title: Children in the physical collection: Implications for the digital library

authors: Cunningham, Sally Jo

subjects: computer science

abstract: Finding a good book can be difficult, particularly for young readers. This paper adds to our understanding of how children select books for recreational reading by exploring the ‘native’ strategies (both successful and ineffective) that children employ in physical bookstores and libraries. The insights gained from how children find and select books in the physical environment are applied to suggest design guidelines for a children's digital library.

text: Children in the physical collection: Implications for the digital library Finding a good book can be difficult, particularly for young readers. This paper adds to our understanding of how children select books for recreational reading by exploring the ‘native’ strategies (both successful and ineffective) that children employ in physical bookstores and libraries. The insights gained from how children find and select books in the physical environment are applied to suggest design guidelines for a children's digital library.

year: 2012

title: The effect of biochar as a partial replacement of cement in cement mortar mixture and its mechanical properties

authors: Wazir, Paras

abstract: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) pollution is one of the leading causes of present day environmental issues. The construction industry, having a huge cement production contributes to these issues such as global warming and climate change. According to Mota-Panizio et al., (2023),  the third largest CO2 emission contributor is cement production. Several research has been done on agricultural waste solutions which includes the use of rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, and biochar as a partial replacement to cement mortar and concrete. This study will focus on the use and benefits of biochar as a partial replacement to cement, not only results in a decrease in usage of cement, lessening  CO2 but as this study will show, it will also help in improving the mechanical properties of cement mortar. The biochar used in this study is a Pinus Radiata Sawdust Biochar, a commercial biochar made in New Zealand. This study finds that 2-3% of biochar as a partial replacement to cement in cement mortar is the optimum percentage with a D50, 0.0172mm particle size and with an 818m2/kg specific area, in which the mechanical properties would prove to be better than that of a pure cement mixture. To determine the internal curing ability of biochar, it is observed in the 3rd batch , a mix with 2% of biochar water cured for 3 days has the same 28-day compressive strength as the control mix was cured for 7 days. It is also found in this experimental study 1-3% of biochar replacement with cement mortar gave increased compressive strength compared to plain cement mortar in all days of curing.  

While biochar can be produced from agricultural wastes, it can also be derived from forest waste. Not only does it help in eliminating CO2 emission, it also adds commercial value to forestry waste providing an opportunity to use rather than discard it. One consequence of climate change is an increase in the number of extreme weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. The effects of this were made worse in some parts of the country due to accumulated forestry waste which blocked waterways making the flooding worse and damaging essential infrastructure.

 The main questions this study asks are: How does Biochar influence the mechanical properties of cement mortar such as flexural strength, flowability, and compressive strength? How is the incorporation of Biochar to cement mortar significant in lessening the increase of CO2 emission? And In which ways can the use of Biochar help improve forest waste management most especially in New Zealand?  To answer these questions, conducted tests of flowability, compressive strength, flexural strength, TGA, and SEM Analysis that would determine which percentage best depicts the effect of biochar to cement mortar and analyze the mechanical properties of cement mortar when combined with Biochar.

text: The effect of biochar as a partial replacement of cement in cement mortar mixture and its mechanical properties Carbon Dioxide (CO2) pollution is one of the leading causes of present day environmental issues. The construction industry, having a huge cement production contributes to these issues such as global warming and climate change. According to Mota-Panizio et al., (2023),  the third largest CO2 emission contributor is cement production. Several research has been done on agricultural waste solutions which includes the use of rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, and biochar as a partial replacement to cement mortar and concrete. This study will focus on the use and benefits of biochar as a partial replacement to cement, not only results in a decrease in usage of cement, lessening  CO2 but as this study will show, it will also help in improving the mechanical properties of cement mortar. The biochar used in this study is a Pinus Radiata Sawdust Biochar, a commercial biochar made in New Zealand. This study finds that 2-3% of biochar as a partial replacement to cement in cement mortar is the optimum percentage with a D50, 0.0172mm particle size and with an 818m2/kg specific area, in which the mechanical properties would prove to be better than that of a pure cement mixture. To determine the internal curing ability of biochar, it is observed in the 3rd batch , a mix with 2% of biochar water cured for 3 days has the same 28-day compressive strength as the control mix was cured for 7 days. It is also found in this experimental study 1-3% of biochar replacement with cement mortar gave increased compressive strength compared to plain cement mortar in all days of curing.  

