Digital Commons Network^™

Raman Spectroscopy In Nanomedicine: Current Status And Future Perspectives, Hugh Byrne, Mark Keating

Articles

Raman spectroscopy is a branch of vibration spectroscopy which is capable of probing the chemical composition of materials. Recent advances in Raman microscopy have added significantly to the range of applications which now extend from medical diagnostics to exploring interfaces between biological organisms and nanomaterials. In this review, Raman is introduced in a general context, highlighting some of the areas in which the technique has found success in the past, as well as some of the potential benefits it offers over other analytical modalities. The subset of Raman techniques which specifically probe the nanoscale, namely Surface Enhanced and Tip Enhanced …

Using Modelling And Simulation To Improve Elderly Care In Ireland: A Case Study, Mohamed Ragab, Wael Rashwan, Waleed Abo-Hamad, Amr Arisha

Articles

Health care services both globally and domestically - are encountering critical issues due to the increasing demand for services at the time of economic recession. Hospital performance is subject to many constraints, and planning is made more difficult by the complexity and uncertainty of demand. Population ageing is creating immense pressures on healthcare facilities across the world, leaving them struggling to cope with the growing demand for elderly healthcare services. Current demand-supply gaps result in prolonged waiting times for patients and substantial cost burdens for healthcare systems due to delayed discharges. This paper reports on a project that uses modelling …

Simulation-Based Framework To Improve Patient Experience In An Emergency Department, Waleed Abo-Hamad, Amr Arisha

Articles

The global economic crisis has a significant impact on healthcare resource provision worldwide. The management of limited healthcare resources is further challenged by the high level of uncertainty in demand, which can lead to unbalanced utilisation of the available resources and a potential deterioration of patient satisfaction in terms of longer waiting times and perceived reduced quality of services. Therefore, healthcare managers require timely and accurate tools to optimise resource utility in a complex and ever-changing patient care process. An interactive simulation-based decision support framework is presented in this paper for healthcare process improvement. Complexity and different levels of variability …

Synthesis Of Orthogonally Protected Azalanthionines (Lanazanines) By Sequential Ring-Opening Of N-Substituted Aziridine 2-Carboxylates, Keith O'Brien, Keith Ó Proinsias, Fintan Kelleher

Articles

Orthogonally protected azalanthionines (lanazanines, 4-azadiaminopimelic acids or b-aminoalaninoalanines) have been synthesised in good yields by the ring-opening of N-protected aziridine 2-carboxylates with suitably protected diaminopropanoic acids (DAPs). The required DAPs were also synthesised by ring-opening of N-protected aziridine 2-carboxylates with para-methoxybenzylamine.

Raman Micro Spectroscopy Study Of The Interaction Of Vincristine With A549 Cells Supported By Expression Analysis Of Bcl-2 Protein, Haq Nawaz, Amaya Garcia, Aidan Meade, Fiona Lyng, Hugh Byrne

Articles

Understanding the interaction of anticancer drugs with model cell lines is important to elucidate the mode of action of these drugs as well as to develop cost effective and rapid screening methods. Raman spectroscopy has been demonstrated to be a valuable technique for high throughput, noninvasive analysis. The interaction of vincristine with a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549)was investigated using Raman micro spectroscopy. The results were correlated with parallel measurements from the MTT cytotoxicity assay, which yielded an IC₅₀ value of 0.10 ± 0.03 μM. The Raman spectral data acquired from vincristine treated A549 cells was analysed to …

Silent Stories Of Resistance To Doing Employment, Sue Mulhall

Articles

Purpose – Exploring experiences of participants on an Irish active labour market programme, the purpose of this paper is to examine accounts of everyday forms of resistance to the subject positions offered in the dominant discourse of “doing employment” espoused on such schemes.

Design/methodology/approach – Employing narrative research, the process of individual opposition to established work routines is illustrated at the level of meaning, identity and self reflection by using the three-dimensional narrative inquiry space to chronicle three participants’ stories. Their newly formed subjectivities (created by changes encountered in their past lives and the situations they are experiencing in their …

Lipid Targets In Clinical Practice: Successes, Failures And Lessons To Be Learned, M Dunne, Oscar Mac Ananey, V Maher

Articles

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Optimal risk factor control is integral to managing patients with proven coronary heart disease (CHD+) and for those at risk of coronary heart disease (CHD-). The primary aim of the study was to assess the success rate of reaching lipid risk factor targets in a multiple risk factor clinic.

