CORA
Cork Open Research Archive (CORA) is UCC’s Open Access institutional repository which enables UCC researchers to make their research outputs freely available and accessible.
UCC Research Communities
Recent Submissions
Nightworker charter: special arrangements for the invisible workers in nightshift cities across Europe
(2022-02-07) MacQuarie, Julius-Cezar
The Nightworker Charter proposes arrangements to improve nightworkers' working conditions 365 nights per year, in chronic times or crises.
European Web Survey on Drugs 2021: Irish results
(Health Research Board, 2022) Mongan, Deirdre; Killeen, Nicki; Evans, David; Millar, Seán R; Keenan, Eamon; Galvin, Brian; Health Research Board Ireland
An emerging stimulant and polydrug culture among new drug user groups is currently a major issue of concern in Ireland. Although it is known that young people use drugs in risky ways in nightlife environments, health officials in Ireland currently consider this group ‘hard to reach’ as they are unlikely to present to traditional addiction services, which are predominantly aimed at those experiencing dependency (particularly opioid dependency).
Feasibility analysis of geothermal energy utilization in ultra-low temperature district heating networks: Effect of heat distribution in underground tunnels
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-08-15) Ofili, Sylvester; Alimohammadi, Hossein; Krupenski, Igor; Sameti, Mohammad; Li, Zili; Sukumaran, Sreenath; Lepiksaar, Kertu; Ledvanov, Aleksandr; Volkova, Anna; Ministry of Climate of Estonia; Geological Survey Ireland (GSI); Estonian Research Council, PRG2701-TEM-TA78
The integration of ground-source heat pumps into ultra-low-temperature district heating networks represents a promising pathway for decarbonizing urban heat supply and mitigating the shortcomings of conventional high-temperature district heating systems. However, the feasibility of such systems depends on several technical factors related to operating conditions, demand characteristics and heat distribution. This study evaluates the technical feasibility and annual performance of a geothermal heat pump–based ultra-low temperature district heating system operating at supply and return temperatures of 35/20 °C under realistic boundary conditions. The investigated system consists of a ground-source heat pump connected to a borehole field comprising 135 boreholes, each 200 m deep, serving a district heating network with a peak demand of 5.2 MW. A system-level modelling framework implemented in MATLAB/Simulink is used, with district-heating boundary conditions derived from Leanheat® network simulations, to assess a partial peak-load coverage strategy, geothermal borefield behaviour, and the influence of network temperature level and distribution environment, including tunnel based pipe routing, on system performance. The results show that a heat pump sized to cover a fraction of the peak demand can supply approximately 69% of the annual heat demand while achieving a seasonal performance factor of 3.82. Borefield operation remains thermally feasible throughout the annual cycle, with no freezing observed at the borehole outlet. A comparative analysis shows that increasing the network temperature level to 60/40 °C results in similar demand coverage but significantly higher electricity consumption due to reduced heat pump efficiency. Furthermore, routing district heating pipes through an underground tunnel environment reduces annual distribution heat losses by approximately 183 MWh without significantly affecting heat pump performance or hydraulic behaviour. A sensitivity check shows that the tunnel environment partially offsets the increase in distribution heat losses associated with reduced pipe insulation.
Problematic opioid use in Ireland, 2015–2019
(Health Research Board, 2022) Hanrahan, Michael T.; Millar, Seán R.; Phillips, Karl P.; Reed, Thomas E.; Mongan, Deirdre; Perry, Ivan J.
In this report, we present the results of a study that aimed to estimate the prevalence of problematic opioid use in Ireland from 2015 to 2019 using a four-source capture-recapture method. Three of the four data sources used for the analysis were derived from opioid substitution treatment records from the Central Treatment List (CTL) (clinics, general practitioners (GPs) and prisons) and the fourth data source was derived from the Probation Service.
From microbiomes to predictive ecosystems: Challenges and opportunities in artificial intelligence-based approaches
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-05-28) Yu, Wanqian; Qu, Hua; Wang, Shaopu; Shi, Mang; Lu, Yingzhou; Xia, Shuting; Stanton, Catherine; Zhang, Chenhong; Wang, Yuhao; Zhu, Tongyu; Zhu, Dong; Zhou, Xin; Ross, R. Paul; Zhou, Zhemin; Huang, Yuan; Prevention and Control of Emerging and Major Infectious Diseases-National Science and Technology Major Project, 2025ZD01900401; Shenzhen Medical Research Fund, B2403009; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 82300345-82104678-32370099; National High-Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding, 2023-GSP-QN-23; Provincial-level Talent Program for National Center of Technology Innovation for Biopharmaceuticals, NCTIB2024JS0101; Suzhou Top-Notch Talent Groups, ZXD2022003; Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation, JQ24060; Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Enhancement Fund, XYZY0304-04; Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by the China Association for Science and Technology, ZZ15-YQ-006; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Peking Union Medical College, 3332025033; Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program of the Beijing High Innovation Plan, 20250948; National Science and Technology Major Project on Prevention and Treatment of Cancer, Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Respiratory Diseases and Metabolic Diseases, 2026ZD0555105
Microbiome systems encompass diverse ecological niches and host associations, with their scale and complexity challenging traditional analytical frameworks. Advances in artificial intelligence are transforming microbiome research by enabling improved integrative analyses of microbial genomes, community structure, and functional potential. In this Review, we outline how these developments create opportunities for microbiome research to move beyond descriptive analyses towards predictive modelling and hypothesis generation, including emerging insights into microbial function, host–microbe interactions, and ecosystem-level organisation. As the field grapples with challenges in model interpretability, generalisability, and causal inference, emerging strategies, such as multiomics and multicohort integration, provide promising avenues to deepen biological understanding. Addressing ethical considerations, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and equitable access, will be crucial for translating artificial intelligence-driven microbiome discoveries into robust and inclusive clinical applications.