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An exploration of the evolution of children’s cultural identity in a post conflict society
No full textOptimising antibiotic use in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: the case for penicillin allergy novel de- labelling in the ambulatory care setting (PANDA)- a new regional de-labelling clinic in NI.
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Otters appear to have declined throughout Ireland amid increased pressures on water quality but remain ubiquitous
No full textGovernments must report on the conservation status of designated species. We assessed changes in the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) population throughout Ireland (the whole island) from the 1980s to the 2020s using four National Otter Surveys (n=6,060 sites surveyed) and citizen science data (n=10,980 records). In 2023-24, otters were recorded at 65% [95% CI 62-68%] of sites in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and 66% [58-74%] in Northern Ireland (NI). Rivers, lakes and coasts were included. Long-term trends in the population estimate indicated a decline of -24% to -27% (or -3% to -18% after correction for negative methodological biases). Short-term trends -7% to +2% in ROI and -26% to -27% in NI. Otters remain widespread, present in 95% of hectads (10km squares), with no range reduction. They prefer large, fast-flowing rivers with rocky substrates, unmaintained banks, and riparian woodlands (trees and shrubs), positively associated with angling (likely due to salmonid prey) but negatively with peatlands. Eleven pressures were identified, notably site disturbance including agricultural pollution, siltation and water abstraction, which increased over time. No single pressure threatens otters nationally, but cumulative effects on water quality and ecosystems likely contributed to decline. Future research should account for potential methodological negative biases disaggregating detection from occupancy probability to more accurately capture the magnitude of any change while future surveys should adopt techniques less vulnerable to biases e.g. environmental DNA detection in water samples
Technology-enhanced learning in large classes: virtual learning environment tools for formative assessment and feedback
No full textThe provision of formative assessment and feedback presents a significant challenge for educators working with large cohorts of students at universities. To avoid being overwhelmed by the volume of marking and feedback, appropriate technologies must be employed to support learners and to scale assessment and module delivery in line with class size. This paper presents the outcomes of a technology-enhanced formative assessment strategy implemented through a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for a large undergraduate cohort of full-time students (class size 270+) enrolled in the Introduction to Cyber Security module.We experimented with providing early and frequent access to online formative assessments, each followed by immediate automated feedback via the VLE. This paper reviews the impact of this approach on student experience and achievement of learning outcomes. End-of-term student feedback indicates that regular access to online quizzes, timely formative feedback, and opportunities for repetitive practice were highly valued. We also observed sustained student engagement through interaction data collected from the VLE Canvas.Analysis of the data revealed a strong correlation between the number of quiz attempts and final exam performance, with the highest-performing students frequently engaging with the quizzes. We conclude that students who perform well on regular online quizzes are more likely to succeed on the exam with the correlation derived from aggregated group data which is central to the paper. This relationship is established at the group level for the large undergraduate cohort and the general trend is being reported.These findings highlight how students interact with online content and make use of learning technologies for self-directed learning and skills development in computing subjects. Frequent access to formative assessment tools within a VLE, coupled with automated feedback, contributes to an effective technology-enhanced learning environment and supports learner development in large cohorts.<br/
Imaging of dynamic processes in materials with a laser-wakefield accelerator
No full textBetatron x rays generated from laser-wakefield accelerators are a promising source for imaging dynamic processes in materials. Here, we present proof-of-concept imaging of microstructural evolution in a hypermonotectic Al-Bi alloy, which consists of liquid Bi particles in a solid Al matrix. The images capture the elongation and fragmentation of Bi particles upon isothermal annealing. Because of the femtosecond time scale of the betatron source, the images are not subject to motion blur, whereas the accessibility of the source allows for studies of long-term processes such as annealing. The high-resolution data reveal that the evolution of Bi particles is mediated by an interplay of grain-boundary wetting and morphological instability, in stark contrast to an earlier proposal for (inverse) coarsening
Inclusive tourism: bridging the gap between education and accessible services in Japan
