1522 research outputs found
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Interdisciplinary Ways of Thinking and Practicing . . . . Without Tears
No full textThere is evidence of change within higher education; in the need for research-based responses to the grand challenges facing society; in questions about the disciplinary context in which higher education is being delivered; and in the employability of graduates and post-graduates. Key features of these changes identified by the European University Association (EUA) and the Irish University Association (IUA), include quality research training, inter-disciplinarity, partnerships with industry, and a mentality of innovation.
This paper, based on research undertaken both at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), focuses on transforming graduate and post-graduate thinking and learning beyond disciplinary boundaries. The challenge for students is to continuously develop toward a possible and ideal interdisciplinary ways of thinking and practicing (WTPs) researcher self-state.
More precisely, the study explored how distinctive learning spaces can be built into graduate and post-graduate teaching-learning environments (TLEs) in order to create opportunities for transformative learning to occur. The research results identify aspects of the learning space that impact on the students’ ability to overcome the ‘troublesome knowledge’ of disciplinary barriers; of engaging in insider inquiry; and of continuous reflection on evolving multiple self-states as researchers.
Key words: inter-disciplinarity, teaching-learning environments (TLEs), researcher self-states, transformative learning, insider inquiry, troublesome knowledge, ways of thinking and practicing (WTPs)
Information Compliance and libraries: part 1 - Data Protection
Get PDFData protection for librarians and information workers is considered in the context
of information compliance, legal obligations and library values. This article seeks to
address one specifififific aspect of information compliance – data protection (DP), and
to give some practical insight into what we need to be aware of and what we need
to know.
Keywords: Data Protection, Libraries, Ireland; Information compliance, Irelan
Ghostbusters: A Parts-based NMF Algorithm
Get PDFAn exact nonnegative matrix decomposition algorithm is proposed. This is achieved by 1) Taking a nonlinear approximation of a sparse real-valued dataset at a given tolerance-to-error constraint, e; 2) Choosing an arbitrary lectic ordering on the rows or column entries; And, then 3) systematically applying a closure operator, so that all closures are selected. Assuming a nonnegative hierarchical closure structure (a Galois lattice) ensures the data has a unique ordered overcomplete dictionary representation. Parts-based constraints on these closures can then be used to specify and supervise the form of the solution. We illustrate that this approach outperforms NMF on two standard NMF datasets: it exhibits the properties described above; It
is correct and exact
Formal Concept Analysis Approximations via Atomic Priming
Get PDFFormal Concept Analysis (FCA) looks to decompose a matrix of objects-attributes into a set of sparse matrices capturing the underlying structure of a formal context. We propose a Rank Reduction (RR) method to prime approximate FCAs, namely RRFCA. While many existing FCA algorithms are complete, lectic ordering of the lattice may not minimize search/decomposition time. Initially, RRFCA decompositions are not unique or complete; however, a set of good closures with high support is learned quickly, and then, made complete. RRFCA has its novelty in that we propose a new multiplicative two-stage method. First, we describe the theoretical foundations underpinning our RR approach. Second, we provide a representative exemplar, showing how RRFCA can be implemented. Further experiments demonstrate that RRFCA methods are efficient, scalable and yield time-savings. We demonstrate the resulting methods lend themselves to parallelization
An investigation into macular pigment augmentation with all three macular carotenoids and their safety in humans
Get PDFTITLE An investigation into macular pigment augmentation with all three macular carotenoids and their safety in humans. INTRODUCTION The macula is located at the centre of the retina and is responsible for fine detailed and colour vision. The centre of the macula houses a protective pigment collectively referred to as macular pigment (MP). MP represents the highest concentration of the carotenoids lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z) and meso-zeaxanthin (meso-Z) within the body. MP acts as a filter of short-wave length (blue) light and is a powerful antioxidant. