1522 research outputs found
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Further & Adult Education in the ‘Path’ of the Perfect Storm
Get PDFAnne will discuss how American transformative learning theory can be applied to internal and external learning spaces for the individual. The underlying theme of this Fulbright project is to explore how American transformative learning theory can enhance the teaching-learning environment for teachers in adult education in Ireland
Characterising the physical activity and sedentary behaviour patterns of patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease
Get PDFBackground: Research has highlighted that sedentary behaviour is independently related to indicators of chronic disease. It has been suggested that breaking up sedentary time can be beneficial in offsetting the damage caused by prolonged sitting. Patients with Stage II Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) experience leg pain when walking. This can be alleviated by rest and so they are more likely to engage in long sitting periods.
Methods: Observational analysis of a case and control group was performed using 19 PAD patients (84% male, aged 62.9±8.8 years) from a vascular outpatient clinic and 22 controls with no history of vascular disease (77% male, aged 62.3±9.3 years) from the surrounding area. Data were collected for 7 days using a motion sensor (ActivPAL), daily activity diary, and a questionnaire. Functional ability was assessed using a 6-minute walk test and 30 second chair stand test. Vascular health was measured using Ankle Brachial Index and health status was recorded using a Peripheral Artery Questionnaire.
Results: ActivPAL mean daily activity time (1.46±.43 vs. 1.92±1.59 h; p=0.007) and mean number of steps/day (6801±2518 vs. 9357±3452; p=0.009) were significantly lower among cases than controls. ActivPAL mean daily sedentary time (9.59±1.74 vs. 9.51±1.77 h) was similar across cases and controls. Self-reported sedentary time via questionnaire was significantly lower among cases than controls (5.01±2.62 vs. 8.78±4.28 h; p=0.029). Sedentary patterns were similar, with the exception of morning time patterns which were longer in duration among cases. Mean number of breaks in sedentary time per day were lower (51.7±12.6 vs. 54.6±15) and the average duration of breaks were shorter (7.83±2.86 vs. 8.32±4.35 min) among cases than controls, but differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Mean scores from both functional ability tests (chair repetitions and walking test) were significantly lower among PAD patients (cases) than controls (p=0.003 and p=0.000, respectively).
Conclusion: Lower activity time among cases may be due to reduced functional ability as a result of their condition. Objectively measured sedentary time was not different between groups but subjective data suggested higher sedentary time in the control group
The Efficacy of Business Continuity Planning: Stories from a Natural Disaster
Get PDFThere has been considerable academic effort on how organisations should prepare for an unforeseen disaster. Business continuity planning (BCP) has been advocated as a method of working out how to stay in business in the event of a disaster. Despite many calls for organisations to engage in BCP (Lindstedt, 2008), there are no studies of the efficacy of such processes, and little by way of empirical research on the topic. In this empirical study we examine the efficacy of BCP using the recent earthquake in Haiti as a context. It is obvious why such a study has not been done before, disasters and crisis are difficult topics to study, and it is also problematic to generate a causal link between planning and outcomes. Our study overcomes these research challenges using the novel method of storytelling (to produce a social truth), and deconstruction (to unpack the latent, unsaid issues within the stories) to consider the efficacy of BCP. By deconstructing stories from within organisations whose survival was threatened by the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, we study organisational responses and recovery from a natural disaster. The earthquake was a globally significant crisis, one that resulted in an estimated 230,000 deaths and 1 million people made homeless and was estimated to cost the country 15% of its GDP (World Bank, 2010). Furthermore Haiti has been subject to many natural as well as man-made disasters, which would lead one to expect a high state of readiness within organisations operating there. As a result it represents an appropriate context to research BCP. Storytelling interviews were conducted with 15 managers who had direct experience of their organisations planning and managing through the crisis, and each interview captures their personal story of before, during and after the crisis. This data set has been deconstructed (in the mould of Morningstar, 1993; and Culler, 2007) to unpack the unsaid and latent gaps and inferences in these stories; which ultimately speaks to the issue of BCP efficacy. We found that BCP greatly enhanced organisations resilience to the earthquake; even though the implementation of plans was often partial at best. Given the scale of the crisis and its unique pattern of destruction it is hard to conceive of BCP representing an operational plan for a crisis. Its main benefits proved to be as a training system and as a technical system that defined organisational redundancies. In this way, we are able to find that BCP is like Mintzberg’s broader reflection on the limits of planning- "Planning is like jogging- it’s not a very good way of getting anywhere, nor is it intended to be" (Mintzberg, 1994)
IPTV Resource and Performance Management using End-to-End Available Bandwidth Estimation Techniques
Get PDFOver-The-Top IPTV services have seen a huge increase in popularity in recent years.
