Access to Research at National University of Ireland, Galway
Research at National University of Ireland, GalwayNot a member yet
15712 research outputs found
Sort by
An efficient illumination estimation algorithm for low-light image enhancement
No full textLow-light image enhancement is of interest in many practical applications, such as low-light photography and video surveillance. Traditional methods, like histogram equalization-based methods, cannot produce good quality output consistently. Recently, a Retinex-based method called LIME has been proposed which can produce good quality output robustly without any learning procedures. The key step of this algorithm is illumination map refinement, which is achieved by solving an optimization problem. Inspired by LIME, we propose a simple and fast way to carry out the illumination map refinement by using guided image filtering and superpixel segmentation without any optimization processes, which can achieve comparable enhancement performance to LIME while running at several times the speed of the fast approximation solution of LIME. Furthermore, we integrate an enhancement control parameter into the refinement process to mitigate the over-enhancement problem. Experimental results show that the proposed method can not only retain the original input color distribution very well, but also obtain comparable image quality scores to state-of-the-art neural network-based algorithms.peer-reviewe
Harmonizing foundation models in healthcare: A comprehensive survey of their roles, relationships, and impact in artificial intelligence’s advancing terrain
No full textThe lightning development of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized healthcare, helping significant improvements in various applications. This paper provides a comprehensive review of foundation models in healthcare, highlighting their transformative potential in areas such as diagnostics, personalized treatment, and operational efficiency. We argue the key capabilities of these models, including their ability to process diverse data types such as medical images, clinical notes, and structured health records. Regardless their assurance, difficulties remain, including data privacy concerns, bias in AI algorithms, and the need for extensive computational resources. Our analysis identifies emerging trends and future directions, emphasizing the importance of ethical AI deployment, improved interoperability over healthcare systems, and the development of more robust, domain-specific models. Future research should focus on enhancing model interpretability, ensuring equitable access, and fostering collaboration between AI developers and healthcare professionals to maximize the advantages of these technologies.We would also like to acknowledge Science Foundation Ireland, Ireland (SFI/12/RC/2289_P2) for supporting this research.peer-reviewe
Race, difference, and Irish identity in Cartoon Saloon’s 2009 film, The Secret of Kells
No full textCartoon Saloon’s 2009 film, The Secret of Kells, about the making of the ninth-century illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, directed by Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey, was widely promoted on its release as the first feature-length animation with an Irish setting and Irish themes. Created in the last decade of the Celtic Tiger and set in Ireland’s early medieval past, the film engages with contemporary and medieval discourses about race and otherness. This discussion examines the film’s interpretation of these discourses for the implied child viewer in twenty-first century Ireland. It begins by contextualising The Secret of Kells as a piece of medievalist children’s fantasy, addressing the historiography of race and difference in the medieval period, before exploring Moore and Twomey’s engagement with these ideas in the context of twenty-first century Ireland. It analyses The Secret of Kells’ ambivalent representation of racial and cultural otherness in the early Middle Ages, expressed through the child protagonist’s encounters with a variety of racial, national, and supernatural “others,” and argues that this representation reflects contemporary conversations about immigration and multiculturalism in Ireland in the 2000s.peer-reviewe
A single-centre analysis of a biosimilar switching programme for adalimumab in inflammatory bowel disease
No full textAims
Amgevita is a licensed biosimilar to adalimumab, having demonstrated high pharmacokinetic and clinical similarity to Humira. Switching to a lower-cost medicine may elicit a nocebo effect, whereby expectations of poorer efficacy impact outcomes despite pharmacological similarity. This prospective cohort study examined clinical and economic outcomes and associated psychosocial variables in a group of patients undergoing a nonmedical switch to biosimilar adalimumab.
Methods
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were followed before and after switching from Humira to Amgevita. Objective disease activity was assessed pre- and post-switch using the Harvey–Bradshaw Index (Crohn's disease) or partial Mayo score (ulcerative colitis), faecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein. Subjective symptom burden was measured using the IBD Control Questionnaire (IBDCQ). Pre-switch, health anxiety was measured using the Health Anxiety Index (HAI).
Results
In total, 64 patients aged 18–67 were enrolled. IBDCQ scores marginally improved post-switch (13.33 vs, 12.49, P = .043), with no significant changes in objective disease activity scores, faecal calprotectin or C-reactive protein. Sixteen patients reported 17 new adverse events within 4 weeks. Logistic regression revealed a significant relationship between HAI scores and adverse events (P = .0079); each unit increase in HAI score increased the odds of reporting an adverse event by 21%. Drug cost savings for the 64 patients over 8 weeks totalled €143 958.
