NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Can Smart City Data be Used to Create New Official Statistics?
No full textIn this article we evaluate the viability of using big data produced by smart city systems for creating new official statistics. We assess sixteen sources of urban transportation and environmental big data that are published as open data or were made available to the project for Dublin, Ireland. These data were systematically explored through a process of data checking and wrangling, building tools to display and analyse the data, and evaluating them with respect to 16 measures of their suitability: access, sustainability and reliability, transparency and interpretability, privacy, fidelity, cleanliness, completeness, spatial granularity, temporal granularity, spatial coverage, coherence, metadata availability, changes over time, standardisation, methodological transparency, and relevance. We assessed how the data could be used to produce key performance indicators and potential new official statistics. Our analysis reveals that, at present, a limited set of smart city data is suitable for creating new official statistics, though others could potentially be made suitable with changes to data management. If these new official statistics are to be realised then National Statistical Institutions need to work closely with those organisations generating the data to try and implement a robust set of procedures and standards that will produce consistent, long-term data sets
Nuclear parton distribution functions with uncertainties in a general mass variable flavor number scheme
No full textIn this article, we obtain a new set of nuclear Parton distribution functions (nuclear PDFs) at next-to-leading order and next-to-next-to-leading order accuracy in perturbative QCD. The common nuclear deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) data analyzed in our study are complemented by the available charged-current neutrino DIS data with nuclear targets and data from Drell-Yan cross-section measurements for several nuclear targets. In addition, the most recent DIS data from the Jefferson Lab CLAS and Hall C experiments are also added to our data sample. For these specific datasets, we consider the impact of target mass corrections and higher twist effects which are expected to be important in the region of large x and intermediate-to-low Q2. Our analysis is based on a publicly available open-source tool, APFEL, which has been modified to be applicable for our analysis of nuclear PDFs. Heavy-quark contributions to nuclear DIS are considered within the framework of the FONLL general-mass variable-flavor-number scheme. The most recent CT18 PDFs are used as baseline proton PDFs. The uncertainties of nuclear PDFs are determined using the standard Hessian approach. The results of our global QCD analysis are compared with existing nuclear PDF sets and with the fitted cross-sections, for which our set of nuclear PDFs provides a very good description
Probing four-fermion operators in the triple top production at future hadron colliders
No full textIn this paper, we study the triple top quark production at the future high-energy proton-proton colliders to probe the four-fermion interactions involving three top quarks. We employ the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) to find the upper limits at 95% CL on the Wilson coefficients of these kinds of four-fermion operators. We consider a detailed analysis with a unique signal signature of two same-sign leptons. A full simulation chain includes all the relevant backgrounds, realistic detector simulations, and a cut-based technique are taken into account. This study is presented for the HE-LHC working at the center of mass energy of 27 TeV with 15 ab −1 and FCC-hh working at the center of mass energy of 100 TeV with 30 ab −1 . We show that the future high-energy proton-proton colliders could reach an impressive sensitivity to four-fermion contact interactions involving three top quarks
Ireland’s pre-1940 daily precipitation data: data rescue, quality assurance and analysis of extremes
No full textOver much of the globe, the temporal extent of meteorological records is limited, yet a wealth of data remains in paper or image form in numerous archives. This research presents daily rainfall data and metadata for Ireland transcribed from historical manuscripts and printed copies of rainfall registers located in Met Éireann's archives. To facilitate the transcription of rainfall observations from paper records, the historical manuscripts were scanned and integrated into Met Éireann's digital archives. The transcription from digital image to data format was undertaken in collaboration with students at Maynooth University as part of a novel crowdsourcing initiative to integrate data rescue activities into the classroom. In total, 3,616 station years of rainfall data (~1.32 million daily values) and associated metadata for the period 1864-1940 were transcribed and made available.
Utilising the rescued data to extend current station records, this research provides the first long‐term assessment of changes in extreme precipitation observed for 30 daily station series across Ireland. Quality control of rescued data was carried out before selected long-term stations were tested for homogeneity using RHtests software. Eleven extreme precipitation indicators were calculated on an annual basis for two fixed periods, 1910-2019 and 1940-2019, and analysed to determine spatial and temporal trends in the frequency, intensity and magnitude of observed precipitation. The persistence of trends for the full record length and different periods of analysis was assessed for all stations and indicators. Results show an overall tendency towards increasing trends, with increases in precipitation extremes and intensity especially notable in the east and southeast of the island. The findings suggest that the contribution of heavy and extreme precipitation events to annual totals are increasing, despite the lack of a robust trend in annual totals.
