Engineering Commons^™

A Machine Learning Approach To Hierarchical Categorisation Of Auditory Objects, William Coleman, Sarah Jane Delany, Charlie Cullen, Ming Yan Dr.

Articles

With the advent of new audio delivery technologies comes opportunities and challenges for content creators and providers. The proliferation of consumption modes (stereo headphones, home cinema systems, ‘hearables’), media formats (mp3, CD, video and audio streaming) and content types (gaming, music, drama & current affairs broadcasting) has given rise to a complicated landscape where content must often be adapted for multiple end-use scenarios. The concept of object-based audio envisages content delivery not via a fixed mix but as a series of auditory objects which can then be controlled either by consumers or by content creators & providers via accompanying metadata. …

Using Virtual Reality To Enhance Electrical Safety And Design In The Built Environment, Martin Barrett, Jonathan Blackledge, Eugene Coyle

Articles

Electricity and the inherent risks associated with its use in the built environment have long since been a priority for the electrical services industry and also the general public who must live and work in this environment. By its nature virtual reality has the advantage of being safe for both the user and equipment. In addition, it offers the user an opportunity to be exposed to a range of scenarios and conditions that either occur infrequently or are hazardous to replicate. This paper presents a prototype desktop virtual reality model, to enhance electrical safety and design in the built environment. …

Finding A Middleware Ict Solution For The Irish Construction Sme Sector, Alan V. Hore, Alan Redmond, Roger West

Conference papers

A key feature of the Irish construction industry is its fragmented structure. Some 16,000 businesses list their main activity as construction, yet no company has more than 3% of the total Irish output. The top 20 companies have less than 15% of total output. There is a very high number of Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SME‟s) in the sector. However, most software products which address the specific needs of the construction industry are designed for larger companies. It is felt that the needs of the large number of SME‟s in the sector are underserved. The Construction IT Alliance (CITA) …

Defending Privacy: The Development And Deployment Of A Darknet, Conor Mcmanamon, Fredrick Mtenzi

Conference papers

New measures imposed by governments, Internet service providers and other third parties which threaten the state of privacy are also opening new avenues to protecting it. The unwarranted scrutiny of legitimate services such as file hosters and the BitTorrent protocol, once relatively unknown to the casual Internet user, is becoming more obvious. The darknet is a rising contender against these new measures and will preserve the default right to privacy of Internet users. A darknet is defined in the context of file sharing as a network which operates on top of another network such as the Internet for the purpose …

Helmsman, Set A Course : Using A Compass And Rfid Tags For Indoor Localisation And Navigation, Yan Li, Brian Mac Namee, John D. Kelleher

Conference papers

Localisation and navigation are still two of the most important issues in mobile robotics. In certain indoor application scenarios RFID (radio frequency identification)-based absolute localisation has been found to be especially successful in supporting navigation. In this paper we evaluate the feasibility of an RFID and compass based approach to robot localisation and navigation for indoor environments that are dominated by corridors. We describe our system and evaluate its performance in a small, but full-scale, test environment.

Evaluating Sensorineural Hearing Loss With An Auditory Nerve Model Using A Mean Structural Similarity Measure, Andrew Hines, Naomi Harte

Conference papers

Hearing loss research has traditionally been based on perceptual criteria, speech intelligibility and threshold levels. The development of computational models of the auditory-periphery has allowed experimentation via simulation to provide quantitative, repeatable results at a more granular level than would be practical with clinical research on human subjects. This work seeks to create an objective measure to automate this inspection process and ranks hearing losses based on auditory-nerve discharge patterns. A systematic way of assessing phonemic degradation using the outputs of an auditory nerve model for a range of sensorineural hearing losses would aid in rapid prototyping development of speech-processing …

Passive All-Fiber Wavelength Measurement Systems: Performance Determination Factors, Ginu Rajan, Yuliya Semenova, Agus Hatta, Gerald Farrell

Books/Book Chapters

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of The Rwpe Prostate Derived Family Of Cell Lines Using Ftir Spectroscopy, M. Baker, Colin Clarke, D. Demoulin, J. Nicolson, Fiona Lyng, Hugh Byrne, C. Hart, M. Brown, N. Clarke, P. Gardner