No full textThis paper examines the connection between the principles of inclusive education and accessible tourism services within the larger context of inclusive tourism and universal design. Through a systematic review of current research, this study first synthesizes findings from various fields, including hospitality, disability studies, and educational research, to show how inclusive educational practices can improve accessible tourism and, conversely, how tourism experiences can serve as an effective platform for teaching inclusion. The empirical section concentrates on the challenges faced by students with disabilities in a tourism program at an international university in Japan. The research identifies significant opportunities for collaboration between different sectors but also highlights persistent barriers that require new, innovative solutions to create truly inclusive tourism experiences. However, the results of the case study reveal a large gap between theory and practice in supporting inclusive education for students of tourism in Japan
Towards a unified nomenclature for diseases associated with porcine circovirus infections
No full textIsotopomer-specific carbon isotope ratio of complex organic molecules in star-forming cores
No full textThe recent observation of complex organic molecules (COMs) in interstellar ices by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), along with previous gas-phase detections, underscores the importance of grain surface and ice mantle chemistry in the synthesis of COMs. In this study, we investigate the formation and carbon isotope fractionation of COMs by constructing a new astrochemical reaction network that distinguishes the position of 13C within species (e.g., H13COOCH3 and HCOO13CH3 are distinguished). We take into account the position of 13C in each species in gas and solid phase chemistry. This new model allows us to resolve isotopomer-specific 12C/13C ratios of COMs formed in the star-forming cores. We consider thermal diffusion-driven radical−radical reactions on the ice surface and nonthermal radiolysis chemistry in the bulk (surface + mantle) ice. We find that carbon isotope fractionation of the functional groups in COMs appears through both nonthermal radiolysis in cold environments and thermal diffusion in warm environments, depending on the COMs. In particular, COMs containing methyl groups show isotopomer differences in 12C/13C ratios that reflect their formation pathways and environments. These isotopomer-resolved fractionation patterns provide a diagnostic tool to probe the origins of COMs in star-forming cores. Our results suggest that future comparisons between high sensitivity isotopic observations and isotopomer-specific models will be helpful for constraining the relative contributions of thermal and nonthermal formation processes of COMs
Investigation of biomarker response to SGLT2 inhibition in heart failure (SiN-HF)
No full textIntroductionFollowing several landmark trials, sodium glucose co-transport (SGLT) 2 inhibitors, have been established as a guideline directed therapy for heart failure (HF). Moreover, their benefit has been established across the spectrum of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Recent evidence has implicated inflammatory, autophagic and anti-fibrotic pathways as potentially being associated with their treatment effects.AimWe therefore sought to evaluate the patterns of biomarker response to SGLT2 and associations with myocardial remodelling and patient reported outcomes in heart failure.MethodsThis was a 26-week, single-arm prospective evaluation of the effects of SGLT2 inhibition on the patterns of novel cardiac biomarker response to SGLT2 inhibition and associations with myocardial remodeling and patient reported outcomes in patients with heart failure. Baseline echocardiography, serum analysis (standard care and novel biomarkers) and quality of life (QoL) metrics were assessed prior to SGLT2i therapy and at 26-week follow-up. Novel biomarkers were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Data were analysed using SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 28.0). Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT06140251.ResultsForty-six patients were recruited with forty patients undergoing biomarker analysis (mean age 67.2+/-8.2 years: 30% female). Mean LV ejection fraction (LVEF) at baseline was 45.3+/9.8% (ischaemic aetiology: 40.0%, diabetic: 5%). At a median follow-up of 196 days, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sSt2) fell significantly (mean difference − 13.5pg/ml [95% CI: -17.9 to − 8.9: p < 0.001]), with no significant change in interleukin (IL)1-β, IL-4, IL-6 or insulin growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) (all p = ns). Interestingly, delta change in IL-6 modestly correlated with change in global longitudinal strain (GLS) (%) (r=0.43, p = 0.012). Change in GLS (%) was not correlated with other novel cardiac biomarkers.ConclusionIn our cohort treated with SGLT2i, we found a significant decrease in levels of sSt2, a protein implicated in cardiac fibrosis. We noted no change in circulating levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6 or IGFBP1. Interestingly, when compared to changes in LV GLS (%), we observed that decreasing levels of IL-6 correlated with improved LV GLS (%). More exploration of these novel associations are warranted.<br/