1522 research outputs found
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Hiberno-Jewish Communities: Ireland, Zionism and the creation of Israel
Get PDFThe main objective of this research project was to address some of the ‘gaps’ in the narrative
of Ireland’s Jewish community. Although previous literature has contributed much to the
account of this ethnic group, the research pertaining to this section of Irish society has for the
most part remained underdeveloped. Therefore, to explore this narrative further the research
project required that an archival based approach was utilised in order to examine the various
historical eras discussed in this thesis. Moreover, this research project will illustrate how
adopting an archival based research approach has facilitated the dissemination of new
knowledge in relation to political discourse and policies during the Second World War era in
Ireland.
Our point of departure for this research study will commence with the early Jewish settlers who
arrived from the 1880s onwards and conclude with the foundation of Israel in 1948. Although
anti-Semitism was not as evident and widespread in Ireland as in other European countries,
sporadic displays of antagonism towards the Jewish communities such as the Limerick pogrom
in 1904 did occur. Whereas Catholicism was viewed as ‘the main ingredient in the Irish
personality’ (McCaffery 1973, p.527), the nationalist cause was viewed as being exclusionary
to minority groups such as the Irish – Jewish population.
The World War Two era would also witness Ireland’s exclusionary immigration policies which
were specifically implemented to keep Jewish refugees out of Ireland, regardless of the Irish
government’s awareness to the use of concentration camps and the mounting refugee crisis.
The end of World War Two left millions of displaced people across Europe and the Irish
government’s solution to the crisis was to tighten further the immigration policies with the
introduction of the Alien Order, 1946.
In response to the founding of Israel in 1948, Ireland would withhold de facto recognition until
1949. Indeed, whilst Zionism was embraced by the Irish – Jewish community, conversely,
immigration figures suggest, that Irish Aliyah to Israel was significantly lower than previously
proposed
Evaluation of ‘The Exercise Effect’: A pilot project integrating an exercise practitioner into outpatient mental health services in Ireland
Get PDFIn April 2019, a submission for funding was made to the Sláintecare Integration Fund (2019) to
establish the ‘Exercise Effect’ project, including an independent evaluation of the project. The Exercise
Effect builds on a longstanding collaborative partnership between key stakeholders, Health Service
Executive (HSE) South East Wexford Mental Health Services, Sports Active Wexford (SAW) (a Local
Sports Partnership) and Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). Exercise is well recognised as a
therapeutic tool that can benefit a range of mental health symptoms and cognitive function among
trans-diagnostic mental health populations. Exercise interventions are also a valuable resource for
improving the disproportionately poor physical health states of people with mental disorders. This
report presents a detailed account of the Exercise Effect project and the findings from the research
evaluation undertaken
The Mental Health of Irish Jockeys: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Get PDFBackground: The mental health of elite athletes has gathered increasing attention in recent years. Despite this, limited research exists regarding the mental health of professional jockeys. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the mental health and help-seeking attitudes of professional jockeys in Ireland.
Methods: Study One: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were utilised to explore stressors experienced by jockeys. Study Two: An online questionnaire was completed by 84 jockeys to explore the prevalence of common mental disorders (psychological distress, depression, generalised anxiety, adverse alcohol use) and their associations with specific risk-factors (burnout, career satisfaction, social support, contemplating retirement). Study Three: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine jockeys barriers and facilitators towards help-seeking. Study Four: An online questionnaire examined the relationships between mental health literacy and stigma on attitudes towards help-seeking. The study also sought to quantitatively assess the key barriers to help-seeking for jockeys.
Results: Study One revealed jockeys experienced a wide variety of stressors that were characterised into four general dimensions including: competition-based stressors; racing industry stressors; interpersonal stressors; and career-based stressors. In Study Two, nearly 80% of all professional jockeys who took part in the study met the criteria for at least one mental health disorder, indicating probable or potential mental ill-health. Specifically, 61% for adverse alcohol use, 35% for depression, 27% for generalised anxiety, and 19% for psychological distress. Burnout, career satisfaction, and contemplating retirement were all significantly associated with generalised anxiety and psychological distress. In Study Three, a number of barriers (negative perceptions of others; cultural norms; low mental health literacy) and facilitators (education; social support; media campaigns) to help-seeking were identified. In Study Four, findings indicated that MHL, self-stigma of seeking psychological help and public stigma significantly predicted attitudes towards help-seeking over current levels of psychological distress and previous help-seeking history. The association between MHL on attitudes towards help-seeking was partially mediated by self-stigma. The most prominent barriers to help-seeking for CMDs reported by jockeys was the fear of owners/trainers finding out they were seeking help, limited time to engage with services, and difficulty understanding when support from a mental health professional is required.
