UC Research Repository
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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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Reference equivalent threshold vibratory force levels for short-duration Stimuli by a B81 bone vibrator.
(2024) Zhong, Julie Hanke
Short-duration stimuli, like tonebursts and clicks, play a crucial role in auditory evoked potential tests, particularly in relation to the Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR). ABR tests are essential for evaluating hearing sensitivity and neurological pathologies, especially in populations like newborns and children who cannot undergo traditional behavioural audiometry.
Calibration reference values for short-duration stimuli used with ABRs, including reference equivalent threshold sound pressure levels (RETSPLs) for stimuli delivered via air conduction (AC) and reference equivalent threshold vibratory force levels (RETVFLs) for stimuli delivered via bone conduction (BC), differ from those applicable to long-duration pure tones used in behavioural audiometry. The ISO 389 series provides standardised RETSPLs and RETVFLs for pure tones but lacks a comprehensive suite of values for short-duration stimuli; in particular, it lacks RETVFLs. This inevitably will lead to inconsistencies in hearing test results between regions, as without standardisation, the ABR devices may be calibrated differently in different regions e.g. via locally derived RETVFLs.
To address this gap, our study aims to establish RETVFLs for short-duration stimuli, specifically, tonebursts at four major audiometric frequencies (0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz), and clicks, delivered via a RadioEar B81 bone vibrator. Data were derived following the procedures and test conditions specified in ISO 389-9 (2009).
Our final RETVFL values, specified in dB peak-to-peak equivalent referenced to re: 1μN, for tonebursts, are suggested as follows: 68 dB (0.5 kHz), 60.5 dB (1 kHz), 47.5 dB (2 kHz), and 44.5 dB (4 kHz). The click reference is 58 dB re: 1μN. These data could serve as a basis upon which to address the absence of reference hearing threshold values for bone-conducted tonebursts and clicks in ISO 389-6 (2007).
Application of an approach to Terrain Stability Assessment in the context of New Zealand Forestry Operations.
(2024) Smith, Simon
Terrain Stability Assessment (TSA) as it relates to forest harvesting operations is a process wherein an upcoming harvest area is evaluated on its hazards pertaining to land sliding/mass movement. While the process for TSA has undergone multiple changes with the advances in knowledge and technology over time, it is necessary to continue to evaluate them with regard to forestry operations to allow for optimal management decisions. This is relevant to current New Zealand conditions, where increasing frequency of weather events such as cyclone Gabrielle continue to put pressure on the forest industry to improve its practise, in order to maintain its social license to operate.
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) region (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California) shares several similarities with New Zealand forestry in terms of landscape, harvesting methods, and growing crop. As such, they share many of the same issues - one being landform instability. Several of these PNW states have developed and tested TSA processes for new harvest plans. Within the scope of this project, these processes were reviewed. They generally involve input from a third party such as a geologist or geotechnical engineer, with prescriptions that include ‘leave areas’ of standing timber, buffer zones around waterways and alternate methods of road construction (such as minimising side-cast). New technology and methods are also affecting the way this region conducts TSAs. For example, Oregon now utilises modelling derived from LiDAR and ground information to prescribe their ‘leave areas’. Although having slightly different environment management goals/requirements to New Zealand, this study helps show that this process can be learned from.
To understand contemporary practise, interviews with nine different management companies in New Zealand highlighted an experience driven approach to the identification and management of unstable terrain. While there may not exist a definitive ‘written approach’ to assessing terrain stability in New Zealand, many processes were similar across companies in terms of resources used and steps taken. Generally, this involves the utilisation of available LiDAR data (or contour) to generate maps in GIS showing slope, hill shade, as well as aerial imagery. Sites are then visited and ‘walked’, which involves looking for ‘problem’ features which may have been identified by previous mapping. Ambiguity remains once unstable areas are identified, with respondents making the case for site specific evaluation and recommendations over blanket, nationwide prescriptions.
Various assessment techniques were considered, with a goal of assessing the efficacy of implementing them under NZ steep slope plantation forestry conditions. Relevant techniques pertaining to the landslide issues faced in NZ forestry were compiled into one TSA process and are demonstrated via six case studies across New Zealand. This method involves three stages. Data collection and validation (LiDAR, geological information), modelling (susceptibility via empirical regression, ‘Spiekermann Model’; morphometric ratios, ‘Melton Ratio’), and field assessment (structured similarly to an approach from the British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Environment). The process illustrates an approach that a forest management company within New Zealand would be able to replicate to help inform operational decision making. Overall, the TSA methodology demonstrated in the case studies did a fair job of capturing the landslide hazards specific to each site. Combining initial modelling and a subsequent field visit allowed for the identification and recording of shallow slip and debris flow behaviour – however, some sites presented different erosion considerations. Finally, these limitations are discussed as well as any assumptions made throughout the process, with areas of future study identified.
After the hype: what can AI really do for human-robot interaction?
(2024) Bartneck, Christoph
Artificial Intelligence promise to improve many aspects of our lives. The current hype, in particular around Large Language Model, raises the questions what of these bold visions of the future is science and what is fiction. AI is not new in HRI. For many decades researchers used it to enable robots to better interact with humans. In this episode I talked with Julie Adams and David Kaber about what AI can really do for HRI.
Urban forest canopy cover goals – an exploration of current practices
(2024) morgenroth, justin
Understanding accounting students' intentions to use digital badges to showcase employability skills
(Informa UK Limited, 2023) Steenkamp, Natasja; Fisher, Richard; Nesbit, Trevor
By incorporating employability skills within the accounting curriculum, universities face the issue of how best to recognise students’ achievements. Digital badges are emerging as a potential means to recognise such achievements. Being shareable on social media sites, such as LinkedIn, and on other platforms, badges allow students to showcase their attainment of employability skills to potential employers. As student acceptance is a prerequisite to the success of this technology, this exploratory study examines accounting students’ perceptions of badge usefulness and ease of use, and whether these influence their intentions to use them for job applications. We also examine factors that contribute to these perceptions. A survey is undertaken of accounting students within a single university. Results suggest that both subjective norm and perceived usefulness directly influence intentions, while job application relevance and perceptions of external control have important indirect effects. Implications for universities are discussed and future research opportunities identified.