Back to the Future with Beo and Raja: A Tale from the Early Bioeconomy

A time travel adventure set in UCD Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material CultureEuropean Commission Horizon 2020Science Foundation IrelandBioBeo Horizon Europe ProjectUCD Institute of Food and HealthBiOrbic, SFI Bioeconomy Research Centr

Many Labs 5: Testing Pre-Data-Collection Peer Review as an Intervention to Increase Replicability

Replication studies in psychological science sometimes fail to reproduce prior findings. If these studies use methods that are unfaithful to the original study or ineffective in eliciting the phenomenon of interest, then a failure to replicate may be a failure of the protocol rather than a challenge to the original finding. Formal pre-data-collection peer review by experts may address shortcomings and increase replicability rates. We selected 10 replication studies from the Reproducibility Project: Psychology (RP:P; Open Science Collaboration, 2015) for which the original authors had expressed concerns about the replication designs before data collection; only one of these studies had yielded a statistically significant effect (p <.05). Commenters suggested that lack of adherence to expert review and low-powered tests were the reasons that most of these RP:P studies failed to replicate the original effects. We revised the replication protocols and received formal peer review prior to conducting new replication studies. We administered the RP:P and revised protocols in multiple laboratories (median number of laboratories per original study = 6.5, range = 3–9; median total sample = 1,279.5, range = 276–3,512) for high-powered tests of each original finding with both protocols. Overall, following the preregistered analysis plan, we found that the revised protocols produced effect sizes similar to those of the RP:P protocols (Δr =.002 or.014, depending on analytic approach). The median effect size for the revised protocols (r =.05) was similar to that of the RP:P protocols (r =.04) and the original RP:P replications (r =.11), and smaller than that of the original studies (r =.37). Analysis of the cumulative evidence across the original studies and the corresponding three replication attempts provided very precise estimates of the 10 tested effects and indicated that their effect sizes (median r =.07, range =.00–.15) were 78% smaller, on average, than the original effect sizes (median r =.37, range =.19–.50)

The Exeter Activity Unlimited statement on physical activity and exercise for cystic fibrosis: methodology and results of an international, multidisciplinary, evidence-driven expert consensus

This is the final version. Available on open access from SAGE Publications via the DOI in this recordData availability statement: All results are presented within the manuscript and supplementary files.BACKGROUND: The roles of physical activity (PA) and exercise within the management of cystic fibrosis (CF) are recognised by their inclusion in numerous standards of care and treatment guidelines. However, information is brief, and both PA and exercise as multi-faceted behaviours require extensive stakeholder input when developing and promoting such guidelines. METHOD: On 30th June and 1st July 2021, 39 stakeholders from 11 countries, including researchers, healthcare professionals and patients participated in a virtual conference to agree an evidence-based and informed expert consensus about PA and exercise for people with CF. This consensus presents the agreement across six themes: (i) patient and system centred outcomes, (ii) health benefits, iii) measurement, (iv) prescription, (v) clinical considerations, and (vi) future directions. The consensus was achieved by a stepwise process, involving: (i) written evidence-based synopses; (ii) peer critique of synopses; (iii) oral presentation to consensus group and peer challenge of revised synopses; and (iv) anonymous voting on final proposed synopses for adoption to the consensus statement. RESULTS: The final consensus document includes 24 statements which surpassed the consensus threshold (>80% agreement) out of 30 proposed statements. CONCLUSION: This consensus can be used to support health promotion by relevant stakeholders for people with CF.Cystic Fibrosis Trus

An exploration of the challenges associated with the recruitment of Talent for an Irish Political Party.

Talent within an organisation consists of those individuals who display the highest levels of potential and assist an organisation in the improvement of the overall performance (CIPD, 2014). The implementation of a talent management model by an organisation is the systematic process of attraction, identification, development, retention and progression. The primary concern of this dissertation is to explore the challenges associated with the recruitment of talent. The research was carried out in an Irish Political Party. The party which is the focus of this study is currently experiencing challenges in the attraction and recruitment of talent. This dissertation investigated these challenges in relation to the ‘War for Talent’. The researcher carried out a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews. A total of five interviews were conducted. The interviewees consisted of three senior employees of the political party and two independent Human Resource consultants. The findings of the research identified the main elements of attraction and the challenges experienced by the political party in relation to the recruitment of talent. An exploration was also conducted into the appropriateness of a talent management model for this particular party. The researcher identified that a formalised Human Resource structure was not practiced. In the light of this analysis the researcher recommends an adaptation of a talent management model to unite the entire workforce and to assist in the development of a better Human Resource practice

