Digital Commons Network^™

Online Reading Informs Classroom Instruction And Promotes Collaborative Learning, Leslie Kate Wright, Sacha Zyto, David R. Karger, Dina L. Newman

Articles

Web-based collaborative annotation tools can facilitate communication among students and their instructors through online reading and communication. Collaborative reading fosters peer interaction and is an innovative way to facilitate discussion and participation in larger enrollment courses. It can be especially powerful as it creates an environment where all students are able to ask questions and contribute to a discussion about science. An online annotation tool, Nota Bene (NB), was tested in two biology courses: intermediate-level Molecular Biology (89 students) and upper level Cancer Biology (26 students). Student participation in these graded reading assignments ranged from 79% to 93%. A typical …

A Window Of Opportunity: Assessing Behavioural Scoring, Kenneth Kennedy, Brian Mac Namee, Sarah Jane Delany, Michael O'Sullivan, Neil Watson

Articles

After credit has been granted, lenders use behavioural scoring to assess the likelihood of default occurring during some specific outcome period. This assessment is based on customers’ repayment performance over a given fixed period. Often the outcome period and fixed performance period are arbitrarily selected, causing instability in making predictions. Behavioural scoring has failed to receive the same attention from researchers as application scoring. The bias for application scoring research can be attributed, in part, to the large volume of data required for behavioural scoring studies. Furthermore, the commercial sensitivities associated with such a large pool of customer data often …

The Bench Synthesis Of Silver Nanostructures Of Variable Size And An Introductory Analysis Of Their Optical Properties, Aoife Power, Tony Betts, John Cassidy

Articles

A laboratory practical was designed for use by both undergraduate and second level students to demonstrate the synthesis and characterisation of tuneable silver colloids. It clearly illustrates the novel optical properties of silver nanoparticles compared to the bulk metal. The synthesis is both rapid and repeatable, and can be conducted on the laboratory bench at room temperature.

G-Strands And Peakon Collisions On Diff(R), Darryl Holm, Rossen Ivanov

Articles

A G-strand is a map g : R x R --> G for a Lie group G that follows from Hamilton's principle for a certain class of G-invariant Lagrangians. Some G-strands on finite-dimensional groups satisfy 1+1 space-time evolutionary equations that admit soliton solutions as completely integrable Hamiltonian systems. For example, the SO(3)-strand equations may be regarded physically as integrable dynamics for solitons on a continuous spin chain. Previous work has shown that G-strands for diffeomorphisms on the real line possess solutions with singular support (e.g. peakons). This paper studies collisions of such singular solutions of G-strands when G = Diff( …

Proximity Heating Effects In Power Cables, Jonathan Blackledge, Eugene Coyle, Kevin O'Connell

Articles

Researchers at Technological University Dublin (DIT) have developed a new modelling system for evaluating the two and three dimensional heating effects in power cables due to harmonic distortion and proximity field effects.

Three Dimensional Simulation Of The Radiation Field Patterns Generated By An Integrated Antenna, Jonathan Blackledge, Bazar Babajanov

Articles

Simulating the electromagnetic field patterns generated by integrated antennas uses in mobile phones, for example, is fundamental to understanding their transmission characteristics and thereby engineering designs that optimize the directional properties of electromagnetic propagation. Modern integrated antennas have complex three-dimensional geometry designed to optimize their performance in terms of their multi-band and multi -modal attributes. This geometry, coupled with their close proximity to other component of the device (such as the battery and Printed Circuit Board, for example) produce complex field patterns due to the scattering of the electric (and magnetic) field within a spatial domain that is the same …

Wave Function Solutions By Transformation From The Helmholtz To Laplacian Operator, Jonathan Blackledge, Bazar Babajanov

Articles

The Helmholtz, Schr¨odinger and Klein-Gordon equations all have a similar form (for constant wavelength) and have applications in optics, quantum mechanics and relativistic quantum mechanics, respectively. Central to these applications is the theory of barrier and potential scattering,which, through application of the Green’s function method yields transcendental equations for the scattered wave function thereby requiring approximation methods to be employed. This paper reports on a new approach to solving this problem which is based on transforming the Helmholtz operator to the Laplacian operator and applying a Green’s function solution to the Poisson equation. This approach yields an exact forward and …

Estimation Of Wave Energy From Wind Velocity, Jonathan Blackledge, Eugene Coyle, Derek Kearney, Ronan Mcguirk, Brian Norton

