DSpace Collection: Administrative Staff Authors (Scholarly Publications)

Economic Vulnerability and Severity of Debt Problems: An Analysis of the Irish EU-SILC 2008

2012-06-28T02:07:46Z

Title: Economic Vulnerability and Severity of Debt Problems: An Analysis of the Irish EU-SILC 2008 Author: MAITRE, BERTRAND; RUSSELL, HELEN Abstract: In this paper, using Ireland, where debt issues are of particular salience as a test case, we seek to understand the extent to which the measures currently employed as national indicators of poverty and social exclusion succeed in capturing over-indebtedness and, more broadly, severity of debt problems. Our analysis reveals a clear gradient with predictive ability increasing sharply as one moves from ‘at risk of poverty’ to consistent poverty and finally economic vulnerability indicators. In relation to debt problems, the key distinction is between the just under one in five households defined as economically vulnerable and all others. Financial exclusion, relating to access to a bank account and a credit card, was found to increase debt levels. However, such effects were modest. The impact of economic vulnerability seems to be largely a consequence of its relationship to a wide range of socio-economic attributes and circumstances. The manner in which a potential debt crisis unfolds will be shaped by the broader socio-economic structuring of life-chances. Any attempt to respond to such problems by concentrating on household behaviour or, indeed, triggering factors without taking the wider social structuring of economic vulnerability is likely to be both seriously misguided and largely ineffective. Description: PUBLISHED

The Development of Non-Viral Gene-Activated Matrices for Bone Regeneration Using Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and Collagen-Based Scaffolds

2012-06-27T11:43:13Z

Title: The Development of Non-Viral Gene-Activated Matrices for Bone Regeneration Using Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and Collagen-Based Scaffolds Author: O'BRIEN, FERGAL; DUFFY, GARRY Abstract: The healing potential of scaffolds for tissue engineering can be enhanced by combining them with genes to produce gene-activated matrices (GAMs) for tissue regeneration. We examined the potential of using polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a vector for transfection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in monolayer culture and in 3D collagen-based GAMs. PEI-pDNA polyplexes were fabricated at a range of N/P ratios and their optimal transfection parameters (N/P 7 ratio, 2 μg dose) and transfection efficiencies (45 ± 3%) determined in monolayer culture. The polyplexes were then loaded onto collagen, collagen-glycosaminoglycan and collagen-nanohydroxyapatite scaffolds where gene expression was observed up to 21 days with a polyplex dose as low as 2 μg. Transient expression profiles indicated that the GAMs act as a polyplex depot system whereby infiltrating cells become transfected over time as they migrate throughout the scaffold. The collagen-nHa GAM exhibited the most prolonged and elevated levels of transgene expression. This research has thus demonstrated that PEI is a highly efficient pDNA transfection agent for both MSC monolayer cultures and in the 3D GAM environment. By combining therapeutic gene therapy with highly engineered scaffolds, it is proposed that these GAMs might have immense capability to promote tissue regeneration. Description: IN_PRESS

Mesenchymal stem cell fate is regulated by the composition and mechanical properties of Collagen Glycosaminoglycan scaffolds

2012-06-27T10:14:15Z

Title: Mesenchymal stem cell fate is regulated by the composition and mechanical properties of Collagen Glycosaminoglycan scaffolds Author: O'BRIEN, FERGAL Abstract: In stem cell biology, focus has recently turned to the influence of the intrinsic properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM), such as structural, composition and elasticity, on stem cell differentiation. Utilising collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) scaffolds as an analogue of the ECM, this study set out to determine the effect of scaffold stiffness and composition on naive mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation in the absence of differentiation supplements. Dehydrothermal (DHT) and 1-ethyl-3-3-dimethyl aminopropyl carbodiimide (EDAC) crosslinking treatments were used to produce three homogenous CG scaffolds with the same composition but different stiffness values: 0.5, 1 and 1.5 kPa. In addition, the effect of scaffold composition on MSC differentiation was investigated by utilising two glycosaminoglycan (GAG) types: chondroitin sulphate (CS) and hyaluronic acid (HyA). Results demonstrated that scaffolds with the lowest stiffness (0.5 kPa) facilitated a significant up-regulation in SOX9 expression indicating that MSCs are directed towards a chondrogenic lineage in more compliant scaffolds. In contrast, the greatest level of RUNX2 expression was found in the stiffest scaffolds (1.5 kPa) indicating that MSCs are directed towards an osteogenic lineage in stiffer scaffolds. Furthermore, results demonstrated that the level of up-regulation of SOX9 was higher within the CHyA scaffolds in comparison to the CCS scaffolds indicating that hyaluronic acid further influences chondrogenic differentiation. In contrast, enhanced RUNX2 expression was observed in the CCS scaffolds in comparison to the CHyA scaffolds suggesting an osteogenic influence of chondroitin sulphate on MSC differentiation. In summary, this study demonstrates that, even in the absence of differentiation supplements, scaffold stiffness can direct the fate of MSCs, an effect that is further enhanced by the GAG type used within the CG scaffolds. These results have significant implications for the therapeutic uses of stem cells and enhance our understanding of the physical effects of the in vivo microenvironment on stem cell behaviour. Description: IN_PRESS

