NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Justice and Authority in Investment Protection
No full textWhat role should concerns about distributive justice play in international investment law? This paper argues that answers to fundamental and
contestable questions of social and global distributive justice are a necessary, if
implicit, premise of international investment law. In particular, they shape our
views on the purpose of investment law, and in turn determine the scope of authority that investment law can claim, and that states should accord it. The
implausibility of achieving international consensus on these questions constitutes
a substantial objection to the harmonization of investment law or the consistent
operation of a multilateral investment court
ROS-responsive Ag-TiO2 hybrid nanorods for enhanced photodynamic therapy of breast cancer and antimicrobial applications
No full textThere has been significant interest in designing heterostructured nanoparticles with excellent synergistic properties and multifunctionality. Herein, this work reports on the design of reactive oxygen species- (ROS-) responsive Ag decorated TiO2 hybrid nanorods (HNRs) with dual functionalities of enhanced photodynamic therapy and antibacterial activity. A de-wetting phenomenon was employed to nucleate and crystallize Ag nanoparticles onto the surface of TiO2 nanorods resulting in Ag-TiO2 hybrid nanocomposites. The use of the Pluronic® F-127 polymer, which is permitted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), remarkably improved the biocompatibility of Ag-TiO2 HNRs tested in 4T1 breast cancer cells. Furthermore, Ag-TiO2 HNRs endocytosed by cancer cells produced high intracellular ROS under UV conditions (5.6 mW cm−2), resulting in cancer cell apoptosis. Similarly, the distinctive features of Ag NPs on TiO2 nanorods slow down the recombination rate of electrons–holes, and exhibited 90% killing efficacy against Escherichia coli (gram-negative/rods) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive/cocci). The potential of photo-activated Ag-TiO2 HNRs, as demonstrated in this work, indicates that this heterostructured material is a promising novel dual-therapeutic strategy against cancer cells and microbial agents
Social Anxiety Among Sexual Minority Individuals: A Systematic Review
No full textSocial anxiety is a prominent psychological concern within sexual minority populations. We systematically reviewed the related empirical literature in order to 1) describe the characteristics of studies assessing social anxiety among sexual minority individuals; 2) compare social anxiety levels across sexual orientation subgroups; 3) synthesise bivariate and multivariate associations related to social anxiety, and collate qualitative findings pertaining to social anxiety, among sexual minority populations; 4) identify psycholo-gical interventions that have been empirically tested to reduce social anxiety symptoms in sexual minority individuals. A search strategy was implemented across six databases, and 61 papers representing 46 unique studies were identified for inclusion. The vast majority of studies were cross-sectional, based in the USA, and more focused on sexual minority men than women. No included studies were qualitative in nature. Across studies, sexual minority individuals consistently appear at a higher risk for social anxiety symptoms than heterosexuals. Subgroup analyses within sexual minority subgroups are scarce; however, tentative evidence suggests that bisexual individuals are at greater risk for high social anxiety symptoms than gay/lesbian individuals. Minority stress processes, general social processes (e.g. social support), other internalising mental health symptoms, among other variables hold significant associations with social anxiety across the included studies. Empirical studies testing the efficacy of psychological interventions in this area are markedly lacking. Future studies should employ more diverse methodologies (i.e. experimental, longitudinal, and qualitative) to further elucidate the determinants and experience of social anxiety among sexual minority individuals and interventions to address them
QUBIC V: Cryogenic system design and performance
No full textCurrent experiments aimed at measuring the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) use cryogenic detector arrays with cold optical systems to boost their mapping speed. For this reason, large volume cryogenic systems with large optical windows, working continuously for years, are needed. The cryogenic system of the QUBIC (Q & U Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology) experiment solves a combination of simultaneous requirements: very large optical throughput (∼40 cm2sr), large volume (∼1 m3) and large mass (∼165 kg) of the cryogenic instrument. Here we describe its design, fabrication, experimental optimization and validation in the Technological Demonstrator configuration. The QUBIC cryogenic system is based on a large volume cryostat that uses two pulse-tube refrigerators to cool the instrument to ∼3 K. The instrument includes the cryogenic polarization modulator, the corrugated feedhorn array, and the lower temperature stages: a 4He evaporator cooling the interferometer beam combiner to ∼1 K and a 3He evaporator cooling the focal-plane detector arrays to ∼0.3 K. The cryogenic system has been tested and validated for more than 6 months of continuous operation. The detector arrays have reached a stable operating temperature of 0.33 K, while the polarization modulator has operated at a ∼10 K base temperature. The system has been tilted to cover the boresight elevation range 20°-90° without significant temperature variations. The instrument is now ready for deployment to the high Argentinean Andes
The Role of Judges in Systemic Climate Litigation: A Comparative Analysis of Ireland and the Netherlands
No full textThis paper addresses the question of what role the judiciary should play in reviewing the adequacy of a state’s climate mitigation policies from a constitutional and human rights perspective
Picture Perfect: An Analysis of Societal Attitudes Towards Victims of Image Based Sexual Abuse in Ireland and The United Kingdom
No full textImage based sexual abuse is an emerging form of sexual violence facilitated by the
growth and rapid evolution of technology within the 21st century. There has been a wealth of
academic literature focused on the exploration and social construction of this new form of
sexual violence. Most of the current criminological research on image based sexual abuse is
concerned with the prevalence and the harms caused by this form of abuse. However, there is
a significant lacuna within both criminology and academia concerning research on societal
attitudes towards victims of image based sexual abuse.