Articles

The aim of this paper is to report on a possible correlation between the Levy index for wind velocity and the mean Energy Density of sea surface waves in the same location. The result is based on data obtained from 6 buoys located around the coast of Ireland and maintained by the Marine Institute of Ireland and a further 144 buoys located at various locations off the coast of the United States of America and maintained by the National Data Buoy Centre. These buoys provide historical data on the wind velocity, wave height and wave period as well as other …

Financial Forecasting Using The Kolmogorov-Feller Equation, Jonathan Blackledge, Marc Lamphiere, Kieran Murphy, Shaun Overton

Articles

An approach to analysing a financial time series using the Kolmogorov-Feller Equation is considered, in particular, the Generalised Kolmogorov-Feller Equation (GKFE) subject to variations in the Stochastic Volatility. Using the Mittag-Leffler memory function, we derive an expression for the Impulse Response Function associated with a short time window of data which is then used to derive an algorithm for computing a new index using a standard moving window process. It is shown that application of this index to financial time series, subject to a low volatility condition, correlates with the start, direction and end of a trend depending on the …

The Fractional Schrodinger-Klein-Gordon Equation And Intermediate Relativism, Jonathan Blackledge, Bazar Babajanov

Articles

By considering a random walk model compounded in Einstein's evolution equation, we show that both the classical Schrodinger and Klein-Gordon equations can be viewed a s consequence of introducing a memory function.

The purpose of this is to derive a wave equaiton that, on a phenomenological basis at least, describes the transitional characteristics of wave functions for spin-less particles that may exist in the intermediate of "semi relativistic regime.

Biaxial Order Parameter In The Homologous Series Of Orthogonal Bent-Core Smectic Liquid Crystals, S. Sreenilayam, Yuri Panarin, J. K. Vij, M. Osipov, A. Lehmann, C. Tschierske

Articles

The fundamental parameter of the uniaxial liquid crystalline state that governs nearly all of its physical properties is the primary orientational order parameter (S) for the long axes of molecules with respect to the director. The biaxial liquid crystals (LCs) possess biaxial order parameters depending on the phase symmetry of the system. In this paper we show that in the first approximation a biaxial orthogonal smectic phase can be described by two primary order parameters: S for the long axes and C for the ordering of the short axes of molecules. The temperature dependencies of S and C are obtained …

Apoptosis Is Signalled Early By Low Doses Of Ionizing Radiation In A Radiation-Induced Bystander Effect, Hayley Furlong, Carmel Mothersill, Fiona Lyng, Orla Howe

Articles

It is known that ionising radiation (IR) induces a complex signalling apoptotic cascade post-exposure to low doses ultimately to remove damaged cells from a population, specifically via the intrinsic pathway. Therefore, it was hypothesised that bystander reporter cells may initiate a similar apoptotic response if exposed to low doses of IR (0.05 Gy and 0.5 Gy) and compared to directly irradiated cells. Key apoptotic genes were selected according to their role in the apoptotic cascade; tumour suppressor gene TP53, pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl2, pro-apoptotic JNK and anti-apoptotic ERK, initiator caspase 2 and 9 and effector caspase 3, 6 and …

A Microfluidic Anti-Factor Xa Assay Device For Point-Of-Care Monitoring Of Anticoagulation Therapy, Leanne F. Harris, Paul Rainey, Vanessa Castro-Lopez, James S. O'Donnell, Anthony J. Killard

Articles

The development of new point-of-care coagulation assay devices is necessary due to the increasing number of patients requiring long-term anticoagulation in addition to the desire for appropriate, targeted anticoagulant therapy and a more rapid response to optimization of treatment. However, the majority of point-of-care devices currently available for hemostasis testing rely on clot-based endpoints which are variable and unreliable and are limited to measuring only certain portions of the coagulation pathway. There is a need for the introduction of point-of-care devices that can execute a broader range of tests; for example, the diagnosis of factor-specific diseases, as well as more …

A Comparison Of Three Commercially Available Contrast-Detail Phantoms And Evaluation Of The Contrast-Detail Performance Under A Range Of Instrument Settings, Jacinta Browne, Des Hickey, Ashling Mcnabb

Articles

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Glycerol On A Diacetone Acrylamide-Based Holographic Photopolymer Material, Dervil Cody, Izabela Naydenova, Emilia Mihaylova

