title: Control-theoretical stress-testing for cross-platform compliance

authors: McCarthy, Harry George Andrew

subjects: LQR

abstract: Modern systems are required more and more to be able to provide performance reliability qualities for not just one system but cross platform as well. Stress testing applications allow for performance testing of a system, however, when applied across different platforms the performance of the application is not a one to one comparison. This thesis introduces the idea of applying control theory to provide consistent resource percentage utilisation when stress testing cross platform. Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control, Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) control and a PID Assisted LQR control were utilised as three control system in this thesis. While the PID controller provided the best results across multiple platforms, its inability to control all the variables in the system along with multiple different state
objectives (CPU and memory) leads to the need for a system model approach. LQR controllers provide this model based approach but at the cost of being unable to adapt across different platforms and to unpredictability in the system. Finally, a combined approach PID Assisted LQR control. PID Assisted LQR control gave the best of both PID and LQR control approach and had improvements in the case of where the system was most unpredictable but lacked any significant improvements in areas where the model gave an accurate representation of the system.

text: Control-theoretical stress-testing for cross-platform compliance Modern systems are required more and more to be able to provide performance reliability qualities for not just one system but cross platform as well. Stress testing applications allow for performance testing of a system, however, when applied across different platforms the performance of the application is not a one to one comparison. This thesis introduces the idea of applying control theory to provide consistent resource percentage utilisation when stress testing cross platform. Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control, Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) control and a PID Assisted LQR control were utilised as three control system in this thesis. While the PID controller provided the best results across multiple platforms, its inability to control all the variables in the system along with multiple different state
objectives (CPU and memory) leads to the need for a system model approach. LQR controllers provide this model based approach but at the cost of being unable to adapt across different platforms and to unpredictability in the system. Finally, a combined approach PID Assisted LQR control. PID Assisted LQR control gave the best of both PID and LQR control approach and had improvements in the case of where the system was most unpredictable but lacked any significant improvements in areas where the model gave an accurate representation of the system.

year: 2020

title: Denial and Distancing in Discourses of Development: shadow of the ‘Third World’ in New Zealand

authors: Kurian, Priya A.

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: Anxieties about development in New Zealand show up in a deep-rooted fear of the ‘Third World’ in the country. We examine how the term ‘Third World’ is deployed in media discourses in economic, social and environmental contexts and how this deployment results in a ‘discursive distancing’ from anything associated with the ‘Third World’. Such distancing demonstrates a fragile national identity that struggles with the contradictions between the nation's desire to be part of the ‘First World’ of global capitalism and the growing disparities in health and wealth within it. The shadow of the ‘Third World’ prevents New Zealand from confronting the realities of its own inequities, which in turn comes in the way of a sound development agenda.

text: Denial and Distancing in Discourses of Development: shadow of the ‘Third World’ in New Zealand Anxieties about development in New Zealand show up in a deep-rooted fear of the ‘Third World’ in the country. We examine how the term ‘Third World’ is deployed in media discourses in economic, social and environmental contexts and how this deployment results in a ‘discursive distancing’ from anything associated with the ‘Third World’. Such distancing demonstrates a fragile national identity that struggles with the contradictions between the nation's desire to be part of the ‘First World’ of global capitalism and the growing disparities in health and wealth within it. The shadow of the ‘Third World’ prevents New Zealand from confronting the realities of its own inequities, which in turn comes in the way of a sound development agenda.

year: 2012

title: Whakapiki Wairua: Co-designing and implementing a Māori mindfulness mental health intervention in a Wharekura.

authors: McDonald, Marama

abstract: This article explores the process of co-designing a mātauranga-Māori-informed mindfulness intervention with rangatahi in a wharekura and examines the effects on wellbeing. Mahitahi co-design methodology underpinned the design, implementation and evaluation of the intervention, and quantitative psychological tests measured improvements in wellbeing and dispositional mindfulness. Findings showed positive indications for a decrease in levels of psychological distress, improvements in Māori quality of life domains, and higher levels of dispositional mindfulness. The effective mātaurangaMāori-informed wellbeing components of the intervention were he āhuru mōwai, mahi a ngā tīpuna, ngā kaitiaki, te taiao, whanaungatanga, and hohou te rongo. Future application of the intervention in mainstream schools and communities is needed to assess the efficacy of the intervention for rangatahi in other environments, the sustainability of mindfulness practice for rangatahi, and the long-term effects on wellbeing.

text: Whakapiki Wairua: Co-designing and implementing a Māori mindfulness mental health intervention in a Wharekura. This article explores the process of co-designing a mātauranga-Māori-informed mindfulness intervention with rangatahi in a wharekura and examines the effects on wellbeing. Mahitahi co-design methodology underpinned the design, implementation and evaluation of the intervention, and quantitative psychological tests measured improvements in wellbeing and dispositional mindfulness. Findings showed positive indications for a decrease in levels of psychological distress, improvements in Māori quality of life domains, and higher levels of dispositional mindfulness. The effective mātaurangaMāori-informed wellbeing components of the intervention were he āhuru mōwai, mahi a ngā tīpuna, ngā kaitiaki, te taiao, whanaungatanga, and hohou te rongo. Future application of the intervention in mainstream schools and communities is needed to assess the efficacy of the intervention for rangatahi in other environments, the sustainability of mindfulness practice for rangatahi, and the long-term effects on wellbeing.

year: 2021