1522 research outputs found
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Computational Models for Trapping Ebola Virus Using Engineered Bacteria
Get PDFThe outbreak of Ebola virus in recent years has
resulted in numerous research initiatives to seek new solutions
to contain the virus. A number of approaches that have been
investigated include new vaccines to boost the immune system.
An alternative post-exposure treatment is presented in this
paper. The proposed approach for clearing Ebola virus can
be developed through a microfluidic attenuator, which contains
the engineered bacteria that traps Ebola flowing through the
blood onto its membrane. The paper presents the analysis of
the chemical binding force between the virus and a genetically
engineered bacterium considering the opposing forces acting on
the attachment point, including hydrodynamic tension and drag
force. To test the efficacy of the technique, simulations of bacterial
motility within a confined area to trap the virus were performed.
More than 60% of the displaced virus could be collected within
15 minutes. While the proposed approach currently focuses on
in vitro environments for trapping the virus, the system can be
further developed into the future for treatment whereby blood
can be cycled out of the body into a microfluidic device that
contains the engineered bacteria to trap viruses
Music from other Worlds : A portfolio of original compositions with a critical analysis Volume 1
Get PDFThe basis of this composition is a portfolio of six original compositions with
and analysis of each. All compositions have been composed under the title
‘Music from other Worlds’. These works range from small ensembles of just
four instruments, to a large orchestral piece. The instruments used are greatly
varied in each composition. Each work brings the listener into a new world
created by a combination of different texture, timbres, subject matter, styles,
and compositional techniques. This portfolio provided a constitution of the
development of the compositional skills and styles first learnt in the
undergraduate programme.
Volume 1
This contains an analysis of each piece under the following headings;
1. Background
2. Musical Features
3. Analysis
It also contains a conclusion and a bibliography.
Volume 2
This contains the score of all six compositions and an accompanying CD with
MIDI tracks and recordings. The pieces composed are as follows:
From under the Pitched (Bongos 1&2, Claves, Woodblock, Maracas, Gong, Marimba,
Xylophone)
Trust in the Lord (Tenor 1&2, Baritone, Bass)
Disambiguation – (A series under subjection) (Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn)
Aslan’s Song (Orchestral)
On Mulberry Street (Mezzo Soprano, Flute, Vibraphone, Harpsichord
When and Why are Customer Oriented Service Workers Attracted to Service Organisations
Get PDFThe research broadens the knowledge of the customer orientation (CO) research
stream by identifying that autonomy influences attraction and pursuit intentions of
customer oriented job seekers/workers vs. low CO workers. Under-pinned by job
demands-resources theory (JD-R), the research advances an integrative framework
proposing that specific job attributes attract customer oriented workers. It is accepted
that numerous factors influence job seekers’ attitudes and behaviours, however,
exploratory research (Study 1) indicates the particular importance of autonomy for
such workers. This forms the basis for this study’s original contribution to knowledge.
Using experimental methods, this research measures the effect of autonomy on two
outcomes; organisational attraction (OA) and job pursuit intentions (JP) across two
studies. Study 2 employs a factorial experiment with a between subjects design
measuring the effect of autonomy on attitudinal and behavioural outcomes of customer
oriented workers/job seekers. Study 3 utilises a 2 x 2 factorial design (with random
assignment) and extends Study 2 by introducing a treatment variable proven to
influence customer oriented workers: customer contact. Both studies demonstrate that
autonomy has a stronger influence on outcomes for customer oriented job seekers.
Study 3 reveals that organisational customer orientation plays a mediating role in the
relationship between autonomy and the outcomes, with customer contact moderating
the relationship. A significant and unexpected finding is that the high autonomy; low
contact proposition has the strongest effect on OA and JP, challenging prior research.
This counter-intuitive finding is partially explained by JD-R and the job demandcontrol
model (JDC) which predict jobs lacking challenges but offering autonomy
draw less energy from workers as autonomy offers more opportunities to execute a job
in a self-fulfilling manner buffering workers from detrimental job demands.
