Digital Commons Network^™

Integration Of Antennas With Sun-Tracking Solar Panels, Adam Narbudowicz

Articles

A low-cost solution for antennas integrated into solar cells, allowing their implementation in solar tracking installations is proposed. The proposed passive device autonomously adjusts the phase shift of a two-element array proportional to the panel rotation. Consequently, the main beam is steered to compensate for panel rotation and maintain a radio link. The proposed device operates for a rotation of ±45° with an amplitude variation of ≤0.4 dB at 2.51 GHz.

Reconfigurable Axial Ratio In Compact Gnss Antennas, Adam Narbudowicz

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A new adaptive technique for steering the direction of minimum axial ratio (AR) (

Strategy/Enterprise Discourse Bounds In Business Talk., Brendan O'Rourke

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Corporate strategy emerged as large non-owner managed firms became economically important (Knights and Morgan, 1991). Strategy became the substitute for the earlier enterprise discourse, which depended on the dominance, in entrepreneurial capitalism, of owner-managed firms. The discourses of strategy and enterprise developed as separate academic areas and as logics of two very different economic domains. From the late 1970s however, large organizations (Kanter, 1983:27) and governments have been urged to be more entrepreneurial (Klein et al., 2010; Osborne and Gaebler, 1993). Meanwhile, small firms were encouraged to be more strategic (Carr, 2000). This article looks at evidence from small …

Interactive Learning: Developing An Esimulation Portal Framework, Ayman Tobail, John Crowe, Amr Arisha

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The emerging eLearning paradigm is becoming increasingly used in many academic disciplines. The concept acknowledges learning processes that no longer deploy only traditional teaching methods. It can be argued that today’s third level education students are part of a new virtual era where the blackboard has been replaced by the interactive whiteboard, so more interactive and virtually orientated teaching aids are required to assist in the transition from traditional learning to eLearning. The key objective of this paper is to propose a simulation-based learning framework that integrates web-based simulation and a web content management hierarchy model. Using the highly complex …

Legitimising Expertise: Analysing The Legitimation Strategies Used By Economics Experts In Broadcast Interviews, Joseph K. Fitzgerald, Brendan O'Rourke

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Few would doubt that economists have taken a prominent role as experts on policy issues [Maesse, J. 2015. Economic experts: A discursive political economy of economics. Journal of Multicultural Discourses 10, no.3: 279–305] and some contend that no other social science discipline has gained such prominence [Fourcade, M., E. Ollion, and Y. Algan. 2015. The superiority of economists. Journal of Economic Perspectives 29, no.1: 89–114]. This prominent societal role has long been evident and leans on their perceived objectivity with regard to the economy and policy advice. Yet, the Great Recession of 2008 put past understandings of the economy, and …

Constructing A Postcolonial Feminist Ethnography, Jennifer Manning

Articles

Purpose – The paper details the construction of a postcolonial feminist approach to ethnography; providing insight into how the researcher developed her ethnographic approach based on her theoretical framework and demonstrating how she undertook this research. Specifically, the purpose of this paper is to outline how the researcher identified positionality and representation as the primary challenges of undertaking a postcolonial feminist ethnography with marginalised Maya women in Guatemala, and how she addressed these complexities in the field.

Design/methodology/approach – This postcolonial feminist ethnography was conducted over a three-month period in the rural highlands of Sololá, Guatemala. This approach bridges the …

The Acute:Chonic Workload Ratio In Relation To Injury Risk In Professional Soccer, Shane Malone, Adam Owen, Matt Newton, Bruno Mendes, Kieran Collins, Tim Gabbett

Articles

Forty-eight professional soccer players (mean ± SD age of 25.3 ± 3.1 yr) from two elite European teams were involved within a one season study. Players completed a test of intermittent-aerobic capacity (Yo-YoIR1) to assess player’s injury risk in relation to intermittent aerobic capacity. Weekly workload measures and time loss injuries were recorded during the entire period. Rolling weekly sums and week-to-week changes in workload were measured, allowing for the calculation of the acute:chronic workload ratio, which was calculated by dividing the acute (1-weekly) and chronic (4-weekly) workloads. All derived workload measures were modelled against injury data using logistic regression. …

The Integration Of Internal And External Training Load Metrics In Hurling, Shane Malone, Dominic Doran, Ibrahim Akubat Ibrahim Akubat, Kieran Collins

