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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How digital banking is not having benefits for Irish households
(RTE, 2026-01-20) Ryan, Marie
Analysis: New research has found that digital banking technology is not improving the financial well-being of the squeezed middle in Ireland
Ultrasound-assisted recovery of humic substances from municipal digestate using response surface methodology
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-04-26) Shiju, Shon George; Chullipalliyalil, Krishnakumar; Tiwari, Brijesh K.; Quille, Patrick; Rajauria, Gaurav
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is widely employed for sewage sludge stabilization, producing substantial volumes of digestate that require further management. This study explores the recovery of high-quality humic substances (HS), specifically humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA), from anaerobically digested sewage sludge (DSS) using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Implementing this step prior to downstream digestate management positions DSS as a low-cost, sustainable feedstock to produce high-value agronomic biostimulants and soil conditioners. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the UAE parameters, namely ultrasound amplitude (20–100%) and extraction time (5–20 min), to maximise HA yield. A second-order polynomial model demonstrated a strong fit to the experimental data (R2 ≥ 0.90), achieving HA and FA yields of 424.67 ± 0.03mg g−1 and 419.04 ± 0.01 mg g−1 (dry basis), respectively. Under optimized conditions (97% amplitude, 8.4 min, 0.1 M KOH, 1:40 v/w), HA yields increased by 109% compared to conventional extraction (CE: 200 rpm, 16 h), with a concurrent 85.8% reduction in energy consumption (CE: 0.281 kWh vs. UAE: 0.03 – 0.04 kWh). Elemental profiling highlighted the superior quality of UAE-HAs, characterised by significant carbon intensification (44.64% vs 37.9%), nitrogen recovery (6.69% vs 0.74%) and sulphur enrichment (1.95% vs 0.07%) relative to the commercial standard. Spectrometric analysis further corroborated these findings, revealing greater functional group diversity in DSS-derived samples, positioning them as superior candidates for agricultural applications. These findings demonstrate the potential of UAE as an efficient and economical technology for HS recovery, advancing the circularity of digestate-based biorefineries by transforming urban organic waste streams into value-added agronomic resources.
Incorporating CT-Derived Body Composition analysis into the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria is associated with overall survival: Findings from an international cancer cohort
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-08) Scannell, Clodagh; Sullivan, Erin Stella; Dolan, Ross D; McGovern, Josh; Fallon, Marie; Laird, Barry J; Power, Derek G; Ryan, Aoife M
Background: Cancer-associated malnutrition is highly prevalent and linked to adverse outcomes. However, studies evaluating malnutrition using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria with inclusion of computed tomography (CT)-derived muscle mass are limited, particularly in Caucasian oncology populations. Moreover, the prevalence of GLIM-defined malnutrition and its association with overall survival across different treatment intents remains insufficiently characterized. Objective: This study investigates whether incorporating CT-derived body composition assessment into the GLIM criteria improves the detection of malnutrition in oncology patients and evaluates its association with overall survival across different treatment intent groups. Design: Secondary analysis of data from 2 observational, prospective studies in Ireland and the United Kingdom that both examined the effect of nutritional and inflammatory status on survival in patients. GLIM phenotypic and etiologic criteria were retrospectively applied using data available from these studies. Reduced muscle mass was derived from CT. Participants/Setting: Data were available for 1405 patients enrolled between 2011 and 2016; 1118 had evaluable CT scans. Treatment intent included curative (n = 428), palliative active treatment (n = 873), and supportive care (n = 104). Main Outcome: Prevalence of GLIM-diagnosed malnutrition incorporating CT muscle assessment and its association with overall survival (months) by treatment intent. Survival analysis was carried out using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics characterized clinical characteristics and nutritional status. Analyses were conducted in SPSS, and statistical significance was considered at P < .05. Results: GLIM-malnutrition was identified in 40.4% (22.6% moderate; 17.8% severe). Among those with CT scans, 42.2% had low muscle mass, and only 24.8% had experienced >5% weight loss. CT analysis identified GLIM malnutrition in 22.8% of patients missed by weight/body mass index (BMI) criteria. Median follow-up was 102.4 months. Median survival was 30.4 months for well-nourished patients vs 13.5 months (moderate) and 6.4 months (severe) for malnourished patients (P < .001). Adjusted hazard ratios for death were 1.379 (moderate malnutrition) and 1.799 (severe malnutrition) (P < .001). Conclusion: GLIM-diagnosed malnutrition, particularly when incorporating CT-derived muscle mass, is common and strongly predicts poor survival across treatment intents. CT-based assessment identifies patients with muscle wasting who may be missed by conventional criteria, supporting its integration into GLIM phenotyping.
