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Background The role of schools in SARS-CoV-2 transmission has been a debated topic since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim To examine SARS-CoV-2 transmission in all schools in Ireland during the 2020–21 school year. Methods In a national descriptive cross-sectional study, we investigated PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students (aged Results In total, 100,474 individuals were tested as close contacts in 1,771 schools during the 2020–21 school year. An overall close contact positivity rate of 2.4% was observed across all schools (n = 2,373 secondary cases). The highest positivity rate was seen in special schools (3.4%), followed by primary (2.5%) and post-primary schools (1.8%) (p Conclusion This study demonstrated that a low level of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurred in Irish schools during the 2020-21 academic year. In the event of future pandemics, and as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there is a need to carefully weigh up the harms and benefits associated with disrupted education to mitigate infectious disease transmission before reflexively closing classes or schools.

222Rn and 226Ra concentrations of less than a few to several thousands of Bq L−1 have been observed in several underground bodies of water around the world. Although regulations for these concentrations in water have been implemented internationally, there are currently no regulations in place in Japan. However, concentrations that exceed these internationally recognized regulatory values have also been observed in Japan. In this study, concentrations in spring water in the northern part of Japan were measured and the effective dose from intake of the water was evaluated. 222Rn concentrations were measured using a liquid scintillation counter, and 226Ra concentrations were measured using a high purity germanium detector after chemical preparation. The measured 222Rn concentrations (=12.7 ± 6.1 Bq L−1) and 226Ra concentrations (−1) did not exceed the reference values set by international and European/American organizations. A conservative estimate of the annual effective ingestion dose of 8 μSv for 222Rn and 226Ra obtained in this study is much smaller than the estimated overall annual effective dose of 2.2 mSv from natural radiation to the Japanese population. However, this dosage accounts for 8% of the WHO individual dosing criteria of 0.1 mSv/year for drinking water.

A prototype tool has been developed for deriving sediment distribution coefficients, K d, in the marine environment by harvesting simultaneous measurements of activity concentrations of radionuclides in seawater and sediments based on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Marine Radioactivity Information System (MARIS). As a case study, the K d variability in the Baltic Sea was investigated as this region has been extensively monitored by HELCOM since 1984 resulting in a comprehensive dataset with good spatial and temporal coverage and required ancillary parameters. The prototype tool was used to derive a dataset of in-situ apparent K d(a) values derived from measurements of seawater and sediment in quasi-equilibrium conditions from the Baltic Sea over a period of approximately 35 years. For Cs, a comprehensive analysis of the Baltic Sea K d(a) dataset was undertaken, focusing on the temporal trend of K d(a) and comparing the results to K d values derived elsewhere. For Sr and Pu, for which there were fewer data records available a more rudimentary analysis was carried out. The Cs K d(a) median values derived from 137Cs data in this study were estimated to be 2154 l kg−1 for seabed sediment and 10 000 l kg−1 for suspended sediment. The value derived for seabed sediment is in good agreement with the previously recommended ocean margin Cs K d value of 4000 l kg−1. The analysis demonstrated the important distinction in the Baltic Sea between K d values for seabed sediment and suspended sediments, which differed by an order of magnitude. The analysis also highlighted the dependence of K d values on the variation in both the salinity of seawater and the type of seabed sediment. Such variability can significantly influence outcomes when modelling the behaviour of radionuclides in marine dispersion modelling.

Soil samples from the surface to a 5 cm depth were collected at a residential house in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture using a scraper plate every three months from March 2014 to September 2014 to evaluate the vertical distribution profiles and inventories of 134Cs and 137Cs in soil. The vertical distribution profiles of radiocesium (134Cs and 137Cs) in soil showed that greater than 86% of the total radiocesium was absorbed in the upper 2 cm 3 years after the accident. Radiocesium in the surface layer seems to move to the lower layer over time. The migration of radiocesium in surface layer might be influenced by the ground surface runoff by rainfall. Radiocesium inventories in June increased significantly over the short period between March and June. In contrast, the radiocesium inventories in September did not increase significantly compared to the values in June. Radiocesium resuspension and deposition caused by decontamination work and meteorological events might be one possible reason for the increased radiocesium inventories observed in June.

