NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Optimal control of wave energy systems considering nonlinear Froude–Krylov effects: control-oriented modelling and moment-based control
No full textMotivated by the relevance of so-called
nonlinear Froude–Krylov (FK) hydrodynamic effects
in the accurate dynamical description of wave energy
converters (WECs) under controlled conditions, and
the apparent lack of a suitable control framework effectively capable of optimally harvesting ocean wave
energy in such circumstances, we present, in this paper,
an integrated framework to achieve such a control
objective, by means of two main contributions. We
first propose a data-based, control-oriented, modelling
procedure, able to compute a suitable mathematical
representation for nonlinear FK effects, fully compatible with state-of-the-art control procedures. Secondly,
we propose a moment-based optimal control solution,
capable of transcribing the energy-maximising optimal control problem for WECs subject to nonlinear
FK effects, by incorporating the corresponding databased FK model via moment-based theory, with realtime capabilities. We illustrate the application of the
proposed framework, including energy absorption performance, by means of a comprehensive case study,
comprising both the data-based modelling, and the optimal moment-based control of a heaving point absorber
WEC subject to nonlinear FK forces
Stalking with World-Stories. An Arts based narrative inquiry into an Arts curriculum in a school library in the Junior Cycle school programme (JCSP) library project.
No full textThis thesis is an arts-based narrative inquiry into an arts curriculum in one of the thirty
Junior Cycle School Programme (JCSP) Library Project school libraries. Inquiring into the
library’s creative writing and visual arts initiative and into its senior writing club, it seeks to
make visible how participants engaged together in these activities. The research also
explores whether engagement in library-based activities might help students to develop
the Junior Cycle key skills of Being literate, Being creative, Staying well and Communicating.
In addition, the thesis highlights the fact that this library is one of fifty such school libraries
promised to schools in designated disadvantaged schools.
Situating it in a critical theory framework, throughout the research I drew on the writing of
critical theorists such as Freire, Giroux and hooks among others. In doing so, I brought
forward Biesta’s question (2013: 2): ‘What do we want education for?’ (Italics in original.)
Clandinin (2007) reminds us that narrative inquiry requires us to be attentive to social,
cultural and familial stories – our own and those of our participants. Thus I employed
autoethnographic footholds throughout the research to reveal the roots of my social justice
and political leanings and to story my development as a narrative inquirer. Four cameos
and an intermezzo – stops on the landscape (Applebaum, 1995) - are woven into the thesis
as windows into my thinking and to illustrate the impact the research has had on me.
Drawing on Pelias, Spry and Pineau among others helped me to realise the possibility and
power of incorporating performativity into research.
The thesis is divided into five landscapes which document different stages in the research
process as I world-travel (Lugones, 1987) to the academy and the research field. Situated
within the landscapes are conversational spaces with my participants. As students discuss
their experiences of the arts-based library curriculum they illustrate a pedagogy that is ‘a
political and moral practice that provides the knowledge, skills, and social relations that
enable students to explore the possibilities of what it means to be critical citizens while
expanding and deepening their participation in the promise of a substantive democracy’
Giroux (2005: 155).
In the thesis I discuss international and Irish research into libraries. However, in contrast to
a range of international research that points to the benefits of school libraries, there is
currently a dearth of such research in Ireland. In the light of the absence of reference to
school libraries in recent Department of Education policy documents. I hope that this thesis
may help to ameliorate this situation. By doing so and by asking why the fifty JCSP libraries
promised under DEIS have not yet been delivered, it may open up spaces for ‘stories for
otherwise’ (Caine et al. 2022: 140)
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? An Exploration of the Experiences of Career Change Teachers in Ireland: Motivations for Changing Career and the Factors that Influence their Attrition from the Teaching Profession.
No full textThis dissertation explored the experiences of career change teachers (CCTs) in Irish primary
and post-primary schools. Their motivations for changing career, expectations of teaching as a
career and the challenges encountered during their career change were examined. The theme
of identity and its role in CCTs’ motivations to change career and subsequently leave the
profession was central to this study. Stryker’s (1968) theory of identity, in particular, the
multiple identities which a person holds, formed the basis for this study’s theoretical
framework, complemented by Holland’s (1997) theory of vocational choice and Lave and
Wenger’s (1991) theory of situated learning.
This research used a convergent parallel mixed methods design, with a sample of 112
participants. Data was gathered through the use of an online survey, completed by 107
participants and fifteen semi-structured interviews, ten of whom had also completed the online
survey. The quantitative data from the online questionnaire provided descriptive statistics of
the backgrounds of participants and an overview of their routes into teaching and experience
of changing career. The qualitative data from the questionnaire and interviews were coded
using thematic analysis and provided a deeper insight into CCTs’ experiences of changing
career to teaching, the reasons for their attrition and the role of professional identity through all
stages.
