Perspectives from University Graduates facing A.I and Automation in Ireland: How do Irish Higher Education’s graduates from Maynooth University perceive AI is going to impact them?

Higher Education graduates in Ireland are being poured every year into the workforce with increasing uncertainty due to technological breakthroughs in AI and Automation technologies. The speed of which is hard to keep up for higher education institutions due to the sheer amount of outdated and unengaging practices inside universities not translating into applicable skills in the workplaces. Qualitative semi-structured interviews are used to delve into the perspectives and attitudes of graduates from Maynooth University, a mid-size Irish university. The observed graduate perceptions range from lack of employable skills and practical knowledge plus a widespread culture of instrumental credentialism and lack of assertiveness in cases where the quality of the education is perceived as bad; to positive perspectives surrounding Universities lifestyle and flexible AI-powered ways of learning. Through Interpretative exploratory techniques, this thesis contributes to the discussion of a more sustainable Artificial Intelligence and education system, based on the pursue of new literacies updated to the XXI century

An X-ray view of the very faint black hole X-ray transient Swift J1357.2-0933 during its 2011 outburst

We report on the X-ray spectral (using XMM-Newton data) and timing behavior (using XMM-Newton and Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer [RXTE] data) of the very faint X-ray transient and black hole system Swift J1357.2-0933 during its 2011 outburst. The XMM-Newton X-ray spectrum of this source can be adequately fitted with a soft thermal component with a temperature of ~0.22 keV (using a disc model) and a hard, non-thermal component with a photon index of ~1.6 when using a simple power-law model. In addition, an edge at ~ 0.73 keV is needed likely due to interstellar absorption. During the first RXTE observation we find a 6 mHz quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) which is not present during any of the later RXTE observations or during the XMM-Newton observation which was taken 3 days after the first RXTE observation. The nature of this QPO is not clear but it could be related to a similar QPO seen in the black hole system H 1743-322 and to the so-called 1 Hz QPO seen in the dipping neutron-star X-ray binaries (although this later identification is quite speculative). The observed QPO has similar frequencies as the optical dips seen previously in this source during its 2011 outburst but we cannot conclusively determine that they are due to the same underlying physical mechanism. Besides the QPO, we detect strong band-limited noise in the power-density spectra of the source (as calculated from both the RXTE and the XMM-Newton data) with characteristic frequencies and strengths very similar to other black hole X-ray transients when they are at low X-ray luminosities. We discuss the spectral and timing properties of the source in the context of the proposed very high inclination of this source. We conclude that all the phenomena seen from the source cannot, as yet, be straightforwardly explained neither by an edge-on configuration nor by any other inclination configuration of the orbit.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Pengaruh Sektor Ekonomi terhadap Pendapatan Asli Daerah Provinsi Riau

Salah satu indikator kemajuan perekonomian suatu daerah dapat dilihat dariperkembangan Produk Domestik Regional Bruto (PDRB). PDRB memperlihatkanbesarnya produksi yang telah diciptakan oleh masing-masing sektor ekonomi padatahun tertentu. Semakin tinggi PDRB yang dihasilkan pada masing – masing sektor,maka akan semakin besar pula kontribusi sektor tersebut terhadap perekonomiandaerah. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh sektorekonomi (migas dan non migas) terhadap Pendapatan Asli Daerah (PAD) ProvinsiRiau dari tahun 1990 hingga 2011. Jenis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian iniadalah data sekunder berupa data PDRB sektor ekonomi dan laporan realisasipendapatan asli daerahProvinsi Riau yang terdapat pada Badan Pusat Statistik(BPS) Provinsi Riau. Metode statistik yang digunakan untuk menguji hipotesispenelitian adalah regresi linear berganda. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwasektor ekonomi tanpa migas berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Pendapatan AsliDaerah (PAD) Provinsi Riau, meskipun tidak setinggi pada pertumbuhan ekonomimigas. Terutama dari sektor pertambangan, sektor bangunan, sektor pengangkutandan sektor jasa –jasa. Hasil penelitian ini juga menunjukkan bahwa sektor ekonomimigas berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Pendapatan Asli Daerah (PAD) ProvinsiRiau, terutama pada sektor pertambangan, sektor industri pengolahan, sektorperdagangan, hotel dan restoran, dan sektor pengangkutan dan komunikasi

