NUI Maynooth Eprint Archive
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Improving GMM registration with class encoding
No full textPoint set registration is critical in many applications such as computer vision, pattern recognition, or in
fields like robotics and medical imaging. This paper focuses on reformulating point set registration using
Gaussian Mixture Models while considering attributes associated with each point. Our approach introduces
class score vectors as additional features to the spatial data information. By incorporating these attributes,
we enhance the optimization process by penalizing incorrect matching terms. Experimental results show
that our approach with class scores outperforms the original algorithm by [Jian and Vemuri, 2011] in both
accuracy and speed
“My Peace I Give You” (John 14: 27): Benedict XVI’s Logic of the Gift and Peacebuilding in Catholic Social Teaching
No full textThis thesis deals with two themes in Catholic Social Teaching: the principle of gratuitousness
and peacebuilding. The former is a relatively new articulation in Catholic Social Teaching that
relies on the logic of the gift. The latter has and continues to be a global issue. The early
scholarly discussion on gift-giving is widely traced to Marcel Mauss (1872-1950). He raised
questions that drew the attention of philosophers and sociologists such as Jacques Derrida
(1930-2004), Jean-Luc Marion (1946 - ), and René Girard (1923-2015). They advanced the
discussion, highlighting opportunities and ambiguities. This thesis argues that Joseph
Ratzinger/Benedict XVI writes about the logic of the gift in a positive perspective and situates
it within Catholic Social Teaching. The dissertation maintains that rather than Catholic Social
Teaching relying on the criteria of law and order guided by reason, the logic of the gift – which
is based on the Christian notion of God, creation, the Trinity, and the human person – provides
a resource for Catholic models of peacebuilding. It argues that this approach can supplement
Basic Human Needs Theory– a significant model in the field of peacebuilding – that aligns
with earlier Catholic social thought. The thesis concludes that Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict
XVI’s writings on the subject can be a moral framework of encounter that supports
theologically informed means to consider peacebuilding models and the practices of those who
engage them
Orientation towards mystery: An exploration into the theological anthropology of Karl Rahner in dialogue with Paulos Gregorios
No full textThe essential task of theological anthropology is to understand human beings as the icons of the incomprehensible God. The culmination of this task is not a direct encounter with God, rather it is to participate in the process of transformation. The goal for us is partaking in grace through the divine-human person that Christ Jesus embodies and progressively growing into that unity.
Karl Rahner and Paulos Mar Gregorios, representing two traditions, offer insights that deepen our understanding of theological anthropology. The East and West, with their unique perspectives, contribute to a comprehensive paradigm for understanding humanity’s orientation towards the mystery of God.
The orientation towards mystery is bestowed as a gracious gift, with God choosing the human body as a confirmation of the image and likeness endowed to us during creation. Each day reveals a diverse perspective on humanity, challenging theology to offer its unique interpretation. War, hate crimes, racism, and immigration are contemporary issues in our times that demand a nuanced understanding, and theological anthropology plays a crucial role in shedding light on these challenges. Theological anthropology, as a discipline that explores the nature and significance of humanity from a theological perspective, offers insights into the roots of conflict, prejudice, and injustice. By examining the theological foundations of divine image, equality, and interconnectedness, theological anthropology can contribute to fostering empathy, promoting social justice, and challenging the ideologies. It encourages a holistic view that recognizes the inherent dignity of every individual.
This thesis explores a renewed understanding of the theological notion of the human person. This understanding of the human person is developed by examining the divine rootedness and relational aspects of Karl Rahner’s theological anthropology in conversation with that of Paulos Gregorios
Exploring the individual and joint effects of founders' and managers' experiential knowledge on international opportunity identification
No full textThis study aims to examine the individual and interactive efects of the founder’s
prior experience and managers’ foreign market knowledge on international opportunity identifcation by early internationalizing frms (EIFs). We draw on a sample
of 332 small and medium-sized EIFs from a South Asian country, viz. from the
Bangladeshi apparel industry. This study adopts a survey-based quantitative research
approach. A hierarchical regression modeling technique is used to test the contingency hypotheses. The results demonstrate that founding entrepreneurs’ prior experience and managers’ experiential knowledge are strong predictors of international
opportunity identifcation. While we hypothesized for the joint negative efects of
founders’ prior experience and managers’ market knowledge on opportunity identifcation, the results were non-signifcant, thus partially supporting the assumptions
of agency theory. Our study provides valuable empirical insights into and supports
the role of founders’ prior experience and managers’ foreign market knowledge in
investigating international opportunity identifcation
Digital Twins for Stakeholder and Community Engagement (DT4E): an ADAPT-DCC Collaboration
No full textThe ADAPT centre at Maynooth University and smart cities unit of Dublin City Council (DCC) are collaborating on a 2-year targeted project to enable the development of a Digital Twin ecosystem and facilitate its application for stakeholder and community engagement. DCC has been experimenting with state-of-the-art technologies such as drones and LIDAR across various thematic challenges such as energy consumption, urban planning, public engagement, environment, tourism, and infrastructure management. Advancing towards a more sophisticated system, the DT4E project intends to apply a people-centric approach for effective stakeholder collaboration and explore novel forms of community engagement
Factor Structure of the Shortened Six-Item Version of the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS-6) A Systematic Review and Testing Factor Models in a Nationally Representative Sample
No full textIntroduction: Loneliness is linked to negative physical and mental health
outcomes. Therefore, it is important to employ reliable and valid screening measures for early detection and treatment. A widely used scale for assessing loneliness is the shortened six-item Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale
(DJGLS-6).
