1522 research outputs found
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Tame, Wicked, and Aporetic Problems in Design
Full text linkThe article elucidates a type of problem Rittel and Webber did not acknowledge. The underlying assumption about tame and wicked problems is that they are mutually exclusive (any problem can be either wicked or tame but cannot be both or partially wicked and partially tame). Another assumption is that this distinction is comprehensively exhaustive (there can be no other types of problems). My analysis reveals that precisely the opposite stands. By situating a different problem within their distinction, I demonstrate that some problems have properties of both tame and wicked problems and that some problems are neither wicked nor tame but aporetic. Aporia is a perplexing state of mind and an intractable problem consisting of equally plausible but mutually exclusive propositions. It depicts a situation when we discover equally good reasons to think two or more contradictory things. That overcommits us to conflicting theses and prevents us from accepting them jointly. Aporia is either a triggering or a stopping device in an inquiry, or both. The significance of including aporetic problems in the nomenclature of design problems has far-reaching consequences for understanding the nature of design problems and knowledge and design practice
The Development of Nanoparticle Formulations for NAD+ Delivery Towards the Prevention of Age-Related Ocular Diseases
Full text linkThe decline in intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a critical risk factor for numerous neurodegenerative ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye. Such loss results in mitochondrial dysfunction, irreversible cellular damage and increased visual impairment. Ocular diseases are typically treated at the mid to late stages of their pathogeneses, which typically coincides with the development of debilitating visual conditions. As the eye itself contains numerous static and dynamic anatomical barriers, the efficacy of conventional ocular drug delivery systems (ODDs), such as eye drops and ointments, is limited by low therapeutic bioavailability at the target site, primarily attributed to poor ocular retention and intraocular clearance mechanisms. Such treatments are often administered frequently, presenting further challenges such as poor patient compliance and sporadic dosing, which can result in increased delocalised therapeutic absorption. Treatment options such as intravitreal injections offer enhanced bioavailability at the intraocular target site. However, continuous subjection to invasive surgical procedures poses the risk of adverse complications, such as vitritis, increased intraocular pressure, and retinal haemorrhaging . This research aims to develop and characterise a non-invasive nanomaterial formulation composed of polyelectrolyte biomaterials for the intraocular delivery of NAD+, as a means of upregulating cellular longevity and minimising deleterious ageing effects on ocular health.
NAD+-associated hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly(L-lysine) (PLL) polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), and chitosan and NAD+ complexes (CH-NAD+) were formulated via polyelectrolyte complexation/ ionotropic gelation in aqueous medium. The biopolymers were chosen based on their inherent biocompatibility, tunable charge densities, mucoadhesive capabilities and biodegradation profiles. Critical evaluations of the physicochemical attributes of the formulations for suitability for ocular application were conducted, with formulations exhibiting optimal sizes, surface charges, and NAD+ association efficiencies (AE) being selected for further in vitro release and stability studies. Under microfluidic conditions, NAD+ is released in a sustained manner from the respective formulations over 24 hours, thus indicating their suitability as a depot for NAD+ ocular delivery on a once or twice-daily basis. Assessment of their physiochemical behaviour in solutions mimicking that of the ocular environment in vivo highlighted the susceptibility of the formulations to changes in environmental stimuli, confirming that the final form of the nanomaterials would be a governing factor of long-term formulation stability.In vitro and ex vivo safety and efficacy assessments using porcine ocular tissues and immortalised human corneal epithelial cells confirmed that the association of NAD+, particularly to the PECs, resulted in formulations with high cytocompatibility that could attenuate oxidative stress-mediated damage upon successful internalisation into the intracellular environment over 24 hours.
The screening of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and lipid-based nanoformulations, initially investigated as depots for the more targeted delivery of NAD+ to the posterior segment, highlighted the suitability of NAD+-laden liposomes for the intended application, primarily based on their physiochemical attributes. However, due to the high degree of variability observed in the in vitro release profile of this formulation under microfluidic conditions, this formulation will be subject to further investigations to improve the lipid later stability and NAD+ retention during release.
Ultimately, this research project details, for the first time, the development of an NAD+-laden nanoformulation for supplementary treatment of the ocular surface. Outcomes from this research provide justification to conduct future work on extensive in vitro efficacy trials to assess the ability of the formulations to prevent mitochondrial damage and promote cellular respiration, with more emphasis being placed on the pharmacokinetic and cellular internalisation mechanisms
MENTORR Programme- Bridging the gap for regional research.
