title: Model-driven GUI & interaction design using emulation

authors: Hinze, Annika

subjects: computer science

abstract: This paper introduces a model-driven emulator for the interaction and GUI design of complex interacting systems. It allows systems that are engineered using formal methods and modelling to be tested with users before the final implementation. The user interface requirements are also specified in a formal model, which can be tested manually and automatically as required.

text: Model-driven GUI & interaction design using emulation This paper introduces a model-driven emulator for the interaction and GUI design of complex interacting systems. It allows systems that are engineered using formal methods and modelling to be tested with users before the final implementation. The user interface requirements are also specified in a formal model, which can be tested manually and automatically as required.

year: 2010

title: Community composition and distribution of macroinvertebrates on natural and artificial substrates in North Island lakes and ponds

authors: Taitibe, Heather

subjects: Community composition

abstract: Artificial structures in freshwater ecosystems are becoming increasingly common. The introduction of these structures in marine systems lead to changes in the physical structure and the biotic assemblages. Even though artificial structures provide hard substrates for species to colonize and settle on, they are commonly shown to support a smaller number of taxa than natural substrates and are also known to facilitate the settlement of disproportionate numbers of non-native species. Nevertheless, little is known of their effects in freshwaters. 
In the second chapter of my thesis, I compare macroinvertebrate communities on three substrate types, macrophytes, sediments and artificial structures, among twenty-two ponds, to identify differences in community composition and distribution of macroinvertebrates between natural and artificial substrates. In addition, I investigated whether non-native macroinvertebrates prefer artificial substrates more than natural substrates. The similarities between artificial substrates and macrophytes can be attributed to the habitat structure, i.e., hard surfaces and the provision of refugia for macroinvertebrates from their predators. The differences between sediments and macrophytes, and artificial substrates were attributed to the difference in habitat structure and the fauna they supported (i.e., sediments contained large proportions of infauna). Non-native species that were collected in my study did not show preference for any of the habitats that were sampled.  
In the third chapter of my thesis, I identified important environmental factors that affect the distribution of macroinvertebrates communities across the twenty-two ponds sampled. The most important factor identified was temperature, nutrient gradients, pH and dissolved oxygen levels.  
Both chapters of my thesis offer an understanding of how existing artificial substrates and environmental variables in lakes and ponds on the North Island, New Zealand, affect macroinvertebrate community composition and distribution in relation to natural substrates.

text: Community composition and distribution of macroinvertebrates on natural and artificial substrates in North Island lakes and ponds Artificial structures in freshwater ecosystems are becoming increasingly common. The introduction of these structures in marine systems lead to changes in the physical structure and the biotic assemblages. Even though artificial structures provide hard substrates for species to colonize and settle on, they are commonly shown to support a smaller number of taxa than natural substrates and are also known to facilitate the settlement of disproportionate numbers of non-native species. Nevertheless, little is known of their effects in freshwaters. 
In the second chapter of my thesis, I compare macroinvertebrate communities on three substrate types, macrophytes, sediments and artificial structures, among twenty-two ponds, to identify differences in community composition and distribution of macroinvertebrates between natural and artificial substrates. In addition, I investigated whether non-native macroinvertebrates prefer artificial substrates more than natural substrates. The similarities between artificial substrates and macrophytes can be attributed to the habitat structure, i.e., hard surfaces and the provision of refugia for macroinvertebrates from their predators. The differences between sediments and macrophytes, and artificial substrates were attributed to the difference in habitat structure and the fauna they supported (i.e., sediments contained large proportions of infauna). Non-native species that were collected in my study did not show preference for any of the habitats that were sampled.  
In the third chapter of my thesis, I identified important environmental factors that affect the distribution of macroinvertebrates communities across the twenty-two ponds sampled. The most important factor identified was temperature, nutrient gradients, pH and dissolved oxygen levels.  
Both chapters of my thesis offer an understanding of how existing artificial substrates and environmental variables in lakes and ponds on the North Island, New Zealand, affect macroinvertebrate community composition and distribution in relation to natural substrates.

