The music of language: an ERP investigation of the effects of musical training on emotional prosody processing

Recent studies have demonstrated the positive effects of musical training on the perception of vocally expressed emotion. This study investigated the effects of musical training on event-related potential (ERP) correlates of emotional prosody processing. Fourteen musicians and fourteen control subjects listened to 228 sentences with neutral semantic content, differing in prosody (one third with neutral, one third with happy and one third with angry intonation), with intelligible semantic content (semantic content condition--SCC) and unintelligible semantic content (pure prosody condition--PPC). Reduced P50 amplitude was found in musicians. A difference between SCC and PPC conditions was found in P50 and N100 amplitude in non-musicians only, and in P200 amplitude in musicians only. Furthermore, musicians were more accurate in recognizing angry prosody in PPC sentences. These findings suggest that auditory expertise characterizing extensive musical training may impact different stages of vocal emotional processing.

Controlled aggregation of gold nanoparticles in a di-ureasilmatrix. Optical and micro indentation investigation

Nanocomposite materials with an organic-inorganic urea-silicate (di-ureasil) based matrix containing gold nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and characterized by optical (UV/Vis) spectroscopy and indentation measurement. The urea silicate gels were obtained by reaction between silicon alkoxyde modified by isocyanate group and polyethylene glycol oligomer with amine terminal groups in presence of catalyst. The latter ensures the successful incorporation of citrate-stabilized gold NPs in the matrix. It is shown that using a convenient destabilizing agent (AgNO3) and governing the preparative conditions, the aggregation degree of gold NPs can be controlled. The developed synthesis procedure significantly simplifies the preparative procedure of gold/urea silicate nanocomposites, compared to the procedure using gold NPs, preliminary covered with silica shells. Mechanical properties of the prepared sample were characterised using depth sensing indentation methods (DSI) and an idea about the type of aggregation structures was suggested.

Investigation on the homogeneity and stability of aqueous nano cellulose suspensions prepared using pluronic F-127

This paper presents the results of experimental investigation on the aqueous dispersion behaviour of micro crystalline cellulose (MCC) prepared using Pluronic F-127. For this purpose, different concentrations (0.5-3.0 wt.%) of MCC were dispersed in water with the help of ultrasonication technique using various concentrations of Pluronic F-127. The homogeneity of the suspensions and agglomerations were characterized by optical and transmission electron microscopy and the concentration of well dispersed MCC was measured using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Also, the suspensions were subjected to high speed ultracentrifugation at 3000 rpm and observed visually for sedimentation and subsequently, concentration was calculated using UV-Vis, in order to assess the long term stability of the suspensions. Based on these experiments, optimum concentration of Pluronic to disperse different MCC concentrations has been suggested.

Electronic structure and optical signatures of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenide nanosheets

CONSPECTUS: Two-dimensional (2D) crystals derived from transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are intriguing materials that offer a unique platform to study fundamental physical phenomena as well as to explore development of novel devices. Semiconducting group 6 TMDs such as MoS2 and WSe2 are known for their large optical absorption coefficient and their potential for high efficiency photovoltaics and photodetectors. Monolayer sheets of these compounds are flexible, stretchable, and soft semiconductors with a direct band gap in contrast to their well-known bulk crystals that are rigid and hard indirect gap semiconductors. Recent intense research has been motivated by the distinct electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of these TMD crystals in the ultimate thickness regime. As a semiconductor with a band gap in the visible to near-IR frequencies, these 2D MX2 materials (M = Mo, W; X = S, Se) exhibit distinct excitonic absorption and emission features. In this Account, we discuss how optical spectroscopy of these materials allows investigation of their electronic properties and the relaxation dynamics of excitons. We first discuss the basic electronic structure of 2D TMDs highlighting the key features of the dispersion relation. With the help of theoretical calculations, we further discuss how photoluminescence energy of direct and indirect excitons provide a guide to understanding the evolution of the electronic structure as a function of the number of layers. We also highlight the behavior of the two competing conduction valleys and their role in the optical processes. Intercalation of group 6 TMDs by alkali metals results in the structural phase transformation with corresponding semiconductor-to-metal transition. Monolayer TMDs obtained by intercalation-assisted exfoliation retains the metastable metallic phase. Mild annealing, however, destabilizes the metastable phase and gradually restores the original semiconducting phase. Interestingly, the semiconducting 2H phase, metallic 1T phase, and a charge-density-wave-like 1T' phase can coexist within a single crystalline monolayer sheet. We further discuss the electronic properties of the restacked films of chemically exfoliated MoS2. Finally, we focus on the strong optical absorption and related exciton relaxation in monolayer and bilayer MX2. Monolayer MX2 absorbs as much as 30% of incident photons in the blue region of the visible light despite being atomically thin. This giant absorption is attributed to nesting of the conduction and valence bands, which leads to diversion of optical conductivity. We describe how the relaxation pathway of excitons depends strongly on the excitation energy. Excitation at the band nesting region is of unique significance because it leads to relaxation of electrons and holes with opposite momentum and spontaneous formation of indirect excitons.

