https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/106 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 00:10:25 GMT 2017-11-07T00:10:25Z https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/2190 Including unsexed individuals in sex-specific growth models Minto, Coilin; Hinde, John; Coelho, Rui Sexually dimorphic growth models are typically estimated by fitting growth curves to individuals of known sex. Yet, macrospically ascribing sex can be difficult, particularly for immature animals. As a result, sex-specific growth curves are often fit to known-sex individuals only, omitting unclassified immature individuals occupying an important region of the age-length space. We propose an alternative whereby the sex of the unclassified individuals is treated as a missing data problem to be estimated simultaneously with the sex-specific growth models. The mixture model we develop includes the biological processes of growth and sexual dimorphism. Simulations show that where the assumed growth model holds, the method improves precision and bias of all parameters relative to the data ommission case. Ability to chose the correct combination of sex-specific and sex-generic parameters is also improved. Application of the method to two shark species -where sex can be ascribed from birth- indicates improvements in the fit but also highlights the importance of the assumed model forms. The proposed method avoids discarding unclassified observations thus improving our understanding of dimorphic growth. Wed, 19 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/2190 2017-04-19T00:00:00Z https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/526 Generation 'why'?: contested concepts of ultimacy in contemporary western European culture Cammeraat, Pieter The thesis proposes that the scientistic-technologicalist-consumerist meaning structures communicated via the mass-media, and pervasive in contemporary Western European culture, are limited in scope and function. In order to substantively identify, examine, and critique these limitations, the thesis explores and posits the role of the Christian Weltanschauung in providing wider horizons of significance and Ultimacy. In pursuing these objectives, the thesis engages with authors from an extensive range of disciplines, through a series of dialectical exchanges which interrogate dominant cultural currents in contemporary Western European culture. The consideration of key concepts is ‘nested’ through the thesis such that, as the thesis progresses, these key concepts are explored and re-explored in differing conceptual contexts, in order to draw out their richest subtleties and nuances. The findings of the thesis conclude that a radical re-evaluation and recalibration of contemporary Western European cultural meaning-structures can enable the disclosure of transcendent horizons of meaning – in particular, through re-engagement with Christian symbolic ‘language’ and its capacity to communicate Ultimate meanings. The outcome would be the (re-)expansion of available theo-cultural meaning-structures and meanings, enabling reflection on the nature of contemporary Western European culture and the reinvigoration of human cultural agency within it. Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/526 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/525 Localised pasts and presents : critical viewpoints on the making of County Mayo’s Commemorative Heritages Quinn, Michael Both in Ireland and internationally, acts of commemoration have garnered much attention in recent time from political organisations and academic circles, as well as from the media and general public. Much of the focus has been on the ability of commemoration to keep open the old wounds which have long-divided certain communities and territories, or, conversely, on the power of these remembrances to unite opposing factions by finding common ground and avenues for reconciliation. Commemoration has also become increasingly commercialised, as evident through spin-off publications, video-productions and memorabilia, as well as the general rise of what is often loosely termed as the heritage industry. Indeed, our commemorative heritage has today been largely and variously moulded by interested parties and individuals; some with the honourable intention of acknowledging important aspects of history; some with ulterior motives. This thesis focuses on how the commemorative heritage of County Mayo has come to been constructed, and by whom? In exploring three distinct facets of the county’s commemorative heritage, the nature and characteristics of what is held as commonly dear, and how it is remembered is thus investigated. The efforts to establish the Céide Fields centre in Mayo and the ‘Mayo 5000 ’ programme it gave rise to, are examined with a view to gauging how commemorative heritage can be employed for commercial gain. The commemoration of the Famine is appraised with regards to the gradual willingness to confront such an episode and the appropriateness that these remembrances took on in the county. Thirdly, the changing modes by which the 1798 Rebellion has been memorialised in Mayo in light of contemporary concerns and political agendas are analysed. The overall investigation will highlight the benefits, yet also the pitfalls which have been encountered as the county has to sought to commemorate its heritage - whilst also pointing to the subtleties which give the county unit its distinctiveness. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/525 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/524 An investigation of the potential of genealogy tourism as a catalyst for regional development in County Galway Gergelyova, Marta This thesis is concerned with the challenges now faced by genealogy tourism in county Galway, situated on Ireland’s Western seaboard. It is a response to a 50% decline in the overall number of genealogy tourists visiting Ireland between 2000 and 2005. The fieldwork combined qualitative and quantitative methodologies, namely recorded focus-group and one-to-one interviews (18 interviews with 23 interviewees), participant observation (4 sessions with 6 participants), diaries (2 participants) and a questionnaire survey (302 respondents). Together with conceptual work, the empirical work assisted in producing a comprehensive cross-sectoral snapshot of genealogy tourism in the region which enabled the generation of answers to three pertinent questions: What are the reasons behind the 50% decline in the overall number of genealogy tourists to Ireland? What are the profiles, needs and expectations of genealogy tourists to Ireland and how do they differ from those of general tourists? Can the genealogy tourism market be recovered and - if yes - how can this be achieved? Finally, the Investigation brought fresh perspectives on the marketing of Irish genealogy and the need to incorporate it into new heritage tourism products that respect local needs, but respond to the competitive environment of a globalised world, in which the tourism industry continuously re-defines its roles. The overall message that emerged from this investigation is clear. A specialist, rather affluent and dedicated market of pure genealogy tourists to Ireland, even if ageing and relatively small in number, will exist for many years to come, although it is likely to gradually decline in time. However, a more broadly perceived ancestry-related tourism market, comprising the wider Diaspora who are interested in visiting Ireland as the homeland of their ancestors (and who may, to a certain degree, engage in some aspects of genealogical research), has a good chance to develop and grow. These markets need to be given a wide access to the genealogy tourism products offered by the Irish Family History Foundation societies, providing high-quality, customerorientated and reasonably-priced genealogical research services. The marketing campaigns should promote the themes of ‘ancestral visits’, ‘constructing family trees’ and ‘stories about ancestors’, as these are some of the ultimate rewards for the genealogy tourist. Finally, genealogy as a part of Ireland’s cultural heritage should nurture novel generic heritage tourism products, aimed at both - the genealogy and the general overseas tourist. A high-degree of co-ordination, co-operation, team work and joint funding should be employed among the principal stakeholders to bring this uneasy task of re-juvenation and re-vitalisation of genealogy tourism in Ireland to fruition. Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/524 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z