558 research outputs found
Sort by
Factors Which Influence The Academic Performance Of Level 7 Engineering Students
No full textHigh module failure rates can lead to poor student retention and a need exists for improved understanding of the determinants to academic performance. This research examines the influence of a number of factors on academic performance among Level 7 Engineering students in Dundalk Institute of Technology over a four year period. Using statistical regression techniques age-group, attendance, marks available for continuous assessment, class-size, semester of study and year of study were investigated. Statistical evaluations based on a sample set of 1263 identified that mature students, students with positive levels of attendance and modules with high levels of continuous assessment marks appear to result in better performance. It is envisaged that this work will contribute significant data to the limited knowledge base in this area especially in terms of engineering education. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that continuous assessment activities, which take place during class time, be used to incentivise student attendance and engagement, which should lead to better academic performance
Software Process Improvement & Roadmapping – A Roadmap for Implementing IEC 62304 in Organizations Developing and Maintaining Medical Device Software
No full textOrganizations engaged in medical device software are required to demonstrate compliance with a set of medical device standards and regulations before the device can be marketed. One such standard IEC 62304, Medical device software -- Software life cycle processes, is a standard that defines the processes that are required to be executed in order to develop safe software. Demonstrating compliance with IEC 62304 can be problematic for organizations that are new to or have limited experience in the domain. The standard defines what processes must be carried out, but does not state how. This paper presents a research method for generating a roadmap that will guide organizations in the implementation of IEC 62304
An Examination of de-culverting as a mechanism of Flood management
No full textMajor flood events have serious ramifications on human life, the built environment and the natural world. The storm events that occurred in the winter of 2013/14 in Ireland led to an increase in rainfall of one and a half to twice that of normal winter rainfall expected (Met.ie, 2014). The flooding of that period cost €110 million in insurance claims. Though incomparable with flooding events experienced in other parts of the world where loss of life is prevalent Ireland is not immune to extreme weather. Climate change plays a huge part in changing weather patterns. Watercourses ability to deal with rainfall run-off has changed significantly from urbanisation and the increase in the frequency of flood events. The traditional piping of large sections of natural watercourses contributes to the problem. This dissertation examines the role of removing man made structural measures from watercourses i.e. de-culverting as a mechanism within a catchment based approach to flood management. Recent flood management case studies which included de-culverting were evaluated to appraise the effectiveness of this measure. These studies clearly indicated that de-culverting does work as a mechanism of flood management but only in certain circumstances and are heavily site specific. In addition a software numerical model of a stream (Ushers stream in Drogheda) was developed to analyse the impact of removing culverts from the stream. The model was based on the Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) with input data including Stream geometric information and the predicted Design Peak flows (QMED) as calculated from the Flood Studies Update. The model also demonstrated that while the culverts prevent flooding at their position they ultimately convey the flood event downstream at a much quicker rate which leads to an increased risk of flooding at the lowest point of the stream. While the dissertation identifies the benefit of de-culverting it does however highlight its limited value as a standalone measure. De-culverting therefore can play its most productive role if included in a package of integrated catchment based flood management measures
Assessing traceability — practical experiences and lessons learned
Get PDFMost existing software systems that lack explicit traceability links between artefacts, or if implemented, are often not leveraged to take advantage of the information it can provide to a development or validation team. Within the medical device domain, as in other safety critical domains, regulation normally requires such systems that are certified before entering service. This involves submission of a safety case (a reasoned argument that the system is acceptably safe) to the regulator. A safety case should include evidence that the organisation has established effective software development processes. At the heart of such processes, they must incorporate traceability. However, numerous barriers such as a lack of awareness of traceability and a lack of guidance as to how to implement traceability hamper its effective implementation. In this paper, we address the lack of guidance on traceability implementation by presenting our experience of developing and trialling a traceability assessment model in two medical device organisations. We show that the assessment model was successful in identifying strengths and weaknesses in both organisations' implementation of traceability. Through experience of trialling the model, we propose an idea to improve it by automation, using the Open Services for Lifecycle Collaboration initiative
Pioneer of Folk Theatre, Pat Ahern of North Kerry
Get PDFPat Ahern is a fiddle player who epitomises the mantra ‘think global act local’. Throughout his life he has contributed to the sense of community at the level of parish and, through extraordinary creativity and leadership has inspired members of those communities to success on the world stage from the Abbey Theatre to Broadway. A student of the North Kerry dancing master Jeremiah Molyneaux, Ahern also became an accomplished fiddle player, influenced by both local musicians and recordings of Michael Coleman, whose fiddle he was bequeathed. His work with Siamsa Tíre, particularly in the exploration and development of Irish dance with contemporary influences, has been identified by many as the inspiration for Riverdance and the celebration of Irish culture on the world stage. As Siamsa reaches fifty years, it is timely to examine the incredible legacy of this man
A roadmap to ISO 14971 implementation