Conclusion
Switching to biosimilar adalimumab did not affect disease control or quality of life. 25% of patients developed new side effects, particularly those with high levels of health anxiety. Significant cost savings were achieved.This work was performed within the Irish Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) Programme, supported by the Wellcome Trust and the Health Research Board (Grant Number 203930/B/16/Z), the Health Service Executive, National Doctors Training and Planning and the Health and Social Care, Research and Development Division, Northern Irelandpeer-reviewe
A novel enrichment-free, low-volume filtration and rapid lysis (ELR) method in combination with real-time PCR for detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in water
No full textConsequences of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection can range in severity from asymptomatic infection to haemolytic uraemic syndrome, renal failure and death. Groundwater-derived drinking water is an important route for STEC transmission. Detection of STEC in water is crucial for timely response and public health interventions; however, currently used culture-based methods are time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, there is a need for rapid methods that maintain high sensitivity and specificity [1]. We describe a novel, sensitive, enrichment-free water filtration method using a convenient sample volume (100 ml) to detect DNA markers of STEC serogroups and virulence factors within 6 h. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect and quantify the most common STEC infection-associated serogroups globally, O157 and O26. Real-time PCR was used to detect genetic determinants of STEC virulence (stx1, stx2 and eae genes) and specific marker genes for the clinically relevant serogroups O111, O103, O145 and O104. Results showed that the novel method can detect as low as 5 c.f.u. ml−1 of STEC in water. The limit of detection for O157 and O26 qPCR assays was two and six copies, respectively. Groundwater and surface water samples (n=28) were collected and processed using the novel method. STEC O157 and O26 serogroups were detected in 23 out of 28 (82.1%) samples (mean 5.2×104 copies/reaction) and 19 out of 28 (67.9%) samples (mean 7.83×104 copies/reaction), respectively. Shiga toxin genes stx1 or stx2 were detected in 15 out of 28 (53.6%) and 9 out of 28 (32.1%) samples, respectively. The virulence factor intimin gene eae was detected in 24 out of 28 (85.7%) samples. STEC serogroups O111, O103, O145 and O104 were detected in 15 out of 28 (53.6%), 10 out of 28 (35.7%), 11 out of 28 (39.3%) and 15 out of 28 (53.6%) samples, respectively. This novel method reproducibly detects low copies of STEC in low-volume fresh water and has the potential to be used for the detection and quantification of waterborne bacterial pathogens.This work was supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ireland, project reference 2021-HE-1033. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. It is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has the statutory function of coordinating and promoting environmental research.peer-reviewe
Comparison of AI-assisted and human-generated plain language summaries for Cochrane reviews: protocol for a randomized trial (HIET-1)
No full textPlain language summaries (PLSs) of systematic reviews present complex health evidence in accessible language. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models, may enhance the generation of PLSs. This protocol describes a randomized, parallel-group, two-armed, noninferiority trial comparing AI-assisted vs human-generated PLSs. Adults aged 18 years or older, proficient in English, will be recruited online via an audience recruitment platform. Participants are randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to (1) the intervention group: three AI-assisted PLSs based on recent Cochrane reviews; or (2) the control group: three human-generated Cochrane PLSs. The primary outcome is comprehension (aligned with QUEST's Understanding dimension), assessed via a 10-item multiple-choice questionnaire for each summary, structured according to Cochrane PLS template sections. Secondary outcomes are readability, quality of information, safety considerations, and perceived trustworthiness. This study aims to provide insights into integrating AI technologies in health communication. Its findings will inform future practices in disseminating evidence-based health information to the public.Funding: Declan Devane is the principal investigator for the core grant for iHealthFacts that is from the Health Research Board (HRB) and Health Service Executive (HSE) Grant no. INFO-2021-001, which supports core study activities, including participant recruitment and platform costs. Additional support includes PhD funding for Johanna Pope through the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway. Paula Byrne was funded by a grant for iHealthFacts that is from the Health Research Board (HSE) and Health Service Executive (HSE) Grant no. INFO-2021-001.peer-reviewe
Understanding nurses experience of stress in an acute Irish hospital: Single embedded case study
No full textBackground:
Stress has been classified as the health epidemic of the 21st century. Nursing is a high-stress occupation, with stress among nurses linked to poorer health and increased absenteeism. Over 80% of nurses in Ireland reported feeling stressed and nearly 70% of nurses considered leaving the profession due to stress. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased nurses' stress globally. Epidemiologic, clinical, and experimental studies have found that acute or chronic stress significantly impacts individuals’ physical and emotional well-being. There are reported links between stress and physical disorders, including inflammation, metabolic, reproductive, autoimmune, and malignancy. This suggests that all the biological systems of the human body are affected by stress. This highlights the need to identify the specific causes and impact of stress on nurses in the acute hospital in Ireland. Additionally, it is crucial to explore existing coping strategies and propose recommendations for future interventions aimed at reducing stress among nurses.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to examine nurses' stress working in an acute hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method:
