NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Statistical Tree-based Population Seeding for Rolling Horizon EAs in General Video Game Playing
No full textMultiple Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods have been proposed over recent years to create controllers to play multiple video games of different nature and complexity without revealing the specific mechanics of each of these games to the AI methods. In recent years, Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) employing rolling horizon mechanisms have
achieved extraordinary results in these type of problems. However, some limitations are present in Rolling Horizon EAs making it a grand challenge of AI. These limitations include the wasteful mechanism of creating a population and evolving it over a fraction of a second to propose an action to be executed by the game agent. Another limitation is to use
a scalar value (fitness value) to direct evolutionary search instead of accounting for a mechanism that informs us how a particular agent behaves during the rolling horizon simulation. In this work, we address both of these issues. We introduce the use of a statistical tree that tackles the
latter limitation. Furthermore, we tackle the former limitation by employing a mechanism that allows us to seed part of the population using Monte Carlo Tree Search, a method that has dominated multiple General
Video Game AI competitions. We show how the proposed novel mechanism, called Statistical Tree-based Population Seeding, achieves better results compared to vanilla Rolling Horizon EAs in a set of 20 games, including 10 stochastic and 10 deterministic games
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and how Netflix manipulates us, the new gods.
No full textThis film review of Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, released by Netflix in 2018,discusses the nature of the interactive genre, focusing on its current and future effects on data mining, product placement, and programmatic advertising, highlighting the new, evolving role played by the viewer
Covid-19 Practice in Primary Schools in Ireland Report: a Two-Month Follow-Up
No full textThis research report looks at leadership and wellbeing in Primary Schools two months after the COVID-19 school closures, in total 939 leaders completed the survey. It follows a previous report on practice in Primary Schools two weeks after school closures (Burke and Dempsey, 2020). It reports on the changes in communication, concerns and wellbeing from week two to month two after the COVID-19 school closure; the wellbeing of school leaders in the middle of the COVID-19 school closure; and, investigates the intricacies in wellbeing between teaching and administrative principals, given that their daily duties differ significantly. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, and qualitative data was analysed using MAXQDA. It found that principals are adapting to the impact of the pandemic, both professionally and personally, however there have been significant challenges noted. It was noted that social wellbeing is the biggest challenge for principals, however seven out of 10 principals have taken specific actions to address this challenge during the lockdown. Lack of time was an issue for those principals who have not taken positive action regarding their wellbeing, with some fulfilling multiple professional and personal roles. While there have been challenges associated with the adaptation and implementation of new online practices, and some schools lack technology, there has been a positive move to online learning
Old Irish Etymology through the Ages
No full texthe etymological study of Early Irish began in the Old Irish period (c. 700‒900 A.D.), under the influence of Isidore of Seville’s Etymologiae, and, because of its flexible hermeneutic potential,it enjoyed great popularity in the middle and early modern period. It is only with the rise of modern comparative linguistics, especially of Indo-European linguistics in the second half of the 19thcentury, that the art of Irish etymology has attained scholarly riguour. Over the past150 years, paradigm shifts in Indo-European studies (laryngeal theory, accent/ablaut classes of inflection, derivational morphology) and the development of modern technology (digitisation of texts, eDIL, ISOS) have repeatedly changed the methods and the course of Irish etymological studies. The impact of some of these external factors will be illustrated with examples
A Contextual Application of The Unicity and Universality of Christ in the Context of Religious Pluralism: A Lubacian Hermeneutic.