Low-level accretion in neutron-star X-ray binaries

We search the literature for reports on the spectral properties of neutron-star low-mass X-ray binaries when they have accretion luminosities between 1E34 and 1E36 ergs/s. We found that in this luminosity range the photon index (obtained from fitting a simple absorbed power-law in the 0.5-10 keV range) increases with decreasing 0.5-10 keV X-ray luminosity (i.e., the spectrum softens). Such behaviour has been reported before for individual sources, but here we demonstrate that very likely most (if not all) neutron-star systems behave in a similar manner and possibly even follow a universal relation. When comparing the neutron-star systems with black-hole systems, it is clear that most black-hole binaries have significantly harder spectra at luminosities of 1E34 - 1E35 erg/s. Despite a limited number of data points, there are indications that these spectral differences also extend to the 1E35 - 1E36 erg/s range. This observed difference between the neutron-star binaries and black-hole ones suggests that the spectral properties (between 0.5-10 keV) at 1E34 - 1E35 erg/s can be used to tentatively determine the nature of the accretor in unclassified X-ray binaries. We discuss our results in the context of properties of the accretion flow at low luminosities and we suggest that the observed spectral differences likely arise from the neutron-star surface becoming dominantly visible in the X-ray spectra. We also suggest that both the thermal component and the non-thermal component might be caused by low-level accretion onto the neutron-star surface for luminosities below a few times 1E34 erg/s.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Ground displacement trends in an urban environment using multi-temporal inSAR analysis and two decades of multi-sensor satellite-based SAR imagery

This exploratory research used three sets of single polarized synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite data and a multi-temporal radar interferometry (InSAR) methodology to determine the spatial evolution and ground displacement trends of several industrial parks located in the metropolitan area of Bucharest, Romania. From 70candidate areas, 20 large industrial parks were selected for analysis and interpretation. InSAR analysis used SAR data acquired between 1992 and 2014 by ERS-1/-2, ENVISAT, and TerraSAR-X satellites. Ground movement patterns identified before and after 2000 were linked to groundwater table investigations based on 25 water wells, located on or in the proximity of these areas. The analysis revealed an initial subsidence or no change in uplift areas before 2000, followed by a return to zonal movement. This trend may also be related to the shutting down of industries that consumed large amounts of water, which increased deep groundwater pressure. Only one continuous subsidence trend was identified for an industrial area located south of the city, an area which continues to be active over time. Ongoing research is focused on using traditional geological andgeomorphologic investigations, as well as comparisons with fieldGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data.info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersio

Multiwavelength spectral evolution during the 2011 outburst of the very faint X-ray transient Swift J1357.2-0933

We report our multiwavelength study of the 2011 outburst evolution of the newly discovered black hole candidate X-ray binary Swift J1357.2-0933. We analysed the Swift X-ray telescope and Ultraviolet/Optical telescope (UVOT) data taken during the ~7 months duration of the outburst. It displayed a 2-10 keV X-ray peak luminosity of ~1E35(D/1.5 kpc)^2 erg s-1 which classifies the source as a very faint X-ray transient. We found that the X-ray spectrum at the peak was consistent with the source being in the hard state, but it softened with decreasing luminosity, a common behaviour of black holes at low luminosities or returning to quiescence from the hard state. The correlations between the simultaneous X-ray and ultraviolet/optical data suggest a system with a black hole accreting from a viscous disc that is not irradiated. The UVOT filters provide the opportunity to study these correlations up to ultraviolet wavelengths a regime so far unexplored. If the black hole nature is confirmed, Swift J1357.2-0933 would be one of the very few established black hole very-faint X-ray transients.Comment: 6 pages, 2 tables, 5 figures. Accepted by MNRA

