1522 research outputs found
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Policy sharing, policy learning INTERREG IVC Thematic Capitalisation Event, [Entrepreneurship Stream]
Get PDFEntrepreneurship plays an important role in the development of people, businesses, societies and regions. By supporting entrepreneurs, policies can achieve different kinds of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. However, supporting entrepreneurs starts with a well-considered policy. In this session we find answers to questions such as: What are the prerequisites for entrepreneurship policy? How can you implement an effective support tool? What do the results mean for your own region
Learning and Storing the Parts of Objects: IMF
Get PDFA central concern for many learning algorithms is how to efficiently store what the algorithm has learned. An algorithm for the compression of Nonnegative Matrix Factorizations is presented. Compression is achieved by embedding the factorization in an encoding routine. Its performance is investigated using two standard test images, Peppers and Barbara. The compression ratio (18:1) achieved by the proposed Matrix Factorization improves the storage-ability of Nonnegative Matrix Factorizations without significantly degrading accuracy (≈ 1-3dB degradation is introduced). We learn as before, but storage is cheaper
Resistance exercise increases endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenic factors
Get PDFROSS, M. D., A. L. WEKESA, J. P. PHELAN, and M. HARRISON. Resistance Exercise Increases Endothelial Progenitor Cells and
Angiogenic Factors. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 16–23, 2014. Introduction: Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in vascular growth and repair. They increase in the circulation after a single bout of aerobic exercise,
potentially related to muscle ischemia. Muscular endurance resistance exercise (MERE) bouts also have the potential to induce muscle
ischemia if appropriately structured. Purpose: The objective of this study is to determine the influence of a single bout of MERE on
circulating EPC and related angiogenic factors. Methods: Thirteen trained men age 22.4 T 0.5 yr (mean T SEM) performed a bout of
MERE consisting of three sets of six exercises at participants’ 15-repetition maximum without resting between repetitions or exercises.
The MERE bout duration was 12.1 T 0.6 min. Blood lactate and HR were 11.9 T 0.9 mmolIL
j1
and 142 T 5 bpm, respectively, at the end
of MERE. Blood was sampled preexercise and at 10 min, 2 h, and 24 h postexercise. Results: Circulating EPC and serum concentrations
of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D), granulocyte colony stimulating factor, soluble Tie-2, soluble
fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-9) were higher (P G 0.05) in
the postexercise period. Circulating EPC levels were unchanged at 10 min postexercise but higher at 2 h postexercise (P G 0.05). The
concentration of most angiogenic factors and metalloproteinases were higher at 10 min postexercise (VEGF-A, +38%; VEGF-C, +40%;
VEGF-D, +9%; soluble Tie-2, +15%; soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, +24%; MMP-1, +62%; MMP-2, +3%; MMP-3, +54%; and
MMP-9, +45%; all P G 0.05). Soluble E-selectin was lower (P G 0.05) at 2 and 24 h postexercise, with endothelial microparticles and
thrombomodulin unchanged. Conclusions: Short intense bouts of MERE can trigger increases in circulating EPC and related angiogenic
factors, potentially contributing to vascular adaptation and vasculoprotection. Key Words: VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH
FACTOR, MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE, MUSCULAR ENDURANCE, MUSCLE ISCHEMI
System for the Dielectric Evaluation of Powders and Liquids
Get PDFA free-space broadband measurement technique is proposed to determine the dielectrics properties of powders and liquids. Two techniques are presented based on horizontal and vertical propagation, both of which allow for a series of measurements to be taken where the varying parameter is thickness of material under test (to overcome the challenge of the unknown electrical length). The horizontal propagation measurements required an extra containment layer, which had consequent mechanical and also computational difficulties. The vertical propagation measurements on the other hand show more promise, both in terms of mechanical containment and also in the inversion of the measured S-parameters to arrive at the complex electric permittivity. The measurements were performed in a large hall and also in an anechoic chamber. To minimise measurement errors a free-space Thru-Reflect-Line/Match (TRL/M) calibration technique was performed. The initial results reported here are for various glass thicknesses in the frequency range of 0.8-6 GHz, only although the application to powders and liquids will be apparent
An Examination of the Values of a Market Orientated Organisational Culture