No full textMedical device standards outline the requirements for developing medical devices. These standards, however, do not outline how these requirements should be implemented causing difficulties for organisations entering the medical device domain. The goal of this study is to validate a roadmap for the implementation of the ISO 14971 standard. The validation examined the arrangement of the milestones within the roadmap and grouping of the goals into milestones. Five experienced risk management personnel in the medical device domain were asked to complete an online questionnaire examining their opinion on the structure and content of the roadmap. Overall participants found the roadmap, in general, to be well structured and well organised and made some recommendations for improving the roadmap through merging of specific goals and rearrangement of the milestones within the roadmap
Software Process Improvement Roadmaps – Using Design Patterns to Aid SME’s Developing Medical Device Software in the Implementation of IEC 62304
No full textOne stated objective of the European Union is to encourage SME’s expand their area of operation into other domains. The medical device domain is one such domain identified by the EU. Medical device software development must be carried out in a manner that compliance with certain medical device standards and regulations can be demonstrated. IEC 62304, Medical device software - software life cycle processes, is a standard that defines the processes that are required to be executed in order to develop safe software. SME software development organizations wishing to expand their operations into the medical device software development domain face serious challenges in demonstrating compliance with IEC 62304. The standard describes the set of processes, activities, and tasks that are required to be carried out, but importantly do not describe how they should be carried out. This paper describes the development of a roadmap that will aid software development SME’s, entering the medical device software development domain, by the use of design patterns to generate “How-to” artefacts, overcome the challenge of demonstrating compliance
Development and Validation of the MedITNet Assessment Framework: Improving Risk Management of Medical IT Networks
No full textThe use of networked medical devices can provide a number of benefits such as improved patient safety, reduced costs of care and a reduction in adverse events. Traditionally, medical devices were placed onto a proprietary IT network provided by the manufacturer of the device. Today, medical devices are increasingly designed for incorporation into a hospital’s general IT network enabling devices to exchange critical information. However, this can introduce risks and negate the potential benefits to patients. While the IEC 80001-1 standard has been developed to aid Healthcare Delivery Organisations (HDOs) in addressing these risks, HDOs may struggle to understand and implement the requirements. The MedITNet framework has been developed to allow HDOs to assess the capability of their risk management processes against the requirements of IEC 80001-1. MedITNet provides a flexible assessment framework enabling HDOs to gain a greater understanding of the requirements of the standard and to improve risk management processes by determining their current state and highlighting areas for improvement. This paper examines the challenges faced by HDOs in the risk management of medical IT networks and briefly explains the components of the MedITNet framework and how the framework addresses these challenges. This paper also details how Action Design Research (ADR) was used in the development and validation of MedITNet
Development of the MedITNet Assessment Method. Enabling Healthcare Delivery Organisation Self Assessment against IEC 80001-1
No full textThe provision of care to patients has moved away from episodic acute care due to the increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes. This has changed the relationship between the patient and the care team. The management of chronic disease requires the use of information technology including networked medical devices to facilitate the establishment of an ongoing relationship between the patient and care team. The use of networked medical devices can provide benefits to patients such as reduced cost of care, reductions in adverse events and improved care through the provision of accurate and up-to-date information. However, the placement of a medical device onto an IT network can lead to risks to the device. These risks may lead to incorrect or degraded performance of the device impacting patient care and negating the potential benefits of using the device. While, IEC 80001-1 was developed to assist Healthcare Delivery Organisations (HDOs) in addressing these risks, HDOs may struggle in implementing the requirements of the standard. This paper discusses the development of an Assessment Method which forms part of MedITNet, an assessment framework which can be used by HDOs to assist them in implementing the requirements of the standard by providing a flexible, consistent and repeatable approach to assessing the capability of their risk management processes relating to networked medical devices. The assessment highlights weaknesses in the process and can be used as a foundation to improve these processes
Integrating customised video clips into The veterinary nursing curriculum to enhance practical competency training and the development of student confidence
No full textCompetency training is a critical aspect of veterinary nursing education, as graduates must complete a practical competency assessment prior to registration as a veterinary nurse. Despite this absolute requirement for practical training across a range of domestic animal species, there is a lack of published literature on optimal teaching approaches. The aim of this project was to assess the value of customised video clips in the practical skills training of veterinary nursing students. The effectiveness of the intervention in promoting student-centred learning and competency development was evaluated via a qualitative case study incorporating student surveys and focus groups. The study found customised clips to be a valuable teaching tool. The video library helped address problems such as large class sizes, limited individual instruction time and restricted opportunities to practise skills. Internal student factors that inhibited learning, primarily lack of confidence, were also highlighted. Focus groups were found to be an effective way to obtain insights into the learner experience. They facilitated the identification of hidden learning barriers. Strategies to improve the training of practical competencies based on the findings of this study were identified for veterinary nursing educators