University Of Limerick Research Articles

Post Hoc Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) Analysis of Older Person/Student Nurse Intergenerational Café Implementation.

To determine the barriers, facilitators and effectiveness of using an intergenerational café to enable intergenerational learning. Implementation science using the 'Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research' framework. Ethical approval for this research was granted by the University of Limerick. Online intergenerational cafés were held with older people and student nurses. Original data were collected through surveys and facilitator reflections. Participants were invited post-café to participate in the study. Student nurses (n = 50) and older people (n = 49) participated in an anonymous online survey, and facilitators (n = 7) took part in a peer focus group on planning and co-ordinating the cafés. Post hoc 'CFIR' analysis comprised secondary data analysis through mapping descriptive statistics and thematically analysed data to codebooks derived from CFIR domains and constructs. Barriers and facilitators to café implementation were identified. Organisational factors are important for effective implementation. More students felt that the purpose, topics and running of the café were clear and organised. In contrast, more older people wanted additional time in the discussion groups. Technical difficulties (e.g., computer, logging on) were identified by some as a barrier to participation. Overall, having a clear purpose and topics along with an online approach facilitated implementation. All participants supported the café innovation as a way of increasing intergenerational learning. Facilitators worked effectively as a team to ensure the smooth running of the cafés. The analysis helped determine the effectiveness of the intervention. These cafés facilitated mutual learning and understanding and were well received by participants. Intergenerational cafés can support intergenerational learning. Intergenerational cafés facilitated intergenerational learning. SRQR/EQUATOR. There was no patient/public contribution.

Breaking the bias: perspectives of a WiSTEM2D programme inspiring female undergraduates for a technical future

PurposeThis is an account of student experiences with the 2020/2021 Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing and Design (WiSTEM2D) intervention programme at the University of Limerick (UL).Design/methodology/approachThe WiSTEM2D programme supports female undergraduate students undertaking science, technology, engineering, mathematics, manufacturing and design (STEM2D) courses, helping them develop and grow in their degrees, research and beyond.FindingsDuring the programme, data were gathered from students in the form of qualitative information, which was used to analyse perceptions of the programme. This analysis revealed that students found the WiSTEM2D programme beneficial to them and that it improved their confidence levels, career knowledge and overall networking abilities.Originality/valueWiSTEM2D is one of several initiatives globally that are attempting to empower and encourage women to be active in STEM.

(Invited) Effect of Electrochemical Treatment and pH on the Kinetics of VII-VIII Reactions on Glassy Carbon Electrodes