METHODS:

A retrospective audit was conducted in 488 patients (CHD+, n = 112; CHD-, n = 376) who attended the Cardiovascular Risk Factor Clinic at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin in 2009 and 2010.

RESULTS:

Risk factor targets achieved in CHD+ and CHD- patients were LDLc (54/62 %), HDLc (67/67 %), …

Article Navigation Wild-Type Measles Virus Infection Upregulates Poliovirus Receptor-Related 4 And Causes Apoptosis In Brain Endothelial Cells By Induction Of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Lnducing Ligand, Haniah Abdullah, Brenda B. Brankin, Clare Brady, Sara Louise Cosby

Articles

Small numbers of brain endothelial cells (BECs) are infected in children with neurologic complications of measles virus (MV) infection. This may provide a mechanism for virus entry into the central nervous system, but the mechanisms are unclear. Both in vitro culture systems and animal models are required to elucidate events in the endothelium. We compared the ability of wild-type (WT), vaccine, and rodent-adapted MV strains to infect, replicate, and induce apoptosis in human and murine brain endothelial cells (HBECs and MBECs, respectively). Mice also were infected intracerebrally. All MV stains productively infected HBECs and induced the MV receptor PVRL4. Efficient …

Grm7 Variants Associated With Age-Related Hearing Loss Based On Auditory Perception, Dina L. Newman, Laurel M. Fisher, Jeffrey Ohmen, Robert Parody, Chin-To Fong, Susan T. Frisina, Frances Mapes, David A. Eddins, Robert D. Frisina, Rick A. Friedman

Articles

Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI), or presbycusis, is a common condition of the elderly that results in significant communication difficulties in daily life. Clinically, it has been defined as a progressive loss of sensitivity to sound, starting at the high frequencies, inability to understand speech, lengthening of the minimum discernable temporal gap in sounds, and a decrease in the ability to filter out background noise. The causes of presbycusis are likely a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Previous research into the genetics of presbycusis has focused solely on hearing as measured by pure-tone thresholds. A few loci have been identified, …

Web-Based Interactive Video Vignettes Create A Personalized Active Learning Classroom For Introducing Big Ideas In Introductory Biology, Leslie Kate Wright, Dina L. Newman, Jean A. Cardinale, Robert Teese

Articles

The typical “flipped classroom” delivers lecture material in video format to students outside of class in order to make space for active learning in class. But why give students passive material at all? We are developing a set of high-quality online educational materials that promote active, hands-on science learning to aid in teaching of core concepts for introductory biology at the college level. Interactive video vignettes (IVVs) incorporate evidence based teaching strategies to address known areas of confusion for entering students. Each IVV includes a live action scenario with undergraduates investigating a biological problem with a realistic experiment that users …

Killing Them With Kindness: Examining "Consumer-Friendly" Arbitration Clauses After At&T; Mobility V. Concepcion, Myriam E. Gilles

Articles

The article focuses on the U.S. Supreme Court case AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, in which California's "Discover Bank rule" was struck by the Court under the Federal Arbitration Act, which was upheld by the California Supreme Court in the court case Discover Bank v. Superior Court. It provides information that the rule is a judge-made rule which depicts that class action waivers are unforceable in arbitration agreements if such agreements are mentioned in standard form consumer contracts.