Articles

Interest in developing robust, quicker and easier diagnostic tests for cancer has lead to an increased use of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to meet that need. In this study we present the use of different experimental modes of infrared spectroscopy to investigate the RWPE human prostate epithelial cell line family which are derived from the same source but differ in their mode of transformation and their mode of invasive phenotype. Importantly, analysis of the infrared spectra obtained using different experimental modes of infrared spectroscopy produce similar results. The RWPE family of cell lines can be separated into groups based …

Ultrasound-Assisted Swnts Dispersion: Effects Of Sonication Parameters And Solvent Properties, Qiaohuan Cheng, Sourabhi Debnath, Elizabeth Gregan, Hugh Byrne

Articles

Ultrasonication is widely used for preparing Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWNT) dispersions in different solvent media and it has been shown to play a critical role in dispersing and debundling SWNTs. The strong shear force that can exfoliate the SWNT bundles during sonication comes from cavitation, which entails a process of bubble formation, growth, and collapse. The efficiency of the cavitation process is closely correlated to many solvent parameters, including vapor pressure, viscosity, and surface tension, as well as the sonication frequency, intensity, and time. In this study, SWNTs were dispersed in a range of organic solvents assisted by tip sonication. …

Simulation Model To Investigate Flexible Workload Management For Healthcare And Servicescape Environment, Michael Thorwarth, Paul Harper, Amr Arisha

Conference papers

High demand and poor staffing conditions cause avoidable pressure and stress among healthcare personnel which results in burnout symptoms and unplanned absenteeism which are hidden cost drivers. The work environment within an emergency department is commonly arranged in a flexible workload which is highly dynamic and complex for the outside observer. Using detailed simulation modeling within structured modeling methods, a comprehensive model to characterize the nurses' time utilization in such flexible dynamic workload environment was investigated. The results have been used to derive a generalized analytic expression that describes certain settings that lead to an instable queuing system with serious …

Egoviz – A Mobile Based Spatial Interaction System, Keith Gardiner, Junjun Yin, James Carswell

Articles

This paper describes research carried out in the area of mobile spatial interaction and the development of a mobile (i.e. on-device) version of a simulated web-based 2D directional query processor. The TellMe application integrates location (from GPS, GSM, WiFi) and orientation (from digital compass/tilt sensors) sensing technologies into an enhanced spatial query processing module capable of exploiting a mobile device’s position and orientation for querying real-world 3D spatial datasets. This paper outlines the technique used to combine these technologies and the architecture needed to deploy them on a sensor enabled smartphone (i.e. Nokia 6210 Navigator). With all these sensor technologies …

A Bandwidth Aware Modification To The Dsr Routing Protocol For Wireless Mesh Networks, Mustafa Ramadhan, Mark Davis

Conference papers

This work proposes a bandwidth aware cross-layer modification to the DSR routing protocol. We include the Access Efficiency Factor (AEF) parameter in addition to the hop-count in the routing discovery mechanism. AEF is a measure to the local availability of bandwidth at a node. Employing the AEF as a metric in the routing discovery mechanism attempts to avoid routing through a congested area in the network. In this modification, we impose a limit on the hop-count in order to control the delay time in the network. The path selection procedure operates by finding a path with the highest minimum AEF …

Ict Innovation Diffusion In Small Logistics Service Providers: An Empirical Survey, Pietro Evangelista, Edward Sweeney, Claudia-Maria Wagner

Conference papers

For companies competing in highly dynamic markets, innovation is considered a fundamental component of a successful business as it allows companies to sustain profit margins, sales growth and reduce competitors’ pressures. Information and communication technology (ICT) is essential innovation enablers especially in service companies. The focus of the paper is on the analysis of the role of ICT in innovation processes of small third-party logistics service providers (3PLs). On the basis of quantitative evidence emerging from a recent survey carried out on the Italian 3PL market, the paper analyses how ICT is used to support innovation and the factors the …

Supply Chain Learning:The Role Of Games, John Cotter, Gerry Forster, Edward Sweeney

Practitioner Journals

No abstract provided.

