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Ancient DNA analysis of a medieval human assemblage from Ballyhanna, Co. Donegal
No full textThe excavation of a medieval cemetery in Ballyhanna Co. Donegal in 2003 and the\ud
subsequent development of the Ballyhanna Research Project (BRP) provided an\ud
opportunity for ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis to be undertaken on a large medieval\ud
Gaelic human population. The core objective of this study was to answer research\ud
questions relevant to the Ballyhanna assemblage by applying molecular methods to the\ud
Ballyhanna skeletal material and subsequently interpreting the biomolecular results.\ud
The research carried out for this thesis investigated several aspects of ancient DNA\ud
research; aDNA extraction methodologies, sex identification, STR typing,\ud
biomolecular paleopathology and the study of genetic diseases.\ud
The preliminary analysis in Chapter 3 was conducted using conventional endpoint\ud
PCR and gel electrophoresis techniques to establish if ancient nucleic acids were\ud
preserved within the skeletal remains. DNA was successfully amplified from four out\ud
of eleven disarticulated pelvis bones sampled. From these results it was established\ud
that the molecular methods used were not entirely efficient and significant\ud
improvements were needed in order to maximise DNA yields and authenticate results.\ud
Further investigations into the most appropriate sample material, extraction technique\ud
and PCR methods was therefore conducted in Chapter 4. As a result, teeth were used\ud
as an aDNA source for the remainder of the study. A comparative study was also\ud
conducted to evaluate the maximum DNA recovery potential of four commonly used\ud
aDNA extraction methods. Using a quantitative RT-PCR assay the DNA yields\ud
obtained from the teeth samples were compared and the Rohland et al., (2010) method\ud
was thus identified as the most sensitive of these methods.\ud
The reliability and reproducibility of two PCR based sexing methods were\ud
evaluated next in Chapter 5 on 50 adults of known sex from the Ballyhanna\ud
assemblage. This study was carried out to determine the accuracy of these methods for\ud
sexing individuals from the Ballyhanna assemblage. Using real time PCR and STR\ud
profiling systems, a reliable, rapid and unambiguous sexing system was developed. All\ud
molecular data was verified in the University of Wisconsin (UW) Madison, who\ud
conducted second centre independent analysis. The molecular sex of 25 out of 47 adult\ud
individuals sampled was identified successfully and found to be in accordance with the\ud
ii\ud
osteological sex. The remainder of the adult individuals sampled could not be\ud
confirmed due to poor amplification of the ancient DNA. The reproducibility of the\ud
successfully amplified samples meant that the methods were valid and subsequently\ud
could be used with confidence to sex the juveniles from Ballyhanna. In Chapter 6, the\ud
molecular sexing results from the juveniles sampled determined that four of these\ud
juvenile individuals were males, 10 were probable males, one was a probable female\ud
and four were inconclusive. These results consequently implied that the sex ratio of\ud
the juveniles sampled from Ballyhanna was skewed towards males.\ud
Skeletons exhibiting pathological lytic lesions consistent with Mycobacterium\ud
tuberculosis were analysed using biomolecular methods in Chapter 7 to confirm if the\ud
paleopathology was caused by M. tuberculosis or M. bovis. From the six individuals\ud
sampled in this study, no mycobacterial DNA was detected from four of these\ud
specimens when two specific markers, IS6110 and IS 1081 which are specific for M.\ud
tuberculosis complex strains, were amplified using real time PCR. Amplifiable DNA\ud
was detected and confirmed for one sample, SK I82 using the IS 1081 assay. However\ud
the second centre analysis conducted by Dr. Mike Taylor in the University of Surrey\ud
found that all samples analysed with the IS 1081 and IS6110 assays were negative.\ud
Therefore, as the positive case for TB from SKI82 could not be replicated in the\ud
second centre of analysis, this result consequently could not be fully authenticated.\ud
In Chapter 8, this thesis also investigated if the Cystic fibrosis F508del\ud
mutation was present among the medieval population at Ballyhanna. Sixty nine\ud
individuals were screened in two centres of analysis (IT Sligo and UW), however the\ud
results from this study did not identify the F508del mutation among the individuals\ud
sampled.\ud
Through the application of ancient DNA research, an alternative means of\ud
gathering information about the medieval Gaelic population from Ballyhanna was thus\ud
achieved
Measuring business incubation outcomes: An Irish case study
No full textThis paper examines the impact of business incubation on its participants (incubatees). The research presented enhances the conceptual\ud