Full text linkAim: •To support regional clinicians in meeting their research and evidence based practice (EBP) competency requirements Objectives: •Develop nurses and midwives' knowledge, skills and attitudes in taking a research idea from initial idea conceptualisation to a working proposal. •Develop role models in each clinical setting to encourage, motivate, engage and support peers in research/EBP activity. •Raise the profile and capacity for nurse/midwife led research activity within the region. Background: The collaborative academic-clinical partnership designed, developed and delivered a bespoke research education and training programme. Underpinned by the theory of Community of Practice the programme included structured core sessions, peer to peer support and one to one mentoring. Methodology: Programme design focused on : •Fundamentals of clinical inquiry, EBP and research •PDP including: proposal preparation , presentation skills, poster design and digital skills •Engagement with key staff from HSE units who can assist clinicians on/during their research journey •Utilising digital technology and platforms in creating of a safe, sustainable learning environment •Creating a forum for staff to re-engage with their foundational research skills •Provision of new and novel tools to initiate clinical nurse/midwife led research ideation Results •Evaluated using Upton & Upton (2005) EBPQ, which measures self-reported knowledge, practice, and attitudes towards EBP was distributed pre/post programme . •Focus group with participants based on information provided in programme evaluations. •Preparation of “5 min pitch” for research funding with presentation of an academic poster at a Research Symposium. Outcomes: •Access and provision of a shared learning space •Benefit of ‘protected time’ for clinicians to re-engage with the skills and tools to initiate clinical nurse/midwife led research projects •Introduction and provision of expert led one-to-one mentoring and peer-to-peer support •Organisational recognition of the positive impact and need for CPD and Mentorship Discussion : Future Implications •Employment of digital technology and platforms to scale this pilot •Enhance staff knowledge, skills and attitudes of research process through CPD •Reduce the current research–practice gap •Improve quality of patient-centered care •Staff retentio
Micro-credentials as a building block to recognize prior learning for entry to higher education
Full text linkPartnerships with training providers, certifiers and employers allow for greater ease of entry for students, removing the necessity for portfolio creation, particularly for those not as familiar with higher education Higher education providers can provide structured RPL with partners and identify pathways for students for credit or exemption from requirements This is also a benefit for the employer as it identifies a value add to prospective employees and can promote employee retention and development Structured PLA also reduces the cost of delivery and promotes scalability for the employers and higher education providers, thus contributing to the sub theme of democracy and skills in action. A more streamlined structured RPL recognition process can allow for advanced entry or exemption on programs Ideas will be shared from the Ireland and US perspectives for adopting a structured process Many institutions likely do this informally, but investments need to be made in order to scale and standardise approaches so that there will be equal access to all eligible learners. Case studies will be shared where RPL is integrated into micro credentials as stackable building blocks Discussion will also include marketing, administration, technology and AI implications Participants will be engaged to discuss the barriers to successful building from employer or other standardised approaches to RPL or exemption from certain levels of requirements It seems quite possible that technology and other AI based tools could be useful to assist learners and employer
Building A Research Community of Practice (R-CoP) to Inform Clinical + Academic Research Excellence.
Full text linkDefining Local Food
Full text linkPurpose: The benefits of local food are multiple and can include environmental, economic, social and community as well as health that are in many ways related to sustainability. Consumers, producers and retailers that make up the local food system can each have a different and conflicting perspective conceptualising local food yet limited studies have simultaneously attempted to communicate all three stakeholders’ perspectives of local food. To recommend a literature-based framework to investigate the definition of local food from the perspectives of consumers, producers, and retailers. Furthermore, to propose a methodology with which to investigate said framework. Approach: A review of the literature to address the twin purposes of the paper was undertaken. Findings: Eriksen’s (2013) three domains of proximity is proposed as a framework with which to investigate the meaning of local food. Eriksen (2013, p.51) outlines that “local food can be understood in terms of three domains of proximity: geographical proximity, relational proximity, and values of proximity” where proximity refers to “… nearness in space, time or relationship …”. A qualitative constructivist methodology is recommended to construct meaning from the multiple realities of the multiple participants of the local food system. Implications: This paper offers a framework and methodology to investigate the definition of local food from a multi stakeholder perspective. Enhanced clarity in defining local food could minimise risks of misunderstandings between the different stakeholders, help further local food system development and enable a more efficient response to consumer desires
Intra-Day and Inter-Day Reliability and Usefulness of Performance, Kinetic and Kinematic Variables during Drop Jumping in Hurling Players
