bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do forests ‘fall silent’ following aerial applications of 1080 poison? Development and application of bird monitoring methods using automated sound recording devices
Authors:   , Cook Asher
Published: November 2021

Electronic bioacoustic techniques are providing new and effective ways of monitoring birds and have a number of advantages over other traditional monitoring methods. Given the increasing popularity of bioacoustic methods, and the difficulties associated with automated analyses (e.g. high Type I error rates), it is important that the most effective ways of scoring audio recordings are investigated. In Chapter Two I describe a novel sub-sampling and scoring technique (the ‘10 in 60 sec’ method) which estimates the vocal conspicuousness of bird species through the use of repeated presence-absence counts and compare its performance with a current manual method. The ‘10 in 60 sec’ approach reduced variability in estimates of vocal conspicuousness, significantly increased the number of species detected per count and reduced temporal autocorrelation. I propose that the ‘10 in 60 sec’ method will have greater overall ability to detect changes in underlying birdsong parameters and hence provide more informative data to scientists and conservation managers.  It is often anecdotally suggested that forests ‘fall silent’ and are devoid of birdsong following aerial 1080 operations. However, it is difficult to objectively assess the validity of this claim without quantitative information that addresses the claim specifically. Therefore in Chapter Three I applied the methodological framework outlined in Chapter Two to answer a controversial conservation question: Do New Zealand forests ‘fall silent’ after aerial 1080 operations? At the community level I found no evidence for a reduction in birdsong after the 1080 operation and eight out of the nine bird taxa showed no evidence for a decline in vocal conspicuousness. Only one species, tomtit (Petroica macrocephala), showed evidence for a decline in vocal conspicuousness, though this effect was non-significant after applying a correction for multiple tests.  In Chapter Four I used tomtits as a case study species to compare manual and automated approaches to: (1) estimating vocal conspicuousness and (2) determine the feasibility of using an automated detector on a New Zealand passerine. I found that data from the automated method were significantly positively correlated with the manual method although the relationship was not particularly strong (Pearson’s r = 0.62, P < 0.0001). The automated method suffered from a relatively high false negative rate and the data it produced did not reveal a decline in tomtit call rates following the 1080 drop. Given the relatively poor performance of the automated method, I propose that the automatic detector developed in this thesis requires further refinement before it is suitable for answering management-level questions for tomtit populations. However, as pattern recognition technology continues to improve automated methods are likely to become more viable in the future.
Perspectives of Muslim husbands' roles in women's health and cancer in Indonesia
Authors:   , Widiasih Restuning
Published: November 2021

In developing countries such as Indonesia, women face many health issues, including cancer. Social, cultural and economic factors are known barriers to women accessing health services and achieving a good health. Studies in Indonesia suggest that husbands’ support may influence women’s health behaviour, including women in breast and cervical screening and treatments. However, little is known in Indonesia about husbands’ roles in women’s health, including illness prevention, early detection, and treatment of women’s cancer. The main objectives of this study were to uncover Muslim husbands’ roles and perspectives regarding women’s health and women’s cancer, and to establish whether there were different perspectives of husbands’ roles related to geographical location, age or other social, health or cultural characteristics. This study used an Islamic ontological approach. The Basic Model of Religiosity and Health, the Health Belief Model, and the Help-Seeking Behaviour and Influencing Factors Framework theories informed data collection. A descriptive exploratory methodology was used. Methods included focus groups with 11 groups (n=73) of married Muslim men, and interviews with married Muslim women (n=20) and health professionals (n=10) from rural and urban areas of West Java province, Indonesia. Data were analysed using two techniques: the Comparative Analysis for Focus Group and the Comparative Analysis for Interviews. The findings revealed that Islamic teaching has an extremely significant position for Muslims husbands in guiding them in their family’s roles. Muslim husbands were very involved in women’s health and cancer. These roles were influenced by internal and external factors. Husbands’ significant roles in women’s health include maintaining women’s health and facilitating health treatments. However, they have a limited role in disease prevention, and early detection of women’s cancer. Muslim husbands’ limited health literacy of women’s cancer was a significant barrier in rural and downtown areas. This study’s findings contribute to a new perspective on religion as a vital influence and driver of health and health behaviour in nursing theory. There is a need for Indonesian nursing practice to incorporate a cultural safety approach to caring for Muslim husbands and wives, and for nurses to ensure men are more fully informed about women’s health. This study identified the need for improvements in health services and a reform of the health system especially in improving husbands’ knowledge and awareness of women’s cancer, and the dissemination of information about women’s cancer services, especially in rural and downtown areas. Additional health education programmes including some that target men’s health literacy are required alongside improvements in health services, especially women’s cancer services.
Seismic and Geodetic Observations of Accelerated Sliding at Haupapa/Tasman Glacier, New Zealand
Authors:   , Taylor-Offord Samuel
Published: November 2021