This fact coupled with the ever increasing resource requirements of IPTV services has
created a necessity for e�cient and e�ective management of these IPTV services.
This thesis presents contributions and �ndings into the use of end-to-end Available
Bandwidth estimation to help govern Over-The-Top IPTV service delivery. An ex-
amination is presented of the conditions under which end-to-end Available Bandwidth
estimation is suitable for use in an IPTV scenario. This work is progressed to show that
Available Bandwidth estimation is a suitable basis for Admission Control decisions.
The thesis continues with the presentation and discussion of algorithms that use
Available Bandwidth estimation to improve the performance management of the IPTV
system. An algorithm is presented that governs the e�cient replication of content to
allow better use of resources. This is followed by an algorithm that prioritises high
value requests with the intention of maximising the revenue generated by an IPTV
system.
This thesis also looks at the use of Available Bandwidth estimation when interacting
with external business partners. The important area of renewable energy utilisation
for IPTV Service Delivery is examined. Available Bandwidth estimation is used in
conjunction with energy information at data centres that are in use to ensure both
Quality of Service preservation and maximisation of the Green Energy that is used by
the IPTV provider. Reactive and predictive approaches to achieve these objectives are
both presented
Connections: Original Compositions with Detailed Analytical Commentary, Volume 1 of 3
Get PDFThe creative spirit is always alive in the human heart. It constantly seeks to renew itself by finding different and original ways to express the fundamental things which paradoxically appear to remain the same. This research seeks to connect with those fundamentals: the mystery of the past and our sense of belonging to a history, collaboration with others, the excitement, energy and inspiration brought about by experiencing new things, new music. A significant body of compositions has been produced for a range of performing groups comprising: 1. O Frondens Virga for SATB choir 2. Compline a fantasia for orchestra 3. Summer Suite for oboe and bass Clarinet 4. Children of the Monsoon for mixed instrumental ensemble and soprano 5. Tall Ships Suite for traditional group and string quartet 6. One of the houses James Joyce lived in. Once for soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass and clarinet in Bflat 7. Bust a short opera in two acts 8. 3 Songs for Baritone and Piano1 It is hoped that this work will not only be of the highest standard but will demonstrate the acquisition of a compositional style that is uniquely personal and that it will make a significant and original contribution to the advancement of new music. 1 Volume 1 contains detailed commentary on all works in chronological order. Volume 2 contains seven of the eight scores, number 7, Bust, exists as a separate volume (Volume 3)
Promoting sustainable active transport using multi-level interventions
Get PDFExtensive reviews of literature have shown that the determinants of active travel are environmental, psychological and social (e.g., Bauman et al. 2012, Garrard, 2009). Therefore, interventions to improve levels of active transport must address all of these, equally. Unfortunately, few do, and therefore they not effective use of public funds.
Research and practice in promoting physical activity has consistently emphasised the need to intervene at four levels to achieve sustainable change: 1. individual, 2. group/social, 3. environmental and 4. policy. “Multi-level interventions based on ecological models and targeting individuals, social environments, physical environments and policies must be implemented to achieve population change’ (Sallis et al., 2006, p. 298).
Huge improvements in road safety have been achieved by doing this, e.g., 1. improved driver education and testing; 2. targeted media campaigns; 3. improved road and car quality and design; 4. enforcement (speed, seat-belts, drink driving). It is clear that 1 and 2 would be ineffective on their own and have only short-term impacts, though they are the easier and cheaper options. Furthermore, road safety interventions have been on-going, continuous, multi-agency, generously funded, and steered by a single-focus agency (the Road Safety Authority).
