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An Ethnopharmacological Study of The Injecting Use of Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs (PIED) Volumes I & II
Get PDFAim: This thesis aims to explore the practices, beliefs and values of individuals who inject performance and image enhancing drugs (PIED) through describing and analysing dynamics in online asynchronous interactions Background: As use of PIED attracts increasing clinical and research attention, knowledge with regard to the practices of individuals who use PIED is increasing. However, injecting as a concept within PIED culture is rarely studied. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) guidelines. General and substantive theory concerning body ideals, technology, health and risk were used to guide data collection according to Layder’s adaptive theory. Online discussion forums (n = 8) were selected based on accessibility, relevance to the research question, highest level of traffic, activity and number of postings. The final data set of records was analysed using ethnographic content analysis and NVivo software and unique theoretical concepts developed. Results: Several empirically undocumented PIED injecting practices were discovered in the data for this study, including self-phlebotomy in individuals who inject AAS, “cocktail injecting” - injecting multiple PIED in a single syringe, homebrewing of AAS and use of DIY Botox and dermal filler kits. Individuals who inject PIED were seen in this study to be motivated by identity construction and selfhood. Gendered identity displays in the data demonstrated that injecting was related to concepts of empowerment and individualism. Conclusion: This doctoral research presents a study which gives an illustration of contemporary injecting PIED use as described within discussion forums. It gives an insight into the phenomenon of injecting in the context of PIED use and the functioning and dynamics of the online discussion forum space. Further research in this area is warranted, particularly as this relates to evidence informed and targeted harm reduction policies and effective public health interventions
Molecular Communications Pulse-Based Jamming Model for Bacterial Biofilm Suppression
Get PDFStudies have recently shown that the bacteria
survivability within biofilms is responsible for the emergence
of superbugs. The combat of bacterial infections,
without enhancing its resistance to antibiotics, includes the
use of nanoparticles to quench the quorum sensing of these
biofilm-forming bacteria. Several sequential and parallel
multi-stage communication processes are involved in the
formation of biofilms. In this paper, we use proteomic data
from a wet lab experiment to identify the communication
channels that are vital to these processes.We also identified
the main proteins from each channel and propose the
use of jamming signals from synthetically engineered
bacteria to suppress the production of those proteins. This
biocompatible technique is based on synthetic biology and
enables the inhibition of biofilm formation. We analyse
the communications performance of the jamming process,
by evaluating the path loss for a number of conditions
that include different engineered bacterial population sizes,
distances between the populations and molecular signal
power. Our results show that sufficient molecular pulsebased
jamming signals are able to prevent the biofilm formation
by creating lossy communications channels (almost
-3 dB for certain scenarios). From these results, we define
the main design parameters to develop a fully operational
bacteria-based jamming system
Physical-chemical traits, phytotoxicity and pathogen detection in liquid anaerobic digestates
Get PDFAnaerobic digestates, which are co-products from biogas production, have been recognised as potential biofertilisers for their benefits in nutrient recovery and recycling of different types of organic wastes. Due to the increasing number of different types of organic wastes being used to produce biogas, it is necessary to identify how different types of anaerobic digestates vary in their physical-chemical traits, and how these can impact upon their use as fertilisers. In addition, safe land spreading of anaerobic digestates must be within recommended limits for potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and pathogens. This study analysed physical-chemical traits, phytotoxicity, PTEs and indicator pathogens in a set of eleven different commercial liquid anaerobic digestates from Ireland and the UK, and compared them to the Irish draft standard for digestate. Liquid anaerobic digestates exhibited significant differences (P < 0.001) for most of the physical and chemical traits evaluated, with higher variability found for dry matter (DM) and K (CV = 17.2 and 16.8 respectively), and lower variation for pH and P (CV = 1.78 and 3.55 respectively). PTE concentrations were in general within recommended limits; nevertheless, some digestates showed higher concentrations than the recommended limits for Pb, Zn and Cu. Digestate from wastewater treatment feedstock was shown to be high in PTEs. Anaerobic digestates were found to negatively affect early stages of seed germination, but phytotoxicity effects were decreased by dilution in water. Levels of Salmonella spp. and E. coli were within recommended limits for most of the anaerobic digestates analysed
An exploration of the social capital of immigrant workers in Ireland
Get PDFThis thesis examined the social capital of immigrant workers in Ireland, focusing on
the lived experiences of immigrant participants. This approach was taken as, currently;
Ireland’s research surrounding immigration is mainly focused on offering statistics and
the accounts of those who have experienced racial discrimination, without offering an
insight into how the individual had found living in Ireland more broadly.