Theoretical insights include evidence of a symbiotic relationship between autonomy
and CO for FLE workers. The findings inform JD-R, by using it in an attraction
context and by investigating the nature of the causal relationship between resources
and demands on job seekers’ attitudes and behaviours. From a practical perspective,
the research presents new insights on the importance of autonomy in attracting and
recruiting customer oriented workers, offering value to practitioners in marketing and
management fields
Exploring the detection and care of infants with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
Get PDFDevelopmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) represents a spectrum of anatomic abnormalities in which the femoral head and the acetabulum are aligned improperly or grow abnormally. It is generally acknowledged that the rationale behind screening for DDH is that earlier diagnosis will lead to simpler treatments resulting in better outcomes and minimising the need for open surgery. Additionally, the condition and subsequent treatment for DDH poses significant challenges for parents and impacts on many aspects of parent, child and family lives. To date, there are no national guidelines or algorithms in relation to the screening or management of DDH. The aim of this research was to explore the detection and care of infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip. A mixed methods sequential explanatory design was utilised over three phases. Data collection involved a retrospective chart review (n=372), a survey (n=100), and semi-structured interviews involving parents (n=11) and health care professionals (n=8). Data analysis used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and semi-structured interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. The study revealed that despite a high late referral and diagnosis rate of DDH in the region, treatment in a specialist consultant led DDH clinic provided successful outcomes. A further significant finding of the study was the general lack of awareness regarding the condition DDH and the lack of hip health related information given to parents. Findings also identified that more formal training is needed by health care professionals to facilitate the development of their knowledge and skills in relation to the examination and screening of DDH. Recommendations include the need for a National Integrated Care Pathway in relation to DDH while also supporting collaboration between Primary and Secondary Care. Consequently, this will promote a family centred approach to how health care professionals practically and psychologically support families through the diagnosis and treatment of DDH. Keywords: Developmental dysplasia of the hip; consultant; parents; health care professionals; late referral; screening; treatment
Management Support for Staff Knowledge Sharing in Higher Education Institutions (JAHE)
No full textPurpose of the research: This study focuses on staff knowledge sharing activity in higher education institutions (HEIs), which is recognised as being at low levels in these organisations. The advent of social media and its adoption by organisations in the form of enterprise social networks (ESN) is gathering pace, and its usefulness to organisational knowledge sharing can be seen through a number of characteristics it shares with a knowledge management technique known as communities of practice. A conceptual model is presented with enterprise social networks and virtual communities of practice (vCoP) at its core. The formal objective of the research is to investigate how ESN can enable staff knowledge sharing in vCoP in HEIs. Methodology: The study is based on a 12 month Action research project in the host organization, a medium-sized HEI in Ireland. The study is qualitative in nature and data collection instruments included focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Findings: The findings indicate that management support is a key antecedent for the establishment if an active knowledge sharing environment. Management must facilitate and encourage knowledge sharing activities rather than mandating or instructing them. Implications: The findings have implications for HEIs in their attitudes towards knowledge sharing and their understanding of its importance. The findings can also help in the creation and management of active knowledge sharing communities in HEIs and will be of interest to practitioners and researchers working in this area
Authenticity and food tourism: a systematic literature review
Get PDFPurpose: The purpose of this study is to provide a synthesis and an extended discussion of the literature relating to authenticity and food tourism. It presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of the academic literature and provides insights into the specific issues addressed by studies in this area. Design/methodology/approach: A search of major research databases with multiple keywords was performed to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles dated between 2008-2018. A total of 39 articles were identified and analysed using NVivo. Based on a qualitative thematic analysis, three themes were identified; defining authenticity, authenticity and food tourism and tourists’ perceptions of authenticity. Findings: Authenticity in tourism research is studied from three perspectives; objective, constructive and existential authenticity. For the tourist, food can be an amalgamation of all three perspectives. Furthermore, tourists are increasingly searching for an authentic experience. Food can represent an authentic experience as it can connect the tourist with the people, landscape and culture of their destination. Research implications: This study contributes to the current body of knowledge on authenticity and food tourism. The analysis of the different issues addressed by the literature could build the foundation for future research. Originality/value: This study presents a comprehensive review of the literature on authenticity in food tourism. It can serve as a roadmap of literature for both academics and practitioners and help stimulate further interest
Design of Microwave Components using Direct Metal Laser Sintering
Get PDFAdditive Manufacturing holds significant promise for microwave component design, enabling the production of previously un-manufacturable, complex designs through 3D printing.
The research here reports the modelling, simulation, fabrication and testing of several microwave components, including the world’s first ever 3D metal printed Sierpinski gasket antenna, with multiple resonance characteristics. One concern of 3D metal printing relates to surface finish. The impact of inherent surface roughness on the performance of the printed antenna has also been evaluated. Further, two different surface treatment techniques have been used and the RF improvement has been assessed. Considering the fact that these treatments may not be available to the wider RF community, two other possible ways to limit the surface roughness have also been highlighted and tested.
3D printing, being a layer-by-layer process, enables the designing of self-supportive structures through topological design optimization. This property has been utilized to design self-supportive, non-solid interior microwave components, to reduce their weight. The results showed the weight of the metal printed inner lattice antenna to be even lighter than a similar metal-coated (solid) polymer antenna, fabricated with comparatively similar RF performance.
In another exploitation, an alternative approach to mounting an antenna to its feeding circuitry has been developed, by printing an intricate, N-type female feed together with the microwave component, as a single monolithic component.
A final development related to enhancing the performance of existing antennas, including the fabrication of a novel horn antenna, with in-built periodic structures positioned at bespoke positions for side-lobe reduction and the first ever attempt at 3D printing an artificial dielectric lens, for possible 5G and power applicator applications
An Exercise Intervention for Cancer Fatigue
Get PDFCancer related fatigue (CrF) is a debilitating side effect reported by cancer survivors, often lasting years following treatment. Although some evidence exists of a beneficial effect of exercise on CrF, there are critical shortcomings in the literature. Previous exercise rehabilitation studies did not specifically target fatigued cancer survivors. Most studies also lacked an appropriate control condition to isolate the effects of exercise per se.
