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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
Low-Carbon Impact of Urban Rail Transit Based on Passenger Demand Forecast in Baoji
(MDPI AG, online-publication-date) Zhang , Na; Wang , Zijia; Chen , Feng; Song , Jingni; Wang , Jianpo; Li, Yu
There are increasing traffic pollution issues in the process of urbanization in many countries; urban rail transit is low-carbon and widely regarded as an effective way to solve such problems. The passenger flow proportion of different transportation types is changing along with the adjustment of the urban traffic structure and a growing demand from passengers. The reduction of carbon emissions brought about by rail transit lacks specific quantitative research. Based on a travel survey of urban residents, this paper constructed a method of estimating carbon emissions from two different scenarios where rail transit is and is not available. This study uses the traditional four-stage model to forecast passenger volume demand at the city level and then obtains the basic target parameters for constructing the carbon emission reduction model, including the trip origin-destination (OD), mode, and corresponding distance range of different modes on the urban road network. This model was applied to Baoji, China, where urban rail transit will be available from 2023. It calculates the changes in carbon emission that rail transit can bring about and its impact on carbon emission reductions in Baoji in 2023.
Pandanus nutshell generates a palaeoprecipitation record for human occupation at Madjedbebe, northern Australia
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2021) Florin , S. Anna; Roberts , Patrick; Marwick , Ben; Patton , Nicholas R.; shulmeister, james; Lovelock , Catherine E.; Barry , Linda A.; Hua , Quan; Nango , May; Djandjomerr , Djaykuk; Fullagar , Richard; Wallis , Lynley A.; Fairbairn , Andrew S.; Clarkson , Chris
Little is known about the Pleistocene climatic context of northern Australia at the time of early human settlement. Here we generate a palaeoprecipitation proxy using stable carbon isotope analysis of modern and archaeological pandanus nutshell from Madjedbebe, Australia’s oldest known archaeological site. We document fluctuations in precipitation over the last 65,000 years and identify periods of lower precipitation during the penultimate and last glacial stages, Marine Isotope Stages 4 and 2. However, the lowest effective annual precipitation is recorded at the present time. Periods of lower precipitation, including the earliest phase of occupation, correspond with peaks in exotic stone raw materials and artefact discard at the site. This pattern is interpreted as suggesting increased group mobility and intensified use of the region during drier periods.
Interactions with virtual therapists during motor rehabilitation in immersive virtual environments: a systematic review
(Frontiers Media SA, online-publication-date) Crowe, Stephanie; Yousefi , Mamehgol; Shahri , Bahareh; Piumsomboon , Thammathip; Hoermann , Simon
Introduction: Virtual Reality applications for rehabilitation are increasing in popularity. In traditional as well as virtual rehabilitation, the guidance of an occupational therapist through physical and verbal interaction is often required. Several studies have attempted to implement a virtual therapist or assistant in immersive virtual environments for rehabilitation.Objective: This research aims to systematically review these studies, understanding the therapist’s role and how they are represented in the virtual environment, how the virtual therapist and patient interact and the experience of users. Our goal is to provide guidance for virtual therapist implementations into fully immersive virtual reality environments.Method: The researchers systematically reviewed the literature on virtual therapists in immersive virtual environments for motor rehabilitation (protocol prospectively registered with PROSPERO ID: CRD42022357369).Results and Conclusion: Seven studies were identified, with findings showing that virtual therapists are often human-like avatars that guide patients, requiring them to mimic the therapist’s movements. Visual, haptic, or one-direction audio feedback from the therapist to the patient was provided in five studies. The selected studies were all newly developed custom-made systems, with five systems developed using the same game engine. Studies carrying out user testing utilised several methods to understand user experience, evidencing a positive attitude from therapists and motivated and satisfied patients.Future Research: The roles of virtual therapists for motor rehabilitation needs to be explored further in rigorous empirical studies to gather data on patient and therapist user experience. Considerable potential was identified in the development of virtual therapists and therapeutic alliance in the virtual environment. Future systems should reduce manual input from therapists and include personalisation and individualised patient feedback.Systematic Review Registration: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=357369], PROSPERO ID [CRD42022357369].
The unsaturated characteristics of natural loess in slopes, New Zealand
(Thomas Telford Ltd., 2022) Yates, Katherine; Russell , Adrian R.
Loess and loess-derived soils in the Akaroa harbour area of New Zealand are typically unsaturated and vulnerable to shallow landsliding during rainfall events. In this paper, the water retention properties and unsaturated shear strength of these materials are characterised using laboratory testing and long-term field instrumentation. Because the pore size distribution of the loess is fractal, the laboratory-derived soil-water characteristic curve is described mathematically using a series of power-law relationships. The same soil-water characteristic curve applies to both recompacted and intact loess when suction is normalised by the air entry value. Stress-strain behaviours of the recompacted and intact loess exhibit significant differences, however. The unique microstructure of the intact loess contributes to its larger shear strength. Long-term field instrumentation data, including suction and volumetric water content, indicate that the hydraulic state of in situ loess remained on a scanning curve for the duration of the monitoring period, despite the occurrence of significant wetting events. This, in combination with triaxial test results, allows the contribution of suction to unsaturated shear strength to be quantified. Temporal variations in suction's contribution to strength confirms seasonal variability in unsaturated shear strength and thus slope stability.
Taming a ‘fuzzy beast’? stakeholder perspectives on Antarctic science-policy knowledge exchange practices in New Zealand
(Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2023) Gardiner, Natasha; Gilbert, Neil; Liggett, Daniela; Silva DDP
Antarctic environmental change is accelerating with significant regional and global consequences making it critically important for Antarctic research knowledge to inform relevant policymaking forums. A key challenge is maximising the utility of evidence in decision-making, to which scholars have responded by shifting away from linear science-policy arrangements towards co-production alternatives. As an Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party (ATCP), New Zealand (NZ) is responsible for facilitating knowledge exchange (KE) among Antarctic science and policy actors at national and international levels. However, at present, we have few metrics for assessing the success of science-policy dialogues. Furthermore, studies on the Antarctic science-policy interface have so far primarily focused on the international perspective. This paper is the first to examine domestic stakeholder perspectives regarding Antarctic KE using NZ as a case study. We report on the findings of two workshops involving over 60 NZ Antarctic stakeholders in 2021 that aimed to explore the various elements of NZ’s Antarctic science-policy interface and identify barriers or drivers for success, including future opportunities. Our results indicate that there is a desire to shift away from the current linear approach towards a more collaborative model. To achieve this, stakeholders share an understanding that KE practices need to become more equitable, inclusive and diverse, and that the policy community needs to play a more proactive and leading role. Described as a ‘fuzzy beast’, the NZ Antarctic science-policy interface is complex. This study contributes to our understanding of Antarctic KE practices by offering new guidance on several key elements that should be considered in any attempts to understand or improve future KE practices in NZ or within the domestic settings of other ATCPs interested in fostering science-policy success.