NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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The Electrochemical Detection of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic Acid (MCPA) Using a Simple Activated Glassy Carbon Electrode
No full text4-Chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) is one of the pesticides most widely used to control broadleaf weeds in arable and horticultural crops and it leaches readily into groundwater bodies causing pollution. In this study, a sensor was fabricated by the simple activation of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in an aqueous phosphate solution by cycling the GCE between –2.0 and 2.4 V vs SCE. The activated GCE exhibited very good detection of MCPA, with a linear concentration range extending from 1 to 850 μM (cyclic voltammetry) and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.008 μM, which was obtained using differential pulse voltammetry. A more thermodynamically favoured oxidation of MCPA was observed at the activated GCE, with an approximate shift of 110 mV in the peak potential to lower potentials. Very good reproducibility and stability were achieved, with the sensor giving similar peak currents over a 30-day immersion period. Good selectivity was achieved in the presence of nitrates, nitrites, sulfates and structurally related compounds such as nitro-phenols. The promising performance of the activated GCE in the sensing of MCPA was attributed to the generation of oxygenated functional groups and an increased surface area arising from the local dissolution of the GCE during activation
Impacts of COVID-19 on Children's and Young Adult Literature, Creative, Cultural, and Reading Communities in Scotland and Ireland
No full textThis transnational project explored how the Children’s
and Young Adult (ChYA) literature creative, cultural, and
reading communities in Scotland and Ireland have been
responding to the challenges and opportunities posed by
COVID-19
The service digitalization in fine-dining restaurants: a cost-benefit perspective
No full textPurpose
This study aims to examine the perceived value of service digitalization in fine-dining restaurants in France. No study exists on this topic, and its aim is to address this research gap. To do so, a conceptual framework of the perceived benefits and costs of the service digitalization was developed. This study also provides actionable recommendations for fine-dining restaurant managers to create and manage an optimized fine-dining experience for their customers.
Design/methodology/approach
To obtain in-depth information, the authors opted for a qualitative research approach. The authors interviewed 24 fine-dining restaurant managers (listed in the Michelin Guide) and 29 customers of fine-dining restaurants using a video titled “The Restaurant of the Future.”
Findings
The findings underline the perceived benefits and costs of service digitalization for both restaurant managers and their customers. This study highlights that fine-dining restaurants are highly experience-centric compared to other types of restaurants and recommends which services should be digitalized and which should not be to create and manage experiences throughout the customer journey.
Practical implications
This research provides restaurants with actionable recommendations in terms of service digitalization to enhance customers’ fine-dining experiences.
Originality/value
This research fills a gap by proposing a conceptual framework to examine the digitalization of services in fine-dining restaurants
Partial Encryption after Encoding for Security and Reliability in Data Systems
No full textWe consider the problem of secure and reliable communication over a noisy multipath network. Previous work considering a noiseless version of our problem proposed a hybrid universal network coding cryptosystem (HUNCC). By combining an information-theoretically secure encoder together with partial encryption, HUNCC is able to obtain security guarantees, even in the presence of an all-observing eavesdropper. In this paper, we propose a version of HUNCC for noisy channels (N-HUNCC). This modification requires four main novelties. First, we present a network coding construction which is jointly, individually secure and error-correcting. Second, we introduce a new security definition which is a computational analogue of individual security, which we call individual indistinguishability under chosen ciphertext attack (individual IND-CCA1), and show that N-HUNCC satisfies it. Third, we present a noise based decoder for N-HUNCC, which permits the decoding of the encoded-then-encrypted data. Finally, we discuss how to select parameters for N-HUNCC and its error-correcting capabilities
Coping with dirty work: A meta-synthesis from a resource perspective
No full textThere is now a substantial body of literature on the coping strategies used by workers employed in stigmatized dirty work. However, there is insufficient knowledge about what resources they use while employing these strategies, what factors impact resource availability and utilization for coping, and how the utilization of resources leads to differential coping. Our study fills these gaps. First, using meta-synthesis of 39 qualitative studies, we consolidate the resources these workers use to cope into six categories. Second, the study discusses what factors impact resource availability and utilization by proposing the role of occupational prestige as a determining factor. Third, borrowing from conservation of resources theory and self-affirmation theory, this study proposes resources as facilitators of self-affirmations leading to differential coping. Finally, we propose a conceptual framework along with propositions depicting how dissonance, caused by inconsistency in self-integrity, leads to the use of various resources for differential coping
Perceived impacts of a therapeutic recreation based hospital outreach programme (HOP) for children with chronic or severe illness: Qualitative analysis
No full textAbstract
Background
While Therapeutic Recreation (TR) camp programmes have been extensively analysed, less is known about hospital outreach programmes (HOPs). This study examined parent, volunteer and health care provider (HCP) perceived core features and outcomes of a hospital-based TR programme for children with serious illness.
Methods
Participants were either 1) a HCP within a hospital setting, 2) a volunteer with HOP, or 3) the parent of a child with serious illness. Semi-structured interviews were completed remotely and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach.
Results
Nineteen participants (5 parents, 5 HCPs, 9 volunteers) were interviewed. Core features of the HOP included the importance of play as an anchor to the present moment and as a vehicle to challenge and grow, creation of a safe space allowing child and family needs to be met, and meeting families where they are. Perceived outcomes of attending the HOP included changing the focus from being sick to being a child, and developing a sense of solidarity amongst peers for both children and parents.