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The current study aimed to assess the relationship between the hurling player’s fitness profile and integrated training load (TL) metrics. Twenty-five hurling players performed treadmill testing for VO2max, the speed at blood lactate concentrations of 2 mmol•L-1 (vLT) and 4 mmol•L-1 (vOBLA) and the heart rate-blood lactate profile for calculation of individual training impulse (iTRIMP). The total distance (TD; m), high speed distance (HSD; m) and sprint distance (SD; m) covered were measured using GPS technology (4-Hz, VX Sport, Lower Hutt, New Zealand) which allowed for the measurement of the external TL. The external TL was divided by the internal …

Linocin And Ompw Are Involved In Attachment Of The Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Pathogen Burkholderia Cepacia Complex To Lung Epithelial Cells And Protect Mice Against Infection, Siobhan Mcclean, Marc Healy, Cassandra Collins, Stephen Carberry, Luke O'Shaughnessy, Ruth Dennehy, Aine Adams Aine Adams, Helen Kennelly, Jennifer Corbett, Fiona Carty, Laura Ann Cahill, Máire Callaghan, Karen English, Bernard P. Mahon, Sean Doyle, Minu Shinoy

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Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) causes chronic opportunistic lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) resulting in a gradual lung function decline and, ultimately, patient death. Bcc is a complex of eighteen species and is rarely eradicated once a patient is colonised, therefore vaccination may represent a better therapeutic option. We developed a new proteomics approach to identify bacterial proteins that are involved in attachment of Bcc to lung epithelial cells. Fourteen proteins were reproducibly identified by 2-DE from four Bcc strains, representative of two Bcc species: B. cenocepacia, the most virulent and B. multivorans, the most frequently acquired. Seven …

Injury Scheme Claims In Gaelic Games: A Review Of 2007-2014, Mark Roe, Catherine Blake, Conor Gissane, Kieran Collins

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Context: Gaelic games (Gaelic football and hurling) are indigenous Irish sports with increasing global participation in recent years. Limited information is available on longitudinal injury trends. Reviews of insurance claims can reveal the economic burden of injury and guide cost-effective injury-prevention programs.

Iron Acquisition In The Cystic Fibrosis Lung And Potential For Novel Therapeutic Strategies, Jean Tyrrell, Máire Callaghan

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Iron acquisition is vital to microbial survival and is implicated in the virulence of many of the pathogens that reside in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung. The multifaceted nature of iron acquisition by both bacterial and fungal pathogens encompasses a range of conserved and species-specific mechanisms, including secretion of iron-binding siderophores, utilization of siderophores from other species, release of iron from host iron-binding proteins and haemoproteins, and ferrous iron uptake. Pathogens adapt and deploy specific systems depending on iron availability, bioavailability of the iron pool, stage of infection and presence of competing pathogens. Understanding the dynamics of pathogen iron acquisition …

Effects Of Various Concentrations Of Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse On Cycling Performance In A Fed State, Simon Devenney, Kieran Collins, Marcus Shortall

Articles

The objective of this study was to identify the effects of mouth rinsing with a 6% and 16% carbohydrate solution (CHO) on time trial performance when compared to a 0% control (PLA) when in a fed state. Twelve recreationally active males underwent three trials by which they had to complete a set workload (600 ± 65 W) in a fed state. Throughout each trial, participants rinsed their mouths with a 25 ml bolus of a 0% PLA, 6% or 16% CHO (maltodextrin) for every 12.5% of work completed. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate were recorded every 12.5% …

The Running Performance And Estimated Energy Cost Of Hurling Specific Small-Sided Games, Shane Malone, Kieran Collins, Dominic Doran

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The current study examined the extent to which pitch dimensions can influence the physical and estimated energetic demands of hurling small-sided games. Training data (n = 990) were collected from 24 (age 25.5 ± 3.2 years; height 178.9 ± 3.2 cm; body mass 78.5 ± 4.5 kg) hurling players using 4-Hz global positioning system technology (VX Sport, Lower Hutt, New Zealand). Total distance (m), high-speed running distance (m; ≥ 17 km/h), very high-speed running distance (m; ≥ 22 km/h), total accelerations (n), acceleration distance (m), peak and mean velocity (km/h) were considered. In addition changes in velocity …

Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Performance In Subelite Gaelic Football Players From Under Thirteen To Senior Age Groups, Mark Roe, Shane Malone