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that affects the central part of the retina called the macula and in its late form, results in loss of central vision. Although the pathogenesis of AMD remains poorly understood, it is believed that cumulative exposure to short-wave length (blue) light and reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) play an important role in the development of AMD. There is a hypothesis that MP can help protect from this disease by virtue of its protective properties. OBJECTIVES This research study was designed to: 1. Investigate macular and serum response to all three macular carotenoids L, Z and meso-Z in humans. 2. To investigate the response, safety and stability of supplementation with L, Z and meso-Z in combination in humans. METHODS Study One: Augmentation of macular pigment following supplementation with all three macular carotenoids: an exploratory study Ten subjects were included in this study (five normal and five with early AMD). All subjects were instructed to consume a formulation containing 7.3 mg of meso-Z, 3.7 mg of L and 0.8 mg of Z per day over an eight week study period. The spatial profile of MP optical density (i.e. MPOD at 0.25°, 0.5°, 1° and 1.75°) was measured using customised heterochromatic flicker photometry (cHFP) and a blood sample was collected at each study visit in order to analyse serum concentrations of meso-Z, L and Z using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Study Two: Supplementation with all three macular carotenoids: response, stability and safety Forty four healthy subjects were recruited into this randomised, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Subjects consumed one tablet per day containing 10.6 mg of meso-Z, 5.9 mg of L and 1.2 mg of Z (Intervention, I group) or Placebo (P group). The spatial profile of MPOD was measured using cHFP, and serum concentrations of L and Z were quantified using HPLC. Subjects were assessed at baseline, three and six months. Clinical pathology analysis was performed at baseline and six months. RESULTS Study One There was a significant increase in serum concentrations of meso-Z and L after two weeks of supplementation (p 0.05). There was a significant increase in central MPOD in the I group (0.25°: p = 0.001; 0.5°: p = 0.001), with no significant change in the P group (p > 0.05). Clinical pathology analysis confirmed that all variables remained within the normal reference range, with the exception of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL), which exhibited baseline values outside the accepted normal reference range prior to supplementation. CONCLUSION Study One There was a significant increase in serum concentrations of meso-Z and L following supplementation with a formulation containing 7.3 mg meso-Z, 3.7 mg L and 0.8 mg Z and a significant increase in MPOD, including its spatial profile, after just two weeks of supplementation. Also, this study detected the possible presence of meso-Z in human serum pre-supplementation and the ability of this carotenoid formulation to rebuild central MPOD in subjects who have atypical profiles at baseline. Study Two Subjects supplemented with meso-Z, L and Z exhibit significant increases in serum concentrations of these carotenoids, and a subsequent increase in central MPOD. Pathology analysis suggests no adverse clinical implications of consuming these carotenoids
Student Jam: Investigating Online Learning Environments for Students with Specific Learning Difficulties
Get PDFStudents with specific learning difficulties represent an increasing proportion of the academic community. While of normal or higher intelligence, their performance can be constrained by their extant conditions, leading to lowered performance. This can be due to and an exacerbator of the barriers, discrimination (perceived and actual), and socioemotional factors which impact their academic, professional, and social engagement. Contextualised online environments offer a democratic means to potentially remove the barriers to learning and enable both performance and collaborative support. A framework and methodology were designed, with three thematic domains identified: Engagement, Interaction, and Motivation. A gated website and flat hierarchical community forum moderated by the primary researcher was developed to allow this population to interact, collaborate, and seek academic support as required. Following a low level of participation in the pilot phase, the site was revised per participant feedback, while project advertisement and awareness development was refined. Incentivised participation was also incorporated. This did not lead to a significant increase in participation, engagement, or activity. While participant feedback was generally positive, the low participation levels may indicate a number of avenues which would require further investigation, particularly in regards to the motivational factors of the cohort. Critically, participants cited a lack of time to participate, particularly during high stress periods such as examinations. The low level of engagement and uptake in the population at large may also be due to lack of interest, low levels of project awareness, negative affectivity, or learned helplessness. Irrespective, protecting and enabling the socio-emotional well-being of the population should remain the top priority
