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Feedback by Design: Exploring Interactions Between Novice Programmers and Automated Teaching Assistants
No full textGenerative artificial intelligence has recently made it possible to provide novice programmers with feedback tailored to both an individual student and a problem. This has led to a growing number of pedagogical interventions that involve the deployment of automated programming assistants in introductory programming courses. While the results of these interventions have been promising, further efforts may benefit from a more structured approach to developing and evaluating prompts for instructing a model to generate feedback. This research addresses this need by presenting three core investigations. First, a thematic analysis of survey data collected from novice programmers is performed to understand student perspectives on automated teaching assistants. Second, the characteristics of student requests to an automated teaching assistant are assessed to identify strengths and weaknesses. Third, a method of automating the evaluation of LLM-generated feedback against a rubric is explored, a step toward the development of a structured process to create pedagogically effective feedback-generating prompts. The results of these investigations are discussed and a range of potential features of next-generation automated teaching assistants are proposed
Unraveling the drag crisis of large spheres in vertical turbulent pipe flow for deep-sea mining: a 6-DOF CFD investigation
No full textAccurate modeling of large-sphere motion in vertical turbulent pipe flow is pivotal for designing efficient and safe deep-sea mining operations. In this study, we perform a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to investigate the terminal velocity and drag characteristics of single spheres in fully developed turbulent flow. The sphere's terminal velocity is validated against experimental data, demonstrating good agreement with an average systematic error of 6.6 %. A key finding is that traditional drag models relying on the particle Reynolds number fail to predict the abrupt decrease in drag—known as the drag crisis—observed in the experiments. Instead, the pipe Reynolds number emerges as a more effective descriptor, capturing the sudden dip in drag coefficient and subsequent rise. Further analysis of the flow field and sphere velocities reveals that the onset of drag crisis correlates with freestream turbulence in the pipe. Additionally, we explore the effects of transport parameters such as the fluid velocity, particle diameter, pipe diameter, particle density, and fluid density on terminal velocity. Overall, this work advances the understanding of drag behavior and sphere dynamics under real-world deep-sea mining conditions and underscores the importance of considering pipe-scale turbulence effects
Intelligent Industrial Maintenance: Using Natural Language Processing Technology and Domain Knowledge for Decision Support
No full textIntelligent maintenance system (IMS) is crucial for optimizing maintenance strategies, reducing downtime, and improving overall equipment effectiveness in modern manufacturing systems. However, existing maintenance systems often struggle to effectively integrate and analyse multi-modal and heterogeneous data sources, leading to suboptimal maintenance decisions. This thesis presents a comprehensive and integrated framework for intelligent maintenance system that leverages advanced natural language processing techniques, particularly large language models (LLMs), and domain-specific knowledge to provide decision support on predictive maintenance, fault diagnosis, and maintenance task planning.
The proposed framework consists of three key components: 1) a multi-modal fusion methodology for integrating sensor data and event logs to improve the accuracy of predictive maintenance and fault diagnosis models; 2) a task-centric knowledge graph (TCKG) schema and extraction framework for capturing maintenance knowledge from unstructured documents; and 3) an intelligent question-answering system that integrates LLMs and TCKGs to provide accurate, context-aware answers to maintenance queries and support task planning.
The effectiveness and potential impact of the proposed framework are demonstrated through extensive experiments and case studies using real-world maintenance datasets. The results show substantial improvements in fault prediction accuracy, maintenance knowledge extraction, and question-answering performance compared to state-of-the-art baselines. The thesis also discusses the limitations of the current work and identifies future research directions, such as the need for explainable AI techniques, industry-specific ontologies, and the integration with other Industry 4.0 technologies.
