NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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#Wasian Check: Remixing ‘Asian + White’ Multiraciality on TikTok
No full textTikTok is the fastest growing short video application and immensely popular with younger
generations to express their thoughts, ideas, and most relevant to this issue, their identities including
mixed-race identity. This paper asks: How did young mixed-race people choose to express their
identity on TikTok in the #wasian trend and how does the app shape these mixed-race identity
expressions? The answer lies in how the emotional affordances of TikTok app itself shape how it is
used by creators in mimicking and mimetic ways and how people respond, through video and text.
The article argues that the #wasian trends reinforce the racial and genealogical legacy of mixedness,
often through showing parents or blood relatives, which is in creative tension with simultaneously
remixing and asserting racial multiplicity. The claim to wasianess moves the private sphere (bedroom
culture, family and notions of race) into the public and in so doing creates new potentialities for the
creation of a global #wasian community on TikTok
Review—Recent Developments in the Applications of 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides as Electrocatalysts in the Generation of Hydrogen for Renewable Energy Conversion
No full textThere has never been a more pressing need to develop sustainable energy systems as dramatic climate changes emerge across the World. Some of these effects can be alleviated by the development of efficient devices that are capable of producing hydrogen gas in an environmentally acceptable manner, which in turn can be employed as a clean fuel. In this context, the splitting of water is especially attractive. However, this technology requires the design of new cost-effective electrocatalytic materials. In this review, the progress made in the development of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and their composites as electrocatalysts for both acidic and alkaline electrolysis cells and as photocatalysts for the formation of hydrogen is described and discussed. Following a short introduction to the mechanisms of the electrochemical hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions and the photoelec- trochemical generation of hydrogen, an introduction to TMDs, their relevant general properties and the methods used in their synthesis are described. Then, the performance of various TMD-based materials in the electrochemical splitting of water is discussed, with a final brief overview of the application of TMDs in photoelectrochemical devices. Although challenges clearly remain, TMD-based materials are emerging as promising electrocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts for the production of hydrogen. © 2022 The Author(s). Published on behalf of The Electrochemical Society by IOP Publishing Limited. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse of the work in any medium, provided the original work is properly cite
Reproducibility and variability of earthquake subsidence estimates from saltmarshes of a Cascadia estuary
No full textWe examine fossil foraminiferal assemblages from 20 sediment cores to assess sudden relative sea‐level (RSL) changes across three mud‐over‐peat contacts at three salt marshes in northern Humboldt Bay, California(~44.8°N,−124.2°W). We use a validated foraminiferal‐based Bayesian transfer function to evaluate the variability of subsidence stratigraphy at a range of 30‐6000 m across an estuary. We use the consistency in RSL reconstructions to support estimates of coseismic subsidence from mega thrust earthquakes. To assess the variability of subsidence estimates, we analyzed: nine examples of the 1700 CE earthquake (average of 0.64±0.14 m subsidence; range of0.24±0.27 to 1.00±0.44 m), five examples of the ca. 875 cal a BP earthquake (average of 0.43±0.16 m; range of0.41±0.36 to 0.48±0.39 m), and six examples of the ca. 1120 cal a BP earthquake (average of 0.70±0.18 m; range of 0.47±0.36 to 0.80±0.49 m). Our subsidence estimates suggest ~±0.3 m of within‐site (intrasite) variability,which is consistent with previous research. We also identify inconsistencies between sites (intersite) at northern Humboldt Bay greater than one‐sigma uncertainties, driven by variable foraminiferal assemblages in the mud overlying the 1700 CE subsidence contact. Therefore, we recommend at least two quantitative microfossil reconstructions across the same stratigraphic sequence from different marsh sites within an estuary to account forest imate variability and provide increased confidence in vertical coseismic deformation estimates. Our results have broad implications for quantitative, microfossil‐based reconstructions of coseismic subsidence at temperate coastlines globally
Psychological trauma at different developmental stages and ICD-11 CPTSD: The role of dissociation
No full textABSTRACT
Background: Dissociation is commonly reported by individuals
who meet criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). However, the association between the age of trauma exposure, dissociation, and CPTSD is not well understood. This study aimed to test whether dissociation mediated the relationship between the developmental stage of trauma exposure and CPTSD symptoms. Method: A nationally representative sample from Ireland (N = 1020) completed self-report measures on trauma exposure in childhood, adolescence, adulthood, current trauma symptomatology, and dissociation symptoms. A mediation analysis was conducted.
Results: Childhood, adolescent, and adulthood trauma exposure were all related to dissociation and ICD-11 CPTSD symptom clusters. Dissociation mediated the effect of developmental stage of trauma exposure on PTSD and disturbances in self-organization(DSO). The direct and indirect effect models provided the best fit of the data. Childhood trauma exposure was the only developmental stage that was directly associated with both PTSD and DSO symptoms in our sample.