Peristomal skin complications are a common problem for persons with an ileostomy. PURPOSE The purpose of this pilot study was to solicit user feedback and perform an initial assessment of the performance of a new barrier seal designed to decrease the risk of chemical-induced dermatitis. METHODS Seven (7) potential participants who were at least 18 years of age, >6 months post surgery, with an end or loop ileostomy and unbroken peristomal skin, and who were capable of changing their appliance themselves or had the availability of care assistance were identified and recruited by the stoma care nurse at the University Hospital, Limerick, Ireland. At the initial visit and after 1 and 2 weeks, participants were asked to rate device comfort, security, and handling; skin condition was assessed by the research nurse using the Ostomy Skin Tool. Descriptive statistics were used to tabulate the results. RESULTS Five (5) participants completed the study. Discoloration, erosion, and tissue overgrowth scores improved in 3 of 5 patients, and the mean Ostomy Skin Tool score decreased from 5.4 ± 2.19 at the initial assessment to 4 ± 1.87 at the week 2 visit. Comfort, handling, and security ratings increased from a median of 8 at the beginning of the study to 10 at week 2. CONCLUSION Initial patient feedback regarding the new product was positive, and skin assessment results suggest the new seal may help improve peristomal skin condition. Larger studies with longer patient follow-up are needed to confirm the results of this pilot evaluation.

The IAEA has published Safety Standards and Scientific and Technical Publications to assist in developing an adequate level of preparedness and response for a NRE. This Chapter outlines and summarises the relevant content the Requirements and Safety Standards to assist the stakeholders in animal production systems to adequately prepare and respond to a NRE.

Activity concentrations of 234U, 235U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, 222Rn, 210Po, 210Pb, 40K, 3H, 14C, 134Cs and 137Cs were determined in 20 different Japanese bottled drinking water commercially available in Japan. The origins of the mineral water samples were geographically distributed across different regions of Japan. Activity concentrations above detection limits were measured for the radionuclides 234U, 235U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra and 210Po. An average total annual effective dose due to ingestion was estimated for adults, based on the average annual volume of bottled water consumed in Japan in 2019, reported to be 31.7 L/y per capita. The estimated dose was found to be below the recommended World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance level of 0.1 mSv/y for drinking water quality. The most significant contributor to the estimated dose was 228Ra.

Between 18 August 2018 and 24 January 2020, 3,736 mumps cases were notified in Ireland. The highest numbers of notifications were observed in the age group 15–24 years. Vaccination status was reported for 32% (n = 1,199) of cases: 72% of these had received two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Vaccination uptake after free MMR vaccination targeting colleges and universities since early 2019 was low. Therefore, a national media campaign began in January 2020.

peer-reviewed PURPOSE: This purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel barrier ring with an assisted flow mechanism by assessing changes in peristomal moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) and perceptions of comfort, security, handling, and discretion in persons with an ileostomy for 6 months or longer. DESIGN: Single-arm, open-labeled feasibility study. SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS: Twenty participants (aged ≥18 years) with an ileostomy for 6 months or more participated in the study and 12 completed data collection. The primary reason for dropouts concerned compatibility issues with the barrier ring when used with certain convex pouching systems. METHODS: Participants used the barrier ring along with their normal ostomy pouching system for a period of 6 weeks. Changes in skin condition were assessed using the Ostomy Skin Tool (OST). Participants' perception of the barrier rings' comfort, security, handling, and discretion were also recorded on a 10-point scale, where participants would offer a low score if their experience was negative and a higher score if their experience was positive. Participants changed pouches and barrier rings at their own discretion. For participants who completed the study, the average skin condition and median ratings of comfort, security, handling, and discretion at 6 weeks were compared to baseline values. RESULTS: Twelve of the 20 participants (60%) completed the study. For those who completed, the mean score on the OST decreased from 6.2 ± 1.90 (mean ± SD) at baseline to 3.4 ±1.73 at 6 weeks, indicating a mean reduction of 2.8 (95% CI, −1.6 to −3.9; P < .001). The peristomal skin condition of 9 participants improved, whereas 3 experienced no change. All participants who completed the study rated comfort, handling, security, and discretion highly (median score 10 at baseline and at 6 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Study findings indicate the novel ostomy barrier ring may reduce levels of peristomal MASD in persons living with an ileostomy, though a more extensive trial with a control group is recommended

