TRENDS IN MIGRATION TO IRELAND OF NATIONALS OF COUNTRIES WITH VISA LIBERALISATION AGREEMENTS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. ESRI SURVEY AND STATISTICAL REPORT SERIES, August 2019

The synthesis report presents an analysis of the impact in terms of direct and indirect benefits, as well as challenges. Tourism is considered a direct benefit, as tourism is one of the purposes of a short-stay visa. There was a rise in tourists from the visa-free countries after visa liberalisation across the EU Member States, although the numbers were modest in the context of overall tourism numbers to the EU. Residence permits for work or study reasons were considered an indirect benefit – as these are not purposes of stay for a short-stay Schengen visa, though a short stay could ultimately influence a longer stay for one of these reasons. The synthesised findings show that the number of residence permits issued to nationals of the visa-free countries more than doubled since 2008, and most of these were issued for employment reasons. Therefore, the report suggests that visa liberalisation could be a facilitator to labour market access. However, a similar link was not found for student migration or for entrepreneurship (EMN, 2019)

Design and its Proof: Richard J Neutra and Darell Boyd Harmon

When describing his ‘Philosophy of Design’ Neutra described his architecture as an assimilation of ideas that were informed by his own observations and those of the sciences.[i] Eager to substantiate his design theory and the innovative nature of his school design, Neutra extended his investigations into the sciences. He proposed that he would take scientific research findings and apply them to the architectural design problem; his writings reveal his critical knowledge of science and scientific methodology, and his trenchant observations on its relevance for architectural design. Because of its difficulty proving its significance, Neutra proposed that one of the ways that his ‘biorealism’ theory could be crucially informed; was by scientific research into biological functioning and how it was affected by environment. Researching in Texas, investigating the impact of classrooms on children, Darell Boyd Harmon was mentioned many times within Neutra’s writings. Harmon’s research investigated in detail the psycho-physiological functioning of the child in the traditional classroom, which linked children grinding their teeth in frustration with poor illumination levels. The ways, in which Neutra engaged with such research, provides an opportunity for examining how science was used critically to inform his ‘biorealistic’ theory in practice. Neutra’s ideas about environment and the child constituted both an affirmation and a critique of Harmon’s scientific methodology. In one way Neutra used Harmon’s approach to support his architectural interventions, he referred to the results extensive significance, and used them to enforce his propositions for uniform lighting through his classroom spaces. However in another way Neutra criticised the limitations of scientific experiments, through its rigorous approach it limited its application for architectural practice design development. While Neutra consistently suggested his ‘scientific attitude,’ [ii] he was concerned that the limitations of ‘scientific systematics and information’ may undermine the intuitive quality of architecture in practice.[iii] The reality was Neutra sought to design in both intuitive and conscious ways through the design process, and used scientific ideas to inform the translation of his design theories into practice.[iv] [i] NEUTRA, R. undated-a. Richard J Neutra Philosophy of Design. Los Angeles: Richard J Neutra Special Collection, UCLA., p 1. [ii] NEUTRA, R. 1969b. Survival Through Design, New York, OUP., p 381. [iii] NEUTRA, R. J. undated-b. PSEUDO-SCIENCE AND ART IN ARCHITECTURE by Richard J Neutra. Los Angeles: UCLA, Richard J Neutra Special Collections., p 5. [iv] NEUTRA, R. undated-a. Richard J Neutra Philosophy of Design. Los Angeles: Richard J Neutra Special Collection, UCLA., p 1

Test tubes and turnaround times: An accelerated biosafety testing approach for new vaccines against emerging pathogens

