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Biofuel and volatile fatty acids production from raw and pretreated spent coffee grounds in semi-continuous bioreactors
No full textThis study shows biofuels and biocommodities, i.e., hydrogen, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and methane, can be produced in semi-continuous bioreactors from spent coffee grounds (SCG). The semi-continuous reactor operated first on untreated SCG (Reactor 1) followed by feeding ultrasound-pretreated SCG (Reactor 2) to improve the hydrolysis of the substrate. Hydrogen production was unstable in both phases, peaking at 2.8 mL H2/g VS/d for raw SCG, while the ultrasound-pretreated SCG reached 11.1 mL H2/g VS/d. Increments in the relative abundance of Clostridia species correlated with the peaks in hydrogen production in reactors 1 and 2. In terms of VFAs, the raw SCG gave a peak concentration of 3051.7 mg HAceq/L, while the ultrasound-pretreated SCG returned up to 4202.2 mg HAceq/L. In both cases, caproic acid accumulated (1727.5 and 2518.9 mg HAceq/L for, respectively Reactor 1 and 2), with peak concentrations corresponding to increases in the relative abundance of the bacterial genus Caproiciproducens. To further assess the potential of SCG, the VFAs-rich effluent from reactor 2 was fed into an upflow granular sludge reactor (T – 37 °C, HRT – 96 h, OLR – 14 g VS/L/d). The granular sludge was rich in Methanosaeta (Halobacterota phylum), which gave a mean methane production of 9.0 mL CH4/g VS/d at a pH ranging between 4 and 5.his publication has emanated from research supported by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) through the MaREI Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine research and innovation under Grants No. 12/RC/2302_P2 and 16/SP/3829 as well as the SFI Research Professorship Programme Innovative Energy Technologies for Biofuels, Bioenergy and a Sustainable Irish Bioeconomy (IETSBIO3; grant number 15/RP/2763).peer-reviewe
‘Tráthnóinín Fómhair’ bailiúchán amhrán A.M. Freeman ó Mhúscraí: An cúlra stairiúil agus cultúrtha
No full textSa trachtas seo, diritear ar bhailiuchan amhran de chuid A.M Freeman a foilsiodh ina thri chuid (Eanair 1920, Eanair 1921 agus Mean Fomhar 1921). Bailiuchan de 84 amhran seo, idir fhocail agus fhoinn a bailiodh i nGaeltacht Mhuscrai i bhfomhar na bliana 1913 agus 1914. Sna caibidli amach romhainn deanfar mionanailis ar chulra stairiuil agus culturtha an bhailiuchain feachaint le tuiscint nios fearr a sholathair do phobal na n-amhran agus na Gaelainne tri cheile ar cheann de na bailiuchan is tabhachtai da bhfuil againn i dtraidisiuin chomhaimseartha an tseannois. Tabharfar faoin obair seo tri mhionchioradh agus anailis thiubh a dheanamh ar na gneithe seo a leanas: comhtheacs culturtha na hamhranaiochta i Muscrai ag casadh an cheid seo caite, ag togail lorg an chonartha agus na bhfeiseanna ar chleachtadh na hamhranaiochta sa duiche san aireamh. Deanfar scrudu ansin ar athbheochan an cheoil tire i Sasana agus na tuiscinti a d’eascair as an ngluaiseacht ud feachaint conas mar a chuaigh sin i bhfeidhm ar ar dtuiscinti fein ar amhrain na Gaelainne. Luifidh an trachtas isteach ar chas-staidear ar amhrain an bhailiuchain le scrudu gear a dheanamh ar na teicnici taifead ag diriu go hairithe ar fhocail agus foghraiocht, nodaireacht agus notai tagartha. Beidh measunu a dheanamh ar chaidreamh A.M Freeman ansin lena fhaisneiseoiri agus ar deireadh togfar dialann Freeman agus aiste da chuid, ‘An Irish Concert’ san aireamh fad a dheanfar tabhacht agus feabhas an bhailiuchain tri cheile a riomh
‘Rinncí gallda’ agus ‘Spiorad na Gaedhilge’: Teanga, Gaelachas agus Éireannachas in An tUltach
No full textTá suim nua á cur sa tsagart Caitliceach, an tAthair Lorcán Ó Muireadhaigh (1883–1941) le cúpla bliain anuas agus céad bliain ann anuraidh ó bhunaigh sé an iris An tUltach, é féin ina eagarthóir. Tá a phortráid le feiceáil ar chlúdach an eagráin speisialta de An tUltach a eisíodh anuraidh (Comer & Mac Dhaibhéid, 2024) chun comóradh a dhéanamh ar an chéad sin. Tá alt a bhfuil a ainm féin mar theideal air san iris chéanna (Ó Máirtín, 2024) agus alt eile a phléann le cion bhaill eile a theaghlaigh i saol na Gaeilge (Mac Labhraí, 2024). Foilsíodh alt faoi Ó Muireadhaigh ar Irish Heritage News (Ó Longáin, 2024) agus pléadh bunú An tUltach mar ghníomh frithchóilíneach in nuachtlitir Postcolonial Studies Association (Long, 2024a). Scríobhadh go leor mar gheall air roimhe sin agus tá beathaisnéis le léamh ar Díolaim Beathaisnéisí na hÉireann (Quinn, 2013) agus ar ainm.ie (Breathnach & Ní Mhurchú, g.d.).peer-reviewe
