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An Exploration of a Higher Education Institution\u27s Response to the Need for Enhanced Engagement with Enterprise
No full textIn Irish higher education, there is strong awareness of the potential for, and of, collaboration between higher education, enterprise and communities to contribute to economic renewal and social innovation but this is accompanied by a recognition that ‘higher education institutions could be more dynamic and coherent in their approach to collaboration’ (Department of Education and Skills, 2011, p. 75). This view is echoed by Healy, et al., (2014, p. 6) who assert that … ‘despite the resurgence in business-university collaboration, research reports consistently find that cooperation practices are highly fragmented and uncoordinated’. The role of an engaged, entrepreneurial university is to act as a co-creator of knowledge, informed by, and in collaboration with, external organisations, and to ensure that graduates emerge with the academic excellence, practitioner knowledge and entrepreneurial skills and capabilities which ensure that they are well-placed to identify or create employment opportunities for themselves and to maintain employability. The entrepreneurial orientation of the institution and its graduates, the application of research and innovation toward challenges in society and the prioritisation of output measures such as patent applications, spinoffs and job creation are important elements in ensuring that universities optimise their contribution to society. Guerrero, et al., (2012) emphasise the importance of the entrepreneurial university as incubator to support the translation of ideas and knowledge into valuable and measurable economic initiatives as well as the importance of partnerships with society and industry in informing and supporting the development of knowledge-based entrepreneurship in higher education. Responding to these challenges and building on the outputs and outcomes of the Roadmap for Employment-Academic Partnership project (REAP, 2009), Cork Institute of Technology has established the CIT Extended Campus in order to join up and maximize the benefits of an already actively-engaged institution so that interactions are sought and stimulated, and business intelligence is collected to support the organisation to act entrepreneurially and to build better-informed, broader, mutually beneficial relationships
First Nustar Observations Of Mrk 501 Within A Radio To Tev Multi-Instrument Campaign
Get PDFWe report on simultaneous broadband observations of the TeV-emitting blazar Markarian 501 between 2013 April 1 and August 10, including the first detailed characterization of the synchrotron peak with Swift and NuSTAR. During the campaign, the nearby BL Lac object was observed in both a quiescent and an elevated state. The broadband campaign includes observations with NuSTAR, MAGIC, VERITAS, the Fermi Large Area Telescope, Swift X-ray Telescope and UV Optical Telescope, various ground-based optical instruments, including the GASP-WEBT program, as well as radio observations by OVRO, Metsähovi, and the F-Gamma consortium. Some of the MAGIC observations were affected by a sand layer from the Saharan desert, and had to be corrected using event-by-event corrections derived with a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) facility. This is the first time that LIDAR information is used to produce a physics result with Cherenkov Telescope data taken during adverse atmospheric conditions, and hence sets a precedent for the current and future ground-based gamma-ray instruments. The NuSTAR instrument provides unprecedented sensitivity in hard X-rays, showing the source to display a spectral energy distribution (SED) between 3 and 79 keV consistent with a log-parabolic spectrum and hard X-ray variability on hour timescales. None (of the four extended NuSTAR observations) show evidence of the onset of inverse-Compton emission at hard X-ray energies. We apply a single-zone equilibrium synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model to five simultaneous broadband SEDs. We find that the SSC model can reproduce the observed broadband states through a decrease in the magnetic field strength coinciding with an increase in the luminosity and hardness of the relativistic leptons responsible for the high-energy emission
Complete Genome Sequences of vB_LmoS_188 and vB_LmoS_293, Two Bacteriophages with Specificity for Listeria monocytogenes Strains of Serotypes 4b and 4e
Get PDFListeria monocytogenes is responsible for the rare disease listeriosis, which is associated with the consumption of contaminated food products. We report here the complete genome sequences of vB_LmoS_188 and vB_LmoS_293, phages isolated from environmental sources and that have host specificity for L. monocytogenes strains of the 4b and 4e serotypes
Draft Genome Sequences of Six Different Staphylococcus epidermidis Clones, Isolated Individually from Preterm Neonates Presenting with Sepsis at Edinburgh\u27s Royal Infirmary
Get PDFHerein, we report the draft genome sequences of six individual Staphylococcus epidermidis clones, cultivated from blood taken from different preterm neonatal sepsis patients at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
The Problem of Masculinity for Male Health
Get PDFMen’s health has historically received little attention in terms of consultation, planning, strategy development or project implementation, but in recent years there has been an increased focus on gender in the context of men’s health. Whilst in the past the focus on gender and health in Ireland has tended to be synonymous with women’s health, the significance of gendered health practices (particularly gendered patterns of help-seeking) have more recently come to the forefront in the context of men. Men’s reluctance to seek help and use health services is a concern across most Western cultures. Some commentary has suggested that men are victims of their own behaviour and the concept of masculinity. When forming a male-specific policy, health service providers and policy makers need to take men’s self-monitoring behaviour into account, when attempting to engage men within the health system. This paper forms part of a wider study into men’s health and focuses on masculinity as a potential problem in the socialisation of men
Evolutionary Computation for Digital Artefact Design
Get PDFThis thesis presents novel systems for the automatic and semi-automatic design of digital artefacts. Currently, users wanting to create digital models, such as three-dimensional (3D) digital landscapes and website colour schemes, need to possess significant expertise, as the tools involved demand a high level of knowledge and skill. By developing an intuitive algorithmic process, founded on evolutionary computation (EC), this research enables non-specialist human designers to create digital assets more efficiently. This is achieved by replacing design activities that require significant manual input with algorithmic functions, thereby greatly improving the efficiency and accessibility of the practices involved.