The current research attempts to bridge this gap through an exploratory study of societal
attitudes towards victims of image based sexual abuse within Ireland and The United Kingdom.
This study sought to investigate and analyse existing attitudes towards victims of image based
sexual abuse through the conduct of a media content analysis of articles published on online
news platforms situated in Ireland and The United Kingdom. Additionally, the researcher
wanted to investigate whether there are significant differences between victims of image based
sexual abuse and victims of traditional, interpersonal sexual violence. In order to achieve this
traditional rape myths were analysed in order to compare attitudes towards the two
aforementioned categories of victims. The analysed rape myths included in the present study
were ‘she asked for it’, ‘she lied’, ‘it wasn’t really rape’ and ‘he didn’t mean to’.
This study found that there are significant similarities between attitudes towards victims
of image based sexual abuse and victims of interpersonal sexual violence. For example, the
present research revealed that Ireland and The United Kingdom favourably view victims of
image based sexual abuse through public campaigning for victim rights and support services.
Similarly, it was found that a paradigm shift is occurring in that the public is changing its focus from the victim to the perpetrator in acknowledging the harms caused by sexual violence,
whether online or in person
Exploring police relations with Nigerian immigrant community in the context of racism and discrimination in Dublin Ireland.
No full textPublic perception of the police can help to foster a better relationship between the police and the public therefore, understanding immigrants’ perception of the police goes a long way in fostering the relationship. This study explored the perception of the Nigerian Immigrant community towards the Irish police in the context of racism and discrimination, it sought to know what the perception was and if experience with the Nigeria police force affected this relationship. A semi structured interview was done with 10 participants who are resident in Dublin for more than 6 months and not more than ten years. The themes discovered during the thematic analysis of the interview include professionalism, cultural differences, little/no representation, mistrust and difference in experience. The findings of this research reveal that the Nigerian Immigrant community in Dublin do not perceive the police as racist and discriminatory but rather as lacking in cultural understanding of the Nigerian people. Also, their previous experience with the Nigeria police which is largely negative does not affect their perception but rather their interaction with the Irish police. The results of this study are examined in light of previous research and recommendations are discussed
The Panic Room: Examining the Construction of Drug Panics as a Form of Control.
No full textPost-1970, there has been a significant move in the number of people imprisoned for illicit drug
offences. Through the creation of offences as well as an increase in legislative activity, the
sanctions available for a person to receive for an illicit drug offence has increased in severity,
resulting in a more punitive system. The effects of this increase in severity is seen in the US as
the current mass incarceration crisis takes a stronghold in the criminal justice system. The
Republic of Ireland (Ireland) has also witnessed an increase in the number of people imprisoned
in this offence category. In 2022, when this discussion takes place, there are currently 1.22
million people incarcerated in the US. While there has been an apparent decrease in the number
of people incarcerated in the US (Beckett, et al., 2018), this amount of the population is quite
staggering.
