Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Deploying Integrated Web-Based Spatial Applications Within An Oracle Database Environment, James Carswell

Conference papers

In this paper, we describe the architectural and functional characteristics of e-Spatial™ technology, comprising an innovative software package that represents a timely alternative to traditional and complex proprietary GIS application packages. The two main components of the package, developed by e- Spatial Solutions, are the iSMART™ database development technology and the i-Spatial™ Information Server (iSIS), both implemented within an Oracle 9i Spatial database environment. This technology allows users to build and deploy spatially enabled or standard Internet applications without requiring any application-specific source code. It can be deployed on any Oracle supported hardware platform and on any device that supports …

Progressive Transmission Of Spatial Data Over The Www: Challenges, James Carswell

Conference papers

Progressive transmission of raster images over the WWW has been successfully applied to provide users with coarser versions of the data before downloading a complete image. In the vector domain, progressive transmission remains a challenging topic. Increasing the level of detail of a vector dataset is a complex process that does not simply imply adding pixels to it. In this paper we present a survey of existing models for progressive transmission of spatial data and discuss open problems and challenges related to the progressive transmission of geographic maps in vector format. Finally, we propose a model based on a client-server …

Development And Construction Of A White Light Profiler For Industrial Applications, Martin Somers

Masters

With the ever decreasing tolerances in modern manufacturing processes it has become more important to define surface topography measurements quickly and accurately. Though contact methods, using the stylus probe, have been used for a long time more optical techniques are being brought into the market place. The advantages in using optical methods is obvious; no contact with the surface eliminates damage due to a probing tip and also the surface may be scanned in a matter of seconds. Optical techniques also have the advantage that a full field of view may be acquired, unlike point measurement where the surface must …

Aspects Of Minimality In Abelian Groups, Seosamh Ó Hógáin

Doctoral

This thesis investigates those abelian groups which are minimal with respect to certain quasi-orders defined on Abk, the category of abelian groups of a given infinite cardinality k. Six such quasi-orders are defined and groups which are minimal with respect to these quasi-orders are called either quasi-minimal, with the associated concepts of purely and directly quasi-minimal groups, or simple minimal with the corresponding associated groups. A complete characterisation is derived for the quasi-minimal groups and, assuming GCH, for the purely quasi-minimal groups. Moreover, it is shown that the direct quasi-minimality of a group may be undecidable in ZFC. In the …

In-Situ Spectroscopic Studies Of Electronic Processes In Buckminsterfullerene Thin Films, Gordon Chambers

Doctoral

This study attempts to develop an understanding of the electronic processes active within the solid state of C60. The emphasis throughout the work has been upon the generation and spectroscopic identification of any species, which could potentially contribute to electronic conduction in thin films of C60. The relative importance of these inter-and intramolecular processes in terms of their contribution to the electronic transport is discussed through the comparison of the properties of the molecule with the properties of the bulk solid

Initially the low intensity optical properties of the C60 molecule in solution and in solid were assessed. Vibrational spectroscopy …

Effect Of A Modified Isoindole Backbone On The Electrical Optical And Physical Properties Of The Isoindole Organised Semiconductor System, Matthew Boylan

Doctoral

Primarily it was endeavoured to synthesise conducting polymers bearing a modified isoindole backbone with potentially enhanced electrical, optical and physical properties. The addition of electron donating methoxy groups on to the N-methylisoindole system results in alternations to the resultant polymer’s optical and physical properties. The synthesis of the new compounds 5-methoxy-N-methylisoindole and 5, 6-dimethoxy-N-methylisoindole was carried out via a devised route. Characterisation of the two new monomers 5-methoxy-N-methylisoindole and 5,6-dimethoxy-N-methylisoindole and the parent N-methylisoindole and their corresponding polymers has also been carried out initially by cyclic voltammetry studies. The oxidation of the monomers and corresponding polymers occurs at decreasing positive …

E-Spatial Technology For Spatial Analysis And Decision Making In Web-Based Land Information Management Systems, James Carswell

Articles

In this paper we describe e-SpatialTM technology, comprising an innovative software solution for deploying integrated web-based spatial applications within Oracle 9i Database environments. The two main components of the solution are the iSMARTTM database development technology and the i-SpatialTM Information Server (iSIS). This technology allows Oracle users to build and deploy both spatially enabled and standard Internet applications without requiring any application-specific GIS source code. It can be deployed on any Oracle supported hardware platform and on any device running a Java Virtual Machine, thus providing full support for wireless, PDAs and other mobile devices. In particular, we describe a …

A Review Of The Different Methods For Assessing Standing Balance, Jacinta Browne, N. J. O'Hare

