Irish Universities
Not a member yet
78452 research outputs found
Sort by
Response to DHSC Open Consultation: Changes to Human Medicine Regulations to support the rollout of COVID-19 Vaccines
No full textWe are writing in response to the UK Government consultation in respect of the proposals to modify the Human Medicine Regulations 2012 (“the Regulations”) in order to support the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine. This is a submission to the consultation on behalf of a group of specialists drawn from different disciplines setting out our views on the proposed changes. Under the proposed modification of the Regulations, the envisaged scenario is that if there is a compelling case on public health grounds for using a vaccine before it is given a product licence, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation may take the step of advising the UK government to use a tested, unlicensed vaccine/s against COVID-19. This would be a highly unusual step to take, and we have concerns about any UK Government decision to resort to the supply of an unlicensed medicinal product in this manner and the public health messaging that is thereby relayed. This is particularly the case in respect of one or several vaccines which have been developed under a fast-track procedure, potentially based on innovative technology, and which is to be used on such a wide scale to the general population.Wellcome Trus
Continuous home monitoring of Parkinson\u27s disease using inertial sensors: A systematic review.
No full textParkinson\u27s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder of the central nervous system that deteriorates motor functions, while it is also accompanied by a large diversity of non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment and mood changes, hallucinations, and sleep disturbance. Parkinsonism is evaluated during clinical examinations and appropriate medical treatments are directed towards alleviating symptoms. Tri-axial accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers could be adopted to support clinicians in the decision-making process by objectively quantifying the patient\u27s condition. In this context, at-home data collections aim to capture motor function during daily living and unobstructedly assess the patients\u27 status and the disease\u27s symptoms for prolonged time periods. This review aims to collate existing literature on PD monitoring using inertial sensors while it focuses on papers with at least one free-living data capture unsupervised either directly or via videotapes. Twenty-four papers were selected at the end of the process: fourteen investigated gait impairments, eight of which focused on walking, three on turning, two on falls, and one on physical activity; ten articles on the other hand examined symptoms, including bradykinesia, tremor, dyskinesia, and motor state fluctuations in the on/off phenomenon. In summary, inertial sensors are capable of gathering data over a long period of time and have the potential to facilitate the monitoring of people with Parkinson\u27s, providing relevant information about their motor status. Concerning gait impairments, kinematic parameters (such as duration of gait cycle, step length, and velocity) were typically used to discern PD from healthy subjects, whereas for symptoms\u27 assessment, researchers were capable of achieving accuracies of over 90% in a free-living environment. Further investigations should be focused on the development of ad-hoc hardware and software capable of providing real-time feedback to clinicians and patients. In addition, features such as the wearability of the system and user comfort, set-up process, and instructions for use, need to be strongly considered in the development of wearable sensors for PD monitoring
Smartphone use while driving: an investigation of Young Novice Driver (YND) behaviour
No full textRoad traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15–29,
according to the World Health Organisation. This study investigates one of the primary reasons for the high fatality rate amongst Young Novice Drivers (YNDs) – their use of smartphones while driving. We gathered responses from a representative sample of YNDs on
their behaviour while driving using an updated version of the ‘Behaviour of Young
Novice Drivers Scale’. Survey responses totalled 700 YNDs situated throughout Germany.
From these responses, we examined the prevalence of certain driving behaviours that
are described as ‘distracting’ and compared these driving behaviours to the respondents’
use of specific smartphone features. The responses report that music-related activities
(e.g. changing music on a smartphone) are most common amongst YNDs. Speaking on
the phone is seldom-reported, although more males than females indicated engagement
in this behaviour. We further carried out a correlation analysis and correspondence analysis. On that basis we found that those who report speaking on a smartphone are significantly more likely to engage in driving behaviours with potentially fatal consequences,
such as speeding and driving while impaired by prohibited substances (drugs, alcohol).
We propose that the results could be used by policymakers for public information implications and to tailor financial penalties for those engaging in smartphone behaviours that are
linked to harmful driving behaviours. In addition, our findings can also be used in a Usagebased Insurance (UBI) context to financially incentivise safer drivin
CAL4AHU - Calibration of air handling unit models for fault detection and diagnosis
No full textA systematic methodology for the automated calibration of Air Handling Unit (AHU) computational models for use in Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD) is investigated that requires a minimum dataset and produces a trade-off between (model) accuracy and (calibration) complexity. The most relevant calibration methodologies for AHU models are reviewed, and one, based on physical models and machine learning techniques, is proposed. This methodology is implemented along with a first principle-based modelling library to produce a tool that facilitates the automation of the workflow from AHU system modelling and simulation to the model calibration.