Rain-induced accelerations of Haupapa/Tasman Glacier are accompanied by abundant seismicity. This seismicity reveals some of the glacial processes occurring at times of accelerated glacier sliding and those related directly to surficial water inputs.To study the processes occurring during rain-induced accelerations a network of seismic and geodetic sensors was deployed on the lower Haupapa/Tasman Glacier for four months in 2016. Seven categories of seismicity were defined during the study period. Glacier source processes were inferred for these categories based on their waveform characteristics, and each source was then compared to meteoric and geodetic data to discern spatial and temporal relationships. Of the seven categories of seismicity only the seismic events associated with crevasse opening were found to correlate with rain rate. Increased crevassing rate likely results from two factors: 1) increased extensional strain rates following the propagation of a subglacial cavitation front during transient accelerations and 2) hydrofracture due to the accumulation of rain in crevasses. Strain-driven crevassing is associated only with glacier acceleration, but crevasse opening via hydrofracture is inferred to occur independently of strain changes such that it is an active process at any point following heavy rainfall. Basal seismicity was not observed to respond to changes in glacier velocity or inferred subglacial water pressure, although this may be due to limitations in the seismic event detection technique.
Exploring Community Engagement in Climate Change Planning: The Case in Samoa
Authors:   , Toailoa Annie Saofaiga
Published: November 2021

Coastal communities within Pacific Island Countries (PIC) are vulnerable due to the rising and volatile nature of the sea as a result of climate change. Adaptation strategies and community-based approaches have increasingly been advocated for by environmental organisations, policy makers and researchers. Community-based approaches have, in turn, begun to promote the values of meaningful community engagement and integration of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into adaptation planning. This research explores the extent to which community engagement and TEK is utilised at both the national and local level adaptation planning in Samoa. An assessment of policies and plans assesses the national level context, whilst the community level context was explored through a study of the coastal village of Tafitoala.  A qualitative approach is employed in which semi-structured interviews were used to collect the perspectives of community members, government personnel, and Non-governmental Organisations (NGO) staff to provide a range of viewpoints.  Using Samoa as my case study, the research findings demonstrated that community ideologies and values, and community governance structures determine the efficacy of adaptation programmes. Findings also emphasised that although there is a vast amount of TEK used within local communities, documentation and verification of TEK is required in order for it be integrated more effectively into adaptation planning. Whilst the need for meaningful community engagement had already been identified by government and NGO agencies as a priority for effective adaptation, with agencies currently implementing strategies to encourage its integration, more is required for strategies to be strongly embedded into the practices of local communities.
Ngā wāhine kaha from Syria: The experience of former refugee women from Syria resettling in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors:   , Fitzgerald Hawa Kusuma Setyawati
Published: November 2021

This thesis examines the experience of former refugee women from Syria resettling in Aotearoa New Zealand. It focuses on Syrian women who have resettled in the Wellington region and Dunedin - the two main areas to which Syrian refugees have been allocated. The study documented Syrian refugee women’s perspectives about resettlement satisfaction, their strengths and challenges, and their ideas for community development.  The methodology and analysis for the study incorporated the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to resettlement and the Mana Wahine framework. Through forty-five survey participants and three focus groups, the study found that the integration of wairua/spirituality, cultural identity, language and whanaungatanga/relationships in the family was very important for Syrian women’s resettlement in Aotearoa New Zealand.  This study found gender roles between men and women strongly exist in the Syrian community. Many refugee women found their roles changed and lost the support they used to have from family members back home. Participants also expressed facing isolation resulting from cultural aspects. These show refugee women have bigger challenges to integration compared to their male counterparts, and that Syrian women have specific cultural rights related to their gender and religion. However, refugee resettlement services and community development were delivered the same way for men and women, and more types of supports are needed for refugee women.
Augmented Reality On Display: How might augmented reality technology be used to create meaningful interactive museum exhibits?
Authors:   , Bishop Jonathon
Published: November 2021

