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Chapter 14. Lithic Analysis
Get PDFThe lithics analysed in this chapter come from a number of separate sites discovered during site works associated with the development of a golf-course and related facilities at Killeen Castle, Co. Meath. Site A was identified as a prehistoric site and produced the bulk of the lithics, amounting to 34 artefacts. Two lithics came from Site D annexe, outer enclosures associated with a ringfort site of probable early medieval date.; seven lithics came from Site G, a possible moated site of medieval date; and the remaining one lithic was found at Site H, a D-shaped enclosure of probable early medieval date
Impacts of climate change on phosphorus loading from a grassland catchment – implications for future management
Get PDFDynamic modelling was used to quantify the impact of projected climate change, and potential changes in population and land-use, on phosphorus (P) export from a sub-catchment in SW Ireland using the Generalised Watershed Loading Functions (GWLF) model. Overall the results indicated that the increase in annual TP loads attributable to climate change was greater than that from either population or land-use change, and therefore that future climate variability will pose an increasingly significant threat to the successful long-term implementation of catchment management initiatives. The seasonal pattern in projected P export mirrored changes in streamflow, with higher rates between January and April and lower rates in summer. The potential reduction in export in summer was, however, negated when increases in population were included in simulations. A change in the slurry spreading period from that stipulated in national regulations to the months between April and September could potentially mitigate against future increases in dissolved P export in spring. The results indicate that projected changes in climate should be included when undertaking modelling exercises in support of decision making for catchment management plans
Preparing for Product Derivation: Activities and Issues
No full textSoftware product lines (SPL) advocates the development of applications by reusing shared software assets across a set of related products. Current approaches to the derivation of products from a product line focuses on handling the commonalities and variabilities of the shared software assets. These approaches have failed to consider the early phases of product derivation. In this paper we report on how we compared both industrial and academic approaches to the establishment of a product derivation project. Based on this research and our experiences, we have identified key activities and important issues that should be considered when establishing a product derivation project
AffecTech- an affect-aware interactive AV Artwork
No full textNew developments in real-time computing and body-worn sensor technology allow us to explore not just visible gestures using inertial sensors, but also invisible changes in an individual’s physiological state using bio-sensors (Kim & André 2008). This creates an opportunity for a more intimate interaction between the observer and technology-based art (Gonsalves 2008). We present a technical overview of the AffecTech system; a bio-signal based interactive audio-
visual installation commissioned as part of the pre-ISEA symposium in November 2008. Observers were invited to sit on one of 2 sensor-enhanced chairs (Coghlan & Knapp 2008), which transmitted physiological data about the occupant to a central control system. This data was used to control and modulate interactive visuals, live video feeds and a surround sound score, with events and interactions dependent on the observers’ affective/emotional state and the disparity or similarity between the bio-signals of the chairs occupants. This technical
overview is followed by an examination of the outcomes of the project, from both the artistic and technical viewpoints, with recommendations for modification in future implementations
Improving Software Risk Management Practices in a Medical Device Company
No full textSoftware is becoming an increasingly important aspect of medical devices (MDs) and MD regulation. MDs can only be marketed if compliance and approval is achieved from the appropriate regulatory bodies. MD companies must produce a design history file detailing the processes undertaken in the design and development of their MD software. The safety of all MD software produced is of primary importance and it is crucial that an effective and efficient risk management (RM) process is in place. The authors have developed a software process improvement RM model that integrates regulatory MD RM requirements with the goals and practices of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI). This model is known as the RM Capability Model (RMCM). This paper evaluates how introducing the RMCM into a MD company improved their RM process
Foreign direct investment. Will FDI continue to play a pivotal role in Irelands future development?
No full textThis piece of research investigates, whether Ireland is reliant of FDI and is Ireland an attractive location for future investment. O'Hara (2008) states that due to the US economic downturn foreign direct investment levels will decrease in 2009. The Irish Examiner states that the US and Britain FIN share in Ireland fell by nine per cent in 2007. In order to carry out this research, six semi-structured interviews were carried out. The research was carried out in Co. Louth region with two government representatives. an IDA representative and three foreign owned companies. This dissertation researches the background to FDI, the reasons for Ireland's success and the challenges Ireland face for the continued attraction of FDI in the future. This piece of research aims to highlight these problems and the future outlook for FDI. The research is complimented by six interviews which were carried out; the views of the interviewee are in line with the literature on this subject area. The results of the research carried out suggest that Ireland can continue to attract FDI but not at the same levels as before. Ireland is unable to attract manufacturing projects. due to high cost of doing business in the country. From the research carried out. it is obvious that this type of FDI is now locating in low cost economies such as China and India. Ireland is repositioning itself as a 'knowledge- innovation led economy' to attract higher valued added activities such as marketing and professional services
Sensory Chairs: A System for Biosignal Research and Performance
No full textMusic and sound have the power to provoke strong emotional and physical responses within us. Although concepts such as emotion can be hard to quantify in a scientific manner there has been significant research into how the brain and body respond to music. However much of this research has been carried out in clinical, laboratory type conditions with intrusive or cumbersome monitoring devices.
Technological augmentation of low-tech objects can increase their functionality, but may n ecessitate a form of context awareness from those objects. Biosignal monitoring allows these enhanced artefacts to gauge physical responses and from these extrapolate our emotions. In this paper a system is outlined, in which a number of chairs in a concert hall environment were embedded with biosignal sensors allowing monitoring of audience reaction to a performance, or control of electronic equipment to create a biosignal-driven performance.
This type of affective computing represents an exciting area of growth for interactive technology and potential applications for ‘affect aware’ devices are proposed
Utilization of spent mushroom compost for the revegetation of lead-zinc tailings: Effects on physico-chemical properties of tailings and growth of Lolium perenne.
Get PDFIn an attempt to promote sustainable vegetation cover on metalliferous tailings, a randomized factorial greenhouse trial of six-month duration was established to determine the effect of spent mushroom compost (SMC) amendment on the physical and chemical properties of the predominantly lead/zinc tailings. The tailings originated from the surface (20 - 30 cm) of the partially-vegetated 76 ha tailings management facility (TMF), where more than nine million tonnes of pyritic metalliferous material were deposited in an unlined land impoundment. SMC was incorporated at application rates of 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 t ha-1, with each treatment replicated ten times and Lolium perenne sown at a rate of 200 kg ha-1. The addition of SMC was beneficent as a growing medium through improvement of the structural status of the tailings and ultimately through the provision of plant nutrients and reduction in metal concentrations. However, this improvement in the structural and chemical status of the tailings is not adequate in maintaining a sustainable vegetation cover and therefore other remedial options such as introducing a capillary break on the surface of the tailings facility are necessary
Harry Nicholls and Kathleen Emerson: Protestant Rebels
Get PDFA history of two figures as an analysis of Protestant republican and feminist radicalism in Ireland in the revolutionary era