A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE IRISH ELECTORAL REGISTER AND ITS USE FOR POPULATION ESTIMATION AND SAMPLE SURVEYS. General Research Series Paper No. 130, July 1986

The Electoral Register’s prime purpose is to serve as a list of those persons in tile State who are eligible to vote in national and local elections. Apart from this function it is also used by researchers in the social sciences for other purposes, as it is tile only regularly updated list of the adult population which is readily available. In particular, it has been used as a sampling frame for social surveys and as an indicator of population levels. The accuracy of the Register is, therefore, of interest to researchers

Enhancing consumers' voluntary use of small-scale wind turbines to generate own electricity in South Africa

This paper investigates whether South African households and small businesses can take advantage of the country’s substantial wind resources to produce their own power from small-scale wind turbines in a viable way. The viability of small-scale wind turbines is assessed by means of a financial analysis based on the internal rate of return method. The recently announced wind feed-in tariff will not affect the viability of consumer-based small-scale wind turbines considered in this paper since such turbines are used to displace electricity consumption from the grid rather than supplying electricity to the grid. Thus the benefits of such wind turbines’ output is valued at the grid power tariff which is saved rather than at the wind feed-in tariff rate as electricity arbitrage opportunities are non-existent because of the smallness of the turbines. The analysis found the turbines to be viable in only a few of the windiest locations in South Africa. As the competiveness of the turbines is seriously challenged by the relatively low coal-based electricity tariffs in South Africa the financial analysis also considers alternative scenarios where the turbines are supported by financial mechanisms, namely: a tariff subsidy; a capital subsidy and revenue from carbon credits. The analysis reveals that a tariff subsidy of about R1.45/kWh or capital subsidy of about R30,000/kW will be more effective in boosting the viability of consumer-based small-scale wind turbines in areas with winds of at least 5m/s. Thus, if the government’s goal is renewable energy expansion in the country, there is a need for subsidizing all producers of renewable energy including those who produce it for their own consumption as they equally contribute to that goal. A tariff subsidy is however likely to be met with both political and public resistance if it means that consumers have to cross-subsidize the tariff. Also, the significant funds required for capital subsidies might not be freely available. An alternative solution would be granting soft loans to potential wind turbine buyers. Ultimately, the removal of distortionary support to coal-based electricity generation will go a long way in enhancing the viability of small-scale wind turbines.small-scale wind turbines; microgeneration; renewable energy; wind energy; South Africa

Maximising the mutual interoperability of an MRI scanner and a cancer therapy particle accelerator

The work described in this PhD thesis was undertaken as part of a much larger research project: The Australian MRI-Linac program. The goal of this program is to merge two existing medical technologies – an MRI scanner and a Linear Accelerator (Linac) – thereby creating an advanced form of cancer treatment incorporating cutting edge anatomical and physiological imaging techniques. An overview of the background information necessary to understand the work presented in this thesis is provided in chapters 1 (overview of radiotherapy) and 2 (overview of electromagnetism and accelerator physics). The work in the remainder of this thesis can be split into two distinct sections, corresponding to the two quite different (but ultimately related) projects I worked on throughout this thesis: modelling the impact of external magnetic fields on electron beam transport within the linear accelerator, and the implementation of patient rotation in radiotherapy. The former project is the focus of Chapters 3-6. In Chapter 3 a finite element model of a clinical gridded electron gun is developed based on 3D laser scanning and electrical measurements, and the sensitivity of this gun in magnetic fields characterised. The results complement the existing literature in showing that conventional linear accelerator components are very sensitive to external magnetic fields – in fact this gun is over twice as sensitive to axial magnetic fields than the less realistic models existing in the literature. A first order approach to overcoming this sensitivity is to use magnetic shielding – however magnetic shielding of the linear accelerator can negatively impact on the performance of the MRI scanner. This magnetic shielding problem is explored in Chapter 4, where the fundamental principles of passive magnetic shielding are explored, and magnetic shields are implemented for the two possible MRI-linac configurations (in-line and perpendicular) for the 1.0 Tesla MRI magnet used in the Australian MRI Linac program. The efficacy of the shielding and the impact on the MRI is quantified, with the conclusion that passive shielding could be successfully implemented to allow acceptable operation of the linac without overly degrading the magnet performance of the MRI scanner. An alternative approach to magnetic shielding which would not have any impact on the magnet is to redesign the linear accelerator such that it functions robustly in an MRI environment without the need for shielding. This approach is explored in chapter 5, where a novel electron accelerator concept based on an RF-electron gun configuration is detailed. It is shown via particle in cell simulations that such a design would be able to operate in a wide range of axial magnetic fields with minimal current loss. In chapter 6, an experimental beam line based on this concept was constructed at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). This project is ongoing but progress so far is described in Chapter 6. In the second part of this thesis, a completely different project is explored, patient rotation. Patient rotation would be very beneficial for MRI-Linac systems as it would eliminate the complicated engineering that is used in conventional systems to rotate the beam around the patient, and the MRI could be used to adapt in real time for the resultant anatomic deformation. Patient rotation would also minimise some of the sources of electromagnetic interference explored in chapters 3-7. The two major obstacles to patient rotation are (1) Page 11 patient tolerance to rotation, and (2) anatomical deformation due to rotation. To quantify patient rotation, a clinical study of 15 patients was carried out and is detailed in chapter 7. The results of this study suggest that patient tolerance to rotation may not be a major issue, although this result needs to be verified in larger patient cohorts. In chapter 8, the design and construction of an MRI-compatible patient rotation device is detailed. This device is the first of its kind, and will allow data on anatomic deformation under rotation to be collected, enabling strategies to adapt for this motion to be developed. Thus far, MRI compatibility has been assessed and a volunteer imaging study undertaken, in which pelvic images were acquired under rotation angles of 360⁰ every 45⁰. In summary: In chapters 3-5, the impact of magnetic fields on conventional accelerator components was quantified; and two independent approaches to compensating for these effects (magnetic shielding and bespoke accelerator design) were explored. In chapter 6, an experimental beam is constructed to verify and support the findings of chapter 6. In chapter 7, a clinical study was undertaken quantifying patient tolerance of slow, single arc rotation. Finally, in chapter 8 a unique medical device was designed, constructed and tested, and through this device MRI images of anatomical distortion under lying rotation were collected and quantified

