NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Trends in reconstructed monthly, seasonal and annual flows for Irish catchments (1900–2016)
No full textThe abstract is included in the text
Promise versus reality: a systematic review of the ongoing debates in people analytics
No full textPurpose – According to the significant growth of literature and continued adoption of people analytics in
practice, it has been promised that people analytics will inform evidence-based decision-making and improve
business outcomes. However, existing people analytics literature remains underdeveloped in understanding
whether and how such promises have been realized. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the current
reality of people analytics and uncover the debates and challenges that are emerging as a result of its adoption.
Design/methodology/approach – This study conducts a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed
articles focused on people analytics published in the Association of Business School (ABS) ranked journals
between 2011 and 2021.
Findings –The review illustrates and critically evaluates several emerging debates and issues faced by people
analytics, including inconsistency among the concept and definition of people analytics, people analytics
ownership, ethical and privacy concerns of using people analytics, missing evidence of people analytics impact
and readiness to perform people analytics.
Practical implications – This review presents a comprehensive research agenda demonstrating the need for
collaboration between scholars and practitioners to successfully align the promise and the current reality of
people analytics.
Originality/value – This systematic review is distinct from existing reviews in three ways. First, this review
synthesizes and critically evaluates the significant growth of peer-reviewed articles focused on people analytics
published in ABS ranked journals between 2011 and 2021. Second, the study adopts a thematic analysis and coding
process to identify the emerging themes in the existing people analytics literature, ensuring the comprehensiveness
of the review. Third, this study focused and expanded upon the debates and issues evolving within the emerging
field of people analytics and offers an updated agenda for the future of people analytics research
Beyond the And/Or divide | Exploring the potential for experiential learning during horsehuman interactions
No full textThe research examined horse-human interactions to discover what impact, if any,
these experiences had on participants’ learning within and beyond the horse world. From
decades of diverse experiences in education, I became concerned about the rise in
disengagement. Learners who weren’t given sufficient opportunities to use their wholeselves
became disjointed and lost enjoyment in the learning process. Likewise, disconnects
occurred when classroom learning wasn’t linked to real life. The separation of the wholeperson
- mind, body, and emotions - in the learning process appeared to parallel societal
misperceptions that academic learning with its emphasis on mental knowledge production,
was more or less than practical, hands-on knowledge and skill development. To examine
these educational concerns and polarities, I looked to where I find joy in learning – horsehuman
interactions.
This study is intended for adult learners and educators who are interested in quality
experiential learning situations. Dewey, among others like Freire, have suggested quality
learning happens through educative experiences which include continuity and integration
between learners and what and where learning occurs. The study was framed by an analysis
of continuity, integration, and aesthetics which became a united foundation for whole-body,
experiential learning.
Research was conducted using qualitative, interpretive methodologies based on
pragmatic and social constructivist principles. Biographical and visual methods were used to
bring in the aesthetic, aimed to help readers and participants connect on a deeper level with
the topic. Data were a collection of field notes. Primary data comprised of transcripts and
summaries from interviews with twenty-four equestrians. Secondary data included embodied
participation in the study, and biographical field notes which were written and auditory
reflections from observations of horse-human interactions and learning-teaching
experiences. An interpretation of results sought to honour participants’ experiences and led
to an organisation of emergent themes into five central findings, uncovered through an
inductive, researcher-created coding system.
Conceptual/thematic findings suggested equestrians were regularly engaged in
experiential learning which happened through their interactions with horses. They used their
whole selves to draw on prior experiences and applied them to real challenges in the
present. Collectively, these experiences prepared them to handle future situations. These
educative experiences were relational, social, ecological, and held genuine interest.