Role Of Polymeric Excipients On Controlled Release Profile Of Glipizide From Plga And Eudragit Rs 100 Nanoparticles, Pratap Naha, Hugh Byrne, Amulya Panda

Articles

Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) 50:50 and Eudragit RS 100 nanoparticles entrapping glipizide along with excipients were prepared using single emulsion solvent evaporation method. The objective was to develop single oral dose glipizide nano particles for reducing blood sugar level in diabetes induced experimental animals. Incorporation of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) (0.5%), Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (0.5%) and Tween 20 (0.5%) in the organic phase during particle formulation improved release profile of glipizide from the polymer particles. Entrapment efficiency of glipizide in all the polymeric formulations was around ~70 %. Around 80 % of glipizide was released from both PLGA and Eudragit …

Effects Of Salinity On The Toxicity Of Ionic Silver And Ag-Pvp Nanoparticles To Tisbe Battagliai And Ceramium Tenuicorne, Ailbhe Macken, Hugh Byrne, Kevin Thomas

Articles

The toxic effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP_PVP) and ionic Ag, to Tisbe battagliai (Tb) and Ceramium tenuicorne (Ct) were investigated and the usefulness of standardised marine guidelines for ENP risk assessment were assessed. The toxicity of Ag-NP_PVP [CtEC₅₀ = 26.6 µg/L, TbEC₅₀ = 7.9 µg/L] and Ag⁺ [CtEC₅₀ = 2312.2µg/L, Tb EC₅₀ = 90.9 µg/L] to both test species differed, with the silver ENPs being more toxic. In contrast to Ag⁺ the toxicity of Ag-NP_PVP increased significantly with increasing salinity, however, after thorough characterisation it was not …

Reactive Oxygen Species Mediated Dna Damage In Human Lung Alveolar Epithelial (A549) Cells From Exposure To Non-Cytotoxic Mfi-Type Zeolite Nanoparticles, Kunal Bhattacharya, Pratap Naha, Izabela Naydenova, Svetlana Mintova, Hugh Byrne

Articles

Increasing utilization of engineered nanoparticles in the field of electronics and biomedical applications demands an assessment of risk associated with deliberate or accidental exposure. Metal based nanoparticles are potentially most important of all the nanoparticles in terms of health risks. Microporousalumino-silicates and pure silicates named as zeolites and zeo-type materials with variety of structures, chemical compositions, particle sizes and morphologies have a significant number of industrial uses such as in catalysis, sorption and ion-exchange processes. In particular, the nanosized particles due to their unique properties are used in hybrid organic-inorganic materials for photography, photonics, electronics, labeling, imaging, and sensing. The …

Immunoproteomics: The Key To Discovery Of New Vaccine Antigens Against Bacterial Respiratory Infections, Ruth Dennehy, Siobhan Mcclean

Articles

The increase in antibiotic resistance and the shortage of new antimicrobials to prevent difficult bacterial infections underlines the importance of prophylactic therapies to prevent infection by bacterial pathogens. Vaccination has reduced the incidence of many serious diseases, including respiratory bacterial infections. However, there are many pathogens for which no vaccine is available and some vaccines are not effective among all age groups or among immunocompromised individuals. Immunoproteomics is a powerful technique which has been used to identify potential vaccine candidates to protect against pathogenic bacteria. The combination of proteomics with the detection of immunoreactive antigens using serum highlights immunogenic proteins …

Quality And Nutritional Status Of Fresh-Cut Tomato As Affected By Spraying Of Delactosed Whey Permeate Compared To Industrial Washing Treatment., Lubna Ahmed, Ana Belen Martin-Diana, Daniel Rico, Catherine Barry-Ryan

Articles

The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of delactosed whey permeate 28 (DWP) treatment on preserving the quality and antioxidant attributes of fresh-cut 29 tomato. Tomatoes were treated with 3 % DWP by dipping, spraying and a 30 combination of both, stored at 4 °C for 10 days and compared with the industrial 31 standard, chlorine. The combination of dipping and spraying of DWP showed the best 32 results for all the markers tested. The combined treatment of dipping and spraying of 33 DWP significantly lowered total counts (~ 1.0 log cfu/g), yeast and moulds (~ 1.2 …

Notice-And-Comment Sentencing, Richard A. Bierschbach, Stephanos Bibas

Articles

The article argues that criminal sentencing, often perceived as a singular, justice-focused moment, is in reality a complex, fragmented process heavily influenced by prosecutorial discretion and plea bargaining. It contends that public participation, inspired by principles of administrative law, could enhance the fairness, transparency, and legitimacy of sentencing and related processes, such as charging and plea bargaining. By integrating public input and structured decision-making, the criminal justice system could better align with democratic values and address systemic disparities.

