NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Ethical Practice in Professional Youth Work: Perspectives from Four Countries
No full textEthical youth work is ‘good’ youth work but how do youth work
practitioners collectively determine what is ‘good’? This article
presents findings from four-country surveys of youth workers’
attitudes and understandings of what constitutes ‘good’, that is to
say ‘ethical’ practice. The article presents the principles that youth
workers say underpin ethical practice in Australia, Estonia, Iceland,
and Ireland. The first three countries have well established Codes of
Ethics and/or Practice and Professional Associations, while Ireland
does not. A survey of youth work practitioners funded by Erasmus
Plus, was conducted across the four countries (n = 405). A
comparative analysis of data across countries revealed consensus
around key characteristics of youth work practice such as the
participation, empowerment, and safety of young people. These core
principles form the basis of good and ethical action by practitioners.
In countries which have codified these principles, these Codes were
reported to be useful tools to support practitioners in their work. The
survey further suggests that reflective practice is important in the
application of ethical codes to concrete practice situations acting as
a form of collective accountability and praxis. To conclude, we
consider the implications of these findings for professionalism, and
professionalisation in youth work nationally and internationally
Precarity revisited: Exploring camming work in Brazil and experiences of precarity in platform-based (erotic) content production
No full textThe article addresses labour precarity in platform-based cultural production from the perspective
of Brazilian camming work, examining it through cammers’ perceptions and experiences. Precarity
has been a framework for assessing work conditions in platformised cultural industries. This
framework stems from a normative standpoint of standard work and employment, which neither
represents labour markets nor marginalised cultural labour in the majority world. This article
tackles precarity from marginalised Global South cultural producers’ perspectives. Drawing on
15 in-depth interviews with cisgender female cammers, I show that local work and employment
realities, and the positionality of platforms within them, are critical to cammers’ sense-making of
labour precarity. For the cammers, the parameters for evaluating quality and precarity are unstable
and adjusted according to their position within and outside platform economies. Conclusions suggest that precarity is situated and derives its meaning from a complex articulation of workers’
experiences and positions across various economies
Fighting for Better Representation of Women in and on RTE: Women's Work in Promoting Gender Equality at Irelands National Broadcaster, 1979-1981.
No full textThis article examines the role that women’s activism and advocacy played in early Irish television and the opportunities for and representation of women in national broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ). It focuses on two groups: RTÉ’s own Working Group on Women in Broadcasting, which reported in 1981, and the Women in Broadcasting Study Group of 1980, headed by Senator Gemma Hussey. Both investigated practices of employment of women and the roles that they undertook as well as the role of women in RTÉ programs and in television advertising on RTÉ. The article argues that, although there were tensions between the two groups and each group had different interests, different methodological approaches in their reports and were received in the public and by RTÉ very differently, they effectively worked together to compel RTÉ to implement their recommendations and take the issue of gender equality more seriously on a long-term basis
Cisalpine Celtic varia III
No full textThe article collects notes on the readings, analyses and etymologies of forms in
three Cisalpine Celtic inscriptions (MI·24 kituaretos, VA·20 ṣnaśịọụịṭoṣ, TI·43
]ọni : kuimpaḷui? : pạlạ), argues for the interpretation of TI·29 ]ạniui : p[ and TI·31
]aḷạ[ as parts of the same inscription, and discusses graffiti and inscriptions on
Golasecca beakers
The self-assembly of Glucagon
No full textGlucagon is a peptide that is known to undergo self-assembly at acidic pH resulting in fibrillar structures. While much is known about the morphology and kinetics in relation to the formation of these fibrillar structures, there is relatively little known about the self-assembly pathways that lead to these end state structures. Small changes in solution conditions are known to have dramatic effects on self-assembly of peptides and this is the case for Glucagon.
Glucagon has been shown to assemble via two competing pathways at acidic pH but the complexity of this assembly does not rest solely on the competition between the two assembly pathways. Oligomeric intermediates play a pivotal role in Glucagon’s fibrillogenesis at acidic pH. To date, there has been no detailed description of the changes in the oligomeric species that are present during the lag-phase for fibrillating Glucagon at acidic pH. This thesis aims to address this shortcoming by providing a detailed description of Glucagon’s lag-phase at pH 2.5.
Here an analysis of the lag-phase for Glucagon at pH 2.5 is presented using ThT assays, SE-HPLC, SDS-Page, Taylor Dispersion Analysis (TDA), Static Light Scattering (SLS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Kinetic measurements from ThT assays demonstrated a reasonably well-defined lag-time for an assembly process that is fundamentally stochastic. Results using multiple techniques (SE-HPLC, SDS-Page, TDA and Light Scattering) showed that the starting point for the assembly process was mostly monomeric but had a small proportion of oligomeric content.