Enhancing differentiation of oxygenated organic aerosol: A machine learning approach to distinguish local and transboundary pollution
No full textAccurate source apportionment of particulate matter (PM), especially of organic aerosol (OA), is crucial for targeted mitigation efforts. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) is powerful in source attribution of primary OA (POA); however, it often struggles to differentiate sources of oxygenated OA (OOA) due to their similar chemical profiles. In this study, a support vector regression machine learning (ML) model was developed to enhance the OOA source apportionment in Dublin from 2016 to 2023. Rolling PMF analysis identified four POA factors and differentiated OOA into less- and more-oxidized (LO-OOA and MO-OOA), highlighting the significant role of the OOA (47–74% of total OA). The ML model further distinguished locally produced OOA (LO-OOAlocal and MO-OOAlocal) from transboundary transport OOA and exhibited robust performance across different pollution scenarios. The relative importance analysis revealed that LO-OOAlocal was more impacted by fossil fuel emissions like hydrocarbon-like OA (20%) and coal (14%), whereas MO-OOAlocal was most influenced by LO-OOA (17%), providing insights into their sources and formation mechanisms. During a mixed pollution episode, the results show that despite the significant contribution of transboundary transport, local heating emissions were more critical sources of OA, with local OA accounting for 68% of total OA and reaching 78% during heating hours. These findings highlight the ongoing need to reduce local emissions to achieve cleaner air in Dublin. The ML model’s ability to quantitatively separate local and transboundary OOA offers invaluable insights for future air quality regulations.This work has received funding from European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under HORIZON-CL5-2022-D1-02 (grant no. 101081430 – PARIS). This publication has also emanated from research jointly funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland under Grant number [22/FFP-A/10611], and by National Key R&D Program of China (2023YFC3705503), Hundred Talents Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences, EPA-Ireland, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.peer-reviewe
Synthesis of tetraphenylethylene based glycoclusters
No full textEmerging evidence exists that carbohydrate-lectin interactions are fundamental for mediating numerous cellular processes including cellular communication, signalling, and recognition. However, several carbohydrate-lectin interactions have been linked to various diseases including cancer. Designing carbohydrate-lectin inhibitors has been a target for potent inhibitors to such diseases1. The tetraphenylethylene (TPE) based glycoclusters has shown promising developments as potent inhibitors for selected galectins in recent years, particularly within the Murphy group2,3. Therefore, the aim of my research project is to enhance the groundwork established within the Murphy group by exploring the TPE based glycoclusters of higher valences than previously investigated. This includes hexavalent TPE derivatives by linking two trivalent TPE scaffolds together with a PEG (polyethylene glycol), essentially forming a dimer. This homodimerization process involves connecting two identical molecules together to from a single molecule, which can induce synergistic effects resulting in greater potency than the sum of their individual effect4. The synthesis of tetraphenyl ethylene glycoclusters with varying multivalency has been successfully achieved, opening new avenues in the study of carbohydrate-protein interactions and multivalent binding systems. TPE glycoclusters exhibit exceptional properties, including fluorescence and robust structural stability and enhancing binding affinity making them highly promising avenues for success
An bhfuil éinne fós ag iarraidh freastal ar léachtaí? Tuairimí mac léinn faoi thodhchaí léachtaí in ollscoileanna in Éirinn