The proposed methodology is demonstrated in a real AHU located at roof level on the fifth floor in Cork School of Music, in Ireland as part of the IERC-funded EMWiNS project. The main contribution of this thesis to the EMWiNS project was to develop and provide accurate calibrated computational models of the psychrometric processes occurring in the AHU specifically focusing on temperature changes. These computational models enabled model-based FDD which was compared with a standard AHU Performance Assessment Rules (APAR) implementation. In addition, a tool (CAL4AHU) was systematically developed which allows the automated calibration of the computational models that represent these psychrometric processes.
Finally, the computational models and the automated calibration approach are assessed using a recognised validation methodology based on statistical tests. The case study included two model-based FDD methods using qualitative and quantitative approaches. Experiments and the necessary data collection designed to test the CAL4AHU are described for the AHU under study. The proposed calibration methodology and the associated computational models performed excellently, detecting and isolating a set of faults common in the operation of industrial grade AHUs
Ewe breed differences in cervical anatomy and cervicovaginal mucus properties: an international study
No full text In sheep, cervical artificial insemination (AI) involves depositing semen at the cervical opening, as it is
not possible to traverse the cervix due to its complex anatomy. However, internationally this method
yields low pregnancy rates when frozen-thawed semen is used. An exception to this is in Norway, in
which vaginal deposition of frozen-thawed semen to a natural estrus yields pregnancy rates around 70%.
As the cervix and its secretions are the principal factors influencing sperm transport to the site of
fertilization the aim of this study was to characterise the differences in the cervical anatomy as well as
the cervicovaginal mucus properties of six European ewe breeds across three countries known to have
differences in pregnancy rates following cervical AI with frozen-thawed semen. These were Suffolk and
Belclare in Ireland, Fur and Norwegian White Sheep (NWS) in Norway and Ile de France and Romanov in
France (n ¼ 28e30 ewes/breed). Cervicovaginal mucus was collected at the follicular and luteal phases of
both a synchronized and natural cycle and assessed for mucus weight, viscosity and colour. The
anatomical characteristics of the cervix (length of the cervix, number of cervical rings and the appearance of the external os) were assessed post-mortem. There was a type of the cycle by ewe breed
interaction represented by no differences in mucus production between ewe breeds at the natural cycle
for both the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle. However, there were differences between ewe
breeds at the synchronized cycle (P < 0.05). Belclare had the lowest mucus production at the follicular
phase while NWS had the lowest amount of mucus at the luteal phase of the synchronized cycle. Overall,
across all ewe breeds, mucus production was higher at the follicular than at the luteal phase (P < 0.05).
Despite reports of Suffolk and NWS having the most divergent pregnancy rates following cervical AI with
frozen-thawed semen, both breeds had the lowest overall mucus viscosity at the follicular phase of both
types of cycle with no differences between both ewe breeds (P > 0.05). The length of the cervix, number
of cervical rings and the external os type were affected by ewe breed (P < 0.05). Suffolk ewes had longer
cervices but lower number of cervical rings than NWS and Fur ewes (both with higher pregnancy rates).
