title: Accelerating Monte Carlo simulations with an NVIDIA® graphics processor

authors: Martinsen, Paul

subjects: Monte Carlo photon transport

abstract: Modern graphics cards, commonly used in desktop computers, have evolved beyond a simple interface between processor and display to incorporate sophisticated calculation engines that can be applied to general purpose computing. The Monte Carlo algorithm for modelling photon transport in turbid media has been implemented on an NVIDIA® 8800gt graphics card using the CUDA toolkit. The Monte Carlo method relies on following the trajectory of millions of photons through the sample, often taking hours or days to complete. The graphics-processor implementation, processing roughly 110 million scattering events per second, was found to run more than 70 times faster than a similar, single-threaded implementation on a 2.67 GHz desktop computer.

text: Accelerating Monte Carlo simulations with an NVIDIA® graphics processor Modern graphics cards, commonly used in desktop computers, have evolved beyond a simple interface between processor and display to incorporate sophisticated calculation engines that can be applied to general purpose computing. The Monte Carlo algorithm for modelling photon transport in turbid media has been implemented on an NVIDIA® 8800gt graphics card using the CUDA toolkit. The Monte Carlo method relies on following the trajectory of millions of photons through the sample, often taking hours or days to complete. The graphics-processor implementation, processing roughly 110 million scattering events per second, was found to run more than 70 times faster than a similar, single-threaded implementation on a 2.67 GHz desktop computer.

year: 2009

title: The Effectiveness of Precision Teaching when Working with Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

authors: George, Veronica Anne

subjects: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

abstract: A two-dyad multiple baseline design was used to determine if Precision Teaching (PT) was effective in improving the target skills of sight word recognition for two boys aged six and eight (Group A) and multiplication for a 12-year old boy and a 10-year old girl (Group B). The participants were all diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and attended the Kauri Centre. SAFMEDS (Say All Fast Minute Each Day Shuffled) cards containing words or sums were used. Correct and incorrect responses were recorded on a Standard Celeration Chart. Group A also read from a reader, recalled facts about books previously read to them, and copied a passage of writing, while Group B answered sums on multiplication, division, and word problem worksheets. These measures were used to see if PT in a target skill had any effect on other classroom activities. Furthermore, aggressive behaviour, off-task behaviour, and responses to instructions were observed to determine if any changes occurred following the implementation of PT. The arrival of a new teacher, however, confounded these results. PT is a very effective method for teaching target skills to ADHD children, however there is limited application of this skill to other classroom activities and no new behaviours emerged as a result of the PT process. Future research could look at teaching this population other skills using PT and/or using PT to help other children experiencing reading or maths difficulties.

text: The Effectiveness of Precision Teaching when Working with Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder A two-dyad multiple baseline design was used to determine if Precision Teaching (PT) was effective in improving the target skills of sight word recognition for two boys aged six and eight (Group A) and multiplication for a 12-year old boy and a 10-year old girl (Group B). The participants were all diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and attended the Kauri Centre. SAFMEDS (Say All Fast Minute Each Day Shuffled) cards containing words or sums were used. Correct and incorrect responses were recorded on a Standard Celeration Chart. Group A also read from a reader, recalled facts about books previously read to them, and copied a passage of writing, while Group B answered sums on multiplication, division, and word problem worksheets. These measures were used to see if PT in a target skill had any effect on other classroom activities. Furthermore, aggressive behaviour, off-task behaviour, and responses to instructions were observed to determine if any changes occurred following the implementation of PT. The arrival of a new teacher, however, confounded these results. PT is a very effective method for teaching target skills to ADHD children, however there is limited application of this skill to other classroom activities and no new behaviours emerged as a result of the PT process. Future research could look at teaching this population other skills using PT and/or using PT to help other children experiencing reading or maths difficulties.

year: 2010

title: The Long Bay Restaurant site, R10/1374: Volume 1, the archaeology (HNZPTA authorities 2015/19 and 2016/81): Report to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Auckland Council

authors: Campbell, M

abstract: Auckland Council had proposed refurbishing the Long Bay Restaurant at Long Bay Regional Park (Lot 2 DP 54616), amounting to a near full rebuild of the structure apart from the in situ foundations. Council began the project in mid-2013 with the partial demolition of the existing structure and sawing of the concrete floor slab to install new utilities. Following the discovery of human remains beneath the floor slab on 2 July 2013, work was halted. The remains were inspected by the New Zealand Police who confirmed that they were pre-European kōiwi tangata. An assessment of the site was then undertaken by Beatrice Hudson of ArchOs Archaeology (Hudson 2013) and the find was recorded as site R10/1374 in the New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA) Site Recording Scheme (SRS) (this site number applies to any other archaeological features associated with the wider area). Auckland Council applied to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (now Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, HNZPT) for an archaeological authority under section 18 of the Historic Places Act 1993 to undertake archaeological test excavations to investigate the nature, extent and condition of the site, and how it would be affected by the proposed development project. Authority 2014/506 was granted on 28 November 2013 and the investigation was carried out on the 20th and 21st of January 2014 (Campbell et al. 2014) (the 2014 excavation is summarised in Chapter 3).