No full textThis thesis will argue that when it comes to the important question of the relationship between the church and those who are not part of it, de Lubac’s response to the question is novel. His writings on the social dimension of dogma are the key to opening up a dialogue with non-Christian religions. The social dimension of dogma de Lubac saw rooted in mystery,highlighting the unique Christian contribution to the right understanding of history and community. We will explore the theological implication of de Lubac’s view that humanity cannot be fully understood apart from Christ. Also, we will make a critical examination of de Lubac’s arguments of how he believes people outside the Judeo-Christian tradition can attain salvation throughthe Church. The thesis will critically examine the different writings ofde Lubac on how he views other faiths and people who do not profess any religion. We will show how de Lubac’s method can serve as a mirror for gauging subsequent theological reflections on whether salvation is possible outside Christianity. Our thesis evaluates how de Lubac explains the theological understanding that the grace of Christ works outside the visible boundaries of the Church. We will argue that linking aspects of de Lubac’s writings on non-Christian religions will assist us in responding to thecomplex challenge of engagement with people of other faiths in the socio-cultural and political context of Nigeria
Sea surface temperature in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean over the Late Glacial and Holocene
No full textCentennial- and millennial-scale variability ofSouthern Ocean temperature over the Holocene is poorlyknown, due to both short instrumental records and sparselydistributed high-resolution temperature reconstructions, withevidence for past temperature variations in the region com-ing mainly from ice core records. Here we present a high-resolution (∼60 year), diatom-based sea surface tempera-ture (SST) reconstruction from the western Indian sector ofthe Southern Ocean that spans the interval 14.2 to 1.0 ka (cal-ibrated kiloyears before present). During the late deglacia-tion, the new SST record shows cool temperatures at 14.2–12.9 ka and gradual warming between 12.9 and 11.6 ka inphase with atmospheric temperature evolution. This supportsthe evolution of the Southern Ocean SST during the deglacia-tion being linked with a complex combination of processesand drivers associated with reorganisations of atmosphericand oceanic circulation patterns. Specifically, we suggest thatSouthern Ocean surface warming coincided, within the dat-ing uncertainties, with the reconstructed slowdown of theAtlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), ris-ing atmospheric CO2levels, changes in the southern west-erly winds and enhanced upwelling. During the Holocenethe record shows warm and stable temperatures from 11.6to 8.7 ka followed by a slight cooling and greater variabilityfrom 8.7 to 1 ka, with a quasi-periodic variability of 200–260 years identified by spectral analysis. We suggest that the
increased variability during the mid- to late Holocene reflectsthe establishment of centennial variability in SST connectedwith changes in the high-latitude atmospheric circulation andSouthern Ocean convection
Validation of a CFD-Based Numerical Wave Tank Model of the 1/20th Scale Wavestar Wave Energy Converter
No full textNumerical wave tanks (NWTs) provide efficient test beds for the numerical analysis at
various stages during the development of wave energy converters (WECs). To ensure the acquisition
of accurate, high-fidelity data sets, validation of NWTs is a crucial step. However, using experimental
data as reference during model validation, exact knowledge of all system parameters is required,
which may not always be available, thus making an incremental validation inevitable. The present
paper documents the numerical model validation of a 1/20 scale Wavestar WEC. The validation
is performed considering different test case of increasing complexity: wave-only, wave excitation
force, free decay, forced oscillation, and wave-induced motion cases. The results show acceptable
agreement between the numerical and experimental data so that, under the well-known modelling
constraints for mechanical friction and uncertainties in the physical model properties, the developed
numerical model can be declared as validated
The Future of the Sacrament of Penance: An African Reconciliatory Paradigm in the Light of Karl Rahner's Theology of Penance
No full textBased on the understanding of reconciliation in the African culture and Karl Rahner’s theology of the sacramentality of the Church, this doctoral thesis opens a debate about the kind of renewal required to revitalise the dwindling practice of sacramental confession. The Second Vatican Council, in which the German Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner played an influential role, initiated a great deal of such renewal, but the process is a never-ending one. More than 50 years later, in the papacy of Francis, who never ceases to proclaim that “the name of God is mercy”, it may now be the right time to let this holy exercise be revisited for what might be called reviving “the sacrament of mercy”.
In response to the Council’s demand of adapting the Rite of Penance to the pastoral needs of individual regions, there seems to be a considerable degree of concurrence between the African concept of humanity or building a strong community life (ubuntu) and Karl Rahner’s notion of reconciliatio cum ecclesia. Rahner's theological anthropology that articulates penance as reconciliation with the Church grounds the sacrament of penance in Jesus Christ who, through his Church, instils his own spirit of saying yes to God within those who celebrate the sacrament. This understanding contributes significantly to the unique dynamism of the concrete expression of the symbolic communal character of the Church as a means of hope, conversion, forgiveness and hospitality. It could be argued that a renewed understanding and practice of penance is needed because of the secularist revolution that is seeping into today’s modern African society bringing a much-diminished use of the sacrament. Reversing this trend requires a changed mentality.