In examining the social capital of immigrant workers in Ireland, two studies were
conducted in order to provide the results as mentioned previously. The first study
involved semi-structured interviews. The questions incorporated into these interviews
were based on a harmonised set of questions which were used to test for levels of social
capital, as well as the inclusion of some that were introduced to particularly cater for
the sample at hand. Using thematic narrative analysis allowed for the transcripts to be
transformed into narratives that reflected the lived experience of each participant.
Study two introduced the photovoice method, which allowed for the participants to
essentially become researchers and determine the type of images that were presented
in order to build the holistic image of both their social capital and lived experiences in
Ireland.
Overall, the results that arose from the research provided a novel insight into the lives
of immigrant workers by examining their social capital. The qualitative research
showed the varying levels of social capital accumulated by each individual. In doing
this, the research approach explored the intricacies and details of how their social
capital was gathered, how obtaining further social capital was sometimes hindered
An investigation of the organisational artifacts in market oriented firms
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to examine the nature and influence of artefacts in market oriented firms. Design/methodology/approach: Document analysis, direct observation and fourteen key informant interviews were undertaken in six case study companies. Findings: Artefacts are a core element in a market oriented culture. Artefacts embody a market oriented culture in a multisensory, complimentary, multidimensional, synergistic, coherent, consistent and unique manner. Artefacts perform similar functions across market oriented companies in reinforcing as well as creating values, norms and behaviours as part of a collective market oriented culture. Thus the findings develop a detailed understanding of the roles and functions of artefacts in a market oriented culture to aid its implementation and are argued as part of the inception process, an antecedent and core to a market oriented culture. Practical implications: Requires managers to assess the degree to which they have developed and utilised market oriented artefacts in the establishment and strengthening of a market oriented culture. Originality/value: This paper addresses the limited understanding of market oriented artefacts
Exploring the Impact of AR and VR Technologies on BMI in Germany
Get PDFNewly-emerging, digitally-based technological innovations, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual
reality (VR), are new drivers for business model innovation. This study aims to develop a better
understanding of the impact of AR/VR technologies on business model innovation in technology
companies. The objective of the study is “to explore the impact of augmented reality and virtual reality
technologies on business model innovation in technology companies in Germany”. This paper
investigates the body of knowledge regarding contemporary business model innovation and presents a
conceptual framework to guide the research. The philosophical underpinnings of the study are
discussed, and the chosen research methodology is justified. A holistic multiple-case study design
targets German business-to-business technology companies employing AR/VR technologies to innovate
their business models. The paper concludes with a discussion of initial learnings garnered from the
implementation of a pre-pilot case study test run, and a full pilot case study
Utilising EEG Signals for Modulating Neural Molecular Communications
Get PDFA major challenge in neuronal molecular communications lies in modulating signals through the neuronal network of the cortex that will minimize interference with the natural signalling. In this paper, we propose the use of Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals as a sensing mechanism to determine spiking interval gaps that can be used to stimulate artificial data transfer in the cortical micro-column
Self - Calibration of Fish - Eye Camera for Advanced Driver Assistance System
Get PDFTomorrow's car will be more automated and increasingly connected. Innovative and intuitive interfaces are essential to accompany this functional enrichment. For that, today the automotive companies are competing to offer an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) which will be able to provide enhanced navigation, collision avoidance, intersection support and lane keeping. These vision-based functions require an accurately calibrated camera. To achieve such differentiation in ADAS requires sophisticated sensors and efficient algorithms. This paper explores the different calibration methods applicable to vehicle-mounted fish-eye cameras with arbitrary fields of view and defines the first steps towards a self-calibration method that adequately addresses ADAS requirements. In particular, we present a self-calibration method after comparing different camera calibration algorithms in context of ADAS requirements. Our method gathers data from unknown scenes while the car is moving, estimates the camera intrinsic and extrinsic parameters and corrects the wide-angle distortion. Our solution enables continuous and real-time detection of objects, pedestrians, road markings and other cars. In contrast other camera calibration algorithms for ADAS need pre-calibration, while the presented method calibrates the camera without prior knowledge of the scene and in real-time
The extraction and chromatographic analysis of organic acids and inorganic anions found in milk and dairy produce
Get PDFDispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) is a ternary extraction system that consists of an extraction solvent, dispersing solvent and an aqueous sample containing the analyte of interest. DLLME is a powerful, miniaturised extraction technique that can increase an analytes concentration and achieve high enrichment factors (EFs) which makes it ideal for trace analysis. DLLME consists of injecting the binary mixture of extraction/dispersing solvent into the sample. This creates a very large surface area of fine extraction droplets. It is these droplets that analytes enrich, almost instantaneously into. Given the speed of the extraction, DLLME is a very attractive procedure that can increase sample throughput whilst lowering solvent consumption, waste and associated costs.
