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The UC Research Repository collects, stores and makes available original research from postgraduate students, researchers and academics based at the University of Canterbury.
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Recent Submissions
Access to human-mobility data is essential for building a sustainable future
(Elsevier BV, 2024) Oliver RY; Chapman M; Ellis-Soto D; Brum-Bastos V; Cagnacci F; Long J; Loretto M-C; Patchett R; Rutz C
Mobile devices, and other tracking technologies, generate detailed data on the movements and behavior of
billions of people worldwide. At present, these data are predominantly used to pursue corporate interests.
We argue that improving access to human-mobility data is essential for addressing urgent conservation
and sustainability goals. Close collaboration between industry and the research community has the potential
to generate substantive environmental and societal benefits.
Numerical Simulations of the FWD and TSD Loading and the Effects on Pavement Surface Deflection
(2024) rith, makara; Saleh, Mofreh
Pavement surface deflection is essential to assess the structural
performance of the pavements and for the design of most suitable rehabilitation
strategies. Various deflectometer devices can extract those deflections, however,
in different manners. Falling-Weight Deflectometer measures surface deflection
from the impulsive and stationary load. Traffic Speed Deflectometer, in contrary,
simultaneously records deflection data under vehicle-moving speed. Many
studies reported the different responses from FWD and TSD under simple
assumptions. Additionally, even though both devices utilize unidentical loading
pattern, the deflection data is still interpreted by the same radial location, indices,
and curvature. This study aimed to compare the outcomes from FWD and TSD
loading by looking into the fully surface deflections and other responses under
various scenarios. This comparison was numerically conducted by 3D Finite
Element Method. Dynamic effect, and time-temperature dependent material.
behavior were considered in the analysis. The effect of pavement thickness,
material, roughness, and speed were also discussed.
Food security and community development in the Pacific: Case studies from Fiji
(2021) Vunibola, Suliasi; Leweniqila I
This paper considers the role of bula vakavanua (the Fijian way of life) in two indigenous Fijian communities, Saroni and Bucalevu, in helping rural villages achieve food security. Traditional mechanisms such as solesolevaki (cultural capital through collective work), together with monthly community work structures in place, can help households achieve food security. Revitalising these traditional mechanisms, encouraging wider use of them, and establishing legal frameworks for protecting traditional food security could have widespread benefits.
Hydrogen-rich syngas production via dry and steam reforming of methane in simulated producer gas over ZSM-5-supported trimetallic catalysts
(2023) Iminabo JT; Iminabo M; Yip, Alex; Pang S
This study investigated the production of hydrogen-rich syngas from renewable sources using durable and efficient catalysts. Specifically, the research focused on steam methane reforming
(SRM) and dry methane reforming (DRM) of simulated producer gas from biomass steam gasification in a fluidized bed reactor. The catalysts tested are ZSM-5-supported nickel-iron-cobalt-based trimetallic catalysts in different ratios, which were prepared via the wet impregnation method. Synthesized catalysts were characterized using XRD, BET, H2 -TPR, and SEM techniques. The results of the SRM with the simulated producer gas showed that the 20%Ni-20%Fe-10%Co/ZSM-5 trimetallic catalyst, at a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 12 L·h −1·g−1 and reaction temperature of 800 ◦C, achieved the highest CH4 conversion (74.8%) and highest H2 yield (65.59%) with CO2 conversion (36.05%). Comparing the performance of the SRM and DRM of the simulated producer gas with the 20%Ni-20%Fe-10%Co/ZSM5 at a GHSV of 36 L·h−1·g−1 and 800 ◦C, they achieved a CH4 conversion of 67.18% and 64.43%, a CO2 conversion of 43.01% and 52.1%, and a H2 yield of 55.49% and 42.02%, respectively. This trimetallic catalyst demonstrated effective inhibition of carbon formation and sintering, with only 2.6 wt.% carbon deposition observed from the thermo-gravimetric analysis of the used catalyst from the SRM of the simulated producer gas, thus promoting the potential of the ZSM-5-supported trimetallic catalysts in methane reforming.
Randomized controlled trial of effects of a familiarization video and patient‐controlled Entonox inhalation on patient stress levels and clinical efficacy of flexible sigmoidoscopy without analgesia or sedation for investigation of fresh rectal bleeding
(Wiley, online-publication-date) Bagshaw , Philip; Cameron , Christopher; Aramowicz , J.; Frampton , Chris; Pretty, Christopher
AbstractBackground and AimFlexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) without analgesia or sedation can be unpleasant for patients, resulting in unsatisfactory examinations. Prior familiarization videos (FVs) and intra‐procedural Entonox inhalation have shown inconsistent effects. This study investigated their effects on undesirable participant factors (anxiety, stress, discomfort, pain, satisfaction, later unpleasant recall of procedure, and vasovagal reactions) and clinical effectiveness (extent of bowel seen, lesions detected, and procedural/recovery times).MethodsThis cluster‐randomized single‐center study evaluated 138 participants undergoing FS. There were 46 controls, 49 given access to FV, and 43 access to both FV and self‐administered Entonox. Participant factors were measured by self‐administered questionnaires, independent nurse assessments, and heart rate variability (HRV) metrics.ResultsQuestionnaires showed that the FV group was slightly more tense and upset before FS, but knowledge of Entonox availability reduced anxiety. Nonlinear HRV metrics confirmed reduced intra‐procedural stress response in the FV/Entonox group compared with controls and FV alone (P < 0.05). Entonox availability allowed more bowel to be examined (P < 0.001) but increased procedure time (P < 0.05), while FV alone had no effect. FV/Entonox participants reported 1 month after FS less discomfort during the procedure. Other comparisons showed no significant differences between treatment groups, although one HRV metric showed some potential to predict vasovagal reactions.ConclusionsEntonox availability significantly improved clinical effectiveness and caused a slight reduction in undesirable participant factors. The FV alone did not reduce undesirable participant factors or improve clinical effectiveness. Nonlinear HRV metrics recorded effects in agreement with stress reduction and may be useful for prediction of vasovagal events in future studies.