While biochar can be produced from agricultural wastes, it can also be derived from forest waste. Not only does it help in eliminating CO2 emission, it also adds commercial value to forestry waste providing an opportunity to use rather than discard it. One consequence of climate change is an increase in the number of extreme weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. The effects of this were made worse in some parts of the country due to accumulated forestry waste which blocked waterways making the flooding worse and damaging essential infrastructure.

 The main questions this study asks are: How does Biochar influence the mechanical properties of cement mortar such as flexural strength, flowability, and compressive strength? How is the incorporation of Biochar to cement mortar significant in lessening the increase of CO2 emission? And In which ways can the use of Biochar help improve forest waste management most especially in New Zealand?  To answer these questions, conducted tests of flowability, compressive strength, flexural strength, TGA, and SEM Analysis that would determine which percentage best depicts the effect of biochar to cement mortar and analyze the mechanical properties of cement mortar when combined with Biochar.

year: 2024

title: Raising Māori Student Achievement - Journeys of Success

authors: Kaumoana, Cadence

abstract: Educational success for Māori students is influenced by confidence in one’s identity, positive role models and support; and positive attitudes to learning and success.
This project asked Māori tertiary graduates about their educational experiences. Half of the participants in this study had successfully completed secondary school and the other half did not complete secondary school education. This selection of participants was selected to highlight that although some students don’t complete secondary school it is still possible to successfully pursue and complete tertiary level qualifications. The feedback given from the participants highlighted the positive factors that influenced their successful completion. From these factors recommendations have been developed to support Māori student success. The objective of this study is to encourage the development of increased self-confidence for Māori rangatahi and to promote the continuation of lifelong learning.
When Māori students are supported both at school and in the home they are more likely to achieve educational success, particularly at secondary school level. Similarly, at tertiary level study; students who graduate with a completed degree qualification are likely to have had positive support and successful role models, they are likely to be secure within their own identity and wh!nau network. Māori students that successfully complete tertiary study are more likely to have positive attitudes to learning and to achieving; knowing how to access support and feeling confident in their efforts.
The key to this study is the link between successful completion of secondary school and the follow-on to successful tertiary study. When Māori students are supported appropriately in the development of their identity their confidence soon follows. This support would ideally come from wh!nau in the home and the school. When Māori students are confident in their learning journeys through high levels of confidence in identity they are more likely to persevere under pressure and despite setbacks.
Influencing factors to developing self-confidence for Māori students include awareness of Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori, responsibility at home, responsibility at school and the positive influence of role models. The study then concludes by providing recommendations for learners, educators and wh!nau to support the educational achievement of their tamariki.

text: Raising Māori Student Achievement - Journeys of Success Educational success for Māori students is influenced by confidence in one’s identity, positive role models and support; and positive attitudes to learning and success.
This project asked Māori tertiary graduates about their educational experiences. Half of the participants in this study had successfully completed secondary school and the other half did not complete secondary school education. This selection of participants was selected to highlight that although some students don’t complete secondary school it is still possible to successfully pursue and complete tertiary level qualifications. The feedback given from the participants highlighted the positive factors that influenced their successful completion. From these factors recommendations have been developed to support Māori student success. The objective of this study is to encourage the development of increased self-confidence for Māori rangatahi and to promote the continuation of lifelong learning.
When Māori students are supported both at school and in the home they are more likely to achieve educational success, particularly at secondary school level. Similarly, at tertiary level study; students who graduate with a completed degree qualification are likely to have had positive support and successful role models, they are likely to be secure within their own identity and wh!nau network. Māori students that successfully complete tertiary study are more likely to have positive attitudes to learning and to achieving; knowing how to access support and feeling confident in their efforts.
The key to this study is the link between successful completion of secondary school and the follow-on to successful tertiary study. When Māori students are supported appropriately in the development of their identity their confidence soon follows. This support would ideally come from wh!nau in the home and the school. When Māori students are confident in their learning journeys through high levels of confidence in identity they are more likely to persevere under pressure and despite setbacks.
Influencing factors to developing self-confidence for Māori students include awareness of Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori, responsibility at home, responsibility at school and the positive influence of role models. The study then concludes by providing recommendations for learners, educators and wh!nau to support the educational achievement of their tamariki.

year: 2013