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High purity/recovery separation of propylene from propyne using anion pillared metal-organic framework: application of vacuum swing adsorption (VSA)
No full textPropylene is one of the world’s most important basic olefin raw material used in the production of a vast array of polymers and other chemicals. The need for high purity grade of propylene is essential and traditionally achieved by the very energy-intensive cryogenic separation. In this study, a pillared inorganic anion SIF6 2− was used as a highly selective C3H4 due to the square grid pyrazine based structure. Single gas adsorption revealed a very high C3H4 uptake value (3.32, 3.12, 2.97 and 2.43 mmol·g −1 at 300, 320, 340 and 360 K, respectively). The values for propylene for the same temperatures were 2.73, 2.64, 2.31 and 1.84 mmol·g −1 respectively. Experimental results were obtained for the two gases fitted using Langmuir and Toth models. The former had a varied degree of representation of the system with a better presentation of the adsorption of the propylene compared to the propyne system. The Toth model regression offered a better fit of the experimental data over the entire range of pressures. The representation and fitting of the models are important to estimate the energy in the form of the isosteric heats of adsorption (Qst), which were found to be 45 and 30 kJ·Kmol−1 for propyne and propylene, respectively. A Higher Qst value reveals strong interactions between the solid and the gas. The dynamic breakthrough for binary mixtures of C3H4/C3H6 (30:70 v/v)) were established. Heavier propylene molecules were eluted first from the column compared to the lighter propyne. Vacuum swing adsorption was best suited for the application of strongly bound materials in adsorbents. A six-step cycle was used for the recovery of high purity C3H4 and C3H6. The VSA system was tested with respect to changing blowdown time and purge time as well as energy requirements. It was found
that the increase in purge time had an appositive effect on C3H6 recovery but reduced productivity and recovery. Accordingly, under the experimental conditions used in this study for VSA, the purge time of 600 s was considered a suitable trade-off time for purging. Recovery up to 99%, purity of 98.5% were achieved at a purge time of 600 s. Maximum achieved purity and recovery were 97.4% and 98.5% at 100 s blowdown time. Energy and power consumption varied between 63–70 kWh/ton at the range of purge and blowdown time used. The VSA offers a trade-off and cost-effective technology for the
recovery and separation of olefins and paraffin at low pressure and high purit
Extending pharmacy services to the point of discharge
No full textAim: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of introducing a clinical pharmacist led discharge service on medication safety at the point of discharge and its acceptability to healthcare staff. Methods: A retrospective chart review to identify medication discrepancies was undertaken before and after the introduction of a pharmacist led discharge service. An evaluation was undertaken by means of a questionnaire to community pharmacists, GPs and hospital clinicians. Results: The pharmacist led discharge service significantly reduced errors from 50% (n=17) to 7% (n=2) of patients (p<0.001) and 10% (n=22) to 1% (n=2) of medication orders (p=0.001). The evaluation revealed that the majority of clinicians found the service useful, had the potential to reduce errors and improve communication. Conclusion: Pharmacist involvement at the point of discharge had a significant impact on medication safety. Crucially, in this project, we show the service was received well by medical personnel and improved communication between primary and secondary care, enhancing implementation potential
How can we stop criminal gangs exploiting up to 1,000 Irish kids?