This thesis is comprised of three studies. The first study, an efficacy study, compared the effects of a 10-wk exercise intervention to a health education intervention on fatigue, fitness and psychological health outcomes in post-treatment cancer survivors with documented fatigue. The 37 post-treatment cancer survivors (33 females, 20 severe fatigue, 11 moderate fatigue, 30 breast cancer, aged 55±2 y, 2.3±0.3 y since treatment; mean±SEM) were allocated to an exercise group (EXG, n=19) or health education comparison group (HEG, n=18). The intervention effect on FACT-F determined fatigue was significantly greater (p<0.05) in EXG compared to HEG. The net change in fatigue was of considerable magnitude (Cohen’s d = 1.38, 4 times the FACT-F clinical important difference). The EXG also increased (p<0.05) cognitive function, global quality of life, fitness scores and significantly reduced (p<0.05) insomnia and fear of physical activity. The intervention effect on fatigue in EXG was largely achieved by wk 4 and changes were all sustained to 26 wk. There was 100% retention rate at 10-wk in both experimental groups and no adverse events reported.
The second study, a qualitative exploratory study, explored survivors’ perceptions and experiences of CrF, management of this fatigue, and experiences of the 10-week exercise programme. Two focus groups and four individual interviews were held with 14 programme participants. The results provide a deeper understanding of the quantitative results observed in the efficacy study. Results suggest that CrF not only affects cancer survivors physically, it affects them mentally, socially and financially. Barriers, facilitators, preferences, and motives to exercise in fatigued survivors are also elucidated. It was concluded that a tailored exercise programme designed specifically to the needs of cancer survivors can have a multitude of physical, psychological, social and educational benefits. The combination of elements in the exercise programme was identified as fundamental and access to such a programme should be a routine part of cancer care.
The third study, a qualitative feasibility study, examined the factors influencing the subsequent implementation of the exercise rehabilitation programme in a community setting. Semi-structured individual interviews (n=15) were undertaken with survivors who agreed and declined to participate in the programme, programme delivery agents, and cancer healthcare professionals. Implementation was examined using Fixsen’s Active Implementation Frameworks with Glasgow’s ‘Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance Framework’. Implementation appears to be most successful where an enabled environment is created, a collaborative multidisciplinary team are involved, champions exist in recruitment settings and an overall programme leader exists to co-ordinate. Barriers and challenges to programme scale up outside of a major urban centre included accessibility to the target population and financial support from relevant agencies. Future cost effectiveness research needs to be undertaken if exercise programmes are to be incorporated into routine cancer care
An investigation into the solubility and stability of amorphous solid dispersions of BCS class II drugs
Get PDFThe poor water solubility of many drugs has emerged as one of the major challenges in the pharmaceutical world. Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) are one of the most widely used formulation strategies for the enhancement of in-vitro and in-vivo performance of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, because of their meta-stable nature the physical stability of amorphous solid dispersions has been considered to be the main obstacle for their formulation development and commercialization by the pharmaceutical industry. Significant upfront development is therefore required to generate stable amorphous formulations. The aim of this project was to understand, predict and enhance the solubility and physical stability of ASDs. Two model drugs (dipyridamole and cinnarizine) and three polymeric matrices (polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose) were formulated by spray drying into binary and ternary solid dispersions. A series of physicochemical characterization techniques including mDSC, PXRD, FTIR, DVS, in-vitro dissolution and NMR were used to evaluate the systems. Physicochemical characterization of the various systems including amorphous drug crystallization kinetic studies, prediction of drug-polymer miscibility, in-vitro dissolution studies, physical stability studies and investigation into polymer-surfactant combinations of ternary solid dispersions were carried out. Across the project, several key achievements were obtained. It was revealed that the crystallization tendency of the amorphous drugs, drug-polymer miscibility, drug-polymer interaction, robustness of drug-polymer interaction under stress conditions, processing conditions, drug loading and antiplasticization effect are some of the dominant factors controlling the physical stability and solubility of the amorphous systems. The results of the project are expected to contribute to the formulation development of amorphous solid dispersions in terms of screening suitable drug and polymer candidates, selecting “safe” (physically stable) drug loadings and the identification of methodologies to improve the physical stability and solubility of formulations
Análise sobre o Impacto de Topologias de Astrócitos em um Sistema de Comunicação Molecular baseado em Sinalização de Ca2+
Get PDFIn the human body there is a wide variety of molec- ular communications systems. A particular type of molecular communication is based on calcium (Ca2+) signaling, which consists of a communication process that diffuses and propagates ions between the cells of a tissue. Ca2+ signaling occurs in different cells, among them the astrocyte, which is present in the central nervous system. Thus, this molecular communication system consists of astrocytes that are connected to each other by means of gap junctions, and can be modeled as a network that has different coupling topologies. Therefore, in the present work, an analysis of the gain of the communication channel was performed for three network topologies: Regular Degree, Link Radius and Shortcut. The shortcut topology presented a gain six times greater, compared to the other topologies. This analysis of the behavior of the communication provides useful information for the design of nanoredes that are able to act at the molecular level, introducing in them the performance of intercellular communication more adequate