Digital Commons Network^™

Carbon Dioxide Sources From Alaska Driven By Increasing Early Winter Respiration From Artic Tundra, Roisin Commane, Jacob Lindaas, Joshua Benmergui, Kristina Luus, Rachel Chang, Bruce Daube, Eugenie Euskirchen, John Henderson, Anna Karion, John Miller, Scot Miller, Nicholas Parazoo, James Randerson, Colm Sweeney, Pieter Tans, Kirk Thoning, Sander Veraverbeke, Charles Miller, Steven Wofsy

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High-latitude ecosystems have the capacity to release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere in response to increasing temperatures, representing a potentially significant positive feedback within the climate system. Here, we combine aircraft and tower observations of atmospheric CO2 with remote sensing data and meteorological products to derive temporally and spatially resolved year-round CO2 fluxes across Alaska during 2012-2014. We find that tundra ecosystems were a net source of CO2 to the atmosphere annually, with especially high rates of respiration during early winter (October through December). Long-term records at Barrow, AK, suggest that CO2emission rates from North Slope …

Preferences Of Women For Web-Based Nutritional Information In Pregnancy, Rachel Ak Kennedy, Laura Mullaney, C.M.E. Reynolds, Shona Cawley, Daniel Mccartney, M.J. Turner

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Objectives During pregnancy, women are increasingly turning to web-based resources for information. This study examined the use of web-based nutritional information by women during pregnancy and explored their preferences. Study design Cross-sectional observational study. Methods Women were enrolled at their convenience from a large maternity hospital. Clinical and sociodemographic details were collected and women's use of web-based resources was assessed using a detailed questionnaire. Results Of the 101 women, 41.6% were nulliparous and the mean age was 33.1 years (19–47 years). All women had internet access and only 3% did not own a smartphone. Women derived pregnancy-related nutritional information from …

A Review Of The Recommendations Governing Quality Assurance Of Ultrasound Systems Used For Guidance In Prostate Brachytherapy, Andrea Jane Doyle, Deirdre King, Jacinta Browne

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Ultrasound guided brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer has become a routine treatment option, due to many benefits including patient recovery and dose localisation [1]; however it is not clear whether the standards which govern the image quality for these systems are adequate. Upon review of the recommended standards for ultrasound systems used in prostate brachytherapy procedures, the recommended tests do not appear to be specific to the clinical application of ultrasound guided prostate brachytherapy. Rather they are generic and similar to those recommended for other clinical applications such as general abdominal scanning [2]. Furthermore, there is growing evidence …

Broadband Acoustic Measurement Of The Agar-Based Tissue Mimicking Material: A Longitudinal Study, A. Rabell-Montiel, Jacinta Browne, S. D. Pye, T. A. Anderson, C. Moran

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Commercially available ultrasound quality assurance test phantoms rely on the long-term acoustic stability of the tissue-mimicking-material (TMM). Measurement of the acoustic properties of the TMM can be technically challenging, and it is important to ensure its stability. The standard technique is to film-wrap samples of TMM and to measure the acoustic properties in a water bath. In this study, a modified technique was proposed whereby the samples of TMM are measured in a preserving fluid that is intended to maintain their characteristics. The acoustic properties were evaluated using a broadband pulse-echo substitution technique over the frequency range 4.5–50 MHz at …

Theoretical Modelling And Design Of Photonic Structures In Zeolite Nanocomposites For Gas Sensing: Part I - Surface Relief Gratings, Dervil Cody, Izabela Naydenova

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The suitability of holographic structures fabricated in zeolite nanoparticle-polymer composite materials for gas sensing applications has been investigated. Theoretical modelling of the sensor response (i.e. change in hologram readout due to a change in refractive index modulation or thickness as a result of gas adsorption) of different sensor designs was carried out using Raman-Nath theory and Kogelnik’s Couple Wave Theory. The influence of a range of parameters on the sensor response of holographically-recorded surface and volume photonic grating structures has been studied, namely phase difference between the diffracted and probe beam introduced by the grating, grating geometry, thickness, spatial frequency, …

Raman Spectral Signatures Of Cervical Exfoliated Cells From Liquid-Based Cytology Samples, Fiona Lyng, Padraig Kearney,, Damien Traynor, Franck Bonnier, John J. O’Leary, Cara M. Martin

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It is widely accepted that cervical screening has significantly reduced the incidence of cervical cancer worldwide. The primary screening test for cervical cancer is the Papanicolaou (Pap) test, which has extremely variable specificity and sensitivity. There is an unmet clinical need for methods to aid clinicians in the early detection of cervical precancer. Raman spectroscopy is a label-free objective method that can provide a biochemical fingerprint of a given sample. Compared with studies on infrared spectroscopy, relatively few Raman spectroscopy studies have been carried out to date on cervical cytology. The aim of this study was to define the Raman …

