Progress on Integrating Quantum Communications in Optical Systems Testbeds

Experimental methods are being developed to enable quantum communication systems research in testbeds. We describe testbed architectures for emerging quantum technologies and how they can integrate with existing fibre optical testbeds, specifically OpenIreland

Pushing Boundaries through Borderless Education- The Power of Internationalisation at Home : Preparing for the Changing Context of Higher Education in Ireland

This poster aims to captivate a broader audience and shed light on a ground-breaking research project focused on the untapped potential of Internationalisation at Home (IaH). It explores how this innovative approach pushes the boundaries of conventional learning methods. The poster effectively utilises an 'IaH funnel' as a compelling visual metaphor to depict the research project's journey and its intended outcomes. The funnel illustrates the transformative process of integrating internationalisation into the curriculum, thereby enriching the learning experience. The impact section of the poster showcases a cup with a globe depicted as a tea bag, symbolising the infusion of internationalisation into the Irish Higher Education system. This imagery effectively conveys the positive effects and benefits that arise from embracing IaH. By disseminating the significance of IaH through this thought-provoking poster, the research team endeavors to raise awareness about the potential of borderless education and inspire a wider audience to explore new horizons in education

Development of DNA-Based Methodologies for the Identification of Mosquitoes and Insect Diversity in Ireland

Ecosystem services provided by insects include soil aeration, plant pollination and pest control. Insects also pose concern, particularly vectors for disease, such as some of the 3500 mosquitoes that occur worldwide. Across Europe, cases of mosquito borne diseases have been recorded and are associated with anthropogenic changes. Mosquito monitoring is vital to create informed mitigation measures in advance of potential disease outbreaks. Morphological identification of mosquito larvae and adults requires a high level of expertise and is susceptible to error. Here, we demonstrate the application of DNA technology to identify mosquitoes from larvae, adults and indirectly from the diet of bats using a combination of DNA-based techniques including Sanger sequencing, DNA metabarcoding and real-time PCR (qPCR). Sanger sequencing facilitated the identification of previously unrecorded mosquito species in Ireland (Culex torrentium and Culex quinquefasciatus). Using DNA metabarcoding on bat faecal pellets a highly diverse diet was revealed and allowed for the identification of four mosquito species, including Culex quinquefasciatus again. Finally, species-specific qPCR assays were designed and optimised and allowed for the rapid detection of mosquitoes from bat faecal DNA. The combination of these molecular techniques have facilitated the identification of mosquito species occurring in Ireland via direct and indirect approaches and have allowed for updates to the Irish mosquito and overall arthropod diversity checklists to be made

An exploration of knowledge articulation in teams within project-based organisations

Articulation is considered central in the conversion of tacit to explicit knowledge during knowledge sharing. However, existing literature provides limited insights into how knowledge articulation takes place and the types of mechanisms used to help convert tacit into explicit knowledge. This Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) study explores knowledge sharing and articulation in project teams in a Project-Based Organisation (PBO). It aims to understand the articulation process, focusing on the mechanisms used during the articulation process. This study is exploratory and seeks to understand the research aim through the lens of the externalisation mode of Nonaka’s (1994) knowledge creation theory. The research design employed is qualitative: 26 interviewees were conducted with project team members and documentation relevant to the organisational context and knowledge sharing were reviewed. The study finds that the context surrounding how explicit knowledge is shared is different from how tacit knowledge is shared. Explicit knowledge sharing takes place within formal structures implemented by upper management. Tacit knowledge sharing takes place informally and occurs naturally and frequently, among the team members. There was evidence that knowledge articulation is influenced by the willingness of the team members to articulate their knowledge to other team members. It was also found that team members use articulation mechanisms which are most convenient to them, at that point in time, rather that the most appropriate mechanisms, to articulate their personal tacit knowledge to other team members. Synthesising the findings two frameworks are developed illustrating the context surrounding the sharing of tacit and explicit and more importantly the nuances of the knowledge articulation process in project teams

Envisioning a Dream University : from the Lens of Internationalisation at Home (IaH)

In Irish third-level education, less than four per cent of students have traditionally benefited from an international mobility experience as part of their studies through international exchanges, Erasmus programmes, etc. (HEA, 2023). Since most students are not able to access mobility opportunities, Internationalisation at Home (IaH) helps them build their global competencies at their home institution. IaH seeks to provide international and intercultural learning to the majority who cannot take advantage of the mobility opportunities due to socio-economic, physical, or personal circumstances or a lack of interest or awareness about IaH, defined as ‘the purposeful integration of international and intercultural dimensions into the formal and informal curriculum for all students within domestic learning environments’ (Beelen & Jones, 2015). As an Irish Research Council doctoral student researching IaH in the Irish higher education context at SETU, the author presents a poster using the imagery of the SETU building, symbolising it as a dream university. This visual metaphor is depicted from the prism of IaH and encompasses international experiences for its students at their home institution campus. IaH will prepare students as future leaders to tackle global challenges that may or may not necessarily be limited to societal, environmental, economic and technological problems. The author represents key aspects of IaH across four categories bringing the canvas to life- contribution to United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, emphasis on an inclusive campus, and formal and informal curricula. These will amplify the impact in shaping global citizens that prepare students to thrive in the 21st-century world where they live and work, contributing to ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam’ – the world is one family

