZZ-chn-1-Co-NO3 (ZZ = zigzag) and HT-Ni. Exposure of these anhydrate phases to ambient humidity resulted in regeneration of L-chn-1-M-NO3. That L-chn-1-M-NO3 exhibits permanent porosity was supported by CO2 and water sorption measurements, which afforded reversible type I and stepped (S-shaped) isotherm profiles, respectively, making this work the first demonstration of reversible water sorption in a 1D PCP. The water sorption properties are pertinent to atmospheric water harvesting: onset of uptake at ca. 12% relative humidity; activation required only mild heat or vacuum; relatively fast adsorption/desorption kinetics; performance retained over >100 adsorption/desorption cycles. We project water harvesting productivity of L-chn-1-M-NO3 of 3.3 L kg−1 d−1 , on par with some leading MOF desiccants. DFT and Monte Carlo simulations provide insights into the structure of water molecules in the channels, provide their influence on the host framework, and provide a plausible argument for the experimental water vapor isotherms. This work demonstrates that easily scalable 1D PCPs, a potentially vast class of materials, can exhibit porous structures sustained by three types of directional supramolecular synthons and offer desirable water sorption properties.</p
Submission to the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance as part of its Sixth Monitoring Cycle Country Monitoring Work: Ireland
No full textThis report provides evidence-informed responses to ECRI on matters directly relating to the work of the European Centre for the Study of Hate. The Executive Summary foregrounds key findings and recommendations.</p
Population-based cancer screening access needs of disabled people: A qualitative evidence synthesis
No full textBackground: Cancer is one of the most common causes of mortality among disabled people, and population-based screening is an effective method to identify some cancers early; however, its uptake is lower among the disabled population. There is a lack of evidence regarding why they access less, and their need to access population-based screening programmes. Aim: To synthesise evidence of the experience of accessing population-based screening programmes for disabled people. Method: A qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) was carried out by searching electronic databases including Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus. Grey literature was also searched for. The search yielded 32 relevant publications. Results: The findings are based on Levesque’s conceptual framework. Several factors affect the accessibility of screening services, including people’s perceptions, family support, affordability, literacy, and accessibility. Conclusion: Screening services need to acknowledge the needs of disabled people and integrate reasonable accommodations to facilitate their needs.</p
Failure analysis under fatigue loading of glass fibre reinforced in-situ polymerizable thermoplastic and Bio-epoxy based Composites
No full textThis experimental study investigates the fracture and failure mechanisms of glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites fabricated using an in-situ polymerizable thermoplastic and a bio-based epoxy matrix subjected to tension-tension fatigue loading. For both material systems, fatigue tests resulted in linear S-N curves for the 0◦, 90◦ and Quasi-Isotropic (QI) laminates and non-linear (power law) S-N curves for the ±45◦ and ±30◦ laminate configurations. However, the main focus of the study was on the failure mechanisms for both the low-cycle and high-cycle fatigue loading regimes. At the macro level, the effect of the different matrices on the characteristic failure mode was generally minimal with all lay-ups exhibiting distributed damage throughout the gauge region except for the 90◦ laminates where damage was highly localised. However, micro level analysis conducted using SEM and elemental composition analysis revealed significantly different failure mechanisms in the vicinity of the fibre matrix interface for the bio-epoxy (interfacial) and the thermoplastic (cohesive). Overall, both matrices show promise in terms of fatigue performance under benign laboratory conditions and as a stepping stone towards achieving more sustainable matrix options for offshore renewable energy structures in the future</p
Engaging stakeholders in the development of a national digital mental health strategy: reflexive thematic analysis
No full textBackground: Recent advances in digital health technology offer the potential to overcome established access barriers to mental health support, such as stigma and geographical location. The World Health Organization recommends integrating digital technologies into mental health care, underscoring the need for countries to develop national digital mental health (DMH) strategies to guide efforts. The rate of development and availability of DMH tools currently outpaces the existing policy or regulatory guidance required to guide their use. In Ireland, a key requirement of the national mental health strategy, Sharing the Vision, was the development of a national DMH strategy. Key stakeholders in DMH research, policy, practice, and lived experience were brought together as part of a focused stakeholder engagement event to develop a shared vision for digital mental health in Ireland. Objective: This study aimed to explore the views of DMH stakeholders to set priorities for the development of a national DMH strategy. Methods: Forty-seven stakeholders were each assigned to 1 of 6 focused strategy discussion groups. Invited stakeholders included experts in DMH research, clinical practice, and mental health advocacy and policy, together with those with lived experience of accessing mental health services. Qualitative data were analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Researchers followed the 6-step framework proposed by Braun and Clarke. Reflexive thematic analysis emphasizes intentionality and critical thought, highlighting researchers’ deliberate interpretation of data while being aware of