title: The origin of beach sediments on the North Queensland coast

authors: Bird, E.C.F.

abstract: Petrographic and granulometric analyses of North Queensland beach sediments indicate their affinity with sediments delivered to the coast by rivers, and it is shown that the beaches are largely derived from fluvial sediment reworked, sorted and distributed by the dominant south-easterly waves in coastal waters. Beach sediments are generally quartzose, with subordinate felspars and admixtures of coralline sediment near fringing reefs and lithic material near river mouths and rocky shore sectors. The prevailing northerly drift of shore sediment is reduced, and locally reversed, on sectors sheltered from the dominant south-easterly waves by headlands, reefs and islands. Variations in beach sediment are related to wave conditions, distance from river-mouth sources, and patterns of drift. Four Mile Beach, near Port Douglas, is identified as anomalous in its morphological and sedimentological characteristics. It has been cut off from former sources of sediment, both fluvial and longshore, as a result of reef extension around the mouth of Mowbray River, and is now essentially a relict beach system attaining sedimentological maturity.

text: The origin of beach sediments on the North Queensland coast Petrographic and granulometric analyses of North Queensland beach sediments indicate their affinity with sediments delivered to the coast by rivers, and it is shown that the beaches are largely derived from fluvial sediment reworked, sorted and distributed by the dominant south-easterly waves in coastal waters. Beach sediments are generally quartzose, with subordinate felspars and admixtures of coralline sediment near fringing reefs and lithic material near river mouths and rocky shore sectors. The prevailing northerly drift of shore sediment is reduced, and locally reversed, on sectors sheltered from the dominant south-easterly waves by headlands, reefs and islands. Variations in beach sediment are related to wave conditions, distance from river-mouth sources, and patterns of drift. Four Mile Beach, near Port Douglas, is identified as anomalous in its morphological and sedimentological characteristics. It has been cut off from former sources of sediment, both fluvial and longshore, as a result of reef extension around the mouth of Mowbray River, and is now essentially a relict beach system attaining sedimentological maturity.

year: 1971

title: Using Motion Controllers in Virtual Conferencing

authors: Dean, Jesse Joseph Busch

subjects: Kinect

abstract: At the end of 2010 Microsoft released a new controller for the Xbox 360 called Kinect. Unlike ordinary video game controllers, the Kinect works by detecting the positions and movements of a user’s entire body using the data from a sophisticated camera that is able to detect the distance between itself and each of the points on the image it is capturing. The Kinect device is essentially a low-cost, widely available motion capture system. Because of this, almost immediately many individuals put the device to use in a wide variety applications beyond video games.

This thesis investigates one such use; specifically the area of virtual meetings. Virtual meetings are a means of holding a meeting between multiple individuals in multiple locations using the internet, akin to teleconferencing or video conferencing. The defining factor of virtual meetings is that they take place in a virtual world rendered with 3D graphics; with each participant in a meeting controlling a virtual representation of them self called an avatar.

Previous research into virtual reality in general has shown that there is the potential for people to feel highly immersed in virtual reality, experiencing a feeling of really ‘being there’. However, previous work looking at virtual meetings has found that existing interfaces for users to interact with virtual meeting software can interfere with this experience of ‘being there’. The same research has also identified other short comings with existing virtual meeting solutions.

This thesis investigates how the Kinect device can be used to overcome the limitations of exiting virtual meeting software and interfaces. It includes a detailed description of the design and development of a piece of software that was created to demonstrate the possible uses of the Kinect in this area. It also includes discussion of the results of real world testing using that software, evaluating the usefulness of the Kinect when applied to virtual meetings.

text: Using Motion Controllers in Virtual Conferencing At the end of 2010 Microsoft released a new controller for the Xbox 360 called Kinect. Unlike ordinary video game controllers, the Kinect works by detecting the positions and movements of a user’s entire body using the data from a sophisticated camera that is able to detect the distance between itself and each of the points on the image it is capturing. The Kinect device is essentially a low-cost, widely available motion capture system. Because of this, almost immediately many individuals put the device to use in a wide variety applications beyond video games.

This thesis investigates one such use; specifically the area of virtual meetings. Virtual meetings are a means of holding a meeting between multiple individuals in multiple locations using the internet, akin to teleconferencing or video conferencing. The defining factor of virtual meetings is that they take place in a virtual world rendered with 3D graphics; with each participant in a meeting controlling a virtual representation of them self called an avatar.

Previous research into virtual reality in general has shown that there is the potential for people to feel highly immersed in virtual reality, experiencing a feeling of really ‘being there’. However, previous work looking at virtual meetings has found that existing interfaces for users to interact with virtual meeting software can interfere with this experience of ‘being there’. The same research has also identified other short comings with existing virtual meeting solutions.

This thesis investigates how the Kinect device can be used to overcome the limitations of exiting virtual meeting software and interfaces. It includes a detailed description of the design and development of a piece of software that was created to demonstrate the possible uses of the Kinect in this area. It also includes discussion of the results of real world testing using that software, evaluating the usefulness of the Kinect when applied to virtual meetings.

year: 2012

title: Place attachment of Ngāi Te Ahi to Hairini Marae

authors: Teddy, Lani

subjects: Hairini

abstract: Twelve members of Ngāi Te Ahi, a hapū from Tauranga, were interviewed to explore how they talk about their place attachment to Hairini Marae.  This was organized around five key dimensions of place attachment taken from the literature—continuity, distinctiveness, symbolism, attachment and familiarity.  We found that in discussing all dimensions, place attachment was equally about social and cultural relationships, history, and socialization.  Place attachment for groups such as Māori is complex because it encompasses all social relationships past and present.  The implication for those working with Māori is to take seriously the wider connotations of place when talking to Māori about marae, traditional homelands, and their land.

text: Place attachment of Ngāi Te Ahi to Hairini Marae Twelve members of Ngāi Te Ahi, a hapū from Tauranga, were interviewed to explore how they talk about their place attachment to Hairini Marae.  This was organized around five key dimensions of place attachment taken from the literature—continuity, distinctiveness, symbolism, attachment and familiarity.  We found that in discussing all dimensions, place attachment was equally about social and cultural relationships, history, and socialization.  Place attachment for groups such as Māori is complex because it encompasses all social relationships past and present.  The implication for those working with Māori is to take seriously the wider connotations of place when talking to Māori about marae, traditional homelands, and their land.

year: 2008