The effectiveness of various analytical techniques was examined by monitoring assembly during Glucagon’s lag-phase at the level of oligomer. It was found that while TDA was somewhat effective at monitoring changes in oligomerization, techniques such as SE-HPLC were shown to be ineffective in describing Glucagon’s lag-phase at the level of oligomer. This thesis also demonstrates that SLS and DLS are the best techniques to examine Glucagon’s lag-phase at the level of oligomer compared to the other techniques used.
This thesis showed how SLS data can be deconvoluted into a 5-component distribution of the species that are present in the self-assembling system and how this
allows for mechanistic insights into Glucagon’s assembly process during the lag-phase. Changes in the distributions of the oligomeric content were shown during the assembly process for Glucagon at pH 2.5. Analysing changes to these distributions a plausible description of the oligomeric distribution of the critical nucleus that precedes fibril formation was deduced. This thesis shows how a shift in the proportion of oligomers between two low order populations coincides with the nucleation step with the emerging population providing a size distribution for the critical nucleus. The kinetics for the self-assembling system was analysed and the most transient species occurring during the aggregation reaction were identified. The kinetic description allowed for the identification of the most likely rate limiting step for the aggregation reaction.
Glucagon’s self-assembly at pH 3.6 was studied using acetate buffers. Kinetic experiments from ThT assays demonstrated that variation of both ionic strength and the buffering cation profoundly affected Glucagon’s self-assembly. TEM data showed that stable amorphous aggregates can form under low ionic strength conditions that are not precursors to any fibril formation. The ThT fluorescent probe was shown to accelerate the assembly of these amorphous aggregates. At higher ionic strengths Glucagon was shown to fibrillate at pH 3.6 Specific interactions with fibrillating Glucagon at pH 3.6 were observed for acetate buffers using sodium, potassium, and magnesium cations, leading to varying degrees of peptide stabilization
Geographies of Candidate Selection and Campaigning in Modern Ireland: Placing selection and campaigning approaches in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland into context.
No full textCandidate selection and campaigning are two important political processes, which occur within
a political party. Following decisions made with regards the two processes, potential tensions
may arise between the local members and the National Headquarters of a political party, which
possess side effects. This thesis will investigate how candidate selection and campaigning
processes, have transformed on the island of Ireland, taking into consideration first order (UK
General Election, Northern Ireland Assembly elections and Dáil election) and second order
elections (local election).
An all-island study, it aims to encompass a mixed methodological approach, through a critical
realism framework, to firstly, examine trends through quantitative methods including spatial
data analysis, and secondly, investigate the trends through qualitative methods, to understand
the experiences that emerge from the trends, through semi-structured interviews and
documentary analysis. By analysing candidate selection trends, it can be determined who are,
or are not, selected by political parties, and how have these trends changed, dependent on the
election, electoral system, cultural processes, or by formal/informal structural rules.
Furthermore, relations between the actors are examined, and how these relations can impact a
campaign.
This thesis identified that representation of under-represented groups is increasing, supported
by structural mechanisms and increased participation of the relevant groups. However, this
increase has occurred, predominately in urban regions, and cultural issues still exist, which
have created issues for candidates and political parties. The importance of traditional forms of
campaigning is established, but the growing use of modern forms has increased the demands
placed on representatives, but also the abuse experienced on this medium, has increased
difficulties with recruitment. Finally, the importance of geography is identified, through the
‘friends and neighbours’ effect, urban-rural dimension, and the overall attachment to a place,
namely Agnew’s (2002) sense of place. Through a mixture of exploratory data analysis,
including geospatial data analysis, and qualitative methods, a range of trends and observations
are identified, with potential solutions to these issues suggested, in this cross-border elections
analysis
Of Land and Ocean: Climate Change Vulnerability and Resilience on Inishbofin Island
No full textIreland’s Inishbofin Island, situated in the north-east Atlantic, is particularly exposed to climate change. Weather-dependent access and frequent isolation from the mainland necessitate continuous adaptation to erosion and extreme weather. Understanding how Islanders adapt is hindered by a lack of longitudinal studies and data on Irish islands. Developing and deploying an interdisciplinary ethnographic framework drawn from geography, anthropology and island studies, this research examines the interplay between culture, identities, and socio-ecological dynamics to enhance understanding of resilience and vulnerability in Inishbofin. Key objectives include understanding the significance of island identities for resilience; exploring the impacts of colonial legacies and post-colonial governance on climate resilience and vulnerability; assessing the exposure of island services, infrastructures, and livelihoods; and investigating the lived experiences of the island's weather, or weatherworld, and future implications.