SOURCES OF DATA ON POVERTY IN IRELAND. ESRI Working Paper No. 10, October 1989

The basic objective of this paper is to describe all sources of data, both sample surveys and administrative records, relating to the measurement and assessment of poverty in the Republic of Ireland. It also offers some suggestions as to how these sources might best be exploited and developed in the future

Formal home care utilisation by older adults in Ireland: Evidence from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing

The aim of this study is to provide a population based estimate of the utilisation of publicly financed formal home care by older adults in Ireland and to identify the principal characteristics of those utilising formal home care. Data were collected through computer-aided personal interviews from a representative sample of community living older adults in Ireland. The interviews were conducted between 2009 and 2011 as part of the first wave of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). The study is cross-sectional in design and limited to participants aged 65 years and older (n=3507). Results reveal that 8.2% (95% CI 7.1%-9.3%) of participants utilised publicly financed formal home care in the form of home help and/or personal care. Key determinants of formal home care utilisation were Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) difficulty (Adj OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.7-5.3), older age (Adj OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.4-4.8) and living alone (Adj OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.9-3.8). Almost half of those utilising formal care did not self-report an Activity of Daily Living (ADL) difficulty or an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) difficulty. Government policy aims to reduce the need for long-term residential care by providing formal home care for older adults with low to moderate levels of dependency. This requires an increasing emphasis on personal care provision in the home. No evidence was found in this study to suggest that a shift in emphasis from formal domestic to personal care is taking place in Ireland. The absence of standardised assessment and eligibility criteria are deemed to be barriers to reorientation of the system. From a health services perspective the current situation is not sustainable into the future and requires a focused policy response

Sol-gel Characteristics for Corrosion Resistance of Anodised Aluminium

Conventional anodising electrolytes based on sulphuric acid, oxalic acid and phosphoric acid have been used to form nanoporous layers on AA3003-H14 and sealed with silane based sol-gel sealers. It is shown that the sol-gel chemistries have varying levels of pore penetration depending on the synthesis conditions. The extent of sol-gel penetration and pore sealing is analysed by electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. To describe the sealing phenomena observed a sol-gel penetration and sealing rating has been proposed to explain the interactions of the sol-gels with the pores of the anodised layers. The corrosion resistance of the sol-gel sealed anodised aluminium surfaces was evaluated using neutral salt spray testing and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Clonsast Social Survey. ESRI Memorandum Series No. 126 1977

Clonsast is Bord na Mona's (BnM) oldest established larger type bog. It consists of six smaller bogs, - Garryhinch, Derryounce, Derrylea, Clonsast main bog, North bog and the Bulge. The whole group of bogs is situated close to Portarlington and has a gross area of 10,700 acres. Over 200,000 tons of sod peat are produced in these bogs annually but supplies are becoming exhausted. Production will progressively reduce from now onwards and by 1994 it will be down to an estimated 34,000 tons annually. Most of the turf from the Clonsast works is supplied to the ESB for use in the Portarlington generating station which has a 37.5 Mg Watt capacity. At present this station forms part of the ESB's base load electricity supply and will continue as such up to 1985, using 130,000 tons per year, which will be reduced to 100,000 tons for the last four years

