title: RenderRing

authors: Soo, Chin-En Keith

subjects: intuitive

abstract: Renderring is a musical platform for intuitive composition. It enables users’ interaction to provide opportunity for anyone to draw a unique circle and translates the drawing into a piece of melody. Users are able to set the composition variables before they start (Tempo, time signature and number of notes). The process involves two parts: First is a collection of user input by getting user to draw any unique circle in a provided space. Second is an interpretation using the program to decipher the drawing and identify point of intersections on the musical staff. After which, the program will produce a unique piece of melody with the user’s drawing. The user can then proceed with options of redoing or saving the melody.

Renderring aims to bring new experience to create melody with a vision to simplify complexity. Transferring oneself energy from one form to another by converting visual to sound. The process enables creativity and empowers everyone to express his or her hidden inner potentials by making straightforward music.

text: RenderRing Renderring is a musical platform for intuitive composition. It enables users’ interaction to provide opportunity for anyone to draw a unique circle and translates the drawing into a piece of melody. Users are able to set the composition variables before they start (Tempo, time signature and number of notes). The process involves two parts: First is a collection of user input by getting user to draw any unique circle in a provided space. Second is an interpretation using the program to decipher the drawing and identify point of intersections on the musical staff. After which, the program will produce a unique piece of melody with the user’s drawing. The user can then proceed with options of redoing or saving the melody.

Renderring aims to bring new experience to create melody with a vision to simplify complexity. Transferring oneself energy from one form to another by converting visual to sound. The process enables creativity and empowers everyone to express his or her hidden inner potentials by making straightforward music.

year: 2015

title: Visitors to Mauritius - Place, Perceptions and Determinants of Repeat Visitation

authors: Prayag, Girish

subjects: Mauritius

abstract: Tourism has long been recognised as a vital element of the economic development and growth of island destinations. This has been no different for the island of Mauritius, whose appeal is predominantly based on a sun, sand and sea product anchored in resort-based experiences. At the maturity stage of its destination life cycle, the island has embarked on product development and market diversification strategies for growth. In this respect, this study investigates cultural differences in image perceptions for the key generating markets of Mauritius and the factors determining repeat visitation. The relationship among several constructs such as destination image, service interactions, place attachment, personal involvement, satisfaction and future behaviour is explored. Understanding these relationships, can possibly improve segmentation, targeting, product development strategies and revisit intentions. Also, the role of interactions by visitors with hotel employees and how these influence other constructs such as place attachment and personal involvement have been of lesser interest to researchers. Therefore, a literature review on these relationships informs the construction of a theoretical model. Adopting a post-positivist stance, the qualitative component of the research focuses on exploring visitors‟ perceptions of image and service interactions using social constructionism. Personal construct theory informed the choice of a convenience sample of 103 visitors. Broad questions were designed within a phenomenological approach to allow participants to narrate their  lived‟ experiences. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and supplemented by content analysis using CATPAC to improve credibility of interpretation. The findings revealed that images are linked to motives for choice and in the case of Mauritius, fulfilment of needs for relaxation and escape as well as socialisation and learning determine visitors‟ perceptions. Service interactions are imbued in values such as integrity and respect, mutual understanding and authenticity of display. Place attachment as a latent dimension was related to the affective image of the place while personal involvement and familiarity influenced perceptions of service interactions. Nationality, ethnicity and language spoken had some influence on perceptions.
These findings informed the design of a survey instrument that was administered to a quota sample of 1000 visitors, of which, 705 were useable. The method of data collection
iii
was self- completion by hotel guests and self-completion in the presence of the researcher on beaches around hotels. Exploratory factor analysis was initially used to assess the dimensionality of the various constructs in the theoretical model, thereafter confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modelling were undertaken to validate the model. Cluster analysis was used to identify different segments of visitors based on their level of personal involvement and place attachment. Regression models were developed to predict visitors overall image, satisfaction and loyalty as well as their propensity to be repeaters. The results indicated that destination image has both direct and an indirect influence over future behaviour. In particular, personal involvement and perceived service interactions are antecedents of destination image, while place attachment has motives for choice and personal involvement as antecedents. Given these relationships, important implications for destination image, product development as well as direction for destination marketing are offered. Implications for service providers are discussed and theoretical contributions of the study are highlighted.