An experimental investigation on nano-TiO2 and fly ash based high performance concrete

High performance concrete (HPC) offers several advantages over normal-strength concrete, namely, high mechanical strength and high durability. Therefore, HPC allows for concrete structures with less steel reinforcement and a longer service life, both of which are crucial issues in the eco-efficiency of construction materials. Nevertheless international publications on the field of concrete containing nanoparticles are scarce when compared to Portland cement concrete (around 1%) of the total international publications. HPC nanoparticle-based publications are even scarcer. This article presents the results of an experimental investigation on the mechanical properties and durability of HPC based on nano-TiO2 and fly ash. The durability performance was assessed by means of water absorption by immersion, water absorption by capillarity, ultrasonic pulse velocity, electric resistivity, chloride diffusion and resistance to sulphuric acid attack. The results show that the concretes containing an increased content of nano-TiO2 show decreased durability performance. The results also show that concrete with 1% nano-TiO2 and 30% fly ash as Portland cement replacement show a high mechanical strength (C55/C67) and a high durability. However, it should be noted that the cost of nano-TiO2 is responsible for a severe increase in the cost of concrete mixtures.

Investigation of cognition in schizophrenia: psychometric properties of instruments for assessing working memory updating

Objective This study describes the development of two updating measures of working memory (WM): Letter Updating Test (LUT) and Word Updating Test (WUT). Methods In stage 1, items were created and the instruments were assessed by experts and laymen. In stage 2, tests were given to 15 patients with schizophrenia and 15 paired controls. All were able to understand and respond to the instruments. In stage 3, 141 patients with schizophrenia and 119 healthy controls aged 18 to 60 took part; they were assessed on WM, processing speed (PS) and functional outcome. Results The results showed adequate rates of internal consistency for both measures developed, for both the total sample and each group separately, as well as evidence of convergent validity, discriminant validity and sensitivity to differentiate performance among the groups. Principal component analysis yielded two components, one for updating tests and other for PS measures, indicating factorial validity. Positive and significant, yet low, correlations were found with functionality measures. Conclusion These results provide adequate psychometric parameters for the measures developed, applicable to cognitive research settings in schizophrenia.

DNA evidence collecting in criminal investigation: Portuguese and Thai legal approaches

Doctoral Thesis in Juridical Sciences (Specialty in Public Legal Sciences)

Investigación de defectos genéticos en el sistema de la fosforilasa hepática en pacientes argentinos. Definición nosológica mediante una estrategia de análisis molecular. Investigation of genetic defects in the hepatic phosphorylase system in Argentinean patients. Nosological definition by molecular analysis strategy.

