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Gendering postcolonial penality: The religious detention of women in Ireland
Get PDFThe role of religion was pivotal in shaping how women were punished in postcolonial
Ireland. The new state used the Catholic Church to establish a separate system of confinement, a shadow penal regime for women, which drew its inmates from within a
newly recognized threat to the nation. Drawing on Mark Brown’s work on the ways
in which postcolonial states can replicate the repression of colonialism, the article suggests that under an increasingly morally authoritarian state, women perceived as sexually
promiscuous found themselves in systems of religious control. This article explores the
‘how’ and the ‘why’ of this, examining the intersection of state and religious control
through the cases of women convicted in the courts and sent to religious detention. I
argue for the necessity of a gendered lens in postcolonial penality, and for consideration
of the conditions of postcolonial nation formation in shaping punishment
Artificial Intelligence The Human Autonomy and Ethical Considerations of Advancing Intelligent Systems and Machines
Get PDFIn the modern era, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) concept existed since Alan Turing conceived Machine Learning in 1935.1 AI, as a term, came into more common and public discourse in early 2023, when Elon Musk, industry leaders and others called for more regulation. This marked a turning point for more public discussion. Popular views range from, AI bringing enormous benefits, to AI representing an existential threat for mankind. Understanding the dichotomy between AI’s promise and its perils is vital for humankind, human dignity, autonomy and freedom. As a technology AI disrupts society and its norms. While acknowledging the benefits; there are moral and ethical issues, along with serious threats. To bring an understanding of AI itself, human intelligence and consciousness; as well as computer-based intelligence and consciousness must be considered. The moral standings of humans and AI must be evaluated and assessed if they are or could be equal. Should AI become superior to human intelligence, “Strong AI,” humans may become subservient to it, then fundamental human rights questions arise. Humans and AI companies maintain that they will always be in full control of Weak and Strong AI, however the reality might suggest the contrary, if the underlying ways of human life are altered. In its current iteration, Weak AI has and will continue to irreversibly change people’s behaviours, humans become reliant on AI to the degree of being unable to conduct ordinary aspects of everyday life in its absence. While multiple problems exist in the world, AI further harms human autonomy and is socially disruptive. ‘Big Data’, the ‘Internet of Things’ and ‘always connected’ systems, are part of AI and are driven by AI. Its power lies not just with these technologies, but also with the algorithms’ subliminal effects. The relatively limited number of Big-tech companies sway governments, using their enormous economic and political clout. This thesis sets out to demonstrate how, while Weak AI may not be a true existential threat to mankind; there are nevertheless serious moral and
ethical risks and dangers that overshadow its unquestionable benefits. However, strong governments can resolve these dilemmas
Adaptive second order sliding mode control of an oscillating water column
Get PDFThe energy from waves has a vast untapped potential to contribute to renewable energy supply and diversification. For that reason, wave energy conversion systems have been a topical research area in recent years. In particular, harnessing wave energy with an oscillating water column converter has proved to be one suitable solution, which has also seen a number of successful deployments. Nevertheless, additional research is required for this technology in order to reach full commercial maturity and economic performance. This paper proposes an adaptive second order sliding mode controller to maximise the converted energy. In particular, the proposed adaptive control setup maintains the sliding mode robust features, while reducing high frequency oscillations and abrupt control actions produced by fixed‐gain algorithms. A comparison of energy generation performance shows better energy conversion efficiency of the proposed control strategy over standard speed regulation control strategies, even considering air compression dynamics and hydrodynamics in the tests
Advancing an Embodied Understanding of Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
Get PDFThe UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) includes accessibility among its general principles and articulates it in Article 9. Further, accessibility obligations are included in several other provisions of the Convention. In that regard, the CRPD recognizes the significance of accessibility as an enabling factor, and as a precondition for persons with disabilities to participate fully in society. Embracing an interdisciplinary approach, and on foot of arts-based research in the form of inclusive dance, this article aims to re-construe the inherent dimensions of accessibility as a normative concept. It puts forward an ‘embodied understanding’ of accessibility with a view of advancing existing legal analysis and adding to traditional cognitive ways of knowing. On the whole, this article identifies three inherent and intertwined facets of such embodied understanding of accessibility—namely, respect for difference, collaboration and care, and layered complexity. It argues that this embodied understanding may help achieving the overall paradigm shift of the CRPD
Far-future hydrology will differentially change the phosphorus transfer continuum