Using examples, this presentation will outline the best way to create conducive environments, change social norms, improve individual attitudes and underlie all of this with appropriate policy, at organisational, local and national levels. The overall effect is to put up barriers (environmental, psychological and social) to unwanted behaviour and remove barriers (environmental, psychological and social) to wanted behaviour
An evaluation of the health-behaviours of farmers in the South-East of Ireland
Get PDFAn evaluation of the health-behaviours of farmers in the South-East of Ireland
A. Storey1, A. Lane1, C. Cunningham2 and J. McNamara3.
1Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, 2School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, 3Health and Safety Officer, Teagasc, Kildalton College.
Introduction
Farming has traditionally been considered to be an active outdoor profession with largely positive health outcomes (Blair et al., 2005). Yet a recent evaluation of Irish population and mortality data over the period from 2000 to 2006 has indicated that of all occupational groupings, farmers and agricultural workers have the highest all-cause mortality rate and should therefore in themselves be considered a high risk group (Smyth et al., 2013). Within this study the highest standardised mortality ratios were reported for the behaviour-related chronic diseases: cardiovascular disease and cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the health behaviours that distinguish farmers from the general population as reported in the Survey of Lifestyles, Attitudes, and Nutrition (SLAN) in Ireland (Morgan et al., 2008), which may contribute to the differential in mortality statistics.
Methods
A self-administered paper-based questionnaire was used to obtain cross sectional data on the health and health behaviours of farmers in the South-East of Ireland. A total of 366 farmers attending either Teagasc organised training courses or Irish Farmers’ Association meetings between March and August 2013 completed the questionnaire. Non-probability quota sampling was the selection method employed in the study. The questionnaire was a modified version of the SLAN. It contained sections evaluating general health, physical activity (PA), smoking and alcohol consumption. Chi-squared comparisons were made between health behaviours of farmers the general population as reported in SLAN. Questionnaire results are presented together with general population data (Pop.), chi-squared and two-tailed significance (in parentheses). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Board of Waterford Institute of Technology.
Results and Discussion
The sample included 316 male and 50 female respondents with a combined mean age of 42 ± 14.1 (SD) years. Of the total sample, 64% of farmers (Pop.=58%; χ2=5.1; p=0.02) reported their health as being ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ and only 0.5% (Pop.=3%; χ2=7.5; p30kg.m-2). Despite 60% being classified as overweight or obese, just 27% believed that they were too heavy. Fifty-four percent of farmers (Pop.=24%; χ2=170.7; p<0.01) achieved high levels of PA, 24% (Pop.=47%; χ2=75.0; p<0.01) moderate and 22% (Pop.=29%; χ2=8.1; p<0.01) low PA. Thirty-nine percent (Pop.=48%; χ2=11.3; p<0.01) reported that they had smoked at some point in their lives, while 18% (Pop.=29%; χ2=20.8; p<0.01) were current smokers. Of those who previously smoked, 26% had stopped smoking within the past year. Eighty-five percent (Pop.=80%; χ2=5.5; p=0.02) of farmers reported drinking alcohol on some occasions. 19% (Pop.=28%; χ2=13.9; p<0.01) of farmers reported binge drinking (having 6 or more standard drinks on one occasion) at least once per week.
Conclusions
Farmers’ self-perception of their health is good, although they perhaps do not fully acknowledge or address ill-health. Prevalence of LBP is significantly greater than in the general population. While PA, smoking and alcohol behaviours are healthier than the general population, there is a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. In addition to being an independent risk factor for chronic disease, overweight is also a risk factor for LBP. As LBP-associated disability can precipitate other comorbidities (Schneider et al., 2007), farmers should pay attention to their risk factors for LBP including body weight and manual handling techniques, particularly in the context that lifting and carrying are integral components of farming activity.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the significant contributions of Teagasc, the Irish Farmers’ Association, Irish Rural Link in Midlands, the participating farmers and Bríd McNamara.
References
Blair, A., Sandler, D.P., Tarone, R., Lubin, J., Thomas, K., Hoppin, J.A., Zahm, S.H., Lynch, C.F., Rothman, N., Alavanja, M.C.R. (2005). Mortality among participants in the agricultural health study. Annals of Epidemiology, 15(4): 279–85.