Recent outbreaks of infectious viral disease such as those caused by SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola have led to the successful development and approval of vaccines at unprecedented speed. These achievements are possible by using an accelerated approach to vaccine development. For example, vaccine development under an accelerated or pandemic approach could take 18-24 months compared to the traditional approach of 5-10 years. A critical part of vaccine development is clinical trials and a key step in this pathway is Quality Control (QC) biosafety testing of materials used in the manufacture of clinical trial material. The traditional approach for applying and performing such QC tests does not align with the accelerated / pandemic development approach. Take for example, identity and adventitious agent testing of cell banks and vaccine seeds used to produce clinical trial material. Using a traditional approach, these alone can each take up to 8–10 weeks even with the best planning, resulting in a total time of 20 weeks if cell line and virus seed stock are characterised sequentially. Here we describe accelerated biosafety testing strategies used in industry to expedite pre-clinical and first in human clinical studies for a variety of SARS-CoV-2 candidate vaccine modalities without compromising patient safety. We will present examples and data from actual scenarios on approaches and watch-outs for rapidly producing a Chemistry Manufacturing and Control (CMC) data package, that meet regulatory requirements. This will include parallel testing approaches, use of rapid test methods such as next generation sequencing, challenges with neutralising virus seeds and scaling QC testing capacity

Neutra\u27s Pedagogic Designs

Richard J. Neutra’s seminal model schools are generally disregarded in critical literature, yet the underlying preoccupations were significant. Based on exploration of contemporary themes in medicine, education and architecture, one favoured preoccupation of Neutra’s is nature. He concludes that its potency is manifold, suggesting that exposing children to nature in an experiential way could contribute to their health, well-being and education. His model school design became the idea manifest, placing particular responsibilities on the form to achieve these ideals. However interrogation of Neutra’s forms in context reveals a lingering sense that the ideals are not always achieved. Neutra suggests particular orientations towards prevailing conditions, to orchestrate a series of relationships between the form and environment, which some of the schools appear to markedly contradict, effecting the ways by which the form can enable relationships to develop between children and their environment. These investigations suggest how a separation of vision and form can become architecture. By elucidating the rhetoric and the reality, this research proposes to gain new insights into the meaning of architecture itself and its capacity for engagement with theoretical ideals. This research proposes to understand the complexity of what architects say, to explain why architecture appears, and performs the way that it does

Opening Our Eyes : How film contributes to the culture of the UK

Opening our eyes looks at how films are consumed and the factors which affect people’s viewing choices. It also covers the relationships audiences report between film and other activities. It goes on to explore the sorts of effects which film has upon people, their sense of identity and relationship with the world. Finally it looks at the various effects which individual films have had on those surveyed and reaches a number of conclusions.Final Published versio

Irish Sign Language Interpreter Workplace Wellness during COVID-19: Looking back and moving forward

This study aims to provide insights into the impact of COVID-19 on the Irish Sign Language Interpreting profession in regards workplace wellbeing and occupational health. A two-staged mixed method data collection took place in the form of an anonymous online survey followed by focus groups. This captured work practices throughout the pandemic, the impact it had on Ssign Language Interpreters (SLIs), as well as mechanisms employed regarding wellness and self-care. The results reveal many issues impacting SLIs in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic, including drastic decreases in workload, and a forced transition into an online environment. The sudden shift to remote interpreting had many drawbacks, most evidently the initial unpreparedness, i.e. lack of experience to engage in this form of work. Additional difficulties have been noted such as the challenges of providing a complex service on a virtual platform, the lack of opportunity to develop an on-site interpreter-client relationship, and issues surrounding team interpreting in remote contexts. Negative impacts on both physical and psychological health are identified as a result. Conversely, positive opportunities are highlighted, particularly amongst non-Dublin (capital city) based SLIs who found opportunity within remote interpreting to engage in a higher volume of work and to interpret for a new client base. This was accompanied by other positive implications such as an increased flexibility and work/life balance related to hybrid working arrangements. To progress with the ongoing changes seen across the profession, the study concludes with a discussion regarding the future of SL interpreting in Ireland. Concerns have been raised around the lack of SLI autonomy in online spaces and questions have been raised on whether all members of the Deaf community can truly be active citizens in remote spaces. This has identified the need for further research and support in the profession in order to safeguard SLIs and deaf people, and to ensure SLI retention issues are not exacerbated as we move forward

Grounded Theory Method and Symbolic Interactionism: Freedom of Conceptualization and the Importance of Context in Research