Steps Ahead: Optimising physical activity and health in adults with cystic fibrosis

Background: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common, life limiting diseases in Ireland. Physical activity (PA) is regarded as an important component in the management of  CF. A Cochrane review found that there are a lack of strategies to promote PA in this  population and consideration should be given to telehealth interventions (Cox et al, 2013).  Improving the evidence base around PA in people with CF, and how this may impact health outcomes, could serve to inform healthcare professionals tasked with promoting PA  participation in this population.  Aims: This thesis aims to evaluate the following: (1) To conduct a systematic literature review on the effectiveness of exercise interventions to increase PA in CF, (2) To assess the accuracy of the ActivPAL and Fitbit Charge 2 to measure step count in CF, (3) To assess PA  and sedentary behaviour in CF and determine the association with health outcomes in CF, (4) To assess the effectiveness of a pilot randomised trial which aims to increase PA levels  in adults with CF using a fitness wearable, goal setting and text message feedback, (5) To  qualitatively evaluate the pilot randomised trial.  Methods: The research strategy undertaken involved: a systematic review on exercise interventions in CF (Chapter Two); a validation study to assess the accuracy of the ActivPAL and Fitbit Charge 2 as a measure of step count in people with CF (Chapter Three); an observational cross-sectional study of PA levels in people with CF and exploring the association with aerobic capacity, sleep, quality of life and well-being using previously validated outcome measures (Chapter Four); a pilot randomised study to explore the effectiveness of wearable technology, goal setting and text message feedback on PA and  health outcomes (Chapter Five); semi-structured interviews to qualitatively evaluate the intervention (Chapter Six).  </p

Finding Beo: A story from UCD Institute of Food and Health

UCD Institute of Food and Healt

Finding Beo: A story from UCD Institute of Food and Health

UCD Institute of Food and Healt

Ag Freastal ar Ghlao an Chrotaigh: Eachtra Le Beo agus Raja

Nuair atá bithgheilleagar i bhfeidhm go mbíonn speiceas scáthach faoi chosaint agus ag bláthú. Faoi sciatháin an chrotaigh agus faoina ghob fada gleoite, tugtar cosaint do neart créatúiríní eile chomh maith.European Commission Horizon 2020Science Foundation IrelandBioBeo Horizon Europe ProjectBiOrbic, SFI Bioeconomy Research Centre2025-02-26 JG: PDFs replaced at author's reques

Does using a chair backrest or reducing seated hip flexion influence trunk muscle activity and discomfort? A systematic review

Objective: This paper systematically reviews the effect of chair backrests and reducing seated hip flexion on low back discomfort (LBD) and trunk muscle activation.Background: Prolonged sitting commonly exacerbates low back pain (LBP). Several modifications to seated posture and chair design have been recommended, including using chairs with backrests and chairs that reduce hip flexion.Method: Electronic databases were searched by two independent assessors. Part 1 of this review includes 26 studies comparing the effect of sitting with at least two different hip angles. In Part 2, seven studies that compared the effect of sitting with and without a backrest were eligible. Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale.Results: Significant confounding variables and a relatively small number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving people with LBP complicates analysis of the results. There was moderate evidence that chair backrests reduce paraspinal muscle activation, and limited evidence that chair backrests reduce LBD. There was no evidence that chairs involving less hip flexion reduce LBP or LBD, or consistently alter trunk muscle activation. However, participants in several studies subjectively preferred the modified chairs involving less hip flexion.Conclusion: The limited evidence to support the use of chairs involving less seated hip flexion, or the effect of a backrest, is consistent with the limited evidence that other isolated chair design features can reduce LBP.Application: LBP management is likely to require consideration of several factors in addition to sitting position. Larger RCTs involving people with LBP are required

Answering the Curlew's Call: A Beo and Raja adventure

In a bioeconomy and a nature-loving world, you protect and nurture an umbrella species very carefully, which also helps protect much more around you too. Under the Curlew's wings and long funny beak, so many other little ones are protected too.European Commission Horizon 2020Science Foundation IrelandThe explanatory guidance notes and learning activities related to this comic are available in the third file below. An animated video and puppet show version can be viewed at the following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTyoQ3uXOvo (animation) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-YpUFJYH8I (puppet show)BioBeo Horizon Europe ProjectBiOrbic, SFI Bioeconomy Research Centre2025-02-26 JG: PDFs replaced at author's reques