title: Design patterns for models of interactive systems

authors: Bowen, Judy

abstract: Building models of safety-critical interactive systems (in healthcare, transport, avionics and finance, to name but a few) as part of the design process is essential. It is also advised for non-safety critical interactive systems if we want to be certain they will behave as intended in all circumstances. However, modelling interactive systems is also challenging. The levels of complexity in modern user interfaces and the wealth of interaction possibilities means that modelling at a suitable level of abstraction is crucial to ensure our models remain reasonably sized, readable, and therefore usable. The decisions we make about how to abstract the system to retain enough detail to be able to reason about it without running into known modelling problems (state-explosion, verbosity, unread ability) are complex, even for experienced modellers. We have identified a number of commonly seen problems in such models based on occurrences of common properties of interactive systems, and in order to help both experienced and novice modellers we propose model-patterns as a solution to this.

text: Design patterns for models of interactive systems Building models of safety-critical interactive systems (in healthcare, transport, avionics and finance, to name but a few) as part of the design process is essential. It is also advised for non-safety critical interactive systems if we want to be certain they will behave as intended in all circumstances. However, modelling interactive systems is also challenging. The levels of complexity in modern user interfaces and the wealth of interaction possibilities means that modelling at a suitable level of abstraction is crucial to ensure our models remain reasonably sized, readable, and therefore usable. The decisions we make about how to abstract the system to retain enough detail to be able to reason about it without running into known modelling problems (state-explosion, verbosity, unread ability) are complex, even for experienced modellers. We have identified a number of commonly seen problems in such models based on occurrences of common properties of interactive systems, and in order to help both experienced and novice modellers we propose model-patterns as a solution to this.

year: 2015

title: Ōhiwa Harbour Delft3D sediment transport modelling to support the National Policy Statement on Freshwater (NPS-FM)

authors: Bryan, Karin R.

abstract: A suspended sediment transport model was set up for Ōhiwa Harbour, which was validated against in situ observations collected between 19/4/21 and 17/5/21. Four sediment grain size fractions were modelled; two cohesive (silt) sediment grain size fractions, and two non-cohesive (sand) sediment grain size fractions. Characteristics of these grain size fractions were selected based on a sensitivity analysis and the match of modelled suspended sediment to the magnitude and temporal patterns recorded at the observation stations. Suspended non-cohesive grain size fractions reflect local current strengths at the sites measured, whereas cohesive grain size fractions are advected longer distances by the ebbing or flooding currents.

Sediment loading was input at the freshwater discharge points using loading scenarios provided by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Sediment loading was converted to a concentration and discharge, and input into the model as a cohesive sediment grain size fraction. Model scenarios were run for 1 year in blocks of 3 months, using the environmental conditions (discharge, wind, tides) from 2014 as a base-case scenario. Loading scenarios consisted of contemporary, natural, RCP45 and RCP85 conditions. A 7-day model “warm up” period prior to each of the 3-month blocks was discarded.

text: Ōhiwa Harbour Delft3D sediment transport modelling to support the National Policy Statement on Freshwater (NPS-FM) A suspended sediment transport model was set up for Ōhiwa Harbour, which was validated against in situ observations collected between 19/4/21 and 17/5/21. Four sediment grain size fractions were modelled; two cohesive (silt) sediment grain size fractions, and two non-cohesive (sand) sediment grain size fractions. Characteristics of these grain size fractions were selected based on a sensitivity analysis and the match of modelled suspended sediment to the magnitude and temporal patterns recorded at the observation stations. Suspended non-cohesive grain size fractions reflect local current strengths at the sites measured, whereas cohesive grain size fractions are advected longer distances by the ebbing or flooding currents.

Sediment loading was input at the freshwater discharge points using loading scenarios provided by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Sediment loading was converted to a concentration and discharge, and input into the model as a cohesive sediment grain size fraction. Model scenarios were run for 1 year in blocks of 3 months, using the environmental conditions (discharge, wind, tides) from 2014 as a base-case scenario. Loading scenarios consisted of contemporary, natural, RCP45 and RCP85 conditions. A 7-day model “warm up” period prior to each of the 3-month blocks was discarded.

year: 2023

title: Māori and kava: New drug fashion or re-engagement with 'kawa'?

authors: Aporosa, S. 'Apo'

subjects: kava

abstract: The Pacific “cultural keystone species” (Garibaldi & Turner, 2004, pp.1,5) kava is uniquely linked with notions of mana (spiritual power) and used to infuse efficacy into celebrations and life events. The drink, made from this potent icon of identity, brings on feelings of relaxation without marked euphoria, aiding clear-minded talanoa (discussion) to facilitate important and/or contentious dialogue. The sharing and drinking of kava as part of host/guest formalities is used in bringing about mutuality and unity (Aporosa, 2019). It is estimated there are more than 20,000 kava users in Aotearoa/New Zealand on an average Friday or Saturday night, with increasing interest and uptake of this indigenous drink by Māori. Crowley (1994) reports that the Māori word ‘kawa’, literally meaning ‘marae protocol’, has its linguistic foundations in ‘kava’ and the practices associated with this cultural keystone species. This paper explores that linguistic union to ask whether increased kava use by Māori has greater significance than simply a new interaction with a foreign drug substance. Further, due to the use of kava in facilitating talanoa (discussion), the possibility of kava playing a similar role for Māori is considered, one linked to ancestral Pacific connections aimed at assisting kōrero (talanoa), cultural connectedness and practice.

text: Māori and kava: New drug fashion or re-engagement with 'kawa'? The Pacific “cultural keystone species” (Garibaldi & Turner, 2004, pp.1,5) kava is uniquely linked with notions of mana (spiritual power) and used to infuse efficacy into celebrations and life events. The drink, made from this potent icon of identity, brings on feelings of relaxation without marked euphoria, aiding clear-minded talanoa (discussion) to facilitate important and/or contentious dialogue. The sharing and drinking of kava as part of host/guest formalities is used in bringing about mutuality and unity (Aporosa, 2019). It is estimated there are more than 20,000 kava users in Aotearoa/New Zealand on an average Friday or Saturday night, with increasing interest and uptake of this indigenous drink by Māori. Crowley (1994) reports that the Māori word ‘kawa’, literally meaning ‘marae protocol’, has its linguistic foundations in ‘kava’ and the practices associated with this cultural keystone species. This paper explores that linguistic union to ask whether increased kava use by Māori has greater significance than simply a new interaction with a foreign drug substance. Further, due to the use of kava in facilitating talanoa (discussion), the possibility of kava playing a similar role for Māori is considered, one linked to ancestral Pacific connections aimed at assisting kōrero (talanoa), cultural connectedness and practice.

year: 2019