This research places an initial focus on the generation of 3D landscapes, but the latter aspect concentrates on the identification of text and background colour combinations more amenable to the reading process, particularly for readers with vision impairments. Choosing an ideal combination of colours requires knowledge of the cognitive and psychological procedures involved. Designers need to be aware of colour contrast ratios, brightness, and variations, which would require a series of aesthetic measurements if they are to be manually tested. In an effort to provide a colour design facility, this research offers algorithms that can generate colour schemes, based on the aforementioned principles, which can be used to derive an optimum scheme for a website.
This research demonstrates a novel interactive genetic algorithm (IGA), coupled with the use of computational aesthetics, suitable for use in the evolution of terrain generation and digital landscape design. It also provides a tool for automatically creating EC-driven colour palettes for web design via evolutionary searches.
Experimental trials use the EC framework developed from this research using both IGA technique and the computational aesthetic measures. Results indicate that the end-users can build any target digital landscape design with less inputs and more comfort, and if required can also automate the whole process to evolve aesthetically pleasing landscape designs. The results obtained for designing colour schemes for website design have proven that end-users can quickly develop a colour scheme, without the need for fine-tuning of colour combinations. Results can compete in quality the colour schemes that are designed by the professional website developers
An Exploration of Higher Education Engagement with Small and Medium Enterprise in Ireland
Get PDFHigher education institutions are increasingly expected to support regional economic development through knowledge generation and exchange in collaboration with enterprise and industry. In many geographies small and medium industries form the backbone of regional economies and present best opportunities for employment and export growth. While it is understood that working with higher education learning and research expertise can contribute to competitiveness and success for small enterprises, the reality is that many enterprises experience barriers to these partnerships (Collier, Grey, & Ahn, 2011). Barriers relating to cultural differences, inaccessibility, resources and funding availabilities have been reported. Dadameah & Costello (2011) report that SMEs lack awareness of what higher education has to offer and lack clarity on who to contact to establish links.
In Ireland the agri-food sector is of significant importance, employing in the region of 50,000 people directly, as well as providing the primary outlet for the produce of 128,000 family farms. While it is understood that the technology-intensive information and communications sectors tend to have educational and research links with higher education providers, the researchers sought to explore the extent of those links with the more traditional food sector. The sector accounts for just over half of exports by indigenous manufacturing industries.
This study explores the perceptions of employers in small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the food sector in the South of Ireland in relation to their interactions with higher education, the potential for their organisation, the barriers to these interactions and key factors which could support the development of broad long-term relationships.
The research methodology employed is a semi-structured interview process and this paper reports on the findings from 26 interviews. The interviewees’ awareness of Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) as a higher education provider in the south of Ireland, as well as their expectations and aspirations in relation to interaction with the institute were considered. The research findings indicate a very limited awareness and significant barriers to engagement were reported. Engaging with small and micro enterprises, in particular, presents some challenges for higher education institutions and some recommendations are made for structures, systems and processes in higher education institutions as well as providing a basis for further exploration of university industry interactions and the opportunities for higher education to take intentional steps to enhance and encourage interaction
The 2009 Multiwavelength Campaign On Mrk 421: Variability And Correlation Studies
Get PDFAims. We perform an extensive characterization of the broadband emission of Mrk 421, as well as its temporal evolution, during the non-flaring (low) state. The high brightness and nearby location (z = 0.031) of Mrk 421 make it an excellent laboratory to study blazar emission. The goal is to learn about the physical processes responsible for the typical emission of Mrk 421, which might also be extended to other blazars that are located farther away and hence are more difficult to study.
Methods. We performed a 4.5-month multi-instrument campaign on Mrk 421 between January 2009 and June 2009, which included VLBA, F-GAMMA, GASP-WEBT, Swift, RXTE, Fermi-LAT, MAGIC, and Whipple, among other instruments and collaborations. This extensive radio to very-high-energy (VHE; E\u3e 100 GeV) γ-ray dataset provides excellent temporal and energy coverage, which allows detailed studies of the evolution of the broadband spectral energy distribution.