Auckland Council then applied to HNZPT for an authority under section 44 of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 to modify or destroy any further material found during the refurbishment project, including associated car parks and footpaths. Authority 2015/19 was granted on 7 August 2014 and works resumed. On 6 November 2014 further kōiwi were found within the project footprint and work once again ceased. 

Following extensive consultation with mana whenua and HNZPT, Auckland Council determined that the refurbishment would continue but it was agreed that the entire footprint of the development would be cleared archaeologically in order to provide assurance that no further kōiwi would remain within the project area. As the scope of the archaeological investigation had changed, a new archaeological authority, superseding authority 2015/19, was required and a full archaeological assessment of efects was also required in support of the authority application (Campbell and Hudson 2015). Authority 2016/81 was granted by HNZPT on 25 August 2015. This report fulfils the conditions of both authority 2015/19 and 2016/81.

Excavation began on 5 October 2015 with site clearance and removal of the concrete pad but not the ground beam foundations, while full excavation commenced on 12 October under the direction of Matthew Campbell (Excavation Director, CFG Heritage) and Beatrice Hudson (Osteologist, ArchOs Archaeology). Excavation continued until 3 November, by which stage kōiwi of a further 10 individuals had been found, bringing the total to 12. Following an onsite hui on 4 November between representatives of mana whenua, HNZPT, Auckland Council and the excavation team, the excavation was halted but mana whenua requested that the 3 possible burials that had been located but not excavated be lifted, and on 9 November the site was shut down. At a second on site hui on 9 December Auckland Council announced that they had resolved to cancel the restaurant project, but mana whenua expressed a desire that the 13 x 12 m excavation area opened up at the time be excavated to a sterile layer to lift all kōiwi. Excavation resumed on 18 January 2016 and continued until 4 March, when all kōiwi and archaeological deposits and features had been excavated.

text: The Long Bay Restaurant site, R10/1374: Volume 1, the archaeology (HNZPTA authorities 2015/19 and 2016/81): Report to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Auckland Council Auckland Council had proposed refurbishing the Long Bay Restaurant at Long Bay Regional Park (Lot 2 DP 54616), amounting to a near full rebuild of the structure apart from the in situ foundations. Council began the project in mid-2013 with the partial demolition of the existing structure and sawing of the concrete floor slab to install new utilities. Following the discovery of human remains beneath the floor slab on 2 July 2013, work was halted. The remains were inspected by the New Zealand Police who confirmed that they were pre-European kōiwi tangata. An assessment of the site was then undertaken by Beatrice Hudson of ArchOs Archaeology (Hudson 2013) and the find was recorded as site R10/1374 in the New Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA) Site Recording Scheme (SRS) (this site number applies to any other archaeological features associated with the wider area). Auckland Council applied to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (now Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, HNZPT) for an archaeological authority under section 18 of the Historic Places Act 1993 to undertake archaeological test excavations to investigate the nature, extent and condition of the site, and how it would be affected by the proposed development project. Authority 2014/506 was granted on 28 November 2013 and the investigation was carried out on the 20th and 21st of January 2014 (Campbell et al. 2014) (the 2014 excavation is summarised in Chapter 3).

Auckland Council then applied to HNZPT for an authority under section 44 of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 to modify or destroy any further material found during the refurbishment project, including associated car parks and footpaths. Authority 2015/19 was granted on 7 August 2014 and works resumed. On 6 November 2014 further kōiwi were found within the project footprint and work once again ceased. 

Following extensive consultation with mana whenua and HNZPT, Auckland Council determined that the refurbishment would continue but it was agreed that the entire footprint of the development would be cleared archaeologically in order to provide assurance that no further kōiwi would remain within the project area. As the scope of the archaeological investigation had changed, a new archaeological authority, superseding authority 2015/19, was required and a full archaeological assessment of efects was also required in support of the authority application (Campbell and Hudson 2015). Authority 2016/81 was granted by HNZPT on 25 August 2015. This report fulfils the conditions of both authority 2015/19 and 2016/81.

Excavation began on 5 October 2015 with site clearance and removal of the concrete pad but not the ground beam foundations, while full excavation commenced on 12 October under the direction of Matthew Campbell (Excavation Director, CFG Heritage) and Beatrice Hudson (Osteologist, ArchOs Archaeology). Excavation continued until 3 November, by which stage kōiwi of a further 10 individuals had been found, bringing the total to 12. Following an onsite hui on 4 November between representatives of mana whenua, HNZPT, Auckland Council and the excavation team, the excavation was halted but mana whenua requested that the 3 possible burials that had been located but not excavated be lifted, and on 9 November the site was shut down. At a second on site hui on 9 December Auckland Council announced that they had resolved to cancel the restaurant project, but mana whenua expressed a desire that the 13 x 12 m excavation area opened up at the time be excavated to a sterile layer to lift all kōiwi. Excavation resumed on 18 January 2016 and continued until 4 March, when all kōiwi and archaeological deposits and features had been excavated.

year: 2019