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Genetic tools in the management of invasive mammals: recent trends and future perspectives
Get PDF1. Invasive non-native species are now considered to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide. Therefore, efficient and cost-effective management of species invasions requires robust knowledge of their demography, ecology and impacts, and genetic-based techniques are becoming more widely adopted in acquiring such knowledge.
2. We focus on the use of genetic tools in the applied management of mammalian invasions globally, as well as on their inherent advantages and disadvantages. We cover tools that are used in: 1) detecting and monitoring mammalian invaders; 2) identifying origins and invasive pathways; 3) assessing and quantifying the negative impacts of invaders; and 4) population management and potential eradication of invasive mammals.
3. We highlight changes in sequencing technologies, including how the use of techniques such as Sanger sequencing and microsatellite genotyping, for monitoring and tracing invasive pathways respectively, are now giving way to the use of high-throughput sequencing methods. These include the emergence of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding for the early detection of invasive mammals, and single nucleotide polymorphisms or whole genomes to trace the sources of invasive populations. We are now moving towards trials of genome-editing techniques and gene drives to control or eradicate invasive rodents.
4. Genetic tools can provide vital information that may not be accessible with non-genetic methods, for the implementation of conservation policies (e.g. early detection using systematic eDNA surveillance, the identification of novel pathogens). However, the lack of clear communication of novel genetic methods and results (including transparency and reproducibility) to relevant stakeholders can be prohibitive in translating these findings to appropriate management actions. Geneticists should engage early with stakeholders to co-design experiments in relation to management goals for invasive mammals
Machine learning based fog computing assisted data-driven approach for early lameness detection in dairy cattle
Get PDFTimely lameness detection is one of the major and costliest health problems in dairy cattle that farmers and practitioners haven't yet solved adequately. The primary reason behind this is the high initial setup costs, complex equipment and lack of multi-vendor interoperability in currently available solutions. On the other hand, human observation based solutions relying on visual inspections are prone to late detection with possible human error, and are not scalable. This poses a concern with increasing herd sizes, as prolonged or undetected lameness severely compromises cows' health and welfare, and ultimately affects the milk productivity of the farm. To tackle this, we have developed an end-to-end IoT application that leverages advanced machine learning and data analytics techniques to monitor the cattle in real-time and identify lame cattle at an early stage.
The proposed approach has been validated on a real world smart dairy farm setup consisting of a dairy herd of 150 cows in Waterford, Ireland. Using long-range pedometers specifically designed for use in dairy cattle, we monitor the activity of each cow in the herd. The accelerometric data from these sensors is aggregated at the fog node to form a time series of behavioral activities, which are further analyzed in the cloud. Our hybrid clustering and classification model identifies each cow as either Active, Normal or Dormant, and further, Lame or Non-Lame. The detected lameness anomalies are further sent to farmer's mobile device by way of push notifications. The results indicate that we can detect lameness 3 days before it can be visually captured by the farmer with an overall accuracy of 87%. This means that the animal can either be isolated or treated immediately to avoid any further effects of lameness. Moreover, with fog based computational assistance in the setup, we see an 84% reduction in amount of data transferred to the cloud as compared to the conventional cloud based approach
Role model interventions to motivate students to consider entrepreneurship as a career
Get PDFThis thesis presents the findings of a mixed-methods research design used to examine if there
is a link between role model influence and entrepreneurial intent. This research was undertaken
by applying mixed-methods research in the researcher’s own Higher Education Institute (HEI)
organisation. Eighty-two fourth-year Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering students (male
= 73, Female = 9) with an average age of 22.7 years (SD =3.3) consented to participate in the
study. The study consisted of an initial investigation phase, a series of lectures by five
entrepreneurs (role model intervention), and an evaluation phase, to determine if the
entrepreneurs influenced students’ entrepreneurial intent. The lectures were given by
entrepreneurs at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys from fields such as
construction, financial services, biomedical devices, and agricultural technology. This research
makes a major contribution to knowledge by testing the motivation theory of role modelling
(Morgenroth et al., 2015) in an entrepreneurship context. The findings offer new insights into
our understanding of the mechanisms involved in role model entrepreneurial motivation,
indicating that role model interventions can influence entrepreneurial intent by increasing
expectancy of success and the rewards of entrepreneurial success. The study is unique as it uses
role model interventions to motivate students while other studies investigate role models
already present in a students’ network without introducing new role models. This research
contributes to practice by presenting a practical framework for guiding the role model
intervention process and a questionnaire to measure the effectiveness of those interventions.