Las Enfermedades de Atesoramiento de Glucógeno (EAGs) también llamadas Glucogenosis comprenden un grupo de entidades causadas por una deficiencia enzimática específica relacionada con la vía de síntesis o degradación de esta macromolécula. La heterogeneidad fenotípica de los pacientes afectados dificulta la identificación de las diferentes variantes de EAG y por ende la correcta definición nosológica. En el Centro de Estudio de las Metabolopatías Congénitas, CEMECO, se fueron definiendo los diferentes tipos de Glucogenosis a través de una estrategia multidisciplinaria que integra distintos niveles de investigación clínica y complementaria, laboratorio metabólico especializado, enzimático, histomorfológico y de análisis molecular. Sin embargo, en algunos enfermos, entre los que se encuentran aquellos con defectos en el sistema de la fosforilasa hepática (EAG-VI y EAG-IX), la exacta definición nosológica aún no está resulta. La EAG-VI se refiere a un defecto en la fosforilasa hepática, enzima codificada por el gen PYGL, mientras que la EAG-IX es causada por un defecto genético en una de las subunidades de la fosforilasa b quinasa hepática codicadas por los genes PHKA2, PHKB y PHKG2, respectivamente. El objetivo del presente trabajo es propender a la definición nosológica de pacientes con defectos en el sistema de la fosforilasa mediante una estrategia de análisis molecular investigando los genes PYGL, PHKA2, PHKB y PHKG2. Los pacientes incluidos en este estudio deberán ser compatibles de padecer una EAG-VI o EAG-IX sobre la base de síntomas clínicos y hallazgos bioquímicos. La metodología incluirá la determinación de la enzima fosforilasa b quinasa en glóbulos rojos y dentro del análisis molecular la extracción de DNA genómico a partir de sangre entera para la amplificación por PCR de los exones más las uniones exon/intron de los genes PHKG2 y PYGL y la extracción de RNA total y obtención de cDNA para posterior amplificación de los cDNA PHKA2 y PHKB. Todos los fragmentos amplificados serán sometidos a análisis de secuencia de nucleótidos. Resultados esperados. Este trabajo, primero en Argentina, permitirá establecer las bases moleculares de los defectos del sistema de la fosforilasa hepática (EAG-VI y EAG-IX). El poder lograr este nivel de investigación traerá aparejado, una oferta integrativa en el vasto capítulo de las glucogenosis hepáticas, con extraordinaria significación en la práctica asistencial para el manejo, pronóstico y correspondiente asesoramiento genético. Hepatic glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are a group of disorders produced by a deficiency in a specific protein involved in the metabolism of glycogen causing different types of GSDs. Phenotypic heterogeneity of affected patients difficult to identify the different GSD variants and therefore the correct definition of the disease. In the “Centro de Estudio de las Metabolopatías Congénitas”, CEMECO, were defined the different GSD types by a protocol which included complex gradual levels of clinical, biochemical, enzymatic and morphological investigation. However, in some patients, like those one with defects in the hepatic phosphorylase system (GSD-VI and GSD-IX) the exact definition of the disease has not yet been resolved. The GSD-VI is produced by a defect in the PYGL gen that encode the liver phosphorylase, while the GSD-IX is caused by a genetic defect in one of the Phosphorylase b kinase subunits, encoded by the PHKA2, PHKB and PHKG2 genes, respectively. The aim of the present study is to define the phosphorylase system defects in argentinian patients through a molecular strategy that involve the investigation of PYGL, PHKA2, PHKB and PHKG2 genes. Patients included in the present study must be compatible with a GSD-VI or GSD-IX on the bases of clinical symptoms and biochemical findings. The phosphorylase b kinase activity will be assay on in blood red cells. The molecular study will include genomic DNA extraction for the amplification of PHKG2 and PYGL genes and the total RNA extraction for amplification of the PHKA2 and PHKB cDNA by PCR. All PCR-amplified fragments will be subjected to direct nucleotide sequencing. This work, first in Argentina, will make possible to establish the molecular basis of the defects on the hepatic phosphorylase system (GSD-VI and GSD IX). To achieve this level of research will entail advance in the study of the hepatic glycogen storage disease, with extraordinary significance in the treatment, prognosis and the genetic counselling.

An investigation of soil quality parameters relating to agricultural reuse and land disposal options for the management of biosolids

Sludge provides valuable nutrients to soil. Application of sludge to land is subject to a number of limitations. Its use as a soil conditioner represents a "beneficial reuse option". Primary and secondary sludge from Dublin city is treated in Ringsend treatment plant where it undergoes thermal drying. This study investigates the feasibility of land application of thermally dried biosolids (TDB) from Ringsend treatment plant.

