Using BIM Technologies to Calculate and Visualise the Global Warming Potential of Building Materials

The built environment has a significant potential to reduce carbon emissions and raw material consumption. Digitisation processes such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can offer solutions to improve sustainability throughout the building’s life cycle for the decarbonisation of the industry. In Ireland, the Royal Institute of Architects Ireland (RIAI) launched the 2030 Climate Challenge in response to the climate emergency. This sets out a list of targets to meet before 2030 for carbon emissions within the built environment. This research aims to investigate if the application of BIM tools can be leveraged to automate Global Warming Potential (GWP) to support design decision-making in meeting the RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge. This research focuses on the development of a validated database for building materials using the growing register of Environmental Product Data certificates (EPD) necessary for the correct calculation of GWP of building materials. This study has developed a series of workflows that can be used to automate and monitor Global Warming Potential (GWP) to assist professionals in meeting the RIAI 2025/2030 embodied carbon targets. The results demonstrated a proof of concept for automating GWP calculation via the digital building model database and, in doing so, giving the design team visual feedback, empowering them in their design decision-making

Perceptions de partialité dans la sélection des diplômés internationaux en médecine aux programmes de résidence au Canada

Background: In Canada, international medical graduates (IMG) consist of immigrant-IMG and previous Canadian citizens/permanent residents who attended medical school abroad (CSA). CSA are more likely to obtain a post-graduate residency position than immigrant-IMG and previous studies have suggested that the residency selection process favours CSA over immigrant-IMG. This study explored potential sources of bias in the residency program selection process. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with senior administrators of clinical assessment and post-graduate programs across Canada. We asked about perceptions of the background and preparation of CSA and immigrant-IMG, methods applicants use to improve likelihood of obtaining residency positions, and practices that may favour/discourage applicants. Interviews were transcribed and a constant comparative method was employed to identify recurring themes.  Results: Of a potential 22 administrators, 12 (54.5%) completed interviews. Five key factors that may provide CSA with an advantage were: reputation of the applicant’s medical school, recency of graduation, ability to complete undergraduate clinical placement in Canada, familiarity with Canadian culture, and interview performance.  Conclusions: Although residency programs prioritize equitable selection, they may be constrained by policies designed to promote efficiencies and mitigate medico-legal risks that inadvertently advantage CSA. Identifying the factors behind these potential biases is needed to promote an equitable selection process.Contexte :Parmi les diplômés internationaux en médecine (DIM) au Canada, il y a des diplômés immigrants et des citoyens ou des résidents canadiens qui ont fait leurs études de médecine à l’étranger (CEE). Ces derniers ont plus de chances d’obtenir un poste de résidence postdoctorale que les DIM immigrants. Des études montrent que le processus de sélection des résidents favorise les CEE au détriment des DIM immigrants. La présente étude explore les sources potentielles de biais dans le processus d’attribution des postes de résidence. Méthodes : Nous avons mené des entrevues semi-structurées avec des gestionnaires principaux de programmes d’évaluation clinique et de programmes de formation postdoctorale de tout le Canada. Nous les avons interrogés sur leurs perceptions quant au parcours et au niveau de préparation des CEE et des DIM immigrants, quant aux méthodes utilisées par les candidats pour augmenter leurs chances d’obtenir un poste de résidence et quant aux pratiques qui peuvent encourager ou décourager les candidats. Les entretiens ont été transcrits et une méthode comparative constante a été employée pour identifier les thèmes récurrents. Résultats : Douze (54,5 %) des 22 gestionnaires sollicités ont participé aux entrevues. Les cinq facteurs clés susceptibles de procurer un avantage aux CEE sont : la réputation de la faculté de médecine où le candidat a obtenu son diplôme, la date récente d’obtention de ce dernier, la possibilité d’effectuer un stage clinique de premier cycle au Canada, la familiarité avec la culture canadienne et la performance à l’entrevue. Conclusions : Bien que la sélection équitable soit une priorité pour les programmes de résidence, ils doivent également respecter des politiques visant l’efficacité et l’atténuation des risques médico-légaux qui avantagent involontairement les CEE. Il faut déceler les facteurs qui sous-tendent ces biais potentiels pour renforcer le caractère équitable du processus de sélection

Creating inclusive communities: preparing the university for a cohort of deaf-sign language users in initial teacher education

