title: Transport of turbulence in the solar wind

authors: Bishop, Mark

subjects: Solar Wind -- Mathematical models

abstract: Charged particles are ejected from the sun and transported radially outward to the edge of the solar system, this plasma is called the solar wind. In the solar wind, turbulent fluctuations and waves form, and their transport can be modelled using the Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. This thesis displays several different options for building an MHD turbulence model including nonlinear phenomenologies, and turbulence source driving like interstellar pickup ions and velocity shear. The options are extended from existing models that express a range of variables from the forward and backward propagating energies, the energy difference and the respective correlation lengths. Non-linear phenomenologies are built from analogies to Hydrodynamic (HD) von Kármán-Taylor phenomenologies extended to MHD. Additional phenomenological models are needed for the energy difference (and its correlation length). These models are evaluated from 0.29 to 100 AU, analytically where possible, otherwise numerical solutions are sought after and compared to simulation data, and satellite data obtained from the Helios 2, Ulysses and Voyager 2 spacecraft.

text: Transport of turbulence in the solar wind Charged particles are ejected from the sun and transported radially outward to the edge of the solar system, this plasma is called the solar wind. In the solar wind, turbulent fluctuations and waves form, and their transport can be modelled using the Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. This thesis displays several different options for building an MHD turbulence model including nonlinear phenomenologies, and turbulence source driving like interstellar pickup ions and velocity shear. The options are extended from existing models that express a range of variables from the forward and backward propagating energies, the energy difference and the respective correlation lengths. Non-linear phenomenologies are built from analogies to Hydrodynamic (HD) von Kármán-Taylor phenomenologies extended to MHD. Additional phenomenological models are needed for the energy difference (and its correlation length). These models are evaluated from 0.29 to 100 AU, analytically where possible, otherwise numerical solutions are sought after and compared to simulation data, and satellite data obtained from the Helios 2, Ulysses and Voyager 2 spacecraft.

year: 2022

title: Biofeedback on Forestry Machine Operators

authors: O'Connor, Brooke

subjects: forestry

abstract: Aotearoa, New Zealand, has cultivated a sustainable and thriving forest sector, establishing it as a primary industry. Throughout the years, there has been a significant transition in the forest industry towards using mechanised methods. Operating machines and maintaining precise hand and arm movements can lead to muscle strain in operators. This strain is harmful and increases the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This thesis aims to utilise electromyography sensors to observe the muscle activity of operators in forestry machines while carrying out harvesting operations. The objective of this research is to examine the potential advantages of biofeedback training in enhancing operators' physiological functioning through visual feedback. Experimental testing phases were required prior to deployment in the field. The primary trial details electromyographic recordings gathered through field measurements using electromyographic (BTS FREEEMG 1000) sensors to assess the activity of the upper trapezius muscles. Recordings were conducted on 14 operators performing operational harvesting tasks. Tasks included felling, processing, loading, shovelling, fleeting, and sorting. Findings: EMG Biofeedback training allowed operators to observe and consciously control the contraction and relaxation of the upper trapezius muscles. Overall, the average muscle activity decreased during biofeedback training in most recordings. Results highlight the potential of EMG biofeedback training as a preventative tool for work-related musculoskeletal disorders in New Zealand. 

This research is conducted as part of a master's project in collaboration with Scion and Waikato University with funding from the New Zealand Forest Growers Levy.

text: Biofeedback on Forestry Machine Operators Aotearoa, New Zealand, has cultivated a sustainable and thriving forest sector, establishing it as a primary industry. Throughout the years, there has been a significant transition in the forest industry towards using mechanised methods. Operating machines and maintaining precise hand and arm movements can lead to muscle strain in operators. This strain is harmful and increases the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This thesis aims to utilise electromyography sensors to observe the muscle activity of operators in forestry machines while carrying out harvesting operations. The objective of this research is to examine the potential advantages of biofeedback training in enhancing operators' physiological functioning through visual feedback. Experimental testing phases were required prior to deployment in the field. The primary trial details electromyographic recordings gathered through field measurements using electromyographic (BTS FREEEMG 1000) sensors to assess the activity of the upper trapezius muscles. Recordings were conducted on 14 operators performing operational harvesting tasks. Tasks included felling, processing, loading, shovelling, fleeting, and sorting. Findings: EMG Biofeedback training allowed operators to observe and consciously control the contraction and relaxation of the upper trapezius muscles. Overall, the average muscle activity decreased during biofeedback training in most recordings. Results highlight the potential of EMG biofeedback training as a preventative tool for work-related musculoskeletal disorders in New Zealand. 

This research is conducted as part of a master's project in collaboration with Scion and Waikato University with funding from the New Zealand Forest Growers Levy.

year: 2023

title: Bilingual Education in Aotearoa/New Zealand

authors: Hill, Richard Kenneth

subjects: Maori medium

abstract: Bilingual education in the context of New Zealand is now over 30 years old. The two largest linguistic minority groups involved in this type of education – the Indigenous Māori and Pasifika peoples of Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands and Niuean and Tokelauan backgrounds – have made many gains but have struggled in a national context where minority languages have low status. Māori bilingual programs are well established and have made a significant contribution towards reducing Māori language shift that in the 1970s looked to be beyond regeneration. Pasifika bilingual education by contrast is not widely available and not well resourced by the New Zealand government. Both forms continue to need support and a renewed focus at local and national levels.

This chapter provides an overview of past development of Māori and Pasifika bilingual education and present progress. For Māori, the issues relate primarily to how to boost language regeneration, particularly between the generations. Gaining greater support for immersion programs and further strengthening bilingual education pedagogies, particularly relating to achieving biliteracy objectives, are key. In the context of Pasifika, extending government and local support would not only safeguard the languages but has the potential to counteract long-established patterns of low Pasifika student achievement in mainstream/English-medium schooling contexts. Finally, the future of both forms of bilingual education can be safeguarded if they are encompassed within a national languages policy that ensures minority language development in the predominantly English monolingual national context of New Zealand.

text: Bilingual Education in Aotearoa/New Zealand Bilingual education in the context of New Zealand is now over 30 years old. The two largest linguistic minority groups involved in this type of education – the Indigenous Māori and Pasifika peoples of Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands and Niuean and Tokelauan backgrounds – have made many gains but have struggled in a national context where minority languages have low status. Māori bilingual programs are well established and have made a significant contribution towards reducing Māori language shift that in the 1970s looked to be beyond regeneration. Pasifika bilingual education by contrast is not widely available and not well resourced by the New Zealand government. Both forms continue to need support and a renewed focus at local and national levels.

This chapter provides an overview of past development of Māori and Pasifika bilingual education and present progress. For Māori, the issues relate primarily to how to boost language regeneration, particularly between the generations. Gaining greater support for immersion programs and further strengthening bilingual education pedagogies, particularly relating to achieving biliteracy objectives, are key. In the context of Pasifika, extending government and local support would not only safeguard the languages but has the potential to counteract long-established patterns of low Pasifika student achievement in mainstream/English-medium schooling contexts. Finally, the future of both forms of bilingual education can be safeguarded if they are encompassed within a national languages policy that ensures minority language development in the predominantly English monolingual national context of New Zealand.

year: 2017