This research can be useful for those involved in motivating individuals to consider
entrepreneurship, those involved in career guidance and development, and those developing
policies to promote entrepreneurship
A global-local fretting analysis methodology and design study for the pressure armour layer of dynamic flexible marine risers
Get PDFIn this paper, a global-local fretting design methodology for the pressure armour layer of flexible marine risers is outlined. This includes global dynamic riser analysis, geometrical and analytical sub-models and local nub-groove contact finite element analysis. Furthermore, a fretting test rig is developed and utilised to quantify coefficient of friction and wear coefficient under representative nub-groove loading conditions. The combination of the global-local computational methodology and experimental characterisation of pressure armour wire material allows for the development of running condition fretting maps. This identifies design criteria for critical riser global curvatures that are associated with minimum number of cycles to failure. The design methodology presented in this paper is applied to a realistic riser design study, using extreme sea-state loading conditions. In this case study, the predicted pressure armour fretting fatigue lives are found to be in the same range as the plain fatigue lives of the tensile armour layer
Utilizing Neurons for Digital Logic Circuits: A Molecular Communications Analysis
Get PDFWith the advancement of synthetic biology, several new tools have been conceptualized over the years as alternative treatments for current medical procedures. As part of this work, we investigate how synthetically engineered neurons can operate as digital logic gates that can be used towards bio-computing inside the brain and its impact on epileptic seizure-like behaviour. We quantify the accuracy of logic gates under high firing rates amid a network of neurons and by how much it can smooth out uncontrolled neuronal firings. To test the efficacy of our method, simulations composed of computational models of neurons connected in a structure that represents a logic gate are performed. Our simulations demonstrate the accuracy of performing the correct logic operation, and how specific properties such as the firing rate can play an important role in the accuracy. As part of the analysis, the mean squared error is used to quantify the quality of our proposed model and predict the accurate operation of a gate based on different sampling frequencies. As an application, the logic gates were used to smooth out epileptic seizure-like activity in a biological neuronal network, where the results demonstrated the effectiveness of reducing its mean firing rate. Our proposed system has the potential to be used in future approaches to treating neurological conditions in the brain
A study in Algebraic properties of Riordan arrays
Get PDFThe main objects of our study are the algebraic structure of Riordan arrays, the properties of subgroups of the Riordan group and relationships among directly related or unrelated theories and objects. Firstly, we introduce formal power series, generating functions and their links to lattice paths and continued fractions. We then present the Riordan group, focusing on the important Riordan subgroups and extending the related theory. These results lead us to the study of quasi-involutions, a special type of Riordan arrays, that we link it to a form of orthogonal polynomials. In the following chapter, we present our findings in the theory of almost-Riordan arrays, a newly discovered type of Riordan arrays. In the final chapter, we concern ourselves with the Linear Algebra of Riordan arrays and their analysis through their eigenvalues and eigenvectors
Fibre Optic Sensors Interrogation by Interferometric Illumination
Get PDFWith the conventional interrogation methods, multiple fibre Bragg gratings (FBG) with similar wavelengths cannot be interrogated simultaneously and, at the most one tapered sensor (TS) can be interrogated in a single scan. This drawback is overcome by interferometric illumination of optical sensors and by interrogating the sensor modulated interferograms. The capability and the efficacy of the different optical fibre sensor classes’ interrogation by interferometric illumination and coherence filtering is investigated in this thesis using an all-fibre interferometer. The use of dedicated photodiodes for the interferometer’s measurement arms ensures independent processing of the interferograms from the different