It is a reality that in this era of globalisation and modernisation the practice of the faith, especially the sacramental life of the Church, necessitates great attention. My study examines particularly the crisis in the sacrament of penance caused by external influences, e.g. socio-cultural and religious biases that contribute to the challenges for a proper understanding and appreciation of the rite of reconciliation in the 21st century. We shall explore the African reconciliatory theology and paradigm; Rahner’s concept of sin and its implications for humanity; the essence of his notion of reconciliatio cum ecclesia; and the evaluation of the renewal of penance since the Second Vatican Council. Aware of the current predicament of penance, I believe that the Church must try everything within her reach to encourage a renewed understanding of the sacrament. This renewal will bring critical perspectives, views that theologians have struggled to articulate for generations. Down through the ages, sacramental penance, sincere repentance and conversion, has been a challenging issue. It is both complex and vital.
The study concludes by suggesting critical moves that might assist both confessor and penitent to deepen their understanding and use of the sacrament. These include reclaiming the sense of sin, greater integration and cooperation, deep catechesis, the institutional church’s asking for forgiveness as well as the blending of the African reconciliatory paradigm and the Christian spirituality of reconciliation. Such moves and directions are interdependent and belong to a more collaborative understanding of the Church and its ministerial practices. Shaping the future of penance is certainly a continuous agenda and the Church’s mission will be more effective when the sacrament is celebrated within a continuing awareness of the Church as a reconciled and reconciling community
Non-Hermitian scattering on a tight-binding lattice
No full textWe analyze the scattering dynamics and spectrum of a quantum particle on a tight-binding lattice subject to a non-Hermitian (purely imaginary) local potential. The reflection, transmission and absorption coefficients are studied as a function of the strength of this absorbing potential. The system is found to have an exceptional point at a certain strength of the potential. Unusually, all (or nearly all) of the spectrum pairs up into mutually coalescing eigenstate pairs at this exceptional point. At large potential strengths, the absorption coefficient decreases and the effect of the imaginary potential is similar to that of a real potential. We quantify this similarity by utilizing properties of a localized eigenstate
Large Scale Analysis and Scalability Enhancements for Low Power Wide Area Networks
No full textThe developing Internet of Things is leading to a much broader range of connected
devices across many different industry sectors. The new paradigm of Low Power Wide
Area Networks (LPWAN) contributes to this by enabling the deployment of cheap lowpower
wireless devices, allowing for pervasive smart city applications. However, research
into LPWANs is in the preliminary stages, with much analysis to be done to quantify
the actual limits of proposed protocols. The energy efficiency and scalability of these
protocols are key if these technologies are to be deployed effectively in densely populated
cities. The goal of this work is to quantify and improve the LPWAN paradigm in these
two dimensions.
The first contribution is an energy consumption analysis of the LoRaWAN protocol. A
study of the comparative energy consumption rate of the primary LPWAN technologies
is performed, based on the physical and MAC layer states of the protocols. Then, an
analysis of the feasibility of the powering of LoRaWAN applications fully through the
harvesting of ambient RF energy is presented.
The next contribution is a quantification of the energy efficiency and scalability of bidirectional
LPWANs, using LoRaWAN as a case study. This is performed through the
implementation of a LoRaWAN energy model, LoRaWAN Class B, and the Adaptive
Data Rate (ADR) of LoRaWAN in simulation. This work for the first time fully implements
previously unsimulated sections of the protocol, enabling the simulation of
realistic large scale LoRaWAN networks. Simulations of LoRaWAN networks under a
variety of conditions are performed, with large networks of devices running applications
with realistic traffic requirements. This analysis can be considered state-of-the-art as it
constitutes the first time the analysed LoRaWAN features have been implemented in the
used simulator.
Through the previous analysis, bottlenecks to performance for LoRaWAN networks are
identified. The next contribution consists of enhancements to the ADR of LoRaWAN,
which increases the scalability of the network and fixes issues which currently can limit
the network adaptability. The final contribution is a novel lightweight collision avoidance
algorithm which mitigates the effects of collisions from predictive traffic, based on the
properties of LPWAN traffic. The scheme increases the scalability of the network while
maintaining the energy efficiency of the protocol.
The work presented in this thesis enhances the sustainable operation of LPWANs in
denser environments. This work is validated through analytical models and simulation.
The applicability of this work to other network wireless protocols is examined and potential
future research directions are discussed. The contributions presented in this thesis
advance the evolution of LPWANs by enabling the analysis and enhancing the scalability
of large scale deployments, further accelerating the acceptability and pervasiveness
of LPWAN networks