Linear force device

The object of the invention is to provide a mechanical force actuator which is lightweight and manipulatable and utilizes linear motion for push or pull forces while maintaining a constant overall length. The mechanical force producing mechanism comprises a linear actuator mechanism and a linear motion shaft mounted parallel to one another. The linear motion shaft is connected to a stationary or fixed housing and to a movable housing where the movable housing is mechanically actuated through actuator mechanism by either manual means or motor means. The housings are adapted to releasably receive a variety of jaw or pulling elements adapted for clamping or prying action. The stationary housing is adapted to be pivotally mounted to permit an angular position of the housing to allow the tool to adapt to skewed interfaces. The actuator mechanisms is operated by a gear train to obtain linear motion of the actuator mechanism

Building a think tank: an alternative, progressive public space in Ireland

From 2001 to 2010, the author founded and ran the first independent, progressive and evidence-based think tank in the Republic of Ireland. TASC - a think tank for Action on Social Change - is an independent, progressive think tank, based in Dublin, Ireland, whose core focus is economic equality and democratic accountability. TASC as an entity is the public work that forms the basis of the context statement. The themes explored concern the specific challenges involved in establishing an independent, progressive think tank in Ireland. To provide context, a short chronological account of the ten years from 2001 - 2010 is provided. This is followed by a discussion of how and why TASC is not only the first independent think tank in the Republic of Ireland, but acted as a catalyst for the emergence of a think tank field there. The issue of legitimacy is key to the evolution of both TASC and the space for think tanks so in Section 3, dimensions of this issue are examined. Many argue that because think tanks are founded and run by self-selected, small groups of individuals that at best they represent only these people and at worst serve the vested interests which fund them, while others argue that think tanks are an essential component of a pluralist society. Some of these arguments are explored in Section 4, which describes how TASC’s unique structure and functioning impacted on the author, the wider group involved in TASC and TASC staff. In Section 5, the role of funding is discussed, identifying the importance of charitable foundations to TASC’s establishment and survival in the first crucial ten years. Section 6 offers the authors concluding reflections

Effects of radiation forces upon the attitude of an artificial earth satellite

Solar radiation effects on attitude of satellit

Examining the mortality effects of the Irish National Smoking Ban.

Secondhand smoke causes disease and death in those exposed, with cardiovascular and respiratory problems as the most likely outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the mortality effects of the Irish national smoking ban of 2004

Excess mortality during heat waves in Ireland

Ireland is not known for having extreme high temperatures, with values above 30C uncommon. Ireland has significant excess winter mortality compared to summer. The objective of this study is to estimate the impact of nation-wide heat waves on the total, cardiovascular and respiratory relationship, for the period 1981–2003, to determine if there are any periods of excess summer mortality

Observation of a quenched moment of inertia in a rotating strongly interacting Fermi gas

We make a model-independent measurement of the moment of inertia of a rotating, expanding strongly-interacting Fermi gas. Quenching of the moment of inertia is observed for energies both below and above the superfluid transition. This shows that a strongly interacting Fermi gas with angular momentum can support irrotational flow in both the superfluid and collisional normal fluid regimes.Comment: 4 pages 5 figure