This chapter reports on a new initiative in Dublin City University (DCU) to provide, for the first time, access to initial teacher education (ITE) for a group of Deaf students who use Irish Sign Language. It presents results of an evaluation into a multifaceted and holistic programme of capacity building in preparation for this cohort at university level, targeting hearing students, staff and university facilities. The aim of the capacity-building programme was to create a warm campus climate for Deaf students, where they felt they belonged to the university ‘family’. Findings demonstrated that this is being achieved by creating a student and staff body that is committed to (a) direct communication with Deaf students in their first language, and (b) validating the Deaf lived-experience

Examining the highs and lows of teacher self-efficacy for special class teachers working with learners with Autism/Autism spectrum disorder

Background According to data provided by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), between 2020 and 2021, there was a 15% increase in the number of special classes specifically for learners with Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder (A/ASD) attached to mainstream schools in the Republic of Ireland. Given the considerable growth in A/ASD classes in schools, examining the Teacher Self-Efficacy (TSE) of teachers working there enables us to identify strengths and areas for professional development (PD). Method This paper reports the findings from an Irish study into Teacher Self-Efficacy (TSE) of teachers working in special classes for learners with A/ASD. The study involved a large sample (n = 139) of teachers responding to an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included the Autism Self-Efficacy Scale for Teachers (ASSET). Results Analysis of the completed questionnaires reveals that the areas teachers feel least confident in are their abilities to train peer models, to teach play skills, and to translate assessment information into teaching objectives to the students. They felt most confident in their ability to use visual supports to foster student independence, to describe their student’s characteristics that relate to A/ASD, and to communicate and work effectively with parents or caregivers. Conclusions The findings of this study present implications for professional development for teachers of learners with A/ASD, namely that upskilling is needed in training peer models, play skills, and translating assessment information into teaching objectives. The results also add further evidence to the use of the ASSET as a reliable measure of assessing the Teacher Self-Efficacy for teaching students with A/ASD

Teacher self-efficacy of primary school teachers working in Irish ASD classes

This study investigated the perceived Teacher Self-Efficacy (TSE) of primary school teachers in Ireland who are working in special classes for students with autism. Furthermore, it sought to examine whether these perceptions of TSE were related to special class teaching experience, their engagement in professional development pertaining to autism, and their perceptions of principals’ instructional support. An online questionnaire was administered to 139 of these teachers. The findings indicated that participants had a relatively high sense of TSE. Correlation analyses identified statistically significant, positive correlations between the three independent variables and the dependent variable of TSE

The Impact of Variable Dosage Using Robotic-assisted Task-Specific Upper Extremity Training in Children with Cerebral Palsy

poster abstractBackground: Cerebral Palsy (CP) and other acquired neurological disorders result from brain lesions that alter motor function in children. The impact of these deficits can impair a child’s ability to use their upper extremity (UE) for normal daily activities such as eating and playing. Robotic-assisted therapy has been shown to improve motor function in children with CP. Training parameters such as intensity and frequency were initially based on findings from studies measuring change in adults following stroke. Based on this, high intensity (960 repetitions per session) and increased frequency (2 times per week, 9 weeks) were initially implemented for children. Early findings demonstrated improvement in UE function for children with CP; however, training sessions were long, making them difficult to complete given the shorter attention span of the pediatric population. Determining the potential impact of a shorter, more optimal, dosage of robotic-assisted therapy for children would facilitate rehab training efficiency and maximize cost effectiveness. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the impact on motor impairments and movement capacity with variances in treatment intensity (number of repetitions per session) while holding constant the frequency of the application (2 times per week, 9 weeks) for robotic-assisted UE training for children with CP. Methods: Six children between the ages of 6 and 8 were analyzed from two separate studies evaluating the effectiveness of robotic-assisted training for UE functional improvement. The first study featured training at high intensity and frequency while the second study used lower intensity parameters but the same frequency. To be eligible for either study, children were required to have UE hemiplegia and the ability to participate in a task for up to 60 minutes. Twice weekly, each child participated in robotic training sessions consisting of either 960, 640, or 320 task-specific reaching movements of the affected UE. Each child completed a total of 16 robotic training sessions over a 9-week period as well as one pre- and one post-test session. Outcome measures included active range of motion (AROM), strength testing and tone using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). The children’s motor capacity was evaluated using the adaptive Fugl-Meyer scale (FM). Results: Percent change scores were calculated for each participant for each outcome measurement. AROM results for the shoulder resulted in an average increase of 10.6% for flexion and a 13.3% increase for abduction in both the 320 and 640 groups. Shoulder external rotation increased by an average of 13.6% for all three groups. Arm strength increased an average of 12.3% for all three groups. The MAS had an average decrease in tone of 23.8% across all 3 groups. Scores on the FM increased an average of 23% with in-depth analysis revealing shoulder movement to be the primary area for motor capacity change at 96%. Conclusion: These findings indicate that lower intensities of robotic-assisted therapy (320 and 640 repetitions) were as effective as the larger dose originally prescribed for children with CP. Outcome measures improved in all 3 groups and did not vary between dosing groups. This suggests that longer intensity sessions of robotic-assisted therapies may not be necessary to produce AROM, strength, and motor capacity changes. Further trials with more subjects are needed to validate these results