Aims: To review and evaluate the factor structure of the DJGLS-6.
Methods: Study 1 was a systematic review. To examine the factor structure of the DJGLS-6, peer-reviewed studies were reviewed in accordance
with PRISMA guidelines. Study 2 tested the factor analytic models found
in Study 1. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed using data
from a nationally representative sample of adults to assess the latent structure of the six-item scale.
Results: In Study 1, findings from the two papers reviewed suggested that
the scale measures two correlated dimensions: social and emotional loneliness. This finding was consistent with the results of Study 2. However, the
fit statistics for the one and two-factor CFA models were not acceptable.
Modification indices indicated that adding a cross-factor loading to allow
item 2 (“I miss having people around”) of the social loneliness factor, to
load on both the emotional and social factor, to load on both the emotional
and social factors would significantly improve the fit of the model.
Conclusions: The analysis failed to support previous findings concerning
the robustness of the subscales. We recommend performing future evaluations of the scale and for the authors to consider changing item 2 accordingly
Measuring positive memories of home and family during childhood: The development and initial validation of the ‘Memories of Home and Family Scale’
No full textThere is a burgeoning evidence base highlighting the positive infuence of benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs), even
in the context of adversity. However, few measures are available to assess BCEs. The current study sought to develop and
validate a measure which assesses positive recollections of experiences and emotions at home and with family during
childhood called the ‘Memories of Home and Family Scale’(MHFS). Confrmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to
test the latent structure of the preliminary MHFS item scores in a sample of university students from the United Kingdom
(N=624). Following selection of the best-ftting model and fnal items for inclusion in the scale, total and subscale scores
were correlated with a range of mental health outcomes. CFA results indicated that the latent structure of the MHFS items
was best represented by a correlated six-factor first-order model. The final MHFS demonstrated high levels of internal reliability and convergent validit
Stakeholders’ identification and mapping. Deliverable 3.2
No full textThis document outlines deliverable 3.2 ‘Stakeholders’ identification and mapping’ which is developed
under task 3.2 ´Coordination and management of the stakeholder network community to accelerate
the development of sustainable solutions’ in M6 (March 2023) of the RES4CITY project. The document
is the first version of the deliverable that will be updated in M20.
RES4CITY – Renewable Energies System for Cities2 was launched in October 2022 as a 36-month
project funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Climate, Energy and Mobility
programme and CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Agency). A carbon-neutral
European Union by 2050 is an ambitious target that presents technical and societal challenges. To
reach this ambitious objective, a concerted action involving a large variety of actors (e.g., industries,
public institutions, citizens, etc.) with diverse needs and priorities, is necessary. While technical
research is advancing rapidly the overall skillset of the working force is lagging. This project aims to
develop an innovative educational framework to support the mass deployment of renewable energy
systems and fill the educational gap for the creation of specialised human capital able to contribute
to the green transition. The RES4CITY consortium brings together 18 partners that includes companies
and institutions from Europe: Ireland (Maynooth University - Coordinator, Tipperary Energy Agency),
Italy (University of Genoa, Parthenope University of Naples, University of Sassari, Artemat srl),
Portugal (University of Coimbra), Spain (Polytechnic University of Valencia), Denmark (Danish
Technical University), France (University of Grenoble Alpes, Three O’clock), Sweden (WiTEC SWEDEN,
Halmstad University), Belgium (Finnovaregio Foundation), and Switzerland (United Nations Institute
for Training and Research, Global Hope Network International).