Get PDFThis study investigated (a) the organisational cultural values in market orientated companies and (b) if they encourage market orientation behaviours. The importance of organisation culture as a driver in of market orientation is well documented (Halliday, 2000). Values are furthermore considered the foundation of an organisation’s culture (Deal and Kennedy, 1982). A case study approach utilising questionnaires (n=65), interviews (n=10) and observations of three companies was used in this study. This study concludes that a range of the organisational cultural values were evident in market orientated companies consistent with those found in the market orientation literature (Homburg and Pflesser, 2000). Both quantitative and qualitative evidence supports the correlation between values and market orientated behaviours (r = .73, p (one-tailed) <.01), indicating that values play an important role in determining market orientated behaviours. Thus it is proposed that embedding the values associated with market orientation will drive market orientated behaviours
Weaving Stories: Family Narratives in an Irish Context
Get PDFThis qualitative analysis sets out to explore family narratives in an Irish context. The study explores which aspects of spending time together are most significant for families. Special emphasis is placed on listening to the voices of children in the family which adds to the multiple voices that families portray. The main aim of this study is to discover children’s and parents’ experiences of family life in modern Ireland with specific regard to the time, space and activities shared together. In addition the study sets out to investigate how the business of modern living impacts on the time families spend together. Furthermore, it aims to determine whether certain rituals and routines are unique to each family or shared with other families. A sample of twelve families was interviewed; forty five participants including both children and adults. The conceptual framework informing this research draws on the child’s relationship to the world as outlined by Bronfenbrenner (1979) known as the bioecological model. This model contextualises the exploration of multiple voices within the research. Participant families were interviewed within their family contexts in the naturalistic setting of their homes. Family interviews were conducted as a unit, subsequently allowing the researcher uncover the co-construction of narrative and allowing for the children’s accounts to be of equal importance to the adults. Multiple voices emerged from the explorations which contribute significantly to the enhancement of knowledge about how family processes emerge and are sustained. This joint story telling within each of the families demonstrates the co-construction of family narratives as an important part of the culture of each family. Findings from the study support the often universal nature of experiences of family lives. The study contributes significantly to theoretical debates on family lives and informs methodological knowledge relating to the study of family life in Ireland
Gender and Negotiation: An exploration of women's workplace experiences. A Belgian case study
Get PDFThe aim of this research is to explore, with our interview participants, their subjective experiences of negotiation in the workplace. We place particular emphasis on their ‘gendered’ experiences. The primary data thus explores a deeper understanding of the experiences of women working in Belgium. We draw on our participant’s interpretations of these experiences, and relate them to the manner in which society is constructed in the gendered sense. This aim is achieved by combining an in depth investigation of the available literature and the fieldwork conducted for this study. The literature reviewed provides a broad understanding of the historical development of the construction of gender, and women’s position in society. We furthermore explore literature with particular reference to the workplace and workplace related terminology. Consequently, this literature review provides a solid foundation and creates a platform from which the research process can be launched. While exploring the available literature, it is apparent that most research conducted in this field is quantitative in nature. However our aim is to gain understanding of experiences, hence qualitative methods are more appropriate. The information gathered allows us to understand “the nuances and details of complex social phenomena from the respondents’ point of view” (Ellsberg & Heise 2005: 55). Therefore the findings of this research are the result of the analysis of primary data gathered through in-depth interviews (n=15). The analysis of our respondents comments suggest that; 1) they sense a lack of control in their negotiations which extends beyond the workplace into the private sphere. This has led our respondents to believe that scenarios are less negotiable than they may actually be 2) our respondents were very reluctant to negotiate higher salaries, better conditions etc. When they do negotiate, they tend to adopt low risk strategies because they are not clear on what they deserve or they are not prepared to risk losing what they currently have
Obsessing on safety: teenage girls attitudes to cycling
Get PDFGirls tend to drop out of sport and organised physical activity with the onset of puberty. Cycling for transport (CFT) is a major source of unintentional daily PA and makes up the most of girls’ daily PA needs in countries like the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, where CFT participation is high (Pucher & Buehler, 2012).
