NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Drought risk in Moldova under global warming and possible crop adaptation strategies
No full textThis study analyzes the relationship between drought processes and crop yields in Moldova, together with the effects of possible future climate change on crops. The severity of drought is analyzed over time in Moldova using the Standard Precipitation Index, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index, and their relationship with crop yields. In addition, rainfall variability and its relationship with crop yields are examined using spectral analysis and squared wavelet coherence. Observed station data (1950-2020 and 1850-2020), ERA5 reanalysis data (1950-2020), and climate model simulations (period 1970-2100) are used. Crop yield data (maize, sunflower, grape), data from experimental plots (wheat), and the Enhanced Vegetation Index from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellites were also used. Results show that although the severity of meteorological droughts has decreased in the last 170 years, the impact of precipitation deficits on different crop yields has increased, concurrent with a sharp increase in temperature, which negatively affected crop yields. Annual crops are now more vulnerable to natural rainfall variability and, in years characterized by rainfall deficits, the possibility of reductions in crop yield increases due to sharp increases in temperature. Projections reveal a pessimistic outlook in the absence of adaptation, highlighting the urgency of developing new agricultural management strategies
A micro-credential approach for life-long learning in the urban renewable energy sector
No full textThe present paper describes the development of a novel framework for the creation of specialised Micro-Credentials supporting the training and re-training of students and professionals on the integration of renewable energy and sustainable fuels in urban settings. The framework is built upon a set of stackable micro-credentials, co-designed with the stakeholders input and it uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to assess the impact on the job market at regional level. The use of Micro-Credentials are considered to be the optimal methodology for enhancing the knowledge of specific topics especially for life-long learning for professionals. A co-design approach of such an innovative educational framework with relevant stakeholders fosters a tailored educational path for green upskilling. Finally, the framework is validated processing and analysing a large dataset of job descriptions, extracting the skills required by the market, organising the skills in categories and clusters. All this process lead to the creation of a basket of 74 Micro-Credentials oriented to students and professional with both a technical and non-technical backgrounds
Unveiling the Potential Pattern Representation of RNA 5-Methyluridine Modification Sites Through a Novel Feature Fusion Model Leveraging Convolutional Neural Network and Tetranucleotide Composition
No full textThe 5-Methyluridine (m5U), predominantly present in RNA and especially enriched in transfer RNA (tRNA), significantly enhances translational accuracy and protein synthesis by ensuring precise genetic information decoding and optimal tRNA functionality within cellular mechanisms. The identification of m5U modification sites is crucial, as this modification has gained significant attention in diseases such as breast cancer, stress response, and viral infections, offering insights into its molecular mechanisms and regulatory functions in disease contexts. Nevertheless, due to the arduous nature, intricate procedures, reliance on sophisticated and expensive instrumentation, and the need for specialized expertise, conventional biochemical approaches for identifying m5U modification sites result in substantial resource expenditures and notable temporal investments. Consequently, the pressing need for a precise and efficient computational method highlights the urgency for alternative approaches in identifying m5U modification sites. In this study, we introduce a novel computational approach called “Deep-m5U,” which combines the strengths of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and tetranucleotide composition to accurately identify methyluridine modification sites and improve overall performance. The developed Deep-m5U method leverages CNNs to accurately detect protein-coding regions and capture relevant motifs, while incorporating tetra-nucleotide composition to capture global compositional characteristics, resulting in a more robust model that significantly enhances performance. We evaluated the Deep-m5U model on two publicly available benchmark datasets: the full transcript and mature mRNA datasets. Our results showcase superior performance, achieving accuracies of 91.26% and 95.63% respectively, surpassing the current cutting-edge methods. Moreover, the open-source code for Deep-m5U is freely accessible at: https://github.com/waleed551/Deep-m5U
Training new prison officers in restorative practices: The Irish experience
No full textRestorative practices are a set of values and
skills that professionals can use during their day-to-day interactions with the people for whom
they deliver services.2
They can be applied across
the ‘human services’,3
including in criminal justice
agencies such as policing and prisons, social work,
schools and universities, among other settings.
