Dublin City University (DCU)
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/628649
2024-03-28T23:15:53ZPreserving the Flame: The Past, Present, and Future of EJOP.
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/640539
Preserving the Flame: The Past, Present, and Future of EJOP.
Karl, Johannes Alfons
The provided text discusses transformative changes in the Europe’s Journal of Psychology (EJOP) as it transitions to a new editorial direction. The editorial emphasizes three key points: Exploration, Replication, and Reflection. The editor highlights the journal's historical commitment to diversity and inclusivity and seeks to continue this legacy by encouraging submissions from underrepresented areas in psychology. The piece introduces concrete changes, including a requirement for Open Science practices, inviting registered replications, and addressing global inequities in accessing high-quality information. The editorial also emphasizes the importance of making research accessible to the public and announces the implementation of plain language statements to accompany published studies. The overall goal is to promote growth, inclusivity, and evidence-based public discourse within the field of psychology.
2023-05-31T00:00:00ZIntegrating Deloading into Strength and Physique Sports Training Programmes: An International Delphi Consensus Approach.
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/640443
Integrating Deloading into Strength and Physique Sports Training Programmes: An International Delphi Consensus Approach.
Bell, Lee; Coleman, Max; Androulakis-Korakakis, Patroklos; Nolan, David; Strafford, Ben
Background: Deloading is a ubiquitous yet under-researched strategy within strength and physique training. How deloading should be integrated into the training programme to elicit optimal training outcomes is unknown. To aid its potential integration, this study established consensus around design principles for integrating deloading in strength and physique training programmes using expert opinion and practical experience.
Methods: Expert strength and physique coaches were invited to an online Delphi consisting of 3 rounds. Thirty-four coaches completed the first round, 29 completed the second round, and 21 completed the third round of a Delphi questionnaire. In the first round, coaches answered 15 open-ended questions from four categories: 1: General Perceptions of Deloading; 2: Potential Applications of Deloading; 3: Designing and Implementing Deloading; and 4: Creating an Inclusive Deloading Training Environment. First-round responses were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, resulting in 138 statements organized into four domains. In the second and third rounds, coaches rated each statement using a four-point Likert scale, and collective agreement or disagreement was calculated.
Results: Stability of consensus was achieved across specific aspects of the four categories. Findings from the final round were used to develop the design principles, which reflect the consensus achieved.
Conclusions: This study develops consensus on design principles for integrating deloading into strength and physique sports training programmes. A consensus definition is proposed: "Deloading is a period of reduced training stress designed to mitigate physiological and psychological fatigue, promote recovery, and enhance preparedness for subsequent training." These findings contribute novel knowledge that might advance the current understanding of deloading in strength and physique sports.
2023-09-21T00:00:00ZAcute and Transgenerational Effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Daphnia magna.
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/640342
Acute and Transgenerational Effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Daphnia magna.
Michalaki, Anna; Grintzalis, Konstantinos
Pharmaceuticals pose a great threat to organisms inhabiting the aquatic environment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are major pharmaceutical pollutants with a significant presence in freshwater ecosystems. In this study, the impact of indomethacin and ibuprofen, two of the most commonly prescribed NSAIDs, was assessed on Daphnia magna. Toxicity was assessed as the immobilization of animals and used to determine non-lethal exposure concentrations. Feeding was assessed as a phenotypic endpoint and key enzymes were used as molecular endpoints of physiology. Feeding was decreased in mixture exposures for five-day-old daphnids and neonates. Furthermore, animals were exposed to NSAIDs and their mixture in chronic and transgenerational scenarios revealing changes in key enzyme activities. Alkaline and acid phosphatases, lipase, peptidase, β-galactosidase, and glutathione-S-transferase were shown to have significant changes in the first generation at the first and third week of exposure, and these were enhanced in the second generation. On the other hand, the third recovery generation did not exhibit these changes, and animals were able to recover from the induced changes and revert back to the control levels. Overall, our study points towards transgenerational exposures as more impactful laboratory studies to understand pharmaceutical stressors with a combination of molecular and phenotypic markers of physiology.
Pharmaceuticals pose a great threat to organisms inhabiting the aquatic environment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are major pharmaceutical pollutants with a significant presence in freshwater ecosystems. In this study, the impact of indomethacin and ibuprofen, two of the most commonly prescribed NSAIDs, was assessed on Daphnia magna. Toxicity was assessed as the immobilization of animals and used to determine non-lethal exposure concentrations. Feeding was assessed as a phenotypic endpoint and key enzymes were used as molecular endpoints of physiology. Feeding was decreased in mixture exposures for five-day-old daphnids and neonates. Furthermore, animals were exposed to NSAIDs and their mixture in chronic and transgenerational scenarios revealing changes in key enzyme activities. Alkaline and acid phosphatases, lipase, peptidase, β-galactosidase, and glutathione-S-transferase were shown to have significant changes in the first generation at the first and third week of exposure, and these were enhanced in the second generation. On the other hand, the third recovery generation did not exhibit these changes, and animals were able to recover from the induced changes and revert back to the control levels. Overall, our study points towards transgenerational exposures as more impactful laboratory studies to understand pharmaceutical stressors with a combination of molecular and phenotypic markers of physiology.