Policy Coherence for Development (PCD): The State of Play in Ireland

2012-06-21T15:00:19Z

Title: Policy Coherence for Development (PCD): The State of Play in Ireland Author: KING, MICHAEL; Barry, Frank; Matthews, Alan Abstract: This report is the first systematic assessment of policy coherence for development (PCD) across Irish Government departments. Our objectives were as follows: — To create an inventory of policy areas where Irish government decisionmaking may have direct or indirect consequences for developing countries and their ability to make progress on meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Although we have attempted to be comprehensive in our approach, we are certainly not exhaustive. We hope the report will stimulate discussion among NGOs and others to identify other areas where PCD issues arise. — To illustrate the range of issues in day-to-day decision-making in government departments which have an impact, whether direct or indirect, on the interests of Ireland’s developing country partners, and thus to help to sensitise those involved in this decision-making to these interests. — To highlight those areas on the policy coherence agenda where further analysis and research is required to determine what is the most appropriate policy from a developing country perspective, and how best Irish government policies might be modified to make them more coherent with development objectives. — To provide the basis for a series of policy coherence for development commitments by the Irish government if it were agreed that this was an appropriate way forward for the PCD agenda. As commitments need to be assessed against meaningful targets if they are to be effective, we also discuss in general terms the construction of a set of PCD indicators for this purpose. Description: PUBLISHED

Quarterly Economic Commentary, Autumn 2011

2013-02-18T13:08:41Z

Title: Quarterly Economic Commentary, Autumn 2011 Author: DURKAN, JOSEPH; DUFFY, DAVID Abstract: The situation in the international economy has deteriorated in recent months. The eurozone debt crisis has not been resolved, rather it has spread, and now two major economies, France and Italy, are pursuing restrictive policies to contain budget deficits, in tandem with contractionary policies in Spain, Greece, Portugal and Ireland. As a consequence, output in the eurozone economy will perform very poorly and may contract year‐on‐year and is certainly likely to contract from the end of 2011 to the end of 2012. This will have the effect of making it difficult for all eurozone countries to meet fiscal targets. This outcome will also hamper the restructuring of the UK economy and reduce its growth prospects. The US economy now seems to have recovered from the poor performance that began in the fourth quarter of 2011. Given this very unfavourable background the Irish economy is likely to experience very limited growth – less than 1 per cent for GDP and a fall in GNP next year. Three months ago the possibility of building on an improved performance in 2011 made us reasonably optimistic about growth in the economy and growth in employment. The deterioration in the eurozone economy makes that unlikely now, though the fiscal targets set for next year are achievable. If the eurozone were an economy with a fiscal and monetary authority, the present situation would call for an expansionary fiscal policy and a looser monetary policy accompanied by a realistic level of restructuring of the banking system. In the absence of such a structure, coordinated action is the obvious approach, yet the structures are not there to achieve this and the ECB has resolutely set its stance against a much more activist approach. The present situation contains elements reminiscent of policy during the Great Depression, when a mounting crisis was confronted by an orthodoxy that resulted in great poverty that could have been avoided. Without decisive intervention the eurozone economies will be seriously constrained, will grow very poorly and make the resolution of the debt crisis more difficult. We now expect export growth and the level of investment to be less in 2012 than previously forecast. Total final demand will grow only by about 1.9 per cent and domestic demand will fall again. Employment will weaken further and we expect the labour force to decline as participation rates fall and people emigrate. The Troika targets are likely to be realised this year, though perhaps not to the extent we had hoped. For 2012 the targets are also likely to be realised, in spite of the deteriorating international situation. Description: PUBLISHED; Dublin