Notice-And-Comment Sentencing, Richard A. Bierschbach, Stephanos Bibas

Articles

No abstract provided.

Spectral Cross Correlation As A Supervised Approach For The Analysis Of Complex Raman Datasets: The Case Of Nanoparticles In Biological Cells, Mark Keating, Franck Bonnier, Hugh Byrne

Articles

Spectral Cross-correlation is introduced as a methodology to identify the presence and subcellular distribution of nanoparticles in cells. Raman microscopy is employed to spectroscopically image biological cells previously exposed to polystyrene nanoparticles, as a model for the study of nano-bio interactions. The limitations of previously deployed strategies of K-means clustering analysis and principal component analysis are discussed and a novel methodology of Spectral Cross Correlation Analysis is introduced and compared with the performance of Classical Least Squares Analysis, in both unsupervised and supervised modes. The previous study demonstrated the feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy to map cells and identify polystyrene …

Eight Stranded -Barrel And Related Outer Membrane Proteins: Role In Bacterial Pathogenesis., Siobhan Mcclean

Articles

Gram negative bacteria have evolved many mechanisms of attaching to and invading host epithelial and immune cells. In particular, many outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are involved in this initial interaction between the pathogen and their host. This review focuses on a number of small pore-forming OMPs that are all composed of eight-stranded b- barrel proteins and include members of the OmpA, OmpW and OmpX families of proteins. These proteins, together with the related OmpA-like peptidoglycan associated lipoproteins, are involved in interactions with host cells and are mediators of virulence. In many cases, these proteins interact with host immune cells and …

The Effect Of Genetic Background And Dose On Non-Targeted Effects Of Radiation, Sarah Irons, Virginia Sierra, Deborah Bowler, Kim Chapman, Stefania Militi, Fiona Lyng, Munira Kadhim

Articles

Purpose: This work investigates the hypothesis that genetic background plays a significant role in the signalling mechanisms underlying induction and perpetuation of genomic instability following radiation exposure.

Materials and methods: Bone marrow from two strains of mice (CBA and C57) were exposed to a range of X-ray doses (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 3 Gy). Different cellular signalling endpoints: Apoptosis, cytokine levels and calcium flux, were evaluated at 2 h, 24 h and 7 d post-irradiation to assess immediate and delayed effects.

Results: In CBA (radiosensitive) elevated apoptosis levels were observed at 24 h post X-irradiation, and …

Value Divergence In Global Intellectual Property Law, J. Janewa Osei-Tutu

Articles

It is a challenge for the United States to adequately protect the interests of its intellectual property industries. It is particularly difficult to effectively achieve this objective when the interests of the United States are not in line with the social, cultural, and economic goals of other nations. Yet, as a major exporter of intellectual property protected goods, the United States has an interest in negotiating effective international intellectual property agreements that are perceived to be legitimate by the state signatories and their constituents. Focusing on value divergence, this Article contributes to the growing body of literature on developing a …

Recommended Actions For Improved Care Transitions: Mental Ilnesses And/Or Substance Use Disorders, Chris Walker, Paul Goering, Cathy Brouwer, Kathy Knight, Karen Lloyd, Terry W. Crowson, Michael A. Trangle, Paul Davis, Jennifer Mcnertney, Sue Abderholden, Nancy Houlton, Kathy Cummings, Joann Foreman

Articles

The transition period between care settings is the most vulnerable time for patients and their caregivers. The unique vulnerabilities for patients with mental illnesses such as depression, mania, anxiety, schizophrenia and/or substance use disorders* heighten the need for coordinated transitions and aftercare. In 2010, depression was the fourth diagnosis by volume for readmissions in Minnesota according to the Potentially Preventable Readmissions data collected by the Minnesota Hospital Association.