framework of performance measures for business incubation proposed by Voisey et al (2006). Following an extensive review of the literature, data were collected using a survey of 43 incubatees and interviews with a random sample of 12 of them. The survey questionnaire examined data in two categories: hard and soft measures – the former relating to sales turnover, profitability, growth, independence and the number of clients, and the latter to professionalism, improved business skills, confidence, productivity, knowledge, cost savings and publicity. The interviews explored the incubatees’ experience of life in a business incubation centre\ud
and of networking with other incubatees. The findings indicate that the measurement of business incubation outcomes needs to be broader than a set of statistical outputs. A modified version of the framework proposed by Voisey et al provides an appropriate holistic approach to evaluating business incubation outcomes. The framework proposed includes hard and soft measures and the measurement of outcomes at three stages: pre-incubation, during incubation and post-incubation. This study offers an example\ud
of a measurement approach that captures the value of business incubation, and thus should be useful to incubators, sponsors, incubatees and academics
Out with the new in with the old: revisiting the \ud Grammar Translation Method in foreign language teaching
No full textDidactic approaches to second language acquisition and strategies used at European higher education institutions may not be suitable for Anglophones (Catena and Stephens, 2010). Anglophones tend to have very little formal knowledge of their own language and its grammar. This lack of linguistic competence may be an element that affects their ability to learn a foreign language. The aim of this study is the enhancement of the quality of second language acquisition by exploring methodological adaptations that may motivate Anglophones to learn a foreign language. This paper reports research conducted at a higher education institution in Ireland. For the purpose of this scoping piece, the mixed methods approach of sequential explanatory strategy (Creswell, 2003) was adopted. The method was used as follows: first, quantitative research was conducted with Anglophone learners to examine their attitudes and experience of learning a foreign language(s). Second, the progress of four learners over a period of two years was mapped using a variety of qualitative method. The participants in this study tend to produce correct sentences in a foreign language if they understand how these sentences are grammatically formed. However, the participants like many Anglophones possess a poor understanding of English grammar. Therefore, this paper proposes a return to the Grammar Translation method
Optimisation of corrosion protection and prevention at Thermo King.
Get PDFCorrosion of metals affects their function in many engineering applications, limits the useful life, and thereby causes increased costs for industry estimated at up to €300 billion per annum in the United States'. The prevention of corrosion is of major economic significance, and is a subject of intrinsic scientific interest due to the complex chemistry involved. The chemical protection of metals has to be moderated to conform to increasingly demanding environmental standards. There are relatively few effective alternatives to traditi* onal phosphate coatings dati*ng from2 1 869. In the case of refrigeration technology, the refrigeration cycle is largely conducted on metallic equipment exposed to repeated episodes of the thermal cycle. The metals used in portable or truck mounted refrigeration equipment must resist corrosion for periods of ten years in aggressive environments. In this project a scientific examination of the process steps used by Thermo King, a leading refrigeration manufacturer, was conducted. In this project, with the full support of the Thermo King Corporation, the process steps in the phosphate protection process were simulated in the laboratory to characterise various chemical changes and monitor changes over time. A study on the literature and technology of alternative corrosion protection relevant to the current processes was conducted. Accelerated corrosion tests were carried out on metallic samples used in the Thermo King production of refrigeration units. These samples were also characterised by scanning electron microscopy. Implementation of the findings in Thermo King had four major effects;\ud
1. Decrease in phosphate levels to meet IPC licence requirements, for the first time in Thermo King\ud
2. Substantial cost reduction through water conservation\ud
3. The improved performance of Thermo King’s spray treatment line resulted in obtaining 700 hours, in a salt spray chamber in accordance with ASTM B177.\ud
This improved accelerated corrosion test result is 75% higher than was achievable prior to this project. \ud
4. Preliminary investigations on the alternatives to phosphate coating were conducted, on silane and autophoretic technologies. These technologies showed promising results however further research is required. Suggestions are made for future research to obtain a better understanding of underlying principles, and to achieve improved performance from corrosion inhibition techniques