Conclusions
These results highlight the important contribution of the HOP in supporting children regain a sense of self that is greater than illness, allowing them to reconnect with their values and express themselves, while supporting growth and self-esteem
Sigma/pi Bonding Preferences of Solvated Alkali‐Metal Cations to Ditopic Arylmethyl Anions
No full textArylmethyl anions allow alkali-metals to bind in a σ-fashion to the lateral carbanionic centre or a π-fashion to the aryl ring or in between these extremities, with the trend towards π bonding increasing on descending group 1. Here we review known alkali metal structures of diphenylmethane, fluorene, 2-benzylpyridine and 4-benzylpyridine. Next, we synthesise Li, Na, K monomers of these diarylmethyls using polydentate donors PMDETA or Me6TREN to remove competing oligomerizing interactions, studying the effect that two aromatic rings has on negative charge (de)localisation via NMR, X-ray crystallographic and DFT studies. Diphenylmethyl and fluorenyl anions maintain C(H)−M interactions regardless of alkali-metal, although the adjacent arene carbons engage in interactions with larger alkali-metals. Introducing a nitrogen atom into the ring (at the 2- or 4-position) encourages relocalisation of negative charge away from the deprotonated carbon and onto nitrogen. Phenyl(2-pyridyl)methyl moves from an enamide formation at one extremity (lithium) to an aza-allyl formation at the other extremity (potassium), while C- or N-coordination modes become energetically viable for Na and K phenyl(4-pyridyl)methyl complexes
Development of a Decision Support System for the Management of Mummy Berry Disease in Northwestern Washington
No full textMummy berry, caused by Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi, is the most important disease of the northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in North America and can cause up to 70% yield losses in affected fields. A key event in the mummy berry disease cycle is the primary infection phase where ascospores are released by apothecia that infect emerging floral and vegetative tissues. Current management of mummy berry disease in northwestern Washington is predominantly reliant on the prevention of primary infections through prophylactic, calendar-based fungicide spray applications early in the growing season. To improve the understanding of risk during these periods and to help tailor management strategies, we developed a decision support system (DSS) based on field records spanning over five seasons and four locations in northwestern Washington. Environmental conditions across the region were highly uniform but different dynamics of apothecial development were observed under high- and low-management regimes. Based on our analysis, we suggest basing the initial iteration of the DSS on two sub-models. The first sub-model predicts the onset of apothecia based on chill-unit accumulation under high- and low-management regimes, and the second predicts primary infection risk, which provides opportunities to improve the timing of fungicide applications. The synoptic DSS proposed here is based on the current biological knowledge of the pathosystem and available data for the northwestern Washington region. We provide the analysis and the DSS implementation and evaluation as an open-source repository, providing opportunities for further improvements. Finally, we provide suggestions for future research and the operational efforts needed for improving the utility and accuracy of the mummy berry DSS
Superdiversity re-imagined: Applying superdiversity theory to research beyond migration studies
No full textSuperdiversity, as a concept, has assisted researchers to reveal heretofore hidden
phenomena in society and to illuminate the nuanced subjectivity of migrant flows and
the multidimensionality of migratory experiences. This article argues that the core
tenets of superdiversity theory can help address epistemological questions in relation
to issues beyond the parameters of migration studies. The topic of mental illness is used
as an example through which to contemplate or ‘imagine’ the potential of superdiversity
theory to assist researchers to break through limiting perspectives and to engage in
innovative enquiry. Drawing on Mills’ call for sociological curiosity, this article proposes
that a superdiversity lens can be used to think imaginatively in research on mental
illness and potentially many other topics. Superdiversity theory has been influential in
shaping new ways of understanding migration and population diversity but the question
addressed here is whether this lens carries the potential to produce a similar disruptive
impact in a wider research sphere
In Vivo Activity of Metal Complexes Containing 1,10-Phenanthroline and 3,6,9-Trioxaundecanedioate Ligands against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Galleria mellonella Larvae
No full textDrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is rapidly developing resulting in a serious global threat. Immunocompromised patients are specifically at risk, especially those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Novel metal complexes incorporating 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands have previously demonstrated antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects against resistant P. aeruginosa from CF patients in vitro. Herein, we present the in vivo efficacy of {[Cu(3,6,9-tdda)(phen)2]·3H2O·EtOH}n (Cu-tdda-phen), {[Mn(3,6,9-tdda)(phen)2]·3H2O·EtOH}n (Mn-tdda-phen) and [Ag2(3,6,9-tdda)(phen)4]·EtOH (Ag-tdda-phen) (tddaH2 = 3,6,9-trioxaundecanedioic acid). Individual treatments of these metal-tdda-phen complexes and in combination with the established antibiotic gentamicin were evaluated in vivo in larvae of Galleria mellonella infected with clinical isolates and laboratory strains of P. aeruginosa. G. mellonella were able to tolerate all test complexes up to 10 µg/larva. In addition, the immune response was affected by stimulation of immune cells (hemocytes) and genes that encode for immune-related peptides, specifically transferrin and inducible metallo-proteinase inhibitor. The amalgamation of metal-tdda-phen complexes and gentamicin further intensified this response at lower concentrations, clearing a P. aeruginosa infection that were previously resistant to gentamicin alone. Therefore this work highlights the anti-pseudomonal capabilities of metal-tdda-phen complexes alone and combined with gentamicin in an in vivo model