The Boolean 2022 Vol.6

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https://hdl.handle.net/10468/14644

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    Introduction
    (The Boolean, University College Cork, 2022) Ramsay, Ruth
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    Who gets child protection and welfare services and why?
    (The Boolean, University College Cork, 2022) O'Leary, Donna; O'Driscoll, Conor; Niemitz, Lorenzo; Murphy, Stephen; Cheemarla, Vinay Kumar Reddy; Meyer, Melissa Isabella; Taylor, David Emmet Austin; Cluzel, Gaston
    When children are reported to Tusla Child and Family Agency, social workers may conduct Initial Assessments to determine their safety and welfare to decide if they need ongoing services. We know little about these impactful decisions. Equally, little is known about the nature of concerns investigated or about the children and families themselves. The research for my PhD addressed this evidence gap. I conducted two empirical studies in Tusla between 2015 and 2016. In the first, a case study, I used case file records and interviews to explore social workers’ rationales for their judgments and decisions. In the second, a cross-sectional study, I coded written case records to profile the population undergoing assessments and identify, through multivariable analysis, factors associated with the decision to provide ongoing service.The study developed new insights into the characteristics of children and families undergoing initial assessment and into decision making processes. Social workers’ judgments about service needs are informed by case factors, policies, resource constraints and their perception of their expertise and role. Almost 40% of children assessed received ongoing service. Multivariable analysis indicated decisions to provide ongoing services are multifactorial, influenced by a handful of current and historic case and organisation factors. This is the largest study of Initial Assessments conducted in Ireland to date. Implications of the findings for interventions, policy and further research are discussed.
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    Quantum control: Teaching Schrödinger’s cat to compute the impossible
    (The Boolean, University College Cork, 2022) Whitty, Chris; O'Driscoll, Conor; Niemitz, Lorenzo; Murphy, Stephen; Cheemarla, Vinay Kumar Reddy; Meyer, Melissa Isabella; Taylor, David Emmet Austin; Cluzel, Gaston
    Quantum mechanics has revolutionised the way we understand the world around us, and has already produced technologies that have had an enormous impact on our daily lives. From medical imaging such as MRI to the mobile device in your pocket, quantum physics has played a key role in their design and manufacture. As our understanding of quantum physics has matured, a second generation of quantum technologies are now becoming a reality. This second generation of quantum technology pushes even further the boundary of what is possible, from new sensors that measure beyond classical limits, to quantum computers that can solve problems no classical computer can. However, a major roadblock to developing these new technologies is fast and stable quantum control. Of the many quantum control techniques available, analytic techniques have several advantages. Our research has extended a class of analytic control methods called shortcuts to adiabaticty (STA) to control problems where STA could not be used before. Our new technique is called enhanced shortcuts to adiabaticity (eSTA), and offers new analytic control protocols that have applications across a wide range of practical quantum technologies, from quantum computers to quantum sensors and thermal devices.
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    Fibre, a forgotten key to a thriving diet
    (The Boolean, University College Cork, 2022) Walsh, Sarah Kate; O'Driscoll, Conor; Niemitz, Lorenzo; Murphy, Stephen; Cheemarla, Vinay Kumar Reddy; Meyer, Melissa Isabella; Taylor, David Emmet Austin; Cluzel, Gaston
    Fibre is an often-overlooked nutrient in the debate of what constitutes a healthy diet for optimal health and the prevention of chronic disease. This article aims to introduce fibre as an important dietary component to a general audience. It discusses current and recommended dietary fibre intakes and addresses the often termed “fibre gap” observed in Western-style diets. We highlight sources of dietary fibre focusing on both whole foods and isolated and synthetic fibre ingredients that are entering the food supply. The potential benefits and consumer acceptability of reformulated food staples containing isolated fibre ingredients are discussed including their unique sensory characteristics. By reflecting on the diets of our ancestors and current non-industrialised societies our article highlights the significant changes in our diet that may have altered the gut microbiomes of Western consumers with subsequent deleterious health outcomes. Discussing the current work of the Microbe Restore project, we illustrate how our research design aims to address important questions. Can a typical Western/Modern Irish diet be reformulated to achieve ancestral fibre levels without affecting the acceptability of staple foods? What are the subsequent health outcomes of such a high-fibre diet on the modern overweight/obese consumer? Finally, we highlight how the outcomes of the Microbe Restore project may aid in shaping future food design, dietary recommendations, and the potential impact of food reformulation with isolated fibres on societal health by increasing population dietary fibre intakes.
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    The truth behind food and cancer: Simple explanations based on scientific evidence
    (The Boolean, University College Cork, 2022) Scannell, Clodagh; Hanna, Michelle; O'Sullivan, Aoibheann; Mulcahy, Katie; Ryan, Aoife; Dolan, Orla; Power, Derek; O'Driscoll, Conor; Niemitz, Lorenzo; Murphy, Stephen; Cheemarla, Vinay Kumar Reddy; Meyer, Melissa Isabella; Taylor, David Emmet Austin; Cluzel, Gaston
    Background: Specialist oncology dietetic care is lacking in Ireland. This results in knowledge gaps that are filled by unreliable information from unqualified outlets such as the media and alternative-health providers, who promote complementary/alternative medicine (CAM). The aim of this resource is to provide cancer survivors with up-to-date, evidence-based information on cancer and nutrition. Methods: Common myths about nutrition and cancer and the most popular CAM used by Irish cancer survivors were included. National cancer organisations were also reviewed. To ensure readability, content was written according to the National Adult Literacy Agency recommendations, and peer-reviewed by other dietitians. Patient feedback was sought from patient advocates. Funding was secured from Breakthrough Cancer Research to print 20,000 copies for free distribution. Results: ‘The Truth Behind Food and Cancer: Simple Explanations based on Scientific Evidence’ is a coloured printed resource written by dietitians. It discussed popular diet-based CAM and food avoidance patterns practiced by patients with cancer and provides an evidence-based response to myths and unproven dietary strategies. Conclusion: Following a restrictive dietary strategy can place vulnerable cancer patients at an even greater risk of malnutrition and its debilitating effects. Research shows that a significant number of cancer survivors turn to unproven dietary strategies in the absence of dietetic care or reliable resources.