Conclusion: Dissociation mediates the relationship between
reported trauma exposure and the presence of ICD-11 CPTSD
symptom clusters, and this relationship appears at its strongest when trauma occurs in childhood. CPTSD interventions should also promote dissociation management to aid recovery from this debilitating condition
Assessing availability of European plant protection product data: an example evaluating basic area treated
No full textBesides the benefits of plant protection products (PPPs) for agricultural production,
there is an increasing acknowledgement of the associated potential environmental
risks. Here, we examine the feasibility of summarizing the extent of PPP usage at the
country level, using Ireland as a case study, as well as at the European level. We used
the area over which PPPs are applied (basic area) as an example variable that is relevant
to initially assess the geographic extent of environmental risk. In Irish agricultural
systems, which are primarily grass-based, herbicides fluroxypyr and glyphosate are the
most widely applied active substances (ASs) in terms of basic area, followed by the
fungicides chlorothalonil and prothioconazole that are closely associated with arable
crops. Although all EU countries are subject to Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009, which
sets the obligation of PPP usage data reporting at the national level, we only found
usable data that met our criteria for Estonia, Germany, Finland, and Spain (4 of 30
countries reviewed). Overall, the most widely applied fungicide and herbicide in terms
of basic area were prothioconazole (20%, 7% and 5% of national cultivated areas of
Germany, Estonia and Ireland) and glyphosate (11%, 8% and 5% of national cultivated
areas of Spain, Estonia and Ireland) respectively, although evaluations using application
frequency may result in the observation of different trends. Several recommendations
are proposed to tackle current data gaps and deficiencies in accessibility and usability
of pesticide usage data across the EU in order to better inform environmental risk
assessment and promote evidence-based policymaking
The dark side of artificial light: Examining the perception and intensity of light at night in the sleeping environment and its association with sleep, circadian rhythmicity, attention bias and psychological health.
No full textDue to technological advances and affordability exposure to Light-at-night (LAN) is
now ubiquitous both inside our private dwellings and our external environment.
While LAN provides us with the agency to extend our biological day into the
evening this may lead to adverse consequences for circadian rhythmicity and the
timing of sleep. Additionally, LAN exposure may lead to adverse health
consequences either indirectly via circadian disruption or directly impacting on
health. Technological advances in both the accessibility and quality of lighting have
outpaced our understanding of the impacts of LAN on sleep and health. The
association between home-setting LAN with sleep and psychological health is
unclear. This study specifically examines LAN exposure in the sleeping environment
and its association with sleep and psychological health. Using both cross-sectional
and ecological study designs this research seeks to examine what are the perceived
sources and intensity of LAN which individuals are exposed to in their sleeping
environment. What is the association between these sources with sleep timing,
circadian misalignment and psychological health.
Our research indicates that LAN is perceived from a variety of sources in the
sleeping environment. Those that perceive LAN are more likely to report that these
sources are disruptive to their sleep. We report for the first time that the subjective
perception of external LAN is associated with both poor sleep quality and
psychological health. Due to limitations of satellite image data we employed a novel
approach to objectively measure external light pollution individualized to the
dwelling of the participant. We report no association between the subjective
perception of LAN and objective measurements. This research examined whether the
association between the subjective perception of LAN and poor sleep quality despite
equally comparable levels of outdoor LAN to those that do not perceive it was due to
an attention bias towards sleep related information. Our results report no significant
effect of the perception of LAN in the sleeping environment with attention bias
towards sleep-related word stimuli or towards images depicting LAN sleep
environments. Finally, this study examined whether objectively measured LAN
intensity measured from the window and bedside was associated with alterations to
sleep timing, sleep quality and rest-activity patterns derived from actigraphy. Our
results report that window LAN intensity is associated with delayed timing of L5 and
sleep onset. However, bedside LAN is not associated with any alterations to our
outcome variables. Our research also highlights that increased LAN intensity is not
associated variance in sleep timing, quality, daily mood or daily subjective
sleepiness
Map of Ogam in Britain
No full textA map of objects with the ogam script (stones and portable objects) in Britain and surrounding islands
Analysis of the effect of Bacillus velezensis culture filtrate on the growth and proteome of Cladobotryum mycophilum
