Search

Your search keyword '"Kennedy, Ciaran"' showing total 10 results
Start Over Author "Kennedy, Ciaran" Search Limiters Available in Library Collection
10 results on '"Kennedy, Ciaran"'

3. 'A desert for the arts'? : orchestral provision in Northern Ireland, 1945-1981

Author

Kennedy, Ciaran, Smaczny, Jan, and McCleave, Sarah

Subjects
784.2
Abstract

This thesis is the first analysis of orchestral music in Northern Ireland, and the first academic project that has focused on any aspect of musical life in Northern Ireland in the post-Second World War era. CEMA/ACNfs music subsidy and BBC music policy are examined in tandem, as these two organisations were the primary sponsors of orchestral music in the region during this period. In 1945, there was no professional orchestral ensemble in Northern Ireland, though over the ensuing years a number of developments took place in the sphere of orchestral provision. The first of these was the establishment of the part-time BBC Northern Ireland Light Orchestra in 1949, a studio-based ensemble of fifteen players. The formation of the City of Belfast Orchestra followed in 1950, a semi-professional orchestra that was heavily reliant on the participation of BBC Northern Ireland players. In 1965 the BBC extended the contracts for its BBC Northern Ireland Light Orchestra from part-time to full-time, leading to the situation whereby the City of Belfast Orchestra was no longer sustainable. The City of Belfast Orchestra was subsequently disbanded, and in 1966 ACNI formed the Ulster Orchestra, a full-time orchestra of 37 players that was dedicated to concert-giving and education work throughout Northern Ireland. Despite some initial successes, it soon became apparent that the Ulster Orchestra was living well beyond its means, and in 1969 a reappraisal of the orchestra’s position was undertaken. Under the auspices of the Northern Ireland government’s Operations and Methods department, a report was issued which recommended the amalgamation of the Ulster and BBC Northern Ireland orchestras. Both ACNI and the BBC were amenable to this, though in 1974 the Musicians’ Union rejected the proposed merger. ACNI reacted to this rejection by commissioning a Working Party to assess the Ulster Orchestra’s situation. In 1976 this Working Party presented its findings, and once again recommended a merger with the BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra. Proposals for this second amalgamation attempt were met with resistance from the players of both orchestras, though in 1981 the BBC NI musicians were recruited into an enlarged Ulster Orchestra of 55 players.

Published
2014

5. The cardiovascular effects of electronic cigarettes:A systematic review of experimental studies

Author

Kennedy, Ciaran D., van Schalkwyk, May C.I., McKee, Martin, Pisinger, Charlotta, Kennedy, Ciaran D., van Schalkwyk, May C.I., McKee, Martin, and Pisinger, Charlotta

Abstract

Background: Smoking is responsible for substantial cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Electronic cigarettes have been advocated as a means to reduce this disease burden; by reducing exposure to harmful substances in smokers who are unable to quit. Concerns have been raised however, about cardiovascular effects of their use, with inhalants containing carbonyls and fine particulate matter. We systematically reviewed experimental studies of in vitro, animal, and human cardiovascular effects associated with electronic cigarette use. Methods: A literature search was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE & Embase databases, identifying experimental studies investigating cardiovascular effects of electronic cigarette use. Subsequently, Cochrane Risk of Bias tools were used to assess study quality. Any differences in outcomes by conflict of interest and risk of bias status were sought. Results: 38 studies were included, investigating animals (n=6), humans (n=24) and human cardiovascular cells in vitro (n=8). 74.3% of studies found potentially harmful effects. Increased sympathetic nerve activity was observed in human studies, whilst platelet haemostatic processes, reactive oxygen species production and endothelial dysfunction were reported across all study types. Studies with conflicts of interest or median-high risk of bias were less likely to identify potentially harmful effects (p=0.0007, p=0.04 respectively). Discussion: Most studies suggest potential for cardiovascular harm from electronic cigarette use, through mechanisms that increase risk of thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Notably, studies with conflicts of interest are significantly less likely to identify concerning cardiovascular effects. Included studies examine healthy, adult participants, limiting generalisation to potential high-risk groups including individuals with established cardiovascular disease or young, non-smokers.

Published
2019

6. Fatigue of Glass Fibre Composites in Marine Renewable Energy

Author

Kennedy, Ciaran R., Leen, Sean B., and Ó'Brádaigh, Conchúr

Subjects
GFRP, Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Glass fibre
Abstract