Get PDFClimate change is likely to exacerbate land to water phosphorus (P) transfers, causing a degradation of water quality
in freshwater bodies in Northwestern Europe. Planning for mitigation measures requires an understanding of P loss
processes under such conditions. This study assesses how climate induced changes to hydrology will likely infuence
the P transfer continuum in six contrasting river catchments using Irish national observatories as exemplars. Changes or
stability of total P (TP) and total reactive P (TRP) transfer processes were estimated using far-future scenarios (RCP4.5 and
RCP8.5) of modelled river discharge under climate change and observed links between hydrological regimes (basefow
and fashiness indices) and transfer processes (mobilisation and delivery indices). While there were no diferences in P
mobilisation between RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, both mobilisation and delivery were higher for TP. Comparing data from 2080
(2070–2099) with 2020 (2010–2039), suggests that P mobilisation is expected to be relatively stable for the diferent
catchments. While P delivery is highest in hydrologically fashy catchments, the largest increases were in groundwaterfed catchments in RCP8.5 (+22% for TRP and+24% for TP). The inter-annual variability of P delivery in the groundwaterfed catchments is also expected to increase. Since the magnitude of a P source may not fully defne its mobility, and
hydrological connections of mobilisation areas are expected to increase, we recommend identifying critical mobilisation
areas to target future mitigation strategies. These are hydrologically connected areas where controls such as soil/bedrock
chemistry, biological activity and hydrological processes are favourable for P mobilisation
Academic Career Advancement: Academic Career Scripts and their Role Models
Get PDFThis thesis explores academic career advancement to understand institutions’ performance expectations and the clarity of their communication. I leverage signalling theory to advance the literature on academic career scripts by revealing the sources of signal noise that might influence individuals' interpretation of these scripts. The thesis aims to assist individual faculty seeking career advancement by helping them make sense of ambiguous communication for various career pathways.
The thesis is split into three interconnected empirical studies (Chapters 2-4). Chapter 2 explores an institution's needs signalled via their promotion documents. Examining these signals, I conceptually argue that they are influenced by institutions’ need for universal performance policies to address short- and long-term strategic objectives. Chapter 3 moves beyond signalled expectations to examine the career script role models signalled after career advancement decisions have been made by institutions. Chapter 4 examines the teaching dimension of the academic career script, focusing on the level of exposure of this component of the script among PhD students and ECAs.
The thesis findings show that promotion criteria signals are consistently ambiguous and that the career script role models signalled when career advancement decisions are made are inconsistent. This suggests a changing nature of institutions’ needs and individual interpretation. Overall, the performance of career-advanced individuals does not align at the rank, institution, or regional level. This questions the assumption of a system of common academic ranks as a foundation of academic career scripts. The literature also revealed that PhD graduates have limited exposure to the teaching component of academic career scripts. This is problematic because just several years post PhD graduation, institutions expect high levels of teaching excellence for career advancement
Defining the Role of Diminished CD73 Expression and Altered Extracellular Adenosine Signalling on Wound Healing and Barrier Function in Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
No full textEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus,
believed to be triggered by an allergen-specific immune response, resulting in progressive
barrier dysfunction and impaired wound healing. EoE is characterised by the influx of
inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and leukocytes to the esophagus driving a type-2
inflammatory response in EoE, sequestering available oxygen in the esophageal epithelium
and creating a pathologically hypoxic microenvironment. Previously published literature
has demonstrated a significant attenuation of HIF-1α signalling in EoE patients and
additionally in an in vivo L2-IL5OXA EoE mouse model, contributing to esophageal epithelial
barrier dysfunction mediated via decreased claudin-1 expression within EoE. Furthermore,
HIF-1α, via transcriptional upregulation of target genes is critical for mediating homeostatic
epithelial functions such as cell migration, proliferation and barrier restoration, essential
processes for effective wound healing responses, which have been demonstrated to be
dysregulated in EoE.
Building on previously published data, CD73 a direct downstream transcriptional
target of HIF-1α was shown to be significantly diminished in EoE patients. CD73/ecto-5’-
nucleotidase plays a critical role in the production of extracellular adenosine, a signalling
molecule important for playing an adaptive and protective role during hypoxia via
interaction with extracellular adenosine receptors. These studies aimed to investigate for
the first time in the esophagus, the functional consequence diminished CD73 expression
has on mediating esophageal epithelial dysfunction within EoE. With reference to the
growing body of literature that extracellular adenosine receptor ADORA2B is critical in
protecting epithelial barrier integrity and wound healing responses during hypoxia, it
became an attractive novel pathway to further investigate in the esophageal epithelium.