Novel Process Strategies for the Stabilization of Biopharmaceuticals for Parenteral Use

In the past two decades, biopharmaceuticals have provided a breakthrough in improving the quality of lives of patients with various cancers, autoimmune and genetic disorders etc. With the growing demand of biopharmaceuticals, the need for reducing manufacturing costs is essential without compromising on the safety, quality, and efficacy of products. Freeze-drying is the primary commercial means of manufacturing solid biopharmaceuticals. However, Freeze-drying is an economically unfriendly means of production with long production cycles and heavy capital investment, resulting in high overall costs. This thesis reviews several alternative drying technologies such as continuous Freeze-drying, Spray-drying, Active-freeze-drying, Spray-freeze-drying, PRINT® Technology etc. that have not yet gained popularity for manufacturing parenteral biopharmaceuticals and focuses on assessing the stability of two proteins i.e., Lysozyme by Freeze-drying and Spray-drying, and a commercial therapeutic enzyme by Active-freeze-drying and Spray-drying. The key findings of this thesis showed that lysozyme was a robust protein, and its efficacy was enhanced in the presence of excipients such as sucrose and trehalose post Freeze-drying and Spray-drying. To substantiate experimental results, molecular dynamics simulations were performed that elucidated a conformation change (without unfolding) may have resulted in increased flexibility of the active sites. Furthermore, Enzyme ‘A’, a commercial therapeutic enzyme, was susceptible to process-induced stress post Active-freeze-drying and Spray-drying, thereby, resulting in increased protein aggregation. However, the inclusion of Arg-HCl in the formulation of Enzyme ‘A’ significantly improved the reconstitution time by 63 % and turbidity by 83 % and promoted the suppression of insoluble aggregates post Spray-drying. In agreement with experimental results, molecular dynamics simulations showed that while Arg-HCl was capable of acting as the main stabilizer, it interacted the most with the positively and negatively charged residues on the surface of Enzyme ‘A’ and also acted as a neutral crowder resulting in reduced protein-protein interactions. The last segment of this thesis thoroughly evaluates and discusses the potential of Multi-Angle Dynamic Light Scattering (MADLS) as a 3-in-1 screening tool for the determination of particle size, product concentration and protein aggregation of three proteins including Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), a commercial monoclonal antibody (mAb) and a therapeutic enzyme. A good calibration curve with an R2 of > 0.95 was obtained between the particle number concentration by MADLS and protein concentration by UV-Vis spectroscopy for the 3 proteins whereas an excellent quadratic correlation (R2 = 0.9938) was observed between MADLS and SEC for the quantitative estimation of protein aggregation in the enzyme. Therefore, the approach provided using MADLS can be employed as a rapid screening method for the analysis of aberrations in different formulations and products prior to other Quality Control (QC) tests to speed up the batch release process. Overall, some of these alternative drying technologies offer a paradigm shift towards continuous manufacturing and allow controlled dry particle characteristics. The potential impact of these novel technologies can significantly reduce time, energy and costs associated with the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. The inclusion of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and offline characterization techniques (described in Chapter 1), in tandem, provide additional information on the on the Critical Process Parameters (CPPs) and Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) of biopharmaceutical products. Moreover, molecular modelling is a powerful tool that can reveal atomic-scale details to study the mechanisms of interactions of excipients with biologics. These technologies together can be envisaged to increase the manufacturing capacity of biopharmaceuticals at reduced costs as well as open avenues for further research and development

Promoting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion through Internationalisation at Home in Ireland

This poster on 'Promoting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion through Internationalisation at Home in Ireland' was presented at the South East Technological University Equitas - EDI in Higher Education Conference held on May 25-26, 2023. It focuses on Internationalisation at Home (IaH) and highlights the pathways in which Irish HEIs can embed IaH in third-level curricula addressing inequalities in internationalisation experiences. As student mobility remains limited to a privileged few, this poster showcases how IaH can provide inclusive international and intercultural learning opportunities for all students, irrespective of their participation in mobility programs. This research aligns with the United Nations #SDGs, emphasising our commitment to fostering global citizenship and advancing equitable education. Let's embrace diversity, promote equality, and prepare students for the global world of work, both abroad and at home in Ireland