Punishment of mainstream national parties, not Euroscepticism, is behind Irish results

The outcome of the European elections in Ireland reflected those across much of Europe — losses for the traditional establishment parties, gains for populist, Eurosceptic and anti-austerity candidates. However, in addition to the resentment of austerity measures and democratic deficit felt across many EU states, internal historical and political circumstances have also contributed to these results

Investigation of a Magnetically Enhanced Inductively Coupled Negative Ion Plasma Source

Experiments and numerical models were used to investigate an inductively coupled plasma source (ICPS) operating with a magnetic filter field. The work shows that applying magnetic filters transversely to the plasma offers several new control parameters to help enhance the properties of a plasma source. The application of these new results using magnetic enhancement is discussed with respect to both industrial plasma fabrication processes and neutral beam injection for fusion power. Experimental measurements of the power transfer efficiency of the ICPS were undertaken comparing the effect of the magnetic field for both hydrogen and argon plasmas. The location and strength of the magnetic field was varied while measurements of the plasma resistance and power transfer efficiency were performed. The changes in forward power transfer were correlated with plasma density measurements and a numerical model of the electrical plasma circuit was used to guide the optimal choice for the power system components. The results demonstrate that the magnetic field increases the total efficiency of the plasma source and that the gains are strongly dependant on the choice of location for the magnetic field. Plasma properties were then investigated across the plasma source 1 cm intervals. Experimental measurements comparing the effect of the magnetic filter on the plasma properties include: electron densities using a hairpin probe, electron energy probability functions using a compensated Langmuir probe, negative ion densities by laser photo detachment and rotational gas temperatures by optical emission spectroscopy. These measurements revealed interesting new properties of the plasma when a magnetic filter is applied including: the formation of a high density cold particle trap, changes in particle transport and drift motions, increased gas temperatures, and a peak in negative ion density under the magnetic filter center. Pulsing the plasma can greatly affect the plasma dynamics, leading to electron cooling in the afterglow and increased negative ion production. A combination of a pulsed plasma with a magnetic filter was then investigated. Measurements of the negative ion and electron populations were performed in the plasma afterglow with the magnetic filter applied. The results reveal a complex and dynamic afterglow process including strong spatial dependencies measured for diffusive transport, ambipolar breakdown and ion-ion plasma formation. The applications for this work include offering new avenues for control over processing plasma chemistry as well as initial results toward the future viability of a caesium-free pulsed negative ion neutral beam source

The Impact of Fast ForWord on Phonological Awareness and Literacy Skills

This study investigated the impact of Fast ForWord on individual children\u27s phonological awareness and reading skills as well as general language and auditory processing skills. Five children, ages six through eight years, served as experimental subjects. The duration of participation in the Fast ForWord (FFW) training program was approximately 2 hours per day, 5 days a week, for 6 to 8 weeks. Fast ForWord training was completed when the subject reached at least 90 percent completion on five of the seven training exercises or when it was determined by the Fast ForWord professional that the child had received maximum benefit from the program. Three children, within the same age range, served as control subjects and did not receive any type of speech or language training. Results indicated that significant group mean gains (a minimal increase of one standard deviation) were not evidenced by the experimental subjects on any of the five assessment measures. The largest mean standard score increases were noted on the Language Processing Test-Revised (8 points) and the Test of Language Development-Primary:2 (4 points). Individually, two subjects increased standard scores by a minimum of one standard deviation. None of the five children reached the FFW completion rate of 90% completion on five of the seven games. Post test data for the control subjects revealed a similar, slightly larger increase in standard scores as for the experimental subjects

Gong and fa in Chinese martial arts

The distinction between gong (skill) and fa (technique) is ubiquitous in Chinese martial arts. Utilizing Maurice Merleau- Ponty’s notion of ‘embodied intentionality’, I examine this distinction. I draw specific examples of the kinds of skills under discussion from a particular style of taijiquan – Hong Chuan Chen Shi taijiquan (Master Hong Junsheng’s transmission of Chen taiji boxing) – and I argue that understanding taijiquan in terms of embodied intentionality allows us to understand important taijiquan concepts such as chansijin, yin, and yang. Although in this article I focus on one specific style of martial art, I argue that the general analysis of the gong-fa distinction based on embodied intentionality is widely applicable