Computer-based psychological treatments for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2013-02-12T14:16:27Z

Title: Computer-based psychological treatments for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis Author: RICHARDS, DEREK Abstract: The aim of the paper was to systematically review the literature on computer-based psychological treatments for depression and conduct a meta-analysis of the RCT studies, including examining variables which may effect outcomes. Database and hand searches were made using specific search terms and inclusion criteria. The review included a total of 40 studies (45 published papers), and 19 RCTs (23 published papers) were included in a standard meta-analysis. The review describes the different computer-based treatments for depression, their design, communication types employed: synchronous, asynchronous, and face-to-face (F:F); alongside various types and frequency of support delivered. The evidence supports their effectiveness and highlights participant satisfaction. However, pertinent limitations are noted. Across 19 studies the meta-analysis revealed a moderate post-treatment pooled effect size d = 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.71, -0.41), Z = 7.48, p < .001). Supported interventions yielded better outcomes, along with greater retention. The results reported statistically significant clinical improvement and recovery post-treatment. The review and meta-analysis support the efficacy and effectiveness of computer-based psychological treatments for depression, in diverse settings and with different populations. Further research is needed, in particular to investigate the influence of therapist factors in supported treatments, the reasons for dropout, and the maintenance of gains post-treatment. Description: PUBLISHED

Offshoring, Inward Investment and Export Performance in Ireland

2012-06-20T11:10:53Z

Title: Offshoring, Inward Investment and Export Performance in Ireland Author: BARRY, FRANK; BERGIN, ADELE Abstract: Ireland is one of the most FDI-intensive economies in the OECD and is a significant export platform for both manufacturing and internationally traded services. This chapter provides case studies of three of the most important FDI-intensive manufacturing sectors – ICT, pharmaceuticals and medical devices – and two of the substantially foreign-owned internationally traded services segments – software & IT and international financial services. It also updates earlier analyses of how Ireland's inward FDI sectors have fared over the course of the global financial crisis. Description: PUBLISHED

Annual Report on Migration and International Protection Statistics for Ireland: 2009

2013-02-05T14:53:24Z

Title: Annual Report on Migration and International Protection Statistics for Ireland: 2009 Author: JOYCE, CORONA Abstract: This report provides an analysis of statistics relating to migration and international protection in Ireland and is the seventh in the current series. It aims to describe statistical trends on migration, international protection, refusals, apprehensions, residence permits and returns for the year 2009 based on Eurostat data, and to facilitate comparisons and interpretations pertaining to migratory trends on the European level as well as in the international context. Description: PUBLISHED; Dublin

Annual Policy Report on Migration and Asylum 2010: Ireland (December 2011)

2013-02-06T13:31:48Z

Title: Annual Policy Report on Migration and Asylum 2010: Ireland (December 2011) Author: JOYCE, CORONA Description: PUBLISHED; Dublin

Households and Family Structures in Ireland

2012-06-20T10:05:22Z

Title: Households and Family Structures in Ireland Author: LUNN, PETE Abstract: This is the second of two reports on the structure of families in Ireland based primarily on a detailed analysis of census data. Both reports uncover new findings on evolving family structures and aim to shed light on the various driving forces behind that evolution. The first report (Lunn, Fahey and Hannan, 2009) was mainly based on an analysis of individual records within Census 2006. The present report offers a more complete household‐level analysis which permits issues to be examined that were previously beyond quantitative investigation. The basis ofthe analysisis a transformation ofthe 4.4 million individual records from Census 2006 into a set of just over one million recordsthat contain details on family structure for each enumerated family. Access to the anonymised 2006 Census microdata was granted by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) under a formal agreement, on location and under controlled conditions. Although the findings obviously relate to 2006, many of the results give insightsinto longer‐term changesin family structuresthat have evolved over decades and will remain relevant for years after the survey was conducted. In this sense, they help to establish a context in which some of the findings of Census 2011, especially those relating to family structures and fertility,might be considered. The report concentrates on four research topics made more accessible by this manipulation of the census microdata: (1) The extentto which partners have similar backgrounds, versus the extent to which couples cross social boundaries; (2) The rapid growth in and consequentrole of cohabitation; (3) The family circumstances of children; and (4) Patterns of fertility. Unless otherwise indicated, all findings below relate to 2006. Description: PUBLISHED