Results. Mrk421 was found in its typical (non-flaring) activity state, with a VHE flux of about half that of the Crab Nebula, yet the light curves show significant variability at all wavelengths, the highest variability being in the X-rays. We determined the power spectral densities (PSD) at most wavelengths and found that all PSDs can be described by power-laws without a break, and with indices consistent with pink/red-noise behavior. We observed a harder-when-brighter behavior in the X-ray spectra and measured a positive correlation between VHE and X-ray fluxes with zero time lag. Such characteristics have been reported many times during flaring activity, but here they are reported for the first time in the non-flaring state. We also observed an overall anti-correlation between optical/UV and X-rays extending over the duration of the campaign.
Conclusions. The harder-when-brighter behavior in the X-ray spectra and the measured positive X-ray/VHE correlation during the 2009 multi-wavelength campaign suggests that the physical processes dominating the emission during non-flaring states have similarities with those occurring during flaring activity. In particular, this observation supports leptonic scenarios as being responsible for the emission of Mrk 421 during non-flaring activity. Such a temporally extended X-ray/VHE correlation is not driven by any single flaring event, and hence is difficult to explain within the standard hadronic scenarios. The highest variability is observed in the X-ray band, which, within the one-zone synchrotron self-Compton scenario, indicates that the electron energy distribution is most variable at the highest energies
Unprecedented Study Of The Broadband Emission Of Mrk 421 During Flaring Activity In March 2010
Get PDFContext. Because of its proximity, Mrk 421 is one of the best sources on which to study the nature of BL Lac objects. Its proximity allows us to characterize its broadband spectral energy distribution (SED).
Aims. The goal is to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the broadband emission and the temporal evolution of Mrk 421. These mechanisms may also apply to more distant blazars that cannot be studied with the same level of detail.
Methods. A flare occurring in March 2010 was observed for 13 consecutive days (from MJD 55 265 to MJD 55 277) with unprecedented wavelength coverage from radio to very high energy (VHE; E\u3e 100 GeV) γ-rays with MAGIC, VERITAS, Whipple, Fermi-LAT, MAXI, RXTE, Swift, GASP-WEBT, and several optical and radio telescopes. We modeled the day-scale SEDs with one-zone and two-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) models, investigated the physical parameters, and evaluated whether the observed broadband SED variability can be associated with variations in the relativistic particle population.
Results. The activity of Mrk 421 initially was high and then slowly decreased during the 13-day period. The flux variability was remarkable at the X-ray and VHE bands, but it was minor or not significant at the other bands. The variability in optical polarization was also minor. These observations revealed an almost linear correlation between the X-ray flux at the 2–10 keV band and the VHE γ-ray flux above 200 GeV, consistent with the γ-rays being produced by inverse-Compton scattering in the Klein-Nishina regime in the framework of SSC models. The one-zone SSC model can describe the SED of each day for the 13 consecutive days reasonably well, which once more shows the success of this standard theoretical scenario to describe the SEDs of VHE BL Lacs such as Mrk 421. This flaring activity is also very well described by a two-zone SSC model, where one zone is responsible for the quiescent emission, while the other smaller zone, which is spatially separated from the first, contributes to the daily variable emission occurring at X-rays and VHE γ-rays. The second blob is assumed to have a smaller volume and a narrow electron energy distribution with 3 × 104\u3cγ\u3c 6 × 105, where γ is the Lorentz factor of the electrons. Such a two-zone scenario would naturally lead to the correlated variability at the X-ray and VHE bands without variability at the optical/UV band, as well as to shorter timescales for the variability at the X-ray and VHE bands with respect to the variability at the other bands.
Conclusions. Both the one-zone and the two-zone SSC models can describe the daily SEDs via the variation of only four or five model parameters, under the hypothesis that the variability is associated mostly with the underlying particle population. This shows that the particle acceleration and cooling mechanism that produces the radiating particles might be the main mechanism responsible for the broadband SED variations during the flaring episodes in blazars. The two-zone SSC model provides a better agreement with the observed SED at the narrow peaks of the low- and high-energy bumps during the highest activity, although the reported one-zone SSC model could be further improved by varying the parameters related to the emitting region itself (δ, B and R), in addition to the parameters related to the particle population
Complete Genome Sequence of Listeria monocytogenes Strain DPC6895, a Serotype 1/2b Isolate from Bovine Raw Milk
Get PDFListeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen and is the causative agent of listeriosis among humans and animals. The draft genome sequence of L. monocytogenes DPC6895, a serotype 1/2b strain isolated from the raw milk of a cow with subclinical bovine mastitis, is reported