This study gave whole-body experiential learning attention. Examining experiential
learning through horse-human interactions may help readers consider how to incorporate
similar whole-body learning experiences in their learning-teaching practices. Better
understanding of how learning is impacted because of the continuously integrated
interactions between horses and humans deserves consideration because of its potential for
developing and maintaining human growth. Horse-human interactions involve, among other
things, movement, learning, and nature which, together, have proven to facilitate cognitive,
physical, and emotional development. This study sought to contribute to experiential learning
theory by moving beyond divisions of mind And/Or body towards a unified and meaningful
learning approach through the unique insights of the dynamic interactions between humans
and horses. A wider practice of respectful, interspecies interactions can encourage more
opportunities to learn from others species and nature. This learning can promote individual
responsibility, empathy for others, and actions which help us recognise and act to sustain
the vital health of our natural world
When the going gets tough: Promoting resilience and self-esteem through a cross-curricular approach in fourth class
No full textWhen the Going Gets Tough: Promoting Resilience and Self-Esteem through Cross-Curricular Approaches in Fourth Class is an Action Research Project focusing on promoting resilience and self-esteem in an all-girls primary school. The topic ties in deeply with my own values of care, inclusion and respect and enabled me to develop an approach my class in the area of self-esteem and resilience. A programme was created from four components: specific SPHE lessons based on well-being, the Weaving Well-Being Programme, literature that relates to the themes of resilience, self-esteem and self-image, and activities and projects across the curriculum that focused on boosting self-esteem and resilience. The children were surveyed to assess their knowledge of key terms around self-esteem and resilience and an adapted Rosenberg Scale of Self-Esteem survey was used to assess their image of their own self-esteem. The surveys confirmed the need for explicit teaching of well-being in the classroom. The study found that specific SPHE / well-being lessons are a necessary first step to approach the explicit teaching of vocabulary, terms and tools in order to develop the children’s self-esteem and resilience and that resilience can be imparted to children. The cross-curricular approach allowed topics to be approached multiple times throughout the term and greater time to be allocated to self-esteem and resilience topics, and also opened the door for children of different abilities to benefit more from subjects such as art, drama and music. The Weaving Well-Being Programme with its portfolio of tools, provided a solid basis, specific vocabulary and a structured framework for the study. The children have become more confident in performing, have learned the language and tools to constructively deal with problems and have built stronger and more inclusive relationships. As a teacher, I too have grown. The design and implementation of the year’s programme have greatly assisted my own observation, listening, reflection and communication skills. Well-being, as a key factor in the teacher’s success with children, will be the foundation for my future classes on development of self-esteem and resilience
Work experience on algorithm-based platforms: The bright and dark sides of turking
No full textThe prevalent use of digital labor platforms has transformed the nature of work globally. Such algorithm-based
platforms have triggered many technological, legal, ethical, and human resource management challenges.
Despite some benefits (i.e., flexibility), the precarious conditions and commodification of jobs are major concerns
in these platform-based employment conditions. The remote-work paradigm shift during the COVID-19
pandemic has made the interplay between technology, digitalization, and precarious workers' well-being a
critical issue to address. This paper focuses on microtask platforms by examining overall well-being associated
with turking as a work experience. Using a sample of 401 Amazon Mechanical Turk workers during the early
stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, data were collected on individual conditions affecting the overall quality of
workers' lives. The results from two structural equation models demonstrated the direct and mediating effects of
task characteristics, excessive working, and financial pressure, mirroring the bright and dark sides of turking.