However, levels of cycling among teenage girls in Ireland and the UK are particularly low and international research has found a variety of reasons for this: lack of confidence (Heesch et al., 2012); parental concerns about ‘stranger danger’ (Garrard et al., 2009); image concerns such as ‘helmet hair’ and attractiveness (Osborne, 2007; Kirby & Inchley, 2009), and the social stigma of cycling (Underwood & Handy, 2012). There is no Irish research in this area, and none that has explored safety perceptions or the influence of parental perceptions.
The overall aim of this research, therefore, was to explore adolescent girls’ attitudes to CFT, and specifically perceived barriers to cycling to school, attitudes towards the safety of cycling and the influence of their parents’ attitudes on transport decisions.Two semi structured focus group were held with 12 females aged 15-16, from an all-girls school in Waterford City, Ireland.
Discussions mainly centered around eight images of cyclists (adults and children, with and without hi-vis/helmets, cycling for transport and/or recreation) and views expressed were mainly negative. The predominant theme that emerged was the extreme danger of CFT and the absolute need to wear a helmet, hi-vis jacket, tracksuit and sensible shoes; indeed to dress like a sports/fitness cyclist. Not to do so was seen as very reckless and unsafe. Using an umbrella, carrying a child passenger(s), wearing heels while cycling, or being a child cyclist was considered particularly hazardous.Fear of traffic was a consistent presence, and it generally came from parents. Image, distance, weather and topography were hardly mentioned.
Given the lack of ‘normal’ role models on which to base their perceptions – the greatest growth in cycling outside of Dublin is in sport/fitness cycling on ‘racers’ – the results are somewhat unsurprising. But that safety concerns are far more central and significant than image concerns is more worrying. Clearly, the message that CFT is dangerous and risky must be reframed. Road safety education campaigns, in particular must place less focus on the risks and dangers of CFT and more on the benefits, which far outweigh the risks.
Garrard, J., Crawford, S. & Godbold, T. (2009). Evaluation of the Ride2School Program: final report. Melbourne: Deakin University.
Heesch, C.K., Sahlqvist, S. & Garrard, J. (2012). Gender differences in recreational and transport cycling: a cross-sectional mixed-methods comparison of cycling patterns, motivators, and constraints. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity 8, 1-12.
Kirby, J. & Inchley, J. (2009). Active travel to school: views of 10-13 year old school children in Scotland. Health Education 109, 169-183.
Osborne, E. (2007). Beauty and the bike-Information Sheet. UK: Sustrans.
Pucher, J. & Buehler, R. (2012). City Cycling: Urban and Industrial Environments, London: The MIT Press.
Underwood, S. & Handy, S. (2012). Adolescent Attitudes Towards Active Transport: Bicycling in Youth in Retrospect from Adulthood. California: Department of Environmental Science and Polic
Expanding Assessment of Fear of Falling among Older Adults with an Intellectual Disability: A Pilot Study to Assess the Value of Proxy Responses
Get PDFFear of falling (FOF) has emerged as an important health concern in older adults, yet it has rarely been investigated in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Valid and reliable measurement approaches are a particular challenge. Scales that have been developed to measure FOF have not been validated for use with older people with ID and are not routinely used with proxy respondents. Method. 63 people comprised purposeful samples of 3 groups, people with ID , their nominated key workers , and additional support workers . Test-retest reliability and interrater reliability were assessed for using a dichotomous, single-item FOF screening measure. The degree of FOF and activity restriction due to FOF were also investigated. Results. Inter-rater reliability was found to be moderate to excellent with Kappa = 0.77 on ratings of the FOF item. Test-retest reliability for each group of reviewers for the FOF item were also found to be excellent (0.95). Conclusion. The global item is a suitable screening measure for FOF in older adults with ID and can assist in identification of individuals requiring further assessment. Proxies, if carefully selected, can provide consistent and reliable reports of the presence of FOF in people with ID