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Potential applications for image-based systems in structural engineering
Full text linkThis paper presents a series of examples where systems based on images have been used to quantify deformation and strain fields for different applications. The objective of this work is to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of these technologies compared to more traditional systems. In particular, two image-based technologies have been studied: a Digital Image Correlation (DIC) device and a high speed camera. The former has been used in three different static tests: a compression test, a 4 points bending test and a tensile test. The latter was employed in a vibration analysis where the DIC could not be used due to its particular camera specification. Both technologies potentially produce easy to interpret results, which with commonly used alternative technologies usually require a significant post process effort. On the other hand, for effective and reliable results, the image-based technologies can require a previous treatment of the sample and a very careful experimental setup. Moreover, the possibility of performing global measurements compared to more local ones carried out by conventional sensors make these systems very attractive for structural engineering
A flexible decision support tool for MSY-based MPA design
Full text linkICES WGEF recommends that demersal elasmobranchs be managed using spatial proxies 11 for Maximum Sustainable Yield. Here we combine escapement biomass – the percentage of the stock which must be retained each year to conserve it – with maps of predicted abundance of four ray species (cuckoo, thornback, blonde, and spotted), created using Boosted Regression Tree modelling. We then use a Decision Support Tool to generate location and size options for MPAs to protect these stocks, based on the priorities of the various stakeholders, notably the minimisation of fishing effort displacement. Variations of conservation/fishing priorities are simulated, as well as differential priorities for individual species, with a focus on protecting nursery grounds and spawning areas. The result is a complete software package that produces maps of predicted species abundance from limited survey data, allowing disparate stakeholders and policymakers to discuss management options within a mapping interface
Assessment of impulsive and continuous low- frequency noise in Irish waters
Full text linkAs part of the European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), member states are required to address noise pollution in the marine environment under Descriptor 11. This study aimed to provide a practical desk-based application of Descriptor 11 assessment, focusing on the main contributors of ocean noise pollution in Irish waters, seismic surveying and shipping. To highlight specifi c geographical areas subject to elevated levels of noise pollution, the proportion of days over a calendar year that seismic air guns were operational was calculated and the vessel density per 50-km 2 grids was determined across Ireland’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Additionally, cetacean sighting data were used to determine the degree of spatial overlap between areas of elevated noise pollution and areas of cetacean abundance
Galway and the Easter 1916 Rising: an investigation of local histories, memories and heritage tourism possibilities
No full textOutside of Dublin city and county, the rest of Ireland witnessed very little action by\ud
the Irish Volunteers during the course of the 1916 Rising. One of the exceptions was\ud
the West of Ireland, where rebel activity in County Galway was coordinated by Liam\ud
Mellows. During Easter Week, he managed to rally his troops in the county and carry\ud
out offensive operations in Clarenbridge and Oranmore, before retreating to Moyode\ud
Castle and finally disbanding at Limepark House. As the centenary anniversary of\ud
this seminal event approaches, recent debates have centered not only on the Rising’s\ud
historical significance, but on its contemporary political, cultural and economic\ud
importance. This study - which focuses on illuminating local histories, memories and\ud
heritage tourism possibilities - outlines the evolving relationship between the past and\ud
present, through an investigation of the history and remembrance of the story of 1916\ud
throughout Galway city and county. This is done in three ways.\ud
Firstly, this study furnishes a comprehensive local history of Galway’s part in the\ud
Rising. This includes an examination of preceding events in the context of the broader\ud
militarisation of national politics, which took place in the wake of the Third Home\ud
Rule Bill and the outbreak of World War I. As such, the formation of the Irish\ud
Volunteers in Galway and the subsequent split is explored in detail. The significance\ud
of the arrival of Liam Mellows and his efforts to recruit, arm and train the Irish\ud
Volunteers in the region is equally examined. The story of the events of Easter Week\ud