sensors and sensor classes without spectral overlap. When interrogating multiple arrays of multiple FBGs by interferometric illumination, the sensors subjected to a temperature test demonstrated a ~9pm/0C temperature response, typical of an FBG. The experiment also demonstrated the interrogation of FBGs with similar wavelengths across multiple arrays without spectral overlap. Interferometric interrogation of the TS provides for measurements using both the temporal and spectral fringes. Measurements from processing of the sensor’s temporal fringes were found to have a higher accuracy than the ones obtained by processing of the spectral fringes as in the case of an optical spectrum analyser (OSA). Multiple tapered sensors used for sensing glucose solution concentration changes yielded sensitivity values of ~(3.0±1.4)e-7/ppm and ~(5.2±2.3)e-7/ppm, demonstrating the capability and efficacy of the system to interrogate multiple tapered sensors simultaneously even under conditions of reduced spectral fringe visibility unlike an OSA, which uses only the spectral fringes for measurements. Simultaneous interrogation of multiple FBGs and a TS without spectral overlap demonstrated the multi-class sensor interrogation capability of the interferometric illumination scheme. The TS’s response to ethanol evaporation and an FBG’s temperature response were found to be in concurrence with the respective sensor’s typical behaviour
Men on the Move’- A qualitative investigation into the broader impacts of a 12-week community based physical activity programme
Get PDFBackground
Supporting men to care for their health poses unique challenges for service providers. However, when the approach is right; men are willing to engage positively with their health. Men on the Move [MOM] is a 12-week community-based PA programme underpinned by current evidence of engaging men with their health. The purpose of this study was to gain deeper insights into men’s lived experience of the programme and its broader impact on their health and lives.
Methods
32 Interviews and one focus group were conducted with MOM participants. A phenomenological approach using thematic analysis was used to analyse the data that emerged from the interviews and focus group. 10 transcriptions were independently coded resulting in a list of codes. Selective coding unified the codes into a related core category. These categories were later built into a framework. Three supervisors assisted with this. Additional transcripts (n=22) were analysed using the framework to ensure consistent analysis. Any new emerging codes/themes were accounted for and considered for addition to the framework.
Results
Preliminary findings reveal 4 emerging themes; 1) Disconnection describes how MOM acted as a catalyst for men to [re]connect with themselves, their families and with others; 2) The context of MOM with regards to [re]-connection looks at the overarching factors needed for men to overcome disconnection and achieve [re]connection. This theme is a key influence in themes 1, 3 and 4; 3)The meaning of connection explores what the term ‘connection’ meant for participants; 4) The impact of connection highlights the impact MOM had on the men’s overall health and wellbeing as well as the wider impact of MOM on family life.
Conclusion
Findings indicate that participation in MOM has a far-reaching impact beyond the physical benefits. MOM offers men opportunities for education, acts as a gateway to other local health and social services and it is a safe starting point for men of all backgrounds to (re)engage with their health. The findings provide valuable insights to the wider development of public health interventions for priority male population groups.
Main Message
A group physical activity programme provides a platform for men to re-engage with their health
An investigation of the physiological demands and physical preparation strategies of jockeys and the development of a standardised sport specific physical fitness assessment protocol for the horse racing industry
Get PDFDespite the international popularity of horse racing, limited information exists on the
relative physical demands of flat national hunt (NH) racing or the typical physical
preparation strategies used by jockey’s in preparation for horse racing. The thesis
aimed to investigate race demands and preparation strategies of professional jockeys
whilst also developing a standardised physical fitness testing battery for the horse
racing industry.
Chapter Three reviews physiological monitoring tools for individual sport athletes.