year: 2019

title: Me ko Māui: Harnessing the sun to provide better outcomes for marae and communities

authors: Greensill, Waikauri

abstract: Marae are the cultural centres of Māori communities, providing a space for important gatherings both joyful and sad. With the advent of solar energy capture technologies and rising electricity bills, many marae are becoming interested in whether a solar powered system will be beneficial for them. However, marae have unique electricity demand profiles, distinct from commonly modelled building types such as residential or commercial buildings. It is thus difficult to estimate an appropriate solar and battery system size based on annual or even monthly electricity usage data, which may be the only data readily available, requiring more in-depth analysis at a highly site-specific level to find an answer. This thesis aims to increase understanding around how solar power could benefit marae, first by investigating the characteristic electricity demand profile of marae, then by observing how proposed system configurations meet the demand. The potential community benefits arising from such a system was also investigated. Using a year’s worth of half-hourly data from three marae, five characteristic day types were found in the analysis of the demand profile, namely a “Non-Event” profile that maintained a low baseload and accounted for 70% of the days in a year, a “1-Day Event” profile that lasted only a few hours, and for events spanning multiple days a “Start”, “Middle” and “End” day profile that varied greatly in demand magnitude. The demand profiles were then used to develop an annual demand profile for an average marae that was broadly representative of a wide range of marae. Different configurations of solar and battery powered systems were then applied to the annual demand and a technoeconomic analysis performed to determine whether a specific configuration met the needs of the average marae or not, which then produced a range of acceptable system sizes based on the needs specified. Not many solar and battery configurations resulted in positive economic returns for the marae alone, but widening the scope of the analysis to the surrounding community allows other interests such as local grid resilience to be considered, some of which may justify a marae’s decision to invest in a non-economic system to gain better community benefits. While investigating the use of peer-to-peer energy trading and community energy scenarios, sharing excess energy generated by a system with the wider community was also found to improve the economic outlook of solar for marae.

text: Me ko Māui: Harnessing the sun to provide better outcomes for marae and communities Marae are the cultural centres of Māori communities, providing a space for important gatherings both joyful and sad. With the advent of solar energy capture technologies and rising electricity bills, many marae are becoming interested in whether a solar powered system will be beneficial for them. However, marae have unique electricity demand profiles, distinct from commonly modelled building types such as residential or commercial buildings. It is thus difficult to estimate an appropriate solar and battery system size based on annual or even monthly electricity usage data, which may be the only data readily available, requiring more in-depth analysis at a highly site-specific level to find an answer. This thesis aims to increase understanding around how solar power could benefit marae, first by investigating the characteristic electricity demand profile of marae, then by observing how proposed system configurations meet the demand. The potential community benefits arising from such a system was also investigated. Using a year’s worth of half-hourly data from three marae, five characteristic day types were found in the analysis of the demand profile, namely a “Non-Event” profile that maintained a low baseload and accounted for 70% of the days in a year, a “1-Day Event” profile that lasted only a few hours, and for events spanning multiple days a “Start”, “Middle” and “End” day profile that varied greatly in demand magnitude. The demand profiles were then used to develop an annual demand profile for an average marae that was broadly representative of a wide range of marae. Different configurations of solar and battery powered systems were then applied to the annual demand and a technoeconomic analysis performed to determine whether a specific configuration met the needs of the average marae or not, which then produced a range of acceptable system sizes based on the needs specified. Not many solar and battery configurations resulted in positive economic returns for the marae alone, but widening the scope of the analysis to the surrounding community allows other interests such as local grid resilience to be considered, some of which may justify a marae’s decision to invest in a non-economic system to gain better community benefits. While investigating the use of peer-to-peer energy trading and community energy scenarios, sharing excess energy generated by a system with the wider community was also found to improve the economic outlook of solar for marae.

year: 2024