Professionals working in these services have
significant discretion to decide how to allocate
benefits and sanctions on behalf of the State, and
how they interact with the people over whom
they have authority, and for whose welfare they
are responsible.4
Advocates argue that restorative
values and skills can help professionals orient
their practices towards building and maintaining
positive relationships, ensuring people feel
treated fairly and involved in decisions, and
addressing and repairing harm and resolving
conflict constructively
International consensus statement on the design, delivery and evaluation of sport-based interventions aimed at promoting social, psychological and physical well-being in prison
No full textObjective To develop an international consensus statement to advise on designing, delivering and evaluating sport-based interventions (SBIs) aimed at promoting social, psychological and physical well-being in prison.
Design Modified Delphi using two rounds of survey questionnaires and two consensus workshops.
Participants A multidisciplinary panel of more than 40 experts from 15 international jurisdictions was formed, including representation from the following groups and stakeholders: professionals working in the justice system; officials from sport federations and organisations; academics with research experience of prisons, secure forensic mental health settings and SBIs; and policy-makers in criminal justice and sport.
Results A core research team and advisory board developed the initial rationale, statement and survey. This survey produced qualitative data which was analysed thematically. The findings were presented at an in-person workshop. Panellists discussed the findings, and, using a modified nominal group technique, reached a consensus on objectives to be included in a revised statement. The core research team and advisory board revised the statement and recirculated it with a second survey. Findings from the second survey were discussed at a second, virtual, workshop. The core research team and advisory board further revised the consensus statement and recirculated it asking panellists for further comments. This iterative process resulted in seven final statement items; all participants have confirmed that they agreed with the content, objectives and recommendations of the final statement.
Conclusions The statement can be used to assist those that design, deliver and evaluate SBIs by providing guidance on: (1) minimum levels of competence for those designing and delivering SBIs; (2) the design and delivery of inclusive programmes prioritising disadvantaged groups; and (3) evaluation measures which are carefully calibrated both to capture proposed programme outcomes and to advance an understanding of the systems, processes and experiences of sport engagement in prison
Workplace regimes in Western Europe, 1995–2015: Implications for intensification, intrusion, income and insecurity
No full textThe article investigates the emergence of ‘new’ forms of working such as ‘lean production’ and
‘learning organisations’ in Western Europe, 1995–2015. First, the article identifies the dominant
forms of work organisation (‘workplace regimes’) across Western Europe, including new
‘pressure’ and ‘extreme’ varieties of previously identified regimes. Second, the article analyses
the implications of these workplace regimes for various important worker outcomes – insecurity,
income, intensity of work and intrusion of work into non-working life – and assesses the ‘trade-offs’ of different outcomes across regimes. Third, the article assesses the changing distribution
of these regimes, whether certain forms such as Lean Production are coming to dominate the
division of labour, and where and for whom. The shape of the ‘new world of work’ is increasingly
Lean, but remains open to political contestation – both in how regimes themselves are organised
and in the mix of regimes in particular societies and for particular workers
Can ‘restorative circles’ build relationships on master’s degrees? Exploring students’ and lecturers’ experiences and perceptions of impact
No full textResearch suggests a connection between student relationships with other students and lecturers, and their outcomes and experiences of higher education. Yet, master’s students are overlooked in this area of practice and research, with few studies investigating relationship building at the postgraduate level. To date, moreover, no studies have used restorative circles – a methodology for designing and structuring dialogue processes that aims to build relationships among a group – on master’s pro-grammes. This article outlines the key findings from a study of a novel project, the ‘MA Dialogue’, on an Irish master’s degree. Using restorative circles, this brought students and lecturers together for regular conversations to build their relationships. The dataset consists of 35 interviews with students (26/51) and lecturers (9/10) who participated in ‘MA Dialogue’ sessions over two academic years, considering their experiences and perceptions of its impact. The findings indicate that the project was experienced as a unique opportunity for relationship building, reportedly perceived to humanise lecturers, facilitate students’ transitions to master’s study, and support teaching and learning. If relationship building isa pedagogical strategy that transcends geographical and disciplinary boundaries, then quantitative research is warranted to investigate the effectiveness of restorative circles for relationship-building in higher education
From ‘Cottage to Crèche’ and Back: An Examination of Childcare and Au Pairship in Ireland.