Hyperspectral Imaging For Non-Contact Analysis Of Forensic Traces, Patrick J. Cullen, G. Edelman, T. Van Leeuwen, M. Aalders, E. Gaston

Articles

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) integrates conventional imaging and spectroscopy, to obtain both spatial and spectral information from a specimen. This technique enables investigators to analyze the chemical composition of traces and simultaneously visualize their spatial distribution. HSI offers significant potential for the detection, visualization, identification and age estimation of forensic traces. The rapid, non-destructive and non-contact features of HSI mark its suitability as an analytical tool for forensic science. This paper provides an overview of the principles, instrumentation and analytical techniques involved in hyperspectral imaging. We describe recent advances in HSI technology motivating forensic science applications, e.g. the development of portable …

The Effect Of Delactosed Whey Permeate On Phytochemical Content Of Canned Tomatoes., Lubna Ahmed, Ankit Patras, Ana Belen Martin-Diana, Daniel Rico, Catherine Barry-Ryan

Articles

The effect of delactosed whey permeate (DWP) treatment on antioxidant and phyto-chemical 26 components of canned Irish plum tomatoes were investigated. Tomatoes were sterilized for 5 27 min (F0) at 120 °C and stored for 6 months. The DWP treatment retained significantly 28 (p

Horses For Discourses?: The Transition From Oral To Broadside Narrative In “Skewball”, Seán Ó Cadhla

Articles

The well-known horse-racing ballad ‘Skewball’ (hereafter, SB) has a well-established oral tradition in Ireland, with versions documented throughout the eighteenth-,nineteenth- and twentieth-centuries. The latest is a 1979 field-recording of Derry folksinger and storyteller, Eddie Butcher (Shields 2011:58-9). The ballad was also assimilated into African-American oral tradition, in which it was reconstructed and renamed ‘Stewball’ (Scarborough 1925:61-4; Lomax 1994:68-71), and was still being documented in American folk tradition as late as the 1930s (Flanders 1939:172-4). In common with countless other folk songs, SB was appropriated by broadside printers and subsequently enjoyed widespread public appeal throughout England in the early- to …

Can Consumers Control Health-Care Costs?, Mark A. Hall, Carl E. Schneider

Articles

The ultimate aim of health care policy is good care at good prices. Managed care failed to achieve this goal through influencing providers, so health policy has turned to the only market-based option left: treating patients like consumers. Health insurance and tax policy now pressure patients to spend their own money when they select health plans, providers, and treatments. Expecting patients to choose what they need at the price they want, consumerists believe that market competition will constrain costs while optimizing quality. This classic form of consumerism is today’s health policy watchword. This article evaluates consumerism and the regulatory mechanism …

Rehabilitation, Research, And Reform: Prison Policy In Ireland, Mary Rogan

Articles

The paper tracks the concept of rehabilitation within official thinking in

Ireland since the foundation of the State. It explores when and how the term was first

used and how it has fared since. It then examines barriers to and the role of research

in the making of prison policy and comments on data deficits in the system at present.

Finally it looks at the role of interest groups within the criminal justice system in

Ireland, and specifically their effect, or potential effect, on the formation of prison

policy.

Work-Home Balance: A Management Perspective, Kathleen Farrell

Articles

Work-home balance issues have become a very important challenge for both management and employees in the 21^st century. The purpose of this paper is to examine work-home balance practices from a management perspective in the Irish hotel industry. There is a dearth of research in relation to work-home balance practices in the hotel sector. The study included a sample of all hotels including Northern Ireland. It found that the needs of the organisation are paramount with profitability considerations being the main driver of work-home practices and benefits. While the majority of managers agree that people work best when they …

Weaning Onto Solid Foods: Some Of The Challenges, Annemarie E. Bennett, Annalouise O'Connor, Nicola Canning, Alice Kenny, Edel Keaveney, Katherine Younger, Mary Flynn

Articles

Weaning - the transition from milk to solid food - influences life-long health. Dietary challenges during weaning include providing sufficient critical nutrients such as iron with minimal added sugar and fat and no added salt. This study assessed the inclusion of iron-containing red meat in infant diets before age one year, and the Irish commercial baby food environment. Of mothers with an infant under 30 months of age who were surveyed in shopping centres in Ireland (n195), 82% (n159) reported wanting more weaning information. A quarter (n24) of infants over age 12 months ( …