How to name new chemical elements (IUPAC Recommendations 2016)

A procedure is proposed to name new chemical elements. After the discovery of a new element is established by the joint IUPAC-IUPAP Working Group, the discoverers are invited to propose a name and a symbol to the IUPAC Inorganic Chemistry Division. Elements can be named after a mythological concept, a mineral, a place or country, a property or a scientist. After examination and acceptance by the Inorganic Chemistry Division, the proposal follows the accepted IUPAC procedure and is then ratified by the Council of IUPAC. This document is a slightly amended version of the 2002 IUPAC Recommendations; the most important change is that the names of all new elements should have an ending that reflects and maintains historical and chemical consistency. This would be in general “-ium” for elements belonging to groups 1–16, i.e. including the f-block elements, “-ine” for elements of group 17 and “-on” for elements of group 18.This manuscript (PAC-REP-15-08-02) was prepared in the framework of IUPAC project 2015-031-1-200

Stances and Scientism: An Evaluation of Naturalised Metaphysics

Naturalised Metaphysicians, generally speaking, hold that science is our best bet at arriving at knowledge about reality. As such, their metaphysics defers to our best scientific theories in order to determine its ontological commitments. In chapter one of this thesis, drawing from arguments from van Fraassen and Ladyman & Ross, I provide an overview of the naturalised metaphysicians’ motivation for the rejection of so-called ‘heavy-duty metaphysics’. The central reason that non-naturalised (heavy-duty) metaphysics is implausible according to the naturalised metaphysician, is that there is no reason to believe that the methods of inference that they make use of are truth conducive. In chapter two, I provide a positive characterisation of naturalised metaphysics. From here, I demonstrate that the naturalised metaphysician cannot consistently present their position as a doctrine. On this basis, they must adopt what van Fraassen calls a ‘philosophical stance’. After outlining what the adoption of a stance entails, I consider the viability of the voluntarist epistemology that van Fraassen supposes, ought to accompany a philosophical stance. In chapter three, after considering some critiques of this stance voluntarism, I turn to an evaluation of Ladyman & Ross’ approach to stances, which I have called ‘stance monism’. I conclude that this stance monism is untenable as there is no means of demonstrating either the superiority of their own stance, or the implausibility of competing stances. Finally, in chapter four, I consider the viability of stance voluntarist naturalised metaphysics. I argue that whilst this position is internally consistent, there is no objective or pragmatic basis for its adoption. This, combined with the diminished potency of the conclusions that stance-based metaphysics attempts to establish in comparison to its heavy-duty counterpart leads to me to the following conclusion: naturalised metaphysics is possible, but there is simply no good reason to do it

Design principles for riboswitch function

Scientific and technological advances that enable the tuning of integrated regulatory components to match network and system requirements are critical to reliably control the function of biological systems. RNA provides a promising building block for the construction of tunable regulatory components based on its rich regulatory capacity and our current understanding of the sequence–function relationship. One prominent example of RNA-based regulatory components is riboswitches, genetic elements that mediate ligand control of gene expression through diverse regulatory mechanisms. While characterization of natural and synthetic riboswitches has revealed that riboswitch function can be modulated through sequence alteration, no quantitative frameworks exist to investigate or guide riboswitch tuning. Here, we combined mathematical modeling and experimental approaches to investigate the relationship between riboswitch function and performance. Model results demonstrated that the competition between reversible and irreversible rate constants dictates performance for different regulatory mechanisms. We also found that practical system restrictions, such as an upper limit on ligand concentration, can significantly alter the requirements for riboswitch performance, necessitating alternative tuning strategies. Previous experimental data for natural and synthetic riboswitches as well as experiments conducted in this work support model predictions. From our results, we developed a set of general design principles for synthetic riboswitches. Our results also provide a foundation from which to investigate how natural riboswitches are tuned to meet systems-level regulatory demands

Global Dynamics of Pulse-Coupled Oscillators

Networks of pulse-coupled oscillators can be used to model systems from firing neurons to blinking fireflies. Many past studies have focused on numerical simulations and locating the synchronous state of such systems. In this project, we construct a Poincare map for a system of three pulse-coupled oscillators and use rigorous computational techniques and topological tools to study both synchronous and asynchronous dynamics. We present sample results, including the computed basin of attraction for the synchronous state as well as a depiction of gradient-like dynamics in the remainder of the phase space. In the future, we hope to automate this process so that it can be applied to a wide range of network topologies and parameter values

Early Development of Professional Skills Benefits Students & Community Partners

The BSc (Hons) Human Nutrition & Dietetics programme requires the early development of professional skills. In the Stage 2 module Professional Practice Studies , academic staff and students worked with Dublin City Council and older people in the North Central area to facilitate the development of these skills.https://arrow.tudublin.ie/civpostbk/1010/thumbnail.jp