The main motivations identified by CCTs for changing career included a long-held desire to
become a teacher, the influence of family members who were also teachers, crucial life events,
positive prior teaching and learning experiences, loss of employment and interest in their
previous job and other more extrinsic motivations. Developing a new professional identity as a
CCT was influenced by personal factors and relationships with colleagues and pupils. The
reasons for attrition provided by CCTs were lack of job security, the school context,
professional registration issues and a lack of teacher identity.
Job security and a positive school environment which acknowledges and values the
backgrounds, experiences and skills of CCTs each support the development of a CCTs’
teacher identity and contribute to their retention in the profession.
This research study provides a deeper understanding of the motivations, skills and experience
that CCTs bring to teaching and the factors that contribute to their attrition. This knowledge
will assist in the recruitment of this diverse cohort of teachers and alleviate the teacher
shortage in Ireland, particularly at post-primary level
Attitudes Towards Mental Health Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Nationally Representative Sample of Irish Adults
No full textThis study sought to determine the public's attitudes towards mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine the sociodemographic and psychological factors associated with these attitudes to gain an understanding of the best course of action to increase favourable attitudes. Data from the Republic of Ireland arm of the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC) study was used to fulfil the objectives of this study. Participants were asked to indicate their level of agreement with statements regarding mental health services and the COVID-19 pandemic. Levels of agreement were then scored, and the relationships between attitude scores and sociodemographic and psychological factors were evaluated utilizing hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Sociodemographic factors associated with positive attitudes towards mental health were older age, experience with mental health treatment, and experience with internalizing distress. These factors should be considered when developing strategies to increase favourable public attitudes towards mental health services in Ireland
Exposure to the troubles in Northern Ireland, memory functioning, and social activity engagement: results from NICOLA
No full textWe investigated the potential impact of a cohort traumatic exposure, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, on memory functioning in later life, and the potential moderating effect of social activity engagement. Using data from 6571 participants aged 60 + in the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA) cohort, we used a structural equation modelling framework to explore associations between traumatic exposure during the Troubles and memory functioning. As expected, social activity engagement was positively associated with memory functioning, β = .102. Traumatic exposure was also positively associated with memory functioning, β = .053. This association was stronger at low levels of social activity engagement; among those with higher levels, there was little association, interaction β = − 0.054. The positive association between traumatic exposure during the Troubles and memory functioning was not moderated by the age at which the exposures occurred (based on analysis of a subsample with available data), interaction β = − 0.015. We conclude that superior memory functioning was associated with higher levels of traumatic exposure during the Troubles, particularly among those with lower levels of social activity engagement, and regardless of the age at which the exposures occurred. Future longitudinal analyses are required to build on these results, which potentially have implications for life-course epidemiology, in relation to critical periods for traumatising experiences
Magnetic nanoparticle modified electrodes for voltammetric determination of propellant stabiliser diphenylamine
No full textThe overall aim of the work was to advance electrochemical devices capable of analysis of forensically relevant
residues using rapid electrochemical sensor technology. In order to achieve this, electrochemical detection of the
propellant stabiliser diphenylamine (DPA) was achieved via voltammetry with signal enhancement realised in
the presence of iron oxide nanoparticle modified transducers. This allowed both mechanistic and analytical
evaluation with the aim to achieve the required selectivity and sensitivity for reliable detection. DPA electro-chemistry was examined at glassy carbon electrodes in aqueous (3:7 methanol: sodium acetate pH 4.3) electrolyte via potential sweeping, with an irreversible wave at Ep = 0.67 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The diffusion coefficient (D)
for the oxidation process was calculated as 1.43 × 10− 6 cm2 s
− 1 with αna = 0.7. DPA electrochemistry in a non
aqueous methanol/acetonitrile electrolyte resulted in a D value of 5.47 × 10− 8 cm2 s
− 1 with αna = 0.5. Electrochemical preparation of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles was achieved via electrooxidation of an iron anode
in the presence of an amine surfactant followed by characterisation with SEM/EDX, XRD, FTIR and thermal
analysis. A surface confined layer of these magnetic nanoparticles served to positively influence the response to
DPA while impeding formation of surface confined oxidation products, with generation of an improved analytical
signal - sensitivity 1.13× 10− 3 A cm− 2 mM− 1 relative to bare electrode response (9.80 × 10− 4 A cm− 2 mM− 1
)
over the range 0.5–50 μM DPA using differential pulse voltammetry, with LOD 3.51 × 10− 6 M and LOQ 1.17 ×
10− 5 M. Real sample analysis involved recovery and differential pulse voltammetry of unburnt and burnt gunshot
residue with DPA qualitative and quantitative analysis
The impact of Chinese investments on western multinational enterprises’ work and employment practices: A consideration of institutional, political and dominance effects
No full textOne of the most significant developments in international business in recent years is
the dramatic expansion of Chinese – often state-led or state-supported – investment
in Africa. While we know something of Chinese multinational enterprises’ strategies,
we know comparatively little about their work and employment practices and even
less about their influence on western multinational companies (MNEs). We examine
these important issues by looking at the practices of a major Chinese MNE alongside
those of a French MNE and a US MNE in Cameroon’s oil industry. We find that while
the French and American MNEs were successful in importing their preferred practices
and in evading host-country regulations for many years, this was challenged upon the
arrival of the Chinese MNE. We query why and by what means did the entrance of
a major MNE lead to significant changes in the behaviours of long-resident MNEs.