2023-03-29T00:00:00ZAdolescents' experiences of psychotherapy following child sexual abuse.
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/638251
Adolescents' experiences of psychotherapy following child sexual abuse.
McElvaney, Rosaleen; Monaghan, Andrina; Treacy, Christina; Delaney, Naoise
The aim of this study was to explore adolescents' experiences of psychotherapy following sexual abuse, complementing those studies that focus on outcomes and measurement of symptom change across the course of therapy and building on recent studies that focus on the process of psychotherapy for young people who have experienced sexual abuse, from their perspective. Recent reviews have highlighted the need for tailored approaches to therapy. Research is needed that focuses on young people's experiences of therapy to help develop such tailored approaches. In this study, 16 young people aged 15-18 years who were attending specialist sexual violence therapeutic services were interviewed. Using thematic analysis, six themes were identified as reflecting their experiences of therapy following sexual abuse. Young people spoke of not wanting to attend; the importance of choice and not feeling pressured in both initially attending and in how the therapy unfolded; how helpful it was to talk; the centrality of the relationship with their therapist; the benefit of attending a specialist service; how helpful it was when the therapist explained things; and finally, the coping skills they learned in the therapeutic work. A key learning from the study is the importance of respecting young people's autonomy following such violations of trust and psychological integrity. The study highlights how engagement in therapy may be experienced as a re-enactment of an experience that was forced on the young person. Further qualitative research exploring this phenomenon could guide therapists on how to minimise such re-enactments in therapeutic work.
2023-07-04T00:00:00ZUnderstanding the relationship between sleep and quality of life in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review of the literature.
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/636934
Understanding the relationship between sleep and quality of life in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review of the literature.
Laverty, Bróna; Puthezhath Jayanandan, Sreelakshmi; Smyth, Sinéad
Living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) can elicit psychological distress and diminish quality of life (QoL) in patients. Research has also elucidated a link between sleep and quality of life. Thus, the current review aimed to clarify the relationship between sleep and QoL in T2D patients, and determine the prevalence of sleep problems in this cohort. A systematic search across four databases yielded 23 relevant studies, which were synthesized narratively. Between 17.8 and 79% of patients had sleep problems, and a direct, significant relationship was established between sleep and QoL. An indirect relationship between sleep and QoL was established through exacerbation of psychological factors and biological symptoms of T2D. Findings are clinically relevant and highlight the importance of screening for sleep problems during routine patient appointments. Future research should employ either longitudinal or prospective study designs to enable further understanding of the intricacies of this relationship.
2023-01-04T00:00:00ZLong-term outcome collection after hip fracture in Ireland: a systematic review of traditional and grey literature.
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/636847
Long-term outcome collection after hip fracture in Ireland: a systematic review of traditional and grey literature.
Savin, Bibiana; Fitzgerald, Michelle; Walsh, Mary; Cunningham, Caitriona; Brent, Louise; Blake, Catherine
In total, 84 studies were identified from 20 clinical sites. Outcomes commonly recorded were mortality (n = 48 studies; 57%), function (n = 24; 29%), residence (n = 20; 24%), bone-related outcomes (n = 20; 24%), and mobility (n = 17; 20%). One year post-fracture was the most frequent time point, and patient telephone contact was the most common collection method used. Most studies did not report follow-up rates. Two meta-analyses were performed. The pooled estimate for one-year mortality was 24.2% (95% CI = 19.1-29.8%, I2 = 93.8%, n = 12 studies, n = 4220 patients), and for 30-day mortality was 4.7% (95% CI = 3.6-5.9%, I2 = 31.3%, n = 7 studies, n = 2092 patients). Reports of non-mortality outcomes were deemed inappropriate for meta-analysis.
This review aimed to describe the methods and results from recent Irish research about post-acute hip fracture outcomes. Meta-analyses estimate the 30-day and 1-year mortality rate at 5% and 24% respectively. There is a need for standardised recommendations about which data should be recorded to aid national and international comparisons.
Purpose: Over 3700 older adults experience hip fracture in Ireland annually. The Irish Hip Fracture Database national audit records acute hospital data but lacks longer-term outcomes. This systematic review aimed to summarise and appraise recent Irish studies that collected long-term hip fracture outcomes and to generate pooled estimates where appropriate.