This thesis contributes to the field of intelligent maintenance system by proposing new methods for data integration, knowledge representation, and intelligent question answering for maintenance task planning. The framework's modular architecture allows for seamless integration with existing systems and adaptation to evolving industry needs. The research outcomes have the potential to drive improvements in operational efficiency, cost reduction, and asset performance, aligning with Industry 4.0 objectives
Terrestrial Biodiversity of Manuae Atoll, Cook Islands
No full textThe most common and numerous island type across the Pacific basin are atolls. Even though these island systems harbor only a few endemic species, atolls are globally important nesting sites for seabirds and sea turtles, roosting sites for migratory shorebirds, and refugia for Oceania's unique lowland flora and fauna. While atolls were extensively surveyed for their island biodiversity in the second half of the twentieth century, many remain unmapped, leaving important knowledge gaps for Pacific biodiversity, biogeography, and conservation. Here, we report on a terrestrial biodiversity survey of Manuae atoll, Cook Islands. Our assessment revealed that Manuae atoll harbors seabird colonies and is an important green sea turtle nesting site. Furthermore, we found at least 100 bristle-thighed curlews (Numenius tahitiensis) overwintering on the island (ca. 1% of the estimated global population), which under international evaluation criteria renders the atoll an important overwintering area that warrants protection and recognition. While our island biodiversity assessment and mapping, including vascular plants, land crabs, reptiles, and birds, reveals that Manuae atoll is an important refuge for lowland island biota within the Cook Islands, we also documented the presence of key introduced species, including Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) and yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes), and a colonial legacy in the overall habitat composition from the abandoned copra plantation. Our findings on the terrestrial biodiversity of Manuae atoll fill an important knowledge gap in island biodiversity data from the Cook Islands. This information can support future ecological and biodiversity research, as well as inform management, protection, and restoration planning
A Study on the Diurnal and Seasonal Cycles of Tropical Cirrus Clouds
No full textTropical cirrus clouds (TCC) regulate the Earth’s radiative energy budget. However, mechanisms of the diurnal and seasonal cycles of their occurrence still require further investigation due to limited observations. This study utilizes observational data from the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) and the fifth-generation hourly reanalysis product from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ERA5) to investigate the diurnal
cycle of TCC occurrence in 2016, between 24◦S and 24◦N. Additionally,
the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation
(CALIPSO) monthly data, along with ERA5 monthly reanalysis data, are
used to investigate the seasonal cycle of TCC occurrence from 2007 to 2015 within the same tropical domain. The ice cloud fraction (ICF) is found to be maximized at a higher altitude of 14 km, compared to the altitudes where ice
water contents (IWC) peak—12km and 9km during the diurnal cycle, and
12km during the seasonal cycle.
The diurnal cycle of IWC differs from that of ICF; however, the seasonal
cycle of IWC is more consistent with that of ICF over time. The diurnal and
seasonal cycles of IWC above 10.5km are highly correlated with variations in
vertical transport of moisture (VTM). Below 10.5 km, IWC is more associated
with the transformation of cloud droplets from liquid to ice. Regarding the
ICF on both time scales, relative humidity (RH) plays a dominant role.
Increases in water vapor and/or decreases in temperature, along with self-maintenance through cloud radiative processes, are key factors that affect
the RH of cloudy regions, thereby regulating the diurnal and seasonal cycles
of ICF.
A novel method is proposed, categorizing TCC into two types: moist
TCC and dry TCC. Moist TCC are associated with convection, as indicated
by a positive Δq, which denotes a specific humidity (SPH) that exceeds the
time-averaged SPH at the same location. Dry TCC are associated with temperature perturbations resulting from non-convective processes, as indicated
by negative ΔT and Δq, with ΔT representing a temperature below the
time-averaged temperature at the same location. This method explains how
convection and non-convective processes contribute to the TCC occurrence
on both time scales
The Second Layer of Skin
No full textThe thesis, The Second Layer of Skin, explores the concept of domestic spaces as cultural palimpsests, shaped and transformed by a Persian diasporic identity. It seeks to answer the question: What does a domestic space influenced and transformed by a Persian diasporic body look like? Through the lens of spatial theory and cultural hybridity between Iran and Aotearoa, it investigates how a Persian diasporic body can reimagine and redefine a domestic environment. This study creates spaces that embody a dialogue between Persian heritage and an individual identity. The research focuses on the physical and symbolic layers of domesticity, where traditional Persian aesthetics, architectural motifs, arts and artefacts intersect with the structures of a detached domestic home in Aotearoa, resulting in a unique, hybridized domestic realm.
The Second Layer of Skin, refers to the intimate and evolving relationship between identity and space, where the home becomes a site of negotiation, adaptation, and resistance. This study examines how a Persian diasporic body can infuse their domestic space with elements of Persian art, architecture, textiles, and spatial organization, juxtaposed with contemporary influences. It considers how these spaces serve as both sanctuaries of cultural preservation and sites of cultural synthesis, reflecting the diasporic experience of navigating multiple identities.