Several organic acids were identified as common constituents in milk and dairy produce. Organic acids appear in milk and dairy produce due to natural biochemical processes within the animal, bacterial activity, as preservatives and due to adulteration [1–3]. Levels of organic acids in milk and dairy produce vary drastically due to a number of factors such as: breed of animal, time of year, geography, diet, age, health, stage of lactation and starter culture type [4–9]. Organic acids are important in areas such as flavour studies, cheese ripening, human nutrition, monitoring the health of the animal and monitoring the quality of the product prior to sale to the consumer [10–12].
Milk and dairy produce consists of several components such as proteins, peptides, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and lipids that require removal prior to analysis. These interferences were removed by mixing two solutions, carrez 1 (zinc acetate) and carrez 2 (potassium hexaferrocyanate) with the sample, followed by centrifugation. This left the sample in an aqueous matrix, which is ideal for DLLME.
A number of chromatographic techniques were investigated during the course of the project, those being: high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CE). The technique most appropriate to the use of DLLME and the separation of organic acids was found to be GC.
The optimised GC method consisted of injecting 1 μL of extraction solvent using a 10:1 split ratio then separating on a gradient method in 10 minutes using an Altech AT-100 polyethyleneglycol (PEG) column (15 m x 530 μm i.d. x 1.2 μm) . The method was validated for the analysis of six organic acids. Those acids were acetic, propionic, iso-butyric, n-butyric, iso-valeric and n-valeric acid. The method gave retention times of 8.79, 10.06, 10.67, 11.18, 11.68 and 12.49 minutes, respectively and %RSD of: < 0.06%. Peak area was also assessed and gave %RSD of < 0.0%. Coefficients of determination (R2) were all ≥ 0.999. LODs for acetic, propionic, iso-butyric, n-butyric, iso-valeric and n-valeric acid were estimated to be: 21.88, 67.25, 8.04, 6.86, 39.38 and 21.68 μg/mL, respectively and LOQs were: 66.32, 203.79, 24.38, 20.82, 119.36 and 65.71 μg/mL, respectively.
The optimised extraction consisted of injecting a mixture of 100 μL chloroform (extraction solvent) and 700 μL acetone (dispersing solvent) into a 10-mL sample containing 20% w/v NaCl and pH adjusted to 2.50. This produced EFs up to ~ 45 times more concentrated than in the original sample. The optimised and validated method was then applied to real samples of milk and dairy produce, the following results were obtained: cow’s milk: acetic: (NQ); n-butyric: 10.41 μg/mL. Buttermilk: acetic: (NQ); n-butyric: 14.38 μg/mL; iso-valeric: 12.22 μg/mL; n-valeric: 12.78 μg/mL. Goat’s milk: acetic acid (NQ); iso-butyric: 13.23 μg/mL; n-butyric: 16.46 μg/mL; iso-valeric: 13.12 μg/mL; n-valeric: 12.72 μg/mL. Cottage cheese: acetic acid (NQ); n-butyric: 4.04 μg/g. Brie cheese: acetic acid (NQ); n-butyric: 42.31 μg/g; iso-valeric: 0.39 μg/g; n-valeric: 0.72 μg/g. Probiotic yogurt: acetic acid (NQ); iso-butyric: 6.13 μg/g; n-butyric: 6.90 μg/g; iso-valeric: 5.91 μg/g; n-valeric: 6.06 μg/g. Greek yogurt: acetic acid (NQ); n-butyric: 11.00 μg/g.
Due to DLLME’s ease of use, the quickness of the extraction procedure, large EFs, and the ability to carry out an extraction using readily available consumables within any laboratory (centrifuge tube, syringe and syringe needle), DLLME is the ideal extraction procedure for high throughput laboratories that are looking to minimise cost and labour while preserving the quality of results. Further to this, no method could be found at the time of writing that utilised DLLME to extract the highly volatile organic acids mentioned above from milk and dairy produce which lends to the novelty of this body of work