Development And Characterisation Of A Bath-Based Vertical Blackbody Cavity Calibration Source For The Range −30 °C To 150 °C, Sam Boles, Igor Pušnik, Dubhaltach Mac Lochlainn, David Fleming, Izabela Naydenova, Suzanne Martin

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Industrial use of Radiation Thermometers (RTs) is becoming increasingly common due to the perceived advantages and wide market availability. Blackbody Cavity Radiation Sources (BCRSs) are typically used for calibration of these instruments, and these cavities are oriented horizontally in most cases. For BCRSs based in thermal baths, this necessitates the use of custom-built baths with side openings. This paper presents a unique design of vertical bath-based BCRS that may be immersed in conventional calibration baths without modifications to the baths. The method, results, and analysis of an international comparison comparing this vertical BCRS, standard horizontal BCRSs, and a previous iteration …

Raman Spectroscopy For Cytopathology Of Exfoliated Cervical Cells, Fiona Lyng, Ir Ramos, Aidan Meade, O. Ibrahim, M. Mcmenamin, M. Mckenna, A. Malkin

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No abstract provided.

Raman Spectroscopic Analysis Of Oral Cells In The High Wavenumber Region, Fiona Lyng, Luis Felipe C.S Carvalho, Franck Bonnier, Cláudio Tellez, Laurita Dos Santos, Kate O´Callaghan, Jeff O'Sullivan, Luis Eduardo S. Soares, Hugh Byrne

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No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of A Reel-To-Reel Atmospheric Plasma System For The Treatment Of Polymers, Kate O'Flynn, Vladimir Milosavljevic, Peter Dobbyn, Denis Dowling

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Plasma treatments are widely used to enhance the surface energy of polymers prior to bonding or the application of functional coatings. This study investigates the performance of a linear atmospheric pressure plasma source for the reel-to-reel treatment of polymer webs. The continuous argon plasma treatments were carried out on 15 cm diameter polyethylene terephthalate (PET) web substrates using the linear plasma source (Plamax), operating at 13.56 MHz. The study investigated how the processing parameters influenced the effectiveness of the plasma treatment in enhancing both the polymer web's water contact angle (WCA) and surface energy (SE). Based on these measurements the …

Grid Voltage Sensorless Single-Phase Half-Bridge Active Filter And Dc Bus Voltage Regulation, Samet Biricik

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In this paper, a method is presented for the control of grid voltage sensorless single-phase half-bridge shunt active power filter to reduce the grid current harmonics of low-power single-phase non-linear loads. The proposed system forces the grid current to be sinusoidal without sensing and processing the grid voltage on the line. For this reason, instead of grid voltage the load current is processed by using self-tuning filter to generate reference grid current to eliminate current harmonic distortions. In order to design a low-cost system, a half-bridge voltage source converter is used to reduce driver circuits. In addition, the switching losses …

Geospatial Drivers Of The Groundwater Δ18o Isoscape In A Temperate Maritime Climate (Republic Of Ireland), S. Regan, R. Goodhue, O. Naughton, Paul Hynds

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In recent years, the concept of “isoscapes” has been used to describe spatiotemporal stable isotope distributions within natural environments including groundwater systems at multiple scales. This study presents an updated groundwater δ18O isoscape for the Republic of Ireland and describes the climatic and geological drivers influencing 18O composition. In all, 142 geographically and geologically representative groundwater installations were sampled and analysed, in addition to 35 samples from six nested boreholes. Geospatially, Irish groundwater exhibits high δ18O values in southern and western coastal regions, becoming progressively depleted inland before reaching lowest measured values along the eastern coast, equating to a national …

An Overview Of Dissolved Organic Carbon In Groundwater And Implications For Drinking Water Safety, S. Regan, Paul Hynds, R. Flynn

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Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is composed of a diverse array of compounds, predominantly humic substances, and is a near ubiquitous component of natural groundwater, notwithstanding climatic extremes such as arid and hyper-arid settings. Despite being a frequently measured parameter of groundwater quality, the complexity of DOC composition and reaction behaviour means that links between concentration and human health risk are difficult to quantify and few examples are reported in the literature. Measured concentrations from natural/unpolluted groundwater are typically below 4 mg C/l, whilst concentrations above these levels generally indicate anthropogenic influences and/or contamination issues and can potentially compromise water safety. …

Enhanced Network Voltage Management (Nvm) Techniques Under The Proliferation Of Rooftop Solar Pv Installation In Low Voltage Distribution Network (Lvdn), Shivananda Pukhrem, Malabika Basu, Michael Conlon, Keith Sunderland