Through examining the legislative framework in both Ireland and the US along with data which
shows the results of this legislative activity, this thesis argues that this increase in law has
resulted in an increase in the number of people imprisoned for these offences as well as an
increase in the severity of the response. This increase in law is attributed to the creation of
certain events or acts becoming classified as ‘crime’. The increase in legislative activity in
tandem with further creation of offences is explored as a method of control over the general
population, an area explored by various authors (Foucault, 1975; Hillyard & Tombs, 2007;
Carrier, 2008). Through constructing a ‘drug panic’, a division is created between the law-abiding citizens and those who engage in drug use or supplying these illicit drugs. This thesis
finds that increases in penalty and severity show a harsh response from the criminal justice
system to illicit drug offences in both countries which has only grown over time. This thesis
concludes on the basis that while an analysis has taken place concerning the data made
available by agencies in Ireland and the US, a detailed analysis was not possible as there was
a sufficient lack in the available data. Concluding on this data availability, a transparency
concern is discussed. If the government and associated agencies do not provide data, research
cannot take place. While it is not understood why it may be unavailable, this adds fuel to the
climate of control. If an exact understanding of the way in which these governments use law to
enforce stricter prison systems while not allowing the general population to understand how
these prisons work, the authority of those in power may be questioned, making it harder to
exercise control over those not in power
An Examination of how the Concept of Goffman’s ‘Total Institution’ Applies to the Irish System of Direct Provision
No full textThis dissertation aims to examine the way in which Goffman’s (1961) concept applies
to the Irish system of Direct Provision. This will be done through outlining both the concept of
the total institution and the Direct Provision system. Elements will be drawn from the concept
in order to apply them to the system of Direct Provision. Examples from the system will be
used in order to illustrate these elements. Once an examination is made on the way in which
the concept applies to the system, there will then be an exploration of the research questions.
This will find: if there are barriers to reform in Direct Provision when seen as a total institution;
how does being a total institution make asylum seekers the ‘other’ in Irish society; and how
being considered a total institution benefits the Irish state. This was analysed through deskbased
research.
The dissertation found that the concept of Goffman’s (1961) total institution can be
applied to the Irish system of Direct Provision. After looking at the elements, it can be seen
that the examples of the issues in Direct Provision illustrate the elements that are key to an
institution being considered a ‘total’ one. Additionally, the dissertation found that the barrier
to reform within the system is due to the government’s lack of urgency on the topic. Moreover,
when being considered the ‘new’ total institution, in the context of Ireland’s history with total
institutions, asylum seekers have been labelled the ‘other’ in the current Irish society. Lastly,
the dissertation found that when the Direct Provision is considered a total institution the Irish
state is able to benefit as they have gained social control over the asylum seekers within the
system. Overall, the dissertation shows the way in which there is a lack of respect given to
asylum seekers in the Irish Direct Provision system
Cross‐national and longitudinal evidence for a rapid decline in life satisfaction in adolescence
No full textIntroduction: While several studies have documented a declining‐with‐age trend inlife satisfaction in adolescence, cross‐national and nationally representative long-itudinal evidence is needed to establish the normative trajectory of life satisfactionduring this critical developmental period.Methods: The Health Behaviour in School‐Aged Children (HBSC) study of 10–16‐year‐olds included the Cantril Ladder life satisfaction measure in surveys of 43countries between 2001 and 2014 (N = 752,620, 51% females). The UK HouseholdLongitudinal Study (UKHLS) was used to assess within‐person changes in life sa-tisfaction from age 10 to 15 years among young people sampled between 2009 and2018 (N = 8952, Obs. = 30,278).Results: Life satisfaction decreased by 0.61 SDs on average from ages 10 to 16 in theHBSC sample. A statistically significant decreasing‐with‐age trend was observed ineach of the 43 countries examined. Females experienced a more pronounced declinein life satisfaction than males (0.75 SD vs. 0.46) on average, and a significantly largerdecrease in life satisfaction among females was identified in 38 of 43 countries ex-amined. Longitudinal analysis of adolescents from the UKHLS sample replicated thispattern: life satisfaction declined significantly by 0.5 SD between the ages of 10 and 15and this decline was found to be steeper for females (0.76 SD) than for males(0.23SD).Conclusions: The study findings enhance our understanding of the lifespan dynamicsof life satisfaction and point to a potential universal decline in life satisfaction inadolescence. Understanding the developmental processes underlying this phenom-enon will now be crucial