Vanadium flow batteries (VFBs) are known for their long cycle life, high efficiency, and scalability, which make them suitable for various energy storage applications, including grid-scale energy storage, renewable energy integration, and remote power systems. There are several areas of active research on VFBs. These include electrolyte chemistry, electrode materials, cell design, system integration, modeling and simulation, performance optimization, scale-up and commercialization1.Carbon felts are often used as electrodes in VFBs due to their high electrical conductivity, chemical stability, and availability2. However, the surface properties of carbon materials can be influenced by the surrounding environment, leading to changes in their surface chemistry and reactivity. These changes in the environment can alter the kinetics of the vanadium reactions at the carbon surfaces, which in turn can impact the performance and efficiency of the battery system. Various electrochemical, chemical, and thermal treatments have been reported to have a significant impact on the carbon electrode kinetics3. It is thus important to investigate electrode kinetics to improve the performance of VFBs.Previously our group has reported that electrochemical treatments of carbon electrodes at different potentials significantly affect the electrode kinetics of VIV-VV and VII-VIII redox reactions4,5. The cathodic treatment of carbon electrode enhances the kinetics of VIV-VV redox reaction but inhibits the kinetics of VII-VIII redox reaction, while anodic treatment inhibits the kinetics of the VIV-VV redox reaction but enhances the kinetics of the VII-VIII redox reaction6-9. We have further investigated the effect of electrochemical treatment on the VIV-VV kinetics at glassy carbon electrodes following treatment in electrolytes of various pH. For all pHs investigated (pH 0 – pH 6), VIV-VV kinetics are enhanced by cathodic treatment of the electrode and inhibited by anodic treatment. The activating effect of cathodization increased markedly with increasing pH, whereas the deactivating effect of anodization appears approximately the same for all pHs. The observed effects are attributed to changes to electrode surface states by electrochemical polarization reactions, the rates of which appear to be pH dependent10.We have extended our investigation into the VII-VIII reaction kinetics. We will present results on the effect of electrochemical treatment and pH on the kinetics of VII-VIII reactions on glassy carbon electrodes. The kinetic rates for the VII-VIII couple on these electrodes are measured and compared using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Acknowledgements Varsha Sasikumar S P would like to thank the Irish Research Council (IRC) for a postgraduate scholarship to perform this research and acknowledge facilitation of this research by University of Limerick (UL), Ireland and South East Technological University (SETU), Ireland. References Aluko and A. Knight, IEEE Access, 11, 13773-13793 (2023).Kim et al., Scientific Reports, 4, 6906 (2014).K. Sankaralingam et al., Journal of Energy Storage, 41, 102857 (2021).N. Buckley et al., ECS Transactions, 98(9), 223-239 (2020).N. Buckley et al., Electrodes for Vanadium Flow Batteries (VFBs) In Flow Batteries: From Fundamentals to Applications, Chapter 24, Edited by. C. Roth et al., Wiley-VCH, ISBN 978-3-527-34922-7 (2023).Bourke et al., Journal of Electrochemical Society, 163, A5097 (2016).Bourke et al., Journal of Electrochemical Society, 162, A1547 (2015).A. Miller. et al., Journal of Electrochemical Society, 163, A2095-A2102, (2016).Bourke et al., Journal of Electrochemical Society, 170, 030504 (2023).Sasikumar et al., ECS Transactions, 109, 107 (2022).

Insights into Student Perceptions: Investigating Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool Usability in Irish Higher Education at the University of Limerick

This research study scrutinizes the perception of Artificial Intelligence (AI) utilities, particularly focusing on the student cohort at the University of Limerick, Republic of Ireland. The research aims to compile an exhaustive assortment of both affirmative and critical perspectives to construct a holistic comprehension of the students' viewpoints. Utilizing a quantitative research design that entails the distribution of survey questionnaires to a sample size of 120 students spanning multiple departments and faculties, of which 93 students responded. The survey questionnaire consists of 9 questions meticulously structured to procure insights into the students' opinions with AI utilities like Chat GPT. The findings are highlighting the strengths and shortcomings of AI tools in education and critical thinking, suggesting potential areas of enhancement. It is illuminating the interplay of hope and fear among the students in relation to the use of AI tools in their educational journey and critical thinking with learning.

Ethics and Privacy in Irish Higher Education: A Comprehensive Study of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools Implementation at University of Limerick

This research paper presents an insightful investigation into the perceptions and ethical considerations of students regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in academia, particularly focusing on the University of Limerick in Ireland. Herein, AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT have emerged as valuable assets in promoting interactive learning and enhancing student engagement. Thus, this research aimed to explore the privacy and ethical considerations students have regarding the use of AI tools in education. Using a quantitative methodological approach, the study solicited the attitudes, opinions, and patterns of students towards AI utilities. The study revealed intriguing perspectives on data privacy concerns associated with AI tools. Students from technology and science-focused schools displayed a higher degree of concern, suggesting their deeper understanding of potential privacy implications. Conversely, students from arts, humanities, and social sciences, and law politics & public administration displayed slightly lower levels of concern.

