Special and inclusive education in the Republic of Ireland: reviewing the literature from 2000 to 2009

Provision for pupils with special educational needs in Ireland has undergone considerable change and review in the first decade of the twenty first century. In response to international demands for a more equitable education system which recognises diversity and considers how schools might address the needs of pupils who have been previously marginalised, Irish legislation has focused upon the development of inclusive schooling. Researchers during this period have endeavoured to understand how responses to the demand for greater inclusion have impacted upon the perceived need for change. This paper reviews the research literature for this period and identifies four key themes under which research has been conducted. The literature pertaining to these themes is explored and a possible agenda for future researchers identifie

Efficient Parallel Statistical Model Checking of Biochemical Networks

We consider the problem of verifying stochastic models of biochemical networks against behavioral properties expressed in temporal logic terms. Exact probabilistic verification approaches such as, for example, CSL/PCTL model checking, are undermined by a huge computational demand which rule them out for most real case studies. Less demanding approaches, such as statistical model checking, estimate the likelihood that a property is satisfied by sampling executions out of the stochastic model. We propose a methodology for efficiently estimating the likelihood that a LTL property P holds of a stochastic model of a biochemical network. As with other statistical verification techniques, the methodology we propose uses a stochastic simulation algorithm for generating execution samples, however there are three key aspects that improve the efficiency: first, the sample generation is driven by on-the-fly verification of P which results in optimal overall simulation time. Second, the confidence interval estimation for the probability of P to hold is based on an efficient variant of the Wilson method which ensures a faster convergence. Third, the whole methodology is designed according to a parallel fashion and a prototype software tool has been implemented that performs the sampling/verification process in parallel over an HPC architecture

The archaeology of a landslide: Unravelling the Azores earthquake disaster of 1522 and its consequences

The multidisciplinary research described here shows how archaeologists can help reconstruct past seismic episodes and understand the subsequent relief operation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction processes. In October 1522, a major earthquake and landslide struck the then capital of the Azores, Vila Franca do Campo, 1500 km from the European mainland. Damage was extensive, destroying key monuments, affecting most of the inhabited area, and leaving few survivors among the early colonists. The results from twenty-six archaeological trenches, geological and geoarchaeological investigations, and documentary analysis are reviewed here. Distinctive archaeological deposits are identified and explained, using the high density of artefacts and the erosional contact between the landslide and the pre-1522 palaeosol to reconstruct the episode in detail

ArMedEa project: archaeology of medieval earthquakes in Europe (1000-1550 AD). First research activities

This paper introduces the research of the Armedea project. Armedea (Archaeology of medieval earthquakes in Europe, 1000-1550 AD) is a medieval archaeology project undertaken at the Department of Archaeology of Durham University which analyses archaeological evidence related to late medieval seismic-affected contexts at a European scale. This project is therefore focused on both earthquake effects on archaeological sites, their standing buildings and environment, and the archaeological evidence that reveals the response of medieval societies in terms of risk reduction, protection and resilience. A first preview of GIS analysis of seismic activity impact on medieval societies and fieldwork activities carried out in Italy, Cyprus and Azores (Portugal) is presented here. This research is supported by a Marie Curie Intra European Fellowship within the 7th European Community Framework Programme

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Evaluation of Self-Regulating Doped Ferrite Nanoparticles with Glucose, Chitosan, and Poly-Ethylene Glycol Coatings for Hyperthermia and Dual Imaging

Alessandro Negri,1 Anita Conti,1 Emil Milan,2 Enrico Forlin,3 Filippo Gherlinzoni,4 Giovanni Morana,4 Michele Gottardi,4 Paolo Matteazzi,3,4 Adolfo Speghini,2,5 Andre Bongers,6 Pasquina Marzola1,5 1Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; 2Nanomaterials Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; 3M.B.N. Nanomaterialia S.p.A., Carbonera, Treviso, Italy; 4Foundation for Nanotheranostics Research in Cancer Therapy, Treviso, Italy; 5National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Firenze, Italy; 6Biological Resources Imaging Laboratory, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaCorrespondence: Pasquina Marzola, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie – 15, Verona, 37134, Italy, Email [email protected]: This study investigates the theranostic potential of doped ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) with self-regulating temperature (SRT) properties, termed M55, coated with glucose (GM55), chitosan (CM55), and poly-ethylene glycol (PM55). The NPs were assessed for their physicochemical attributes, magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) efficacy, dual-imaging capabilities in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), cytocompatibility, and cellular uptake.Methods: Physicochemical characterization was conducted using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential measurements. The biocompatibility and cellular uptake were evaluated in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, and MFH performance was tested in vitro. Following intravenous administration, MRI and MPI functionalities were analyzed through phantom studies and in vivo murine models.Results: Coated M55 NPs displayed high colloidal stability in water and effective functionalization. The specific absorption rate (SAR) of 24.4 ± 1.4 W/g confirmed their suitability for MFH applications. In vitro assays indicated excellent biocompatibility and substantial cellular internalization, with GM55 showing the highest uptake and MFH efficiency, reducing cell viability to 50.62 ± 3.92% post two treatment cycles, compared to 67.71 ± 6.11% (CM55) and 71.39 ± 5.84% (PM55). MRI transverse relaxivity (r2) values were notably high across all coatings, enhancing imaging contrast. MPI analysis demonstrated superior cell labeling sensitivity, with GM55 achieving the most pronounced detection. In vivo imaging confirmed effective NPs accumulation in the liver, underscoring their utility as dual MRI/MPI contrast agents (CAs).Conclusion: Coated M55 NPs exhibit significant promise as multifunctional theranostic agents for cancer treatment. GM55, in particular, offers superior MFH efficacy and cellular uptake, while CM55 and PM55 may present unique advantages for alternative biomedical applications. The dual-imaging capabilities of these NPs provide a robust platform for real-time monitoring of distribution and therapeutic outcomes. Future investigations will focus on optimizing NPs formulations and expanding in vivo assessments to advance clinical translation.Keywords: nanotheranostics, magnetic fluid hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic particle imagin

Accommodating Learners With Dyslexia in English Language Teaching in Sri Lanka : teachers' knowledge, attitudes and challenges

As it is estimated that 10% of the world population has dyslexia or related learning difficulties, it is vital for language teachers to have a thorough understanding of such difficulties and of inclusive teaching techniques. It is believed that teacher training can increase teachers’ knowledge of dyslexia and inclusion, inculcate positive attitudes among them on inclusion and increase their self-efficacy beliefs. The study discussed in this paper analysed if a teacher training programme aimed at a group of ELT professionals in Sri Lanka could do the same and also the challenges that they would face in introducing inclusive practices into their context. A questionnaire and interview data revealed that the teacher training programme was able to change teachers’ negative attitudes towards dyslexia, increase their knowledge of dyslexia and inclusive practices and increase their readiness to implement inclusive classroom techniques. The findings also revealed that institutional barriers such as a rigid examination system and lack of flexibility in the curriculum may hinder how inclusive practices are implemented. In addition, negative socio-cultural ideology and some practical classroom problems may also affect implementation