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

Evolving Skill Mix in the Mental Health Services in Ireland

Skill mix is a topic that is widely discussed within health policy literature and government documents in several countries. There is large variation in terms of what is understood by the concept of ‘skill mix’ and there is a paucity of literature that attempts to analyse this concept. A lack of understanding of the concept can lead to highly localised and inconsistent interpretation and implementation of policy recommendations at local level. A better understanding of the concept of ‘skill mix’ and its attributes is required in order to ensure that the potential of skill mix is maximised. This study aims to explore the concept ‘skill mix’ and its application in workforce planning in the mental health services in Ireland. The research design consisted of a qualitative case study approach. A framework for the conduct of a comparative systematic international policy review was adopted to place policy in Ireland within a wider context. Individual in-depth interviews were used to collect data from those who engage with and influence policy making in the health services in Ireland, to explore how they conceptualise skill mix. Data derived from these interviews were organised using Computer Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS), NVivo 12, and a ‘Framework’ approach was used to manage, analyse and identify themes. Findings from this study indicate that skill mix is a term that is deliberately ill-defined and misunderstood. The findings contribute towards achieving a better understanding of skill mix through the development of a conceptual model of skill mix for use in the mental health services. This is useful in terms of providing a sense of order to the messiness associated with the term due to its many attributes, as well as the other attributes and terms associated with it and the contextual and political factors that influence it. This has important implications for both policy and practice. It will be useful for policy makers to use this conceptual model as a tool to assist them to identify what dimension(s) of skill mix and corresponding attributes are implicated in the provision of a definition of skill mix that corresponds with what the policy is trying to achieve. This will assist policy makers and clinical stakeholders in ensuring a shared understanding of the concept. This is important as the level of understanding of the term may impact on the degree to which recommendations regarding skill mix are taken up by clinical stakeholders, thus influencing whether workforce policy aspirations in relation to this term are realised

A novel approach to the manufacture of dissolving microneedles arrays using aerosol jet printing

Despite much research over the last few decades, microneedle arrays for the transdermal delivery of drugs have failed to live up to their initial promise. This may be changing however as companies close in on the commercial delivery of vaccines via this technology. These breakthroughs will undoubtably increase the interest in the use of microneedles arrays for the delivery of biopharmaceuticals but will also drive research into the development of scalable manufacturing processes for their fabrication. While 3D printing is an exciting development in this field, conventional Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques are unsuitable for biopharmaceuticals due to the harsh processing conditions which can cause degradation of the active ingredient. In this paper we report the first use of Aerosol Jet Printing (AJP) as an AM technique for the fabrication of dissolving microneedle arrays. A formulation of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), trehalose and glycerol dissolved in water was prepared and characterised. The formulation was aerosolised using ultrasonication and deposited onto a silicon substrate. Critical process parameters such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) design, flow rate, temperature, print speed and focussing ratio were studied to determine their impact on the microneedle quality attributes. 4 × 4 microneedle arrays were printed, with needle heights > 500 µm achieved with print times of 30 mins or less. The resulting needles had sufficient strength and sharpness to penetrate porcine skin samples. Importantly, the microneedles can be fabricated under benign conditions which should be suitable for the processing and subsequent delivery of biopharmaceuticals across the skin

An Exploratory Study into Human Resource and Analyst Practitioners Experience of People Analytics

Human Resource (HR) and analyst practitioners find themselves at the heart of People Analytics (PA) initiatives viewed as vital for organisational success. Despite heightened interest, conceptual articles dominate, and research frequently adopts an organisational perspective. Lacking in the discussion is an appreciation of the contextual factors that affect enactment, and the agency HR and analyst practitioners bring to PA. Research hints that context can create opportunities and constraints for HR and analyst practitioners, yet the extent and implications of context remain unclear. Emerging research has begun to unmask the complexity of HR and analyst perspectives. However, insight is hampered as HR and analyst practitioners are seldom distinguished in literature. Differentiation is crucial, as each is likely to possess singular interests, and beliefs regarding PA. Extant research signals value in understanding how HR and analyst practitioners make sense of and undertake PA. It is this limited perspective that provides the basis to explore HR and analyst practitioners experience of PA. Semi-structured interviews supported by critical incident technique surface 19 HR and 11 analyst practitioners’ experiences of PA. Institutional theory permits an appreciation of the contextual pressures affecting HR and analyst practitioners, including labour market, legislative, and societal factors. Institutional logics surfaces the conflicting beliefs and values shaping PA enactment captured by HR practitioners’ dual people and market logics, and the analyst professional logic. Focusing upon agency, institutional work accounts for the purposive PA work used by HR and analyst practitioners to attain legitimacy, power, and agenda. A multilayered conceptual framework depicts the interplay over numerous levels, enabling a more holistic assessment of HR and analyst practitioners experience of PA. For practice, this research offers reassurance for those striving to embed PA, emphasising the importance of collaboration, and appreciating the unique values, beliefs, and meaning HR and analyst practitioners bring to PA

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

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