title: Time for Cloud? Design and implementation of a time-based cloud resource management system

authors: Ko, Ryan K.L.

abstract: The current pay-per-use model adopted by public cloud service providers has influenced the perception on how a cloud should provide its resources to end-users, i.e. on-demand and access to an unlimited amount of resources. However, not all clouds are equal. While such provisioning models work for well-endowed public clouds, they may not always work well in private clouds with limited budget and resources such as research and education clouds. Private clouds also stand to be impacted greatly by issues such as user resource hogging and the misuse of resources for nefarious activities. These problems are usually caused by challenges such as (1) limited physical servers/ budget, (2) growing number of users and (3) the inability to gracefully and automatically relinquish resources from inactive users. Currently, cloud resource management frameworks used for private cloud setups, such as OpenStack and CloudStack, only uses the pay-per-use model as the basis when provisioning resources to users. In this paper, we propose OpenStack Café, a novel methodology adopting the concepts of 'time' and booking systems' to manage resources of private clouds. By allowing users to book resources over specific time-slots, our proposed solution can efficiently and automatically help administrators manage users' access to resource, addressing the issue of resource hogging and gracefully relinquish resources back to the pool in resource-constrained private cloud setups. Work is currently in progress to adopt Café into OpenStack as a feature, and results of our prototype show promises. We also present some insights to lessons learnt during the design and implementation of our proposed methodology in this paper.

text: Time for Cloud? Design and implementation of a time-based cloud resource management system The current pay-per-use model adopted by public cloud service providers has influenced the perception on how a cloud should provide its resources to end-users, i.e. on-demand and access to an unlimited amount of resources. However, not all clouds are equal. While such provisioning models work for well-endowed public clouds, they may not always work well in private clouds with limited budget and resources such as research and education clouds. Private clouds also stand to be impacted greatly by issues such as user resource hogging and the misuse of resources for nefarious activities. These problems are usually caused by challenges such as (1) limited physical servers/ budget, (2) growing number of users and (3) the inability to gracefully and automatically relinquish resources from inactive users. Currently, cloud resource management frameworks used for private cloud setups, such as OpenStack and CloudStack, only uses the pay-per-use model as the basis when provisioning resources to users. In this paper, we propose OpenStack Café, a novel methodology adopting the concepts of 'time' and booking systems' to manage resources of private clouds. By allowing users to book resources over specific time-slots, our proposed solution can efficiently and automatically help administrators manage users' access to resource, addressing the issue of resource hogging and gracefully relinquish resources back to the pool in resource-constrained private cloud setups. Work is currently in progress to adopt Café into OpenStack as a feature, and results of our prototype show promises. We also present some insights to lessons learnt during the design and implementation of our proposed methodology in this paper.

year: 2014

title: Stratigraphy and sedimentology of conglomerates in the Kidnappers Group, Hawke’s Bay

authors: Kamp, Peter J.J.

abstract: The Middle to Late Pleistocene Kidnappers Group comprises 400 m of diverse lithologies deposited in fluvial, marginal marine and shallow marine environments. The stratigraphy and sedimentology of the greywacke conglomerates, the dominant lithology in the group, is investigated, in part using three new computer programmes. 
Five environmentally sensitive lithologies are recognised: Lithotype 1 - Imbricated, inverse to normally graded conglomerate; Lithotype 2 - Planar cross-stratified conglomerate; Lithotype 3 - Thin, massive to stratified conglomerate; Lithotype 4 - Planar cross-stratified, shelly, sandy conglomerate; Lithotype 5 - Thin, massive to low-angle cross-stratified, shelly conglomerate.
On the basis of cross-stratification types, fossil content and the shapes, orientation fabrics and grain-size analyses of clasts, Lithotypes 1, 2 and 3 have a braided fluvial origin and Lithotypes 4 and 5 a shallow marine origin. Differences between Lithotypes 1, 2 and 3 identify a proximal-distal sequence within the braided fluvial environment. 
Lithotype 1 is interpreted as proximal channel and longitudinal bar facies, Lithotype 2 as mid-reach transverse and longitudinal/diagonal bar facies, and Lithotype 3 as channel and topstratum overbank deposits in the distal reaches of a braided river system.
From the vertical succession of conglomeratic facies and marine fossiliferous units, a chronology of submergence and emergence events in the Kidnappers Group has been established. This succession is dominantly controlled by glacio-eustatic fluctuations in sea level which agree in frequency and period with sea level fluctuations derived from deep sea core data from 0.5 to 0.1 m.y.B.P. Tectonism has also influenced the supply of sediment to the group and reinforced the magnitude of the submergence and emergence events.

text: Stratigraphy and sedimentology of conglomerates in the Kidnappers Group, Hawke’s Bay The Middle to Late Pleistocene Kidnappers Group comprises 400 m of diverse lithologies deposited in fluvial, marginal marine and shallow marine environments. The stratigraphy and sedimentology of the greywacke conglomerates, the dominant lithology in the group, is investigated, in part using three new computer programmes. 
Five environmentally sensitive lithologies are recognised: Lithotype 1 - Imbricated, inverse to normally graded conglomerate; Lithotype 2 - Planar cross-stratified conglomerate; Lithotype 3 - Thin, massive to stratified conglomerate; Lithotype 4 - Planar cross-stratified, shelly, sandy conglomerate; Lithotype 5 - Thin, massive to low-angle cross-stratified, shelly conglomerate.
On the basis of cross-stratification types, fossil content and the shapes, orientation fabrics and grain-size analyses of clasts, Lithotypes 1, 2 and 3 have a braided fluvial origin and Lithotypes 4 and 5 a shallow marine origin. Differences between Lithotypes 1, 2 and 3 identify a proximal-distal sequence within the braided fluvial environment. 
Lithotype 1 is interpreted as proximal channel and longitudinal bar facies, Lithotype 2 as mid-reach transverse and longitudinal/diagonal bar facies, and Lithotype 3 as channel and topstratum overbank deposits in the distal reaches of a braided river system.
From the vertical succession of conglomeratic facies and marine fossiliferous units, a chronology of submergence and emergence events in the Kidnappers Group has been established. This succession is dominantly controlled by glacio-eustatic fluctuations in sea level which agree in frequency and period with sea level fluctuations derived from deep sea core data from 0.5 to 0.1 m.y.B.P. Tectonism has also influenced the supply of sediment to the group and reinforced the magnitude of the submergence and emergence events.

