Search Results (110)

Energy efficiency (EE) is an important driver of quality of life (QoL), which is an overarching goal of sustainable development (SD). The levels of these phenomena in the European Union (EU) vary. Previous analyses presented in the literature have focused mainly on a one-dimensional view of EE and QoL. The authors of this article, given the multidimensional nature of the phenomena under study, present both categories from a holistic perspective. The purpose of this study was to identify the level of QoL in the context of EE and to compare the results of the classification of EU countries in terms of the analyzed phenomena. The study was conducted using the ELECTRE Tri method, one of the advanced techniques of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The classification procedure used made it possible to assign countries to predefined decision-making categories on the basis of preference threshold values and dominance relations to reference profiles. The 27 EU member states were analyzed on the basis of empirical data from 2023, using a set of 20 indicators characterizing EE and QoL. Countries were assigned to one of five classes, differentiating the level of development in both analyzed areas. Optimistic and pessimistic approaches were used to assess the stability of the classifications. The analysis showed the presence of countries with consistent results (e.g., Poland and Germany), extreme countries (Ireland and the Netherlands—high QoL with low EE; Romania and Croatia—inversely), as well as non-unique cases (e.g., Malta, the Czech Republic/Czechia, and Finland). The spatial approach indicated regions requiring special support. The results of the study can be a useful tool to support the process of designing public policies aimed at integrating social, economic, energy, and environmental goals within SD. Full article

This study examines the impact of structural characteristics of agricultural holdings on their agricultural performance and contribution to rural development in EU countries over the past decade to identify potential measures to enhance rural development. The results of the paired samples t-test reveal a structural shift in EU agriculture between 2010 and 2020 toward larger, more productive, and capital-intensive farms alongside a decline in small-scale and subsistence farming, improved agricultural incomes, and rural economic growth. However, persistent challenges such as rural depopulation, declining employment, and ongoing poverty remain. A cluster analysis identified five distinct agricultural models and reflects some notable transitions: Eastern European countries increasingly moved toward mixed farming (e.g., Latvia, Lithuania, and Hungary) or large-scale commercial farming (e.g., the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Slovakia), subsistence and small-scale farming became more concentrated in Bulgaria and Romania, and Western and Northern countries maintained high levels of modernization, with Ireland progressing and the Netherlands standing out as a distinct high-tech agricultural model. The five distinct agricultural clusters identified underline the need for regionally tailored policies. Hierarchical regression shows that while improvements in agricultural performance, particularly increased labor productivity, contribute to rural GDP per capita growth, they have a limited impact on rural poverty. Therefore, enhancing sustainable rural development requires more comprehensive and integrated strategies that not only promote productivity-driven agricultural reforms and innovation in advanced systems but also address the specific needs of lagging countries through structural transformation, capacity building, and targeted support. Full article

Behaviors of concern (BoC) may be defined as persistent behaviors that impact the daily functioning and learning of children. They are behaviors that could pose a risk to their own safety or the safety of others. Supporting children with BoC is vital for student learning, success, and inclusion in both mainstream and special settings. Traditionally, the onus has been on the teacher to support and manage a classroom and all behaviors within that classroom. However, with an increase in BoC impacting school and class activities, targeted support in schools has become more common. Many factors have accelerated this shift, particularly the rise of burnout, lack of confidence, and aggressive behavior in schools, particularly in special school settings. The current study, through a Foucauldian power/knowledge and disciplinary theory paradigm, investigated whether having one specialist in the school aids the children and staff. A focused case study was conducted via seven semi-structured interviews with staff at one special school in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) with a full-time behavior specialist (BS) on site. The findings revealed that (1) the role of the BS is based on identifying BoC and implementing support, (2) having a behavior specialist is key for supporting children and staff in schools, (3) support and interventions are more sustainable once there is the presence of a specialist, and (4) challenges such as a lack of space, inadequate funding, large caseloads, staff shortages, and lack of time are a reality in the school setting. The main conclusion derived from this study is that having a BS in the school has a positive impact on the children, staff, and attitudes, providing both practical and pastoral power, which are essential for effective inclusive practices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Osteoporosis is an important health issue worldwide, and bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed for its treatment. However, certain complications can occur with long-term bisphosphonate therapy. The complication highlighted in this study was atypical femoral fractures, which are rare but significant. The orthopedic consensus identifies surgical intervention as the gold-standard treatment for atypical femoral fractures, typically involving intramedullary or cephalomedullary nailing (CMN). The aim was to monitor patients for a follow-up period exceeding six months after surgical fixation with a CMN, with the majority of patients being followed up for more than 18 months after their initial surgery. Methods: This single-center analysis was conducted on a mixed cohort comprising a total of 10 patients. The study was conducted between September and November 2024. The inclusion criterion was surgical treatment for bisphosphonate-related atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) between June 2022 and November 2024 at a Level 1 Trauma Center, Cork University Hospital in the Republic of Ireland. The patients were monitored through a structured follow-up protocol that extended beyond six months, with the majority of patients being followed up for over 18 months. Follow-up assessments were conducted at defined intervals, including key evaluations at 3 and 6 months and at their final review. Clinical parameters such as pain, functional recovery, and radiological healing were considered. Results: No significant functional difference was observed at follow-up between the patients who sustained displaced fractures and those who presented with undisplaced fractures. Sixty percent of the patients remained pain-free from the 3-month postoperative follow-up, and the same percentage continued to be pain-free at the final follow-up. Conclusions: Cephalomedullary nailing is a safe option for the treatment of atypical femoral fractures. Patients with a bisphosphonate atypical femoral fracture should undergo bilateral screening and should be followed up for a longer period than the standard post-traumatic care intervals that are in place for typical femoral fractures. Full article