Morgan K., McGee H., Watson D., Perry I., Barry M., Shelley E., Harrington J., Molcho M., Layte R., Tully N., van Lente E., Ward M., Lutomski J. , Conroy R., Brugha R. (2008) SLÁN 2007: Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes & Nutrition in Ireland. Main Report. Dublin: Department of Health and Children.
Schneider S., Mohnen S.M., Schiltenwolf M., Rau C. (2007) Eur J Pain. 11(4):387-97
Smyth, B., Evans, D.S., Kelly, A., Cullen, L. & O'Donovan, D. (2013) Eur J Public Health. 23(1):50-5
Towards Empathy: A Human-Centred Analysis of Rationality, Ethics and Praxis in Systems Development
Get PDFFunctionalism has long been the dominant paradigm in systems development practice. However, functionalism promotes an innate and immutable instrumental rationality that is indifferent to human values, rights, society, culture and international stability. It, in essence, lacks empathy. Although alternative paradigms have been promoted for decades in the systems development literature to help address this deficit, functionalism remains dominant. This paper reiterates the call for a fundamental paradigm shift away from myopic functionalism and towards a more empathic and human-centred philosophy. It argues that the human-centred tradition offers a philosophically compatible and mature approach that can be practically harnessed for promoting empathy in systems development. The paper investigates the potential of systems development to become truly human-centred using data originally collected as part of a multi-method critical-interpretive study of privacy in information systems development. Multiple methods are used for the data analysis presented, including principal components analysis, hierarchical clustering, Q methodology, and descriptive statistics. The multi-method analysis demonstrates a marked discreetness exists between human-centred sentiments and instrumentally rational ones in systems development praxis. The paper concludes by presenting recommendations on how human-centred values can be practically fostered and engaged to enable greater empathy in contemporary system development and strengthen international stability
Skycorr : A general tool for spectroscopic sky subtraction
Get PDFAirglow emission lines, which dominate the optical-to-near-IR sky radiation, show strong, line-dependent variability on various time scales. Therefore, the subtraction of the sky background in the affected wavelength regime becomes a problem if plain sky spectra have to be taken at a different time as the astronomical data. A solution of this issue is the physically motivated scaling of the airglow lines in the plain sky data to fit the sky lines in the object spectrum. We have developed a corresponding instrument-independent approach based on one-dimensional spectra. Our code skycorr separates sky lines and sky/object continuum by an iterative approach involving a line finder and airglow line data. The sky lines are grouped according to their expected variability. The line groups in the sky data are then scaled to fit the sky in the science data. Required pixel-specific weights for overlapping groups are taken from a comprehensive airglow model. Deviations in the wavelength calibration are corrected by fitting Chebyshev polynomials and rebinning via asymmetric damped sinc kernels. The scaled sky lines and the sky continuum are subtracted separately. VLT X-Shooter data covering time intervals from two minutes to about one year were selected to illustrate the performance. Except for short time intervals of a few minutes, the sky line residuals were several times weaker than for sky subtraction without fitting. Further tests show that skycorr performs consistently better than the method of Davies (2007) developed for VLT SINFONI data
Comparison and analysis of audible sound energy emissions during single point machining of HSTS with PVD TiCN cutter insert across full tool life
Get PDFIn precision engineering, tool wear affects the dimensional accuracy and surface finish of machined components. Currently, errors associated with tool wear remain uncompensated for and are usually only detected at the end of the machine cycle, by which time the product may be scrap. If real-time, accurate monitoring were available, machine parameters could be adjusted to compensate for tool wear thereby minimising waste. Experienced machinists in the corresponding author׳s organisation, a precision engineering CNC machining manufacturing organisation, have been able to detect a poorly performing cutting operation through the sound emitted from the machining centre during the various phases of the cutting cycle and, although not a precise science, appear capable of informally differentiating between a good process and a degraded one. In this article experimental work was undertaken on a single point machining operation whereby the sound energy emissions from the machine were logged and analysed for the full life of the tools. The experiments demonstrated consistent acoustic signatures, which are specific to the tool in a known good cutting state, and distinct, but also consistent sound energy signatures, in a known bad cutting state. The experimental measurements replicated the audible range of human hearing and sought to determine what encouraged experienced machinists to declare a machining process to be in a state of degradation. The experimentation was undertaken at Schivo Precision, Waterford, Ireland