1916 is detailed largely from the perspective of the rank-and-file participant, and as\ud
such, provides a broad understanding of the movements and activities during the\ud
Rising in Galway. The experiences of the rebels arrested, incarcerated, deported and\ud
interned are also examined, alongside Mellows’ period in hiding in County Clare\ud
before his successful escape to America.\ud
The second part of this study investigates how memories of 1916 have found\ud
expression in tangible and intangible forms of heritage throughout the city and\ud
county. It chronicles the anniversary commemorations that have taken place over the\ud
decades, in both Galway city and county and assesses the social and political\ud
developments that have influenced and impacted upon them. The extent to which\ud
remembering and forgetting have influenced acts of memorialisation is equally\ud
explored.\ud
The study concludes by looking towards the forthcoming centenary anniversary of\ud
the Rising. The evolving nature of commemoration is further explored in the context\ud
of the government’s ‘Decade of Commemorations’ programme, which aims to\ud
accommodate the plurality of historical tradition in Ireland in a meaningful and\ud
respectful manner. Finally, as the centenary approaches, this study also outlines the\ud
unfolding heritage tourism opportunities for the retelling of the story of Galway’s\ud
1916 Rising. Two collaborative developments which were partly informed by this\ud
study are examined namely, a museum exhibition and a heritage trail
Temporal and spatial trends in stranding records of cetaceans on the Irish coast, 2002–2014
Full text linkUsing Irish strandings data collected between 2002 and 2014, seasonal and annual trends in the number of strandings for all strandings identified to species level (N ¼ 1480), and for the five most frequently reported species: common dolphin (25.7% of records), harbour porpoise (22.2%), long-finned pilot whale (8.8%), striped dolphin (6.9%) and bottlenose dolphin (6.9%) were investigated. With the exception of bottlenose dolphins, there was a significant linear increase in the number of strandings across years for all species and for all strandings collectively, that were identified to species-level. Only common dolphins demonstrated a significant increase in the proportion of records relative to all other strandings, which may be indicative of a real rise in the number of strandings of this species. Common dolphins and harbour porpoises showed a similar significant difference in monthly strandings, with more strandings occurring during the earlier months of the year.\ud
Significant differences in the gender of stranded animals were found in common, striped, bottlenose and Atlantic white-sided dolphins and sperm and pygmy sperm whales. Live and mass stranding events were primarily comprised of pelagic species. Most strandings occurred on the south and west coasts, with two hotspots for live and mass strandings identified. The patterns and trends identified are discussed in relation to the caveats in interpreting strandings data. Specifically to Ireland, the findings highlight the urgent need to build on the current volunteer reporting network and augment this comprehensive dataset with post-mortem examinations to better understand the cause of the trends identified. The importance of strandings data in informing conservation and management guidelines of these species’ is discussed
PCB pollution continues to impact populations of orcas and other dolphins in European waters
Full text linkOrganochlorine (OC) pesticides and the more persistent polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have well-established dose-dependent toxicities to birds, fish and mammals in experimental studies, but the actual impact of OC pollutants on European marine top predators remains unknown. Here we show that several cetacean species have very high mean blubber PCB concentrations likely to cause population declines and suppress population recovery. In a large pan-European meta-analysis of stranded (n = 929) or biopsied (n = 152) cetaceans, three out of four species:- striped dolphins (SDs), bottlenose dolphins (BNDs) and killer whales (KWs) had mean PCB levels that markedly exceeded all known marine mammal PCB toxicity thresholds. Some locations (e.g. western Mediterranean Sea, south-west Iberian Peninsula) are global PCB “hotspots” for marine mammals. Blubber PCB concentrations initially declined following a mid-1980s EU ban, but have since stabilised in UK harbour porpoises and SDs in the western Mediterranean Sea. Some small or declining populations of BNDs and KWs in the NE Atlantic were associated with low recruitment, consistent with PCB-induced reproductive toxicity. Despite regulations and mitigation measures to reduce PCB pollution, their bio-magnification in marine food webs continues to cause severe impacts among cetacean top predators in European seas
Step counts in primary school children before and after a physical activity intervention
Full text linkReview: innovation process frameworks