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Proliferation of rooftop solar PV distributed generator (PVDG) installation in low voltage distribution network (LVDN) imposes voltage fluctuation challenges that are a threat to distribution system operators. Reactive power control (RPC) methods are insufficient in isolation to combat the overvoltage fluctuations manifested in LVDN with significant grid-tied PVDG installations. Whereas active power curtailment (APC) control can alleviate the voltage fluctuation in such situations and it is achieved at the cost of reduced active power injection. This paper explores how deficiencies in both RPC and APC as separate approaches can be mitigated by suitably combining RPC and APC algorithms. Strategies combining …

A Discursive Institutionalist Approach To Understanding The Changes To The Irish Social Partnership Policy After 2008., John Hogan, Nicola A. Timoney

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Employing the critical juncture theory (CJT), a discursive institutionalist approach, this paper examines the nature of the changes to social partnership policy at the end of the decade of the 2000s. Did these changes constitute a transformation in social partnership policy, or were they a continuation of a previously established policy pathway? The CJT consists of three elements – economic crisis, ideational change, and the nature of the policy change – that must be identified for us to be able to declare with some certainty if the changes to social partnership policy constituted a critical juncture. In this context, ideational …

Effect Of Atmospheric Transmittance On Performance Of Adaptive Spd-Vacuum Switchable Glazing, Aritra Ghosh, Brian Norton, Aidan Duffy

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Combined suspended particle device (SPD)-vacuum glazing is a potential adaptive glazing for low energy building application. Glazing transmission is an essential parameter to determine indoor comfort level of building due to glazing. In this work, above 0.5 clearness index, a strong correlation between glazing transmission and clearness index (Atmospheric transmission) has been evaluated for south facing vertical plane glazing. Below 0.5 clearness index, isotropic diffuse transmittance was dominant and one single value of glazing transmission was found which is suitable for building energy calculation throughout the year. Below 0.5 clearness index, for south facing vertical plane SPD-vacuum glazing transmission was …

Hamiltonian Dynamics Of Cosmological Quintessence Models, Rossen Ivanov, Emil Prodanov

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The time-evolution dynamics of two nonlinear cosmological real gas models has been reexamined in detail with methods from the theory of Hamiltonian dynamical systems. These examples are FRWL cosmologies, one based on a gas, satisfying the van der Waals equation and another one based on the virial expansion gas equation. The cosmological variables used are the expansion rate, given by the Hubble parameter, and the energy density. The analysis is aided by the existence of global first integral as well as several special (second) integrals in each case. In addition, the global first integral can serve as a Hamiltonian for …

Epidemiological, Clinical And Genetic Aspects Of Adult Onset Isolated Focal Dystonia In Ireland, L. Williams, E. Mcgovern, O. Kimmich, A. Molloy, I. Beiser, John Butler, F. Molloy, P. Logan, D.G. Healy, T. Lynch, R. Walsh, Lorraine Cassidy, P. Moriarty, H. Moore, T. Mcswiney, C. Walsh, S. O'Riordan, M. Hutchinson

Articles

Background: Adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia presents with a number of phenotypes. Reported prevalence rates vary considerably; well-characterized cohorts are important to our understanding of this disorder.

Aim: To perform a nationwide epidemiological study of adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia in the Republic of Ireland.

Methods: Patients with adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia were recruited from multiple sources. Diagnosis was based on assessment by a neurologist with an expertise in movement disorders. When consent was obtained, a number of clinical features including family history were assessed.

Results: On the prevalence date there were 592 individuals in Ireland …

Co-Colonisation With Aspergillus Fumigatus And Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Is Associated With Poorer Health In Cystic Fibrosis Patients: An Irish Registry Analysis, Emma Reece, Ricardo Segurado, Abaigeal Jackson, Siobhan Mcclean, Julie Renwick, Peter Greally

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Pulmonary infection is the main cause of death in cystic fibrosis (CF). Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) are the most prevalent fungal and bacterial pathogens isolated from the CF airway, respectively. Our aim was to determine the effect of different colonisation profiles of AF and PA on the clinical status of patients with CF.

