The Routledge Handbook of Child and Family Social Work Research

Although early intervention is now established as a strategic orientation and operational component of many Child Protection and Welfare (CPW) systems the underpinning research field is as yet diffuse and underdeveloped. In spite of the intuitive value of these approaches, policy makers and managers remain resistant to a fundamental value shift or significant investment towards early intervention. Based on a reflective account of an evaluation of an early intervention practice model in the context of Ireland’s statutory CPW system, this chapter identifies learning on undertaking rigorous evaluation research in this areas and explores the challenge of generating evidence about early intervention to serve as the basis of policy and practice change. The chapter firstly frames early intervention conceptually, inclusive of its value as an organising principle for services, its parameters, and boundaries, as well as the challenges in establishing its evidence base. We also consider its application in CPW systems responses to the needs of children and young people, and the risks they face. Because of its significance for practice, we include attention to the literature on risk and risk assessment here, with an emphasis on the challenges of evidencing risk management practices based on early intervention and prevention of harm. The second part of the chapter offers a case study based on longitudinal mixed method evaluation of ‘Meitheal’, an innovative, early intervention model, operated by Tusla, Ireland’s Child and Family Agency. Here we describe and contextualise the Meitheal, presenting a real-world examination of early intervention in practice drawing on selected findings from the research. In the third part of the chapter, we reflect on the technical issues involved in implementing the evaluation study, before continuing with consideration of the challenges in establishing an evidence base for early intervention, its place in the CPW system and challenges in sustainability

Unstable ontologies: The self-conscious fantastic of Lord Dunsany

This doctoral dissertation examines the narrative configuration of the impossible domain as manifestations of the fantastic in selected prose writings by Edward Plunkett, Lord Dunsany (1878-1957). This examination elucidates that there is a consistent presence of ontological tension, implicit or explicit, which disrupts the internal coherence coding the text as mimetic or as fantasy, thereby interrogating the instability of both domains (the possible and the impossible). The analysis conducted in this thesis demonstrates that the configuration of Dunsany’s fiction forces the reader to assess the discourses challenged by diegetic tension, thereby highlighting the erosion of truth and reality, the dissolution of nature, the construction of the other, and the non-human in modernity. This critical reappraisal disputes previous interpretations of Dunsany’s work that posit the manifestations of the impossible in his texts as fantasy, stable within its self-standing ontology; or alternatively, as the product of uncomplicated orientalism or escapism. Instead, this thesis demonstrates that Dunsany’s work exhibits a fluctuation in ontological dominance from text to text, regardless of genre, yet maintains a consistent, self-conscious ontological instability that situates it firmly within the field of the fantastic. Extended scholarly analyses of his work through the lens of its narrative configuration, leveraging theories of the fantastic and metafiction, have not been explored in a sustained critical manner heretofore. This research contributes to the fields of the fantastic and metafiction, offering a revised theorization of the fantastic. The fantastic, as posited here, is not a restrictive model based on epistemological instability or specific configurations reliant on dominance of the domain of the possible, but a mode of narration based on an ontological tension or problematization—it is an intrinsically self-conscious narrative mode in that it appeals to the reader to consider the notions of possibility, impossibility, the limits of language and the concept of the “real” itself. My approach critically repositions Dunsany more firmly within the modern Irish literary canon, challenging the frequent reception of his work as an isolated phenomenon. I also advance the conceptualization of the fantastic as a narrative mode within the field of Irish Studies, the significance of which necessitates further theoretical concretization, investigating it as transgressive and destabilizing to established discourses and paradigms of reality and possibility

My Life, My Choice: A critical analysis of whether persons with high support needs living in Ireland can live an independent life within their communities