Bioremediation of diesel contaminated soils : an investigation into the effects of biosurfactant and organic matter amendments

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of biosurfactants and organic matter amendments on the bioremediation of diesel contaminated soil. Two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the ability to produce biosurfactant were isolated from a water and soil sample in Co. Sligo. The first strain, Isolate A, produced a biosurfactant which contained four rhamnose containing compounds, when grown in proteose peptone glucose ammonium salts medium with glucose as the carbon source. Two of the components were identified as rhamnolipid 1 and 2 whilst the other two components were unidentified. The second strain, Isolate GO, when grown in similar conditions produced a biosurfactant which contained only rhamnolipid 2. The type of aeration system used had a significant effect on the abiotic removal of diesel from soil. Forced aeration at a rate of 120L 02/kg soil/ hour resulted in the greatest removal. Over a 112 day incubation period this type o f aeration resulted in the removal o f 48% o f total hexane extractable material. In relation to bioremediation of the diesel contaminated sandy soil, amending the soil with two inorganic nutrients, KH2PO4 and NÜ4N03, significantly enhanced the removal of diesel, especially the «- alkanes, when compared to an unamended control. The biosurfactant from Isolate A and a biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIMB 8628 (a known biosurfactant producer), when applied at a concentration of three times their critical micelle concentration, had a neutral effect on the biodégradation o f diesel contaminated sandy soil, even in the presence o f inorganic nutrients. It was deduced that the main reason for this neutral effect was because they were both readily biodegraded by the indigenous microorganisms. The most significant removal of diesel occurred when the soils were amended with two organic materials plus the inorganic nutrients. Amendment of the diesel contaminated soil with spent brewery grain (SBG) removed significantly more diesel than amendment with dried molassed sugar beet pulp (DMSBP). After a 108 day incubation period, amendment of the diesel contaminated soil with DMSBP plus inorganic nutrients and SBG plus inorganic nutrients resulted in 72 and 89% removal of diesel range organics (DRO), in comparison to 41% removal of DRO in an inorganic nutrient amended control. The first order kinetic model described the degradation of the different diesel components with high correlation and was used to calculate Vi lives. The V2 life, of the total «-alkanes in the diesel was reduced from 40 days in the control to 8.5 and 5.1 days in the presence of DMSBP and SBG, respectively. The V2 life o f the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) in the diesel contaminated soil was also significantly reduced in the presence o f the two organics. DMSBP and SBG addition reduced UCM V2 life to 86 and 43 days, respectively, compared to 153 days in the control. The component of diesel whose removal was enhanced the greatest through the organic material amendments was the isoprenoid, pristane, a compound which until recently was thought to be nonbiodegradable and was used as an inert biomarker in oil degradation studies. The V2 life of pristane was reduced from 533 days in the nutrient amended control to 49.5 and 19.5 days in DMSBP and SBG amended soils. These results indicate that the addition o f the DMSBP and SBG to diesel contaminated soil stimulated diesel biodégradation, probably by enhancing the indigenous diesel degrading microbial population to degrade diesel hydrocarbons, whilst the addition o f biosurfactants had no enhanced effect on the bioremediation process.

Polish immigrants in Ireland's black economy: a phenomenological investigation

The purpose of this thesis is to answer the research question ‗why do some Polish migrants engage in shadow employment in the Republic of Ireland?‘ The individual and group interviews, which were conducted in August 2011 with thirteen Polish migrants, living and working in Ireland, generated the answer to the research question. Interviewees‘ responses were analysed from the point of view of the literature that examines the various factors within the topics of migration and the black economy. The thesis begins with theoretical background information regarding the enlargement of the European Union and the economic situation of Poland and Ireland. Then migration theories are explained and Polish and Irish migration history is presented. Next, the issue of the black economy and shadow employment is developed with a focus on its presence in Poland and Ireland. The following section is dedicated to the research methodology that was adopted to ensure effective collection of the information. The issues of the qualitative and quantitative research, phenomenological approach to the research and interviews as data collection are raised in that section. The last part of the thesis is based on an analysis of the respondents‘ statements. It explores interviewees‘ experience of life and work in Ireland. The main part of that section develops the reasons why do Polish workers engage in shadow employment in the Republic of Ireland. Simultaneously, it provides the answers to the research question of this thesis.

