title: Teaching formal methods lite via testing

authors: Utting, Mark

subjects: computer science

abstract: A new style of formal methods course is described, based on a pragmatic approach that emphasizes testing. The course introduces students to formal specification using Z, and shows how formal specification and testing can benefit each other, in both the validation and verification phases. It uses a tools-based approach, with practical work that reinforces formal specification techniques as well as traditional software engineering skills, such as unit and system testing, inspection and defensive programming with assertions. The two main results are to identify several practical uses of formal specifications that are not widely practised or taught and to demonstrate that teaching them results in a more interesting and relevant formal methods course.

text: Teaching formal methods lite via testing A new style of formal methods course is described, based on a pragmatic approach that emphasizes testing. The course introduces students to formal specification using Z, and shows how formal specification and testing can benefit each other, in both the validation and verification phases. It uses a tools-based approach, with practical work that reinforces formal specification techniques as well as traditional software engineering skills, such as unit and system testing, inspection and defensive programming with assertions. The two main results are to identify several practical uses of formal specifications that are not widely practised or taught and to demonstrate that teaching them results in a more interesting and relevant formal methods course.

year: 2001

title: Seasonal changes in phytoplankton nutrient limitation: Lake Rotorua

authors: Tempero, Grant Wayne

abstract: The management of macronutrient availability is central for reducing harmful algal blooms and the restoration of aquatic ecosystems. While there is some dispute as to the need for phosphorus (P) only control versus P and nitrogen (N) control, scientific opinion generally supports dual nutrient control in New Zealand lakes. Previous nutrient limitation studies of Lake Rotorua conducted during the 1970s and 1980s reported N limitation to varying degrees. This period coincided with the disposal of sub-optimally treated municipal wastewater to the lake, resulting in significant P loading and resultant algal blooms. Land disposal of wastewater was initiated in 1991 reducing nutrient loads to the lake, however, no further nutrient limitation studies were conducted until the summer of 2004 when N and P co-limitation was reported. From the mid-2000s water quality improved from a Trophic Lake index (TLI) of approximately 4.8 to 4.2, a change likely driven, in part, by sediment P depletion following the change to land disposal of wastewater and the initiation of alum dosing in 2006.

text: Seasonal changes in phytoplankton nutrient limitation: Lake Rotorua The management of macronutrient availability is central for reducing harmful algal blooms and the restoration of aquatic ecosystems. While there is some dispute as to the need for phosphorus (P) only control versus P and nitrogen (N) control, scientific opinion generally supports dual nutrient control in New Zealand lakes. Previous nutrient limitation studies of Lake Rotorua conducted during the 1970s and 1980s reported N limitation to varying degrees. This period coincided with the disposal of sub-optimally treated municipal wastewater to the lake, resulting in significant P loading and resultant algal blooms. Land disposal of wastewater was initiated in 1991 reducing nutrient loads to the lake, however, no further nutrient limitation studies were conducted until the summer of 2004 when N and P co-limitation was reported. From the mid-2000s water quality improved from a Trophic Lake index (TLI) of approximately 4.8 to 4.2, a change likely driven, in part, by sediment P depletion following the change to land disposal of wastewater and the initiation of alum dosing in 2006.

year: 2020

title: Claiming space and restoring harmony within hui whakatika

authors: Berryman, Mere

subjects: Maori

abstract: The time has come for indigenous, specifically Māori psychologies, to move from the margins, and claim legitimate space within the discipline of psychology (MPRU, 2007). Phinney and Rotheram (1987) argue that there are ethnicallylinked ways of thinking, feeling and acting that are acquired through socialisation. The message implicit in this statement has profound implications for a discipline that seeks to understand and respond to the intricacies of human behaviour. Although the epistemological paradigms emerging from the experiences of indigenous minorities such as Māori may offer a challenge to mainstream knowledge and perspectives (Gordon, 1997), it is clear that disregarding such alternatives may well leave the discipline of psychology impoverished. On the other hand, paying attention to alternative paradigms may well serve to enrich this discipline. This paper presents two successful Hui Whakatika that were led by Māori in mainstream settings. Particular dimensions of, and congruencies between both are explored. The first highlights the vital role of a kaumatua in facilitating and guiding the entire process; the second focuses on the role and experiences of a kaitakawaenga as he works collaboratively with whānau members to find resolution and restore harmony.

text: Claiming space and restoring harmony within hui whakatika The time has come for indigenous, specifically Māori psychologies, to move from the margins, and claim legitimate space within the discipline of psychology (MPRU, 2007). Phinney and Rotheram (1987) argue that there are ethnicallylinked ways of thinking, feeling and acting that are acquired through socialisation. The message implicit in this statement has profound implications for a discipline that seeks to understand and respond to the intricacies of human behaviour. Although the epistemological paradigms emerging from the experiences of indigenous minorities such as Māori may offer a challenge to mainstream knowledge and perspectives (Gordon, 1997), it is clear that disregarding such alternatives may well leave the discipline of psychology impoverished. On the other hand, paying attention to alternative paradigms may well serve to enrich this discipline. This paper presents two successful Hui Whakatika that were led by Māori in mainstream settings. Particular dimensions of, and congruencies between both are explored. The first highlights the vital role of a kaumatua in facilitating and guiding the entire process; the second focuses on the role and experiences of a kaitakawaenga as he works collaboratively with whānau members to find resolution and restore harmony.

year: 2008