Supporting urban planning with high-resolution climate data: Development and testing of a new low-cost and user-oriented meteorological device (UrbanMobiClim) for mobile measurements and thermal comfort mapping
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-05-13) Gallacher, Claire; Gallacher, Paul; Goldberg, Valeri; Ziemann, Astrid
Addressing urban heat and its impact on outdoor spaces and human well-being is critical for developing sustainable cities, particularly in the context of climate change, which is increasing both the frequency and severity of heatwaves. Traditional climate monitoring devices which are used to measure meteorological variables affecting thermal comfort are often expensive and require significant technical expertise to operate, limiting their accessibility. In response to these challenges, this study presents the development of UrbanMobiClim, a low-cost and user-oriented meteorological device, designed for mobile measurements of thermal comfort. Built on an Arduino platform microcontroller with low-cost sensors and guided by German standards for meteorological devices, UrbanMobiClim aims to empower urban planners and other stakeholders with accessible data to inform evidence-based urban adaptation strategies. UrbanMobiClim was statistically compared against two reputable high-end devices from the Dresden University of Technology's Chair of Meteorology and Arizona State University's Sensable Heatscapes and Digital Environments (SHaDE) lab, demonstrating its suitability for measuring thermal comfort in both stationary and mobile applications. This study presents the results of these comparisons, alongside a comprehensive technical framework for replicating the device. By establishing a baseline for future iterations, UrbanMobiClim contributes to the development of accessible, reliable, and easy-to-use tools that facilitate citizen science initiatives and support local stakeholders to make informed decisions for enhancing urban livability and sustainability.
Nurses’ and midwives’ experiences of supporting parents following perinatal bereavement: A qualitative systematic review
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-05-23) Gao, Hong; Iwunze, Chinyere Justina; An, Xuemei; Zhou, Ting; Curtin, Margaret
Background Perinatal loss is a significant global health issue that affects millions of families worldwide and represents a profound emotional challenge for both parents and healthcare professionals. Nurses and midwives play a key role in providing care and support to parents during this difficult period. However, many report feeling underprepared and inadequately supported when delivering perinatal bereavement care. Objectives We sought to explore the experiences of nurses and midwives of supporting parents following perinatal loss, to examine the personal and professional impact of providing bereavement care on nurses and midwives, and to identify the key facilitators and challenges they encounter in this role. Design A qualitative systematic review of the literature. Information sources PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search, limited to English language publications, in the above databases from January 2015 to November 2025. Two reviewers independently performed study selection and data extraction and assessed methodological quality using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tool. The extracted data were then analyzed and synthesized using a thematic synthesis approach to identify patterns and generate comprehensive insights into the experiences of nurses and midwives providing bereavement care. Results A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. From these, we identified three major themes: (1) a caring role in supporting bereaved parents; (2) the impact of bereavement care on nurses and midwives; and (3) facilitators and barriers to providing bereavement care. Each main theme included several sub-themes. Conclusion Perinatal loss had a profound impact on the psychological and physical well-being of nurses and midwives; a variety of coping strategies were used to navigate these challenges. Both bereavement care training and organisation support were seen as essential for them to prepare themselves. There appears to be an urgent need for an effective bereavement care training program created for nurses and midwives, as well as open discussion, informal debriefing sessions among colleagues working in maternity units. What’s more, institutional support and managerial support may be important as well.