NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Receding-Horizon Energy-Maximising Optimal Control of Wave Energy Systems Based on Moments
No full textIn this study, we address the issue of real-time energy maximising control for wave energy converters (WECs), by proposing a receding-horizon optimal control framework based on the
concept of a moment. This approach is achieved by extending
the so-called moment-based framework, recently published in the
WEC literature, to effectively solve the associated optimal control
problem within a finite time-horizon, allowing for real-time performance, and a straightforward inclusion of the wave excitation force
Fe estimation and forecasting requirements, which are intrinsic to
the wave energy control application. We present a case study, based
on a CorPower-like device, subject to both state and input constraints. We show that the proposed strategy can perform almost
identically to the ideal performance case, where full knowledge
of Fe over the time-horizon is assumed available. Moreover, a
sensitivity analysis is provided, addressing the impact of wave excitation force estimation and forecasting errors in the computation
of the moment-based control input. Two main conclusions can be
drawn from this analysis: Forecasting mismatch has a negligible
impact on the overall performance of the strategy, while potential
differences arising from estimating Fe, in particular, phase errors,
can substantially impact total energy absorptio
The price of motherhood in the Irish film and television industries
No full textThis study describes the gendered challenges that mothers face when working in Irish film and television industries. Data were derived from a snowball sample of 44 mothers located in multiple genres of film and television production. The key findings are first, there is a systemic bias against mothers, not just a gender bias against them as women but an additional and more specific bias against them as mothers; second, there is evidence that mothers internalize the marginalization that comes from their maternal status. Many of the respondents accepted the inequality and maternal penalty they experienced as inevitable and “the way it is” and so made no demands that the industry change; and third, many mothers described various adaptations that help them to sustain their working lives, but they were rarely supported in those adaptations by the screen production industry. The impact and consequences of maternal inequality need to be examined and addressed further by industry in order to better include the voices of mothers in cultural productions
A Comparison of Ultra-Brief Cognitive Defusion and Positive Affirmation Interventions on the Reduction of Public Speaking Anxiety
No full textThe present study examined the preliminary efficacy of an ultra-brief cognitive defusion intervention, compared to a positive self-affirmation intervention, on moderate subclinical Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA). Sixty-three participants (M = 25.70 years,, SD = 9.48) first completed a questionnaire assessing PSA symptomology and were then randomly assigned to receive one of two
interventions (cognitive defusion, positive self-affirmation) or nothing at all (no-treatment control). All participants then performed an impromptu speech task before recompleting the questionnaire. A significant decrease in PSA was reported within the cognitive defusion condition, relative to the positive self-affirmation and no-treatment control conditions. An ultra-brief cognitive defusion intervention has the potential to reduce short-term anxiety among those with moderate PS
Are prisoners more psychopathic than non-forensic populations? Profiling psychopathic traits among prisoners, community adults, university students, and adolescents.
No full textThe aim of this study was to compare prisoners (n = 772), community adults
(n = 1201), university students (n = 2080), and adolescents (n = 472) on four
sets of psychopathic traits (affective responsiveness, cognitive responsiveness,
interpersonal manipulation, and egocentricity), using a psychopathy
measure which does not index criminal/antisocial behavior – the
Psychopathic Personality Traits Scale. Another aim was to examine patterns
of co-occurrence between psychopathic personality traits among offending
and non-offending populations. ANOVA results indicated significant differences
between the four groups on all PPTS dimensions. Adolescents
demonstrated greater deficits in affective and cognitive responsiveness
than the remaining groups of participants. Prisoners had elevated deficits
in cognitive responsiveness, compared with university students and community
adults. University students scored higher on interpersonal manipulation
than adolescents and prisoners, and higher on egocentricity than
community adults and prisoners. Latent profile analysis revealed four distinct
classes of psychopathic traits among all samples, although not all
classes were qualitatively equivalent across samples. Low psychopathy
groups were identified for all samples. There were clear high psychopathy
groups for prisoners and university students, with approximately 7% of
prisoners and students belonging in the groups. This finding indicates
that past research could have over-estimated the prevalence of psychopathy
in forensic populations due to inclusion of criminal behavior items in
psychopathy assessment
Scaling of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities: A Case Study in the People’s Democratic Republic of Lao
No full textPurpose: The ability to have impact at scale is an important concern for
Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), but little is known about
how scaling occurs in practice and the capacity of OPDs to undertake scaling.
The aim of this study was to assess perceptions and experiences of scaling and
broader organisational practices among a sample of people working for OPDs
in Lao PDR. The study also aimed to deductively analyse the qualitative data in
relation to a pre-defined socially inclusive scaling framework.
Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of people working
with 10 OPDs operating in Lao PDR (n = 12; 6 female and 6 male). Participants
included directors, administration personnel, and advisers of OPDs. Grounded
theory was used to analyse the qualitative data. A deductive approach, comprising
a multiple cycling coding process, was used to analyse the data in relation to the
IPILA socially inclusive scaling framework.