Articles

The composition of the low-toxicity, environmentally compatible diacetone acrylamide (DA) photopolymer has been modified with the inclusion of different additives. The addition of glycerol to the photopolymer composition is described. Results show that the incorporation of glycerol results in a uniform maximum refractive-index modulation for recording intensities in the range of 1–20  mW/cm2. This may be attributed to glycerol’s nature as a plasticizer, which allows for faster diffusion of an unreacted monomer within the grating during holographic recording. An optimum recording intensity of 0.5  mW/cm2 is observed for exposure energies of 20–60  mW/cm2. The modified photopolymer achieves a refractive-index modulation …

Microsimulation Evaluation Of Eurocode Load Model For American Long-Span Bridges, Bernard Enright, Colm Carey, Colin Caprani

Articles

The ability to accurately predict traffic loading is essential for cost-effective bridge maintenance and repair programs. The traffic load model currently used in the United States for the design of long-span bridges was developed over three decades ago. In the meantime vehicle characteristics and traffic patterns have changed. The Eurocode for traffic loading is more recent, but was calibrated only for bridges up to 200 m long. In this work, Weigh-In-Motion traffic records from 11 different sites across Alabama are used to establish congested traffic loading. Traffic microsimulation is used to generate the congestion, based on the real traffic data. …

Evaluation Of Proximity Heating Effects In Power Cables, Jonathan Blackledge, Eugene Coyle, Kevin O'Connell

Articles

No abstract provided.

On The Dirac Scattering Problem, Jonathan Blackledge, Bazar Babajanov

Articles

We consider a method of solving the Dirac scattering problem based on an approach previously used by the authors to solve the Schrodinger scattering problem to develop a conditional exact scattering solution and an unconditional series solution. We transform the Dirac scattering problem into a form that facilitates a soltuion based on the relativistic Lippmann-Schwinger equation using the relativistic Green's function that is transcendental in terms of the scattered field. Using the Dirac operator, this solution is transformed further to yield a modified relativistic Lippman-Schwinger equation that is also transcendental in terms of the scattered field. This modified solution faclitates …

Decomposition Of Ireland’S Carbon Emissions From 1990-2010: An Extended Kaya Identity, Tadhg O'Mahony

Articles

In recent decades, Ireland has been an important example of a development pathway where rapid economic growth was accompanied by rising energy demand and increasing carbon emissions. Understanding the driving forces of carbon emissions is necessary for policy formulation and decomposition analysis is widely used for this purpose. This study uses an extended Kaya identity as the scheme and applies the log mean Divisia index (LMDI I) as the decomposition technique. Change in carbon emissions is decomposed from 1990 – 2010 and includes a measure of the effect of renewable energy penetration. Results illustrate that scale effects of affluence and …

Optimization Of Fermentation Conditions For The Utilization Of Brewing Waste To Develop A Nutraceutical Rich Liquid Product, Shilpi Gupta, Amit Jaiswal, Nissreen Abu-Ghannam

Articles

Utilization of brewers’ spent grain (BSG), for the development of a fermented liquid product rich in value-added phenolic compounds was investigated. Changes in and liberation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity during fermentation of BSG was studied. The effect of various particle size (PS), solid liquid (SL) ratio, fermentation time and rotation speed was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) for the purpose of improving bacterial growth and the enhancement in the release of polyphenolic compounds. Contour maps generated using the response surface equation showed that the experimental variables significantly affected the response. A production of 10.4 log cfu/ml, 2.95 …

Ultrasound For Improved Crystallisation In Food Processing, N. Misra, Navneet Deora, Brijesh Tiwari, Patrick J. Cullen

Articles

Within the food industry, controlling crystallisation is a key factor governing food structure, texture and consumer appeal, with some foods requiring the promotion of crystallisation in a controlled manner (e.g. chocolate) and others a check (e.g. in honey). Sonocrystallisation is the application of ultrasound energy to control the nucleation of a crystallisation process. The use of power ultrasound provides a non-invasive approach to producing crystals with desired properties. Sonocrystallisation facilitates process control, primarily by modulating crystal size distribution and morphology. This paper details the governing mechanisms of sonocrystallisation. Proven and potential applications of the process in foods, including chocolates, honey, …

Making Connections: Networked Mindmaps As A Student Centred Assessment For Learning., Barry Ryan

Articles

Engaging students is a difficult task faced by all academics. Student engagement can be achieved by giving ownership of their learning back to the student and by carefully aligning the assessment methodology to the students learning and future employability. To promote learning ownership in this case-study, a group of final year students were involved in the design of the delivery (‘flipped classroom’) and assessment strategy (‘flipped assessment’) of the curriculum. Upon reflection, students noted a deep understanding of their self-selected topic by taking ownership of their learning and their ‘assessment for learning’ within the bounded learning environment. Additionally, students enhanced …