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to estimate the intra-day and inter-day reliability and usefulness of performance (Jump height (JH), ground contact time (GCT) and reactive strength index (RSI)), kinetic (force, power, eccentric rate of force development [E-RFD] and leg stiffness [LS]) and kinematic (velocity) variables during drop jumping (DJ) in hurling players. Seventeen (n = 17; mean ± SD; age = 23.35 ± 5.78 years, height = 178.35 ± 6.30 cm, body mass = 78.62 ± 8.06 kg) male club-level hurling players completed two maximal DJs from 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50 and 0.60 m drop heights on three testing days separated by 5–9 days of rest. Reliability was assessed using the coefficient of variation percentage (CV% ≤ 15%) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC > 0.70). For intra-day reliability, GCT (0.40 m, 0.50 m and 0.60 m), peak force (absolute and relative) (0.40 m and 0.50 m) and leg stiffness (0.40 m and 0.50 m) were found to be unreliable (ICC = 0.32–0.68 and CV% = 3.67–11.83%) from those specific drop heights. All other variables were found to be reliable (ICC = 0.72–0.98 and CV% = 1.07–14.02%) intra-day. All variables were found to be reliable (ICC = 0.72–0.96 and CV% = 2.57–14.68%) inter-day except for relative peak force and absolute and relative eccentric RFD (0.30 m and 0.40 m) (ICC = 0.68–0.90 and CV% = 7.76–16.47%). Practitioners have multiple reliable DJ performance, kinetic and kinematic variables for performance testing and training purposes
Investigating Issues of Age and Work-Related Stress as they relate to Supporting Health and Social Care Workers through Online Work-Stress Management Interventions
Full text linkBackground
Previous research on stress in the workplace often fails to take account of age as a variable, particularly in the context of health and social care practice. Utilising an established online work-stress management programme as a case example, this study investigated issues of age and work-related stress as they relate to supporting health and social care workers through online stress management interventions.
Methods
Mixed methods research comprising two studies were conducted. Study One employed quantitative survey methods, in line with the JDC(S) model (Johnson and Hall 1988), to investigate the role of age in the contribution of workplace characteristics to stress among a specific cohort of health and social care workers (nurses and intellectual disability care workers). Study Two used qualitative unstructured individual interviews with people from the target group undertaking an existing online work-stress management programme to explore experiences of the programme delivery and content.
Findings
Study One found that nurses and intellectual disability care workers experience poorer physical health as they age. However, age did not influence stress perception or how workplace psychosocial characteristics contributed to the experience of stress among these groups. The interactive effects of the JDC and JDC(S) models were not supported.
Study Two found that issues relating to online delivery, disengagement, support and additional commitments affected most who undertook the programme. Differential experiences among participants appeared to be due to factors related to experience, leadership, and responsibility in the workplace, rather than age. Participants had varying personal preferences for how online work stress management programmes should be designed and delivered.
Implications for online work-stress management interventions
There was little evidence that age should form a factor in the design and development of online work-stress management interventions for health and social care workers. A number of findings relevant to the further development of online interventions and the DELAROSE programme were generated. The dual-focused nature of the programme should remain in place, though this may depend on the position of the target user in the workplace. The support from those who deliver the programme should be consistent and structured. Online stress management programmes that aim to support health and social care workers should focus on their physical well-being and target each of the workplace psychosocial characteristics of psychological job demands, decision latitude and social support
An Exploratory Study into Human Resource and Analyst Practitioners Experience of People Analytics
No full textHuman Resource (HR) and analyst practitioners find themselves at the heart of People Analytics (PA) initiatives viewed as vital for organisational success. Despite heightened interest, conceptual articles dominate, and research frequently adopts an organisational perspective. Lacking in the discussion is an appreciation of the contextual factors that affect enactment, and the agency HR and analyst practitioners bring to PA. Research hints that context can create opportunities and constraints for HR and analyst practitioners, yet the extent and implications of context remain unclear. Emerging research has begun to unmask the complexity of HR and analyst perspectives. However, insight is hampered as HR and analyst practitioners are seldom distinguished in literature. Differentiation is crucial, as each is likely to possess singular interests, and beliefs regarding PA. Extant research signals value in understanding how HR and analyst practitioners make sense of and undertake PA. It is this limited perspective that provides the basis to explore HR and analyst practitioners experience of PA. Semi-structured interviews supported by critical incident technique surface 19 HR and 11 analyst practitioners’ experiences of PA. Institutional theory permits an appreciation of the contextual pressures affecting HR and analyst practitioners, including labour market, legislative, and societal factors. Institutional logics surfaces the conflicting beliefs and values shaping PA enactment captured by HR practitioners’ dual people and market logics, and the analyst professional logic. Focusing upon agency, institutional work accounts for the purposive PA work used by HR and analyst practitioners to attain legitimacy, power, and agenda. A multilayered conceptual framework depicts the interplay over numerous levels, enabling a more holistic assessment of HR and analyst practitioners experience of PA. For practice, this research offers reassurance for those striving to embed PA, emphasising the importance of collaboration, and appreciating the unique values, beliefs, and meaning HR and analyst practitioners bring to PA