Set within an interpretivist framework, the research employed a robust single case study conducted in an acute hospital in the Republic of Ireland. A theoretical framework was developed to guide the research. Using case study research, a blend of semi-structured interviews, surveys, and documentary evidence were employed to provide an in-depth, holistic perspective on the complex sources and impacts of stress on frontline nurses. Thirty-four nurses across four directorates namely medical, surgical, oncology and unscheduled care and from various skill set that included Staff Nurses (SN), Senior Staff Nurses (SSN) and Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM) took part in semi structured interviews. In addition to this the Nurse Occupational Stress Scale (NOSS) and the COVID-19 Questionnaire adapted from the MERS-CoV Perceived Stressors Questionnaire were used to collect quantitative data from 232 nurses across the hospital. Finally, documentary evidence was gathered using the safe staffing framework, staff shortage records and staff sickness records.
Results:
Through a rigorous qualitative analysis, the study identified three central themes: Causes of Nurses' Stress – The study revealed that the pandemic, heavy workloads, communication breakdowns, and organisational challenges significantly heightened stress levels. Impact of Nurses' Stress – Findings highlighted the severe physical and psychological impact on nurses, as well as its negative effects on patient care and overall workflow. Nurses' Stress Coping Strategies – The study explored the personal and professional methods nurses employed to manage stress effectively. These themes were further supported by quantitative data.
The NOSS identified the main sources of stress among nurses were feelings of powerlessness (75%) and high work demands (72%), followed by interpersonal relationships (63%) and work–family conflict (55%). Less frequently reported causes included unmet basic needs (51%), workplace violence (38%), and organisational issues (21%).. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 Questionnaire adapted from the MERS COV Perceived Stressors Questionnaire Nurses reported high stress levels due to fear of transmitting COVID-19 (80%) and witnessing patient deterioration (80%), along with uncertainty about the pandemic, caring for sick colleagues, and challenging work conditions (all at 73%). Other stressors included PPE-related issues, infection risk, and emotional strain from constant exposure and safety conflicts. Part-time staff and nurses in Unscheduled Care and Surgical units reported higher stress in specific domains. However, COVID-19-related stress was consistently experienced across all groups, indicating a uniform impact of the pandemic.
Documentary evidence linked to the safe staffing framework revealed that among the four directorates studied, only one aspect of the framework was consistently met—clinical nurse managers were encouraged to assess ward quality measures and align them with nurse staffing (via Quality Care Metrics and Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) data. Furthermore, staff shortages and increased sickness levels were prevalent across the study site during the research period.
The study’s innovative use of the Pillar Integration Process (PIP) visually mapped these findings, offering a clear, evidence-based depiction of stress in healthcare. Additionally, survey data pinpointed key stress drivers, while documentary evidence provided crucial context regarding staffing and sickness trends.
Conclusions:
Rooted in stress and coping theory, this research established a theoretical framework that guided the literature review, analysis, and discussion. By offering in-depth qualitative and quantitative insights, the study provided a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of nurses' stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlighted the interplay between external stressors, such as heavy workloads and staff shortages, and their psychological and physical impact on nurses. It also identified stress coping strategies that may mitigate against stress.
The study concluded with evidence-based recommendations for mitigating stress in acute hospital settings, emphasising organisational interventions, enhanced support systems, and resilience-building strategies. Additionally, it offered valuable directions for future research, encouraging further exploration of long-term stress management solutions in healthcare. The findings are transferable to other acute care settings, contributing to a broader understanding of occupational stress and its implications for both nurses and patient care
Investigating Scopolamine's cognitive effects and therapeutic potential in bipolar disorder
No full textBackground: Bipolar disorder is a severe psychiatric condition characterised by mood dysregulation, with existing treatments often limited by delayed effects and suboptimal efficacy. Scopolamine, a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist, has emerged as a potential rapid-acting antidepressant for depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. Its effects on cognition and safety profile in bipolar disorder, however, remain poorly understood.