Mitogenic Signalling by the Endothelin Receptor in Rat-1 Fibroblasts

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) was found to be a complete mitogen in Rat-1 fibroblasts and therefore the signalling pathways which might mediate its action were investigated. ET-1 stimulated both sustained phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) and phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) hydrolysis. The rank order of potency for both pathways stimulated by a range of ET isopeptides was the same for both responses (ET-1 ~ ET-2 > ET-3) suggesting that the same receptor controls both signalling pathways. PtdCho hydrolysis occurred kinetically downstream of Ptdlns(4,5)p2 hydrolysis by a phospholipase D-catalysed mechanism apparently involving both protein kinase C-dependent and -independent means of activation

The Ava bracelet for collection of fertility and pregnancy data in free-living conditions: An exploratory validity and acceptability study

Objective To evaluate the validity and acceptability of the Ava bracelet for collecting heart rate, sleep, mood, and physical activity data among reproductive-aged women (pregnant and nonpregnant) under free-living conditions. Methods Thirty-three participants wore the Ava bracelet on their non-dominant wrist and reported mood and physical activity in the Ava mobile application for seven nights. Criterion validity was determined by comparing the Ava bracelet heart rate and sleep duration measures to criterion measures from the Polar chest strap and ActiGraph GTX3 + accelerometer. Construct validity was determined by comparing self-report measures and the heart rate variability ratio collected in the Ava mobile application to previously validated measures. Acceptability was evaluated using the modified Acceptability of Health Apps among Adolescents Scale. Results Mean absolute percentage error was 11.4% for heart rate and 8.5% for sleep duration. There was no meaningful difference between the Ava bracelet, ActiGraph, and construct a measure of sleep quality. Compared to construct measures, Ava bracelet heart rate variability had a significant low negative correlation (r:−0.28), mood had a significant low positive correlation (r : 0.39), and physical activity level had a significant low (rlevel of physical activity: 0.56) to moderate positive correlation (rMET−minutes/week: 0.71). The acceptability of the Ava bracelet was high for fertility and low for pregnancy tracking. Conclusion Preliminary evidence suggests the Ava bracelet and mobile application estimates of sleep and heart rate are not equivalent to criterion measures in free-living conditions. Further research is needed to establish its utility for collecting prospective, subjective data throughout periods of preconception and pregnancy

The experiences and needs of HIV/AIDS counsellors at Settlers Hospital, Grahamstown

Cognisant of the fact that counselling has become an essential aspect of dealing with HIV/AIDS in South Africa, the researcher aimed to explore the stressors experienced by HIV/AIDS counsellors. It was envisioned that the results obtained would both help to improve the counselling services provided at Settlers Hospital, and assist other organisations to do so. The research focused on how the participants dealt with the dual roles of non-directive listening and the more prescriptive advice-giving, the stressors they experienced and the support structures they had, or needed, to assist them in being more effective HIV/AIDS counsellors. The sample consisted of four HIV/AIDS counsellors working at Settlers Hospital, Grahamstown. The co-ordinator of HIV/AIDS at the hospital was interviewed for collateral information. A qualitative, multiple case study was undertaken. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data which were recorded and transcribed and then constructed into coherently organised personal narratives of each participant’s experiences. A composite description of all the results was arrived at through the use of a reading guide which reduced the data into a thematic content analysis. The analysed data served to present an understanding of the counsellors’ experiences and to enable recommendations to be made which could assist them in pursuing their work more effectively. The findings of this study indicate that HIV/AIDS counselling is an emotionally stressful occupation. Contributory factors include the twofold role of promoting prevention and serving as empathic listeners. Other stressors derive from issues of confidentiality and stigma concerning HIV/AIDS, counsellors’ identification with clients’ experiences and the demographics of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Situational stressors which arise from working as both nurses and counsellors in a public health institution were also identified. Recommendations are made to alleviate the counsellors’ stress in the form of facilitated emotional support groups, professional supervision, managerial support to improve the working environment, and ongoing in-service training