Results: Participants reported their perceptions of scaling and broader
organisational practices in relation to eight themes: OPDs’ relationship with
government; collaboration among OPDs; legal registration; operational
challenges; good practices for success; different strategies across OPDs; next
steps to improve the work of OPDs; and implementation of policies. Findings
from the deductive analyses indicated that OPDs use different strategies to
include their members and/or service-users. The OPDs scaled in different
directions, despite facing operational challenges such as funding and technical
expertise. While OPDs identified scaling practices, they react to rather than
plan scaling opportunities.
Conclusion: This study addressed the ways in which scaling is understood by
OPDs in the context of Lao PDR. The findings show that OPDs recognise their
good practices and the steps needed to scale, but lack planning and monitoring
processes for scaling
The Secondment of Teachers to Continuing Teacher Education Transitions and Tensions
No full textIn Ireland state funded support services provide Continuing Professional Development
(CPD) for teachers and school leaders. These services are staffed with teachers
seconded from their schools on an annual basis for up to a maximum of five years.
The policy rationale for this secondment arrangement is rooted in claims that the
professional development of these teachers will be enhanced by the secondment
experience and that the schools to which they belong will also benefit from this
when the teachers return (Department of Education and Skills, 2002, 2006, 2018).
There is a significant dearth of studies exploring the professional experiences and
learning acquired by teachers while working as teacher educators with Irish CPD
support services including how this impacts their future career direction. Additionally,
no existing research captures if and how this experience and learning accrues a benefit
to the school on their return. Further with an increasing trend in such teachers choosing
alternative career routes in the education system post-secondment, there has been no
specific research into whether this learning and experience is utilised in other work
environments.
This study investigates the knowledge, learning and experience acquired by teachers
while seconded to Ireland’s largest support service, the Professional Development
Service for Teachers (PDST). It also seeks to discover how this influences their postsecondment
career. In interpretivist tradition, it employs qualitative interviews to
explore this from the perspective of a purposive sample of eight teachers previously
seconded to PDST who have since either returned to school or taken up another
position in the education system. The researcher’s position as insider is acknowledged
given her role as National Director of the PDST.
The study’s theoretical framework sets out key stages navigated by these teachers
from their initial decision to join the PDST through to their onward post-secondment
career destination. Scaffolded by relevant theories and conceptual models in the field
of career dynamics, the framework facilitates an exploration of the dichotomies,
paradoxes and complexities inherent to the transitions and tensions of this unique
career journey.
In the context of a considerably under researched area both in Irish and international
teacher education, the study’s findings yield fresh insights into the transition from
teacher to teacher educator and shifting identities while bringing much needed
attention to the distinct role and learning needs of teacher educators working in the
CPD sector. In relation to secondment, it exposes the transformational impact of what
is intended as a temporary career route and its effects on career aspirations and
agency. Findings pertaining to post-secondment shed light on the factors which
influence knowledge sharing and construction in schools and in other education work
settings. They present Irish secondment policy as a significant issue in its lack of
provision for these realities while its implications for continuity and preservation of
expertise in the PDST emerge as deeply problematic. Study recommendations centre
on career pathways for teachers seconded to continuing teacher education and a
review of current secondment stipulations. The recommendations are situated within
the broader context of the professionalisation of continuing teacher educators and a
need for a greater understanding of knowledge sharing and capacity building in the
system
City dashboards and 3D geospatial technologies for urban planning and management.
No full textData has long been generated about cities to make sense of them, manage services and
infrastructure, solve urban problems, and produce urban policy and plans. Indeed,
managing data across the data life cycle (generating, handling, storing, analyzing, archiving,
sharing and destroying) is a key activity of city administrations and other public agencies.
Traditionally, data are generated as a by-product of core administrative functions (such
as routine bureaucracy), as a core function of infrastructure or service (such as traffic
management), or through routine and commissioned surveys (such as household surveys
or a census). These data provide key inputs for strategic development planning (such
as creating local area plans), assessing proposed planning applications, and operational
governance (such as the delivery of services)
Review: Irish women and the Great War: by Fionnuala Walsh, Studies in the Social and Cultural History of Modern Warfare, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2020, x + 254 pp., £75.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-1-1084-9120-4
No full textBook Review:
Irish women and the Great War
by Fionnuala Wals
The Centrality of the Eucharist in the Experience of Christ of Saint Teresa of Jesus
No full textThe aim of this research is to explore two aspects of the Christological experience1 of Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582), and to argue for the centrality of the Eucharist in these aspects of her experience of Christ.
Research Question:
This exploration will seek to answer to main research questions as follows:
1. What are the two aspects of Teresa’s Christological experience?
2. How does the Eucharist inform these aspects of Teresa’s experience of Christ