Age-related DNA damage in stallions: an ongoing investigation

Foals sired by younger stallions record significantly higher racing speeds (Sharman.et.al. Royal Society Open Science. 2022;9:220691), and more race wins than foals sired by older stallions (Brazil.et.al. Honours Dissertation. University of Limerick. 2016). We hypothesize that this may be due to an age-associated increase in sperm DNA damage, as has been demonstrated in other species. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between stallion age and sperm DNA damage. Post-coital dismount semen samples (n=75) were collected weekly from 46 commercial Thoroughbred stallions in the Hunter Valley (Australia). Samples were immediately diluted (2:1, EquiPlus:semen), and the high-density spermatozoa were isolated using EquiPure centrifugation to reduce contaminants (somatic cells and other debris). Any samples that were contaminated with urine were excluded from the study. Sperm count and motilities were recorded onsite (iSperm™), and samples were snap frozen for DNA damage analyses. Management information, including pregnancy scan results, were also collected. For this study, stallions aged ≤9 years were categorized as “young” while those aged ≥12 were categorized as “old”. Stallions between 9 and 12 years were excluded to improve the likelihood of observing an age-related difference. Mare age and fertility status were similar across both groups. All data were checked for normality (Shapiro-Wilk) and analyzed using unpaired t-tests. Sperm count and motility did not differsignificantly between age cohorts. DNA strand breaks were significantly higher in spermatozoa from older stallions compared to younger stallions (alkaline comet assay: 19.7±0.55% vs 15.4±0.57% mean tail intensity; P≤0.05, and sperm chromatin dispersion or ‘Halo’ assay; 0.48±0.045in vs 0.70±0.074in ‘halo’ area; P≤0.05, respectively). These breaks may be attributed to poor chromatin packaging, as older stallions had a concomitant deficiency of sperm protamines compared to young stallions (11.6±1.53 vs 6.9±1.07 chromomycin A3 positive cells; P≤0.05, respectively). Although younger stallions had lower levels of DNA strand breakage, they had more oxidized DNA adducts (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) assay; P≤0.05). Interestingly, regardless of age, positive correlations between the proportion of oxidized DNA adducts and fertility were observed (R2=0.269 for younger, R2=0.483 for older stallions; P≤0.05). This is likely a reflection of the increased use of oxidative phosphorylation, and subsequent ROS production, in higher fertility ejaculates (Gibb.et.al. Biology of Reproduction. 2014;91(3):77). In conclusion, while stallion sperm DNA damage rises with age, it does not appear to influence fertility outcomes. However, further research is needed to determine if age-related sperm DNA damage compromises the next generation's genome. In addition, we must identify the most vulnerable genomic loci for sperm DNA damage and determine how these DNA lesions may contribute to reduced racing performance and health in offspring.

The 19th European Conference on Applications of Surface and Interface Analysis

The 19th European Conference on Applications of Surface and Interface Analysis (ECASIA'22) was held at the University of Limerick in the Republic of Ireland from 29 May – 3 June 2022. For many this was the first face-to-face meeting since the end of the COVID 19 Pandemic and for this reason it is perhaps not surprising that numbers were somewhat lower than one would expect to see at an ECASIA Meeting. The Pandemic meant that it was not possible to run the conference in its traditional slot two years after the previous one in Dresden in 2019. However the organisers, Professor Tofail Syed and his team at the University of Limerick, ran a one-day virtual event on 18th June 2021 to ensure that ECASIA remained firmly fixed in people's minds. Bearing in mind the circumstances, the conference was well attended with well over 200 delegates. Together some 200 papers were presented including 16 plenary and keynote contributions and 130 oral presentations. The ECASIA Award was made for the fifth time, with Professor Jiro Matsuo following in the distinguished footsteps of Siegfried Hofmann (2013), Jim Castle (2015), David Castner (2017) and Aleksander Jablonski (2019). Jiro's Award Lecture was entitled “Collisions of Cluster Ions: Fundamental Phenomena and Applications” and gave a wide-ranging exposition of the development of massive gas cluster ions for use in SIMS and XPS depth profiling, along with a thorough overview of current and future applications. The traditional Wednesday afternoon excursion was to Bunratty Folk Park & Castle, which was followed in the evening by the conference dinner at the Strand Hotel in Limerick city centre. The latter featured traditional Irish music and much dancing! This Special Issue of the journal features but a small cross section of the papers presented at the Conference. These papers cover many of the topics that traditionally feature at ECASIA conferences and make them so deservedly popular. Topics that feature in this Special Issue include biomaterials, catalysis, corrosion, data analysis, depth profiling, electronics and polymers. As always it falls to us to thank the authors for responding in a timely manner to reviewers comments and, of course, to the professional manner in which all referees carried out their task so diligently. The referees are the unsung heroes of the publishing world and as our lives get busier and busier, it is gratifying that there is still such a dedicated band of individuals. So, the ECASIA Conference series moves towards its twentieth meeting. This will be held in Gothenburg Sweden during the week of 9 – 14 June 2024, with Professor Lars Nyborg as Conference Chair. More senior members of the ECASIA Community may remember the ECASIA'97 held in this city, a difficult act to follow but we know Lars and his team are up to it. See you in Gothenburg in June 2024!

