A poem to Aodh Buidhe and Alasdar Mac Domhnaill of Tinnakill, Queen's County

Abstract included in text

A poem to Aodh Buidhe and Alasdar Mac Domhnaill of Tinnakill, Queen's County

Abstract included in text

DESIGN OF A PEDAGOGICAL ARTEFACT FOR DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS TO ASSESS THEORETICAL STRENGTH

Making a theoretical contribution can be viewed as one of the most important and confusing objectives for a doctoral researcher. Focusing on the literature review process, this paper highlights the need to develop a pedagogical artefact that will enable a new doctoral researcher to assess the theoretical strength of the literature they survey and review, while also facilitating the development of a concept-centric matrix for their chosen research topic. In this paper we present a conceptual data model design underpinning the structure of our proposed pedagogical artifact. We support new doctoral researchers through promoting a two step literature review process of [1] categorising the literature and [2] developing a theoretical framework to guide making a theoretical contribution. The artefact‟s conceptual data model design captures the most important aspects that demand the attention of a new doctoral researcher

A poem to Rudhraighe Caoch Ó Mórdha, lord of Laois 1542-7

Abstract included in text

Men with a susceptibility to prostate cancer and the role of genetic based screening.

Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy affecting men worldwide, and the commonest affecting men of African descent. Significant diagnostic and therapeutic advances have been made in the past decade. Improvements in the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis include the uptake of multi-parametric MRI and a shift towards targeted biopsy. We also now have more life-prolonging systemic and hormonal therapies for men with advanced disease at our disposal than ever before. However, the development of robust screening tools and targeted screening programs has not followed at the same pace. Evidence to support population-based screening remains unclear, with the use of PSA as a screening test limiting our ability to discriminate between clinically significant and insignificant disease. Prostate cancer has a large heritable component. Given that most men without risk factors have a low lifetime risk of developing lethal prostate cancer, much work is being done to further our knowledge of how we can best screen men in higher risk categories, such as those with a family history (FH) of the disease or those of African ancestry. These men have been reported to carry upwards of a two-fold increased risk of developing the disease at an earlier age, with evidence suggesting poorer survival outcomes. In men with a FH of prostate cancer, this is felt to be due to rare, high-penetrance mutations and the presence of multiple, common low penetrance alleles, with men carrying specific germline mutations in the BRCA and other DNA repair genes at particularly high risk. To date, large scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have led to the discovery of approximately 170 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with prostate cancer risk, allowing over 30% of prostate cancer risk to be explained. Genomic tests, utilising somatic (prostate biopsy) tissue can also predict the risk of unfavourable pathology, biochemical recurrence and the likelihood of metastatic disease using gene expression. Targeted screening studies are currently under way in men with DNA repair mutations, men with a FH and those of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity which will greater inform our understanding of disease incidence and behaviour in these men, treatment outcomes and developing the most appropriate screening regime for such men. Incorporating a patient's genetic mutation status into risk algorithms allows us an opportunity to develop targeted screening programs for men in whom early cancer detection and treatment will positively influence survival, and in the process offer male family members of affected men the chance to be counselled and screened accordingly

Creating a safe climate for active learning and student engagement: an example from an introductory social work module

This article explores the experiences of students who participated in a series of seminars that employed active learning methodologies.   The study on which the article is based involved two parts. Firstly, students completed a questionnaire after each seminar, resulting in 468 questionnaires. Secondly, nine students participated in a focus group where the questionnaire findings were explored. The research findings suggest that the students were highly engaged and that the mix of 'doin', 'observing', and 'reflecting' (Fink 2003) contributed to their engagement. However, in addition, the students' perspectives suggested that the learning environment in which the seminars took place was of particular importance. Overall, the study highlights that while active learning methodologies contribute to student engagement, the atmosphere in which the methodologies are used is also of central importance. Therefore, as well as paying attention to the cognitive aspects of learning, teachers need to consider the affective domains.AD 25/02/201

A quantitative analysis of biographical data from Ainm, the Irish-language Biographical Database

This paper looks at some trends identifiable in the biographical data contained in the Ainm collection of Irish-language related biographies. The data structure is described and the reasons for its particular structure are outlined. The structured data is then analysed to identify some notable patterns and significant gaps in the Ainm biographical collection. These features and omissions are discussed in the context of the creation of both the original print biographical dictionary (the Beathaisnéis series) and the more recent digital version (www.ainm.ie)

Linked Logainm: enhancing library metadata using linked data of Irish place names

Linked Logainm is the newly created Linked Data version of Logainm.ie, an online database holding the authoritative hierarchical list of Irish and English language place names in Ireland. As a use case to demonstrate the benefit of Linked Data to the library community, the Linked Logainm dataset was used to enhance the Longfield Map collection, a set of digitised 18th–19th century maps held by the National Library of Ireland. This paper describes the process of creating Linked Logainm, including the transformation of the data from XML to RDF, the generation of links to external geographic datasets like DBpedia and the Faceted Application of Subject Terminology, and the enhancement of the Library’s metadata records

Dúchas.ie: ré nua i stair Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann

This article examines the Dúchas project, a collaboration between the National Folklore Collection (NFC) in University College Dublin (UCD) and Fiontar in Dublin City University, which aims to create a digital online version of the Collection. The current phase of the project is being funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs and by UCD although an initial pilot project was funded entirely by the Department. That pilot phase saw the digitization of four counties from the Schools’ Collection. The current project phase will continue to focus on digitizing the Schools’ Collection and on improving and adding to the functionality of the website. The article looks briefly at the history of the Schools’ Collection, a vast collection of folklore collected by primary school pupils in the late 1930s. It contains material from all over the country and the extent of the scheme has led to it becoming the best known of the NFC’s various collections, with the majority of visitors to the NFC in UCD drawn there by the involvement of family or friends in the project. It is for this reason that it was chosen as a priority for digitization. There follows a detailed description of the various stages of the digitization process and of the resources that have been created to enable this. The final section details the process of digitally cataloguing the Schools’ Collection material and notes some of the challenges that this involves as well as opportunities to add value to the material such as by linking it to other authoritative digital resources such as the Placenames Database of Ireland. The Dúchas project is placed in context of the gradual opening up of the NFC over the years from a resource for approved scholars only to a publically accessible archive in UCD. This online iteration will make the material more accessible still, particularly to those located outside of Ireland, as well as adding value through additional cataloguing and search functionality

Supporting Successful Foster Care for Unaccompanied Minors and Young People: Key considerations.

The article focuses on foster care provision for unaccompanied minors. It outlines the importance attached to foster care in the international policy and practice arenas, where it tends to be viewed as the preferred method of care for unaccompanied minors. Drawing on the international literature, it discusses the reasons for this, namely the benefits of foster care, but also highlights the significant challenges posed for foster carers for this cohort, particularly given that they are caring for older teenagers whose ethnic and cultural backgrounds may differ significantly from that of their carers. The article explores ways in which successful foster care can be enhanced, highlighting the complexity of “matching” and the significance attached to “cultural matching” and the need for an appropriate training and support in their role so as to maximize the benefits for young people