Peristomal skin complications are a common problem for persons with an ileostomy.The purpose of this pilot study was to solicit user feedback and perform an initial assessment of the performance of a new barrier seal designed to decrease the risk of chemical-induced dermatitis.Seven (7) potential participants who were at least 18 years of age,6 months post surgery, with an end or loop ileostomy and unbroken peristomal skin, and who were capable of changing their appliance themselves or had the availability of care assistance were identified and recruited by the stoma care nurse at the University Hospital, Limerick, Ireland. At the initial visit and after 1 and 2 weeks, participants were asked to rate device comfort, security, and handling; skin condition was assessed by the research nurse using the Ostomy Skin Tool. Descriptive statistics were used to tabulate the results.Five (5) participants completed the study. Discoloration, erosion, and tissue overgrowth scores improved in 3 of 5 patients, and the mean Ostomy Skin Tool score decreased from 5.4 ± 2.19 at the initial assessment to 4 ± 1.87 at the week 2 visit. Comfort, handling, and security ratings increased from a median of 8 at the beginning of the study to 10 at week 2.Initial patient feedback regarding the new product was positive, and skin assessment results suggest the new seal may help improve peristomal skin condition. Larger studies with longer patient follow-up are needed to confirm the results of this pilot evaluation.

The biological effects of low dose-rate radiation exposures on humans remains unknown. In fact, the Japanese nation still struggles with this issue after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Recently, we have found a unique area in Indonesia where naturally high radiation levels are present, resulting in chronic low dose-rate radiation exposures. We aimed to estimate the comprehensive dose due to internal and external exposures at the particularly high natural radiation area, and to discuss the enhancement mechanism of radon. A car-borne survey was conducted to estimate the external doses from terrestrial radiation. Indoor radon measurements were made in 47 dwellings over three to five months, covering the two typical seasons, to estimate the internal doses. Atmospheric radon gases were simultaneously collected at several heights to evaluate the vertical distribution. The absorbed dose rates in air in the study area vary widely between 50 nGy h−1 and 1109 nGy h−1. Indoor radon concentrations ranged from 124 Bq m−3 to 1015 Bq m−3. That is, the indoor radon concentrations measured exceed the reference levels of 100 Bq m−3 recommended by the World Health Organization. Furthermore, the outdoor radon concentrations measured were comparable to the high indoor radon concentrations. The annual effective dose due to external and internal exposures in the study area was estimated to be 27 mSv using the median values. It was found that many residents are receiving radiation exposure from natural radionuclides over the dose limit for occupational exposure to radiation workers. This enhanced outdoor radon concentration might be as a result of the stable atmospheric conditions generated at an exceptionally low altitude. Our findings suggest that this area provides a unique opportunity to conduct an epidemiological study related to health effects due to chronic low dose-rate radiation exposure.

A radon in drinking water interlaboratory comparison (ILC) was conducted between eight laboratories in Europe. The majority of the measurement results submitted were in agreement with the assigned value, with a single result deemed questionable. The questionable result does not deviate significantly from the assigned value but the measurement uncertainties associated with this result could be too small. The results from this ILC indicate that there is good agreement between participating laboratories for radon in water measurements.

Trainees in difficulty provide a significant management challenge. This article describes the processes and outcomes of 4 years experience of a deanery-wide supportive structured approach based on the concept of trust and specialty-based local faculty groups.

