Irish Universities Association

Abstract One pier and two spans of Malahide Viaduct (Dublin, Ireland) were replaced in 2009 due to bridge scour failure. The new (replaced) parts of the structure are considerable stiffer than the rest of it. An in-service passenger train, instrumented with accelerometers, collected vibration data as it crossed the repaired bridge that serves the Dublin-Belfast railway line. This paper reports on an analysis of the bogie vertical acceleration data. Vibration data collected from 41 train crossings were analysed in the time and frequency domains. Results show that there is (visual) evidence that the stiffened spans vibrate less than the rest of the bridge as the train crosses. Multiple signal responses, grouped by train velocity, add to the evidence of a stiffer section of the bridge where two spans were replaced. Moreover, the observed signals have good spatial repeatability, despite the fact that the effect of load is also acknowledged to have an impact. Overall, the results suggest that instrumented trains can be successfully used for continuous condition monitoring of the railway infrastructure and, consequently, for detecting damage or rehabilitation needs.

Abstract Accelerometers on a bridge can be used to extract dynamic properties such as mode shape which are known to be damage-sensitive. However, as bridges are often physically large, this can require a significant number of sensors. In this paper, the concept of re-deploying a small number of sensors is proposed, building up the mode shape from a series of field acceleration measurements. Frequency Domain Decomposition is used to find segments of mode shape in each measurement, using a different train as the source of excitation in each case. In numerical simulations of a simply supported beam, it is shown that a minimum of two accelerometers can be used to construct two points of a mode shape, the first mode being the one most sensitive to excitation. Mode shape amplitudes are calculated in segments which are then stitched together to obtain the global mode shape. In numerical simulations, failure of the support bearings is represented as an increase in rotational spring stiffnesses. This is shown to have a significant effect on the shape of the first mode. The concept was tested in a field trial, before and after the bridge was repaired. The measured mode shape, represented as an envelope of possible shapes, was seen to change significantly when the support system was rehabilitated, and new bearings installed.

ABSTRACTEpidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a severe genetic disorder marked by skin fragility and blistering from minimal trauma. Management relies on frequent and painful dressing changes. The EASE study (NCT03068780), the largest to date in EB, previously demonstrated accelerated wound healing and reduced wound burden for Oleogel‐S10 (birch triterpenes) versus control gel. This post hoc analysis focused on dressing change frequency and related time and cost savings among patients with daily dressing changes at baseline (Oleogel‐S10 n = 47, control gel n = 53). By Day 90, 35.6% of Oleogel‐S10 patients required fewer daily changes versus 10.6% in the control group (p = 0.005). Weekly dressing changes reduced by 1.36 ± 0.24 with Oleogel‐S10 compared to 0.41 ± 0.23 for control (difference −0.95 ± 0.33; p = 0.005). This translated to almost three fewer dressing changes every 2 weeks for Oleogel‐S10 versus nearly one change for the control gel. The estimated time saved per week was 10.7 h with Oleogel‐S10 (6.4 h patient, 4.3 h caregiver) versus 4.0 h with control (2.4 h patient, 1.6 h caregiver). Estimated dressing costs reduced by 59%, from $63.4 k to $25.9 k per patient over 27 months. Oleogel‐S10 significantly reduced dressing frequency and time burden, with potential to ease the intensive demands of EB wound care.

The Government of Ireland, through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DoFHERIS), sets the framework for the national research ecosystem. Within that ecosystem, the Research Management and Administrators (RMA) community evolved in response to changing circumstances and continues to evolve becoming a more professional and expert community. The profile of the community, admittedly based on a small sampling, is normal with a hint that females occupy the most senior roles. Most Irish research-performing organisations (RPOs) including the HE sector, College and State Research Organisations (CSRO), and the Health Service have RMA members active in The European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA). The next step in the profession's evolution in Ireland has to be the development of a single, national, and inclusive RMA network providing a representative The Emerald Handbook of Research Management and Administration Around the World, 697-705