how their perspectives shape the conclusions. Results: A total of 5 major themes were identified: inclusive access, being user-led, trust, education and training, and connectedness. These major themes were related to 15 subthemes. The inclusive access theme comprised inclusivity, accessibility, and early intervention subthemes. The user-led theme encompassed coproduction, choice, and needs-led subthemes. Compelling narrative; regulation, policy, and governance; and evidence base subthemes were identified within the theme of trust. The subthemes of digital literacy, mental health literacy, and transformation were identified within the education and training theme. Finally, the connectedness theme incorporated the subthemes of integration, relationships, and stigma. Conclusions: Overall, delegates viewed digital technology as a potential enabler of accessible and inclusive mental health support. However, it was also seen as a potential barrier to access and inclusion if concerns regarding data privacy, education and training needs, regulation, and the need for a more a robust evidence base were not addressed. Coproduction at all stages was identified as key to reducing access barriers, enhancing inclusion, and maintaining trust. Themes identified informed a follow-on consensus-seeking process to further refine and prioritize the proposed actions of the first national DMH strategy.</p
Beyond procedural approaches to designing: a framework for supporting students’ hierarchical thinking through their representational journeys
No full textThis paper examines how designerly thinking, can be facilitated through the creation of design representations such as sketches, drawings, and 3D models. Doing this, we move beyond procedural accounts of designing to focus on how students use design representations to navigate their design journeys. Instead of only engaging in iterative steps, phases or stages of designing, we argue that designing fundamentally requires hierarchical thinking—the ability to move between different levels of abstraction and specificity which is evident in students’ design representations. Drawing on frameworks from professional design education, we adapt an existing taxonomy of design representations to align with the Irish technology education curriculum, by highlighting its relations to properties of design representations, different levels of hierarchical thinking and iterative designing. The proposed framework guides teachers and teacher educators in supporting students to strategically select representations that realise design ideas, while also enhancing design reasoning, metacognition, and the ability to move fluidly between different levels of thinking. Finally, we consider its implications for assessment, curriculum alignment, and pedagogical strategies, while also identifying potential limitations related to assessment-driven curricula and transferability beyond the Irish context</p
Modified transfer path analysis on pump-baseplate system for multiple pumps damaged detection
No full textThis paper proposes a modified transfer path analysis (MTPA) on pump-baseplate system for identifying the flow of vibration energy from damaged pump through a baseplate on vertical axis. The vibration energy was defined using operational force that was calculated by multiplying the operational acceleration of the pump and the frequency response function (FRF) based on Rational Fractional Polynomial (RFP) method of the baseplate in the frequency domain. The baseplate was assumed to be a double clamped beam. Normal (as a reference), unbalanced, misalignment, and bearing fault pump were used in this study. Firstly, finite element analysis was conducted using modal, harmonic, and transient analysis to evaluate the method. Secondly, the FRF of the beam was obtained by experimental modal analysis. The operational acceleration on the pump was then measured based on ISO 13373-1 to verify the type of damaged pumps. The operational acceleration was also recorded on three different locations of multiple pumps on the beam to trace the flow of vibration energy. Finally, the operational force was calculated and analysed to validate the method. The result shows that MTPA method, using operational force, can trace the flow of vibration energy from the source (damaged pumps) to the receivers (multiple pump’s locations) on the baseplate. Each damaged pump shows a more dominant operational force at specific damaged frequency than the other pumps on all of the locations. Therefore, the MTPA method can be utilized to do the multiple pumps damage detection on the same baseplate for vibration monitoring purposes.</p
A multicomponent pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann model for liquid–liquid systems with soluble surfactants
No full textThe intermolecular interactions in the pseudo-potential lattice Boltzmann (PPLB) method can readily be extended to more than two components. We report about a three-component PPLB approach to explore whether the effect of a surfactant could be included in describing droplet behaviour in (liquid–liquid) emulsions. The two main liquid components are taken to follow the Carnahan-Starling equation of state (EoS), while the surfactant obeys an ideal EoS. We investigate the nature of the phases present at equilibrium and the dependence of the interfacial tension between the two liquid phases on the amount of surfactant. The response of a droplet subjected to simple shear is investigated in the absence and the presence of a surfactant. Our exploratory simulations show how during droplet deformation the surfactant re-distributes itself due to the action of the shear and flows towards the far ends of the deformed droplet, up to the moment the droplet breaks up. This inhomogeneous surfactant distribution along the interface increases the shear rate that is needed for droplet breakup such that the critical capillary number for breakup increases and the breakup process is delayed. The simulations also reveal the detailed flow fields inside and outside the deforming droplet.</p