Glass fibre reinforced polymers (GFRP) are obvious candidate materials for use in the structures of ocean energy devices due to their corrosion resistance, high strength and low cost. The polymers normally used in GFRP can absorb up to 5% water by weight when immersed for long periods and this can reduce the tensile strength of the material by 25% or more. The thesis describes a combination of experiments and modelling studies undertaken to (i) quantify the degradation in fatigue strength due to moisture saturation in a number of candidate materials, (ii) seek to understand the damage mechanisms which are important in the degradation of the material strength by moisture saturation and (iii) predict the degradation in tidal turbine blade life due to water saturation. The experimental work involved the fabrication of quasi-isotropic (QI) coupons of vinyl-ester or epoxy / E-glass and vinyl-ester / Advantex-glass using the vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding process followed by post curing at elevated temperature for 4 hours to ensure full cure of the laminate. Approximately one half of those coupons were acceleration aged in warm water for up to 2 years to simulate immersion in 12° C seawater for 15 to 20 years. The rest were stored at normal room temperature and humidity for a similar length of time. Constant amplitude fatigue testing of both dry and wet coupons established the stress-life curves for the materials and thereby quantified the degradation in the fatigue strength due to water saturation of the materials. The modulus of the coupons was also monitored during the fatigue testing to establish the damage levels due to fatigue cycling. A number of other experimental studies were also performed to investigate the effects of applied stress during ageing and different glass fibre material on the fatigue strength of the material. A preliminary fatigue design methodology for tidal turbine blades was developed using a tidal velocity model, a hydrodynamic forces model, a structural finite element model and a strain-life fatigue model. The methodology is applied here for the preliminary design of a three-bladed tidal turbine concept, including tower shadow effects, and comparative assessment of pitch- and stall-regulated control with respect to fatigue performance. This methodology was also used to predict the effect of moisture saturation on blade life for both pitch- and stall-regulated turbines. A multiaxial fatigue damage model for fibre reinforced polymer composite materials has also been developed. The model combines (i) fatigue-induced fibre strength and modulus degradation, (ii) irrecoverable cyclic strain effects and (iii) inter-fibre fatigue. The inter-fibre fatigue aspect is based on a fatigue-modified version of the Puck multiaxial failure criterion for static failure. The model is implemented in a user material finite element subroutine and calibrated against fatigue test data for unidirectional glass fibre epoxy. Validation is performed against the fatigue tests on epoxy / E-glass coupons in the experimental programme. The model is successfully validated across a range of stress levels. The model predicts both modulus degradation and fatigue life of GFRP laminates during constant amplitude fatigue cycling. It also predicts the fatigue strength knockdown factor due to moisture saturation of the materials.

Published
2013

8. Inhibition of the Pim1 Oncogene Results in Diminished Visual Function

Author

Yin, Jun, primary, Shine, Lisa, additional, Raycroft, Francis, additional, Deeti, Sudhakar, additional, Reynolds, Alison, additional, Ackerman, Kristin M., additional, Glaviano, Antonino, additional, O'Farrell, Sean, additional, O'Leary, Olivia, additional, Kilty, Claire, additional, Kennedy, Ciaran, additional, McLoughlin, Sarah, additional, Rice, Megan, additional, Russell, Eileen, additional, Higgins, Desmond G., additional, Hyde, David R., additional, and Kennedy, Breandan N., additional

Published
2012
Full Text
View/download PDF

9. Inhibition of the Pim1 Oncogene Results in Diminished Visual Function.

Author

Jun Yin, Shine, Lisa, Raycroft, Francis, Deeti, Sudhakar, Reynolds, Alison, Ackerman, Kristin M., Glaviano, Antonino, O'Farrell, Sean, O'Leary, Olivia, Kilty, Claire, Kennedy, Ciaran, McLoughlin, Sarah, Rice, Megan, Russell, Eileen, Higgins, Desmond G., Hyde, David R., and Kennedy, Breandan N.

Subjects
WESTERN immunoblotting, NUCLEIC acid hybridization, IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY, GENES, HEREDITY
Abstract

Our objective was to profile genetic pathways whose differential expression correlates with maturation of visual function in zebrafish. Bioinformatic analysis of transcriptomic data revealed Jak-Stat signalling as the pathway most enriched in the eye, as visual function develops. Real-time PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization data confirm that multiple Jak-Stat pathway genes are up-regulated in the zebrafish eye between 3-5 days post-fertilisation, times associated with significant maturation of vision. One of the most up-regulated Jak-Stat genes is the proto-oncogene Pim1 kinase, previously associated with haematological malignancies and cancer. Loss of function experiments using Pim1 morpholinos or Pim1 inhibitors result in significant diminishment of visual behaviour and function. In summary, we have identified that enhanced expression of Jak-Stat pathway genes correlates with maturation of visual function and that the Pim1 oncogene is required for normal visual function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2012
Full Text
View/download PDF

10. Commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care: a qualitative study in three sub-Saharan African countries.

Author

Kennedy C, Ignatowicz A, Odland ML, Abdul-Latif AM, Belli A, Howard A, Whitaker J, Chu KM, Ferreira K, Owolabi EO, Nyamathe S, Tabiri S, Ofori B, Pognaa Kunfah SM, Yakubu M, Bekele A, Alyande B, Nzasabimana P, Byiringiro JC, and Davies J

Subjects
Humans, Female, Male, Adult, Middle Aged, Rwanda, Young Adult, Ghana, South Africa, Adolescent, Africa South of the Sahara, Aged, Rural Population, Interviews as Topic, Health Services Accessibility, Qualitative Research, Quality of Health Care, Wounds and Injuries therapy
Abstract

Objectives: To understand commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care across three lower-income and middle-income countries., Design: A qualitative interview study. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and thematically analysed., Setting: Urban and rural settings in Ghana, South Africa and Rwanda., Participants: 59 patients with musculoskeletal injuries., Results: We found five common barriers and six common facilitators to injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving high-quality injury care. The barriers encompassed issues such as service and treatment availability, transportation challenges, apathetic care, individual financial scarcity and inadequate health insurance coverage, alongside low health literacy and information provision. Facilitators included effective information giving and informed consent practices, access to health insurance, improved health literacy, empathetic and responsive care, comprehensive multidisciplinary management and discharge planning, as well as both informal and formal transportation options including ambulance services. These barriers and facilitators were prevalent and shared across at least two countries but demonstrated intercountry and intracountry (between urbanity and rurality) variation in thematic frequency., Conclusion: There are universal factors influencing patient experiences of accessing and receiving care, independent of the context or healthcare system. It is important to recognise and understand these barriers and facilitators to inform policy decisions and develop transferable interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of injury care in sub-Saharan African nations., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)

Published
2024
Full Text
View/download PDF

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources
See catalog results