A Walk Down The Red Carpet: Students As Producers Of Digital Video-Based Knowledge., Barry Ryan

Articles

Disengaged and apathetic students are common in many undergraduate classrooms. Learning to these students is a passive process, typified by a consumer-like attitude. One approach to engage students, and enhance the learning experience, is to integrate active learning into the curriculum. The purpose of the pedagogical evaluative study described here was to investigate if student researched, designed and created digital video could act as a viable reusable peer learning resource. Although the use and integration of technology was central to the scope of this project, other ideas such as threshold concepts, the requirement for both active and authentic social constructivist …

When The Human Factor Is At The Core Of The Safety Barrier, Maria Chiara Leva, Catalina Bermudez Angel, Emmanuel Plot, Marco Gattuso

Articles

There are situation in the industry where the human actions are the main safety barriers to abnormal or accidental conditions. In order to maximize the reliability of good human and organizational barriers we need to ensure that the action-plans generated are based on a valid risk assessment of the situation to be addressed and informed by a relevant human factor analysis. This implies that the process needs to be participatory in nature, thus involving end user all the way through. In this paper we present a study in which a critical scenario of vessel overpressure was analyzed using a bowtie. …

Mass Transfer From A Vertical Flat Plate Due To A Constant Upward Flow, David Mcdonnell, Brendan Redmond, Lawrence J. Crane

Articles

This paper examines the mass transfer from a vertical flat surface of a soluble material due to a constant upward flow. The mass transfer rate due to this upward flow is calculated and used to obtain the distance along the surface at which the boundary layer separates. For relatively large velocities no separation will occur and the solution approaches that of forced convection on a horizontal surface.

Novel Microwave Assisted Synthesis Of Zns Nanomaterials, Suresh Pillai, Michael Seery, Damian Synnott, John Colreavy, Stephen Hinder

Articles

A novel ambient pressure microwave-assisted technique is developed in which silver and indium modified ZnS is synthesised. The as prepared ZnS is characterised by X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and luminescence spectroscopy. This procedure produced crystalline materials with particle sizes below 10 nm. The synthesis technique leads to defects in the crystal which induce mid energy levels in the band gap and lead to indoor light photocatalytic activity. Increasing the amount of silver causes a phase transition from cubic blende to hexagonal phase ZnS. In a comparative study, when the ZnS cubic blende is heated in a conventional …

Raman Spectroscopy In Nanomedicine: Current Status And Future Perspectives, Hugh Byrne, Mark Keating

Articles

Raman spectroscopy is a branch of vibration spectroscopy which is capable of probing the chemical composition of materials. Recent advances in Raman microscopy have added significantly to the range of applications which now extend from medical diagnostics to exploring interfaces between biological organisms and nanomaterials. In this review, Raman is introduced in a general context, highlighting some of the areas in which the technique has found success in the past, as well as some of the potential benefits it offers over other analytical modalities. The subset of Raman techniques which specifically probe the nanoscale, namely Surface Enhanced and Tip Enhanced …

Using Modelling And Simulation To Improve Elderly Care In Ireland: A Case Study, Mohamed Ragab, Wael Rashwan, Waleed Abo-Hamad, Amr Arisha

Articles

Health care services both globally and domestically - are encountering critical issues due to the increasing demand for services at the time of economic recession. Hospital performance is subject to many constraints, and planning is made more difficult by the complexity and uncertainty of demand. Population ageing is creating immense pressures on healthcare facilities across the world, leaving them struggling to cope with the growing demand for elderly healthcare services. Current demand-supply gaps result in prolonged waiting times for patients and substantial cost burdens for healthcare systems due to delayed discharges. This paper reports on a project that uses modelling …

Constitutional Limitations On Punitive Damages: Ambiguous Effects And Inconsistent Justifications Note, Benjamin J. Mcmichael

Articles

No abstract provided.

Synthesis Of Orthogonally Protected Azalanthionines (Lanazanines) By Sequential Ring-Opening Of N-Substituted Aziridine 2-Carboxylates, Keith O'Brien, Keith Ó Proinsias, Fintan Kelleher

Articles

Orthogonally protected azalanthionines (lanazanines, 4-azadiaminopimelic acids or b-aminoalaninoalanines) have been synthesised in good yields by the ring-opening of N-protected aziridine 2-carboxylates with suitably protected diaminopropanoic acids (DAPs). The required DAPs were also synthesised by ring-opening of N-protected aziridine 2-carboxylates with para-methoxybenzylamine.