Methods: This thesis comprises a series of studies, including a systematic review and meta-analysis, a randomised controlled trial, and an extensive safety evaluation. The systematic review assessed the cognitive impacts of scopolamine across various doses and routes of administration in healthy volunteers. The SCOPE-BD trial evaluated the antidepressant efficacy and safety of intravenous scopolamine versus placebo in individuals with bipolar disorder during depressive episodes. Safety profiles were detailed through adverse event monitoring and analysis of vital signs.
Results: The systematic review indicated that scopolamine generally impairs memory and attention, with injectable routes showing more pronounced effects. In the SCOPE-BD trial, scopolamine did not demonstrate any significant antidepressant efficacy compared to placebo. Safety evaluations highlighted a manageable adverse event profile, though vigilance for anticholinergic effects remains critical.
Discussion: Despite the absence of significant antidepressant effects in the SCOPE-BD trial, the safety profile of scopolamine was within acceptable limits, supporting its continued investigation under careful monitoring. The cognitive impairments noted in healthy volunteers warrant cautious consideration of scopolamine’s use, emphasising the need for further research to explore its mechanistic actions and potential therapeutic roles.
Conclusion: Although the SCOPE-BD trial did not find antidepressant efficacy of intravenous scopolamine, future research should focus on selectively modulating muscarinic M2- and M4-receptors to enhance scopolamine's antidepressant efficacy while minimising cognitive impacts. These efforts could tailor scopolamine-based treatments to individual neurobiological profiles, improving therapeutic outcomes in mood disorders
Redox signalling and microRNA feedback in exercise-mediated skeletal muscle remodelling
No full textExercise induces the acute generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skeletal muscle, which can regulate a range of redox signalling pathways that determine the adaptive response to exercise. The redox environment can directly affect excitation contraction coupling, calcium handling and inflammation but also regulate key signalling pathways involved in mitochondrial quality control and proteostasis. Additionally, exercise-induced regulation of microRNAs (miRs) levels can provide a feedback mechanism to fine tune the adaptive response. Endogenous ROS produced during exercise arise from diverse sources including NADPH oxidases (NOX), mitochondria, xanthine oxidase (XO) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2). As high levels of ROS can potentially be damaging, there is a sophisticated, organelle-specific antioxidant network in skeletal muscle that includes superoxide dismutases (SODs), catalases (CATs), peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) and glutathione peroxidases (GPXs). Due to their abundance, location and catalytic activity, emerging evidence highlights the potential role of the PRDX family as central mediators in coordinating the redox signalling cascade as a result of increased ROS generation. Several exercise related miRs contain binding sites for redox sensitive and exercise associated transcription factors (TFs), moreover some miRs can target these TFs, providing a potential feedback mechanism to maintain cellular homeostasis following disruption of the redox environment. The interconnected roles of redox signalling and miRs are discussed in exercise-induced skeletal muscle adaptations. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of targeting these interconnected pathways to mitigate muscle ageing and dysfunction, can provide valuable insights into strategies for optimising muscle health and enhancing healthspan.QX studentship is funded by the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) (202006370047)peer-reviewe
Gender inclusive language generation framework: A reasoning approach with RAG and CoT
No full textLanguage is a dynamic and evolving concept that shapes thought and perception. The increasing reliance on Natural Language Processing models necessitates careful consideration of their alignment with inclusive language practices. However, Large Language Models often perpetuate biases due to training on androcentric and stereotypical data, undermining fairness and inclusivity. To address this, we propose a novel Two-Pass Retrieval Augmented Generation RAG with Chain of Thought framework that first retrieves contextual, unbiased references from a created corpus of inclusive texts and then applies structured, step-by-step reasoning via CoT prompting to enhance inclusivity in LLM output. By systematically retrieving relevant, unbiased references and enforcing structured reasoning, the framework promotes the generation of more inclusive and less biased content. Both LLM and human based evaluation using structured prompts with metrics like gender assumption, gender neutrality and quality and relevance Score are utilized. The text completion and generation tasks demonstrate that the proposed framework reduces gender bias.This work was conducted with the financial support from Research Ireland under Grant Number SFI/12/RC/2289_P2(Insight_2).peer-reviewe