An investigation into the temperature distribution resulting from cutting of compact bone using a reciprocating bone saw

Surgical procedures such as osteotomy and hip replacement involve the cutting of bone with the aid of various manual and powered cutting instruments including manual and powered bone saws. The basic mechanics of bone sawing processes are consistent with most other material sawing processes such as for wood or metal. Frictional rubbing between the blade of the saw and the bone results in the generation of localised heating of the cut bone. Research studies have been carried out which consider the design of the bone saw which deals with specifics of the saw teeth geometry and research which examines the effect of drilling operations on heating of the bone has shown that elevated temperatures will occur from frictional overheating. This overheating in localised areas is known to have an impact on the rate of healing of the bone post operation and the sharpness life of the blade. The purpose of this study was to measure the temperature at three zones at fixed intervals of 3mm, 6mm, and 9mm away from the cutting zone. It should be noted that it was the first time that this measurement technique was used to measure the temperature gradient through the bone specimen thereby establishing the extent to which clinicians are experiencing thermal injury during sawing of bone while using a reciprocating saw. The effect of various cutting feed rate on temperature elevation was also investigated in this research. The results showed that there will be a region of bone at least 9mm either side of the cutting blade experiencing thermal injury as temperatures in this region exceeded the threshold temperature of 44°C for necrosis (cell death).

An Investigation into Irish State patronage of the visual arts.

The focus of this research is in ascertaining how and why the Irish state patronises the visual arts. The framework that the state puts in place for the support of the arts influences the creation of art. The initial standpoint from which to evaluate the system is founded on the belief that art is of social good. The second source of belief is in the necessity for an autonomous setting in which it can be created. These two beliefs underpin state patronage of the arts in contemporary society. Therefore they have to be examined carefully in order to see if they hold up. This requires an investigation into the formation of value. This is undertaken by looking into the social development of western society and its influence on the placement of arts value. Establishing how arts value to society is defined provides a means by which to investigate the manner in which the state patronises the visual arts. Two case studies provide the evidence in how the state supports the arts and why it chooses to do so. The Irish Museum of Modem Art is used as an example of the state’s role in the maintenance of the canon of art. The second case study looks at the work being done by Breaking Ground. Breaking Ground is an extensive art project as an element of the regeneration process happening in Ballymun funded by the state. It provides and insight into how the state utilises art in the unification of a social group.

Investigation into the feasibility of a West of Ireland Pumped Storage System

Ireland’s remote position on the tip of Europe ensures that the country is vulnerable to uncertainty of supply. The reliance on conventional sources of electricity has ensured that escalated prices and high carbon emissions have been witnessed whilst opportunities that inherent resources provide, such as the wind, have not been capitalised upon. The intermittent nature of the wind make it difficult to maximise its potential as in many cases the highest wind speeds are highest when demand is low. The West of Ireland’s combination of wind speeds and unique topography makes it suitable for and innovative wind powered pumped storage system, which can essentially regulate the wind generated electricity and integrate further penetration of renewable energy. In addition, its location along the Atlantic Ocean provides further scope for innovation as seawater can be integrated into the system design. The construction of such an unprecedented project in combination with increased interconnectors has the potential to make Ireland a rechargeable battery for Europe. However, such ambitious plans are at the very early stages and are in direct contrast to current events in the Irish energy market. This study focuses on the feasibility of West of Ireland pumped storage systems. Entailed within this is an extensive desk study, a detailed site selection process and a feasibility study of grid connection. To increase opportunities to identify the best possible site, the feasibility study was focused on the Galway and Mayo areas solely.

An investigation into system security requirements and implementation in an Application Service Provider (ASP) environment

Although the ASP model has been around for over a decade, it has not achieved the expected high level of market uptake. This research project examines the past and present state of ASP adoption and identifies security as a primary factor influencing the uptake of the model. The early chapters of this document examine the ASP model and ASP security in particular. Specifically, the literature and technology review chapter analyses ASP literature, security technologies and best practices with respect to system security in general. Based on this investigation, a prototype to illustrate the range and types of technologies that encompass a security framework was developed and is described in detail. The latter chapters of this document evaluate the practical implementation of system security in an ASP environment. Finally, this document outlines the research outputs, including the conclusions drawn and recommendations with respect to system security in an ASP environment. The primary research output is the recommendation that by following best practices with respect to security, an ASP application can provide the same level of security one would expect from any other n-tier client-server application. In addition, a security evaluation matrix, which could be used to evaluate not only the security of ASP applications but the security of any n-tier application, was developed by the author. This thesis shows that perceptions with regard to fears of inadequate security of ASP solutions and solution data are misguided. Finally, based on the research conducted, the author recommends that ASP solutions should be developed and deployed on tried, tested and trusted infrastructure. Existing Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) should be used where possible and security best practices should be adhered to where feasible.