The translation of the identified effects is explained by drawing on different levels of
analysis that include an appreciation of the location of the MNE and the state within the
international political economy of capitalism, attendant shifts in the frontiers of political The translation of the identified effects is explained by drawing on different levels of analysis that include an appreciation of the location of the MNE and the state within the international political economy of capitalism, attendant shifts in the frontiers of political influence, isomorphic institutional influences, actors’ postures within and beyond the MNE, and their relational interplay
Implementing and evaluating online advance care planning training in UK nursing homes during COVID-19: findings from the Necessary Discussions multi-site case study project
No full textBackground
Advance care planning in nursing homes is important to ensure the wishes and preferences of residents are recorded, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, care staff and family members frequently report feeling unprepared for these conversations. More resources are needed to support them with these necessary discussions. This research aimed to develop, implement and evaluate a website intervention for care staff and family members to provide training and information about advance care planning during COVID-19.
Methods
The research was a primarily qualitative case study design, comprising multiple UK nursing home cases. Data collection included semi-structured interviews with care staff and family members which were coded and analysed thematically. A narrative synthesis was produced for each case, culminating in a thematic cross-case analysis of the total findings. Theoretical propositions were refined throughout the research.
Results
Eight nursing homes took part in the study, involving 35 care staff and 19 family members. Findings were reported according to the RE-AIM framework which identified the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance of the intervention. Themes included: website content that was well received; suggestions for improvement; implementation barriers and facilitators; examples of organisational and personal impact.
Conclusions
Four theoretical propositions relating to advance care planning in nursing homes are presented, relating to: training and information needs, accessibility, context, and encouraging conversations. Implications for practice and training include an awareness of diverse learning styles, re-enforcing the right to be involved in advance care planning and encouraging opportunities for facilitated discussion
Testing alternative models and predictive utility of the Death Anxiety Inventory-Revised: A COVID-19 related longitudinal population based study
No full textThe beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on all aspects of daily life and triggered a swell of anxiety across the world. Some suggest this emotional response to the pandemic can be explained through death anxiety (DA), a transdiagnostic dimension associated with numerous psychological disorders. However, it remains unclear as to whether DA is a unidimensional or multidimensional construct. The primary aim of this study was to examine the underlying structure of the Death Anxiety Inventory-Revised (DAI-R; Tomás-Sábado et al., 2005) and assess its associations with mental health and demographic variables during the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve these aims, we utilized data from Waves 1 (N = 2205: collected between March 23 and March 28, 2020) and 2 (N = 1406: collected between April 22 and May 1, 2020) of the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC), a multi-wave nationally representative study. Results showed that a 4-factor model provided the best fit to the data compared to a unidimensional and 4-factor second-order model. Further analyses showed that DA at Wave 1 was positively associated with somatic symptoms, paranoia, depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress symptoms at Wave 2, supporting previous research that suggests that the fear of death is predictive of psychopathology. Significantly, the factor labelled ‘Thoughts about Death’ at Wave 1 was the strongest predictor of the five main psychological variables at Wave 2, after statistically controlling for the other latent variables. These findings highlight the transdiagnostic nature of DA and support this important diagnostic construct becoming a measure of mental health more generally within the population. It is hoped that this research will shine a light on those suffering from DA and become a catalyst for increased therapeutic intervention, funding, and research in this area
On the ‘Christian Turn’ in Foucault’s Thought Apropos of Foucault, les Pères, le sexe
No full textThe recently published volume Foucault, les Pères, le sexe brings
together sixteen papers delivered at a conference held in 2018 to mark
the launch of Les aveux de la chair, the posthumous fourth volume of the
History of Sexuality. This review essay focuses on the contribution of the
Foucault Archives to research on the philosopher’s thought; on critical
reactions by patrologists to Foucault’s venture into study of the Church
Fathers; and, finally, on the significance of the ‘Christian turn’ in the late
Foucault’s lectures and writings