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Gaelic football is indigenous to Ireland and has similar locomotion profiles to soccer and Australian Football. Given the increasing attention on long-term player development, investigations into age-related variation in Yo-YoIR1 performance may provide useful information in talent identification, programme design, and player monitoring. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate Yo-YoIR1 performance across Gaelic football age groups. Male participants (n = 355) were recruited from division one, Gaelic football teams. Participants were allocated to one of seven groups according to respective age groups from under 13 (U13), under 14, under 15 (U15), under 16 (U16), minor, under 21 …

Current And Emerging Therapies For The Treatment Of Cystic Fibrosis Or Mitigation Of Its Symptoms, Mark P. Murphy, Emma M. Caraher

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Clinical presentation of the chronic, heritable condition cystic fibrosis (CF) is complex, with a diverse range of symptoms often affecting multiple organs with varying severity. The primary source of morbidity and mortality is due to progressive destruction of the airways attributable to chronic inflammation arising from microbial colonisation. Antimicrobial therapy combined with practises to remove obstructive mucopurulent deposits form the cornerstone of current therapy. However, new treatment options are emerging which offer, for the first time, the opportunity to effect remission from the underlying cause of CF. Here, we discuss these therapies, their mechanisms of action, and their successes and …

An Analysis Of Folic Acid Supplementation In Women Presenting For Antenatal Care, Shona Cawley, Laura Mullaney, Aoife Mckeating, Maria Farren, Daniel Mccartney, Michael Turner

Articles

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are major congenital malformations that are potentially preventable if the woman takes periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplements. A recent report found that NTD incidence had increased in Ireland. This study examined the usage of FA supplementation in women presenting for antenatal care in a maternity hospital.

Frankenfolk: Distinctiveness And Attractiveness Of Voice And Motion, Jan Ondřej, Cathy Ennis, Niamh Merriman, Carol O'Sullivan

Articles

It is common practice in movies and games to use different actors for the voice and body/face motion of a virtual character. What effect does the combination of these different modalities have on the perception of the viewer? In this article, we conduct a series of experiments to evaluate the distinctiveness and attractiveness of human motions (face and body) and voices. We also create combination characters called FrankenFolks, where we mix and match the voice, body motion, face motion, and avatar of different actors and ask which modality is most dominant when determining distinctiveness and attractiveness or whether the effects …

A New Educational Mobile Devices Platform For Social Inclusion In Tanzania, Fredrick Mtenzi

Articles

Abstract— It is evident that advances in technology has led to improvement in societal wellbeing. In this paper we demonstrate how mobile phones are used in providing reliable and quality education to students in disadvantaged areas of Tanzania. The main contribution is on leveraging on the success that Tanzania has had on using mobile banking to the un-banked population. These lessons are adapted to the education sector, where clever/smart integration of existing disruptive technologies such as mobile phones and social networks are be used to provide access to high quality educational contents. Further, the paper shows how educational content can …

Overview Of Fiber Optic Sensor Technologies For Strain/Temperature Sensing Applications In Composite Materials, Manjusha Ramakrishnan, Ginu Rajan, Yuliya Semenova, Gerald Farrell

Articles

This paper provides an overview of the different types of fiber optic sensors (FOS) that can be used with composite materials and also their compatibility with and suitability for embedding inside a composite material. An overview of the different types of FOS used for strain/temperature sensing in composite materials is presented. Recent trends, and future challenges for FOS technology for condition monitoring in smart composite materials are also discussed. This comprehensive review provides essential information for the smart materials industry in selecting of appropriate types of FOS in accordance with end-user requirements.

Long-Term Drainage Reduces Co2 Uptake And Increases Co2 Emission On A Siberian Floodplain Due To Shifts In Vegetation Community And Soil Thermal Characteristics, Min Jung Kwon, Martin Heimann, Olaf Kolle, Kristina Luus, Edward A. G. Schuur, Nikita Zimov, Sergey A. Zimov, Mathias Göckede

Articles

Abstract. With increasing air temperatures and changing precipitation patterns forecast for the Arctic over the coming decades, the thawing of ice-rich permafrost is expected to increasingly alter hydrological conditions by creating mosaics of wetter and drier areas. The objective of this study is to investigate how 10 years of lowered water table depths of wet floodplain ecosystems would affect CO2 fluxes measured using a closed chamber system, focusing on the role of long-term changes in soil thermal characteristics and vegetation community structure. Drainage diminishes the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of organic soil, leading to warmer soil temperatures in shallow …