The aim of this thesis is to explore augmented reality technology and the methods in which it can be applied to museum displays to enriching the experience of visitors. Artefacts within museums have rich histories which are not always apparent. This is due to the way artefacts are currently displayed and the way information is communicated in exhibitions. is project will set out design guidelines to inform the development of augmenting museum experiences. These guidelines will provide criteria and parameters for the use of augmented reality in museums, and will also be accessible to museum staff to create or enhance existing exhibits for visitors.  The guidelines will be produced through a combination of different contextual research methods and will inform a final designed case study. These contextual research methods include: completing a practical exploration of augmented reality exhibits, reviewing museum practice and conducting a series of interviews directed at augmented reality experts. Once these guidelines are produced they will be tested using research through design and human centred design methods in a final case study. The findings of this thesis aim to emphasise how augmented reality is a tool for enhancing the communication of contextual history. It also forms the basis for further research into how augmented reality’s combination of virtual and physical worlds can broaden our experience of the museum space.
When we all clap together: Labour unions as agents of development for informal cremation workers in Tamil Nadu
Authors:   , Naylor Michael Christopher
Published: November 2021

While labour unions have a history of helping lift working people out of poverty in Western countries, their place in development is unclear. Mainstream development literature typically sees their potential contribution to development to be limited and waning as they are replaced by new, more dynamic actors. This dismissal of labour unions from the development sphere appears to stem largely from their inability to effectively support workers in the informal economy of developing countries, whom are the most likely to face injustice and poverty.  In order to address the question of whether labour unions can be agents for development of informal workers this thesis examines a case study of the Mayana Vettiyangal Sangam, a labour union of informal cremation workers in Tamil Nadu, India. Through semi-structured interviews with 39 members and supporters of the labour union, this thesis explores both the mechanics of the Mayana Vettiyangal Sangam and what it has achieved for its cremation worker members.  It sets out to understand what strategies can be employed for informal workers to undertake collective bargaining and how effective these have been at delivering livelihood improvements for the cremation workers in Tamil Nadu. It also assesses both the functions of the Sangam and what it has achieved, against three principles of ‘good development’ – participation, sustainability and equity.  The findings show that through a mixture of innovative strategies the cremation workers in Tamil Nadu have been able to achieve some livelihood improvements and do so in a manner which is both participatory and equitable. It suggests that despite challenges, labour unions can be agents of development for informal workers and their potential contribution to development should not be overlooked.
The effect of novel kappa opioid peptide receptor agonists on learning and memory in rats
Authors:   , Welsh Susan Adele
Published: November 2021

Kappa opioid peptide receptors (KOPrs) are a class of opioid receptors which shown analgesic and anti-addictive properties. Nonaddictive analgesics would be beneficial as morphine, one of the most commonly prescribed opioids for chronic pain, activates the brain reward system and can lead to addiction. Although medical research is progressing rapidly, there is still no treatment for psychostimulant abuse. KOPr agonists show promise in this regard but display undesirable side effects and could negatively affect memory. Salvinorin A (Sal A), a structurally unusual KOPr agonist, has a reduced side effect profile compared to the more traditional KOPr agonists such as U50,488. The effect of Sal A and U50,488 on memory is controversial as they have both been shown to induce a memory impairment and also to improve memory impairments. Sal A also has a poor pharmacokinetic profile with a short duration of action. Structural analogues of Sal A have improved pharmacokinetic and side effect profiles compared to Sal A yet retain the analgesic and anti-addiction properties. This thesis will investigate whether Sal A analogues, namely Ethynyl Sal A (Ethy Sal A), Mesyl Salvinorin B (Mesyl Sal B), and Bromo Salvinorin A (Bromo Sal A), produce a memory impairment.  Male Sprague-Dawley rats were evaluated in the novel object recognition (NOR) task to determine whether novel Sal A analogues impair long term recognition memory. The degree of novelty was also investigated on a cellular basis through quantifying c-Fos immunoreactive neurons within the perirhinal cortex, an area of the brain shown to respond to novelty.  Acute administration of Sal A (0.3 and 1 mg/kg) and novel analogues Ethy Sal A (0.3 and 1 mg/kg), Mesyl Sal B (0.3 and 1 mg/kg), and Bromo Sal A (1 mg/kg) showed no significant differences compared to vehicle when tested in the NOR task. The prototypical KOPr agonist, U50,488 (10 mg/kg), produced a significant decrease in recognition index compared to vehicle when tested in the same task as the novel analogues. Correlating the recognition indices calculated from U50,488 in the NOR to c-Fos counts in the perirhinal cortex showed a strong positive correlation with an increase in RI relating to an increase in c-Fos activation. U50,488 (10 mg/kg) showed a non-significant trend compared to vehicle in the number of c-Fos immunoreactive cells within the perirhinal cortex.  Neither Sal A nor novel analogues affected NOR, suggesting no impairment of long term recognition memory. The lack of this side-effect, among others, demonstrates that the development of potent KOPr agonists with reduced side-effect profiles is feasible. These novel analogues show improvement over the traditional KOPr agonists.
Second-hand poetics: Dynamic shifts from home to monument
Authors:   , Williams Tina
Published: November 2021