Cover Feature: Potential‐Modulated Ion Distributions in the Back‐to‐Back Electrical Double Layers at a Polarised Liquid|Liquid Interface Regulate the Kinetics of Interfacial Electron Transfer (ChemElectroChem 3/2023)

The Cover Feature illustrates that saturation of the organic electrolyte anion (orange balls) in the electric double layer on the organic side of a positively polarized liquid|liquid interface is compensated by an accumulation of protons (blue balls) on the aqueous side. The latter enhances the kinetics of interfacial electron transfer between protons and organic soluble decamethylferrocene in the presence of O2, yielding H2O2 (image design by Dr Shayon Bhattacharya, University of Limerick). More information can be found in the Research Article by A. Gamero-Quijano, M. D. Scanlon and co-workers.

SLÁINTE 4C Healthier Communities: capacity, culture and collaboration for community health in education and research at the University of Limerick

RRH: Rural and Remote Health. Published article number: 8167 - SLÁINTE 4C Healthier Communities: capacity, culture and collaboration for community health in education and research at the University of Limerick

The Limerick Declaration on Rural Health Care 2022.

The 19th World Rural Health Conference, hosted in rural Ireland and the University of Limerick, with over 650 participants coming from 40 countries and an additional 1600 engaging online, has carefully considered how best rural communities can be empowered to improve their own health and the health of those around them. The conference also considered the role of national health systems and all stakeholders, in keeping with the commitments made through the Sustainable Development Goals and the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health as one of the fundamental rights of every human being. This conference declaration, the Limerick Declaration on Rural Healthcare, is designed to inform rural communities, academics and policymakers about how to achieve the goal of delivering high quality health care in rural and remote areas most effectively, with a particular focus on the Irish healthcare system. Congruent with current evidence and best international practice, the participants of the conference endorsed a series of recommendations for the creation of high quality, sustainable and cost-effective healthcare delivery for rural communities in Ireland and globally. The recommendations focused on four major themes: rural healthcare needs and delivery, rural workforce, advocacy and policy, and research for rural health care. Equal access to health care is a crucial marker of democracy. Hence, we call on all governments, policymakers, academic institutions and communities globally to commit to providing their rural dwellers with equitable access to health care that is properly resourced and fundamentally patient-centred in its design.

MODELLING MICROWAVES IN BAUXITE

AbstractSending microwaves through bauxite ore allows almost continuous measurement of moisture content during offload by conveyor belt from a ship. Data and results from a microwave analyser were brought to a European Study Group with Industry at the University of Limerick, with the over-arching question of whether the results are accurate enough. The analyser equipment uses linear regression against phase shifts and signal attenuation to infer moisture content in real time. Simple initial modelling conducted during the Study Group supports this use of linear regression for phase shift data. However, that work also revealed striking and puzzling differences between model and attenuation data.We present an improved model that allows for multiple reflections of travelling microwaves within the bauxite and in the air above it. Our new model uses four differential equations to describe how electric fields change with distance in each of four layers. By solving these equations and taking reflections into account, we can accurately predict what the receiving antenna will pick up.Our new solution provides much-improved matches to data from the microwave analyser, and indicates the deleterious effects of reflections. Modelled signal strength behaviour features a highly undesirable noninvertible dependence on bauxite mixture permittivity.Practical measures that might be expected to reduce the effects of microwave reflections and improve the accuracy of microwave analyser results are suggested based on our improved model solution. This modelling approach and these results are anticipated to extend to the analysis of moisture content during transport on conveyor belts of other ores, slurries, coal, grains and pharmaceutical powders, especially when the depth of the conveyed material is variable.