All The World's A Page: Towards A Definition Of 'Writer' In An Age Of Opportunity, Sue Norton

Articles

This article considers the status of the writer at a time when publication is no longer elusive, given the immediacy of online dissemination. For those who identify as writers, it looks at the implications of blogging, social media, entrepreneurial self-publishing, and scholarly open access journals, including so-called ‘predatory’ ones. It argues for a distinction between day-to-day writing and composition, and seeks to establish a category for the writer that takes account of deliberation, craft, and readership. It juxtaposes the creative activity of Jack Kerouac, Virginia Woolf, Truman Capote, and Mother Goose against the linguist John McWhorter’s convincing dismissal of the …

Transparency And The Supreme Court—Can Employers Refuse To Disclose How Much They Pay For Health Care?, Nicholas Bagley, Christopher Koller

Articles

For decades, the prices that hospitals and physicians charge private insurers have been treated as trade secrets. Even though inflated prices are an enormous reason why health care is so much more expensive in the United States than in other countries, we have only a hazy picture of what those prices actually are.

Tbx2 Represses Pten In Rhabdomyosarcoma And Skeletal Muscle., B Zhu, M Zhang, E M Williams, C Keller, A Mansoor, J K Davie

Articles

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most frequent soft tissue sarcoma in children that shares many features of developing skeletal muscle. TBX2, a T-box family member, is highly upregulated in tumor cells of both major RMS subtypes where it functions as an oncogene. TBX2 is a repressor that is often overexpressed in cancer cells and functions in bypassing cell growth control, including the repression of the cell cycle regulators p14 and p21. We have found that TBX2 directly represses the tumor-suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in both RMS and normal muscle. Exogenous expression of TBX2 in normal muscle cells downregulates PTEN, …

Federal Sentencing Guidelines & United States V. Booker: Social Context And Sentencing Disparity, Jeffrey Nowacki

Articles

The United States v. Booker (2005) decision rendered Federal Sentencing Guidelines advisory rather than mandatory. In the context of this decision, this study examines both the direct influence of aggregate-level political, community and administrative variables on sentencing outcomes, and the way that such characteristics might contextualize individual-level predictors. Using multi-level regression techniques, this study examines the role of aggregate level variables on sentence length decisions across four distinct time periods. Moreover, this article also examines whether aggregate-level variables condition the effects of race/ethnicity on sentencing outcomes. While the direct effects of aggregate-level variables on sentencing outcomes are generally limited to …

The Science Of Christmas: Dinner Table, Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire

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This article discusses the science of preservation behind two famous Irish and English Christmas foods, Christmas Pudding and Mince Pies.

Intra-Agency Coordination, Jennifer Nou

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No abstract provided.

A Review Of Solar And Visible Light Active Tio2 Photocatalysis For Treating Bacteria, Cyanotoxins And Contaminants Of Emerging Concern, Rachel Fagan, Declan Mccormack, Suresh Pillai, Dionysios Dionysiou

Articles

Research into the development of solar and visible light active photocatalysts has been significantly increased in recent years due to its wide range of applications in treating contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), bacteria and cyanotoxins. Solar photocatalysis is found to be highly effective in treating a wide range of CECs from sources such as pharmaceuticals, steroids, antibiotics, phthalates, disinfectants, pesticides, fragrances (musk), preservatives and additives. Similarly, a number of EDCs including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylphenols (APs), bisphenol A (BPA), organotins (OTs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), natural and synthetic estrogenic and androgenic chemicals, pesticides, and heavy …

The Challenges Of Leading Change In Health-Care Delivery From The Frontline, Vivienne Byers

Articles

Aim: The public sector is facing turbulent times and this challenges nurses, who are expected to serve both patient interests and the efficiency drives of their organisations. In the context of implementing person-centred health policy, this paper explores the evolving role of front-line nurses as leaders and champions of change.

Background: Nurses can be seen to have some autonomy in health-care delivery. However, they are subject to systems of social control. In implementing person- centred policy, nurses can be seen to be doing the best they can within a constrained environment.

Method: A survey of nursing practice in person-centred health-policy …

Are A State And Its Agencies Immune From Lawsuits In The Courts Of Another State?, Richard Henry Seamon

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No abstract provided.

Eamon Maher On Jean Sulivan, Eamon Maher

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