No full textTá léachtaí mar chuid de thraidisiún na hollscoile le breis is ocht gcéad bliain (Friesen, 2014), agus is gné lárnach den chur chuige teagaisc iad san ollscoil i nach mór chuile dhisciplín. Cé go mbíonn bealaí éagsúla ag léachtóirí chun léacht a reáchtáil, go traidisiúnta, is cineál cumarsáide aontreo a bhíonn i gceist le léachtaí, de ghnáth, ina mbíonn caint gan bhriseadh ó léachtóir agus lucht éisteachta éighníomhach (Bligh, 2000; Twigg, 1999). Sa mheánaois, d’úsáidtí léachtaí mar mhodh teagaisc coitianta, mar go mbíodh leabhair gann agus costasach (Evans, 2022). Mar sin féin, tá an léacht ar cheann de na cuir chuige is mó úsáide san ardoideachas in ainneoin theacht chun cinn teicneolaíochtaí nua agus athruithe ar oideolaíochtaí. Ach, le blianta beaga anuas tá treocht ag fás in ollscoileanna i dtreo na foghlama cumaisc agus teagasc ar an gcampas tacaithe ag Timpeallachtaí Fíorúla Foghlama (TFF), uirlisí amhail taifeadadh ar léachtaí agus córais bhainistíochta foghlama (Robson et al., 2022). Bhrostaigh an phaindéim Covid-19 luas an athraithe seo nuair a cuireadh iallach ar ollscoileanna teagasc a dhéanamh ar líne. I ndiaidh na paindéime, tá go leor Institiúidí Ardoideachais ag ceistiú arís áit na léachta ar an gcampas san oideachas Tríú Leibhéal, agus tá go leor institiúidí ag roghnú curaclaim chumaisc agus léachtaí ar líne. Go deimhin, sa ré iar-Covid, tá fianaise ann ar laghdú ar thinreamh agus ar rannpháirtíocht i léachtaí móra (Uekusa, 2023; Wyatt, 2023). Mar oideachasóirí, tá dualgas orainn inmhianaitheacht agus tairbhe léachtaí sa todhchaí a cheistiú. Chomh maith leis sin, caithfear an cheist a chur: an bhfeiceann mic léinn féin aon luach sa ghné seo dá n-oideachas?peer-reviewe
Drámaí Bunscoile – Ceol agus Amhráin le Fil Uí Dhubhghaill, Micheál Ó Dubhghaill & Jane Shimizu
No full textIs bailiúchán drámaí é an leabhar Drámaí Bunscoile le Fil Uí Dhubhghaill, Micheál Ó Dubhghaill agus Jane Shimizu a bheadh an-oiriúnach do ranganna Naíonán go Rang a Dó i mbunscoileanna agus i nGaelscoileanna. Tá deich ndrámaí bunscoile nuascríofa sa leabhar. Roinntear na caibidlí ina dtéamaí agus ina scéalta agus cabhraíonn an leagan amach seo leis an eispéireas léitheoireachta, mar cuireann sé scéalta agus drámaí suimiúla le carachtair agus téamaí éagsúla ar fáil. Tá an ceol agus na hamhráin a théann leis na drámaí sa leabhar Drámaí Bunscoile ar fáil ar leathanach Soundcloud Chló Iar-Chonnacht. Tá an Ghaeilge a úsáidtear sna drámaí an-bhunúsach le go leor athrá, rud a fhágann go bhfuil siad an-oiriúnach do pháistí nach labhraíonn Gaeilge sa bhaile lena dtuismitheoirí. Chomh maith leis sin, áfach, beidh múinteoirí sna scoileanna Gaeltachta agus i nGaelscoileanna in ann an teanga a dhéanamh níos deacra chun cur le caighdeán teanga na bpáistí, tríd an teanga a athrú beagán agus í a dhéanamh níos casta do pháistí a bhfuil ardchaighdeán Gaeilge acu.peer-reviewe
Barriers and facilitators to disseminating quality improvement and patient safety research: a scoping review
No full textBackground
Despite an abundance of quality improvement (QI) and patient safety (PS) research and on-the-ground initiatives, patients continue to suffer from iatrogenic harm. Addressing shortcomings in the dissemination of QI and PS research is one important step to improving patient care outcomes. The objective of this scoping review is to identify the barriers and facilitators, and related strategies/targets, to disseminating QI/PS research.
Methods
The current review was conducted according to the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) extension for scoping reviews. A protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework website (doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/RT57F). Databases searched included Medline, CINAHL, and Embase. Studies detailing barriers and facilitators, or solutions, to QI/PS research published between 2001 and March 2024 were included. Data on barriers and facilitators were coded deductively according to the theoretical domains framework (TDF).
Results
Searches identified 5848 articles, of which 16 articles were included. Among studies seeking to understand (68.8%) barriers and facilitators to QI/PS dissemination, the TDF domain, environmental context and resources (ECR), was cited most frequently (68.8% of studies; e.g. availability of Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) guidelines), followed by skills (43.8%; e.g. poor reporting of QI/PS work), belief about consequences (37.5%; e.g. clearly highlighting the potential outcomes of dissemination) and goals (31.3%; e.g. early planning for dissemination). Studies seeking to address factors influencing dissemination (31.3% of studies) applied structured mentorship and curricular interventions to improve QI/PS dissemination, and suggested/enacted strategies were most commonly related to the individual’s ECR (25%; e.g. provision of a writing coach), behavioural regulation (25%; e.g. improved rates of publication), and knowledge (25%; e.g. workshop introducing QI tools).