In conclusion, while mucus production and mucus viscosity was affected by breed, these changes are not
consistent with the known differences between ewe breeds in their pregnancy rates following cervical AI
with frozen-thawed semen.PUBLISHEDpeer-reviewe
Enzyme-assisted release of antioxidant peptides from porphyra dioica conchocelis
No full textThe conchocelis life cycle stage of P. dioica represents an unexplored source of bioactive
compounds. The aim of this study was to generate and characterise, for the first time, hydrolysates of conchocelis using a specific combination of proteases (Prolyve® and Flavourzyme®). Hydrolysate molecular mass distribution and free amino acid contents were assessed, and the antioxidant activity was determined using a range of in vitro assays. The protein content and the total amino acid profiles of conchocelis were also studied. Conchocelis contained ~25% of protein (dry weight basis) and had a complete profile of essential amino acids. Direct sequential enzymatic treatment modified the profile
of the generated compounds, increasing the amount of low molecular weight peptides (<1 kDa). There was a significant improvement in the antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates compared with the control (up to 2.5-fold), indicating their potential as a novel source of antioxidant ingredients
Oral biopharmaceutics tools: recent progress from partnership through the Pharmaceutical Education and Research with Regulatory Links collaboration
No full textObjectives: To summarise key contributions of the Pharmaceutical Education and Research with Regulatory Links (PEARRL) project (2016–2020) to the optimisation of existing and the development of new biopharmaceutics tools for evaluating the in vivo performance of oral drug products during the development of new drugs and at the regulatory level. Key findings: Optimised biopharmaceutics tools: Based on new clinical data, the composition of biorelevant media for simulating the fed state conditions in the stomach was simplified. Strategies on how to incorporate biorelevant in vitro data of bio-enabling drug products into physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling were proposed. Novel in vitro biopharmaceutics tools: Small-scale two-stage biphasic dissolution and dissolution-permeation setups were developed to facilitate understanding of the supersaturation effects and precipitation risks of orally administered drugs. A porcine fasted state simulated intestinal fluid was developed to improve predictions and interpretation of preclinical results using in vitro dissolution studies. Based on new clinical data, recommendations on the design of in vitro methodologies for evaluating the GI drug transfer process in the fed state were suggested. The optimized design of in vivo studies for investigating food effects: A food effect study protocol in the pig model was established which successfully predicted the food-dependent bioavailability of two model compounds. The effect of simulated infant fed state conditions in healthy adults on the oral absorption of model drugs was evaluated versus the fasted state and the fed state conditions, as defined by regulatory agencies for adults. Using PBPK modelling, the extrapolated fasted and infant fed conditions data appeared to be more useful to describe early drug exposure in infants, while extrapolation of data collected under fed state conditions, as defined by regulators for adults, failed to capture in vivo infant drug absorption. Summary: Substantial progress has been made in developing an advanced suite of biopharmaceutics tools for streamlining drug formulation screening and supporting regulatory applications. These advances in biopharmaceutics were achieved through networking opportunities and research collaborations provided under the H2020 funded PEARRL project
In vitro analysis of a physiological strain sensor formulated from a PEDOT: PSS functionalized carbon nanotube-poly(glycerol sebacate urethane) composite
No full textBiodegradable strain sensors able to undergo controlled degradation following implantation have recently
received significant interest as novel approaches to detect pathological tissue swelling or non-physiological
stresses. In this study, the physicomechanical, electrochemical and active pressure sensing behavior of an
electrically conductive and biodegradable poly(glycerol sebacate urethane) (PGSU) composite, reinforced with
poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs),
was evaluated in vitro. Analysis of these PGSU-CNTs composites demonstrated that the incorporation of functionalized CNTs into a biodegradable elastomer resulted in enhanced mechanical strength, conductivity and
tailored matrix biodegradation. PGSU-CNT composites were subsequently formulated into flexible and active
pressure sensors which demonstrated optimal sensitivity to applied 1% uniaxial tensile strains. Finally, cytocompatibility analysis a with primary neural culture confirmed that PGSU-CNT composites exhibited low
cytotoxicity, and supported neuron adhesion, viability, and proliferation in vitro
Influence of sodium hexametaphosphate addition on the functional properties of milk protein concentrate solutions containing transglutaminase cross-linked proteins
No full textThe functional properties of milk protein concentrate (MPC) powders are often hindered by their poor solubility. Calcium chelating salts have been shown to improve powder solubility, but generally their action contributes to higher viscosity due to disintegration of casein micelles and higher levels of serum-phase calcium. To help mitigate increases in viscosity associated with calcium chelation, transglutaminase (TGase), an enzyme that covalently crosslinks protein, was employed in an effort to stabilise the casein micelle structure. Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) was added to control (C-MPC) and TGase crosslinked MPC (TG-MPC) dispersions at concentrations of 5, 12.5 and 25 mm prior to analysis. TG-MPC dispersions had lower viscosity than C-MPC dispersions across all SHMP concentrations studied. Crosslinking limited micelle dissociation on SHMP addition and led to greater retention of the white colour of the protein dispersions, while the turbidity of C-MPC dispersions decreased with increasing SHMP addition.Wash Fellowship Programm
