title: Paleoliquefaction in Late Pleistocene alluvial sediments in Hauraki and Hamilton basins, and implications for paleoseismicity

authors: Kleyburg, Melissa Anita

abstract: Liquefaction susceptibility of the Late Pleistocene Hinuera Formation is of interest to the engineering community as it is unclear whether materials of this age will still be prone to activation by cyclic stresses. In this paper we report on rare paleoliquefaction features in the form of injection structures that we have identified at two sites near Hamilton. These structures are clearly earthquake induced, and indicate the potential for future liquefaction episodes. However, we suggest that the hazard is restricted to areas with impeded drainage that imparts a high water table. Such areas are localised, and may be recognised from the modern (pedological) soil distribution. Evaluating piezocone penetration test (CPTu) data from the sites of known paleoliquefaction indicates that the CPTu gives a meaningful indication of liquefaction potential, and questions the validity of applying aging factors to these deposits.

text: Paleoliquefaction in Late Pleistocene alluvial sediments in Hauraki and Hamilton basins, and implications for paleoseismicity Liquefaction susceptibility of the Late Pleistocene Hinuera Formation is of interest to the engineering community as it is unclear whether materials of this age will still be prone to activation by cyclic stresses. In this paper we report on rare paleoliquefaction features in the form of injection structures that we have identified at two sites near Hamilton. These structures are clearly earthquake induced, and indicate the potential for future liquefaction episodes. However, we suggest that the hazard is restricted to areas with impeded drainage that imparts a high water table. Such areas are localised, and may be recognised from the modern (pedological) soil distribution. Evaluating piezocone penetration test (CPTu) data from the sites of known paleoliquefaction indicates that the CPTu gives a meaningful indication of liquefaction potential, and questions the validity of applying aging factors to these deposits.

year: 2015-02-22

title: Investigating on-field decision making in rugby union

authors: Sherwood, Sebastian

subjects: Rugby union

abstract: Quick, accurate decision making in sport is essential for successful performance. In this five study thesis, psychological elements of decision making were investigated, guided by real world challenges encountered in a professional rugby organisation. Chapter 1 provided a background and review of relevant literature. Chapters 2 and 3 focused on pattern recall, an individual’s ability to recollect specific patterns from previous experiences. The results of Chapter 2 showed that professional players with more years of rugby experience were more accurate when recalling structured patterns. However, it was shown that pattern recall tasks did not predict on-field decision making performance and thus did not warrant inclusion in talent identification programs. Chapter 2 concluded that more appropriate stimuli (structured and semi-structured patterns) should be included in future studies to investigate the viability of pattern recall tasks for talent identification purposes. Chapter 3 found that a high tendency for decision reinvestment (a predisposition to consciously process decision-making) led to slower and less accurate performance on pattern recall tasks.

In Chapter 4, the effect of reinvestment (movement specific and decision specific) and expertise on anticipation of deceptive and non-deceptive movements was investigated. The results showed experts to be significantly more accurate than novices at anticipating both deceptive and non-deceptive movements. It was also found that experts took significantly longer to respond than novices. Decision reinvestment did not play a role in anticipatory performance; however, increased movement reinvestment tendencies were associated with poorer anticipatory accuracy of deceptive movements.

Both Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 investigated the decoy runners tactic, which is a novel form of deception in the literature to date, as it centres on players who are not in possession of the ball. The tactic involves multiple players in an attacking team running option lines off the ball carrier, making it possible that any of the players could receive the ball. Runners who do not receive the ball are decoys who aim to create confusion in defences. It was shown that decoy runners were significantly more effective when they displayed certain characteristics to attract defenders’ attention (i.e., hands up as if receiving the ball and line change as if exploiting a gap in the defensive line). Chapter 6 followed up on a claim made in the discussion of Chapter 5, that the increased effectiveness of decoy runners (when displaying certain characteristics) was caused by momentary inattentional blindness of the player who received the ball. This study showed that the player who received the ball was more likely to be unnoticed when attention was diverted by a secondary task – fitting the description of inattentional blindness (an individual failing to register an unexpected object clearly within their field of vision when their attention is diverted to another object or task (Mack & Rock, 1998)). The findings are summarised and discussed in the context of relevant research in the decision making field. Practical applications for coaches are provided and future directions for research are considered.

text: Investigating on-field decision making in rugby union Quick, accurate decision making in sport is essential for successful performance. In this five study thesis, psychological elements of decision making were investigated, guided by real world challenges encountered in a professional rugby organisation. Chapter 1 provided a background and review of relevant literature. Chapters 2 and 3 focused on pattern recall, an individual’s ability to recollect specific patterns from previous experiences. The results of Chapter 2 showed that professional players with more years of rugby experience were more accurate when recalling structured patterns. However, it was shown that pattern recall tasks did not predict on-field decision making performance and thus did not warrant inclusion in talent identification programs. Chapter 2 concluded that more appropriate stimuli (structured and semi-structured patterns) should be included in future studies to investigate the viability of pattern recall tasks for talent identification purposes. Chapter 3 found that a high tendency for decision reinvestment (a predisposition to consciously process decision-making) led to slower and less accurate performance on pattern recall tasks.