Conclusion
Organizational commitment and resourcing, access to QI/PS tools, programmes and reporting guidelines, and dedicated time, funding and resources are needed, alongside training programmes that target QI/PS knowledge and skills, and promotional pathways that nurture QI/PS activity. Research is required to cultivate effective QI/PS training programmes for qualified healthcare professionals, examine the identified factors in PS research specifically, and develop a consensus QI taxonomy to support the dissemination of QI research.This work was supported by the Health Research Board (HRB) and Health Service Executive (HSE) funded Evidence-Based Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Research Network (PSRN-2023-001)
Determining driver situational awareness in the context of partially autonomous vehicles
No full textDetermining driver situational awareness is one of the most difficult tasks in driver performance profiling. Endley's model of determining situational awareness defines three levels of engagement with the environment in hierarchical order, such that (i) Perception, (ii) Comprehension and (iii) Projection. Perception, being the first level of driver situational awareness, is perhaps the only objectively quantifiable factor for driver inattention detection. In the context of this thesis, driver perception is defined as the ability to comprehend the operating environment and peripheral contextual information. One of the most reliable means of determining driver perception is through eye tracking and gaze concentration. An advanced multi-camera remote eye-tracking solution specifically designed for monitoring driver behaviour in the challenging environment of a vehicle cockpit is used to monitor driver gaze behaviour in a complete naturalistic driving environment. A set of carefully chosen in-vehicle gaze targets are used to determine driver gaze concentration on and off the road. The time drivers spend looking at these predefined gaze targets has been used to characterise driver visual behaviour at roundabouts, signalised and un-signalised intersections with adjacent cycle lanes. This study shows that on the approach to roundabouts, driver gaze direction and gaze concentration were often diverted away from the direction of travel of the vehicle and for some drivers it took a significant amount of time to return their gaze towards the direction of travel of the vehicle. This lack of attention to the front and left poses risks to other road users. Observations indicate that side-window visibility becomes more critical as drivers enter the roundabout.
Additionally, analysis of driver gaze behaviour during left-turn maneuvers at intersections with cycle lanes reveals that many drivers fail to check their left-view mirror, relying instead on memory, which increases collision risks with cyclists. Eye-tracking data shows that while drivers glance at mirrors, these glances are often too brief to ensure proper hazard detection, especially for fast-moving cyclists or e-scooters travelling along side on cycle lane. Additionally, drivers tend to focus on the side window rather than mirrors when making turns, creating blind-spots. The study highlights the need for an advanced algorithm to generate alerts for drivers who fail to monitor key visual targets, enhancing safety at intersections. A gaze-analysis algorithm was developed to identify unsafe behaviour, offering insights for enhancing Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) to improve road safety. The algorithm, adaptable to left turns, right turns, and roundabouts, can intervene when necessary to prevent collisions. Future improvements will integrate advanced sensors for higher accuracy.IRC, SF
Multiomic analysis of neuropsychiatric disorders
No full textNeuropsychiatric disorders (NPD) are a complex group of common disorders affect- ing brain function, behaviour and cognition, which includes bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SZ). A wide range of factors (e.g. genetic, environmental, immmune) contribute to NPDs, which has resulted in complex etiologies and clinical presentations. In this thesis, I aim to apply a comprehensive, integrative multiomic approach, using genomic and transcriptomic datasets, to explore the genetic factors involved in NPDs. I explore these using advanced bioinformatics tools, used to dissect the pathophysiology of NPDs. In the first analysis chapter, I apply Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis with genome wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics to explore the causal relationship between NPDs and a sleep-related phenotype called chronotype. I also use MR to explore gene expression alterations associated with NPDs through expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL). In the second chapter, I perform GWAS on individual-level genotype data for patient subphenotypes within BD (e.g. psychosis, rapid cycling) to tease apart the complex inter-patient heterogeneity and revealing loci associated with features within BD. In the third analysis chapter, I apply RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, as part of the Immune Response & Social Cognition in Schizophrenia (iRELATE) study, consisting of differential expression analysis (DEA), gene enrichment analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WCGNA) and cellular deconvolution. This RNA-seq analysis explored gene expression differences due to Trier social stress test (TSST). These integrative methods allow me to identify gene expression changes that support the role of immune function and stress-response in SZ. Through the integration of multiomic data and use of bioinformatics tools, this thesis sheds light on the complex interplay of genetic and other factors in NPDs, such as behavioural (e.g. chronotype) or immune function. These findings improve our understanding of the genes, pathways and main tissues and cell types implicated in NPDs