Time-Dependent Framework for Analyzing Emergency Intervention Travel Times and Risk Implications due to Earthquakes. Bucharest Case Study

Earthquakes can generate a significant number of casualties within seconds, as well as high economic losses. The lack of rapid and coordinated emergency intervention can contribute to much greater losses. In this paper we develop a framework taking advantage of the ArcGis Network Analyst extension, able to account for post-earthquake conditions and reflect travel times. By combining 1) network characteristics with 2) direct seismic damage information, 3) models to determine road obstruction potential, 4) traffic information and time-dependent post-earthquake modeling but also 5) emergency intervention facilities (hospitals or fire stations) and considerations regarding their functional limitations, this framework can provide important support for the management of emergency intervention but also for risk reduction planning. Main results consist of maps showing travel times for various scenarios and moments after an earthquake, inaccessible areas, vital roads for access or an identification of important facilities. As case study we chose Bucharest, one of Europe’s most endangered capitals considering the seismic risk level. The city was and could be considerably affected by earthquakes in the Vrancea Seismic Zone, being characterized by a high number of vulnerable buildings and by one of the greatest typical traffic congestion levels in the world. Compared to previous network studies for Bucharest, the new approach is more complex and customable, providing means for real-time integration and time-dependent analysis. Results, for a worst-case scenario, prove that the risks could be even greater than expected, but also what should be done to mitigate them, such as the construction of a new hospital in the western part of the city, ensuring safe delimited routes for emergency vehicles or expanding the treatment capacity of actual hospitals—some of which also need seismic retrofitting. Results of this study will be integrated in the revised version of the National Conception for Post-Earthquake Response—an operational framework which will lead to risk mitigation through the improvement of post-disaster reaction

Identifying ground displacement trends in Bucharest using InSAR

Some of the most popular multi-temporal interferometric techniques used in monitoring surface movements have been applied for capturing the spatial evolution patterns of Bucharest. Three sets of C and X-band single polarized SAR images (Envisat, ERS and TSX) were processed using the PS (Persistent Scatterers) and SBAS (Small BAseline Subset) techniques. The processing results consisted of deformation maps offering an image of the line of sight displacement rates in the past. In both PS and SBAS cases, displacement rates values are of the orders of millimetres. The analysis of possible trends is focused on relevant areas with a potentially interesting historical evolution, such as former clay pits, landfill excavation sites and industrial platforms. The InSAR techniques made it possible for the first time to investigate movements over large urban areas in combination with results derived from classical methodologies (diachronic cartography, geology, geomorphology) and thorough statistical analysis. The analyses lead to a new hypothesis regarding the geological processes that affect the surface evolution patterns in Bucharest.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Long-term ground deformation patterns of Bucharest using multi-temporal InSAR and multivariate dynamic analyses: a possible transpressional system?

The aim of this exploratory research is to capture spatial evolution patterns in the Bucharest metropolitan area using sets of single polarised synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite data and multi-temporal radar interferometry. Three sets of SAR data acquired during the years 1992–2010 from ERS-1/-2 and ENVISAT, and 2011–2014 from TerraSAR-X satellites were used in conjunction with the Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) and persistent scatterers (PS) high-resolution multi-temporal interferometry (InSAR) techniques to provide maps of line-of-sight displacements. The satellite-based remote sensing results were combined with results derived from classical methodologies (i.e., diachronic cartography) and field research to study possible trends in developments over former clay pits, landfill excavation sites, and industrial parks. The ground displacement trend patterns were analysed using several linear and nonlinear models, and techniques. Trends based on the estimated ground displacement are characterised by long-term memory, indicated by low noise Hurst exponents, which in the long-term form interesting attractors. We hypothesize these attractors to be tectonic stress fields generated by transpressional movements.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio