NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Dropping into the Library Café: A student engagement initiative by MU Library's Teaching and Research Development Team
No full textFrom October to December 2020, MU Library ran a weekly virtual Library Café as a way to connect and engage with our students in a relaxed and informal way. It was a tool for further support during the COVID-19 restrictions, and a way to build our community on social media
Export sales forecasting using artificial intelligence
No full textSales forecasting is important in production and supply chain management. It affects firms’ planning, strategy, marketing, logistics, warehousing and resource management. While traditional time series forecasting methods prevail in research and practice, they have several limitations. Causal forecasting methods are capable of predicting future sales behavior based on relationships between variables and not just past behavior and trends. This research proposes a framework for modeling and forecasting export sales using Genetic Programming, which is an artificial intelligence technique derived from the model of biological evolution. Analyzing an empirical case of an export company, an export sales forecasting model is suggested. Moreover, a sales forecast for a period of six weeks is conducted, the output of which is compared with the real sales data. Finally, a variable sensitivity analysis is presented for the causal forecasting model
Class-E Power Amplifiers in Modern RF Transmitters
No full textPower amplifiers have been playing a vital role in most wireless communication
systems. In order to improve efficiency of wireless systems, advanced transmitter
architectures, such as Doherty amplifiers, outphasing amplifiers, supply voltage modulation
techniques are widely used. The goal of this work is to develop novel techniques
for building load modulation transmitters based on class-E power amplifiers.
The first contribution is an analytical model for derivation load network parameters.
The proposed model derives the parameters for both the peak and back-off
power levels providing high efficiency. The proposed model demonstrates, that
class-E PA with shunt capacitance and shunt filter is capable of providing high drain
efficiency for back-off output power levels.
The second contribution is a design of a wideband class-E power amplifier
(PA) with shunt capacitance and shunt filter. The broadband operation has been
achieved by application of the double reactance compensation technique. Simulated
and experimental results are presented. The performance of the fabricated PA is
compared with existing wideband PAs.
The third contribution is application of the proposed technique to outphasing
PA design. The designed outphasing PA was optimized, fabricated and tested. A
possibility to extend the operational bandwidth of the PA is considered. Also the
application of the proposed technique to Doherty PA design is demonstrated.
The fourth contribution is linearization of outphasing PA. Firstly, an analytical
model describing the nonlinearity of nonisolated combiners under amplitude imbalance
is presented. Secondly, a novel phase-only predistortion technique for class-E
outphasing PAs is proposed. Thirdly, linearization of the fabricated outphasing
PA based on memory polynomial model is demonstrated using a 64QAM OFDM
modulated signal with 20 MHz bandwidth.
Overall, this work provides novel techniques for load modulation transmitter
design based on class-E power amplifiers with shunt capacitance and shunt filter
Considerations when using an Automatic Grading System within Computer Science Modules
No full textThis paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of automatic grading systems, with a focus on their uses within Computer Science. Automatic grading systems have seen a rise in popularity in recent years with publications concerning automatic grading systems usually linked to a specific system. This paper will discuss the factors that need to be considered when using automatic grading, regardless of which system is being used, and will make recommendations for each factor. This discussion is based on the authors' experience of using an automatic grading system in a CS1 environment. From the research conducted, many elements should be considered when using these systems. These include how the code will be tested, the need for plagiarism checks and how marks are awarded. The findings of this study suggest there is a lack of defined standards when using these systems. This analysis of the considerations provides valuable insight into how these systems should be used and what the standards should be built on
Climate Change Policy Narratives and Pastoralist Predicaments in the Horn of Africa: Insights from Ethiopia and Kenya
No full textDrawing on the findings of a two-country case study this paper examines the discourses and narratives found
in contemporary climate change and national development policy in Ethiopia and Kenya, the actors and
networks shaping those policy narratives, and in turn, their consequences for pastoralism. The research
reveals that while concerns around climate change and calls for strengthening resilience of dryland
communities have given a new impetus to pastoral development, old arguments and assumptions that depict
pastoral areas, and pastoralists, as unproductive and in need of modernisation remain deeply embedded in
policy making. These open up spaces for the state, investors, and local elites to extend control over natural
resources previously managed under customary institutions. The resultant climate policy solutions and
dryland investments are, in turn, leading to new patterns of social differentiation and vulnerability among
pastoralists. Clearer overarching national land-use policies that integrate principles of ‘pastoral governance’,
and that put measures in place to prevent the further loss of key pastoral resources would make a difference
in terms of enhancing pastoralists’ rights and livelihoods
The enabling role of employment guidance in contemporary public employment services: A work-first to life-first typology
No full textEmployment guidance theory and praxis promote long-term career development and access to decent work and sustainable jobs, yet the focus of public employment services in recent times has been influenced by policy matters of activation, conditionality and rapid job placement. While effective for some, it has been less effective for workers exposed to negative impacts of social and economic development. COVID-19-related unemployment has highlighted the need for employment guidance mechanisms that facilitate inclusive and resilient labour forces. Drawing on previous developments in employability approaches, this paper presents a conceptual analysis of employment guidance, integrating it within a work-first to life-first employability continuum. We propose an expansion of theory-informed employment guidance in national public employment services towards work-life employability for all
An overview of assistive technology products and services provided in Malawi
No full textBackground: Assistive technology is the products and services used by individuals with functional limitations to enable participation in society and realisation of rights afforded by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Assistive Product List is a comprehensive list of products identified as essential for access through universal health coverage. Key stakeholders, including organisations of persons with disabilities, civil service organisations, academic organisations and government ministries are collaborating to integrate assistive technology into policy and develop a priority assistive products list for Malawi.
