title: Characterisation of rechargeable batteries

authors: Farrow, Vance

subjects: batteries

abstract: There is a need for an improved method of detecting changes in battery state-of-health. Current methods are inaccurate and lead to early battery retirement and low consumer trust due to public failures of battery management systems such as those in the Nissan Leaf. Recent developments in battery modelling suggest the potential for small signal, ultralow-frequency measurements that will allow the reliable detection of changes in battery state-of-health. 
To verify this method of determining state-of-health an experiment has been performed. Systematic measurement and degradation of the state-of-health of a battery through cycling, and regular measurements of the low frequency impedance, has provided conclusive evidence in support of the proposed method of detecting changes in state-of-health. For the purpose of running this experiment, and others like it in the future, tools have been developed for the systematic degradation and measurement of battery state-of-health, and for taking ultralow-frequency measurements to detect changes in state-of-health.

text: Characterisation of rechargeable batteries There is a need for an improved method of detecting changes in battery state-of-health. Current methods are inaccurate and lead to early battery retirement and low consumer trust due to public failures of battery management systems such as those in the Nissan Leaf. Recent developments in battery modelling suggest the potential for small signal, ultralow-frequency measurements that will allow the reliable detection of changes in battery state-of-health. 
To verify this method of determining state-of-health an experiment has been performed. Systematic measurement and degradation of the state-of-health of a battery through cycling, and regular measurements of the low frequency impedance, has provided conclusive evidence in support of the proposed method of detecting changes in state-of-health. For the purpose of running this experiment, and others like it in the future, tools have been developed for the systematic degradation and measurement of battery state-of-health, and for taking ultralow-frequency measurements to detect changes in state-of-health.

year: 2020

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: A translation of Moodle into Te Reo Māori

authors: Manuirirangi, Hōri

abstract: This paper is an assessment of the Te Reo Māori translation of the Learning Management System ‘Moodle’, used by students and teaching staff of the University of Waikato. Moodle: [Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment] has been the university’s primary online learning environment since 2008. It has an open code-base that allows users the ability to modify its software. This particular feature makes the LMS appealing to both Māori and Pacifika users as it allows Moodle to be developed and customized to meet their unique cultural needs. This paper discusses the rationale for the translation of Moodle into Te Reo Māori, and gives insight into the processes implemented by translation staff of Te Ratonga Whakamāori and the university’s WCEL team. The primary focus of this paper is to outline the benefits of translating the online learning environment of Te Reo Māori second-language learners, whilst highlighting how the integration of this technology augments students’ learning inside and outside of the classroom.

text: A translation of Moodle into Te Reo Māori This paper is an assessment of the Te Reo Māori translation of the Learning Management System ‘Moodle’, used by students and teaching staff of the University of Waikato. Moodle: [Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment] has been the university’s primary online learning environment since 2008. It has an open code-base that allows users the ability to modify its software. This particular feature makes the LMS appealing to both Māori and Pacifika users as it allows Moodle to be developed and customized to meet their unique cultural needs. This paper discusses the rationale for the translation of Moodle into Te Reo Māori, and gives insight into the processes implemented by translation staff of Te Ratonga Whakamāori and the university’s WCEL team. The primary focus of this paper is to outline the benefits of translating the online learning environment of Te Reo Māori second-language learners, whilst highlighting how the integration of this technology augments students’ learning inside and outside of the classroom.

year: 2017