[No abstract available

Assessment and optimization of co-digestion of grass silage and animal slurry

Pasture-based beef systems can provide cattle slurry and grass silage for anaerobic digestion (AD). However, there are still considerable gaps in the full-scale anaerobic co-digestion of these feedstocks, particularly the capacity to predict AD performance under a range of grass silage and cattle slurry characteristics, and how AD can be integrated into livestock farming. The objectives of this PhD research included: (1) application of the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) to simulate the full-scale co-digestion of grass silage and cattle slurry, and determination of the most influential parameters; (2) assessment of the performance of simplified ADM1 and two machine learning algorithms in simulating biogas and methane production from a full-scale AD plant co-digesting different agricultural feedstocks; and (3) assessment of the integration of AD into a livestock farming system in terms of feedstock provision, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), digestate management and economic viability. Results indicated that a simplified version of the ADM1 was able to accurately depict the biogas and methane production as well as general trends of pH and ammonium nitrogen from a full-scale AD plant co-digesting grass silage and cattle slurry. Results from substrate composition variability indicated that the variations in crude carbohydrates, proteins and lipids concentrations did not significantly affect biogas and methane yields across the data sets analyzed. In contrast, carbohydrate degradability emerged as the most significant parameter in explaining the variability in biogas and methane production. For a full-scale AD plant co-digesting various agricultural feedstocks, a simplified ADM1 model (ADM1-R3) and two machine learning (ML) algorithms, random forest (RF) and long short-term memory (LSTM), demonstrated high accuracy in simulating biogas and methane production. Unlike ADM1, which required detailed feedstock characterization, the ML algorithms achieved comparable performance using only fresh feedstock quantities and volatile solids (VS) as inputs. LSTM exhibited the highest computational demand, with simulation times 141 times longer than ADM1-R3 and 11 times higher than RF. Among the tested input variables, maize silage (fresh quantity and volatile solids) was identified as the most influential feature in the ML models.Teagasc Walsh Scholars Programm

Software as a medical device: A scoping review of challenges in the European regulatory context and how they can be addressed with the biodesign innovation process

A Research Master's Thesis submitted to the University of Galway for the award of a Master's of Science in BioInnovation.Abstract Background: Software as a medical device (SaMD) and embedded software with SaMD-like functionality are increasingly being used in healthcare settings. This is facilitated by the rapid advancements in technology over the last decade, with innovations such as Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing driving the agenda. SaMD operates independently on general-purpose computing platforms and is used for diagnosing, treating and monitoring medical conditions, or as a decision support tool by clinicians. However, the integration of SaMD devices into healthcare settings often faces challenges, especially within the European Union’s regulatory frameworks, such as the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR). Methods: This study employed two complementary review methodologies to explore the challenges associated with the development, regulation, and integration of SaMD in Europe. A narrative literature review provided a synthesis of existing knowledge on SaMD, focusing on its definition, evolution, and the overarching challenges it faces. It also aimed at outlining key themes under which these challenges would be classified in the subsequent scoping review. A scoping review was then conducted, guided by the Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. A systematic search was conducted in July 2022 for the period January 2013 to July 2024. I systematically examined peer-reviewed literature published over the last decade, to identify specific challenges related to SaMD development, deployment and adoption. Challenges were categorised into regulatory, technical, clinical, market, and ethical-legal domains. Results: The search yielded 169 papers, with 28 meeting the inclusion criteria. The findings highlighted significant challenges across all the domains. Regulatory barriers arose from stringent regulatory requirements that may not align with the evolving nature of software innovations. Technical challenges faced by SaMD developers included challenges of ensuring data quality, model validation, and achieving interoperability with existing healthcare systems. Clinically, the major challenges lay in integrating SaMD innovations without disrupting existing workflows and patient care. There was also a need for a high degree of accuracy and reliability of these algorithms, to justify their adoption. Market challenges were a result of the high costs and complexities of navigating regulatory approval and the market entry process. Ethical and legal challenges focussed on issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias and accountability for AI decisions. Recommendations and Conclusion: A wide variety of challenges are faced by researchers and companies developing and marketing SaMD devices. The Biodesign Innovation Framework provides a structured needs-driven approach to addressing some of the challenges faced in developing and integrating software-based innovations into healthcare. It promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, iterative development and early stakeholder engagement. By engaging with developers within this framework, regulators can better align rules and guidelines with technological advancements. Through the same process developers can improve clinical integration strategies and stakeholders can work together to comprehensively address ethico-legal concerns through a holistic approach. Future research should focus on repeated cross-sectional studies to evaluate the impact of evolving regulations. This will help to expand stakeholder engagement to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of digital healthcare solutions. This approach will help to bridge gaps in the medical device innovation lifecycle, ensuring that SaMD technologies are safe and widely accepted by all stakeholders