<p>The <em>History of Life</em> film project is deeply rooted in the area of science communication, education and public engagement. Every year since 2011, NUI Galway final-year undergraduate science students taking the module <em>History of Life</em> have been tasked with researching a significant theme related to the evolution of life on Earth, and then producing a short documentary-style film on their chosen topic. The students work in small teams and have no prior training in film-making. Their finished films are uploaded to a specially created channel on YouTube, where they have amassed large viewing figures. The value of this multimodal teaching approach is that it engages all of the major learning domains. Cognitive skills are enhanced through acquisition, analysis and communication of knowledge, and practical skills are honed through deployment and use of technology. The students also develop their team-working skills and they find the overall learning experience both novel and rewarding: positively impacting on the affective domain. The strong temporal narrative which underpins palaeontology makes it well suited for film and in the ten years that the <em>History of Life</em> film project has been running, many inspiring moments have been captured by the various student teams. This presentation draws upon student feedback, along with instructor and media developer insights, to highlight key takeaways from the project and makes recommendations for optimising best practice in media-based science communication/educational initiatives.</p><p>For more information please see the following highlights compilation: https://youtu.be/0Y0RmQFb628</p>

BackgroundHealth services globally are struggling to manage the impact of COVID-19. The existing global disease burden related to opioid use is significant. Particularly challenging groups include older drug users who are more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. Increasing access to safe and effective opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and other harm reduction services during this pandemic is critical to reduce risk. In response to COVID-19, healthcare is increasingly being delivered by telephone and video consultation, and this report describes the development of a national model of remote care to eliminate waiting lists and increase access to OAT in Ireland.Purpose and findingsThe purpose of this initiative is to provide easy access to OAT by developing a model of remote assessment and ongoing care and eliminate existing national waiting lists. The Irish College of General Practitioners in conjunction with the National Health Service Executive office for Social Inclusion agreed a set of protocols to enable a system of remote consultation but still delivering OAT locally to people who use drugs.This model was targeted at OAT services with existing waiting lists due to a shortage of specialist medical staff. The model involves an initial telephone assessment with COVID-risk triage, a single-patient visit to local services to provide a point of care drug screen and complete necessary documentation and remote video assessment and ongoing management by a GP addiction specialist. A secure national electronic health link system allows for the safe and timely delivery of scripts to a designated local community pharmacy.ConclusionThe development of a remote model of healthcare delivery allows for the reduction in transmission risks associated with COVID-19, increases access to OAT, reduces waiting times and minimises barriers to services. An evaluation of this model is ongoing and will be reported once completed. Fast adaptation of OAT delivery is critical to ensure access to and continuity of service delivery and minimise risk to our staff, patients and community. Innovative models of remote healthcare delivery adapted during the COVID-19 crisis may inform and have important benefits to our health system into the future.

Expediting visa approval helps countries to attract the best researchers, says Conor O'Carroll.

It is well established that nutrition in infancy and childhood is fundamental for future health status. The objective of the study was to estimate mineral intakes and the contribution of different food groups to mineral intakes in Irish pre-school children and was based on the Nation Pre-school Nutrition Survey (2010-2011), which was carried out to establish a database of habitual food and drink consumption in a representative sample of Irish pre-school children aged 1-4 years. A 4 day weighed food record was used to collect food intake data from 500 pre-school children. Analysis of dietary intake data was carried out using WISP g (Tinuviel Software, Anglesey, UK), which is based on McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, Sixth Edition (1). and the Irish Food Composition Database (2) . For selected minerals, the mean daily intake and the percentage of individuals with intakes less than the UK estimated average requirement (EAR) (3) are reported. Under-reporters were excluded from the analysis. Minimum energy intake cut-off points (4)

This chapter takes a detailed look into the Bologna Process in Europe and reflects it against the wider global context. It first provides an overview of the complex dynamics of the process, after which it takes stock of the main reforms related to it. The chapter concludes by discussing the persisting challenges, different opportunities and alternative scenarios for the future of European higher education, reflecting also on the potential of the Bologna example to diffuse to the other parts of the world.