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Singlemode-Multimode-Singlemode Optical Fibre Structures For Optical Sensing, Agus Muhamad Hatta

Doctoral

This thesis describes theoretical and experimental investigations on all-fibre multimode interference (MMI) devices using a singlemode-multimode-singlemode (SMS) fibre structure for use as a new type of edge filter for a ratiometric wavelength measurement system and as novel stand alone sensors. The use of two edge filters, so called X-type edge filters based on SMS fibre structures in a ratiometric wavelength measurement system is proposed and demonstrated. The use of X-type edge filters can improve the resolution and accuracy of wavelength measurement compared to the use of one edge filter in a conventional ratiometric system. Several aspects of the SMS edge …

Electromagnetic Scattering Solutions For Digital Signal Processing, Jonathan Blackledge

Other resources

Electromagnetic scattering theory is fundamental to understanding the interaction between electromagnetic waves and inhomogeneous dielectric materials. The theory unpins the engineering of electromagnetic imaging systems over a broad range of frequencies, from optics to radio and microwave imaging, for example. Developing accurate scattering models is particularly important in the field of image understanding and the interpretation of electromagnetic signals generated by scattering events. To this end there are a number of approaches that can be taken. For relatively simple geometric configurations, approximation methods are used to develop a transformation from the object plane (where scattering events take place) to the …

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis Of Zno Micro-Javelins, Suresh Pillai, Declan Mccormack, John M. Kelly, Sibu C. Padmanabhan

Articles

The microwave (MW)-assisted formation of ZnO micro-javelins from zinc nitrate and urea in aqueous solution is described. The particles (named as ‘micro-javelins’ because of their high aspect ratio and needle-like tips) grow hexagonally with well-defined facets in the h0110i direction and pointed tips in (0001) direction. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns show the appearance of a strikingly dominant (1000) orientation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations reveal the morphological evolution of these hexagonal ZnO particles with time. The effect of precursor concentrations, counterion type andMWirradiation power and their consequent influence on pH and Zn2+ ion concentration are …

Meshscan: Performance Of Passive Handoff And Active Handoff, Yin Chen, Karol Kowalik, Mark Davis

Conference papers

A core problem of fast handoff is when handoff should perform and which Mesh Node (MN) should associated with. We have developed a fast handoff management scheme called MeshScan to provide a novel use of channel scanning latency, by employing open system authentication in both Passive Handoff and Active Handoff. This scheme comprises three steps: firstly a client device takes advantage of the Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) architecture to maintain a list of active MNs. Secondly MeshScan Handoff Sensor performs handoff when it receives a disassociation management frame from the serving MN or when the measured signal strength from the …

Assessing Third Mission Activities, Mike Murphy

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

Wood Chip Heating For Commercial Buildings In Ireland: An Analysis Of Supply Methods And Financial Viability, Ciaran Berkeley

Masters

Ireland has three central issues regarding the supply and use of fuel and energy: import dependency; competitiveness; and greenhouse gases emissions. Ireland is ranked as one of the most import dependent states in the EU, with over 90% of its fuel sourced fiom abroad [IAEA, 20051. Combined with rapidly fluctuating oil and gas wsts and uncertainty with future supply, it is essential that Ireland find a more secure and sustainable alternative to fossil hels. Wood chip represents one such alternative energy source since it is locally produced and considered to be carbon-neutral. The main objective of this research is to …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Meshscan: Fast And Efficient Handoff In Ieee802.11 Mesh Networks, Yin Chen, Mark Davis

Conference papers

Handoff delay is one of the major problems in Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) that needs to be solved in order to allow time-critical and real-time applications run continuously during handoff. We have developed a fast handoff scheme called MeshScan to provide a novel use of channel scanning latency by employing open system authentication. This scheme comprises two steps: firstly a client device takes advantage of the WMN architecture to maintain a list of active mesh nodes. Secondly when handoff is required, a client transmits Authentication Request frames to all mesh nodes (MNs) from the list instead of broadcasting Probe Request …

