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.
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Recent Submissions
Back to the Future? Institutional learning curves and intraoperative fracture rates associated with adoption of a cemented composite beam stem for hemiarthroplasty
(SAGE Publications Inc., 2026-06-16) Hennessy, Orla; Field, Kieran; Flynn, Sean O.; Dahly, Darren; Rowan, Fiachra E.; Pomeroy, Eoghan; Murphy, Terence; Cleary, May S.
Background: Hemiarthroplasty remains the gold standard for hip fracture care in displaced intracapsular fractures. There is now substantial evidence that uncemented femoral stems are associated with higher risk of perioperative fractures. Cemented composite beam (CCB) stems offer some of the lowest overall rates of perioperative fracture risk, but are not widely used in the Irish system, and concern regarding the use of new implants and associated learning curves can act as a barrier to change. Objectives: We aim to assess our units experience transitioning to a cemented composite beam (CCB) and the associated learning curve and technical pitfalls. Design: Retrospective, single centre, single blind review identified the first 140 cases of CCB stems. Methods: Post-operative radiographs on all cases were assessed for perioperative fracture and stems were classed as being varus or valgus if the stem alignment was >3 degrees from the anatomical axis. A cemented taper slip (CTS) stem, which was in use for over 10 years in the unit, provided a control group. Results: Following introduction, higher odds of malalignment were experienced with the CCB stem (OR 2.19, 1.09-4.55 p<0.031), relative to CTS. However, compared to overall rate of malalignment in the CTS group (9.3%), the learning curve for the CCB stem was short, with rates of malalignment returning to in line with our control CTS cohort within 46 cases (Cases 1-46 32% malaligned, cases 47-92 10.86% malaligned, cases 93-138 4.34% malaligned). There was no increased risk of periprosthetic fracture demonstrated with introduction of the new stem. Conclusions: We have shown a relatively short learning curve associated with transitioning to a CCB stem for fragility fracture hemiarthroplasty. We highlight some of the early technical issues experienced and corrected.
Transformation of alkyl and aryl halides into alcohols, thiols and thiophenols
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2026-07-02) Dunne, Oscar; Collins, Emily A.; O'Sullivan, Timothy P.; Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland
Alcohols and thiols are key functionalities which are found in a wide variety of both natural and synthetic bioactive compounds. Additionally, they provide access to an array of other major functional groups, such as aldehydes, ketones, ethers, disulfides and sulfonamides to name but a few. The direct conversion of alkyl and aryl halides constitutes a useful and efficient means of preparing alcohols, thiols and thiophenols. This review summarises the different approaches that have been reported in the literature up to 2026, and includes the application of modern synthetic methods, such as electrochemical and photochemical techniques. In each section, the main features of the different strategies are discussed, while their advantages and disadvantages are captured in high-level summary tables. Accordingly, this review should serve as a useful overview of the current state-of-the-art while also helping to identify gaps for future investigation.
The business of central banking in Sweden, 1924–1939: regime change and adaptation
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2026-06-17) Zhao, Liang; Kenny, Seán; Guangdong Province Philosophy and Social Science PlanningProject; Guangdong Science and Technology Department; Guangdong Ocean University; Handelsbankens forskningsstiftelser
This paper re-examines Swedish central banking during the interwar period (1924–1939), exploiting major regime shifts to analyze how the Riksbank adapted its core operations. Using monthly money-market data, we show that although interest rate policy broadly followed the ‘rules of the game’ after the return to gold in 1924, the Riksbank’s primary activity—rediscounting commercial bills—was largely financed through deposits from the National Debt Office, allowing domestic liquidity provision without reliance on gold flows. The Kreuger crisis underscores how the scale of emergency liquidity provision, combined with the collapse of international capital markets, strained the existing monetary–fiscal arrangement and hastened Sweden’s departure from gold. After abandoning gold in 1931 and moving to a pound peg in 1933, interest rate setting adhered even more closely to the ‘rules of the game’ than during the gold-standard period. Further, domestic rediscounting disappeared and was replaced by foreign bill purchases, placing downward pressure on the krona. These combined findings support the view that exchange-rate objectives, rather than price-level targeting, dominated Swedish monetary policy in the 1930s.
Developing ‘Antifragile’ graduates for an uncertain future of work
(2026-09-09) Larkin, Stephanie; Rowan, Wendy
The rapid development of artificial intelligence, automation, and changing job design is transforming expectations of graduate employment. Career pathways are becoming less linear and more unpredictable, requiring graduates to navigate uncertainty, continuous learning, and repeated transitions throughout their working lives. These changes raise important questions for work-based learning practitioners regarding how students can be prepared for careers that may not yet exist and workplaces that continue to evolve. This Research Showcase introduces the concept of Antifragility (Taleb, 2012) as a lens through which to reconsider the purpose and design of work-based learning. While resilience focuses on recovering from challenges, Antifragility emphasises growth through uncertainty, disruption, and complexity. The project also draws on Planned Happenstance Theory (Krumboltz, 2009), which highlights the importance of recognising and acting upon unexpected opportunities throughout a career journey. The project explores the following question: How can concepts of Antifragility and Planned Happenstance Theory help reimagine work-based learning for careers shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and changing job design? The study was conducted through an interactive workshop with undergraduate and postgraduate Cork University Business School Students. The workshop began with a presentation exploring contemporary career development, Planned Happenstance Theory (Krumboltz, 2009), and Antifragility in the context of a rapidly changing labour market. Students then participated in discussions and completed an adapted Systems Theory Framework activity (Patton & McMahon, 1999) to identify the personal, social, educational, and environmental influences shaping their career development. Finally, participants completed the Antifragility Questionnaire, developed through the Erasmus+ project Innovation in Career Guidance: Antifragility in Career Guidance, as a tool for reflection and self-assessment.
Maras Y Pandillas: Límites De Su Transnacionalidad
(2007-09-01) Santamaria, Gema Kloppe-
In this article, Gema Santamaría discusses the issue of gangs, a complex phenomenon that has attracted a great deal of public attention lately. According to the author, gangs of young Central Americans —belonging to groups like Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18— are considered criminal organizations with a vertical structure and the ability to coordinate a variety of criminal activities across borders. These gangs are viewed as a threat to Mexico’s security and countries north of Central America, but in reality their international influence is limited to the imitation of identifying marks and violent behavior that are of a cultural, symbolic nature. Central American countries have tried to deal with the problem by implementing “hardline” or so-called “zero tolerance” policies, punishing young people for merely belonging or appearing to belong to gangs, even when they have committed no crime, an approach that has only served to aggravate matters. In the case of Mexico, the author points out that the presence of gangs is limited, that they tend to be less organized and less violent, and that they are not necessarily involved in criminal activities, while their links to organized crime are not altogether clear. Although there is no denying the influence of Central American immigrants passing through Mexico en route to the United States, the problem here is confined to local gangs with social connections (family, schools, work, etc.), whose links with Central American gangs are limited to the symbolic use of certain tattoos, clothes, graffiti and body language, among other identifying traits.