Investigation of pathogenic and toxigenic vibrio in Irish aquaculture

In recent years marine waters have warmed, causing more favourable environments for Vibrio species. With climate change, the distribution of Vibrio marine pathogens is expected to expand leading to an increase in pathogenic and toxigenic Vibrio throughout Europe posing a greater threat to human health and aquaculture. Vibrio vulnificus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae are causative agents of gastroenteritis in humans. Furthermore, opportunistic Vibrio species such as V. alginolyticus have been implicated in rising human and aquaculture infection. Reports on the presence of Vibrio species in Irish waters is sparse. V. parahaemolyticus is largely connected with seefood associated gastroenteristis. Genomics revealed the presence of Type III Secretion System 2 (T3SS2) complexes and an array of pathogenic genes responsible for host colonisation and infections. This study uses a combination of culture, molecular and genomic methods to explore the occurrence, phylogeny and pathogenicity of the dominant Vibrio community. Shellfish, water and sediment samples were sourced from 5 prominent aquaculture sites located at the north and west of Ireland over a minimum of 12-month to provide a view on the naturally present and potentially pathogenic Vibrio. From this study, a diverse Vibrio community was identified at prominent coastal Irish aquaculture sites. The pathogen V parahaemolyticus along with a number of Vibrio species; Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio diabolicus, Vibrio jasicida, Vibrio metschnikovii and Vibrio proteolyticus were detected over the course of the study. The dominant Vibrio species detected from Irish oysters and mussels was V. diabolicus and opportunistic pathogen V. alginolyticus. Molecular and genomic analysis of Vibrio genomes identified the presence of potentially pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus and V. diabolicus isolates. The presence of V. diabolicus isolates containing the Type III Secretion System 2β (T3SS2β) with high homology to the virulent T3SS2β V. parahaemolyticus was observed through genomic comparison of whole genome sequenced isolates. Furthermore, potential for antimicrobial resistance and biosynthetic potential was uncovered using a genome mining approach. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin demonstrating a wider distribution throughout European waters. The biosynthesis of TTX in Vibrio remains complex and unclear. This study set out to provide a comparative whole genome sequencing approach to investigate possible TTX producing Vibrio genes. This study provides a comprehensive review on the bacterial biosynthesis of tetrodotoxin with a focus on determining a molecular target. Immunological and UPLC-MS methods were explored to provide analysis on the toxigenic potential of Irish Vibrio and Shewanella with the aim of gaining insight into the TTX producing capabilities of Irish bacterial isolate

Collagen scaffolds with controlled topography and stiffness and mechanical stimulation direct tissue-specific cell phenotype for tendon regeneration

Tendon and ligament injuries represent a major global cause of disability, frequently requiring surgical intervention to restore function. While tissue grafts remain the clinical gold standard for tendon augmentation, their use is constrained by risks of disease transmission and suboptimal tissue integration. Emerging tissue engineering strategies aim to overcome these limitations through the ex vivo development of tendon substitutes using biomaterial scaffolds and targeted microenvironmental cues; however, further refinement is required to achieve functional regeneration. Collagen type I, the principal structural component of tendons, holds great potential as a scaffold biomaterial, yet its adoption is hindered by sourcing and processing concerns. On the one hand, traditional sources such as bovine and porcine tissues raise concerns related to zoonosis risks and ethical acceptability. On the other hand, collagen manipulation complexity has traditionally limited the architectural and mechanical properties of collagen scaffolds. In this study, we hypothesised that an appropriate collagen type I scaffold with defined architectural and mechanical properties can maintain the phenotype of human tendon cells and induce the deposition of organised tendon-specific ECM in vitro. In the first phase of this study, collagen type I was extracted from caprine skin, digital flexor and digital extensor tendons and compared to that extracted from bovine and porcine Achilles tendons. Biochemical analysis confirmed that caprine collagen type I purity was on pair with that of traditional sources. Subsequently, collagen was either non-crosslinked or crosslinked with 4-arm succinimidyl glutarate and processed into films. Caprine scaffolds displayed macroscopic and microscopic features, including fibril diameter ranges, similar to their bovine and porcine counterparts regardless of the tissue source. Mechanical characterisation revealed that caprine scaffolds were intrinsically stiffer and less susceptible to modulus increases upon crosslinking, suggesting underlying species-specific biochemical differences. With respect to cytocompatibility, caprine tendon-derived scaffolds supported the attachment, proliferation and metabolic activity of fibroblast and macrophages at levels consistent with those observed on bovine and porcine scaffolds. Notably, caprine skin-derived collagen enhanced both fibroblast and macrophage attachment relative to tendon-derived collagen from all species, pointing to tissue-specific functional differences. Immunogenicity analysis revealed all caprine scaffolds induced lower pro-inflammatory responses than Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides on tissue culture plastic and elicited responses comparable to traditional collagen scaffolds. Minor increases in tumour necrosis factor alpha expression were observed in crosslinked groups, likely reflecting the influence of increased surface stiffness on macrophage behaviour rather than a direct effect of the crosslinker agent, as this was not observed in the indirect cultures. Collectively, these results underscore the potential of caprine tissues as an alternative source of collagen type I for the fabrication of medical devices. In the second phase of this study, collagen scaffolds featuring either planar or grooved (2 x 2 x 2 μm) surface topographies and tuneable mechanical properties were fabricated using soft lithography and chemical crosslinking with different concentrations of succinimidyl glutarate (0.5 mM, 1.0 mM and 1.5 mM). Surface characterisation confirmed the presence of well-defined surface grooves, particularly in crosslinked scaffolds. The crosslinking agent reduced scaffold free amine content and increased Young’s modulus, indicating the formation of covalent bonds. In addition, micro-indentation measurements revealed a concentration-dependent increase in surface stiffness. In vitro experiments using human tendon cells demonstrate that grooved topographies promoted anisotropic cell and extracellular matrix alignment, especially in crosslinked scaffolds, highlighting the importance of collagen crosslinking for pattern stability. Crosslinking also exerted a dose-dependent effect on cell phenotype, with the highest concentration reducing cell proliferation, the lowest concentration inducing the broadest tendon-marker upregulation and all tested concentrations inducing higher tenascin C deposition than the non-crosslinked counterparts, a phenomenon we attributed to crosslinker-mediated surface smoothening and scaffold stiffening, respectively. Scaffolds crosslinked with the lowest crosslinker concentration and subjected to different tensional regimes (no tension, static tension and cyclic tension) showed that, within the parameters utilised in this study (frequency, strain and rest interval), static tension resulted in higher cell proliferation, enhanced cell and extracellular alignment and increased tendon marker upregulation compared to cyclic stimulation in planar, grooved, and both planar and grooved scaffolds, respectively. Collectively, this study advocates the use of combined biophysical cues to maintain physiological cell function. In conclusion, our findings underscore the viability of caprine tissue as a source of collagen type I for the manufacturing of collagen devices and demonstrate that precise modulation of collagen scaffold architecture and mechanical properties directly influences the maintenance of a tendon cell phenotype in vitro. Together, these insights offer a foundation for the design of collagen-based functional tendon substitutes