Greater turking task significance and meaningfulness increase personal growth opportunities, ultimately
improving workers' perceived quality of life. However, excessive work and greater financial pressure decrease
self-acceptance and overall quality of life. This study examines the complicated nature of work experience on
algorithm-based platforms by unpacking individual factors that affect workers' well-being
Transmission scheduling for multi-process multi-sensor remote estimation via approximate dynamic programming
No full textIn this paper, we consider a remote estimation problem where multiple dynamical systems are observed by smart sensors, which transmit their local estimates to a remote estimator over channels prone to packet losses. Unlike previous works, we allow multiple sensors to transmit simultaneously even though they can cause interference, thanks to the multi-packet reception capability at the remote estimator. In this setting, the remote estimator can decode multiple sensor transmissions (successful packet arrivals) as long as their signal-to-interference-and-noise ratios (SINR) are above a certain threshold. In this setting, we address the problem of optimal sensor transmission scheduling by minimizing a finite horizon discounted expected estimation error covariance cost across all systems at the remote estimator, subject to an average transmission cost. While this problem can be posed as a stochastic control problem, the optimal solution requires solving a Bellman equation for a dynamic programming (DP) problem, the complexity of which scales exponentially with the number of systems being measured and their state dimensions. In this paper, we resort to a novel Least Squares Temporal Difference (LSTD) Approximate Dynamic Programming (ADP) based approach to approximating the value function. More specifically, an off-policy based LSTD approach, named in short Enhanced-Exploration Greedy LSTD (EG-LSTD), is proposed. We discuss the convergence analysis of the EG-LSTD algorithm and its implementation. A Python based program is developed to implement and analyse the different aspects of the proposed method. Simulation examples are presented to support the results of the proposed approach both for the exact DP and ADP cases
Testing both affordability-availability and psychological-coping mechanisms underlying changes in alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textTwo theoretical perspectives have been proffered to explain changes in alcohol use during the pandemic: the 'affordability-availability' mechanism (i.e., drinking decreases due to changes in physical availability and/or reduced disposable income) and the 'psychological-coping' mechanism (i.e., drinking increases as adults attempt to cope with pandemic-related distress). We tested these alternative perspectives via longitudinal analyses of the COVID-19 Psychological Consortium (C19PRC) Study data (spanning three timepoints during March to July 2020). Respondents provided data on psychological measures (e.g., anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, paranoia, extraversion, neuroticism, death anxiety, COVID-19 anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, resilience), changes in socio-economic circumstances (e.g., income loss, reduced working hours), drinking motives, solitary drinking, and 'at-risk' drinking (assessed using a modified version of the AUDIT-C). Structural equation modelling was used to determine (i) whether 'at-risk' drinking during the pandemic differed from that recalled before the pandemic, (ii) dimensions of drinking motives and the psychosocial correlates of these dimensions, (iii) if increased alcohol consumption was predicted by drinking motives, solitary drinking, and socio-economic changes. The proportion of adults who recalled engaging in 'at-risk' drinking decreased significantly from 35.9% pre-pandemic to 32.0% during the pandemic. Drinking to cope was uniquely predicted by experiences of anxiety and/or depression and low resilience levels. Income loss or reduced working hours were not associated with coping, social enhancement, or conformity drinking motives, nor changes in drinking during lockdown. In the earliest stage of the pandemic, psychological-coping mechanisms may have been a stronger driver to changes in adults' alcohol use than 'affordability-availability' alone
Emerging Layered Materials and Their Applications in the Corrosion Protection of Metals and Alloys
No full textMetals and alloys are essential in modern society, and are used in our daily activi-
ties. However, they are prone to corrosion, with the conversion of the metal/alloy to its more
thermodynamically-favored oxide/hydroxide phase. These undesirable corrosion reactions can lead
to the failure of metallic components. Consequently, corrosion-protective technologies are now more
important than ever, as it is essential to reduce the waste of valuable resources. In this review, we
consider the role of emerging 2D materials and layered materials in the development of a corrosion
protection strategy. In particular, we focus on the materials beyond graphene, and consider the role
of transition metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2, MXenes, layered double hydroxides, hexagonal
boron nitride and graphitic carbon nitride in the formulation of effective and protective films and
coatings. Following a short introduction to the synthesis and exfoliation of the layered materials, their
role in corrosion protection is described and discussed. Finally, we discuss the future applications of
these 2D materials in corrosion protection
Empirical Analysis of Regime-Focused Asset Allocation Strategies within a Markov Switching Framework
No full textThis thesis consists of three papers examining the relationship between key macro-economic variables and optimal asset allocation strategies. We find evidence that asset prices behave differently depending upon the underlying economic regime. A regime-based asset allocation strategy seeks to integrate a full suite of securities across the full business cycle. We find additional evidence supporting the linkages in the literature between dynamic portfolio optimization and tactical rebalancing across unique state spaces. Paper 1 seeks to test and confirm whether the joint distribution of equity, fixed income and gold returns pursue a dynamic, non-linear pattern. We illustrate the benefits of utilising a time-varying, Markov-switching regime-based framework to forecast expected returns. Long-run historical monthly returns dating back to 1968 were used to assess return predictability. We adopt a unique approach for our empirical analysis amongst the existing regime-shifting literature by segmenting our full 50-year sample period (1968-2019) into three specific regimes (1968-1983), (1984-2007) & (2008-2019). We find evidence that supports the presence of a low-volatility premium. Economic regimes appear to be ordered by the intrinsic nature of their volatility. We have produced robust evidence supporting the negative risk-reward relationship between international equity markets and volatility. Our findings support the theories that exposures to gold offer attractive diversification benefits, particularly to equity investors. Across all four of the individual study sample periods monthly gold returns outperform during periods of excess volatility.