year: 1978

title: Adaptation of the safewards model to the New Zealand context: A mixed-methods evaluative study

authors: Knauf, Sarah

subjects: inpatient

abstract: Background: Mental health inpatient units can provide a sanctuary for people to recover from mental illness. However, research has shown these units to be sites of conflict, in an environment that service users do not experience as therapeutic. To support a therapeutic environment, the safety and wellbeing of service users and staff need protection through reduced conflict and containment rates. Conflict can be physical or verbal aggression, self-harm, suicide attempt, absconding, substance misuse and medication refusal. Containment involves methods used to control conflict, including administration of sedative medication, coerced intramuscular medication, increased level of observation, restraint and seclusion. The Safewards model, originating in the United Kingdom in 2015, proposes 10 interventions to address conflict and containment. These interventions are centred on: therapeutic relationships; person-centeredness; teamwork; and least restrictive care. This research pursued active transformation through codesign of an adapted Safewards model to fit the socio-cultural context of New Zealand.

Objective: This thesis with publication describes the adaptation of the Safewards model to the New Zealand context. Cultural adaptation was critical due to significant health outcome disparities between Māori and non-Māori populations and the disproportionate representation of Māori within mental health services. The research sought to discover what a New Zealand model required, what the perspectives of inpatient tangata whai ora and staff were of the developed model and what changes it made to rates of conflict, containment and the ward atmosphere. Participants: Tangata whai ora and staff from the study setting were recruited to participate in focus groups before and after the implementation of the New Zealand Safewards model. Phase one focus groups included 15 staff and three tangata whai ora. Phase three focus groups included 13 staff and four tangata whai ora.

Methods: This is a mixed-methods evaluative study structured into three distinct phases, using methods of participatory action research. The adapted Safewards model was implemented for 12 months, with a staggered introduction of 11 interventions. Qualitative data were derived from the thematic analysis of focus groups. Quantitative data were from the Patient-Staff Conflict Checklist, Essen Climate Evaluation Schema, Fidelity Checklist and Te Whatu Ora Waikato service data.

Findings: A New Zealand Safewards model must: reflect a Te Ao Māori worldview; align with current practices; adapt Safewards interventions; and gain acceptance. Change management is one process that can reduce barriers to change. The adapted Safewards model reduced conflict, increased patient cohesion and improved the sense of safety perceived from staff and tangata whai ora in the study setting. The outcomes of this study hold the potential to contribute to the formulation and implementation of a New Zealand Safewards model, while also bearing relevance for the international adaptation of Safewards to culturally diverse countries and healthcare systems.

text: Adaptation of the safewards model to the New Zealand context: A mixed-methods evaluative study Background: Mental health inpatient units can provide a sanctuary for people to recover from mental illness. However, research has shown these units to be sites of conflict, in an environment that service users do not experience as therapeutic. To support a therapeutic environment, the safety and wellbeing of service users and staff need protection through reduced conflict and containment rates. Conflict can be physical or verbal aggression, self-harm, suicide attempt, absconding, substance misuse and medication refusal. Containment involves methods used to control conflict, including administration of sedative medication, coerced intramuscular medication, increased level of observation, restraint and seclusion. The Safewards model, originating in the United Kingdom in 2015, proposes 10 interventions to address conflict and containment. These interventions are centred on: therapeutic relationships; person-centeredness; teamwork; and least restrictive care. This research pursued active transformation through codesign of an adapted Safewards model to fit the socio-cultural context of New Zealand.

Objective: This thesis with publication describes the adaptation of the Safewards model to the New Zealand context. Cultural adaptation was critical due to significant health outcome disparities between Māori and non-Māori populations and the disproportionate representation of Māori within mental health services. The research sought to discover what a New Zealand model required, what the perspectives of inpatient tangata whai ora and staff were of the developed model and what changes it made to rates of conflict, containment and the ward atmosphere. Participants: Tangata whai ora and staff from the study setting were recruited to participate in focus groups before and after the implementation of the New Zealand Safewards model. Phase one focus groups included 15 staff and three tangata whai ora. Phase three focus groups included 13 staff and four tangata whai ora.

Methods: This is a mixed-methods evaluative study structured into three distinct phases, using methods of participatory action research. The adapted Safewards model was implemented for 12 months, with a staggered introduction of 11 interventions. Qualitative data were derived from the thematic analysis of focus groups. Quantitative data were from the Patient-Staff Conflict Checklist, Essen Climate Evaluation Schema, Fidelity Checklist and Te Whatu Ora Waikato service data.

Findings: A New Zealand Safewards model must: reflect a Te Ao Māori worldview; align with current practices; adapt Safewards interventions; and gain acceptance. Change management is one process that can reduce barriers to change. The adapted Safewards model reduced conflict, increased patient cohesion and improved the sense of safety perceived from staff and tangata whai ora in the study setting. The outcomes of this study hold the potential to contribute to the formulation and implementation of a New Zealand Safewards model, while also bearing relevance for the international adaptation of Safewards to culturally diverse countries and healthcare systems.

year: 2024