Sharing Success: Expansion of a Tutor-Run Assessment Method to Multiple Courses and Colleges

Objectives: In 2014, data were presented on a successful pilot program using quizzes written by tutors in a single course at Wegmans School of Pharmacy. The objective of this study was to use the methods from the pilot to expand the program to other pharmacology courses at Wegmans School of Pharmacy as well as the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy. Methods: Methods from the previous study were replicated, whereby tutors wrote weekly quizzes administered using ExamSoft®. The optional quizzes were openly accessible to students in preparation for course exams. Performance data were collected from students in one course at each institution and compared to the pilot study. Performance data collected included quiz and course exam scores. All students that utilized quizzes, as well as tutors, were surveyed to assess perceptions of the method. Results: The use and impact of quizzes was similar to the results in the pilot study. However, the magnitude of improvements was slightly lower than what was observed initially. Exam scores were significantly higher than quiz scores on 6/10 exams measured, compared to 5/5 exams in the pilot. Students who utilized the quizzes performed significantly better than those that did not on 3/10 exams (3/5 in the pilot), and earned significantly higher course averages. Student (n=155) and peer instructor (n=13) feedback remained positive after expansion of the program. Implications: This method is a tool that can be translated to different courses and different institutions with a valuable impact on student performance

Inhomogeneous Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and Mutual Ion Diffusion

We present a study of inhomogeneous big bang nucleosynthesis with emphasis on transport phenomena. We combine a hydrodynamic treatment to a nuclear reaction network and compute the light element abundances for a range of inhomogeneity parameters. We find that shortly after annihilation of electron-positron pairs, Thomson scattering on background photons prevents the diffusion of the remaining electrons. Protons and multiply charged ions then tend to diffuse into opposite directions so that no net charge is carried. Ions with Z>1 get enriched in the overdense regions, while protons diffuse out into regions of lower density. This leads to a second burst of nucleosynthesis in the overdense regions at T<20 keV, leading to enhanched destruction of deuterium and lithium. We find a region in the parameter space at 2.1E-10<eta<5.2E-10 where constraints 7Li/H<10^{-9.7} and D/H<10^{-4.4} are satisfied simultaneously.Comment: 9 pages, minor changes to match the PRD versio

Point of Care Spirometry Assessment for Pediatric Asthma Prevalence in a Family Homeless Shelter in Omaha, Nebraska

Abstract: Introduction: The few studies on pediatric asthma in US homeless shelters describe a 27.9 – 39.8% prevalence, and historically Omaha has had a high incidence of fatal pediatric asthma. Thereby, Clarkson Family Medicine (CFM) residency began a pediatric asthma outreach to a local family-homeless shelter to assess the prevalence of pediatric asthma and follow-up appointment attendance. Methods: We obtained a voluntary parent-child assessment of the child’s respiratory history and an Asthma Control Test (ACT) between ages 4-18 for children residing at the family-homeless shelter. We obtained a pre-albuterol and post-albuterol mobile spirometer assessment using the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. If spirometry failed, peak-flow measurements were obtained per Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. Results: Nine of 25 children had active reversible airways (36%, Confidence Intervals 22-66%). One-third had a previous asthma diagnosis,20% post-peak-flow reversibility. Six of seven follow-up appointments did not show up. Conclusion: Pediatric asthma in an Omaha homeless shelter mirrors shelters in other major US cities like New York City and Minneapolis. This study may suggest that using the Asthma Control Test with pre-albuterol and post-albuterol peak flow measurements is an acceptable screening method for pediatric asthma in family-homeless shelters. Abbreviations: Open Door Mission (ODM), Asthma Control Test (ACT), Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), United States (US), pulmonary function tests (PFT), New York City (NYC), peak expiratory flow (PEF)

Poemas irlandeses

Tradução de: Marcelo Tápi