Objectives: To provide normative data for older national (primary) school children, broken down by age and gender, for the Children's Depression Inventory-Short version (CDI-S) and revised norms for the Children's Depression Inventory-Parent version (CDI-P) and its subscales.Method: Forty-three randomly selected national schools took part in this study. Participants were 1,255, fifth and sixth class, Irish national school children who completed the Children's Depression Inventory Short Form (CDI-S). In total 1,018 parents completed the corresponding parent form, the Children's Depression Inventory-Parent version (CDI-P).Results: Norms for the CDI-S and the CDI-P subscales were produced. Revised norms for the CDI-P are proposed. Results revealed no significant age or gender difference in depressive symptomatology as measured by respondent's CDI-S and total CDI-P scores. Parent's ratings of their children's depression levels (CDI-P) and children's self-reported depression levels (CDI-S) were significantly correlated. The CDI-S and CDI-P displayed good internal reliability.Conclusion: Results indicate the utility of both the CDI-S and the CDI-P for assessing depressive symptoms in national school children in Ireland. This study confirms that national school children do display symptoms of depression. School based policies, materials and services supporting and promoting positive mental health should be developed, implemented and resourced.

This study provides normative data for an Irish primary school population aged 10–13 years on the short four-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). As part of a wider study examining alcohol, tobacco and drug use, data from 1,255 children were collected via 43 primary schools in the Mid-West region in 2005. A response rate of 76.2% was achieved. Internal reliability for this short measure was adequate (Cronbach’s Alpha = .583). Construct and convergent validity of this measure was supported through its correlation (ρ = .497) with the Short Form of the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI-S). As suggested by the literature, the analyses revealed no significant age or gender differences in depressive symptomatology as measured by the short four-item CES-DC among this relatively young sample. Although further research on this measure is required, it may prove to be a useful measure for busy clinicians seeking to assess and prioritise patients for treatment.

Objectives: Following disruption from students, particularly boys, during the administration of item 10, the ‘feel like crying’ question, of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), this study sought to explore the issue of non-response to this question. It was decided that particular attention should be given to gender differences in responses and non-responses, based on the experiences of researchers administering this measure.Method: Chi-square analysis of non-responses was conducted on CDI items collected from a total sample of 2,297 second year and pre-leaving certificate students from 23 randomly selected schools in the Mid-West region of Ireland.Results: Analysis identified item 10 as being significantly less likely to be completed than any other item. Further analysis revealed that boys were significantly less likely to respond to this question than girls.Conclusion: A modification of the wording to item 10 is suggested to ameliorate this difficulty.

Houghton, O’Connell & O’Flaherty (1998) produced the first set of Irish norms for the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). However, since this research was conducted in 1996, Ireland has undergone profound social, economic and political changes. This study sought to replicate elements of the original Irish normative study to determine if these norms were still valid. Additionally, this study sought to produce Irish norms for the CDI’s five subscales (negative mood, interpersonal problems, ineffectiveness, anhedonia and negative self-esteem), an area of examination overlooked to date in Ireland. Results from a multistage, stratified random-sampling survey conducted in 2002, involving 2,297 post-primary school students from the mid-west region of Ireland, identified significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms among girls compared to results from 1996. As expected, depressive symptoms among girls were significantly higher than among boys. Similarly depressive symptoms among older adolescents...

The problem of differential rates of exposure within areas resulting from spatially inconsistent rates of migration and mobility is largely ignored in ecological health analysis. This error may be termed the ‘exposure fallacy’. This paper quantifies population mobility and migration in Ireland using a variety of census measures. The results indicate that there is not only substantial residential mobility in Ireland, but that the nature and extent of this mobility differs significantly across areas. For example in 1996 more 250,000 people were not living in the same residence they had occupied twelve months previously. The viability of ecological analysis is therefore questioned. As anticipated the most mobile groups were young adults aged 20-35 years, and most residential moves were of a local nature. The error associated with the exposure fallacy may be partially reduced if analysis is conducted at county level and if young adults are excluded. The development of an area based mobility index for Ireland is also proposed for use in weighted least squares regression analysis. However significant problems remain despite these precautions. The adoption of a Finnish style centralised population and housing register is proposed, as is the introduction of a unique identifier for all individuals within the State.

Sporadic concerns over animal health problems have been voiced in north county Limerick since the late 1980s. This issue came to the fore in late 1994 when local concerns developed to encompass human health in the area. The MidWestern Health Board responded by attempting to investigate the health status of the local population in an effort to identify possible pollution related illnesses. Fourteen studies were initiated but several of the studies proved unfeasible given the limitations of the computerised health information systems, or had to completed by hand or interview. This investigation highlighted the almost total failure of Irish health information systems to respond to any form of in-depth analysis of population health status. This proved costly both financially and in terms of the delay that ensued, which allowed fear and concern to spread. As alarm escalated the number of conditions residents felt should be investigated increased. The geographical coding of all health information below county level, at least to DED level and ideally to point location is the most basic reform necessary for population health surveillance and investigation.