ACADEMIC EXPATRIATION INTO EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES: APPLICATION OF PERSON IN ENVIRONMENT THEORY

Academic staffs migrate from one institution to another, some within the same country while some academics migrate to foreign institutions. Academic migration to foreign institutions entails greater challenges due to various factors including different national policies, language and cultural adaptations. Based on the theoretical concept of "person-in-environment", this research focused on three factors that would appeal to foreign academics who seek engagement with universities in the European Union countries, i.e. 1) accessibility to rules of conducts at EU universities, 2) understandable languages for foreign academics, and 3) organizational units assisting with the integration of foreign academics. Thirty-one universities from countries within the EU were randomly selected for the purpose of data collection. A formal analysis was carried out on the selected university websites to assess both the presence and the extend of the three factors of this research. The findings show the existence of ethical principles in the universities’ internal rules and practical manuals available to help solve situations associated with foreign academics adaptation into the work and social environment. However the availability of such support is not adequately available in all institutions and are limited in many institutions. Comprehensive support is found in the four universities - the University of Limerick in Ireland, the University of Heidelberg in Germany, the University of Malta, and the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. The Swedish University of Linköping also has rules in place for whistleblowing, paving the way for other EU universities to emulate. The ethics of the 21st century will have to address new situations, and dilemmas in relation to migration, and different values among social, cultural, and religious backgrounds. This article provides guidelines for better integration in the working environment abroad by introducing the three factors for integration, and points out the need to shift basic standards into practice to cater for better assimilation of expats into host country environment.

Contributors to This Issue

Contributors to This Issue

Exploring the perspectives of people with stroke, caregivers and healthcare professionals on the design and delivery of a mHealth adaptive physical activity intervention: a qualitative study protocol

Background: Despite recent advances in acute stroke intervention, secondary prevention strategies are lacking. Physical activity (PA) is the second-largest predictor of stroke and a cornerstone of secondary prevention therapies. Interventions to promote PA post-stroke include components aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing participation in lifestyle PA and structured exercise. Despite guidelines to adapt PA to individuals’ needs, there is no evidence on the empirical development of adaptive PA interventions post-stroke. This study will explore patient, caregiver and multidisciplinary healthcare professional perspectives on the design and delivery of adaptive, personalised PA interventions, delivered using a smartphone application, following mild-to-moderate stroke. Findings will directly inform the protocol of an experimental trial, using a novel adaptive trial design. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study will be undertaken to inform the design, delivery and subsequent acceptability of a smartphone application to reduce sedentary behaviour and promote PA post-stroke. Data will be collected via one-to-one interviews and focus groups and analysed according to a six-step thematic analysis. Findings will be reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. One-to-one interviews and focus group interviews will be conducted with three stakeholder groups: 1) People post-stroke, who are independently mobile, without communication and cognitive deficits, living in the community, and without other diagnosed neurological conditions. 2) Caregivers (formal and informal) involved in post-stroke care. 3) Healthcare professionals who are members of multidisciplinary stroke teams. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been granted by the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee at the University of Limerick [Ref: 2019_10_03_ EHS]. Findings will be shared locally with all stakeholder groups, submitted for publication, and will inform the protocol and conduct for a novel and flexible experimental trial, examining the effectiveness of an adaptive PA intervention post-stroke.

S06 Engaging peers, parents and pupils to increase physical activity among adolescents

