NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Growing Appetites and Hungry Subjects: Addicts, the Undead, and the Long Arc of Theory in Western Social Science
No full textThis paper explores the Western philosophical idea of “appetites” through the lens of
“addiction.” I begin with a brief ethnographic description of a woman whose subjectivity
seems to emerge only in the play of her unmanageable desire for various pharmaceuticals.
In other words, she is a self-described “addict.” I then look at the relationships between
addicts and the undead, especially vampires and zombies, who are seemingly enslaved to
their appetites. This leads me to an analysis of the centrality of what I am calling “recursive
need satisfaction” in much of Western (especially Anglophone and Francophone) Social
Theory that, I argue, relies on a particular understanding of “appetite” in establishing the
political-economic subjectivity that lies at the heart of market-oriented state. This same
understanding also pushes this formation in a specific historical direction of increasing
growth and organisational and technological complexity. As a globalised Western society in
the last few decades has become ever more anxious of its place in the world, its impact on
various interdependent systems, and the validity of the grand récits that served as its charter,
such growth and complexity have emerged as objects of anxiety, even apocalyptic fear, and
the terms “addict” and “addiction” have seemed ever more useful for modelling these
concerns. I end with some reflections on how we use both zombies and addicts to think
through some of the same issues of unchecked and damaging consumption
Heterogeneity of Intestinal Tissue Eosinophils: Potential Considerations for Next-Generation Eosinophil-Targeting Strategies
No full textEosinophils are implicated in the pathophysiology of a spectrum of eosinophil-associated
diseases, including gastrointestinal eosinophilic diseases (EGIDs). Biologics that target the IL-5
pathway and are intended to ablate eosinophils have proved beneficial in severe eosinophilic asthma
and may offer promise in treating some endotypes of EGIDs. However, destructive effector functions
of eosinophils are only one side of the coin; eosinophils also play important roles in immune
and tissue homeostasis. A growing body of data suggest tissue eosinophils represent a plastic
and heterogeneous population of functional sub-phenotypes, shaped by environmental (systemic
and local) pressures, which may differentially impact disease outcomes. This may be particularly
relevant to the GI tract, wherein the highest density of eosinophils reside in the steady state, resident
immune cells are exposed to an especially broad range of external and internal environmental
pressures, and greater eosinophil longevity may uniquely enrich for co-expression of eosinophil
sub-phenotypes. Here we review the growing evidence for functional sub-phenotypes of intestinal
tissue eosinophils, with emphasis on the multifactorial pressures that shape and diversify eosinophil
identity and potential targets to inform next-generation eosinophil-targeting strategies designed to
restrain inflammatory eosinophil functions while sustaining homeostatic roles
Rotors for Wave Energy Conversion – Practice and Possibilities
No full textThis review studies some of the existing ideas which create a fundamentally new direction for wave energy converter
(WEC) development, obtaining energy from the elliptical motion of particles in water waves using a rotor. The review focuses
on three main aspects of rotor-based WECs: experimental study of the developed prototypes, derivation and development of
the mathematical models, and control effectors and philosophies for the proposed devices. The range of developed small scale
prototypes and their experimental studies are presented. The shortcomings of the current mathematical and hydrodynamic models
are identified, while an overview of the proposed and new possible control effectors and strategies is conducted. This allows us to
see the state of the development of the different concepts and problems to be solved in bringing wave energy rotors to operational
reality
A Qualitative Account of Young People’s Experiences Seeking Care from Emergency Departments for Self-Harm
No full textMany young people who engage in self-harm do not seek help from health services. For those that do, emergency departments (EDs) are a key point of contact. Substantial gaps remain in current knowledge related to young consumers’ experiences and views on optimal treatment of self-harm in the ED. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen young people (Mage = 21.2 years), who were engaged with care at headspace early intervention centers and had presented to an ED with a self-inflicted physical injury. Participants were asked to describe their experience in the ED and the care they received. Data were analyzed thematically. Three inter-related themes were identified: 1. The ED was experienced through a lens of significant distress, 2. The ED environment and processes were counter-therapeutic, and 3. Staff were perceived to be disinterested, dismissive, and lacking in knowledge. The study highlights the overwhelmingly negative nature of participants’ experiences, and presents recommendations for service and practice improvements, such as the provision of staff training and increased aftercare