Full text linkInnovation publications have been recently described as fragmented and inconsistent. Consequently the field requires work to synthesise the literature and provide a coherent review of frameworks that have been developed in the area. This paper addresses these shortcomings by first examining the contentious issue of what is meant by the term innovation. The analysis is carried out by bringing together definitions of innovation from disparate streams of respected academic work in the area, followed by the development of a concept matrix. Then the study describes approximately twenty innovation process frameworks assembled from the innovation literature. The paper argues that that, despite the volume of innovation literature, it’s sense-making and progress is severely hampered by the absence of a review of theoretical frameworks. Consequently this work makes a contribution by addressing the gap in the literature
A contextual review of the provision of campus-based licensed trade facilities in a modern context: A case study on the feasibility of opening a student bar at Cork Institute of Technology
Full text linkThis study was undertaken during the summer of 2014 at the request of the Students Union in response to an application to them with the view to the opening of a bar on campus at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT). The study reports on the current economic climate and other factors that have contributed to the continuous decline in alcohol sales in the on-trade in Ireland which is the alleged main contributing factor to the changed drinking culture of young Irish people today. A quantitative approach was applied and the research questionnaire yielded 1,229 responses representing the student body of CIT, both past and present.\ud
The findings of the survey influenced the decision by the Students Union not to pursue the establishment of a campus bar at Cork Institute of Technology in the foreseeable future. This study should be of benefit to the hospitality industry, industry trade associations, such as the Vintners Federation of Ireland and th
Tourism in a heritage town in the South East of Ireland: Current offering, gaps & opportunities.
Full text linkLocated in Co. Cork, on the south coast of Ireland, Youghal is a remarkable town with treasures to rival any town on the world stage, a place where historical and medieval characteristics are second to none. The town of Youghal guards an important and unique collection, in terms of history, stories, buildings and artefacts. Boasting connections with an array of historical figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh (Mayor of Youghal from 1588-1589), Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, Oliver Cromwell (wintered here in 1649), Queen Victoria through the ‘Youghal Lace’ of her coronation veil, the distinctive figure of Tom Thumb , a chapter concerning its very own witch and corresponding witch trial, settlers such as the Vikings, the Anglo Normans, reminders of a Medieval era, Georgian era, a Victorian era, and town walls that were built in 1250 AD, still proudly facing the sea below. Youghal’s strengths are in its historical offering and in its exquisite beach location. There are 4.5kms of beach available to the visitor, along with four town parks: 1798 Memorial Green Park, Millennium Park, Keane Park and College Gardens. Youghal offers a rich tourist menu that on a global stage is significant. Historically, Youghal’s importance in the region was associated with its role as a Port Town and an industrial centre. Unfortunately, the 1980s witnessed a decline in these roles and the town’s population waned (Youghal Town Council, 2010). Recently, however, from a tourist destination perspective, Youghal has benefited in that is was chosen for a pilot programme of the Historic Towns Initiative, together with the towns of Listowel & Westport. This initiative is with the Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, The Heritage Council of Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.\ud
This new research specifically examines the tourist product offering in Youghal and identifies gaps and opportunities for the future of the tourist product offering, together with recommendations for future development.\ud
The empirical data for this study was gathered using both in-depth interviews and projective techniques. The qualitative element consisted of interviews with 22 relevant people drawn from local industry, the local business community, local residents and local politicians. Additionally, 71 people were picked at random to participate in the projective techniques which yielded some significant findings.\ud
The aim of this research is to identify and analyse the region’s tourism product and services offering, with the specific aim of providing hope for the region in terms of local employment, increasing visitor numbers, and driving the local economy. The research findings will determine the area’s strengths, gaps and opportunities, aligned with appropriate markets and potential investment attraction for the region. Immediate actions to boost the tourist offering are identified in this study, together with long term projects and plans