Artificial intelligence as an enabler of agri-food supply chain resilience

Supply chain organisations have endured increasing levels of pressure in recent years due to unprecedented levels of uncertainty. These issues are exacerbated for agri-food supply chain (AFSC) organisations, as they are faced with meeting demanding food production targets (United Nations, 2022), while combating issues such as limited farmland, reduction of natural resources, and climate change (Spanaki et al., 2021). While disruptions are costly for all supply chain organisations due to the perishable nature of agri-food products, disruptions pose a significant concern for AFSC organisations as disruptive events cause products to edge closer to expiry, adding to unintentional food loss and cost of production. Hence, developing the capability to minimise the impact of disruptive events is crucial for AFSC organisations. Therefore, this doctoral research aims to examine the potential of AI as an enabler of AFSC resilience. Five research questions were outlined to achieve this overarching research objective, which was achieved through four studies. Study 1A conducts a systematic literature review focussing on understanding the applications, challenges, and benefits of AI in supply chain research. AI and supply chain research is largely fragmented into streams based on different types of AI technologies across several supply chain contexts and through varying disciplinary perspectives. Study 1A is the first review to synthesise this fragmented body of knowledge, giving direction to both researchers and practitioners. Study 1B is a practitioner-focused paper that combines the outputs of Study 1A, in addition to data collected from 147 AFSC respondents, to provide an insight into the view of AFSC practitioners on AI applications. Study 1B extends the findings of Study 1A, giving this research a strong understanding from both literature and industry on AI's applications, challenges, and benefits in the AFSC industry. Collectively, this provides a foundation to guide the remainder of the studies conducted in this doctoral research. In Study 2, this research provides empirical evidence on AI and SCR. Drawing on organisational information processing theory, this research provides a novel perspective to understanding how AFSCs can deploy AI-based information processing, utilising organisational mindfulness (OMIN) and organisational flexibility (OLFEX) to build resilient supply chains. Furthermore, Study 3 extends the research model proposed in Study 2 by drawing on dynamic capability theory to empirically test AI assimilation as an enabler of SCR under the moderating effect of environmental dynamism. pg. 9 Collectively, these studies make specific and distinguishing contributions to AI and supply chain research and practice. Study 1A contributes to the accumulative building of knowledge by extending theoretical discourse about the specificities of AI for prescriptive analytics to enable SCR. Study 2 is among the first empirical studies to draw on organisational information processing theory to examine AI-based information processing for developing AFSC resilience as well as the mediation effects of OFLEX and OMIN on this relationship; therefore, addressing the lack of theoretical development and understanding how AI-enabled information processing affects SCR (Belhadi et al., 2021), particularly in the context of AFSCs. Moreover, Study 3 is among the first to draw on dynamic capability theory to examine the impact of AI assimilation on SCR as well as the mediation effects of OMIN and OLFEX on this relationship. This is a considerable contribution to AI literature, as it provides a theoretical basis and empirical evidence of the importance of organisational competencies for leveraging AI technologies to improve SCR. In terms of practical implications, this research helps decision-makers gain a better understanding of AI and its applications, specifically, how AI can be leveraged to develop SCR. Study 1A proposed a strategic AI resilience framework to support supply chain decision- makers and enhance the use and value of prescriptive analytics as an enabler to developing a resilient supply chain. Studies 2 and 3 demonstrate the important role of OMIN and OFLEX for AFSC managers seeking to use AI technologies to develop SCR. This implies that the employment of AI technologies to promote SCR requires managers to adopt the principles and practices of OMIN and OFLEX. Besides illustrating the importance of developing resilience for performing successfully in the turbulent environment that AFSCs operate in, this research also demonstrates that developing resilience can enhance AFSC performance and be a source of competitive advantage, giving further reasoning to AFSC managers to develop SCR

