Enhancing BMP and digestibility of DAF sludge via hydrodynamic cavitation

This study addresses fats, oils, and grease bioconversion challenges in dissolved air floatation (DAF) sludge from dairy processing waste streams. A hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) based pre-treatment method was developed for enhanced anaerobic digestion of DAF sludge. Bench-scale pre-treatment experiments were carried out using a vortex-based HC device at 20 L/min and 250 kPa pressure drop. Influence of severity of the pre-treatment (number of passes through HC device) and substrate concentration on biomethane potential (BMP) was quantified. The study revealed that soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) increases with number of passes (34 % after 80 passes). Higher sludge concentration was found to increase the lag time observed in the BMP data. It was possible to tolerate 3 % VS sludge. The pre-treatment showed a notable increase in BMP, exceeding 82 % of theoretical BMP, with VS removal surpassing 73 %. The highest methane yield achieved was 756 mL/gVS of sludge. The net energy gain (after subtracting energy required for pre-treatment) was found to be more than 100 kWh/ton of sludge. The developed pre-treatment process and presented results provide a basis for the effective valorisation of DAF sludge, promoting a circular economy approach.</p

Linguistic domination: a republican approach to linguistic justice

Linguistic justice is about institutions distributing material and symbolic resources fairly when they are faced with linguistic diversity. However, no theory of linguistic justice has developed a systematic and comprehensive account of the moral dilemmas that take place in interpersonal linguistic relationships, in particular the power dynamics leading to (linguistic) domination. The aim of this paper is to start building a general theory of linguistic domination, one that offers new conceptual tools for both empirical and normative analyses of linguistically diverse societies. Using the republican tradition of thought, I argue that there is linguistic domination whenever someone is subject to the uncontrolled capacity for interference over their linguistic uses, ideology and acquisition by another agent. This article tests under what conditions this phenomenon takes place and the parties involved in it (both in terms of individuals and political institutions).</p

Examining interlanguage pragmatics from a relevance-theoretic perspective: Challenges in L2 production

This paper explores three pragmatic challenges that learners of Japanese as L2 encountered during their study abroad programs and work placements in Japan. These challenges are examined within the framework of Relevance Theory. Research on interlanguage pragmatics of L2 Japanese is limited in scope, as studies mostly focus on speech acts and other sociolinguistic and interactional strategies. As a result, researchers have yet to formally establish how learners of Japanese have difficulties in regard to their production of meaning. This study draws on open-ended questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to determine the pragmatic competence of L2 students across two Irish universities. The study demonstrates that learners have difficulties with processing both linguistic encoding and phenomena that involve inference. That is, learners’ inability to activate their pragmatic competence hinders their ability to produce communicative acts. Findings lend support to the need to enhance pragmatic competence among L2 learners through specific cognitive processes. This paper also contributes to the need for interlanguage pragmatics to be pursued in conjunction with current developments in Relevance Theory. It is argued that ideas developed within Relevance Theory can be particularly beneficial to the teaching and learning of pragmatic competence in the L2 classroom.</p

Metabolic syndrome and its association with physical activity in Sudanese early adolescents – Khartoum state, Sudan An observational study

The growing prevalence of overweight/obesity in adolescents highlights the significance of studying metabolic syndrome (MetS) in increasingly sedentary adolescents. To date, no study in Sudan has examined the association between MetS and physical activity (PA) among adolescents. This study aimed to assess the association between MetS and its components and PA among Sudanese early adolescents. A cross-sectional assessment was conducted from to 2018 to 2019 on a sample of 921 primary school students from Khartoum State, Republic of Sudan. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria and a standardized questionnaire was used to assess PA. Metabolic equivalents of task were calculated, and levels of different intensities of PA (tertiles) were identified accordingly. The association between PA and MetS and its components was assessed using a logistic regression model. The participants comprised 388 boys and 533 girls with a mean age of 12.59 ± 1.21 years. The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in subjects in the 1st PA tertile (least active) than in the 2nd and 3rd (most active) tertiles of PA, and this difference was observed in both boys and girls. After adjusting for other study factors, the odds of MetS among adolescents in the 1st PA tertile were 7 times higher than those in the highest PA tertile (adjusted odds ratio = 7.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.48, 32.99). A physically inactive lifestyle was associated with higher odds of MetS and its components, especially waist circumference and triglyceride levels, in Sudanese early adolescents. This study highlights the importance of promoting PA in this age group.</p

Current state of practice in developing lean six sigma Training and certification programs -an Irish perspective

The study aims to review how Lean Six Sigma training and certification programs are conducted in organisations to develop employee competence and advance the programs. The types of training and certification programmes, the approach to development, the critical factors for success and failure, and barriers to development were all investigated. A quantitative survey was conducted with Operational Excellence professionals from various Irish manufacturing industry sectors who had Lean Six Sigma programs. It was found external accreditations of LSS expertise were more prevalent than internal certifications in Irish organisations, and many organisations encouraged completing of continuous improvement projects with valid financial savings before individuals were certified. As well as this, a lack of management support, not setting aside time for the individuals to complete the training, and a lack of recognition and reward for completing training and projects were deemed critical failure factors. The findings from this study can be used to develop a best-practice Lean Six Sigma training and certification program that is open to all employees and is externally accredited. This paper is one of few studies that expose the current practice for designing a Lean Six Sigma training and certification programme in industry.</p