A new organisational ecology for open innovation: the Innovation Value Institute
Get PDFIn this paper a new theoretical framework for Innovation Eco-Systems is proposed and the application of the model in the Innovation Value Institute (IVI) is described. The IVI is engaged in the development of the IT-Capability Maturity Model which is a response to the need for a more systematic, comprehensive approach to managing IT in a manner that meets the requirements of practicing IT professionals
An investigation to determine the effectiveness of the link between investment in relationship marketing with "trust and loyalty" : a comparative study
Get PDFThe purpose of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of relationship\ud
marketing in Irish Retail Banking. The development of relationship marketing\ud
continues to grow in academic and practical terms. More specifically this\ud
study addresses the issue of whether investment in relationship marketing is\ud
conducive to trust and loyalty.\ud
A process of triangulation is used that incorporates qualitative and\ud
quantitative methods. The methodology includes an exploratory phase that\ud
incorporates focus groups with in-depth interviews. The exploratory data is\ud
then validated by the employment o f quantitative research by means of a\ud
questionnaire.\ud
The results show no link between the level of investment in RM. and the\ud
corresponding trust and loyalty of the target segments. Distinct levels of trust\ud
and loyalty are identified in relation to respective segments. The study also\ud
proposes a new marketing approach that is particularly suited to the retail\ud
banking sector.\ud
Relationship marketing is particularly under scrutiny in modern retail banking\ud
and as the research asserts, requires extensive revision in this particular\ud
sector. The study provides the basis for a rich blend of further research.\ud
While the implications of the study are directly applicable to banking,\ud
indirectly other sectors can benefit from the key thematic developments
The empirical analysis on factors that impact on level of innovation and the development of a regional innovation system
Get PDFThe aim of this research is to contribute to a greater understanding of the factors that are conducive and inhibitive to the innovation activity and the development of a regional innovation system (RIS) in a peripheral region such as the BMW region in Ireland. Previous studies have largely concentrated on urban areas. A broad definition of an innovation system is the planned and systemic cooperation in a region that is essential to\ud
the development of relationships conducive to the generation and diffusion of knowledge and innovation.\ud
Regions are seen as important bases of economic coordination at the meso-level: ‘the region is increasingly the level at which innovation is produced through regional networks of innovators, local clusters and the cross-fertilising effects of research institutions’ (Lundvall and Borras 1997:39) Many peripheral areas often have too few firms in the same industrial sector or local production system to constitute a regional cluster, and then an important condition for local networking and interactive learning is missing. Empirically the study is based on a postal survey which was presented to 96 firms with 45 firms responding (response rate of 47%). From the forty five responses received, eleven companies were excluded (two had ceased to operate, two had incomplete information and seven carried out no innovation or R&D), providing a 36% response rate. In order to further enhance the results obtained the most innovative and least innovative firm were chosen to undergo a further in-depth study (mentioned in more\ud
detail in section 2) The combination of the two data-sets enables methodical triangulation which further enhances the results obtained and helps to ‘maximise the validity of field effort
History of Dreissena research and the ICAIS gateway to aquatic invasions research
No full textResearch on the ecology and impacts of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) has developed in parallel with the long history\ud
of their spread across Europe and to North America. There is less scientific knowledge however about the quagga mussel\ud
(Dreissena rostriformis bugensis). The recent spread of both zebra and quagga mussels to the Western states of the USA, has\ud
spurred on dreissenid research. The 17th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species (ICAIS), was held in San Diego,\ud
California in September 2010. This special edition of Aquatic Invasions includes topical research presented at ICAIS and also\ud
extra subsequent papers on ecology, risk assessment and control of various aquatic invasive species in different parts of the\ud
globe
Discrete or not so discrete: Long distance movements by coastal bottlenose dolphins in UK and Irish waters
