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Conference Review: Symposium on ‘Peacebuilding, the Arts and the Participation of Children and Young People’, Queen’s University Belfast, 2024
Full text linkIn March 2024 the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen’s University Belfast hosted a symposium on ‘Peacebuilding, the Arts and the Participation of Children and Young People’. The event, which ran in conjunction with Young at Art’s Belfast Children’s Festival, brought together practitioners and researchers to explore the role of the arts in facilitating the expression of children and young people and the contribution this can make to peacebuilding, historically, now and in the future. This review outlines the key themes that emerged during the symposium, which include the rights of children and young people, the significance of the creative arts as a mode of expression, the conditions for children and young people’s contribution to peacebuilding and the challenges for collaboration: both intergenerational and inter-sectoral
PANEL RESPONSE: FINANCIAL SECTOR POLICY - Reflections on the Irish Banking Crisis
Full text linkThe titans of global banking often like to portray themselves as buccaneering free market entrepreneurs, but the reality is that banking systems everywhere are deeply intertwined with government. While the role that banks play as financial intermediaries is crucial for both savers and borrowers, the combination of fraction reserve banking with maturity mismatch means that, left to itself the banking system is innately unstable. To keep the show on the road, government-provided backstops such as deposit insurance and a lender of last resort function are required. Governments also need to regulate and supervise the banking sector very carefully because bankers largely prioritise short-term profitability over long-term stability – most banking crises are not accidents but require a combination of bad supervision by governments and bad behaviour by bankers. More than any other European economist, Patrick Honohan has unique experience both in witnessing how banking systems can collapse and in putting various banking sector Humpty Dumpties back together again
Systematic Review: Newer Perspective in the Medical Management of Acute Ischaemic Stroke
Full text linkIntroduction: Acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, where timely management is crucial in minimising neurological damage. This study reviews the latest evidence concerning the medical management AIS.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using the EMBASE database to explore medical management strategies for AIS. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from the past five years underwent abstract screening by two reviewers. Eligible abstracts were then evaluated through full-text reading based on the eligibility criteria. Out of 174 identified citations, 21 studies were included in the narrative analysis.
Results: Current evidence supports alteplase as the first-line treatment for AIS. However, tenecteplase is emerging as a promising alternative with similar efficacy and lower risks. Recent clinical trials suggested the use of aspirin within 24 hours of onset, and the consideration of dual antiplatelet therapy for prevention. Routine use of anticoagulants is discouraged, but low molecular weight heparin may have a role in certain stroke types. Emerging neuroprotective agents like edaravone, minocycline, vinpocetine, and salvianolic acids show promise but require more research for inclusion in treatment guidelines.
Conclusion: Medical management of AIS primarily relies on alteplase as the gold-standard treatment. Our analysis highlights tenectaplase as a possible alternative as well as the potential benefits of antithrombotic agents and neuroprotectants for post-stroke recovery and prevention. With variations in clinical efficacy outcomes due to limited subgroup analyses, it is important to conduct large multicentre trials to further evaluate the various management strategies in order to establish optimal care which is personalised
Health Impacts of COVID-19 and Area-Level Deprivation in Ireland
Full text linkThis study examines COVID-19 infection rates and ICU admission rates in deprived areas in Ireland. Using area-level data from Electoral Division (ED) areas, the Pobal Haase-Pratschke Relative Deprivation Index (henceforth HP deprivation index) and Census data, the analysis finds that infection rates in the most deprived areas were about a third higher than those in affluent areas, even after controlling for age, minority communities, and communal establishments. Higher ICU admission rates are linked to minority communities, older populations, and poorer health. Non-deprived areas in border counties also exhibited notably high infection rates, highlighting the need for coordinated public health responses across jurisdictions. The findings highlight important policy implications for addressing inequalities in public health across Ireland and underscore the importance of addressing pre-existing health disparities and targeting pandemic planning efforts to mitigate the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations
POLICY PAPER: GROWTH POLICY - Hare or Tortoise? Productivity and Growth of Irish Domestic Firms
Full text linkOver 20 years ago, Honohan and Walsh (2002) unravelled the key drivers behind the dramatic growth of the Irish economy after decades of underperformance. The role of multinationals was a critical element in the convergence with other EU Member States. Even at this stage, however, multinational activity was causing challenges for measurement of the overall economy. Since then, multinational activity has boomed in Ireland and so too have the difficulties their activities pose for understanding how the domestic side of the economy is performing. This paper presents a range of indicators of structure and performance of the domestic side of the Irish economy alongside comparisons with the multinational sector and also with comparator countries. It finds that although there has been steady growth amongst the domestically-dominated sectors, productivity gaps and potential crowding-out remain concerns
Primum Non Nocere: An Impossible Task in Medicine?
Full text linkAre clinicians growing overly cautious in the name of “avoiding harm”?
Overdiagnosis is a modern medical phenomenon underlied by expanded disease definitions, uncritical adoption of
population screening and fear of uncertainty and new technology.
International coordination is needed to improve current diagnostic standards and to promote effective deprescribing.
Sometimes, avoiding harm means avoiding action
Surveying the Attitudes and the Preparedness of Healthcare Workers Regarding Communication and Swallowing Difficulties Associated with Long-COVID
Full text linkIntroduction: Long-COVID occurs in individuals experiencing symptoms which persist for more than 12 weeks after initial infection. Long-COVID is associated with a collection of symptoms including communication and swallowing difficulties. There is limited peer-reviewed literature available regarding the nature, impact, or management of communication and swallowing difficulties in Long-COVID. Therefore, care delivery may not be optimal, impacting patient outcomes and recovery. The aim of this study was to determine the attitudes and preparedness of healthcare workers regarding communication and swallowing difficulties associated with Long-COVID.