Conclusion: Overall, this thesis contributes unique findings to the understanding of jockey mental health, whist also extending knowledge of the broader athlete mental health literature. The thesis highlights the challenging nature of a career as a jockey which may be linked to adverse mental health outcomes such as a prevalence of common mental disorders. Findings also indicated a number of barriers to help-seeking which may promote a reluctance to seek help, with self-stigma and mental health literacy appearing important constructs to address in future research and psychoeducational programmes
Investigation of the Regional Innovation Paradox in the EU’s “Lagging” Regions
Get PDFThis research has been inspired by what has been termed the “regional innovation paradox” (Oughton, Landabaso and Morgan, 2002), which suggests that the more that innovation is needed in order to improve competitiveness in “lagging” regions (or less developed regions), the more difficult it is to invest effectively in research and development (R&D) in such regions, and the more likely it is that they will be seen to under-invest in R&D and innovation. Furthermore, it has also been inspired by the Oughton et al (2002) assertion that the main cause of this paradox lay in the fragmented nature of “regional innovation systems” in these regions, and the institutional characteristics of regions, rather than availability of public funds. The purpose of this research, therefore, has been to investigate how public policy towards and public investment in regional innovation systems has contributed to R&D and innovation performance in lagging regions. To do this, it adopted a mixed methods approach, combining use of quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods involved use of descriptive quantitative analysis of R&D and innovation inputs and outputs across a sample of lagging regions in the European Union (EU). Qualitative methods, meanwhile, involved the use of case study research of Galicia (Spain) and Puglia (Italy), using both secondary data (datasets, policy and strategy documents, funding programme documents, other reports and articles) and primary data (interviews with knowledgeable and experienced key informants). Research findings suggest that public authorities in lagging regions have increasingly turned their attention towards developing policies to promote R&D and innovation and foster regional innovation systems, and that such policies in turn have most likely contributed to an increase in investment in R&D and innovation in such regions and an increase in outputs arising from R&D and innovation activity. At the same time, however, perceived weaknesses within lagging regions’ innovation systems still appear to be evident, despite progress made and the associated growth in R&D and innovation investment and outputs, while the progress of R&D and innovation policy and performance in regions has also been affected by their interaction with other spatial levels (including interaction between policy makers at different spatial levels) and by the structural nature of the change being effected. The research presents a number of important contributions to both theory and practice. Firstly, it contributes to bridging an ongoing knowledge gap on the development of regional innovation systems in lower performing regions. Secondly, it provides a more mixed methods approach to investigation of issues surrounding the regional innovation paradox. Thirdly, it contributes to knowledge and understanding of how inter-dependencies between different spatial levels (including inter-dependencies in policy making) influence R&D and innovation activity in lagging regions, while cautioning against a “one size fits all”, best practice application of the regional innovation systems concept in lagging regions. And finally, it contributes to practice by highlighting policy implications for lagging regions, which include: stronger regional input or focus at all spatial levels of policy making; better collaboration and allocation of responsibility between different spatial levels of government; better integration of regional innovation policy with related policy areas; the need for long-term policy commitment in fostering innovation in lagging regions; the need for increased emphasis on non-R&D innovation initiatives; the need to improve understanding of the culture of both firms and supply-side institutions in lagging regions; better measures to promote collaboration between research institutions and firms, and among firms themselves; and targeted incentives to encourage research institutions and larger firms to increase R&D and innovation that aligns with regional needs. Keywords: regional innovation paradox; regional innovation systems; lagging regions; regional innovation policy
An Exploration of the Career Social Mobility Beliefs of Senior Female Academic Leaders: A Social Identity Approach