No full textCladobotryum mycophilum, the causative agent of cobweb disease on Agaricus bisporus results in significant crop losses for mushroom growers worldwide. Cobweb disease is treated through strict hygiene control methods and the application of chemical fungicides but an increase in fungicide resistant Cladobotryum strains has resulted in a need to develop alternative biocontrol treatment methods. The aim of the work presented here was to evaluate the response of C. mycophilum to a Bacillus velezensis isolate to assess its potential as a novel biocontrol agent. Exposure of 48 hr C. mycophilum cultures to 25% v/v 96 hr B. velezensis culture filtrate resulted in a 57% reduction in biomass (P < 0.0002), a disruption in hyphal structure and morphology, and the appearance of aurofusarin, a secondary metabolite which is a known indicator of oxidative stress, in culture medium. Proteomic analysis of B. velezensis culture filtrate revealed the presence of peptidase 8 (subtilisin), peptide deformylase and probable cytosol aminopeptidase which are known to induce catalytic activity. Characterisation of the proteomic response of C. mycophilum following exposure to B. velezensis culture filtrate revealed an increase in the abundance of a variety of proteins associated with stress response (ISWI chromatin-remodelling complex ATPase ISW2 (+24 fold), carboxypeptidase Y precursor (+3 fold) and calmodulin (+2 fold). There was also a decrease in the abundance of proteins associated with transcription (40 S ribosomal protein S30 (−26 fold), 40 S ribosomal protein S21 (−3 fold) and carbohydrate metabolism (l-xylulose reductase (−10 fold). The results presented here indicate that B. velezensis culture filtrate is capable of inhibiting the growth of C. mycophilum and inducing a stress response, thus indicating its potential to control this important pathogen of mushrooms
Genome of Pythium myriotylum Uncovers an Extensive Arsenal of Virulence-Related Genes among the Broad-Host-Range Necrotrophic Pythium Plant Pathogens
No full textThe Pythium (Peronosporales, Oomycota) genus includes devastating plant pathogens that cause widespread diseases and severe crop losses. Here, we have uncovered a far greater arsenal of virulence factor-related genes in the necrotrophic Pythium myriotylum than in other Pythium plant pathogens. The genome of a plant-virulent P. myriotylum strain (~70 Mb and 19,878 genes) isolated from a diseased rhizome of ginger (Zingiber officinale) encodes the largest repertoire of putative effectors, proteases, and plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) among the studied species. P. myriotylum has twice as many predicted secreted proteins than any other Pythium plant pathogen. Arrays of tandem duplications appear to be a key factor of the enrichment of the virulence factor-related genes in P. myriotylum. The transcriptomic analysis performed on two P. myriotylum isolates infecting ginger leaves showed that proteases were a major part of the upregulated genes along with PCWDEs, Nep1-like proteins (NLPs), and elicitin-like proteins. A subset of P. myriotylum NLPs were analyzed and found to have necrosis-inducing ability from agroinfiltration of tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) leaves. One of the heterologously produced infection-upregulated putative cutinases found in a tandem array showed esterase activity with preferences for longer-chain-length substrates and neutral to alkaline pH levels. Our results allow the development of science-based targets for the management of P. myriotylum-caused disease, as insights from the genome and transcriptome show that gene expansion of virulence factor-related genes play a bigger role in the plant parasitism of Pythium spp. than previously thought.
IMPORTANCE Pythium species are oomycetes, an evolutionarily distinct group of filamentous fungus-like stramenopiles. The Pythium genus includes several pathogens of important crop species, e.g., the spice ginger. Analysis of our genome from the plant pathogen Pythium myriotylum uncovered a far larger arsenal of virulence factor-related genes than found in other Pythium plant pathogens, and these genes contribute to the infection of the plant host. The increase in the number of virulence factor-related genes appears to have occurred through the mechanism of tandem gene duplication events. Genes from particular virulence factor-related categories that were increased in number and switched on during infection of ginger leaves had their activities tested. These genes have toxic activities toward plant cells or activities to hydrolyze polymeric components of the plant. The research suggests targets to better manage diseases caused by P. myriotylum and prompts renewed attention to the genomics of Pythium plant pathogens
Modelling the complexity of pandemic-related lifestyle quality change and mental health: an analysis of a nationally representative UK general population sample
No full textAbstract
Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way many individuals go about their daily lives. This study attempted
to model the complexity of change in lifestyle quality as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its context within the UK adult population.
Methods Data from the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium Study (Wave 3, July 2020; N=1166) were utilised. A measure of COVID-19-related lifestyle change captured how individuals’ lifestyle quality had been altered as a consequence of the pandemic. Exploratory factor analysis and latent profile analysis were used to identify distinct lifestyle quality change subgroups, while multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to describe class membership.
Results Five lifestyle dimensions, reflecting partner relationships, health, family and friend relations, personal and social activities, and work life, were identified by the EFA, and seven classes characterised by distinct patterns of change across these dimensions emerged from the LPA: (1) better overall (3.3%), (2) worse except partner relations (6.0%), (3) worse
overall (2.5%), (4) better relationships (9.5%), (5) better except partner relations (4.3%), (6) no different (67.9%), and (7) worse partner relations only (6.5%). Predictor variables differentiated membership of classes. Notably, classes 3 and 7 were associated with poorer mental health (COVID-19 related PTSD and suicidal ideation).
Conclusions Four months into the pandemic, most individuals’ lifestyle quality remained largely unaffected by the crisis.
Concerningly however, a substantial minority (15%) experienced worsened lifestyles compared to before the pandemic. In particular, a pronounced deterioration in partner relations seemed to constitute the more severe pandemic-related lifestyle change