This thesis began with an Antarctic story. There is something sublime about the adventures of Scott and Shackleton; their ability to entertain the emotive sensation of place, despite a physical detachment. Tales of exploration arrest moments of suspense, drama and inspiration and yet they are surrounded by the fact that Antarctica is a barren, isolated expanse. The opportunity of these particular constructs, which operate between intimacy and departure, to serve the creation of a special experience, it exists beyond the replication of these narratives; they might suggest how New Zealand national identity might be framed.  The natural architecture of the frozen continent is grand. Its timelessness rivals the foundations that the rest of the developed world is built on. Yet simultaneously its stories create a rapport which personalises identity and allows memory to be mobilised. New Zealand built history has only recently emerged but representationally the identity of the nation is monumental, especially in relation to Antarctic. This thesis asks how the relationship between NZ and Antarctica might be physically manifested through architecture, in order to deepen the stability of NZ historical identity.  The project is situated on the Lyttelton harbour where New Zealand and Antarctica have historically converged. At this location the vicarious nature of the Antarctic story is exploited so that the sense of place might exist even though, physically and temporally, it is not attached to the Antarctic. This is realised through a set of imagined dwellings on Dampier Bay, which are contained within the definition of ‘Home’.  The programme of this research acts to acknowledge this duality and formalises it as the ‘monument’ and the ‘home’. The primary understanding of programme will however be domestic, as it is the point at which our most intimate memories are created. The realisation of the monument will be introduced through the act of designing itself.  Architecture is used as a tool to negotiate the exchange of personality between the two places and ideas, with the poetics of representation providing a framework for investigation. Because the method is derived from such poetics, my own subjective will is asserted onto these interpretations. The process has therefore become non-quantifiable, it relies instead on a level of intuition.  The Antarctic story resonates with the moments we find identity in, they have the potential to complement New Zealand’s Architectural history where it is wanting of poetic agency.
Sisyphus and Entropy; Adaptive Architecture in Flood Prone Nanjing
Authors:   , Leurquin Arnaud
Published: November 2021

This thesis attempts to rationalize two diverging practices in Architectural discourse, that of Western pedagogy and that of the ‘Other’. A disparity in approach to understanding architecture as a permanent object, can be noted in the dialogue between resilient architecture and temporary structure, this manifests itself in transient spaces and adaptive urban fabrics.  The increased danger of flooding within China; with a particular emphasis on river infrastructure, posits an interesting position for new urban typologies and innovative floating solutions. Positioned on the expansive Yangtze River Delta, Nanjing encompasses a complex narrative of historical reverence and progressive tendencies, that encourage experimental approaches. The process and methodology within, seeks to provide an adaptable and affordable response to the recurring floodings, through in depth concise historical, cultural and philosophical analysis of the social, spiritual and architectural landscape within China as a whole as well as in specificity.  These insights, juxtaposed with traditional western technique intends to produce an intricate and considered response to flood situations, with a particular focus on community generation and maintenance.  Although Nanjing remains the central focus of the research, the concepts and practical results are intended to be abstracted and drawn into all cultures within Asia, primarily those with Buddhist and Taoist social structures. The proliferation of Feng Shui and the Metaphysical throughout the region provide a framework from which to expand. This network of social and cultural similarity allows for cross disciplinary and pan Asian approaches, noting the Japanese Metabolist Movement as a practical indication of socio-cultural influence on architectural theory.
Turning a Blind Eye: An Exploration of Non-Visual Game Design
Authors:   , Mulder Hunter
Published: November 2021

This thesis presents a non-visual game for visually impaired people which uses technology designed for interacting with Virtual Reality (VR) environments to provide a tailored experience that focuses on touch and sound. According to the world health organisation, 0.03% of the world's population is blind. However, according to the world’s largest computer game market, Steam, only 0.0003% of games published in its catalog are designed for visually impaired people. This discrepancy shows that there is a clear issue in regards to the representation of visually impaired people in the design of computer games.   By examining existing computer games designed for visually impaired people, a set of design criteria was established in order to improve the experience delivered to a visually impaired player in a computer game. This was accomplished by adopting existing   VR input methods such as tracked motion controllers and head tracking technology in order to track a player’s motion and position in space. The experience reacts to the position and placement of the player’s head and hands by using outputs such as spatialized audio combined with haptic feedback. A game was then designed using these inputs and outputs that would allow a visually impaired player to use their sound and proprioceptive senses to navigate and interact with the environment.   Visually impaired people were interviewed in regards to their experience and thoughts upon computer games. The game experience was then be tested by the same group of visually impaired players and user feedback was then integrated into an iterative design process. The final outcome of this thesis is a game experience that takes into account the needs and requirements of the underrepresented audience of visually impaired people who wish to enjoy computer games as a medium.
The relevance of vocational education to the livelihoods of rural youth, Luang Prabang Province, Laos
Authors:   , Soukkaseum Phonexay
Published: November 2021