Identity is enmeshed within Inishbofin's distinct socio-ecological dynamics, particularly exchanges between land and ocean, and internal and external governance. Resilience emerges from memory (sometimes tragic) and experience of incremental and abrupt changes in society, weather and the sea, formed by continuous transformation of and attachment to place, with fluidity being a central characteristic of both islandness and resilience. Findings underscore the critical role of power relations and political narratives in shaping island resilience and vulnerability. Historical marginalisation, exemplified through suppression of the Irish language and theft of human remains for science, has impaired equitable planning and policy, contributing to vulnerability.
Marginalisation persists through deferral of essential services and infrastructures, including electricity grid connection and an accessible deep-sea pier, available only in 1998. As Inishbofin’s non-Gaeltacht status precludes a secondary school, migration ensues from childhood. Tourism and proliferation of second home ownership mean that nearly half of its housing remains unoccupied for much of the year yet is inaccessible to locals. Water supply has faced suspensions due to elevated manganese levels, and primary livelihoods of fishing, farming and tourism are at risk from climate change. While islandness is a factor in determining the availability and exposure of services, infrastructures and livelihoods, national policy and external governance are a greater determinant. Adaptation is restrained by mainland projections of island stasis rather than its ongoing transformation.
Implementing adaptation designed for the mainland, oblivious to island weatherworlds, leads to policy failures and destabilises political narratives. This dynamic, heightening tensions between island resilience and external pressures, results in an approaching tipping point whereby population decline may threaten the sustainability of island communities. By analysing geographical, cultural, social, historical, political, economic and psychological factors, the research provides a comprehensive view of the processes that generate resilience and vulnerability in Inishbofin. The findings are not unique to this island and call for a greater focus on justice, together with recognition and affirmation of islandness in responding to climate change in these distinctive, important places of land and ocean
MicroRNA-155 contributes to epithelial dysfunction in eosinophilic oesophagitis
No full textEosinophilic Oesophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergen-mediated disease of the oesophagus with a
rising incidence which represents an increased clinical burden associated with disease. During EoE
chronic inflammation, eosinophils and other leukocytes migrate into the oesophageal epithelium and
consume available oxygen at a higher rate than the surrounding epithelium. This reduction in the
oxygen tension places an increased metabolic demand on the epithelium and induces an extended
inflammatory hypoxia in the EoE oesophagus. Previous studies showed that this extended hypoxic
microenvironment is concordant with a decrease in HIF-1α signaling, whereby HIF-1α was repressed
in active EoE and shown to regulate the barrier forming tight junction claudin-1. Pharmacologic HIF�1α stabilisation restored the HIF-1α/claudin-1 regulatory axis and highlighted the barrier protective
role of HIF-1α in the oesophageal epithelium.
With reference to upstream regulators associated with oesophageal epithelial reactive changes,
microRNAs (miRNAs) were an attractive avenue of exploration which were previously researched in
EoE, however their impact on the oesophageal epithelium has not been fully elucidated. Previous
research has defined a coordinate negative feedback loop with the elevation of miR-155 and the
destabilisation of HIF-1α signaling in response to extended experimental hypoxia, however the
functional impacts of miR-155 in the oesophagus had not yet been fully identified. Using in silico
analyses we highlight an enrichment of miR-155 regulated pathways within the EoE transcriptome and
suggest the action of miR-155 in hypoxic pathways and epithelial barrier regulation.
Furthermore, we show via in situ hybridisation an elevation in miR-155 in oesophageal biopsies
of active EoE patients, whereby miR-155 was shown localised to basal and suprabasal layers of the
epithelium. In concordance with the literature, we defined an elevation of miR-155 in EPC2-hTERTs
cultured in extended experimental hypoxia, which was inversely correlated with the decrease in HIF�1α signaling. Using miR-155 stably overexpressing (miR-155OE) EPC2-hTERTs we reported a
dysfunctional epithelial barrier in 3-dimensional physiologic cultures measured by transepithelial
electrical resistance (TEER). qRT-PCR and western blot analysis identified a selective decrease in claudin-7, with immunofluorescence staining further confirming a decrease in expression and
mislocalisation of claudin-7. In silico analysis did not identify miR-155 binding sites in claudin-7 mRNA,
however we propose that miR-155 induces dysfunctional epithelial barrier through indirect
attenuation of claudin-7.
Molecular characterisation studies have shown a dysregulation in the basal-stem cell
compartment in the EoE epithelium. Studies have highlighted a decrease in CD73 and CD104
expressing basal-stem cells in response to EoE inflammation which was associated with reduced
epithelial renewal. Further studies have also associated an elevation in quiescent progenitorstem cells
in EoE pathology, however the impact of miR-155 on the epithelial basal-stem compartment has not
been fully explored. We identified that miR-155OE cultures have an acute elevation of proliferation
and basal stem markers, followed by a reduction at extended timepoints. This was concordant with
reduction in suprabasal keratin-13 and keratin-4, and elevation in late-differentiation markers keratin�16 and involucrin. We propose that miR-155 is associated with destabilisation of CD73, dysregulates
other basal stem-like cells and induces an accelerated maturation phenotype in organoid cultures.