Recent events including the 11th September attacks in the USA and subsequent attacks using anthrax have firmly focused attention on the threat of biological warfare internationally. Ireland has been no exception to this global phenomenon and has already dealt with over 100 'anthrax' scares. However concern about other, more virulent biological threats continues to grow. Smallpox in particular has been highlighted as a potential biological warfare threat, given its high case fatality rate and its highly infectious nature. In this context it is useful to closely examine the Annual Reports of the Registrar Genera! for Ireland from almost a century ago to gain an insight into some of the issues that can be expected to emerge if the smallpox threat ever became real, or in the event of a Government campaign to vaccinate the population.

Analysis was conducted of the patient residence geocoding of all E-code (external cause) discharges on the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry system for the calendar year 1996 from Limerick's two acute hospitals (one public, one private). The results indicate a substantial level of error, even at county and county borough level. Some 21 percent of the 1383 patients attributed to Limerick County Borough were wrongly assigned to this area. Only marginal differences were reported between the public and private hospitals, with the private hospital managing a slightly higher accuracy rate. The implications of this finding are significant for any analysis of spatial patterns of health care use. Particular care needs to be taken in relation to HIPE patient residence coding relating to any of the county boroughs in Ireland. A software geocoding engine urgently needs to be introduced into the HIPE system capable of geocoding patient addresses at least to district electoral division (ded)/ward level, and ideally to point location.

Earlier studies have shown that the corpus callosum of rats tends to be larger in males than in females. We report here that the anterior commissure of rats is also larger in males than in females. The sizes of the two commissures were positively correlated in both sexes, but significantly more so in females than in males. The anterior commissure size difference in rats reported here is opposite in direction from that reported elsewhere for humans, and we speculate that this may derive from differences in the relative proportions of the constituent fibers that make up the anterior commissure in the two species.

A comparison of the performance of the Buneman's version of the block cyclic reduction (BCR) algorithm based on a) polynomial factorization and b) partial fraction expansion for separable elliptic equations with Dirichlet boundary conditions is presented. This study was initiated by an interest in mesoscale atmospheric modeling and the parallel computing techniques that can be used to increase the computational efficiency of these models. Examples cited are taken from the field of meteorology. Varying the numbering scheme during the discretization process of separable elliptic equations changes the form of the coefficient matrix. It was determined serendipitously that for certain classes of separable problems found in meteorology, choosing a particular numbering scheme can save computational time by allowing a Poisson solver to be used in place of a more computationally demanding separable solver. Timings are based on the University of Oklahoma's eight processor Alliant FX/80 computer.

International Conference on Radioecology & Environmental Radioactivity

As a result of community concerns over animal and human ill health centred around a rural town in the Republic of Ireland, a series of epidemiological studies were conducted. The absence of adequate health-information systems forced researchers to investigate alternative methods of assessing child health in the 'at-risk' area. This study aimed to examine annual primary/national school attendance data over a 10 year period as a proxy health status measure. Data from six geographical areas were analysed; one of these six areas was designated the 'high-risk' area on the basis of reports of animal ill health. Significantly higher absenteeism rates were noted in the 'high-risk' area in nine of the 10 years examined. Although caution is urged in the interpretation of these results, this study demonstrates that primary/national school absenteeism data can act as a useful, albeit crude, proxy measure of health status.

Dear Editor – Studies in Ireland, the UK, the rest of the EU, and further afield, indicate levels of drug misuse among children and adolescents that are a cause of serious concern. In 1997, the Mid-Western Health Board undertook a baseline study to examine health status and behaviours of adolescents in the region....

Frank Neville Garratt was the only child of a headmaster in Dudley. He attended Dudley Grammar School, winning an exhibition to study medicine at Birmingham. After house jobs at Birmingham General Hospital and national service with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Antwerp and Belgium, he completed his …