Guideline-based exercise management for hip and knee osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional comparison of healthcare professional and patient beliefs in Ireland

Objectives To identify within-stakeholder agreement and between-stakeholder differences in beliefs regarding exercise for osteoarthritis among general practitioners (GPs), physiotherapists (PTs) and people with hip and knee osteoarthritis (PwOA). A secondary objective was to explore the association between referral patterns and beliefs of PwOA. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Online surveys administered to GPs, PTs and PwOA in Ireland via social media and healthcare networks. Participants 421 valid responses (n=161 GPs, n=163 PTs, n=97 PwOA). Primary and secondary outcome measures Nine belief statements related to exercise effectiveness, safety and delivery were rated on a 5-point Likert scale and analysed for within-stakeholder consensus. χ2 tests assessed differences in agreement between groups. Multivariable linear regression models tested associations between beliefs in PwOA and referral to/attendance at physiotherapy. Results Positive within-stakeholder consensus (>75% agreement) was reached for most statements (7/9 GPs, 6/9 PTs, 5/9 PwOA). However, beliefs of PwOA were significantly less positive compared with healthcare professionals for six statements. All stakeholders disagreed that exercise is effective regardless of the level of pain. Attendance at physiotherapy (49% of PwOA), rather than referral to physiotherapy from a GP only, was associated with positive exercise beliefs for PwOA (β=0.287 (95% CI 0.299 to 1.821)). Conclusions Beliefs about exercise therapy for osteoarthritis are predominantly positive across all stakeholders, although less positive in PwOA. PwOA are more likely to have positive beliefs if they have seen a PT for their osteoarthritis. Knowledge translation should highlight the effectiveness of exercise for all levels of pain and osteoarthritis disease</p

AI-driven real-time failure detection in additive manufacturing

The optimisation of 3D printing parameters for manufacturing biomedical devices is an emerging interdisciplinary field that incorporates artificial intelligence techniques such as machine learning and deep learning. In this particular study, the focus is on the fabrication of biocompatible finger splints using digital light processing 3D printing technology, followed by UV curing, to evaluate their quality. By leveraging vibration data from printers, which cannot be captured through visual inspection of layer defects, this study aims to develop a predictive model for assessing the failures of printed parts. Here, a closed-loop detection system is proposed to identify failure phenomena in 3D resin printing, combining both cloud and edge computing technologies to effectively detect and address potential failures in the printing process.</p

Winterreise: winter journey

IN OCTOBER 1827 the 30-year-old Franz Schubert finished his cycle of twenty-four songs, Winterreise (Winter Journey), based on the poems of Wilhelm Müller. Just over a year later he was dead possibly from tertiary syphilis.1 Just over a year after that another man, who had probably never heard of Schubert or his music undertook another winter journey, this time in Ireland. Amhlaoibh Ó Súilleabháin’s mission was to get himself a second wife and to that end he travelled on horseback from Callan to Waterford in mid-winter 1829.</p

Compression characteristics and fractography of in-situ polymerisable thermoplastic and bio-epoxy based non-crimp carbon and glass fiber composites

This experimental work involves characterization and fractography of a bio-based epoxy and an in-situ polymerisable thermoplastic polymer matrix based non-crimp glass and carbon fiber composites under compressive loading. The laminates are characterized under compression loading using a combined loading compression (CLC) fixture. Laminates made using the thermoplastic matrix exhibit higher compressive strength (approx. 20% along fiber direction) compared to the bio-epoxy based laminates. Further, both composites exhibit comparable compressive modulus characteristics. The tested composites are subjected to fractography analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Computed tomography (CT). SEM results indicate a difference in fiber-matrix interface characteristics between the thermoplastic matrix and the bioepoxy matrix. Additionally, the CT scans reveal a difference in failure modes due to fiber orientations. A difference between failure mode of the exterior and interior plies of the specimens was also noticed. However, no specific influence of matrix type was observed on the overall macroscopic failure behavior. Highlights • Bio-epoxy and thermoplastic based laminates were characterized in compression. • Post-test fractography was performed using SEM and x-ray CT scans. • Use of thermoplastic matrix exhibits better fiber-matrix adhesion compared to bio-epoxy. • Both laminates performed well in compression under laboratory test conditions.</p

The influence of temperature and placement rate on wound laminated carbon fibre/PEEK hoop specimens manufactured by in-situ consolidated LATP

The effect of laser-assisted automated tape placement (LATP) in-situ consolidation processing parameters on mechanical properties of manufactured laminates is an important consideration. In this study, a combination of placement rates and processing temperatures were assessed to determine their effects on wound laminated hoops for two carbon fibre (CF)/PEEK material systems, one with sized fibres and one without. It was found that these CF/PEEK material systems, while manufactured with the same LATP processing parameters, have different maximum interlaminar shear strengths, void growth characteristics and crystallinity levels. The results indicate that the placement rate has a statistically significant influence on the interlaminar shear strength and sample thickness. It was observed that there is a notable interaction between placement rate and processing temperature for the unsized fibre CF/PEEK system.</p