The RES4CITY network3 aims to increase societal resilience by supporting energy transition through
the development and wider deployment of renewable energy sources (RES) and fuel technologies(FT),
allowing public and private stakeholders to find ways to acquire new competencies and to selfpromote new practices to their working environments and society. The network will co-create and
promote an innovative educational framework based on micro-programmes, and develop policy
scenarios to ensure stronger uptake, while highlighting mapped best practices and lessons learned,
and facilitating open innovation among 160 or more relevant stakeholders and end-users. The
deliverable describes stakeholders in each hub and their needs and interests for their effective
integration into the RES4CITY project and the hubs’ activities. Founded on the strategy developed in
task 3.1 ‘Stakeholder framework strategy and action plan’, this report documents: any planned and
delivered engagement actions and knowledge transfer at a local and European level; the summaries
of conducted surveys, workshops and consultations; the outcomes of regular meetings between the
management office and the partners involved; and lessons learned. The deliverable 3.2 was concluded
and submitted in March 2023 by 3OC with the support of partners and WITEC and NUIM as the
reviewers
The Social Construction of Gender and Leadership and the Impact of these Paradoxical Constructs on the Lived Experience of Women CEOs
No full textThe aim of this study was to explore how the paradoxical concepts of gender and leadership impacted on the lived experience of six women chief executive officers (CEOs) working within intellectual disability, Section 39 organisations in Ireland. A scoping review was conducted to illicit the breadth of research relevant to this topic. The primary analysis of the scoping review was concentrated on the barriers that women experience in relation to advancing or sustaining senior leadership positions. Findings from this review highlighted that women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles and that the classification of female and male gender as oppositional social constructs maintains this status quo with women assigned a lesser societal status and power value.
To facilitate a greater understanding of these findings a moderate form of social constructionism was applied throughout the research design. This position recognises that one’s ability to perceive and represent social reality is understood in context and influenced by socio-historical experiences known to the individual. A feminist informed narrative inquiry methodology was applied to gain an understanding of how participants gender identities have been shaped and normalised through pervasive cultural ideologies, language, discourse, and everyday social interactions.
Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and Braun and Clarke’s (2006, 2020) reflexive thematic analysis was operationalised in the analysis and coding of data. Findings illustrated that participants were subjected to a gendering process throughout their lives, which was underpinned by a prevailing patriarchal ideology that continues to sustain the oppression of women. Within this ideology positions of power such as the role of CEO is perceived as oppositional to the binary classification of female gender. Findings also highlight the discursive effects of neoliberal ideology on the sustainability of Section 39 organisations which is further compounded by a lack of clarity on appropriate leadership models.
By adopting a social constructionist approach this study offered a different way of exploring the significance of the paradoxical constructs of gender and leadership and presented alternative explanations for the gender disparity that exists at CEO level. Gender was recognised as a fluid and changing construct, suggesting that the co-creation of a model of leadership beyond gender is possible
The KdmB-EcoA-RpdA-SntB (KERS) chromatin regulatory complex controls development, secondary metabolism and pathogenicity in Aspergillus flavus
No full textThe filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus is a plant and human pathogen predominantly found in the soil as spores or sclerotia and is capable of producing various
secondary metabolites (SM) such as the carcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxin. Recently, we have discovered a novel nuclear chromatin binding complex (KERS) that
contains the JARID1-type histone demethylase KdmB, a putative cohesion acetyl transferase EcoA, a class I type histone deacetylase RpdA and the PHD ring finger
reader protein SntB in the model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. Here, we show the presence of the KERS complex in A. flavus by immunoprecipitationcoupled
mass spectrometry and constructed kdmBΔ and rpdAΔ strains to study their roles in fungal development, SM production and histone post-translational
modifications (HPTMs). We found that KdmB and RpdA couple the regulation of SM gene clusters with fungal light-responses and HPTMs. KdmB and RpdA have
opposing roles in light-induced asexual conidiation, while both factors are positive regulators of sclerotia development through the nsdC and nsdD pathway. KdmB
and RpdA are essential for the productions of aflatoxin (similar to findings for SntB) as well as cyclopiazonic acid, ditryptophenaline and leporin B through controlling
the respective SM biosynthetic gene clusters. We further show that both KdmB and RpdA regulate H3K4me3 and H3K9me3 levels, while RpdA also acts on
H3K14ac levels in nuclear extracts. Therefore, the chromatin modifiers KdmB and RpdA of the KERS complex are key regulators for fungal development and SM
metabolism in A. flavus