Poverty reduction is a top global development priority. Among Least Developed Countries (a United Nations measurement which includes Laos), poverty reduction has been set as the highest development priority for governments, especially since the early 2000s. Scholars and researchers argue that raising national human capital through the provision of equitable access and quality of education could not only reduce poverty, but also increase economic growth, promote democracy, and ensure the sustainability of development.  This research examines specifically the role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in supporting the livelihoods of rural people, especially the Indigenous youth in Luang Prabang province, situated in northern Laos. A sustainable livelihood approach, with an emphasis on human capital and human capabilities, was employed to examine this relationship. Qualitative and ethnographic research methodologies were employed, with interviews, a focus group and transect walks used as methods for data collection and analysis.  Results show that the current TVET policy and interventions have concentrated primarily on achieving (income) poverty reduction and economic development objectives, neglecting the importance of other multiple dimensions of human development. This research also reveals that the livelihood aspirations of rural youth are diverse and extend beyond economic prospects. They aspire for general wellbeing, democracy (self-agency and freedom) and social justice. If these dimensions of human development are to be promoted, the government may need to reshape its policy direction by incorporating a human capabilities approach in TVET, or more broadly in the national education system, while still fulfilling the desire for economic development objectives.
Medium Density - Adaptable Amenity: A flexible housing system to facilitate change and maximise production efficiencies
Authors:   , Robertson Tom
Published: November 2021

Medium-density Group Housing (“MDH”) has been defined as “a number of horizontally attached (or directly related) dwellings which are normally of one or two stories and rarely exceed three stories above the ground” (Judd 8).   In the context of the New Zealand built environment, this housing typology is widely perceived as being a ‘cheaper’ form of construction, providing a lower standard housing environment. This perception has arisen for a number of reasons. Specifically, MDH is often regarded as lacking appropriate ‘fit’ with the existing urban character and is seen as giving rise to a number of problems associated with close visual and acoustic living proximities, inadequate privacy and daylight, insufficient outdoor private and public spaces and lack of design flexibility. These issues have resulted in MDH being viewed as an urban housing typology that, while accepted as being necessary to meet space and budget constraints, is very much ‘second best’, problematic and not as being particularly desirable.   With shortages of suitable land and existing housing, intensification is a growing issue for policy planners and developers, and a growing focus of residential development. This research investigation looks at how design and construction of MDH could be enhanced through use of prefabrication in order to provide an inspirational and affordable housing alternative that promotes efficient land use, positive health outcomes and social wellbeing and which can generally enhance the lifestyles of occupants. In this context MDH may offer a possible part solution to what is viewed by many as a current crisis in New Zealand housing. Modular and panelised technologies offer possible solutions to the challenge of providing housing that is efficiently produced, provides flexibility and adaptability in terms of spatial configurations and functionality, offering high levels of customisation and personalisation.   These solutions are explored in this thesis through research of theory, literature and precedent studies which inform a design framework. This framework is developed under the following subject areas, namely;  • density and amenity; • environmental fit; • flexibility and adaptability and • production efficiencies  and are used as a basis for design and project evaluation.
Above the debris
Authors:   , Mak Anthony
Published: November 2021

At an accelerating rate, over half of the world’s population is living in urban centres. The catastrophic risk to environmental, cultural, and economic resources amidst these high concentrations of livelihoods upon the wake of a disaster has the potential to be devastating.  A city’s urban form consisting of its open space networks and street structures are important spatial resources that provide affected communities with efficient evacuation routes, assembly areas, temporary market spaces, and room for temporary shelters in the aftermath of a disaster. Open public spaces are especially important during these scenarios as they provide large volumes of space that can be adapted to a variety of different functions. However, these spaces are seldom designed with resilience in mind.  This thesis investigates how open spaces are able to contribute to the disaster resiliency of urban centres, ensuring that the needs of the present are in light of the needs of the future.
Mythological Signification in Smetana’s Tábor and Blaník and its Implications on Personal Compositional Output
Authors:   , Skierka James
Published: November 2021

