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Analysis of timber infestation with regards to identification techniques and remedial applications
No full textThis dissertation is a modem day indication towards the identification of various species of timber infestation, stating their characteristics, category of risk and most likely areas of concern within a dwelling and why these occur. It continues then by exploring the previous treatment methods, chemicals used and insecticides which in the past were carried out by timber treatment specialists to modern day treatment methods and application of these methods for the chosen species in hand, as a result of the identification features therein. After exploring which treatment is best suited to the species, the regulatory and legislative procedures must be adhered to. This study then expands upon who sets the regulations for timber insecticides, and what procedures need to be adhered to as a result of the use of chemical products including European Standards, acceptable quality levels and hazard classes. It then goes on to examine what implications insecticides and treatment methods have upon human health if misused and there effect on the surrounding environment. In conclusion, this research is set out to analyse the overall procedures of how to identify and legally remedy a species of timber infestation whilst doing so in, a safe manner
Inferring Health Metrics from Ambient Smart Home Data
No full textAs the population ages, smart home technology and applications are expected to support older adults to age in place and reduce the associated economic and societal burden. This paper describes a study where the relationship between ambient sensors, permanently deployed as part of smart aware apartments, and clinically validated health questionnaires is investigated. 27 sets of ambient data were taken from a 28 day block from 13 participants all of whom were over 60 years old. Features derived from ambient sensor data were found to be significantly correlated to measures of anxiety, sleep quality, depression, loneliness, cognition, quality of life and independent living skills (IADL). Subsequently, linear discriminant analysis was shown to predict participants suffering from increased anxiety and loneliness with a high accuracy (�70%). While the number of participants is small, this study reports that objective ambient features may be used to infer clinically validated health metrics. Such findings may be used to inform interventions for active and healthy ageing
Characteristics of a medical device software development framework
No full textThis paper aims to describe the software development settings of medical device domain focusing on the demands of the safety critical software processes. Medical device software developers have to adhere to a number of regulations and standards. This paper addresses the most important characteristics of a software development framework that could support medical device software developers in their efforts to comply with these regulations as well as to improve their software development processes
Comparison of experimentally determined shape factors with those recommended by Eurocode 7
No full textFoundation design is of utmost importance within the structural and geotechnical engineering sector. They must be designed properly with a good margin of safety. There has been a considerable amount of research conducted and work completed in this area in the decades following Karl Terzaghi’s initial experiments in the 1930’s and 40’s to determine the bearing capacity of soil. As a result much experimental data has since been published in relation to the shape factors for shallow foundations. Bearing capacity theory includes formulae which allow the bearing capacity formula to recognise the foundation shape: different shapes are more efficient at resisting loads and these formulae are known as shape factors. The shape factors that are recommended for use by Eurocode 7 were derived in the 1970’s and the tests that were carried out on loose, fine sand. This kind of sand obviously isn’t representative of the majority of actual soil conditions hence the use of these factors may underestimate the actual bearing capacity of the ground. This dissertation has investigated this hypothesis and through both research into the theory of bearing capacity and results from model tests that have been carried out, comparisons have been made on the whether the shape factors prescribed by Eurocode 7 are adequate or if they result in an underestimated, conservative value for bearing capacity. After both the research and the model testing results were documented, analysis and comparison between the theoretical and experimental values found that the Eurocode 7 factors are in fact quite conservative and would lead to a more expensive foundation solution than is required. Recommendations have been made in relation to how to improve the current shape factors. This is a shortcoming that needs to be addressed and this dissertation aims to present a basis on which to do so
Upgrading existing dwelling for air tightness
No full textThe decision to write a dissertation on air tightness came from the authors experiences from living and working in both “draughty” and “airtight” houses. After living in a house that recently had been upgraded in terms of thermal insulation, it was still difficult to heat due to the amount of cold air seeping in through the buildings envelope. Also after working in houses that where advertised as “airtight” and seeing at firsthand how they were constructed and finished, the importance of air tightness in dwellings and how existing dwellings could be upgraded, came into question. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the affects of air leakage in dwellings and how it can be reduced in existing dwellings. This paper also demonstrates the difficulties in upgrading existing dwellings for air tightness. This paper concludes that there are very few examples of upgrading dwellings specifically for air tightness. It is usually carried out when upgrading the thermal insulation in a dwelling which makes it more cost effective. It also found that upgrading existing dwellings to a high standard of air tightness can be relatively simple by using the same methods as new builds. However it requires significantly more labour input and hence costs are considerably higher
A Lightweight Assessment Method for Medical Device Software Processes