Methods: Electronic databases and grey literature were searched in April 2022 for articles, abstracts, and theses published from 2005 to 2022. Eligible studies were appraised by two authors and outcome collection details summarised. Meta-analyses of studies with common outcomes were conducted where the sample was generalisable to the broad hip fracture population.
Results: In total, 84 studies were identified from 20 clinical sites. Outcomes commonly recorded were mortality (n = 48 studies; 57%), function (n = 24; 29%), residence (n = 20; 24%), bone-related outcomes (n = 20; 24%), and mobility (n = 17; 20%). One year post-fracture was the most frequent time point, and patient telephone contact was the most common collection method used. Most studies did not report follow-up rates. Two meta-analyses were performed. The pooled estimate for one-year mortality was 24.2% (95% CI = 19.1-29.8%, I2 = 93.8%, n = 12 studies, n = 4220 patients), and for 30-day mortality was 4.7% (95% CI = 3.6-5.9%, I2 = 31.3%, n = 7 studies, n = 2092 patients). Reports of non-mortality outcomes were deemed inappropriate for meta-analysis.
Conclusion: Hip fracture long-term outcomes collected in Irish research are broadly in line with international recommendations. Heterogeneity of measures and poor reporting of methods and findings limits collation of results. Recommendations for standard outcome definitions nationally are warranted. Further research should explore the feasibility of recording long-term outcomes during routine hip fracture care in Ireland to enhance national audit.
2023-03-04T00:00:00ZThe selection advantages associated with advanced biological maturation vary according to playing position in national-level youth soccer.
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/636846
The selection advantages associated with advanced biological maturation vary according to playing position in national-level youth soccer.
Sweeney, Liam; Cumming, Sean; Horan, Dan; Macnamara, Aine
This study investigated the extent to which biological maturation selection biases existed according to playing position in national-level youth soccer. A total of 159 players from the U13 to U16 age groups in the Football Association of Ireland's national talent pathway and international representative squads had their relative biological maturity status assessed using the Khamis-Roche method for the percentage of predicted adult height at the time of observation. Players were categorised as goalkeeper (GK), central defender (CD), full-back (FB), centre defensive midfielder (CDM), centre midfielder (CM), centre attacking midfielder (CAM), wide midfielder (WM) or centre forward (CF). A series of one-sampled means t-tests were used to examine the degree to which biological maturation selection biases existed across playing positions. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate inter-positional differences. A small to very large selection bias in favour of early maturing players existed for GK (D = 0.7), CD (D = 1.65), FB (D = 0.49), CM (D = 0.62), WM (D = 0.78), and CF (D = 0.76) (p < 0.05). Maturational selection biases did not exist for CDM or CAM. Moreover, CD were significantly more advanced in maturation compared to FB, CDM and CAM (p < 0.05). This study supports the contention that maturation selection biases exist in youth soccer, but the magnitude of this bias is highly dependent upon playing position. The very strong maturity selection biases at the national level evidenced in this investigation highlight the need for Football Associations to explore strategies, such as futures programmes, to help to retain talented, yet late maturing athletes.
2022-10-06T00:00:00ZDesign of a pre-treatment integrated anaerobic digestion treatment facility for decarbonising whiskey industry: A circular economy perspective.
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/636147
Design of a pre-treatment integrated anaerobic digestion treatment facility for decarbonising whiskey industry: A circular economy perspective.
Dalton, Cormac; Okolie, Jude A; Davis, Paul; Gunes, Burcu
This paper outlines the sustainable management of the whiskey distillery by-products, known as draff and pot ale, through anaerobic digestion (AD). The substrates were pre-treated using 0.6M NaOH and high shear homogenizer for 24 h. Substrate pre-treatment helped improve the digestabilility of lignocellulosic materials towards AD. In addition, the complex cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents are disintegrated. A continuous stirred tank reactor with a volume of 1766 m3 and organic loading rate of 4.04 kg COD/m3/day operating under mesophilic conditions for 30 days was designed to facilitate the complete digestion of the substrates. Compared with the conventional digesters, the proposed novel pre-treatment method achieved a 20% increase in methane yield. The energy recovery potential using a combined heat and power unit can cover 24 and 42.5% of the thermal and electrical demand of the distillery, respectively. The capital cost of the proposed facility was estimated as €3.6 million with a payback period of 9.60 years. In comparison, there is a payback period of 15.13 years without the pre-treatment. Additionally, this model decreases the distillery's carbon footprint by 33%. Although the proposed design applies to the distillery in Ireland, results could be used to design distillery plants in other countries.