Regime classification is structured upon a combination of empirical evidence and proven economic principles. Regimes are ordered in terms of factor exposures to economic growth, inflation and volatility. We construct a 2 x 2 factor model of growth and inflation characterised by a four-quadrant internal system. These internal regimes are classified by a combination of factors. The first order effects relate to the inter-relationship or covariance between growth and inflation. The second order effects constitute the policy response to this environment. Multiple linear modelling equations are used to identify causal relationships between dependent financial assets and our predictor variables. These were split between regime-agnostic, contiguous data sampling methods and regime-specific, non-contiguous data sampling. The findings appear consistent with the prevailing macroeconomic theory that broader equity market returns outperform gold, fixed income and commodity assets during specific market regimes and that gold should
outperform the S&P500 across inflationary regimes. In paper 3 there was a focus on whether dynamic asset allocation strategies can capture enhanced portfolio opportunities through profitable sector pivots, factor exposures and optimization. We developed a unique leading indicator framework utilising statistically significant predictor variables to inform the regime-based asset allocation process. Furthermore, robustness checks were conducted across a diverse range of assets including individual equity sectors, mutual funds, tradeable assets and investment factors. This study is distinctive in its approach of utilising this Bayesian grounded leading indicator framework and in the scope of the assets used to test its robustness
What is the human being, and what is our place in the Cosmos? Max Scheler's The Human Place in the Cosmos as a response to transhumanism, the technological singularity, and post-biological evolution.
No full textn a 1926 essay entitled, ‘Mensch und Geschichte’ (‘Man and History’), German philosopher
Max Scheler (1874-1928) argued that the preeminent and most pressing philosophical task of
his era was the issue of Philosophical Anthropology, i.e., the problem of the human being.
This doctoral thesis aims to show that this issue is a concern that is as relevant now as it was
when Scheler was writing. The problematic character of human experience is thus explored
in light of the recent and ongoing developments of late-modern technology. Developments
that promise a solution to a multitude of human problems – the age-old issue of our
biological finitude being paramount amongst them. Such sentiments find their purest
contemporary expression within the philosophy of transhumanism and the associated
narratives of human enhancement, post-biological evolution, and the concept of the
Technological Singularity.
The question of human nature is a perennial issue; human reflection on the human
condition is a defining feature of our lived experience. Themes of post-humanity and post-
biology have long been explored within the realm of science fiction, now they have become
the practical concern of engineers and technologists, Hence, science fiction now deigns to
intrude into the realm of science fact. In our time, the idea of post-biological evolution, the
design paradigm of NBIC-convergence, and transhumanism – as a philosophy and a cultural
movement – all confront and confound traditional notions of human nature. But unlike
previous challenges to accepted and established images of the human being, this re-
assessment of human nature has a practical aspect – for technology now seems poised to
finally achieve the age-old aspiration of human control over human nature.
Since there is no single and uncontested definition of the human being, let alone
consensus on how to define the post-human, first and foremost we have a question of
Philosophical Anthropology: What is the human being and what is our place in the cosmos?
As such, Scheler’s Philosophical Anthropology serves as a response to the philosophical
challenge of transhumanism and post-biological evolution