No full textAnalysis: the latest Greentown studies examine ways to reduce the \u27wicked problems\u27 of how Irish crime networks exploit childre
Atomic and Close-to-Atomic Scale Manufacturing: A Review on Atomic Layer Removal Methods Using Atomic Force Microscopy
No full textManufacturing at the atomic scale is the next generation of the industrial revolution. Atomic and close-to-atomic scale manufacturing (ACSM) helps to achieve this. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a promising method for this purpose since an instrument to machine at this small scale has not yet been developed. As the need for increasing the number of electronic components inside an integrated circuit chip is emerging in the present-day scenario, methods should be adopted to reduce the size of connections inside the chip. This can be achieved using molecules. However, connecting molecules with the electrodes and then to the external world is challenging. Foundations must be laid to make this possible for the future. Atomic layer removal, down to one atom, can be employed for this purpose. Presently, theoretical works are being performed extensively to study the interactions happening at the molecule–electrode junction, and how electronic transport is affected by the functionality and robustness of the system. These theoretical studies can be verified experimentally only if nano electrodes are fabricated. Silicon is widely used in the semiconductor industry to fabricate electronic components. Likewise, carbon-based materials such as highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, gold, and silicon carbide find applications in the electronic device manufacturing sector. Hence, ACSM of these materials should be developed intensively. This paper presents a review on the state-of-the-art research performed on material removal at the atomic scale by electrochemical and mechanical methods of the mentioned materials using AFM and provides a roadmap to achieve effective mass production of these devices.Science Foundation IrelandState Administration of Foreign Experts AffairsThe Ministry of Education of Chin
Liver function tests in F508del homozygous paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis taking lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy
No full textIn clinical trials, elevated liver transaminase levels in patients taking lumacaftor/ivacaftor therapy were reported. Our aim was to assess in clinical practice, whether F508del homozygous paediatric CF patients had a derangement of liver functions tests (LFTs) while on lumacaftor/ivacaftor therapy. Methods A retrospective chart review audit in a single CF centre. Results Thirty-nine (43%) patients out of 91 CF clinic patients met criteria to start treatment. We observed a statistically significant decrease in ALT, ALP, GGT and total bilirubin levels, and no change in AST levels during first 3 months of treatment. In two patients (5%) AST levels rose to greater than three times the upper limit of normal (ULN) during treatment, however, these levels then decreased with continued use. A similar trend of improved LFTs was seen in a subgroup of patients with pre-existing liver disease (6/15.4% of patients). No patients died or experienced hepatic encephalopathy. Conclusion Our results were unexpected and encouraging. They suggest that, although the clinical trials report a risk of derangement of LFTs, the risk appears to be low
A casino in my pocket: Gratifications associated with obsessive and harmonious passion for mobile gambling
No full textMobile gambling differs from land-based and traditional forms of gambling in that the opportunity to place bets and engage with casinos is constantly present and easily accessible. Instead of going to a physical bookmaker or casino, mobile gambling is done quickly and swiftly, anytime, anywhere, with a few taps on a mobile device. Previous studies reveal mobile gambling has managed to reach new audiences especially amongst younger people. Gambling harms can have severe adverse effects on individuals, families and society. However, for a subgroup of highly involved individuals, gambling can be considered a harmonious passion that permits frequent gambling without elevating individual’s risks of experience problem gambling manifestations. Combining the Uses and Gratifications (U&G) and Dualistic Model of Passion (DMP) frameworks, the present study aims to determine if and how the different gratifications sought from mobile gambling are susceptible to explaining non-problematic versus problematic patterns in highly involved gamblers. Data were collected over two waves from a global sample of mobile gamblers (N = 327). Results emphasize that the motivational underpinnings of mobile gambling (as measured by the U&G) differ in obsessive versus harmonious passion. Obsessive passion is associated with poor mood and problematic gambling. In contrast, harmonious passion for mobile gambling is associated with positive mood but is unrelated to problematic gambling. Based on these findings, and given that problematic gambling is an internationally relevant public health issue (the prevalence of problem gambling is estimated to range from 0.1% to 5.8% in different countries), we suggest interventions focusing on specific uses and gratifications associated with an obsessive passion for mobile gambling may be effective in reducing problematic usage patterns
Storm Emma (2018): A protection motivation perspective
No full textThis report presents a case study of Storm Emma and the cold spell which struck Ireland between the 28th of February and the 4th of March 2018 from a Protection Motivation Theory perspective. The report covers:
• Respondents perception of weather and climate-related risk perception before Storm Emma;
• An assessment of the cause, level and pattern of worry – before and during Storm Emma;
• Household preparedness actions before and post Storm Emma;