BackgroundRegular physical activity is associated with physiological and mental health benefits for adolescents including improved fitness and cardiometabolic health, increased muscle and bone strength and reduced risk of obesity. Despite this, globally, many adolescents (81%) fail to meet physical activity guidelines. Physical activity levels decline as children move into adolescence and through to adulthood and may affect the likelihood of developing chronic health conditions. It is recognised that parental support and friendship networks play an important role in attenuating declines in physical activity during adolescence and it is vital that we develop effective interventions to help adolescents stay active.AimThis symposium will engage policymakers, professionals, scientists and stakeholders to discuss research projects on Engaging peers, parents and pupils to increase physical activity among adolescents. The goals of this symposium are to highlight the challenges and ongoing work to address sub-optimal levels of physical activity in this population and disseminate the results of novel physical activity interventions to develop knowledge and understanding. This symposium will share experiences, learning and best practice in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), transitioning from formative research to feasibility testing and upscaling interventions and it will also allow for debate and to identify gaps and priority areas for physical activity among adolescents.Symposia presentations1. Putting young people at the heart of physical activity research design: The Walking In ScHools (WISH) Study (Professor Marie Murphy, Ulster University)This presentation will outline the importance of youth PPI and demonstrate how PPI can be embedded within research design using the WISH Study Youth Advisory Group as a case study.2. The Girls Active Project (GAP): Co-design and feasibility of an after school-based physical activity intervention (Sara McQuinn, Dublin City University)This presentation will discuss the factors influencing physical activity behaviour in adolescents, outline how using public and patient involvement (PPI) and the behaviour change wheel provided a framework for developing the Girls Active Project, and the results from our feasiblity trial.3. Supporting our lifelong engagement: mothers and teens exercising (SOLE MATES); from formative research to feasibility testing (Dr Elaine Murtagh, University of Limerick).Dr Murtagh will discuss the value of formative research in developing interventions and present findings from a novel mother-daughter multi-component physical activity programme.4. Co-production of the Move Well, Feel Good movement behaviours intervention (Stuart Fairclougt, Edge Hill University)This presentation will describe phase 1 of the Move Well, Feel Good study, which aimed to co-produce and evaluate the feasibility of a primary school physical activity intervention to improve children’s motor competence and mental health.5. The Walking In ScHools (WISH) Study: Development and evaluation of a peer-led school-based walking intervention in adolescent girls from pilot to fully-powered trial (Professor Marie Murphy, Ulster University)Professor Murphy will describe how the WISH pilot study guided the development of a full trial to evaluate the effects of a peer-led walking intervention at increasing physical activity in adolescent girls.

Notes on Contributing Authors

Michael A. Figueroa is Associate Professor of Music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He specializes in musics of the SWANA region and its diasporas, with an interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Arab diaspora in North America, and issues related to music, poetry, and multimedia. He is the author of City of Song: Music and the Making of Modern Jerusalem (Oxford University Press, 2022), and co-editor of Performing Commemoration: Musical Reenactment and the Politics of Trauma (University of Michigan Press, 2020).Morgan James Luker is Associate Professor of Music at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. He is author of The Tango Machine: Musical Culture in the Age of Expediency (University of Chicago Press, 2016) and the founding director of Tango for Musicians at Reed College (www.reed.edu/tango).Althea SullyCole is an ethnomusicologist and multi-instrumentalist from New York City. She has studied her primary instrument, the kora, a 21-stringed harp from the Mandé region of West Africa, for ten years, three of which were spent in Dakar, Senegal. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Ethnomusicology at Columbia University and the Sylvan C. and Pam Coleman Memorial Fund Fellow in the Musical Instruments Department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.Deonte L. Harris, assistant professor in the International Comparative Studies program at Duke University, holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the University of California, Los Angeles. His research interests include global Black studies, diaspora studies, critical race studies, and the anthropological study of value. These broader interests animate his current book-in-progress, which investigates the local, diasporic, and global dimensions of Caribbean carnival culture in postwar UK, and the value of carnival among Black Britons of Caribbean heritage. Harris is a past chair of the SEM Student Union (2014–2016); former member of the SEM Council and Diversity Action Committee (2017–2020); and current co-chair of the Gertrude Rivers Robinson Network of Black Ethnomusicologists (2020–2022).Katie Young is a postdoctoral research fellow based at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick. At present, she is researching experiences of music at night for Black-Irish and Afrodiaporic musicians in Cork and Galway, Ireland, as part of the Humanities in the European Research Area (HERA) NITE research project. She recently received her PhD in Music from Royal Holloway, University of London.

Experimental quality assessment of thermoplastic composite corner regions manufactured using laser-assisted tape placement

Over the past 25 years, interest in thermoplastic composites in aircraft has steadily increased. Combining winding and laser-assisted tape placement is a promising method to manufacture thermoplastic structures using in-situ consolidation, as shown recently by manufacturing a variable stiffness, unitized, integrated-stiffener thermoplastic wingbox at the University of Limerick. The corner regions are a critical point of the structure and require in-depth characterization studies, for example by unfolding L-shaped samples in a 4-point bend test. In this work, samples with radii varying from 2 to 10 mm were manufactured and tested. Two manufacturing parameters were varied: the rotational speed and acceleration of the tool. Test data show that decreasing the radius increases the corner strength, but an optimum radius exists to withstand a maximum unfolding force/moment. In addition, the slowest deposition rate with least acceleration of the head used during manufacturing lead to the highest corner strength for the same radius.