The presented thesis is an examination of the mythology and literary narrative that is present within the two orchestral tone poems of Bedřich Smetana, Tábor and Blaník, and how ideas pertaining to the examination of Smetana’s compositions may be applied to my own compositional output. In my research, I propose potential source materials, and have a brief discussion about how literary narrative may be applied to musical narrative, particularly with compositions of the 19th century. In the analysis of Tábor and Blaník, I examine Smetana’s use of the chorale Kdož jsú Boží bojovníci and how he utilizes this chorale as the compositional foundation of both pieces, as well as looking at the musical elements and structure that combine to suggest narrative function being present within both compositions.  The latter portion of my thesis contains an analysis of the compositions that I wrote throughout the course of my study that were inspired by, or were direct reflections of, issues and ideas that came up during the course of my research. All of my own compositions presented are based on ideas of mythology and the presence of a literary narrative. Accompanying this analysis, are copies of the scores of my compositions.
Urban blue space: An Architectural exploration into Sea-Level-Rise Resilience and the future of South Dunedin
Authors:   , Greer Ali J.
Published: November 2021

Due to anthropogenic climate change, sea level rise (SLR) will cause low-lying coastal areas such as South Dunedin, New Zealand, to be permanently flooded, jeopardizing future viability as a commercial and residential community. Using South Dunedin as a case study to test built environment issues, this thesis carried out design research into adaptation strategies for continued on-site occupation with SLR. Exploring the extreme scenario of a transition to a floating suburb, the research examines: retrofitting light-weight buildings with buoyant foundations, adapting larger heavy construction buildings to flood, and explores wider urban design strategies for the transition to a resilient floating suburb. Design interventions had to respond to changing conditions from present day Dry Land, to an Urban Wetland (0-500mm standing water), to the eventual Urban Blue Space (500mm+ water depth).  The project proposal has three design objectives:   • ZC, Zero-Carbon – While climate change is inevitable, mitigation to reduce the severity is possible through lowered emissions, improved building technologies and changes in human lifestyle.   • SLR, Sea Level Rise Adaption – Preparing for and adjusting successfully to the consequences of SLR, which will require radical lifestyle and architectural changes.   • HR, Holistic Resilience – For a community to be holistically resilient it must be able to consistently provide for all 5 human needs (Carmona et al 2010, 134) despite changing conditions. This meant addressing both existing and future challenges.  Adaption and continued on-site habitation is possible if significant lifestyle and architectural changes are embraced. SLR requires a site-specific design response. Successful adaptation requires a holistic multi-disciplinary long-term commitment to a resilient future.
Scheduling and Resource Provisioning Algorithms for ScientificWorkflows on Commercial Clouds
Authors:   , Arabnejad Vahid
Published: November 2021

Basic science is becoming ever more computationally intensive, increasing the need for large-scale compute and storage resources, be they within a High-Performance Computer cluster, or more recently, within the cloud. Commercial clouds have increasingly become a viable platform for hosting scientific analyses and computation due to their elasticity, recent introduction of specialist hardware, and pay-as-you-go cost model. This computing paradigm therefore presents a low capital and low barrier alternative to operating dedicated eScience infrastructure. Indeed, commercial clouds now enable universal access to capabilities previously available to only large well funded research groups. While the potential benefits of cloud computing are clear, there are still significant technical hurdles associated with obtaining the best execution efficiency whilst trading off cost. In most cases, large scale scientific computation is represented as a workflow for scheduling and runtime provisioning. Such scheduling becomes an even more challenging problem on cloud systems due to the dynamic nature of the cloud, in particular, the elasticity, the pricing models (both static and dynamic), the non-homogeneous resource types and the vast array of services. This mapping of workflow tasks onto a set of provisioned instances is an example of the general scheduling problem and is NP-complete. In addition, certain runtime constraints, the most typical being the cost of the computation and the time which that computation requires to complete, must be met. This thesis addresses 'the scientific workflow scheduling problem in cloud', which is to schedule workflow tasks on cloud resources in a way that users meet their defined constraints such as budget and deadline, and providers maximize profits and resource utilization. Moreover, it explores different mechanisms and strategies for distributing defined constraints over a workflow and investigate its impact on the overall cost of the resulting schedule.
Climate Change Risk Perception and Perceptions of Adaptation Measures in Egypt: A Mixed Methods Study of Predictors and Implications
Authors:   , Elshirbiny Hayam
Published: November 2021