This paper outlines the sustainable management of the whiskey distillery by-products, known as draff and pot ale, through anaerobic digestion (AD). The substrates were pre-treated using 0.6M NaOH and high shear homogenizer for 24 h. Substrate pre-treatment helped improve the digestabilility of lignocellulosic materials towards AD. In addition, the complex cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents are disintegrated. A continuous stirred tank reactor with a volume of 1766 m3 and organic loading rate of 4.04 kg COD/m3/day operating under mesophilic conditions for 30 days was designed to facilitate the complete digestion of the substrates. Compared with the conventional digesters, the proposed novel pre-treatment method achieved a 20% increase in methane yield. The energy recovery potential using a combined heat and power unit can cover 24 and 42.5% of the thermal and electrical demand of the distillery, respectively. The capital cost of the proposed facility was estimated as €3.6 million with a payback period of 9.60 years. In comparison, there is a payback period of 15.13 years without the pre-treatment. Additionally, this model decreases the distillery's carbon footprint by 33%. Although the proposed design applies to the distillery in Ireland, results could be used to design distillery plants in other countries.
2022-05-23T00:00:00ZAre all domains created equal? An exploration of stakeholder views on the concept of physical literacy.
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/635846
Are all domains created equal? An exploration of stakeholder views on the concept of physical literacy.
Connolly, Sinead; Peers, Cameron; Goss, Hannah; Murphy, Marie; Murtagh, Elaine; Ferguson, Kyle; O'Brien, Wesley; Belton, Sarahjane; Kavanagh, Jennifer; Corr, Meabh
Background: Developing physical literacy at population levels provides a transformative appeal for those working in sport, health, education, recreation and physical activity settings. Interdisciplinary approaches to development of policy in this area is recommended. The purpose of this study was to gather empirical data from key stakeholders working with young people in areas related to physical literacy across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, to capture their current understanding and awareness of the physical literacy to help inform the development of the first all-island consensus statement for physical literacy.
Methods: A total of 1,241 participants (52% male), from a range of stakeholder groups (health, physical activity, sport, recreation and education) completed a researcher developed physical literacy questionnaire. A one-way MANOVA was carried out to investigate differences across stakeholder grouping in terms of perceived importance of three domains of physical literacy. Overlap of independent confidence intervals was analysed to determine importance of the physical literacy domains within stakeholder grouping.
Results: A majority (63%) of respondents indicated they were aware of an existing definition of physical literacy, but this varied by stakeholder group (e.g. 86% for higher education, versus 47% of coaches). Participants working in higher education (69%), or working as physical education specialists (67%), were more likely to rate themselves as experts or near experts in physical literacy, while coaches, education generalists, and decision makers were more likely rate themselves as having no expertise (9%, 12% and 12% respectively). Non-specialist teachers and physical education teachers rated the importance of all domains of physical literacy significantly higher than decision makers, and significantly higher than coaches in the cognitive and affective domains. All stakeholders significantly rated the importance of the physical/psychomotor domain of physical literacy higher than the affective or cognitive domains of physical literacy.
Conclusions: Differences observed across stakeholder groups underline the importance of developing a shared vision for physical literacy, and the need to clarify and gain consensus on a definition of the term and its domains. Engaging and understanding the voice of stakeholders is critical in ensuring the relevance, ownership of and commitment to physical literacy statement operationalisation.
2022-03-15T00:00:00ZEditorial: Cardio-vascular Dysfunction and Physiological Manifestations Induced by Environmental Conditions.
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/635594
Editorial: Cardio-vascular Dysfunction and Physiological Manifestations Induced by Environmental Conditions.
Vinogradova, Olga; Gharib, Claude; Custaud, Marc-Antoine; Murphy, Ronan; Delp, Michael; Guerrero, François
Interactions between living organisms and their environment are complex, being generationally, spatially, and temporally regulated. Genetic adaptations occur and persist over many generations which confer both a survival and reproductive advantage in the context of a particular environment, a condition of evolution known as Darwinism. Acclimatization involves a constellation of integrative adaptive responses which confer functional compensation. This biological and physiological phenomenon may extend over a period of hours to months to years, even transgenerationally, in response to a complex set of environmental factors. Within the bounds of the principle of parsimony, acclimation may be referred to as the functional compensation in response to a single environmental factor. Studies of acclimation are ordinarily performed in the laboratory where only one variable is manipulated at a time (Fregly, 1996). As our understanding of biological systems advance, and the contribution of growing disciplines such as epigenetics, the integrative research studies, technological platforms, modeling systems, and experimental approaches have become pivotal to elucidating functional physiological adaptations at the molecular and cellular level.
2022-03-17T00:00:00Z