Despite the growing popularity of organic foods, research on their effects on human health, particularly regarding cancer and diabetes, remains limited. While some studies suggest potential health benefits, others yield conflicting results or lack sufficient evidence to draw conclusions. Understanding the causal relationship between organic food consumption and health outcomes is challenging, especially with limited datasets. Our study examines the correlation between organic food consumption and the prevalence of cancer and diabetes in European nations over time. We compared these findings with data from 100 Italian citizens regarding their perceptions of organic food’s health benefits collected through a novel questionnaire. To identify patterns, we applied Affinity Propagation clustering to group countries based on organic food consumption and disease prevalence. We also created an animated map to visualize cluster progression over time and used the Global Multiplexity Index to evaluate consistency. Our analysis revealed two subgroups of European countries exhibiting significant similarities in organic food consumption and health outcomes. The clustering analysis performed year-by-year on three variables across European nations using the Affinity Propagation algorithm revealed that two clusters consistently maximized the Global Multiplexity Index over time. The first cluster included Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, while the second comprised Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Greece, and Russia. These clusters displayed distinct trends concerning sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to organic farming and non-communicable diseases. Additionally, mapping SDG indicators along with geographic and socio-economic factors supported our findings. Moreover, we introduced a novel dataset and offered insights into both the European context and the Italian scenario, contributing to further research on organic food’s impact on public health. Full article

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a critical scientific tool for assessing human exposure by quantifying chemicals and their metabolites in biological specimens such as blood and urine. This approach provides a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of internal exposures from diverse sources and exposure routes. In Ireland, establishing a national HBM programme requires a systematic chemical prioritisation process that aligns global frameworks with local public perceptions. This study integrates insights from international initiatives such as the European Joint Programme Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) and the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC)—along with HBM programmes from EU countries (Germany, France, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Czech Republic, and Sweden) and non-EU countries (US, Canada, South Korea, China, and New Zealand). In addition, a national survey was conducted to capture the perceptions of people in Ireland regarding chemicals of concern to develop a comprehensive priority list of chemicals and biomarkers. The broader chemical groups identified include heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and chromium VI), plasticisers (phthalates), bisphenols, pesticides, flame retardants, PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), POPs (persistent organic compounds), VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and UV (ultraviolet) filters. This integrated, participatory approach provides a roadmap for a robust, adaptable chemical list that supports evidence-based policy decisions in HBM in Ireland and enhances public health outcomes. Full article

Transitioning to agroecology on dairy and beef farms is touted as a sustainable response to environmental externalities. The current study conducted narrative interviews with farmers who transitioned towards agroecological food production by implementing pro-environmental diversification measures in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and France. The study aimed to determine farmers’ experiences of agroecology and used a thematic approach for the analysis. Results indicate that the motivations, values and principles of farmers transitioning to agroecology are closely aligned with the ideology of the new/peasantry. Farmers’ decisions were primarily influenced by ecological principles and a sense of responsibility towards environmental protection, with particular biographical events central to the transition to an alternative food production system based on agroecology. Other explanatory factors related to farmers’ desires to increase the autonomy and profitability of the farm, and their conscious efforts to eliminate dependence on external inputs. Farmers who entered agriculture with no family background in farming had acquired skillsets which provided them with specific advantages in advancing towards agroecological goals. This paper provides insights relevant to policymakers, extension and education providers on how to practically support agroecological transition. Full article