Egypt is among the most susceptible countries in the world to the potential impacts of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) identified the Nile Delta as one of the most exposed deltas to sea level rise. Despite these alarming predictions, there is a lack of in-depth studies on public risk perceptions of climate change in Egypt. Understanding the public’s risk perception of climate change is vital in informing policy and developing effective risk communication strategies that improve public engagement with climate change and, in turn, encourage actions to address its potentially harmful impacts.  This thesis provides a novel contribution to the literature through a mixed methods approach, using an online survey and semi-structured interviews. The research investigates three main topics: (1) Public perceptions of climate change; (2) Predictors of climate change risk perception; and (3) Perceptions of climate change adaptation. Results of the survey and the interviews showed that while participants were concerned about climate change and believed in the human causation of it, they had limited understanding and misconceptions about its causes (for example, erroneously linking climate change to the ozone layer).  The Climate Change Risk Perception Model (CCRPM) adopted in this study explained 19.2% of the variance in risk perception. In addition, it revealed that experiential factors (affect and personal experience) were the strongest predictors of climate change risk perception in Egypt, while socio-cultural factors (value orientations) were the weakest predictors. Interviews with participants also highlighted that negative feelings featured prominently when speaking about personal experiences with the impacts of climate change. Moreover, regression analysis showed that personal and societal climate change risk perception had different predictors. These results offer important recommendations for policy, relating to matters such as targeted ways of communicating the science, impacts and risks associated with climate change.
Reducing Recidivism Not Rights: Rethinking Interior Architecture as a solution for New Zealand's failing prisons
Authors:   , Abernethy Luuk
Published: November 2021

This thesis argues that the design of the built environment of a prison can have a huge impact on lowering recidivism rates of prisoners in New Zealand. It proposes that this can be achieved through the development of a new health model/framework that facilitates positive relationships between families, prison staff and other inmates; supports spiritual, mental and physical health; equips inmates for participation to society upon release; and gives them a sense of identity. It further argues that this framework can then be applied to the design process to create a new precedent for prison design that effectively rehabilitates and reintegrates its inmates into society. The work of key architects, and theorists such as Hohensinn Architektur and Dominique Moran, have been analysed to help translate their successful designs and theories into a New Zealand model of correctional facility.  Prisons are institutions of deprivation and isolation. Marginalised by and separated from community, they are maintained by physical and psychological structures designed only to isolate. Imprisonment results in individuals embittered and hardened by the experience, who are likely to reoffend, and become lifelong participants in the criminal justice system. New Zealand’s prison population has been substantially increasing since the 1980s. The current imprisonment rate per population is the second highest in the Western World, second only to the United States. This increase is due to a combination of changes in political economy, an attitude of exclusion of minority groups by the criminal justice system and a rise in penal populism. New Zealand currently imprisons 212 people for every 100,000, and has a recidivism rate of 50 percent. Māori represent over 50 percent of our prison population, whilst only 15 percent of the overall New Zealand population. These statistics are self-evident; our prisons aren’t working. They are not successfully rehabilitating and reintegrating inmates into society.  This design-led research investigation offers a new process for prison design: one that strives to design for humans, humans of intrinsic moral worth. This is based on the premise that all people are capable of change and improvement; creating impactful change through design to the extremely high recidivism rates of inmates in New Zealand.
Success as social: Exploring young people's understandings of success in rural Java
Authors:   , Larasati Rara Sekar
Published: November 2021

Using the case of desa wisata adat (official tourism and traditional cultural village) Ngadas, East Java, Indonesia, this thesis explores the meanings of success from the perspectives of rural young people and how the particular local context of Ngadas shaped their understandings of success. Unlike many rural young people in Indonesia, young people from Ngadas are known for their land ownership, successful farming, low rate of urbanisation and low participation in formal education. With its particular social, economic and cultural background, young people from Ngadas serves as a valuable case study to understand Indonesian rural youth success as it is situated within the village.  In this research, I utilise Bourdieu’s theory of practice to focus on the practices of young people for success and explore the capitals and habitus within Ngadas (the field). In doing so, I explore how the adat (customs, rituals, values) is significantly embedded within young people’s practices for success in three key aspects of their lives: work practices, familial/relational practices and religious practices. Drawing on six weeks of ethnographic fieldwork with six youth participants and four village leaders, data were collected through focus group discussion or klumpukan, auto-driven photo-elicitation, individual interviews, and participant observation.  My study shows that for young people in Ngadas, their success practices were underpinned by a form of social capital that is founded on reciprocity or a gift exchange which is embedded within and shaped by adat, and in turn also serves to maintain adat. The significance of social capital for young people’s success explains how success in Ngadas is founded on strong relationships, reciprocity, a sense of belonging, and a sense of community to maintain harmony or guyub rukun. Thus, social capital for young people’s success holds a symbolic value not only for the individual, but also for the field of Ngadas. The case study of young people in Ngadas also presents an understanding of success as illusio, a sense of purpose that is gained from investing in social relationships. It is an understanding of success as a sense of being and belonging with and for others that ties young people’s individual success to the collective success of Ngadas as an economic, social and cultural community.
Cold War Supreme Court: Analysing the Change in Constitutional Interpretation between Dennis v. U.S. (1951) and Yates v. U.S. (1957)
Authors:   , Thorne Hayden
Published: November 2021