Thermal Testing Of Innovative Building Insulations, Eoghan Frawley

Masters

The main objective of this research was to design and develop a Hot Box to test the thermal properties of Eco-quilt multi-foil insulation. This work began by gaining an understanding into how multi-foil works, how it is installed and examining different variations of this insulation. It was clear at an early stage that there were two conflicting opinions on the thermal performance of multi-foils. One set of tests claimed that the insulation had a thermal resistance of approximately 5 m2oC/W. These tests were carried out in real weather conditions, where temperatures were fluctuating, although one laboratory test achieved similar results. …

Enabling Rfid Technology In Irish Hospitals, Khaled Ismail, Amr Arisha

Conference papers

Hospitals represent a significant part of healthcare systems and account for no less than 60% of the entire healthcare service in most of developed countries. Therefore, improving service in hospitals is an important element to the process of healthcare reform. Better use of resources, more consistent quality, and a higher service level are the keys to rationalise the huge expenditure in healthcare systems due to higher growth in demand. Even though massive spending has been directed towards hospital improvement in Ireland, services provided in Irish hospitals are ranked relatively low comparing to the other European countries. Growth of population, aging, …

The Integrated Control Of The Rotor Side And Grid Side Converters In A Dfig To Reduce Both Power And Torque Pulsations During Network Voltage Unbalance Conditions., Joseph Kearney, Michael Conlon, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

Risk Assessment Model For Emergency Departments In Dublin Hospitals, Michael Thorwarth, Amr Arisha

Conference papers

The internal dynamics of emergency departments (ED) in Irish hospitals represent complex non-linear stochastic systems with an environment of uncertainty, variability and limited resources. Planning and managing such systems pose overwhelming demands. To improve operations, patient service, resource planning, and real-time reaction to unexpected events, sophisticated tools to efficiently achieve these goals must be applied.

Advanced solution techniques (e.g. simulation and optimisation) have been successfully applied in manufacturing operations to improve the delivery, cost-effectiveness and service quality. Yet, random arrival of patients, limited resources and multitasking are challenges in EDs that add more complexity to this critical area. This study …

Accelerometer Based Measurement For The Mapping Of Neck Surface Vibrations During Vocalized Speech, Mark Nolan, Brian Madden, Edward Burke

Conference Papers

This paper presents a detailed study of the vibrations on the surface of the neck during a vocalization of predefined fundamental frequency and intensity. This study was carried out as part of a wider investigation into the use of laryngeal vibrations as a channel of communication. Another potential application of this study is in identifying a suitable location for a hands-free electro-larynx for laryngectomees.

An analog accelerometer, with dimensions 5x5x1.6mm and of mass 80mg, was used to perform the measurements. It was connected to a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter via single strands of insulated wire with a diameter of 100μm. The …

Optimisation Methods In Supply Chain Applications: A Review, Amr Arisha, Waleed Abo Hamad

Conference papers

The competitiveness and dynamic nature of today’s marketplace is due to rapid advances in information technology, short product life cycles and the continuing trend in global outsourcing. Managing the resulting supply chain networks effectively is a complex and challenging task which is imputable to high level of uncertainty in supply-demand, conflict objectives, vagueness of information, numerous decision variables and constraints. With such level of complexity in the environment, supply chain optimisation has a potential to make a significant contribution to resolve the challenges. In this paper, a literature review – based on more than one hundred peer-reviewed articles – of …

Self-Authentication Of Audio Signals By Chirp Coding, Jonathan Blackledge, Eugene Coyle

Conference papers

This paper discusses a new approach to ‘watermarking’ digital signals using linear frequency modulated or ‘chirp’ coding. The principles underlying this approach are based on the use of a matched filter to provide a reconstruction of a chirped code that is uniquely robust in the case of signals with very low signal-to-noise ratios. Chirp coding for authenticating data is generic in the sense that it can be used for a range of data types and applications (the authentication of speech and audio signals, for example). The theoretical and computational aspects of the matched filter and the properties of a chirp …