Articles

This paper is a review of the balance assessment methods currently used to evaluate standing balance. Most of the presently available instrumentation appears to be more suited to research laboratories than to routine clinical situations. Functional assessments of balance appear to be the quickest test to administer and do not require expensive equipment however only gross changes in balance can be detected making them suitable as a screening tool for identifying subject’s needing more thorough evaluation. Force platforms appear to be most suited balance assessment instrumentation to the clinical situation since it produces a real time display and can detect …

The Problem Of A Viscoelastic Cylinder Rolling On A Rigid Half-Space, John Murrough Golden, G.A.C. Graham

Articles

The problem of a viscoelastic cylinder rolling on a rigid base, propelled by a line force acting at its centre, is solved in the noninertial approximation. The method used is based on a decomposition of hereditary integrals developed by the authors in previous work, and on the viscoelastic Kolosov-Muskhelishvili equations which are used to generate a Hilbert problem. In this formulation, the problem reduces to a nonsingular integral equation in space and time, which simplifies under steady-state conditions and for exponential decay materials, to algebraic form. There are also two subsidiary conditions.

In the case of a standard linear model, …

Eddy Structures Induced Within A Wedge By A Honing Circular Arc, C. P. Hills

Articles

In this paper we outline an expeditious numerical procedure to calculate the Stokes flow in a corner due to the rotation of a scraping circular boundary. The method is also applicable to other wedge geometries. We employ a collocation technique utilising a basis of eddy (similarity) functions introduced by Moffatt (1964) that allows us to satisfy automatically the governing equations for the streamfunction and all the boundary conditions on the surface of the wedge. The circular honing problem thereby becomes one-dimensional requiring only the satisfaction of conditions on the circular boundary. The advantage of using the Moffatt eddy functions as …

Eddies Induced In Cylindrical Containers By A Rotating End Wall, Christopher Hills

Articles

The flow generated in a viscous liquid contained in a cylindrical geometry by a rotating end wall is considered. Recent numerical and experimental work has established several distinct phases of the motion when fluid inertia plays a significant role. The current paper, however, establishes the nature of the flow in the thus far neglected low Reynolds number regime. Explicitly, by employing biorthogonality relations appropriate to the current geometry, it is shown that a sequence of exponentially decaying eddies extends outward from the rotating end wall. The cellular structure is a manifestation of the dominance of complex eigensolutions to the homogeneous …

Design, Construction And Testing Of A Portable Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry System For Contouring Applications, Tara J. Kneafsey

Masters

Optical surface metrology techniques offer many advantages over conventional methods. Some of these advantages include a greater sensitivity and a whole field analysis that is non-contract. They also offer greater lateral and vertical resolution and are not subject to electromagnetic influence. Despite these many advantages, there has been reluctance in industry to adopt these techniques. This reluctance can be attributed to the use of high-power lasers which are considered dangerous, the expense of the systems and complicated operation and analysis procedures. The objective of the research described in this thesis was to utilise recent developments in laser diodes, data acquisition …

Unit Sum Numbers Of Abelian Groups And Modules, Christopher Meehan

Doctoral

We discuss some open questions regarding the unit sum numbers of free modules of arbitrary infinite rank over commutative rings and, in particular, over principal ideal domains. The unit sum numbers of rational groups are then investigated: the importance of the rational prime 2 being an automorphism of the rational group is discussed and other results are achieved considering the number and distribution of rational primes which are, or are not, automorphisms of the group. We next prove the existence of rational groups with unit sum numbers greater than 2 but of finite value and we estimate an upper bound …

Controlling The Optical Properties Of A Conjugated Co-Polymer Through Variation Of Backbone Isomerism And The Introduction Of Carbon Nanotubes, A. Dalton, J. Coleman, M. In Het Panhuis, B. Mccarthy, A. Drury, W. Blau, J. Nunzi, Hugh Byrne

Articles

The need to control the formation of weakly emitting species in polymers such as aggregates and excimers, which are normally detrimental to device performance, is illustrated for the example of the polymer poly(m-phenylenevinylene-co-2,5-dioctyloxy-p-phenylenevinylene), using the model compound, 2,5-dioctyloxy-p-distyrylbenzene as a comparison. Two different methods, namely a Homer-Emmons polycondensation in dimethylformamide (DMF) and a Wittig polycondensation in dry toluene, have been used during synthesis resulting in a polymer with a predominantly trans-vinylene backbone and a polymer with a predominantly cis-vinylene backbone, respectively. Photoluminescence and absorption spectroscopy indicate that the polymer forms aggregate species in solution with spectra that are distinctly red-shifted …

Numerical Simulations Of Steady And Pulsed Non-Adiabatic Magnetised Jets From Young Stars, Stephen O'Sullivan, Tom Ray

Articles

No abstract provided.