In Chapter 4, the effect of reinvestment (movement specific and decision specific) and expertise on anticipation of deceptive and non-deceptive movements was investigated. The results showed experts to be significantly more accurate than novices at anticipating both deceptive and non-deceptive movements. It was also found that experts took significantly longer to respond than novices. Decision reinvestment did not play a role in anticipatory performance; however, increased movement reinvestment tendencies were associated with poorer anticipatory accuracy of deceptive movements.

Both Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 investigated the decoy runners tactic, which is a novel form of deception in the literature to date, as it centres on players who are not in possession of the ball. The tactic involves multiple players in an attacking team running option lines off the ball carrier, making it possible that any of the players could receive the ball. Runners who do not receive the ball are decoys who aim to create confusion in defences. It was shown that decoy runners were significantly more effective when they displayed certain characteristics to attract defenders’ attention (i.e., hands up as if receiving the ball and line change as if exploiting a gap in the defensive line). Chapter 6 followed up on a claim made in the discussion of Chapter 5, that the increased effectiveness of decoy runners (when displaying certain characteristics) was caused by momentary inattentional blindness of the player who received the ball. This study showed that the player who received the ball was more likely to be unnoticed when attention was diverted by a secondary task – fitting the description of inattentional blindness (an individual failing to register an unexpected object clearly within their field of vision when their attention is diverted to another object or task (Mack & Rock, 1998)). The findings are summarised and discussed in the context of relevant research in the decision making field. Practical applications for coaches are provided and future directions for research are considered.

year: 2020

title: Mai ngā pouwhirinaki - The experiences of whānau caring for Māori tangata whaiora with traumatic brain injury in the Waikato

authors: Silveira, Maia

subjects: Traumatic brain injury

abstract: In Aotearoa today, Māori have a disproportionate experience of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the community and in prisons compared to non-Māori. Furthermore, Māori have higher mortality rates following TBI, and are more likely to have a prolonged stay in hospital then be discharged without community support services compared with non-Māori. Currently, many of the post-acute rehabilitation services are located in the Auckland region which causes undue pressure of whānau needs, finances, and work commitments for many whānau and individuals with TBI from the Waikato region. My research focuses on the experiences of whānau navigators experience of caring for Māori tangata whaiora with TBI in the Waikato region. Whānau navigators for this thesis refers to members of the whānau who have familial obligations of care. Within this thesis I consult and engage with whānau about post-acute rehabilitation services. This is a qualitative based research project, which draws upon narrative inquiry, and a Kaupapa Māori research paradigm. Documenting these experiences will provide empirical evidence to highlight the invaluable role whānau have within recovery and the value of whānau support. This research can be used to identify the dynamic needs of whānau and encourage the healthcare system to provide a service that is consistent with Kaupapa Māori health frameworks and practices which at present is non- existent. As a result, the project will help inform the development of a service model within TBI that can better reflect and support the needs of whānau and Māori communities, that is a locally derived practice and more applicable and appropriate for Māori. Mauri ora!

text: Mai ngā pouwhirinaki - The experiences of whānau caring for Māori tangata whaiora with traumatic brain injury in the Waikato In Aotearoa today, Māori have a disproportionate experience of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the community and in prisons compared to non-Māori. Furthermore, Māori have higher mortality rates following TBI, and are more likely to have a prolonged stay in hospital then be discharged without community support services compared with non-Māori. Currently, many of the post-acute rehabilitation services are located in the Auckland region which causes undue pressure of whānau needs, finances, and work commitments for many whānau and individuals with TBI from the Waikato region. My research focuses on the experiences of whānau navigators experience of caring for Māori tangata whaiora with TBI in the Waikato region. Whānau navigators for this thesis refers to members of the whānau who have familial obligations of care. Within this thesis I consult and engage with whānau about post-acute rehabilitation services. This is a qualitative based research project, which draws upon narrative inquiry, and a Kaupapa Māori research paradigm. Documenting these experiences will provide empirical evidence to highlight the invaluable role whānau have within recovery and the value of whānau support. This research can be used to identify the dynamic needs of whānau and encourage the healthcare system to provide a service that is consistent with Kaupapa Māori health frameworks and practices which at present is non- existent. As a result, the project will help inform the development of a service model within TBI that can better reflect and support the needs of whānau and Māori communities, that is a locally derived practice and more applicable and appropriate for Māori. Mauri ora!

year: 2022