text: Visitors to Mauritius - Place, Perceptions and Determinants of Repeat Visitation Tourism has long been recognised as a vital element of the economic development and growth of island destinations. This has been no different for the island of Mauritius, whose appeal is predominantly based on a sun, sand and sea product anchored in resort-based experiences. At the maturity stage of its destination life cycle, the island has embarked on product development and market diversification strategies for growth. In this respect, this study investigates cultural differences in image perceptions for the key generating markets of Mauritius and the factors determining repeat visitation. The relationship among several constructs such as destination image, service interactions, place attachment, personal involvement, satisfaction and future behaviour is explored. Understanding these relationships, can possibly improve segmentation, targeting, product development strategies and revisit intentions. Also, the role of interactions by visitors with hotel employees and how these influence other constructs such as place attachment and personal involvement have been of lesser interest to researchers. Therefore, a literature review on these relationships informs the construction of a theoretical model. Adopting a post-positivist stance, the qualitative component of the research focuses on exploring visitors‟ perceptions of image and service interactions using social constructionism. Personal construct theory informed the choice of a convenience sample of 103 visitors. Broad questions were designed within a phenomenological approach to allow participants to narrate their  lived‟ experiences. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and supplemented by content analysis using CATPAC to improve credibility of interpretation. The findings revealed that images are linked to motives for choice and in the case of Mauritius, fulfilment of needs for relaxation and escape as well as socialisation and learning determine visitors‟ perceptions. Service interactions are imbued in values such as integrity and respect, mutual understanding and authenticity of display. Place attachment as a latent dimension was related to the affective image of the place while personal involvement and familiarity influenced perceptions of service interactions. Nationality, ethnicity and language spoken had some influence on perceptions.
These findings informed the design of a survey instrument that was administered to a quota sample of 1000 visitors, of which, 705 were useable. The method of data collection
iii
was self- completion by hotel guests and self-completion in the presence of the researcher on beaches around hotels. Exploratory factor analysis was initially used to assess the dimensionality of the various constructs in the theoretical model, thereafter confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modelling were undertaken to validate the model. Cluster analysis was used to identify different segments of visitors based on their level of personal involvement and place attachment. Regression models were developed to predict visitors overall image, satisfaction and loyalty as well as their propensity to be repeaters. The results indicated that destination image has both direct and an indirect influence over future behaviour. In particular, personal involvement and perceived service interactions are antecedents of destination image, while place attachment has motives for choice and personal involvement as antecedents. Given these relationships, important implications for destination image, product development as well as direction for destination marketing are offered. Implications for service providers are discussed and theoretical contributions of the study are highlighted.

year: 2009

title: Violation of te whare tangata - the maternal body: Young women's journeys through pregnancy and partner terrorism

authors: Marsh, Tuihana M.

subjects: Partner Terrorism

abstract: Partner terrorism is a leading social issue in Aotearoa. It occurs with such frequency and ferocity that it is often considered an epidemic. This has placed us in the shameful position of being the highest ranked nation in the western world for the prevalence of intimate partner violence. This research explored young women’s experiences of intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Eleven women aged 14 - 17 years when pregnant were interviewed. A mana wāhine theoretical perspective was employed, guided by a kaupapa Māori research methodology. Pūrākau was used as a method to present and validate the women’s voices.
The key findings identified that these relationships began with the potential of any other relationship. However, they typically followed a pattern of co-habituation and entrapment through pregnancy and financial dependence. It was evident the partner terrorism was brought into these relationships by the terrorist partners, and was the first experience of this violence for many of the women. The terrorism continued to escalate. Separating from their terrorist partners did not result in the women being any safer, with some continuing to experience life-threatening acts of terrorism post separation. Pregnancy did not serve as a protective factor: the violation of te whare tangata generally occurred before, during and after pregnancy. Often, the acts of terrorism escalated following the birth of their pēpī, with their partner’s terrorism being a direct assault on ūkaipō, disrupting bonding and mothering practices. Many of the women were able to recognise the terrorism to which they were subjected only in hindsight. Despite this, they showed ingenuity and resilience in the ways they resisted the terrorism in efforts to keep themselves and their pēpī safe. Breaking free of these relationships demanded intervention and support from outsiders. The women remain strongly committed to the welfare of their pēpī.

text: Violation of te whare tangata - the maternal body: Young women's journeys through pregnancy and partner terrorism Partner terrorism is a leading social issue in Aotearoa. It occurs with such frequency and ferocity that it is often considered an epidemic. This has placed us in the shameful position of being the highest ranked nation in the western world for the prevalence of intimate partner violence. This research explored young women’s experiences of intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Eleven women aged 14 - 17 years when pregnant were interviewed. A mana wāhine theoretical perspective was employed, guided by a kaupapa Māori research methodology. Pūrākau was used as a method to present and validate the women’s voices.
The key findings identified that these relationships began with the potential of any other relationship. However, they typically followed a pattern of co-habituation and entrapment through pregnancy and financial dependence. It was evident the partner terrorism was brought into these relationships by the terrorist partners, and was the first experience of this violence for many of the women. The terrorism continued to escalate. Separating from their terrorist partners did not result in the women being any safer, with some continuing to experience life-threatening acts of terrorism post separation. Pregnancy did not serve as a protective factor: the violation of te whare tangata generally occurred before, during and after pregnancy. Often, the acts of terrorism escalated following the birth of their pēpī, with their partner’s terrorism being a direct assault on ūkaipō, disrupting bonding and mothering practices. Many of the women were able to recognise the terrorism to which they were subjected only in hindsight. Despite this, they showed ingenuity and resilience in the ways they resisted the terrorism in efforts to keep themselves and their pēpī safe. Breaking free of these relationships demanded intervention and support from outsiders. The women remain strongly committed to the welfare of their pēpī.

year: 2019