No full textThe under-representation of women in the professoriate continues to be an intractable issue. Various initiatives have attempted to rectify this equality challenge, yet progress towards gender equality in senior academic roles remains slow. Extant research has identified numerous social, organisational, and interpersonal factors that contribute to this gender imbalance. However, despite gender being central to one’s social identity, there is a lack of research that explores this issue from an intergroup relations perspective. The objective of this study is to explore the career social mobility beliefs of female professors and explore the influence that their social identity as women has on their perceptions of their leadership roles in the business schools of Irish and UK universities. Career social mobility beliefs is a concept adapted by the researcher from social identity theory’s social belief systems. In this study, career social mobility beliefs is defined as an individual’s subjective beliefs regarding the permeability, stability, and legitimacy of the boundaries between one’s group and a perceived higher status group in terms of their position and achieving greater hierarchical status and its associated psychological outcomes within the context of work. In this regard, the study explores female professors’ beliefs about whether they can achieve a position that reflects their perceived individual merit and gain access to other groups, including the material and psychological outcomes associated with them regardless of gender. Additionally, the study explores these women’s perceptions of their roles as professors, specifically how their social identity as women and their career social mobility beliefs influences their leadership roles. The research asks: • What are the career social mobility beliefs of senior female academic leaders? • How does social identity influence the perceptions of their leadership roles? This study contributes to a theory-based, empirically informed understanding of the under-representation of women in the professoriate from a social identity perspective. The findings suggest that gender identity is fundamental to most professors' academic identity and influences both beliefs and behaviours regarding career advancement. Furthermore, gender identity was found to have significant implications on how these women view themselves as leaders and how they lead in a male-dominated environment
Defining Sustainable Food for Consumers
Get PDFConsumers are increasingly interested in sustainable food (Forbes et al., 2009) due to growing concerns for environmental matters among other issues. Currently, there are many varying definitions for the term “sustainable food”, however, consumers often lack understanding of the term. A systematic literature review was conducted to investigate what consumers understand sustainable food to be. It is evident from the literature that consumers lack understanding of the term and frequently associate sustainable food to be plant-based food, organic food and local food. Additionally, consumers associate sustainable food with being good for the environment, thus neglecting economic and social aspects. The implications of this study involve improving consumer knowledge through policy approaches which include implementing public information campaigns and labelling (Garnett et al., 2015). This study highlights the need for the literature to categorise the research accurately based on all three pillars of sustainable food
Quantum Money Scheme: Simulation Results
Get PDFQuantum computing has the power to break current cryptographic systems, disrupting online banking, shopping, data storage and communications. However, quantum mechanics can also be used to make these systems stronger and more resilient. In this paper we describe the transmissibility of a quantum money scheme, which was proposed by Dmitry Gavinsky and implemented by the authors, and discuss some of its benefits and limitations
The War on Cash: The Digitization and Privatization of Cash and a Critical Need for Regulation
Get PDFMany financial services professionals, central bankers, technologists, academics, and consumers across the world believe that we are at the dawn of a truly cashless society. In several countries, a defacto cashless society already exists. During the ongoing Covid19 pandemic, we have seen a further acceleration of the decline, and indeed refusal, of cash transactions globally. Numerous studies focus on the benefits of cashless transactions and in many instances peer reviewed papers unquestionably extol the virtues of such. The researcher contends that consumers are being nudged towards a positive evaluation of a cashless society, because despite varied sources of information, financial, technology, and government sectors are predominantly reporting its positive connotations. However, there are many downsides to cashless payments and an impending cashless society, many of which have significant and life changing consequences for consumers and economies, yet this remains very much under researched. The researcher contends that as a society, we cannot do nothing; we cannot allow cash to be digitized and privatized by stealth. We must turn our attention to the consequences of a cashless society so we may identify solutions or mitigations and open a regulatory path towards a mediated transition
Targeted nutrition for optimising vitreous health in subjects with symptomatic vitreous degeneration