During the early Cold War, America was gripped by an intense domestic Red Scare. This thesis explores how the United States Supreme Court dealt with the Alien Registration Act (Smith Act) and the issue of freedom of speech in the context of that Red Scare. In particular, this thesis focuses on the change in interpretation which occurred between the 1951 decision in Dennis v. United States, and the 1957 decision in Yates v United States. Dennis upheld the constitutionality of the Smith Act, and upheld the convictions of eleven Communist Party of the United States of America (CPUSA) leaders. Yates overturned the convictions of a group of California CPUSA officials, and placed strict limitations on the use of the Smith Act in a drastic change in interpretation.  This thesis aims to explore that change in interpretation by drawing on three different lines of reasoning: the impact of changes to the wider Cold War context, the impact of changes to the personnel making up the Supreme Court, and changes in legal strategy on behalf of the defendants in the two cases. To achieve this, the thesis draws on a wide range of sources, beginning with a discussion of existing literature, and moving to explore previously untapped sources from both a historic and a legal perspective. This includes looking at the records of law firms acting in both cases, analysing other Supreme Court opinions from the time, and drawing on more traditional historical sources like media coverage of various events.  This thesis argues that, contrary to most existing scholarship, the change in interpretation is best explained by a multi-causal approach. The changes to the court’s makeup and changes to the context amongst which the cases occurred were only part of the reason for the change in interpretation. The impact of a change in legal strategy also played an important role in causing the Supreme Court’s change in interpretation.
Governed by Opportunity
Authors:   , Ang Angelina
Published: November 2021

Singapore is known as an advanced industrialising city-state with the aspiration to be a global city in the international economy (Yuen, 2005). With the rapid economic growth; the country’s population has been increasing alongside the high demand of: housing, commercial areas, industries, transport and infrastructure (Yuen, 2005). Having an area of only 720km², the country is forced to optimise their land by building vertically and closely together. Consequently, older buildings, activities and traditions are more prone to vanishing despite their cultural and historical significance. The loss of tangible and intangible heritage results in a highly modern country that is becoming more international in scale and style but evermore faceless and lacking in cultural identity (Yuen, 2005).  The aim of this research investigation is to explore how the traditional trades can be conserved and integrated with the present and future development of Singapore. Through interviews and observations conducted in field research, it will provide a better understanding of the community and government’s point of interest. This will develop social cohesion to promote a sense of belonging and identity in this metropolitan city. The design outcome of this research investigation will be an integration of the Sungei Road Market and the future development of the Singapore Johore-Express Bus Terminal.
Pentecostals and politics in Ghana’s Fourth Republic: From enclave to engagement
Authors:   , Acheampong Fredrick
Published: November 2021

Using a case study of six Pentecostal ministries, spanning four strands of Pentecostalism in Ghana, this study examines Pentecostals’ engagement with politics during the Fourth Republican era of Ghana’s political history (1993-present). The aim is to discern whether there is a new and distinctive Pentecostal political engagement different from that of Historic Mission Churches, and from its own past, and evaluate its significance. To address this, three practical areas of Pentecostal participation in politics are examined: (1) democracy; (2) political economy; and, (3) prophetic politics. The argument is that Pentecostals in Ghana have transitioned from an ‘enclave’ community to one of sustained political engagement. The study demonstrates that this transition entails both continuities and discontinuities in Pentecostal political engagement. The new elements that are highlighted are the development of a distinctive prophetic politics focussed on ‘divine prediction,’ which forecasts political happenings, and more active and unique ways of participating in Ghana’s democracy and economy that closely reference the democratic and national economic goals. The study evidences the academic value in widening studies on Pentecostal political engagement beyond prosperity teachings and enchanted world views to include Pentecostal practice, alongside Pentecostal theologies. The thesis contributes to advancing knowledge specifically in the areas of Pentecostals and politics, and Christianity and politics in Ghana, and West Africa more generally.