Methods: An anonymous online cross-sectional survey was conducted with healthcare workers working with patients living with Long-COVID, with quantitative and qualitative data gathered. Data was collated using Qualtrics and analysed using SPSS and Qualtrics.
Results: Overall, 27 professionals completed the survey in full, with sample representation from Speech and Language Therapists (n=15; 55%), Physiotherapists (n=5; 1%), Occupational Therapists (n=4; 15 %), Nurses (n=2; 7%) and Doctors (n=1; 4%); and international representation from the following countries: Ireland (n=15; 56 %), Canada (n= 5; 19%), the USA (n=4; 15%), Australia (n=2; 7%), and the UK (n=1; 4%). Most participants reported that they “sometimes” assess (73%, n=19) and “sometimes” (49%, n=13) or “never” (37%, n=10) provide treatment for communication difficulties associated with Long-COVID. Furthermore, participants reported that they either “sometimes” (44%, n=12) or “never” (30%, n=8) assess for swallowing difficulties associated with Long-COVID and that they either “sometimes” (41%, n=11) or “never” (41%, n=11) provide treatment for swallowing difficulties. Additionally, MDT collaboration was not a constant factor in patient management, with most of the participants reporting that this “sometimes” (63%, n=17) or “never” (7%, n=2) happens. The majority of participants (56%, n=14) had not received specific education or training regarding the provision of appropriate treatment and support for people living with Long-COVID associated communication and swallowing difficulties, with 78% (n=21) of participants indicating that they would like further education in this area.
Discussion: This study provided insight into the attitudes and preparedness of MDT members regarding the management of communication and swallowing difficulties experienced by people living with Long-COVID. Although healthcare professionals believe communication and swallowing difficulties are significant issues for people with Long-COVID, they also reported that they do not feel that they are adequately trained in the management of these symptoms to support patients. Participants would welcome further education, further training programmes that focus on communication and swallowing challenges associated with Long-COVID required to support patients in their wellness and recovery journeys
Is Appendicectomy Becoming Obsolete: A Review
Full text linkIntroduction: Appendicectomy has long been the chosen method for treating acute uncomplicated appendicitis; recently however, there has been debate about whether antibiotic therapy can provide a similar level of treatment. The primary aim of this review is to compare the efficacy of surgical and non-surgical interventions for acute uncomplicated appendicitis.
Methods: Relevant databases were searched for systematic reviews comparing appendicectomy against antibiotic therapy for treatment of acute uncomplicated appendicitis. The primary outcome for antibiotic therapy was improvement without recurrence of acute appendicitis within a median follow-up of one year. For surgical treatment it was confirmed appendicitis at operation with no subsequent need for surgery for acute appendicitis. The secondary outcomes include percentage of patients experiencing post-treatment complications, mean C-reactive protein on admission, and mean length of hospital stay.
Results: Eight systematic reviews satisfied the inclusion criteria. Of the 1169 patients initially treated with antibiotic therapy, 759 patients (64.93%) did not need follow up treatment within one year. This was compared to a 94.17% efficacy rate in the surgical group. There was a minor difference between post-treatment complication rates in the antibiotic and surgical groups (7.26% and 16.27%, respectively). No clear difference was found between C-reactive protein and length of hospital stay.
Discussion: This analysis shows that appendicectomy has a greater efficacy than antibiotic therapy for definitive treatment of acute uncomplicated appendicitis. However, because the rate of post
Book Review: Data-Driven Innovation in the Creative Industries (Melissa Terras, Vikki Jones, Nicola Osborne and Chris Speed: Routledge, 2024).
Full text linkIn Data-Driven Innovation in the Creative Industries, Melissa Terras, Vikki Jones, Nicola Osborne, and Chris Speed arrange a series of contributions across eleven chapters and additional case study segments that offer a new perspective on the topic of data-driven innovation for arts management, cultural policy scholars and arts practitioners alike. The book supports the objectives of not only clearly defining data-driven innovation but also stimulating conversations across a series of main themes from partnerships in digital technology, skills, frameworks and policy considerations. The eleven chapters are informed by the Creative Informatics initiative which showcases research conducted over five years in Edinburgh. The book explores the scope of data-driven innovation in the Creative and Cultural Industries and contributes significantly to the field of arts management and cultural policy but also opens up further avenues of research within other fields through the positioning of arts and cultural entities as both novel and interesting sites of study on innovation
An Analysis of Small and Medium-sized Firms’ Prosocial Behaviours in Vietnam
Full text linkThis study investigates the interplay between entrepreneurial resources, social networks, and institutional frameworks, and their collective impact on the tripartite dimensions of prosocial behaviour—social, people, and environmental. Drawing from the resource-based view, social identity theory, and institutional theory, we analyse micro-level data from 2,400 firms in Vietnam spanning 2008 to 2015. Employing a random effects model, our findings suggest that entrepreneurs’ prosocial behaviours amidst institutional challenges emerge from a strategic amalgamation of individual resources and diverse networks. However, the dynamic nature of network characteristics implies that sustaining them at ideal levels as a long-term strategy for fostering prosocial behaviours may be impractical. Therefore, we advocate for policymakers to focus on improving the quality of local institutions to support sustainable practices. Additionally, our research indicates that the quality of formal institutions moderates the influence of social networks on prosocial behaviours via a substitution effect for network diversity and via a complementary effect for network size