No full textIreland has changed in recent decades with increasing gender equality, women working outside the home, and the ongoing secularisation of society. However, these advances are accompanied by rising costs and a national shortage in access to formal childcare services. This dissertation addresses how Irish families cope and adapt in this context. Through ethnographic analysis, it explores the strategies that families employ to manage domestic and economic circumstances, interrogates how these approaches affect their parental and household needs, and evaluates their success in satisfying the requirements of the domestic unit. Through the specific lens of au pairs and host families in Ireland, this research examines how these relationships are politically and socioeconomically situated. This research considers the impact of childcare choices, such as the decision to employ au pairs, upon the most intimate kinship relations of the family, particularly mothering; it asks how these familial bonds are disrupted, maintained, or reshaped over time by the addition of an au pair into the family unit? This thesis investigates how boundaries and meanings of kinship are negotiated in circumstances where ‘care’ is commodified. I look at the tensions that arise in these interactions and the impacts of crossing or violating boundaries.
This study follows the journey of au pairs and host families from their first expectations through the construction of boundaries and the creation of kinship ties and possible breakdowns of such relationships. I examine the establishment and negotiation of boundaries within the household, by both the au pair and host family, using the theoretical framework of boundary work.
In addition, I address the dynamics of contemporary Irish kinship, focusing on the idea of ‘fictive kinship,’ to investigate the relationships that emerge between au pairs and host families. For both the au pairs and host families, tensions surrounding the experience of familial-like relationships highlights the complex nature of these dynamics. In this thesis, I follow my research participants as they navigate this fragile territory in the nexus of everyday practices, routines, and experiences
The Subjectivity of Victimisation: A Case Study on Post-1970s Northern Ireland.
No full textThis dissertation looked to provide the reader with an understanding of how victimisation and
the ‘victim’ label is subjective in different communities. This was conducted to give a
perspective on how these communities, while experiencing the same or similar trauma, can
disregard one another in order to grand themselves the experience of victimisation. Through
desk-based research, a literature review regarding the existing body of work relating to
victimisation was conducted. The sections within the literature review consisted of themes
within media representation, which impacted perceptions of history and memory, as well as
themes within labelling theory (LT) with special focus on how communities disregard their
own violence towards others while experiencing victimisation. In order to support the literature
review, a case study was used regarding the Troubles in Northern Ireland with specific
reference to Bloody Sunday in 1972. This case study enabled the reader to compare the
literature review to a real-life event. The findings of this dissertation suggest that all aspects of
media representation have been reflected during the case study relating to Northern Ireland. It
also proposes that memory and perception can influence a community and therefore how they
determine who is a victim or perpetrator is on their own account. Finally, this dissertation found
that LT, specifically the victim-perpetrator paradigm (V-PP) framework gives the reader a
thorough explanation about how this subjectivity and ignorance forms. In conclusion, the case
study of Northern Ireland during the Troubles supported the literature review and gave the
reader an overall understanding of how victimisation is subjective as opposed to objective
Reauthoring my career narrative towards hope and agency twenty years in Adult Guidance Counselling Practice.
No full textThe focus of this research is seeking to reflexively engage with my experiences of the impact of recent rapid transformations in my adult guidance counselling practice, culminating in working with increasing numbers of migrant learners. Inquiring into these experiences of finding myself at a crossroads in my career after twenty years in practice, questioning if I can continue in the role. I chose a narrative inquiry self-study methodology to engage with my narrative of these experiences and how I had constructed this narrative in relation to broader organisational, policy and societal narratives over time. The lens of System Theory Framework, storytelling narrative career counselling approach and Narrative Therapy Informed Approach are used to identify these four key emerging, dynamic and recursive themes: changing context and its impact; social justice - a core value; recommitment to self-care; connectedness and collaboration in practice. Engaging with these themes enabled a process of reauthoring to a more agentic, hopeful narrative of my practice. This research has the potential to be useful for other practitioners navigating contexts requiring rapid transformations in their practice. And it points to the potential of using these narrative career approaches in working with clients also navigating career transitions over their lifespan. Recommendations for further research are offered including moral distress in the field of guidance counselling and relevant career adaptability skills for working in neoliberal environments