Objective: To understand the organisational characteristics of, and assistive products provided by, key stakeholders working in AT in Malawi.
Study Design: Online survey of representatives from key stakeholder organisations.
Methods: We surveyed representatives of key stakeholder organisations to gather information regarding assistive technology product and service provision in Malawi. Responses were analysed using counts for closed-ended questions, and conventional content analysis for open-ended questions.
Results: A total of 36 of the 50 APL products were provided by eight organisations. Related services were provided for 36 of the 50 APL products by twelve organisations. Five organisations reported providing both products and services. Products and services are largely funded by donation and provided free to those who require them.
Conclusion: A range of organisations in Malawi play a role in assistive product delivery and related services. Coordinated AP delivery and service provision is required at a national level which is sustainable and inclusive, and is based on identified needs of the Malawian population.
Implications for rehabilitation:
*Policies supporting assistive product and service provision must acknowledge the contextual needs
of the communities where they are implemented.
* Coordination is required for assistive product and service provision at the national and subnational level.
* Existing and potential gaps in service provision must be addressed when implementing a national assistive products list
The impact of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental-health services in Europe
No full textPurpose: The current COVID-19 pandemic confronts psychiatric patients and mental health services with unique and severe challenges.
Methods: In order to identify these trans-national challenges across Europe, an ad-hoc survey
was conducted among 23 experts, each answering for one European or aligned country.
Results: A number of important themes and issues were raised for the impact of COVID-19 on
mental health and mental health services, barriers to service provision and future consequences.
A number of key issues were reported by colleagues across several jurisdictions, even though
these were at different stages of their national epidemics.
Conclusions: Based on these findings, we articulate some important learnings from the early
stages of the COVID-19 European pandemic, and highlight key considerations for all countries’
mental health services as the current pandemic develops and for future pandemics.
Jo Joosten,
Ingegerd Karlsson, Gabriela Kelemen, Maria Korman, Krzysztof Krysta,
Boleslav Lichterman, Konstantin Loganovsky, Donatella Marazziti, Margarita
Maraitou, Serge Mertens deWilmars, Merja Reunamen, Shyhrete Rexhaj,
Muhammet Sancaktar, Javier Sempere, Isabelle Tournier, Emilie Weynant,
Christiaan Vis, Marie-Clotilde Lebas & Laurence Fond-Harman
Review: Identification and Management of Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders as a Transdiagnostic Feature in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
No full textObjective: Sleep disturbances are highly frequent features in a range of child and adolescent psychiatric conditions. However, it is commonly not clear
if such sleep problems represent symptomatic features of, comorbidities of, or risk factors for these conditions. It is believed that underlying dysfunction
in the daily biological (circadian) clock may play important roles in the etiology of many sleep disorders, and circadian rhythm changes are reported in a
number of neuropsychiatric conditions. The aim of this review was to explore the key identifying features of circadian rhythm disorders (CRDs) in child
and adolescent psychiatry and address how such disorders may be managed in the clinic.
Method: A narrative review was conducted of the extant literature of CRDs in children and adolescents with psychiatric conditions.
Results: Key biological and social factors that contribute to CRDs in children and adolescents, and the cognitive and neurobehavioral consequences
resulting from insufficient sleep were outlined. The roles of melatonin and other chronotherapeutic and behavioral interventions for the management of
CRDs were also outlined. Further, the importance of careful investigation of circadian rhythm abnormalities in shaping the most effective treatment
plan according to chronobiological principles was highlighted.
Conclusion: CRDs are common in children and adolescents with psychiatric conditions and arise out of complex interactions between biological and
social factors. Careful clinical attention to and management of CRDs in child and adolescent psychiatry have the potential for significant benefit not
only in the domain of sleep but also in a range of cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes
Posttraumatic stress disorder and loneliness are associated over time: A longitudinal study on PTSD symptoms and loneliness, among older adults
No full textLoneliness has a pernicious effect on mental health in later life and is likely to have a bidirectional relationship with psychopathology. However, longitudinal research examining loneliness and posttraumatic stress symptoms among older adults is scarce. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal relationship between different types of loneliness (social and emotional) and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Using two waves of an older adult sample (n = 1,276) from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), this longitudinal relationship was examined using a multivariate two wave-latent change score (2W-LCS) model. There were significant, however, very small increases in both posttraumatic stress symptoms and emotional loneliness over time, whereas, average social loneliness scores did not significantly increase/decrease over time. Changes in both social (β = .16) and emotional loneliness (β = .15) were associated with small changes in posttraumatic stress symptoms, consistent with the existence of a longitudinal association between the constructs, net of covariate effects. Results provide evidence of the existence of a longitudinal association between subtypes of loneliness and posttraumatic stress symptoms, among older adults. Results have implications for clinicians who should identify individuals at risk of developing posttraumatic stress symptoms, and for the theory of both posttraumatic stress disorder and loneliness