An evaluation of training using singing as a tool for community building in changing societies.

This article investigates lived experiences of participation in a training programme entitled 'Singing as a Tool for Community Building in Changing Societies', facilitated by Musicians Without Borders (MWB) and coordinated in partnership with the Health Research Institute PART-IM (Participatory and Arts-Based Methods for Involving Migrants in Health Research) research cluster at the University of Limerick. The aim of this qualitative study is to enhance understanding of participant experience regarding programme delivery, skill acquisition and community building. The research methodology uses an ethnographic framework. Data collection approaches included participant observation, author fieldnotes, individual semi-structured interviews, and an anonymous, post-training, feedback questionnaire. Thematic analysis of the data resulted in three key themes: the importance of expert facilitation; culturally aware contextualizing and conceptualizing of singing; and professional, whole-person support. These themes were cross-referenced against the research categories of delivery, skill and community building. The findings propose the importance of experienced, expert facilitators, contextualized understandings of diverse artistic traditions delivered by a culturally diverse team, and attention to the whole-person needs of both facilitators and participants. This research enhances understanding of participant experiences of arts-based training programmes in singing and the potential application of this learning for using singing as an arts-based research (ABR) method in migrant health research.

Exploring boring people and dog breeds’ behavior

Studying a stereotype All of us, at one time or another, have probably encountered someone we might describe as dull, uninteresting, and having no sense of humor—in other words, boring. But the perception that some people are boring is, ironically, an interesting subject of psychological study. A recent paper, “Boring People: Stereotype Characteristics, Interpersonal Attributions, and Social Reactions,” dug into the content of the “boring” label and what its implications might be ( Pers. Soc. Psychol. Bull. 2022, DOI: 10.1177/01461672221079104 ). “Stereotypes are impactful. People have ideas about other people and groups,” says study coauthor Eric R. Igou, head of the Psychology Department at the University of Limerick. “These ideas shape the way we relate to others, and how we relate to others creates realities for all involved.” Igou, along with Wijnand A. P. van Tilburg of the University of Essex and Mehr Panjwani of the London School of Economics

A randomised controlled trial of a Mediterranean Dietary Intervention for Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis (MEDRA): Study protocol

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis affecting 0.5–1% of the adult population worldwide. While the primary line of treatment of RA includes pharmacological therapies, people living with the condition often seek non-pharmacological therapies such as diet and exercise in an attempt to attenuate their symptoms. Established, evidence-based dietary guidelines for RA are currently lacking. The MEDRA study aims to explore the effectiveness of implementing, via telehealth, a Mediterranean type diet (MedDiet) compared to a standard healthy diet as per the Healthy Eating Guidelines (HEG) in Ireland in terms of differences in physical function and quality of life in adults with RA living in Ireland. MethodsThe MEDRA study is a parallel, randomised controlled trial delivered through telehealth methods. Forty-four eligible participants who have RA will be randomly allocated to either a MedDiet or HEG group for a 12 weeks intervention period. Primary outcome measures include changes in physical function and quality of life, both of which will be measured using validated questionnaires at baseline, six and twelve weeks. Both intervention arms will attend a total five teleconsultations with a Registered Dietitian (RD). The MedDiet intervention arm focuses on recommendations from the traditional Mediterranean diet and HEG intervention arm will use the dietary recommendations as currently advised in Ireland. DiscussionThis study will provide evidence as to whether dietary treatment of RA can improve physical function and quality of life in a small cohort of participants with RA. The results of the study will be disseminated at national scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. EthicsThis protocol has been approved by the Education and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee at the University of Limerick (2020_09_05_EHS) and by the Health Service Executive Mid-Western Regional Hospital Research Ethics Committee (REC Ref 103/19). Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04262505. Trial registration date: April 2, 2020.