No full textThis paper outlines the MDevSPICE-Adept process assessment method. MDevSPICE-Adept is a lightweight process assessment method that has been created for the MDevSPICE® software process assessment model which is currently being developed for the medical device industry. MDevSPICE® is a fully validated release of a medical device software process assessment model (formerly known as Medi SPICE), which was developed by the authors. While the MDevSPICE® process assessment model is detailed and comprehensive, there is industry demand for a lightweight medical device software process assessment method. To address this requirement the MDevSPICE-Adept method has been developed. Details on how this has taken place and the procedures for implementing a MDevSPICE-Adept process assessment are presented. Information is also provided regarding how a MDevSPICE® process assessment was undertaken in an Irish based medical device company. A summary of the issues identified from this process assessment and the actions taken to facilitate process improvement is also presented. Finally, plans for future work are discussed
The demands of safety-critical medical device software development
Get PDFIn the main, software development is a business which is frequently challenged with quality concerns, with the overwhelming majority of software users having experienced some level of difficulty using software at some point in time. One of the primary reasons for such issues is the very nature of software and its development process. Odd as it may sound to a non-software savvy audience, it can in practice be difficult to accurately and completely identify even the requirements for a software development product. And defining the requirements is only the initial hurdle, with the implementation on various platforms and the need to integrate with sometimes unforeseeable additional systems looming large on the product development horizon. For safety critical domains, such as the medical device and healthcare sectors, these hurdles are amplified. Whereas a failure in a desktop application may be resolved through a restart with no harm incurred, a failure in a medical device can – and has – resulted in serious injury and death. Our work in the Regulated Software Research Centre (RSRC) aims to support medical device producers in the production of safer medical device software while also taking account of economic considerations such as cost and duration of development. In this article, we discuss the MDevSPICE® project and how it successfully addresses both the economic and the safety concerns faced by medical device producers
Boundary distance calculations and fire performance of external cladding systems
No full textThis dissertation was compiled in order to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of boundary distance calculations. In addition to this, a better understanding of the fire performance of external cladding systems was also desired. The focus area of this dissertation is the examination of the methods used to calculate distances to boundaries Alternative opinions of the effectiveness of the methods of boundary calculation distances are examined and considered. This dissertation also examines the behaviour of non-load bearing exterior wall assemblies. There are three materials chosen; Glass-Reinforced Polyester (G.R.P.), Glass-fibre Reinforced Cement (G.R.C.), and finally glazed cladding. A fictional case study was then conducted in order for the calculation methods discussed to be compared and assessed. The three external cladding systems were then applied to the case study building. The results show that the distances required according to the calculations are greatly reduced once the building has been subdivided. The results find in favour of Ham’s (2007) opinion that the Enclosing Rectangle Method is suitable for use as a quick reference guide to boundary distances. In contrast, the Aggregate Notional Method is much more specific and hence should only be used where precise boundary distances are difficult to achieve
Self-efficacy In Academic Reading And Writing, Authorial Identity And Learning Strategies In First-Year Students
No full textIncreasingly evidence indicates that students' engagement with academic writing and their
wider approaches to study are influenced by their beliefs about themselves as writers. To
provide effective support for academic writing, an understanding of these beliefs, particularly in
the first year, is essential. This study sought to examine beliefs about writing held by first year
students in a department of Nursing, midwifery & Health Studies, the relationships between
these beliefs and their associations with learning strategies. First- year students were surveyed
at 3 points over the first-year. They completed measures of academic reading and writing self-efficacy,
authorial identity, learning strategies and the extent to which they saw themselves as
novice writers. Findings revealed that, typically, our students had fairly positive beliefs about
their writing, although there was considerable variability. Beliefs were associated with student
characteristics: mature students and Nursing & Midwifery students reported higher levels of
writing self-efficacy,. First-generation students were also significantly more likely to see
themselves as novice writers. There were strong positive correlations between all the
measures of writing beliefs and in particular between reading and writing self-efficacies.
Beliefs about writing were positively associated with deep learning, and, to a lesser extent
strategic learning. Only a minority of students could be compared at different points in the
year. Where this was possible the beliefs were stable with the exception that positioning as a
novice writer showed a significant increase. The implications are discussed
Regions, regionality and regionalization in Irish traditional music: the role of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
No full textIn this paper I examine the influence of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann on the geography of Irish traditional music and, in particular, the impact of the organisation on regions and regional identities within the tradition. Founded in 1951, CCÉ is the largest organisation involved in Irish traditional music and it impinges on many aspects of the study of regionality in Irish traditional music. As a powerful interest group in Irish traditional music, the organization constructs and communicates ideologies, celebrates and empowers individuals, and creates representations. A mapping of the cultural-geographic patterning of its various activities reveals CCE's construction of newly imagined administrative regions and an historical narrative of ‘the way things were’