An exploration of how teacher wellbeing is conceptualised and supported by the main stakeholders in post-primary schools in Ireland
No full textThis study focused on the gap in research on teacher wellbeing and how it is
conceptualised and supported by the ‘three voices’ i.e., the managerial agencies,
principals/deputy principals, and teachers in post-primary schools in Ireland. Through the
lens of dialectical pluralism, Phase one used an online survey to investigate if there were
differences in opinion in how teachers and school leaders viewed wellbeing in relation to,
policy, management caring about them, wellbeing being on meetings’ agendas, support
strategies in place, and wellbeing related continuous professional development. It also
examined how much of the variance in wellbeing scores could be explained by the same
variables, after controlling for age. The T-Test for opinion showed statistically significant
differences with principals/deputy principals scoring higher overall wellbeing than
teachers. The Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) was used, with results
showing that having a wellbeing policy and/or reinforcing it did not make a difference to
teachers’ personal wellbeing. The difference in participants’ wellbeing scores was due to
support strategies for teachers and the attitude of school management to teachers. Six
interviews and a focus group (7 participants) were used in Phase two to gather further
data with thematic analysis utilised to determine the key themes including accountability,
visibility, and perceptions. Analysis showed that an emphasis on student wellbeing
adversely affected the wellbeing of teachers as they feel left behind. The results indicated
that while there has been extensive circulars and guidelines issued, there is evidence of
inadequate provision for teacher wellbeing in the Wellbeing Framework. While the focus
on wellbeing has created more awareness of wellbeing among teachers, the evidence of
supports for them is lacking. The researcher concludes that there is more work required
at policy level for this to be effective
Exploring Life Skill Development, Leadership and Transfer: Experiences of young sportspeople in a youth leadership development programme, within a specific community based sports setting.
No full textObjective: The purpose of this study is to explore whether participation in a youth leadership
development programme proved effective in the development of four foundational
leadership components (i.e., social, and emotional intelligence, collaborate, articulate, insight
and knowledge), within a specific community based sports setting and whether participants
utilised these skills in other life domains.
Research Design: A qualitative case study methodology.
Method: Nine semi-structured interviews, participant journals, mentor notes.
Data Analysis: Involved an iterative process of open coding, axial coding, and theoretical
integration, using Braun and Clarke’s (2006, 2019) six step thematic analysis framework.
Results: The findings of this study revealed that a variety of mechanisms and factors
contribute to the development and transfer of key life skills and leadership capabilities. Such
antecedents were underpinned by multiple interrelated factors (e.g. learning context,
opportunities to practice, individual learner, time, programmatic features, transfer context
factors and other social agents). While some skills developed better (self-perception,
teamwork, decision making, communication and leadership skills) than others (critical
thinking and problem solving), the predominant modes of skill transfer found were proximal
transfer (in-programme outcomes) and distal outcomes (out of programme outcomes –
predominantly sport and college). The findings also revealed that the socioecological
context in which the leadership programme was facilitated in provided supportive
conditions for positive youth development outcomes. This study illustrates the complexity
of exploring transference through a multiple of underlying factors that are interrelated in
the transfer process. Taken together, findings indicate that life skill, leadership
development, and transfer is most effectively promoted through a multi-systems approach
Enhanced pyrazolopyrimidinones cytotoxicity against glioblastoma cells activated by ROS-Generating cold atmospheric plasma