The Influence Of Match Outcome On Running Performance In Elite Gaelic Football, Shane Mangan, Shane Malone, Martin Ryan, Jason Mcgahan, Cian O'Neill, Con Burns, Joe Warne, Denise Martin, Kieran Collins

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Introduction: Match outcome has been linked to running performance in many sports; however, the association has not yet been examined in Gaelic football. Methods: GPS technologies (4-Hz, VX Sport, Lower Hutt, New Zealand) were used with 5 elite Gaelic football teams over a period of 5 years (2012–2016), amounting to 95 matches. In total, 780 full match data sets were collected. Game movements were divided into total distance and high-speed distance (≥17 km h−1). Match outcomes were divided into big losses (≥6 points), small losses (≤5points), draws, small wins (≤5 points) and big wins (≥6 points). Results: Team (P …

Prediction Of Viral Loads For Diagnosis Of Hepatitis C Infection In Human Plasma Samples Using Raman Spectroscopy Coupled With Partial Least Squares Regression Analysis, Hugh Byrne, Franck Bonnier, H. Nawaz, N. Rashid, M. Saleem

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Raman spectroscopy has been used to identify the biochemical changes associated with the presence of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in infected human blood plasma samples as compared with healthy samples, as control. The aim of the study was to establish the Raman spectral markers of hepatitis infection, which could be used for diagnostic purposes. Moreover, multivariate data analysis techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), coupled with Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) are employed to further demonstrate the diagnostic capability of the technique. The PLSR model is developed to predict the viral loads of the …

Strengthening The Development Of The Short-Rotation Plantations Bioenergy Sector: Policy Insights From Six European Countries, Carlos Parra-Lopez, Martin Holley, Kevin Lindegaard, Samir Sayadi, Gonzalo Esteban-Lopez, Victor Duran-Zuazo, Christoph Knauer, Hans-Georg Von Engelbrechten, Ralf Winterber, Annika Henriksson, Annette Lamley, Anders Nylander, Susanne Paulrud, Pauline Leonard, Patrick Daly, Lukasz Drzewaszewski, Wojciech Rzewuski

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This paper, based on a participatory methodological framework involving expert stakeholders and researchers from six European countries (Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Sweden and UK), analyses the priority issues for the development of short-rotation plantations (SRP), and proposes a series of policy strategies to strengthen this development. The results indicate that there is a lack of awareness of the multifaceted benefits of SRP at the level of farmers, policy makers and public authorities. More research is required to put a value on the multifunctionality of SRP and justify its public support. Small-scale projects using established technologies are also required with energy …

Serving The Public With A Pen Writing In Tribute To Chief Judge Carnes' 25 Years On The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Eleventh Circuit, Kenneth M. Rosen

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No abstract provided.

U.S. Airlines And Antitrust: The Struggle For Defensible Policy Towards A Unique Industry, Daniel Gifford, Robert T. Kudrle

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No abstract provided.

Employee Handbooks And Policy Statements: From Gratuities To Contracts And Back Again, Stephen Befort

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No abstract provided.

My Life In Crime: An Intellectual History Of The Juvenile Court, Barry Feld

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No abstract provided.

Chevron’S Inevitability, Kristin Hickman, Nicholas R. Bednar

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No abstract provided.

Unbundling Efficient Breach: An Experiment, Francesco Parisi, Ariel Porat, Maria Bigoni, Stefania Bortolotti

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No abstract provided.

Isolation And Spectroscopic Characterization Of Zn(Ii), Cu(Ii), And Pd(Ii) Complexes Of 1,3,4-Thiadiazole-Derived Ligand, Dariusz Karcz, Arkadiusz Matwijczuk, Bozena Boron, Bernadette Creaven, Leszek Fiedor, Andrzej Niewiadomy, Mariusz Gagos

Articles

A series of complexes incorporating Zn(II), Cu(II), and Pd(II) ions, and 4-(5-heptyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diol (L1) as model ligand, was synthesized in order to examine the nature of potential interactions between biologically active ligands, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles and metal ions with proven biological relevance. The structures of the compounds isolated were characterized using a number of spectroscopic methods including IR, Uv–vis, AAS, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence (TRF). The results obtained suggest that the L1-Zn(II) and L1-Pd(II) complexes consist of one molecule of L1 and one acetate ion acting as ligands, while the L1-Cu(II) complex adapts a 2:1 (L1: metal) stoichiometry. The coordination of L1 …

Time To Refocus Assessment Of Vision In Older Adults? Contrast Sensitivity But Not Visual Acuity Is Associated With Gait In Older Adults, James Loughman, Eoin Duggan, Orna Donoghue,, Rose Anne Kenny, Hilary Cronin, Ciarán Finucane

Articles

Background:

The relationship between measures of visual function and gait related risk factors for falls is unclear. In this study, we examine the relationship between visual function (visual acuity [VA] and contrast sensitivity [CS] at multiple spatial frequencies) and quantitative spatiotemporal gait, using a large, nationally representative sample of community dwelling older adults.

Methods: Participants aged 50 and over were recruited as part of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). VA was measured with the LogMAR chart according to the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol. CS was measured at five spatial frequencies ranging 1.5 to 18 cycles …