PANEL RESEARCH ON POVERTY IN IRELAND. ESRI Working Paper No. 14, October 1989

This paper attempts to describe the major research project on Poverty and related issues on which we at the ESRI have been working for the past four years. This project forms part of the EC-funded co-ordinated Research Project on Poverty which Professor Deleeck, the co-ordinator, has discussed in the previous paper. I trust that my description of the Irish experiences. both positive and negative, with this type of inquiry will help to elucidate the contribution which such studies can make to our understanding of poverty in Europe today and suggest guidelines for the conduct of such research in the future. I hope that my comments will complement those of Professor Deleeck by sketching the overall approach to the analysis of poverty adopted by one of the countries involved

Efficient planar camera calibration via automatic image selection

This paper details a novel approach to automatically selecting images which improve camera calibration results. An algorithm is presented which identifies calibration images that inherently improve camera parameter estimates based on their geometric configuration or image network geometry. Analysing images in a more intuitive geometric framework allows image networks to be formed based on the relationship between their world to image homographies. Geometrically, it is equivalent to enforcing maximum independence between calibration images, this ensures accuracy and stability when solving the planar calibration equations. A webcam application using the proposed strategy is presented. This demonstrates that careful consideration of image network geometry, which has largely been neglected within the community, can yield more accurate parameter estimates with less images

Synthesis, structural and biological studies of potential 5-HT3 receptor antagonists

This thesis involves the syntheses of new compounds as potential antagonists of the 5- HT3 receptor, a sub-group of the serotonin receptors. The objective of the work can be considered two fold: The primary aim, which can be regarded as the principal goal, was the design and chemical synthesis of new molecules which could antagonise the 5 -HT3 receptor and thus lead to new drug substances which could be effective in the treatment of illnesses associated with this receptor, among which may be included the control of emesis in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Secondly, by carrying out the structural and conformational studies of the synthesised compounds and relating these to the biological studies it was hoped to elucidate more information on the nature of the 5 -HT3 receptor, the structure of which is unknown. Three series of potential antagonists were synthesised. The first series involves a tropane spiroimidazoline molecule with various aromatic substituents in the 2 ' position of the imidazoline ring (the final compounds of this series have been numbered I a-g throughout the text, the number I referring to the number of the series and the letters a-g to the individual final products within the series) The structure represents a novel feature within the known 5 -HT3 antagonists. A second series of products (II a-g) was synthesised in which the tropane function of the molecule was replaced by a bicyclic quinuclidine system. The synthetic method developed for the syntheses of these 2'-aryl- 8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2. l]octane-3-spiro 4'(5')-imidazolines and 2'-aryl-l-azabicyclo[ 2.2.2]octane-3-spiro-4'(5')-imidazo-lines takes place via the reaction of an azabicyclic 1,2-diamines with aryl imidate salts. Competing reactions in the syntheses of the 1,2-diamines such as the reduction of aminonitriles with LiAlFLj lead to some anomalous products. In the Pinner synthesis of the imidates, unstable pyridine type imidates were stabilised as their A'-oxide derivatives. A third series of tropane 1,2,4-oxadiazoles (III a-g) was synthesised via the reaction of exo-3-carbomethoxy-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane with aryl amidoximes. The former tropinone carbomethoxy ester was synthesised in a high yielding stereospecific synthesis from tropinone, via the intermediacy of 3-(l,3-dithiane-2-ylidene)-8-methyI- 8-azabicyclo[3.2. ljoctane. The structural and conformational analysis of the compounds shows that in solution the tropinone moiety in both the tropinone spiroimidazolines and the tropinone oxadiazoles adopts a chair-envelope conformation for the piperidine and pyrrolidine rings respectively, with the piperidine ring in a slightly flattened disposition. The N-methyl group adopts an equatorial position with respect to the six membered piperidine ring. Xray structural analysis for one compound in each of the tropinone series showed that a similar conformation was observed for the tropinone systems in the solid state. In the tropinone imidazoline series the aromatic indole group attached to the imidazoline ring was conjugated with the latter thus forming an almost planar structure, a phenomenon which was also observed,in solution, and thus provides an important feature for 5 -HT3 antagonists. Pharmacological and biochemical studies indicated that one compound in each of the spiroimidazoline series (those containing the dichlorophenyl aromatic substituent) displayed 5 -HT3 antagonistic properties comparable to MDL 72222 a potent 5 -HT3 receptor antagonist. These activity results, combined with the structural analysis, led to the conclusion that the imidazoline group was acting as an bioisosteric replacement for a carbonyl function and as such is the first time this system has been reported in 5 -HT3 antagonists. The oxadiazole series likewise displayed several biologically active molecules of which the most active was again that containing the dichlorophenyl substituent as the aromatic portion of the molecule