No full textPyrazolopyrimidinones are fused nitrogen-containing heterocyclic systems, which act as a core scaffold in many pharmaceutically relevant compounds. Pyrazolopyrimidinones have been demonstrated to be efficient in treating several diseases, including cystic fibrosis, obesity, viral infection and cancer. In this study using glioblastoma U-251MG cell line, we tested the cytotoxic effects of 15 pyrazolopyrimidinones, synthesised via a two-step process, in combination with cold atmospheric plasma (CAP). CAP is an adjustable source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as well as other unique chemical and physical effects which has been successfully tested as an innovative cancer therapy in clinical trials. Significantly variable cytotoxicity was observed with IC50 values ranging from around 11 μM to negligible toxicity among tested compounds. Interestingly, two pyrazolopyrimidinones were identified that act in a prodrug fashion and display around 5–15 times enhanced reactive-species dependent cytotoxicity when combined with cold atmospheric plasma. Activation was evident for direct CAP treatment on U-251MG cells loaded with the pyrazolopyrimidinone and indirect CAP treatment of the pyrazolopyrimidinone in media before adding to cells. Our results demonstrated the potential of CAP combined with pyrazolopyrimidinones as a programmable cytotoxic therapy and provide screened scaffolds that can be used for further development of pyrazolopyrimidinone prodrug derivatives
Exploiting Wind-Turbine-Mounted Base Stations to Enhance Rural Connectivity
No full textDespite global connectivity being one of the main requirements for future generations of wireless networks driven by the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, telecom providers are economically discouraged from investing in sparsely populated areas, such as rural and remote ones. Novel affordable and sustainable paradigms are thus indispensable to enhance the cellular infrastructure in such areas and bridge the digital divide when compared with urban ones. We investigate the use of wind-turbine-mounted base stations (WTBSs) as a cost-effective solution for regions with high wind energy potential, since it could replace or even outperform current solutions requiring additional cell towers (CTs), satellites, or aerial BSs. Indeed, conveniently installing BS equipment on wind generators would allow the transceivers to reach sufficient altitudes and easily establish line-of-sight channels within large areas. We also propose insightful simulation results for realistic case studies based on datasets for wind speed and population densities as well as wind turbines' and CTs' locations within specific Argentinian and Ethiopian exurban regions. By doing this, we hope to prove the feasibility and effectiveness of this solution and stimulate its implementation
Enhancing Social-Emotional Outcomes in Early Years (E-SEE): Randomized Pilot Study of Incredible Years Infant and Toddler Programs
No full textSocial emotional development in infancy is a predictor of outcomes in later life, yet there is little evidence of effectiveness for parenting interventions designed to enhance social emotional wellbeing in infancy. An 18-month two-arm randomized controlled pilot trial evaluated the feasibility of a definitive trial of Incredible Years (IY) Infant and Toddler parent programs delivered in a proportionate universal model, called Enhancing Social-Emotional Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years (E-SEE) Steps. Intervention families received an IY Babies book (universal dose), followed by the IY Infant and/or the Toddler group-based programs, based on parent depression (PHQ-9) and/or child social emotional development (ASQ:SE-2) scores.
Control parents received services as usual. Parents from two English local authorities with a child eight-weeks-old or younger participated, and were block randomized using a web-based system. Primary endpoints for the study were feasibility parameters relating to recruitment, retention, intervention fidelity and appropriateness of measures. 205 participants were randomized (152:53, intervention:control). Our target was 288 parents. Trial retention rate was higher than expected, with a completion rate of 88% (n = 181, 137:44) at follow-up 3; equating to 94% of 192 expected participants. Intervention uptake was lower than expected. Fidelity of delivery was acceptable and measures were deemed appropriate. A definitive trial is feasible with design amendments to include: introduction of a child screener for intervention eligibility; enhanced intervention material; revised sample size and random allocation ratio. Our internal pilot became an external pilot due to these change
Banks and sovereigns: did adversity bring them closer?
No full textWe analyse the stability of the cross-market shock transmission mechanism betweenbanks and sovereign bonds during the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis for crisis-hitperiphery countries and Germany. We also examine the shock propagation of bankingshocks and sovereign bond shocks between domestic and external markets. Using aMarkov-switching framework, we find strong evidence of bilateral contagion betweenbanks and sovereign bonds and also between domestic and external banking sectors.Sovereign bond markets are different. An external shock only produces contagiouseffects in Greece, who were largely dependent on external aid. For all the others, exter-nal shocks lead to decoupling as investors became increasingly discerning in theirperception of the debt instruments issued by different Eurozone states