We hypothesized that diminished CD73 expression in EoE, results in altered downstream
ADROA2B signalling, mediating esophageal epithelial dysfunction within EoE.
In line with this, we combined pharmacologic studies and in vivo mouse model studies
using a L2-IL5OXA EoE mouse model to address our hypothesis. Our studies demonstrated
that pharmacological inhibition of CD73 using adenosine 5’-(ɑ-β-methylene) diphosphate
(APCP) resulted in defective wound healing responses in in vitro scratch assays and
dysfunctional epithelial barrier in 3-dimensional air liquid interface cultures measured by
transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). In concordance with published literature, we
demonstrated for the first time in the esophagus that activation of downstream ADORA2B
signalling via administration of ADORA2B agonist BAY606583 improved wound healing
responses and barrier functions via restoration of fibronectin (FN1) and occludin (OCLN)
expression, which have previously been shown to be associated with downstream
ADORA2B signalling. Similarly, in vivo studies in L2-IL5OXA EoE mouse models recapitulated
our in vitro findings of improved epithelial barrier integrity characterised by increased
expression of occludin following treatment with ADORA2B specific agonist BAY606583.
Overall, our studies demonstrate a significant contribution of diminished CD73 expression
and altered ADORA2B signalling in mediating epithelial dysfunction within EoE via defective
wound healing and barrier dysfunction and establishes an exciting possibility for ADORA2B
agonist, such as BAY606583 as a potential novel therapeutic approach for EoE
Innovation Districts: Assessing Their Potential as a Strategy for Urban Economic Development
Get PDFInnovation districts have gained attention as a fast-spreading urban economic development strategy, raising numerous questions. What are their distinguishing attributes? Are they a substantive policy innovation? Are they likely to succeed in fostering innovation and economic dynamism? We propose a definition of innovation districts based on their characteristic features. Given the ambiguity of the term in practice, this is crucial for understanding and analyzing the strategy. We then evaluate innovation districts by applying theories and current understandings of the spatial and economic development aspects of innovation, entrepreneurship, and human capital, illustrating with examples from Boston, Detroit, Saint Louis, and San Diego. We conclude that the combination of components that comprises innovation districts is both new and valuable. Innovation districts present a potential pathway for advancing regional economic development goals via the pathways of innovation and entrepreneurship. We stress the importance of rigorous empirical evaluation and research regarding a variety of practical and strategic concerns
Ethical Practice in Professional Youth Work: Perspectives from Four Countries
Get PDFEthical youth work is ‘good’ youth work but how do youth work
practitioners collectively determine what is ‘good’? This article
presents findings from four-country surveys of youth workers’
attitudes and understandings of what constitutes ‘good’, that is to
say ‘ethical’ practice. The article presents the principles that youth
workers say underpin ethical practice in Australia, Estonia, Iceland,
and Ireland. The first three countries have well established Codes of
Ethics and/or Practice and Professional Associations, while Ireland
does not. A survey of youth work practitioners funded by Erasmus
Plus, was conducted across the four countries (n = 405). A
comparative analysis of data across countries revealed consensus
around key characteristics of youth work practice such as the
participation, empowerment, and safety of young people. These core
principles form the basis of good and ethical action by practitioners.
In countries which have codified these principles, these Codes were
reported to be useful tools to support practitioners in their work. The
survey further suggests that reflective practice is important in the
application of ethical codes to concrete practice situations acting as
a form of collective accountability and praxis. To conclude, we
consider the implications of these findings for professionalism, and
professionalisation in youth work nationally and internationally
Informativeness of the federal reserve chair communication’s sentiment on the monetary policy uncertainty
Get PDFCan a single personal communication have a significant effect on the uncertainty of the
monetary policy process? We estimate the personal communication risk profile of the U.S.
Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair by using a new dataset of the sentiment revealed by their public
statements during their tenure. We develop a new identification method using the implicit
probability of change of the federal fund rate, and analyze the impact of the Fed communication’s sentiment risk profile on the market price discovery process of interest rates, and
the uncertainty of the monetary policy, in the aftermath of the release of Chair public statements. After controlling for the evolving state of the economy surrounding the meetings,
we find that, based on the heterogeneity across Chairs and their personal traits, there is a
significant statistical and economic difference in the communications’ sentiment, which is
likely to affect the market’s reaction to monetary policy announcements. Specifically, the
sentiment in the Chairs’ communications plays an important role in moderating the potential
surprises in the Fed announcements, and it can be effectively used as a tool for controlling
and measuring monetary policy shocks