• Respondents reflections on their household preparedness and actions that should have been taken to prepare;
• The extent to which respondents perceived they coped during Storm Emma;
• Evidence of community and individuals providing support and assistance;
• Respondents satisfaction with the Met Éireann weather warning system and the link between preparedness action and the Met Éireann weather warnings
• Satisfaction with the national response to Storm Emma;
• Respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, with an emphasis on gender, settlement (urbanicity) and county;
• An assessment of whether elements of protection motivation theory, worry and post-event coping appraisal, influenced household preparedness before and following Storm Emma
Immune or at-risk? stock markets and the significance of the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textThe closure of borders and traditional commerce due to the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a lasting financial impact. We determine whether the growth in COVID-19 affected index prices by examining equity markets in five regional epicentres, along with a ‘global’ index. We also investigate the impact of COVID-19 after controlling for investor sentiment, credit risk, liquidity risk, safe-haven asset demand and the price of oil. Despite controlling for these traditional market drivers, the daily totals of COVID-19 cases nevertheless explained index price changes in Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. Similar results were not observed in China, the origin of the virus, nor in the
‘global’ index (MSCI World). Our results suggest that early interventions (China) and the spatiotemporal nature of pandemic epicentres (World) should be considered by governments, regulators and relevant stakeholders in the event of future COVID-19 ‘waves’ or further extreme societal disruption
The effect of expertise, training and neurostimulation on sensory-motor skill in esports
No full textRecently, increased attention has been directed to the brain to better understand how motor skill expertise develops. One promising technique purported to accelerate motor skill improvement is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). While simple fine motor tasks involving the hands and fingers are most frequently used to investigate the role of tDCS on motor skill learning, less work has examined the role of tDCS on complex
sensori-motor tasks applicable to occupational, sport, and daily living activities. Esports require a high degree of sensori-motor control and have become one of the most popular forms of digital entertainment worldwide. Currently, no research has quantified the development of motor skill expertise in esports or whether tDCS can enhance skill improvement. The current study aimed to first differentiate the sensorimotor performance of a key gameplay skill among esports players of different skill levels. Secondly, we quantified the training effect on performance. Finally, we investigated the effect of tDCS on performance improvements. We hypothesized that esport players would perform superiorly compared to novice gamers, that all groups would be able to improve
their performance through training, and that tDCS would enhance training induced performance improvements. We found that performance on a single fundamental esport skill can differentiate expertise among novice and skilled players, that training can significantly improve performance among all expertise levels and that tDCS preferentially accelerates the performance improvements of novice players. The implications of this work, specifically regarding the temporal application of tDCS during complex motor skill learning and rehabilitation, are discusse
Challenges faced by student nurses and midwives in clinical learning environment - A systematic review and meta-synthesis
No full textObjectives: This systematic review aimed to offer insight and understanding, through synthesis of findings from studies that report on perspectives of student nurses/midwives, clinical instructors, clinical nurses/midwives on the challenges faced by student nurses/midwives in the clinical learning environment (CLE).
Design: All primary qualitative research studies published in the English language that reported on the views of student nurses/midwives, clinical instructors and clinical nurses/midwives on the challenges faced by student nurses/midwives in the CLE were included.
Data sources: The electronic databases of Medline EBSCO (1946-), CINAHL (1970), Embase Ovid (1974-), ScielO, WHOLIS (2002-), ASSIA (1985-), Web of Science (1956-), PsycINFO (1800s-) and Maternal and Infant Care (1970-) were searched in November 2019.
Review methods: Retrieved papers were reviewed independently by two authors for selection by title, abstract and full text, and two authors agreed for inclusion of the papers. The COREQ criteria checklist was used for assessment of methodological quality of the included studies.
Results: The review included 32 studies published over 22 years between 1997 and 2019 involving 853 nursing/midwifery students, clinical instructors, and clinical nurses/midwives from 14 countries. Three key themes emerged: ‘The support structure’, ‘Personal factors’, and ‘Planning and organisation – influence of extrinsic factors’.
Conclusion: Attitude of clinical staff, instructors, and significant others had a major influence on students\u27 clinical learning. Lack of a sense of belongingness and self-motivation to learn, and perceived fear of doing errors were some of the demotivating factors. Lack of resources to facilitate need-based training, staff shortages, workload and inconsistencies between theory and practice were other key challenges in the CLE. Understanding the challenges faced by students in clinical practice can help overcome the barriers leading to development of competent and confident nurses and midwives