Kinetic Studies On The Reaction Of Hydroxyl Radicals With Aromatic Compounds, Paul Chadwick

Masters

No abstract provided

Nutritional Aspects Of Trans Unsaturated Fatty Acids, Mary Cantwell

Doctoral

Dietary trans unsaturated fatty acids from hydrogenated vegetable and fish oils have been shown to raise plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at 10%, 6% and 3% of energy intake. As trans fatty acid intake has not been previously assessed in Ireland a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed to assess fat intake with particular focus on trans fatty acids. A nutrient database was developed which included the fatty acid and total trans fatty acid composition of foods (measured by gas chromatography and infra-red spectroscopy) which are sources of fat in the Irish diet. …

Synthesis Of Fluroxypyr For The Use On Broad Leaf Plants, Shena Ruane

Masters

Fluroxypyr, 1-methylheptyl (4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyloxy) acetate is used for the control of annual broad leaf weeds in cereals and perennial rye grass. The objective of this work was to develop an economically viable process for the bench synthesis of an organic herbicide fluroxypyr and to scale up the reaction to two litres. This was carried out according to a technical bulletin received from Agriguard Ltd. In addition an investigation into the synthesis and characterisation of impurities formed and reported to be formed, in the reaction process was carried out. The process developed began with pentachloropyridine which on reaction with potassium fluoride in …

Synthesis Of The Fungicide Propiconazole A Systemic Foliar Fungicide., Hazel Delaney

Masters

Propiconazole, 1-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-propyl-1, 3-dioxol-2-yl[methyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole, commercially know as “Tilt” is a systemic foliar fungicide for cereals and is widely used in agriculture. The aim of this project was to develop an economically feasible process for the production of propiconazole and to maximise the yields of the intermediates in the developed process. Processes investigated included the original Ciba-Geigy process. In addition an investigation into the synthesis and characterisation of the impurities formed, and reported to be formed in each step of the reaction process was carried out and seven of the reported impurities were synthesised. One impurity was shown not to be present …

A Scene Similarity Metric For Matching Configurations Of Image Objects, James Carswell

Articles

This paper proposes a novel solution to querying image databases by matching raster features to imagery completely in the raster/spatial domain using the shape of single features together with their spatial relations as the matching primitives. The core feature-based matching module combines a revised least-squares matching algorithm, to accomplish the matching process on binary images, with a unique implementation of a feature library that organizes and links query objects with their images in the database, thus enabling fast and efficient real-time retrieval of relevant imagery. The purpose is to extend this previous work of ours, which matches on the shape …

Development Of A Novel Method For Assessing Balance: The Quantitative Posturography System, Jacinta Browne, Neil O'Hare

Articles

Balance is the ability to maintain equilibrium while sitting or standing. There are a number of different methods, which are used to assess balance: technical methods such as Sway Magnetometry, Ataxia Meter and Force Platforms and clinical methods such as Functional Reach Test, Berg Balance Test and Fall Risk Index. The most frequently used technical method is the force platform. There are two types of Force Platform a static and a dynamic Force Platform of which the dynamic Force Platform has been found to be more sensitive at detecting impaired balance. The Quantitative Posturography System (QPS) described in this paper …

Development Of A Quality Control Procedure For Force Platforms, Jacinta Browne, Neil O'Hare

Articles

A force platform is a technical method of quantitatively assessing balance indirectly. The use of force platforms in physiotherapy departments has become more prominent over the last few years. However, the main drawback in the use of force platforms is the lack of comprehensive calibration procedures, which casts doubt on the results obtained with these systems. Existing calibration tests are limited to testing the spatial accuracy of the force platform. This paper describes a comprehensive quality control test procedure which was developed. It is proposed that the developed quality control test procedure could be used to test all types of …

Rotary Honing: A Variant Of The Taylor Paint-Scraper Problem, Christopher Hills, H. Moffatt

Articles

The three-dimensional Row in a corner of fixed angle α induced by the rotation in its plane of one of the boundaries is considered. A local similarity solution valid in a neighbourhood of the centre of rotation is obtained and the streamlines are shown to be closed curves. The effects of inertia are considered and are shown to be significant in a small neighbourhood of the plane of symmetry of the flow. A simple experiment confirms that the streamlines are indeed nearly closed; their projections on planes normal to the line of intersection of the boundaries are precisely the 'Taylor' …