Collectively, these findings suggest that miR-155 is an epithelial miRNA elevated in EoE pathology.
MiR-155 elevation is concordant with the extended hypoxic microenvironment and attenuation in HIF�1α, moreover we highlight that miR-155 impairs barrier integrity by the indirect attenuation of
claudin-7 which may contribute to EoE pathophysiology. MiR-155 elevation was also associated with
the decrease in basal CD73, and in the induction of an accelerated maturity phenotype characterised
by an atrophy of adequate stratification processes indictive of EoE pathology
Impact of the metal ion-chelating metabolite gliotoxin on bacterial systems.
No full textAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global problem and new ways of identifying
antibiotic targets are essential. Gliotoxin is a potent antimicrobial with broad
spectrum activity produced by Aspergillus fumigatus. The toxicity of gliotoxin was
previously attributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production resulting from
conversion between the oxidised (GT) and reduced (DTG) forms. However, the
nascent zinc-chelating ability of DTG inspired research into a metallo-centric model
of bacterial growth inhibition. The ROS model has been augmented by work herein
showing gliotoxin is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial whose toxicity is attenuated by
specific metal ion supplementation (zinc, copper). This finding was supported by
unbiased LFQ proteomics revealing gliotoxin induced perturbation of metal, primarily
zinc, homeostasis systems in both Gram-positive and -negative pathogens, including
Adc, Znu, and TonB metal uptake proteins, ribosomal remodelling to zinc free
paralogs, and the activation of the Fur controlled acinetobactin biosynthesis gene
cluster. Pre-formed DTG chelates caused growth inhibition, and promotion in the case
of DTG:Cu, positing DTG as a potential ionophore. This metallo-centric model was
supported by experiments showing DTG ejects zinc, copper, and iron from
chromogens (PAR, Siderotec™ Total, Siderotec™ HiSens). DTG also ejected zinc from
protein extracts in vitro. Despite this, DTG did not cause intracellular zinc depletion.
This multi-metal chelating ability was confirmed using mass spectrometric analysis to
detect DTG:Zn, DTG:Cu, and DTG2:Fe chelates. Thioacetylated DTG was synthesised
which requires future study but may be usable as an attenuated form of gliotoxin
which can be administered alone or in combination with antibiotics. Co-addition
studies using gliotoxin and vancomycin revealed a zinc dependent additive effect.
Proteomic analysis revealed significant alterations due to combination treatment and
perturbation of several key systems including cell wall biosynthesis and several
transcriptional regulators. Overall, this work provides new insight into the Pathfinder
role of gliotoxin in the fight against AMR
P300-Based Neurofeedback and Adaptive Task Difficulty Using Iterative Learning Control: A Novel Approach to Cognitive Training in Healthy Adults.
No full textThe rising prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia
and Parkinson’s disease poses a critical challenge as the global population
continues to age. Enhancing cognitive reserve through cognitive
training, particularly via neurofeedback (NFB), has become a
promising strategy to counteract cognitive decline. This thesis presents
a comprehensive study on the development and evaluation of a novel
NFB training system designed to enhance attention in healthy adults.
The system leverages event-related potentials (ERPs) and iterative
learning control (ILC) to dynamically personalise task difficulty, thereby
optimising training efficiency and engagement.
The research is underpinned by extensive data collection, involving
a large-scale clinical trial with a significant sample size of healthy
adult participants. The trial rigorously tested the system efficacy, providing
robust evidence of its effectiveness. Participants were divided
into groups, with one group receiving ILC-adapted training and others
following traditional or random difficulty protocols. The results
demonstrate that the ILC group not only completed the training more
rapidly but also achieved substantial improvements in attention, validated
by both behavioural metrics and neurophysiological markers.
Further investigations within this thesis address the system practicality,
including studies on reducing the number of EEG electrodes to
improve usability. The potential transferability of attentional improvements
to motor skill acquisition in surgical training is also explored,
revealing insights that guide future research in this domain.
In conclusion, this thesis contributes significantly to the field of
cognitive training by showcasing the potential of ERP-based NFB systems
in enhancing attention through large-scale, real-world clinical
trials. The findings open new avenues for applying such systems
in broader cognitive training and rehabilitation contexts, with recommendations
for future studies to explore long-term impacts and
cross-domain applicability