Chapter Four explored the physical preparation strategies for racing in 85
professional jockeys using a specifically designed questionnaire. A physiological
inventory was designed for Chapter Five to monitor the absolute and relative
responses of 20 jockeys over short and long race distances for flat (short: 1,247.2 ±
184.7 m; long: 2,313.4 ± 142.2 m) and NH (short: 3,480.2 ± 355.3 m; long: 4,546.4 ±
194.3 m) racing while Chapter Six sought to explore the design and test-retest
reliability of the Jockey-Fit Testing Battery in a cohort of 20 trainee jockeys.
The results of Chapter Three revealed the monitoring of heart rate (HR) and blood
lactate concentration to be valid and reliable parameters to assess the physiological
demands of individual athlete sports. The findings of Chapter Four revealed that
jockeys work a large number of hours (34 ± 14) in addition to completing multiple
races per week (6.9 ± 6.4). There are low participation rates in strength and
conditioning (S&C) (42%) and only 33% of jockeys surveyed utilise high intensity
training. Chapter Five discovered that horse racing is a physically demanding sport
with peak blood lactate concentration reported as maximal (≥8 mmol.l-1) across 3
race types (long NH race, short flat race and long flat race). Mean HR in the long flat
race (151 ± 19 b.min-1) was significantly lower than the mean HR reported in the short
flat race (short: 171 ± 15 b.min-1) and NH races (short: 181 ± 8 b.min-1; long: 182 ± 9
b.min-1) (p=0.000, ES=0.469). Chapter Six provided a valid and reliable fitness testing
battery for jockeys.
This thesis is the first to present and analyse the physical preparation strategies of
Irish jockeys. The present thesis reinforces and extends previous research which
suggests that horse racing is a physiologically demanding sport while providing novel
data over multiple distances in both flat and NH racing. While jockeys do not appear
to meet the high intensity nature of competitive racing while riding out, the Jockey-
Fit Testing Battery represents a feasible and scientifically rigorous platform to
monitor jockey fitness, assess fitness interventions, and provide normative
performance data for the horse racing industry. Further research is needed to assess
the implementation of S&C strategies using the Jockey-Fit Testing Battery on
performance and injury
The genetics and genomics of linear type traits in Irish beef cattle
Get PDFIrish beef genetic evaluations are currently undertaken using a multi-breed population; thus estimated breeding values for all beef animals are comparable regardless of breed. The two indexes published on Irish beef cattle, the Replacement index and Terminal index, both include carcass traits. These traits, however, are only measured after the animal is slaughtered. Linear type traits are measured on young live animals and are strongly correlated with carcass merit. The value in linear type traits is the ability to select for more morphologically superior carcasses, even for the same carcass weight. The objectives of this thesis were to: 1) determine if the genetic architecture of 5 muscular and 5 skeletal linear type traits differ by breed and/or sex with the aim of improving the accuracy of multi-breed beef genetic evaluations, using linear type traits as an example, and 2) to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the linear type traits. Of particular interest was if detected QTLs overlapped both among traits and among breeds. Data used consisted of phenotypic data on 198,351 animals and imputed whole genome sequence data on 23,943 animals from 5 beef breeds and the Holstein-Friesian dairy breed. The heritability estimates and pairwise genetic correlations among the linear traits estimated within breed were similar to the respective statistics across the 3 continental breeds with the same phenomenon observed when comparing the two British breeds (i.e. Angus and Hereford). The majority of the QTL identified as being associated with the linear type traits were both trait- and breed-specific, with only some overlap in the QTLs occurring between the Charolais and Limousin for the muscular traits, while for the skeletal traits there was commonalities between the Angus and Limousin as well as between the Angus and Holstein-Friesian. While sexual dimorphism was evident at a genome level, only 1% of SNPs tested exhibited it; this was consistent with the near unity genetic correlations between the same linear type trait in both sexes estimated using mixed models. In summary, considering the continental beef breeds separately to the British beef breeds in genetic evaluations may improve the accuracy of these evaluations; however, it is unlikely that the consideration of each sex separately will impact the accuracy of selection. Furthermore, including the linear type traits in multi-trait genetic evaluations alongside (more granular) carcass traits may enable the breeding of morphologically different animals in the future with a more valuable carcass, even for the same carcass weight