Bounds For The Points Of Spectral Concentration Of Sturm-Liouville Problems, Daphne Gilbert, B.J. Harris

Articles

§1. Introduction. We consider the spectral function ρα(λ) associated with the Sturm–Liouville equation

with the boundary condition

Rational Generalised Moonshine From Orbifolds, Rossen Ivanov, Michael Tuite

Articles

Frenkel, Lepowsky and Meurman constructed the Moonshine Module (MM) as a Z₂ orbifold of the Leech Lattice Meromorphic Conformal field theory. The group of automorphisms of this theory is the 'Monster Group' M - the largest finite sporadic simple group (with order ~ 8. 10⁵³ ). 'Monstrous Moonshine' is the famous observation that the Thompson series, corresponding to each class of M, is a hauptmodule for some genus zero fixing group. Norton considered Generalised Moonshine Functions (GMF), depending on two commuting Monster elements, and suggested that they are also hauptmodules. Using meromorphid Abelian orbifoldings of MM we identify …

Electroanalysis Using Differential Pulse Methods And Stripping Techniques., Enda Howard

Masters

Application of a differential pulse waveform to a microelectrode or a rotating disk electrode results in a peaked response for amperometric redox reactions. Based on these observations models were proposed and tested for these methods. Simulations of the models were carried out by inputting the relevant equations into Microsoft Excel. The microelectrode study revealed a good correlation between one model and the numerical derivative of the current following a linear sweep potential waveform. Experimentally the derivative can be obtained numerically following a linear sweep. The alternative differential pulse waveform requires more sophisticated equipment and the response can be affected by …

Enantioselective Complexation Of Amino Acids By 6a-Deoxy-6a-Hydroxyethylamino- Β -Cyclodextrin And Its Metallo-Derivatives In Aqueous Solution, Nicole Van Hoof, Noel Russell, Mary Mcnamara, Raphael Darcy

Articles

Enantioselectivity towards several amino acids by metallo-6A-deoxy-6A-hydroxyethylamino-β-cyclodextrins (metallo- β CDea’s) was investigated by potentiometric titration of the various amino acid/metallo- β CDea systems with NaOH solution. It was shown that the cyclodextrin derivative is capable of distinguishing between enantiomers of amino acid species in the presence of certain metal ions (Co, Ni, Cu and Zn). Ni- β CDea complexes show the most enantioselectivity,whereas for Cu and Co2C-_CDea complexes less selectivity is observed. As expected, Zn- β CDea complexes exhibit no enantioselectivity. Stability and selectivity, however, do not go hand in hand, since the most stable complexes are formed …

Thickness Variation Of Self-Processing Acrylamide-Based Photopolymer And Reflection Holography, F. O'Neill, Justin Lawrence, J. Sheridan

Articles

There are many types of holographic recording material. The acrylamide-based recording material examined here has one significant advantage: it is self-processing. This simplifies the recording process and enables holographic interferometry to be carried out without the need for complex realignment procedures. However, the effect that the polymerization process has on the grating thickness must be examined. This question is fundamental to the material's use in holographic optical elements, as thickness variations affect the replay conditions of the produced elements. This paper presents a study of this thickness variation and reports for the first time the production of reflection holographic gratings …

Production Of A Signal By Irradiated Cells Which Leads To A Response In Unirradiated Cells Characteristic Of Initiation Of Apoptosis, Fiona Lyng, C. Seymour, C. Mothersill

Articles

This study investigated the ability of medium from irradiated cells to induce early events in the apoptotic cascade, such as mobilization of intracellular calcium, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and increase in reactive oxygen species, in cells which were never exposed to radiation. Medium from irradiated human keratinocytes was harvested and transferred to unirradiated keratinocytes. Endpoints characteristic of the initiation of apoptosis were monitored for a period of 24 h following medium transfer. Clonogenic survival was also measured. Rapid calcium fluxes (within 30 s), loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, increases in reactive oxygen species (from 6 h after medium transfer), …

Characterisation Of The Effects Of Time And Pressure On A Group Of Electronic Voltage Standards, James Kevin Armstrong

Masters

Although primary metrology laboratories use standards based on the Josephson effect to maintain a local reference standard for dc voltage, artefact standards are still the standard of choice in many secondary laboratories. The National Metrology Laboratory, Dublin maintains a local reference standard for dc voltage by means of an ensemble of Zener-diode based electronic voltage standard units. Electronic voltage standards have a number of shortcomings over Josephson standards for use as a local reference standard. In particular their output voltages are influenced by several external factors. In order to make optimum use of the NML reference standard it is important …