Ireland is the largest beef trader and a major dairy exporter within the European Union. Horse racing holds significant cultural value, while greyhound racing is economically important at the regional level. As public concern about farm animal welfare rises and biodiversity loss intensifies, this research examines the political salience of animal protection in Ireland across the 2011, 2016, and 2020 general elections. Political salience measures the degree of public concern about political issues, with party manifestos serving as indicators of this concern. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study analysed 364 statements on animal protection from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Green Party, the Labour Party, and Sinn Féin. The results show a significant increase in the frequency and positivity of animal protection statements over the course of the election period, with a shift in the attitudes of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The Green Party has consistently promoted progressive animal protection policies. Key issues such as farmed animal welfare, wildlife and biodiversity, and horse and greyhound racing have gained prominence in party manifestos, also reflecting economic influences. Despite this growing focus, critical issues such as the puppy trade and certain aspects of farmed animal welfare remain underrepresented. This research provides the first comprehensive academic analysis of animal protection policy in political party manifestos in the Republic of Ireland. Full article

Decarbonization of the built environment by electrifying energy systems and decarbonizing the electrical grid coupled with the digitization of these systems is a central strategy implemented by the European Commission (EC) to meet carbon reduction policies. The proliferation of technologies such as renewable energy sources (RES) and demand-side management (DSM) systems can be improved by using digital twins to predict and optimize their integration with existing systems. Digital twins in the built environment have been used for multiple purposes, such as predicting the performance of a system before its inception or optimizing its operation during use. To this end, a novel application of a combination of these technologies towards optimized DSM is peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading, which can improve the local use of RES in the built environment. This paper investigates the potential of P2P energy trading in optimizing local RES of a remote island, Inishmore, Republic of Ireland, using a combination of data-driven and predictive digital twins towards the island’s journey to net zero. Data-driven digital twins are used to evaluate the current energy use at the pilot site. Predictive digital twins are applied to estimate the impact of applying P2P in the future and its influence on RES consumption at the pilot site. The findings show that in scenarios with limited RES coverage, P2P can significantly increase the local consumption of excess RES energy, reducing the risk of transmission or curtailment losses. However, P2P is limited in scenarios with widespread RES installation without storage or behavioral change to shift energy loads. Full article

The Republic of Ireland has undergone a seismic religious and social transformation in recent decades. Through the processes of secularization and detraditionalization, as well as several major scandals within the Irish Catholic Church, irreligiosity has become an increasing reality in terms of the hitherto overwhelmingly Catholic population. At a time of spiritual climate change in this post-Catholic Ireland, the contemporary phenomenon of mindfulness has exploded in popularity across various elements of society. Against this backdrop, three distinctive modes or strands of mindfulness are proposed as being operative in the Irish context, each catering to the needs of different practitioners. The proposed modes include psychological and clinical mindfulness and commodified and post-secular spirituality. Within the lacuna created by the receding of Catholic belief and practice, the emergence of mindfulness in the Irish context is explored, mapping how this originally Buddhist practice has gained such a foothold in contemporary spiritual discourse. Full article

Effective design of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems requires accurate meteorological data for solar irradiance, ambient temperature, and wind speed. In this study, we aim to assess the reliability of satellite-based solar resource databases such as NASA, Solcast, and PVGIS by comparing them with ground-based measurements of global horizontal irradiance (GHI) from six locations in the Republic of Ireland. We compared satellite- and ground-based GHI data recorded between 2011 and 2012 and used Python-based packages to simulate solar power output for the six locations using both data types. The simulated outputs were then compared against metered power output from PV arrays at the sites. Ground-based GHI measurements demonstrate superior accuracy due to their acquisition at specific locations, offering increased spatial representativity. On the other hand, satellite GHI measurements, although reasonably accurate for many applications, cover broader regions with lower spatial resolution, leading to averaging effects that may not fully capture localized variations. This difference is reflected in the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values, with ground-simulated data showing low MAPE values, indicating strong alignment with reference observations, while satellite-simulated data exhibit a slightly higher MAPE, suggesting less precise estimates despite a strong correlation with ground-based measurements. This study demonstrates the relative reliability of satellite- and ground-based GHI data for accurate solar PV system design, emphasizing the practical implications for energy planners and engineers, and providing a strong enhancement for researchers working on forecasting solar energy yields using satellite databases. The Python-based PVLib package was utilized for the simulation, offering a robust framework for modeling and analyzing solar power systems, and its effectiveness in this context is discussed in detail. Full article