Get PDFPurpose: Degeneration of the vitreous, the homogenous gel that fills the posterior segment of the eye, is ubiquitous during life and leads to the entoptic phenomenon, vitreous floaters. Floaters impact negatively on the quality of life and visual function of its sufferers. Unfortunately, most floater sufferers are not treated since the available treatment options, pars plana vitrectomy and laser vitreolysis, are not readily proffered to these patients due to their accompanying potential, sight-threatening complications. It follows from the foregoing that a low-risk yet effective therapy is warranted for the management of symptomatic vitreous degeneration. This PhD thesis reports three main studies (Chapters 3 – 5) which were conducted to: (a) investigate the impact of vitreous degeneration on photopic and mesopic contrast thresholds (Study 1); (b) assess the use of a novel objective methodology for quantifying vitreous opacities as a measure of treatment success in patients who underwent laser vitreolysis for managing symptomatic vitreous floaters (Study 2); and (c) investigate the impact of targeted nutrition with a micronutrient formulation on vitreous health in patients with symptomatic vitreous degeneration (Study 3). Methods: Study 1 was a case-control study that enrolled an age-matched sample of 115 subjects, comprising 30 subjects with vitreous floaters (cases) and 85 healthy subjects (controls). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), flicker thresholds, photopic and mesopic functional contrast thresholds (at 10 cycles per degree) were measured for all participants. Further, the cases were split into cases with (n=12) and without (n=18) posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), and their contrast thresholds were compared with the controls, to determine the effect of PVD on contrast. Study 2 was a retrospective study of 77 patients who underwent Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis and had a minimum follow-up of 3 months. Quantitative vitreous opacity areas, the lack of need to proceed to vitrectomy, patient satisfaction outcomes post vitreolysis, BCVA and intraocular pressure (IOP) were assessed at baseline and all follow-ups. In Study 3, 61 patients with vitreous floaters were randomised to consume daily, the active supplement consisting of 125 mg L-lysine, 40 mg vitamin C, 26.3 mg Vitis vinifera extract, 5 mg zinc, and 100 mg Citrus aurantium or placebo for 6 months. Subjective change in visual discomfort from floaters, BCVA, letter contrast sensitivity, photopic functional contrast sensitivity with positive and negative contrast polarity, and quantitative vitreous opacity areas were assessed for all participants at baseline and final visits. Results: In study 1, photopic and mesopic contrast thresholds were lower by 37.4% and 27.5%, respectively, when the cases were compared with the controls (p=0.028 and p<0.001 for photopic and mesopic contrast thresholds, respectively). Further, photopic and mesopic contrast were lower by 64.0% and 30.3% in cases with PVD compared with controls (p=0.001 and p=0.014 for photopic and mesopic contrast, respectively). In study 2, there was a significant decrease in vitreous opacity areas (objective treatment success of 89.6%) at the final visit following laser vitreolysis (p<0.001). In addition, subjective treatment success reported at 1-month and the last follow-up were 77% and 71%, respectively. There was a lack of need of vitrectomy in 65 eyes. Intra-operative complications recorded included posterior lens injury in one eye and retinal bleed in another eye. For study 3, the active group reported a significant decrease in their visual discomfort from floaters (p<0.001), whereas the placebo group had no significant change in their visual discomfort (p=0.416) after supplementation. At 6 months, there was a significant decrease in vitreous opacity areas in the active group (p<0.001) and an insignificant increase in vitreous opacity areas in the placebo group (p=0.081). Also, there was a significant improvement in photopic functional contrast sensitivity in the active group after supplementation (p=0.047). Conclusions: Study 1 demonstrates that subjects with vitreous degeneration have diminished photopic and mesopic contrast thresholds compared with controls. This finding highlights the negative impact of vitreous degeneration on the quality of vision. Study 2 reveals that Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis results in both objective and symptomatic improvement in at least two-thirds of patients who undergo the procedure. Vitreous opacity areas quantification can be employed by clinicians as an objective outcome measure for diagnosing, planning and quantifying the treatment outcomes for vitreous floater patients. The findings of Study 3 indicate improvements in vision-related quality of life and visual function of patients suffering from vitreous floaters after supplementation with the active formulation. Notably, these improvements were confirmed by the decrease in vitreous opacity areas in the active group. This targeted dietary intervention should be considered to support patients with symptomatic vitreous degeneration