Early Development of Professional Skills Benefits Students & Community Partners

Poster advocating Early Development of Professional Skills Benefits Students & Community Partnershttps://arrow.tudublin.ie/civpostbk/1030/thumbnail.jp

Challenges in the Analysis of Historic Concrete:Understanding the Limitations of Techniques, the Variability of the Material and the Importance of Representative Samples

The number of historically-significant concrete structures which require conservation and repair is ever-increasing. The use of unsuitable proprietary materials has led to poor quality repairs of historically-significant structures in the United Kingdom, some of which have resulted in damage to the historic character of the structure and accelerated deterioration of the substrate. As a result, the approach to the repair of historic concrete structures has shifted from the use of mass-produced proprietary repair materials to purpose-made ‘like-for-like’ replacements which, theoretically, have similar mechanical and aesthetic properties. In order to create like-for-like repair materials, the original mix proportions and water/cement (w/c) ratio of the substrate have to be established. However, there are concerns regarding the accuracy of existing techniques and standards used for the analyses of hardened concrete. Furthermore, due to a lack of available material, analyses are often carried out on samples that are much smaller than the minimum requirement for a representative sample, or from areas which are not representative. This paper discusses these issues and hopes to provide information to conservators and analysts on the limitations of techniques, the variability of the material and the importance of representative samples

Associations Between Home Environment, Children’s and Parents’ Characteristics and Children’s TV Screen Time Behavior

In Ireland, television (TV) screen time is a highly prevalent sedentary behavior among children aged less than five years. Little is known about the influence of parental rules and policies or screen time availability and accessibility within the home on children\u27s TV screen time behaviors. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the extent to which parents\u27 sociodemographic and sedentary behaviors are associated with children\u27s TV screen time; and to determine the associations between parents\u27 rules and practices, home physical environment and children\u27s daily TV viewing. Three hundred and thirty-two children aged 3-5 years and their parents participated in the study. Children\u27s TV screen time and home environmental characteristics (parents\u27 rules and practices and the physical environment) were assessed using questions from standardized and validated questionnaires. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression. Within the different sedentary behaviors evaluated, parents\u27 TV viewing was positively associated with children\u27s TV screen time (OR 1.65, 95%CI 1.09-2.50, p = 0.018). Leaving the TV on, whether or not it was being watched, was associated with a 38% increased probability of children watching ≥ 1 h TV daily. Children whose parents restricted their outdoor activity were more likely to watch ≥ 1 h TV daily (OR 2.01, 95%CI 1.04-3.88, p = 0.036). Findings from the study demonstrated that parents\u27 own screen time behaviors, leaving the TV on whether it was being watched or not and restricting outdoor play were associated with higher children\u27s TV viewing in the home environment. This knowledge is essential to inform future interventions aimed to address the increase in screen time among young children

Associations between Neighborhood Deprivation Index, Parent Perceptions and Preschooler Lifestyle Behaviors

Parental perceptions and use of neighborhood facilities are important factors that are related to children’s dietary intake and physical activity. The aim of this study was to examine the association between neighborhood deprivation index, parents’ perceptions of their neighborhood environment, and healthy/unhealthy markers of child dietary intake, physical activity, and TV screen time. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Dublin, Ireland. The lifestyle behaviors among children and parental perceptions of their neighborhood environment were reported by the parents of 276 children aged 3–5 years by using parent-completed questionnaires. Deprivation index was assessed using the geographic information system (GIS). Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression, adjusting for socio-demographic confounders. In adjusted models, high deprivation index was associated with parental perception of the neighborhood as unsafe for walking and cycling due to crime (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.04–2.43, p = 0.031) and children’s low engagement in structured physical activity (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17–0.72, p = 0.004). Parental perceptions of an unsafe neighborhood due to heavy traffic were negatively correlated with children’s active play (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.95, p = 0.022). Children whose parents reported high satisfaction with the number of local sit-in and takeaway restaurants were 41% more likely to consume confectionary/sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) weekly. In this age group, parents play an important role in children’s lifestyle behaviors; therefore, a better understanding of parents’ perceptions and their use of neighborhood facilities could contribute to creating a healthy environment for this age group

Report 1: building a technologically informed information and communication network in europe

This report represents an extraordinary and unique exchange of information across Europe through the creation of a website and learning how to use technology more effectively. Over the three-year period the capabilities conducted as part the EU funded Thematic Network „Dietitians Implementing Education and Training Standards‟ in Europe (DIETS) are presented here. The number of users registered to access the intranet (password-protected) section of the website grew rapidly from 0 at launch to 965 by the end of the third year. A great deal of learning and change to practice has resulted as well as closer engagement between HEIs and their dietetic departments across Europe. This Network of HEIs and their dietetic colleagues will endure long after the DIETS Network has finished its work, largely due to the enhanced ITC capabilities. The ultimate benefit to the dietetic profession, their education and lifelong learning and their contribution to nutritional health in Europe will continue to unfol