In January 2020, increased mortality was reported in a small broiler breeder flock in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Gross pathological findings included coelomitis, oophoritis, salpingitis, visceral gout, splenomegaly, and renomegaly. Clinical presentation included inappetence, pronounced diarrhoea, and increased egg deformation. These signs, in combination with increased mortality, triggered a notifiable avian disease investigation. High pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was not suspected, as mortality levels and clinical signs were not consistent with HPAIV. Laboratory investigation demonstrated the causative agent to be a low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV), subtype H6N1, resulting in an outbreak that affected 15 premises in Northern Ireland. The H6N1 virus was also associated with infection on 13 premises in the Republic of Ireland and six in Great Britain. The close genetic relationship between the viruses in Ireland and Northern Ireland suggested a direct causal link whereas those in Great Britain were associated with exposure to a common ancestral virus. Overall, this rapidly spreading outbreak required the culling of over 2 million birds across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland to stamp out the incursion. This report demonstrates the importance of investigating LPAIV outbreaks promptly, given their substantial economic impacts. Full article

Childhood trauma can exert a negative influence in the lives of young children. Yet, while Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professionals are perfectly positioned to support children exposed to such trauma, extant research reports a scarcity of bespoke trauma awareness training for the ECEC profession. The aim of the current study served to explore the trauma awareness knowledge, strategies, and training of the ECEC profession in the Republic of Ireland. A comprehensive survey instrument, comprising 45 items across 5 Thematic Domains related to trauma knowledge and training, was disseminated to ECEC professionals nationwide. With a response rate of 1053 participants, key findings revealed (i) a fragmented understanding of what constitutes childhood trauma, and (ii) a significant association between lower levels of educational attainment and trauma education (Initial Practitioner Education, p = 0.000; Continuous Professional Development, p = 0.039). Further, 95% of participants called for context-specific, trauma awareness training, substantiating the voracious appetite for this crucial cog in the ECEC learning continuum, and thus reflecting the need for urgent reform to address and support the complexities of childhood trauma in ECEC discourse. Full article

The Government of Ireland has set a target of achieving 100% open access to publicly funded scholarly publications by 2030. As a key element of achieving this objective, the PublishOA.ie project was established to evaluate the feasibility of establishing an all-island [Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland] digital publishing platform for Diamond Open Access journals and monographs designed to advance best practice and meet the needs of authors, readers, publishers, and research funding organisations in Irish scholarly publishing. It should be noted in this context that there is substantial ‘north–south’ cooperation between public bodies in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom, some of whom operate on what is commonly termed an ‘all-island’ basis. The project commenced in November 2022 and will run until November 2024, with the submission of a Final Report. This article originated as an interim project report presented in September 2023 at the PubMet2023 conference in Zadar, Croatia. The project is unique in its mandate to report on the feasibility of a shared platform that will encompass scholarly publishing across the two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland, which are now, post-Brexit, inside and outside the European Union (EU): the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom. The project is co-led by the Royal Irish Academy (RIA), Ireland’s leading body of experts in the Sciences and Humanities, and the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Institute of Trinity College Dublin. There are sixteen partners and affiliates from universities and organisations from the island of Ireland. The feasibility study will be based on a review of the publishing practices in the island of Ireland, with gap analysis on standards, technology, processes, copyright practices, and funding models for Diamond OA, benchmarking against other national platforms, and specifications of the requirements, leading to the delivery of a pilot national publishing platform. A set of demonstrator journals and monographs will be published using the platform, which will be actively trialled by the partner publishers and authors. PublishOA.ie aims to deliver an evidence-based understanding of Irish scholarly publishing and of the requirements of publishers to transition in whole or in part to Diamond OA. This paper provides an interim report on progress on the project as of September 2023, ten months after its commencement. Full article

Limited socialisation can contribute to the development of undesirable dog behaviours. The COVID-19 lockdown potentially limited socialisation opportunities, which may negatively impact the future behaviour of puppies raised during lockdown. Data were gathered from longitudinal study participants in the United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland via multiple questionnaires between May 2016 and November 2022. The impact of age and lockdown phase (pre-, during, and post-) on the types of socialisation experiences of 8-to-19-week-old puppies and the recency of socialisation experiences of approximately 6-month-old puppies were examined. Puppies under 19-weeks had significantly more types of socialisation experiences (from a predefined list) as they aged, and pre-lockdown compared to post-lockdown, but not between other lockdown phases. Most 6-month-old puppies had met a new adult or dog outside the household, a familiar dog, and/or a child within the last 1–7 days, and this was similar between lockdown phases. During lockdown, 6-month-old puppies experienced longer periods between meeting a new adult in their home. Puppies were hypothesised to have had fewer experiences during lockdown, but this was not found. However, the quantity and quality of these experiences may have been affected. Future research within this longitudinal study will explore relationships between the timing and type of experiences had by puppies and their subsequent behaviour. Full article