Evaluation of the environmental performance of novel anaerobic digestion biorefineries for the development of a sustainable circular bioeconomy in Ireland

The circular bioeconomy (CBE) is a novel paradigm that seeks the integration of circularity principles into the life cycle of renewable biological resources, to help keep humanity within safe operating conditions, respecting planetary boundaries. This doctoral thesis advances state-of-the-art environmental evaluation of anaerobic digestion (AD) biorefineries as core technological platforms for the development of a CBE. The work comprises a series of distinct yet related studies. Initially, a critical evaluation of 76 peer-reviewed studies on environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) of biorefineries was conducted to establish the state-of-the-art. Inconsistent approaches to model biogenic emissions, digestate management, and product substitution (i.e., avoiding production of equivalent products in other systems) were major methodological challenges. To overcome these limitations, a novel, comprehensive, and open-access LCI model, LCAD 2.0, was developed and applied. First, a systematic evaluation of 150 prospective AD-biorefinery configurations using cattle manure, food waste, and grass elucidated critical factors defining environmental performance and nutrient circularity, inter alia: type of feedstock, energy substitution potential, fugitive methane emissions, emissions during digestate application, and the application of carbon capture technologies. AD-biorefinery systems using organic waste as feedstocks, in particular those with high methane yield, such as food waste - offer the strongest potential for environmental mitigation, especially when considering avoided impacts from counterfactual waste management. Then, an integrated techno-economic and environmental assessment of a biomethane plant processing food waste at industrial scale in Ireland was undertaken. This revealed significant economic challenges linked to high volatility and market fluctuations after disruptive events such as the war in Ukraine and COVID-19. The calculated levelised cost of energy was 2.9 times higher than values previously defined in 2019 and 1.6 times the benchmark established in the National Biomethane Strategy, making policy incentives crucial for financial viability. On the other hand, although environmental mitigation potential is possible, with climate mitigation up to 222 kgCO2-eq/tonne of food waste digested, this mitigation potential is contingent upon the type of energy used in the plant, proper control of biogenic emissions, and efficient digestate application according to the calendar defined by the Nitrates Directive. Finally, six novel biorefinery configurations producing biofuel, biofertilisers, platform chemicals, and elemental carbon were assessed for environmental performance. All six evaluated configurations achieved environmental mitigation potential, with maximum climate mitigation between 340 and 542 kgCO2-eq/tonne food waste, though simpler configurations generally outperformed more complex ones due to energy-intensive purification and chemical consumption. This research contributes to the body of knowledge on AD-biorefinery sustainability, by applying comprehensive expanded boundary LCA to novel AD-biorefinery configurations. It presents LCA practitioners and researchers with a new tool to overcome methodological challenges linked to data collection, advancing robust environmental evaluation of prospective biorefineries needed to power the CBE

N-terminal protein recognition by supramolecular synthons

This research investigate the biomolecular recognition capabilities of WPCTX, an anionic phosphocavitand. Cocrystallization trials of WPCTX and two different model proteins were performed. X-ray crystallography was used to elucidate the structures of the resulting crystals. NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize the protein – macrocycle interactions in solution. WPCTX bound arginine residues in lysozyme in a trigonal cocrystal form. Three related cocrystal forms of RSL – WPCTX revealed N-terminal binding across a variety of crystallization conditions. MK-RSL, a mutant of RSL containing an extended N-terminus with a Met-Lys motif showed further N-terminal binding with WPCTX. The macrocycle in RSL and MK-RSL cocrystals, formed clusters that mediated protein assembly. These results identify a synthetic ligand capable of N-terminal recognition as well as self-assembly (cluster formation) furthering our knowledge as to how supramolecular synthons may aid protein assembly