Der symbolische Interaktionismus (SI), eine Perspektive zum Verständnis menschlichen Verhaltens, wird gemeinhin als Grundlage für die Grounded-Theory-Methodologie (GTM) angesehen. Der Zweck der GTM besteht jedoch darin, aus Daten eine substanzielle, erklärende Sozialtheorie zu erstellen, ohne sich auf vorherige Annahmen zu stützen. Daher argumentieren einige, dass SI eine unnötige theoretische Einschränkung des Hauptziels der GTM – der freien Konzeptualisierung von Daten – darstelle. In diesem Artikel verwenden wir Beispiele aus einer laufenden konstruktivistischen Grounded-Theory-Studie über die Aushandlung der Rollen von Krankenschwestern in der Allgemeinmedizin in Neuseeland, um zu zeigen, was SI in Bezug auf die konzeptionelle Entwicklung und das Verständnis des Kontextes beitragen kann. Wir argumentieren, dass durch das Stellen von drei Fragen aus einer symbolisch-interaktionistischen Perspektive in jeder Phase des Forschungsprozesses die Freiheit der Konzeptualisierung erhöht und das Bewusstsein für kontextuelle Belange gefördert werden kann, um eine bessere Brücke zwischen den Weltsichten zu schlagen.Symbolic interactionism (SI), a perspective used to understand human conduct, is commonly said to underpin grounded theory methodology (GTM). However, the purpose of GTM is to produce substantive explanatory social theory from data without reliance on prior assumptions. Therefore, some argue that SI is an unnecessary theoretical constraint on the principal aim of GTM—the free conceptualization of data. In this article we use examples from an ongoing constructionist grounded theory study into the negotiation of nurses' roles in general practice in New Zealand, to demonstrate how SI can inform GTM regarding conceptual development and context. We argue that by asking three questions from a symbolic interactionist perspective, at each stage of the research process, freedom of conceptualization may be enhanced and awareness of contextual matters promoted to better bridge world views

Practical use of the multiple breath washout test in children: biological variability in health and disease

The Multiple Breath Washout (MBW) test is increasingly being recognised as a sensitive method of detecting early small airways lung disease. Indices of MBW include lung clearance index (LCI), Scond and Sacin. Factors that affect MBW variability have not been fully established. This thesis presents five studies which examine MBW repeatability in children with and without cystic fibrosis (CF) or asthma. MBW was performed using 0.2% sulphur hexafluoride and the modified Innocor (Innovision). Testing was performed at the Clinical Research Facility of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. (1) MBW and spirometry were performed in children with and without CF (n=20 in each group), initially while sitting and then 30 minutes after assuming a supine posture. LCI was found to significantly rise on lying supine in healthy children (p<0.01) and children with CF (p=0.03). (2) Thirty two children with CF performed MBW and spirometry on four study visits, results were correlated with findings from high resolution chest computed tomography scans taken on the first visit. LCI showed the strongest correlation with extent and severity of bronchiectasis (r=0.66, p<0.01 and r=0.69, p<0.01 respectively). Variability of LCI was similar to FEV1 over the 4 visits. (3) MBW and spirometry of 66 healthy children were compared to 63 children with stable asthma; lung function of asthmatic children was related to symptoms and medication use. LCI was higher in the asthmatic group (6.7 vs 6.3, p<0.01); within the asthmatic group LCI was significantly higher if asthma was less well controlled (p=0.02). (4) Children with and without asthma (n=21 in each group) performed MBW and spirometry before and after exercise and again after salbutamol, symptom data was collected from asthmatic children. Baseline LCI was abnormal in the asthmatic group who had severe exercise induced bronchospasm during testing. (5) Asthmatic children admitted to hospital due to exacerbation performed MBW and spirometry. Mean (SD) LCI was abnormally high at 8.5 (1.7) in the nine patients recruited and returned to normal 6.7 (0.6) in three patients who attended follow up. I have presented evidence that LCI is repeatable and sensitive to early disease in CF and asthma. I have described for the first time the effects of exercise and exacerbation on MBW indices in asthmatic children. MBW is potentially a very useful tool in paediatrics; standardisation of testing and equipment may enable clinical use