The dataset produced is fully traceable and will have a long legacy of impact for understanding historical extremes, climate variability and change in Ireland, while the procedures for data rescue are already inspiring similar approaches in other University settings. Moreover, the work provides a relatively rare attempt to homogenise daily precipitation data, with a novel study design implemented to ensure the robustness of results. While data rescue activities can be slow and painstaking, the dataset produced resurrects the lifetimes work of many hundreds of weather observers across Ireland and sheds light on the unfolding changes in Irish precipitation
Reporting on mental health difficulties, mental illness and suicide: Journalists’ accounts of the challenges
No full textMedia depictions of mental health difficulties and suicide are an important element in shaping how the public understands the issues and how relevant agencies devise strategies to advocate and reduce stigma. The role of the media in the production and reproduction of stereotypical portrayals of mental health difficulties and suicide has been of concern for a number of decades. However, relatively little research attention has been paid to date to the process through which stories on mental illness and suicide are produced by journalists. This article aims to contribute to that analysis by focusing on Irish journalists’ experiences of and insights into the challenges underpinning reporting on mental health difficulties and suicide. Despite some generic and platform differences, journalists noted that their output was shaped by a number of factors, which included, sensitivity to the topic of suicide; care for families; balancing public and private interests; challenges to reporting facts, finding appropriate sources and meeting the needs of media platforms; interpreting guidelines on reporting and the discovery of the relative absence of mental illness stories. Understanding how journalists deal with these challenges can help them and advocacy agencies to address these challenges and thereby improve the nature of coverage of mental health difficulties and suicide in media output
Mean sea level and tidal change in Ireland since 1842: a case study of Cork
No full textKnowledge of regional changes in mean sea level and local changes in tides are crucial to inform effective climate adaptation. An essential element is the availability of accurate observations of sea level. Sea level data in the Republic of Ireland, prior to the establishment of the National Tide Gauge Network in the mid-2000s, are limited but belie a wealth of historical data available in archival form. In this study, we digitize records located in Cork Harbour, Ireland, from 1842 and show how short-duration (6–8 weeks), high-quality data with a large interval to the present can accurately inform tidal and mean sea level changes. We consider error sources in detail. We estimate for the main M2 tidal constituent that the accuracy of these historical measurements is 1 % and 2 min for amplitude and phase, respectively, once adjustments for seasonal and nodal effects are made. Our mean sea level estimates are accurate to the 2 cm level, once adjustments for atmospheric and seasonal effects are made. Our results show tidal stability with a 2 % change in the amplitude of the M2 component, 4 min change in the phase over a period of 177 years, and mean sea level rise of 40 cm in the Cork Harbour area from 1842 to 2019, approximately in line with global mean sea level trends plus local glacial isostatic adjustment. More broadly, we show that with careful seasonal, nodal, and atmospheric corrections, together with knowledge of benchmark provenance, these historic, survey-oriented data can accurately inform of sea level changes
Using dafny to solve the VerifyThis 2021 challenges
No full textThis paper provides an experience report of using the Dafny pro-
gram verifier, at the VerifyThis 2021 program verification competi-
tion. The competition aims to evaluate the usability of logic-based
program verification tools in a controlled experiment, challenging
both the verification tools and the users of those tools. We present
the two challenges that we tackled during the competition and
discuss our solutions. As a result, we identify strengths and weak-
nesses of Dafny in the verification of relatively complex algorithms,
and report on our experience of applying Dafny in this setting
Disposable face masks and reusable face coverings as non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants that cause coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Role of new sustainable NPI design innovations and predictive mathematical modelling
No full textBest-published evidence supports the combined use of vaccines with non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), to reduce the relative risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19; this will enable a safe transition to achieving herd immunity. Albeit complex, the strategic public health goal is to bundle NPIs to keep the basic reproduction number R0 below one. However, validation of these NPIs is conducted using random clinical trials, which is challenging in a swiftly moving pandemic given the need for recruiting large participant cohort over a longitudinal analysis period. This review highlights emerging innovations for potentially improving the design, functionality and improved waste management of disposable face masks such as filtering facepiece (FFPs) respirators, medical masks, and reusable face coverings to help prevent COVID-19. It describes use of different mathematical models under varying scenarios to inform efficacy of single and combined use of NPIs as important counter-measures to break the cycle of COVID-19 infection including new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Demand for face masks during COVID-19 pandemic keeps increasing, especially for FFPs worn by medical workers. Collaborative and well-conducted randomised controlled trials across borders are required to generate robust data to inform common and consistent policies for COVID-19 and future pandemic planning and management; however, current use of systematic reviews of best available evidence can be considered to guide interim policies
Practice, Interrupted Narratively exploring a pedagogy for leadership development with emphasis on knowledge and power
No full textThe choice of Practice, Interrupted as thesis title encapsulates the profoundly
personal nature of this scholarly journey for me as a practitioner and researcher as I
seek to go to the heart of my life's work in a way I never have before. As a
Leadership Development (LD) Practitioner, I create and facilitate learning
workspace for leadership in commercial learning environments. Through the
process of unearthing and exploring concerns of a pedagogic nature, I challenge my
sense of self, my understanding of how knowledge is created, and by whom, and
the impact of power on the space for leadership learning. Adopting a critically
reflexive stance significantly enhances my ability to deeply and at times painfully
explore these aspects of my practice of LD.