Get PDFThe potential for long distance movements in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from six UK and Irish study sites was examined using photographs of natural markings. Here we provide the first evidence for long-term re-sightings between the Moray Firth, Inner Hebrides and across international borders to the Republic of Ireland as determined for eight individuals over a ten year period from 2001 to 2010. Minimum dispersal distances of up to 1,277km were resolved providing a new distance record for the species in European waters. Although none of the sightings were made within protected areas, several were made in waters used by animals from a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) revealing some evidence for connectivity between areas previously regarded as discrete. Our findings highlight the need to mitigate broader-scale anthropogenic impacts affecting these dolphins across multiple sites throughout their coastal range. Accordingly, we underline the importance of developing wider conservation measures for this species in UK and Irish waters, but particularly in prospective corridor areas potentially linking SACs in the Moray Firth, Cardigan Bay and Shannon Estuar
Assessment and monitoring of ocean noise in Irish waters
Get PDFAnthropogenic noise is now recognised as a significant pollutant in the marine environment and there is a growing interest from the scientific community, policy makers and the general public in the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine life. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) has developed criteria under Descriptor 11 Noise to define, identify and quantify anthropogenic sound sources, encompassing both low- and mid-frequency impulsive sound (Indicator 11.1.1) and low-frequency continuous sound (Indicator 11.2.1). This report is part of a project on the assessment and monitoring of ocean noise in Irish waters, addressing both Indicators, and is a key delivery on behalf of Ireland meeting obligations under the MSFD. Indicator 11.1.1 addresses noise sources from seismic surveys, sonar, piledriving, acoustic deterrents and the use of explosives. Seismic surveying is the primary technique used in the search for oil and natural gas reserves and is a major sound source of concern when assessing low- and midfrequency impulsive sound in Irish waters. \ud
1. This report aims to assess the pressure of impulsive low- and mid-frequency sounds across the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by quantifying seismic activity at specific geographic locations within Irish waters, helping Ireland to fulfil requirements under the MSFD. Details of seismic surveys conducted in waters under Irish jurisdiction from 2000 to 2011 were obtained from the Petroleum Affairs Division (PAD) of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.\ud
2. To quantify seismic activity, a methodology incorporating bang days, as proposed by the Technical Sub-Group of MSFD Descriptor 11, was used. Bang days were defined as “days in which data from seismic surveying were acquired”, assessed in cell blocks of 10' latitude by 12' longitude.\ud
3. To investigate the development of seismic survey equipment, surveys conducted from 2000 to 2011 in Irish waters were categorised based on the volume of the air-gun array in cubic inches. Larger volume arrays are deemed likely to produce louder noise than smaller volume arrays and so volume was used here as a proxy for noise level. \ud
4. Between the years 2000 and 2011, a total of 44 seismic surveys were conducted in waters under Irish jurisdiction. The number of active offshore authorisations has been steadily increasing since 2002, reaching a total of 42 active authorisations in 2011. The year 2011 also reported the greatest number of granted offshore authorisations, indicating a potential rise in seismic activity in the coming years.\ud
5. Noise maps were generated across the years 2000–2011 for bang days and array volume. Analyses of seismic exploration between the years 2000 and 2011 revealed specific areas of interest to the oil and gas industry, namely quadrants Q11, Q12, Q18, Q19, Q25, Q27, Q43, Q48, Q49, Q50 and Q57. The most commonly used array volume in Irish waters between 2000 and 2011 was >3,000–4,000 cubic inches. The emergence of larger volume air-gun arrays occurred in 2007 and, in 2011, array volumes used in seismic surveying exceeded 8,000 cubic inches. \ud
This report has highlighted specific geographical areas with a greater frequency of seismic exploration and additionally highlighted specific geographical areas that have been surveyed using the larger volume arrays. This report was completed as part of a research project (2011-W-MS-6) undertaken by Galway–Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), which was funded by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for theEnvironment (STRIVE) Programme 2007–2013 and by the Irish Government on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government