This inquiry is located in an LD programme entitled ‘Managers And Leaders
Together’ or ‘MALT’, which I delivered at a production facility over seven months.
The espoused normative assumptions behind the 'MALT' programme design include
leadership being viewed as collective, situated, dialectic and privileging ‘wisdom in
action.’ It includes a view of leadership in organisations as neither position nor
possession, which it claims is humanising. In this way, ‘MALT’ favours a view of
leadership as practice (Raelin, 2016), emerging and unfolding from daily experience.
This study differentiates itself from prior research in three ways.
Firstly, most research into LD has focused on concerns of a macro nature ʹ models,
competencies, curriculum design and financial return. To date, there has been
significantly less attention paid to how leadership development occurs within LD
programmes, in particular, how LD practitioners prepare for and work with
participant learners and their learning in workplace settings. Literature and
research concerning the orientation and positioning of the LD practitioner as a
pedagogue are to be found in higher education, public education, nursing and
medical education. There is little evidence of such research in the commercial
workplace learning environment. I identify this as a significant gap in the literature
which this study seeks to address.
Accordingly, the central purpose of the inquiry is an in-depth exploration of a
pedagogy for LD. Pedagogy, as so used, focuses attention on that which takes place
at the intersection of the practitioner, participants and the knowledge they
produce, attending in particular to the conditions and means through which this
occurs (Lather, 1994). Practice-based pedagogic choices are embedded in the MALT
programme include experiential learning, reflective dialogue, meaning-oriented
reflection and more. Emphasis is placed on using real-life experience as the basis
for knowledge generation and meaning-making.
Secondly, concerning methodology, I take the position of insider-researcher,
drawing upon narrative inquiry (Clandinin & Connelly, 2000) to critically and
reflexively explore my experience of delivering ‘MALT’ over seven months to Ϯε
participants. Narrative methods are less frequently used in LD research. In this
instance, the desire to access and understand the LD lived experience guided the
choice of a story-telling methodology rich in detail and context.
The third aspect that differentiates this study is that I draw on adult education
literature and learning to examine my pedagogic thinking and decision making.
Echoing the predominant concerns of adult educators, I pay particular attention to
discourses of knowledge and power throughout.
This study makes a claim to knowledge from several perspectives.
There is a substantive contribution in offering a fuller understanding of the lived
experience of an LD practitioner as she navigates and facilitates her way through an
LD programme with the concomitant insights into knowledge and power that this
research positioning reveals. The methodological contribution concerns a novel use
of first-person inquiry along with critical reflexivity in a field that has been
previously dominated by texts relating to macro models and frameworks.There is a significant impact on my practice, illustrating the value of engagement
with ongoing critical reflexivity in LD practice and understanding the impact of
pedagogic choices on knowledge creation and ways of knowing in leadership
learning workspaces. As an LD practitioner, my capacity for agency and to foster
agency in the participants is continually impacted by hidden discourses of power,
which wind their way through the narratives. Drawing on adult learning
perspectives supports the critical awareness of the impact of power in commercial
learning workspace as it unfolds, enabling it to be interrogated and potentially
transformed