By undergoing an intimate personal study of identity and Persian culture in a detached domestic home in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa, this thesis uncovers the ways in which these environments act as extensions of the diasporic body, embodying a second skin that carries the imprints of displacement, memory, and belonging. It also explores the role of sensory experiences, domestic spaces, making them deeply personal yet collectively resonant within the Persian diasporic community. Ultimately, this project aims to contribute to the broader discourse on migration, identity, and the reconstitution of home, highlighting the transformative power of the diasporic body in reimagining suburban domesticity as a complex, layered, and fluid construct
Comparing ChatGPT feedback and peer feedback in shaping students’ evaluative judgement of statistical analysis: A case study
No full textHigher Degree by Research (HDR) students in language and education disciplines, particularly those enrolled in thesis-only programmes, are increasingly expected to interpret complex statistical data. However, many lack the analytical skills required for independent statistical analysis, posing challenges to their research competence. This study investigated the pedagogical potential of ChatGPT-4o feedback and peer feedback in supporting students’ evaluative judgement during a 14-week doctoral-level statistical analysis course at a research-intensive university. Thirty-two doctoral students were assigned to receive either ChatGPT feedback or peer feedback on a mid-term assignment. They were then required to complete written reflections. Follow-up interviews with six selected participants revealed that each feedback modality influenced their evaluative judgement differently across three dimensions: hard (accuracy-based), soft (value-based), and dynamic (process-based). While ChatGPT provided timely and detailed guidance, it offered limited support for students’ confidence in verifying accuracy. Peer feedback promoted critical reflection and collaboration but varied in quality. We therefore argue that strategically combining ChatGPT feedback and peer feedback may better support novice researchers in developing statistical competence in hybrid human–AI learning environments
Groundwork and Principles for Applied Conservatism
No full textThis thesis is a broad survey of conservatism-in-general, written in the immediate context of important conservative institutions being threatened by or having already fallen to radical populism and reactionaryism. The thesis provides groundwork to help establish principles of conservatism (POCs), consistent with Burke and Oakeshott, that might be acceptable to as wide a range of contemporary self-identifying conservatives as possible, and capable of supporting safe and reasonable decisionmaking and action-guidance in a world which does and must constantly change. Ten suggested POCs are derived from detailed surveys of four related but differing conservatisms: ontological conservatism, epistemic conservatism, conservatism in ethics and metaethics, and conservatism in political philosophy.
Through these surveys, Ladyman and Ross’ ontic structural realism is proposed as a bridge- builder between religious and non-religious conservatives. Epistemic conservatism is argued to be necessary for all non-circular epistemic inquiry, with responses suggested to Littlejohn’s concerns it may justify horrendously evil ideas and acts. The effective altruism movement is criticised through a conservative lens. The value conservatism believes inheres in the status quo, in traditional knowledge, institutions and conventions, and in scientific method, free markets and democratic elections, is reinforced through the concept of the wisdom of crowds. Conservatism is compared with Hooker’s wary rule consequentialism and Aristotelian virtue ethics, and it is suggested, based on Annas and Lang, that our pursuit of good and evil could be understood as analogous to sporting and artistic endeavour. The surveys identify and the POCs make use of Five Fundamental Human Commonalities, Five Thoroughgoing Ethical Uncertainties and Five Fundamental Obligations of the State.
The POCs’ plausibility is demonstrated by application to transatlantic chattel slavery from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries and nationalisation of labour in the UK in 1940. Further applications are suggested, including in ontology, epistemology and ethics, to help resolve very current political and geostrategic issues, and in commercial decisionmaking. While arguments are made why most political decisionmaking should occur through distributed, discursive processes based on the principle of subsidiarity, recommendations are made for how the virtue of prudence, necessary for final decisionmakers including heads of government, could be developed within polities
The Role of Clinicians' Self-Efficacy in Exercise Promotion for Adults with Venous Leg Ulcers: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textIntroductionPhysical activity is recognised for its functional, physical, and psychological benefits in managing venous leg ulcers. Despite these advantages, individuals with venous leg ulcers often remain inactive, largely due to fear of exacerbating their condition and a lack of comprehensive guidance. Clinicians play a crucial role in promoting physical activity, providing support to patients to engage in safe and beneficial exercises. This study aimed to assess clinicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward physical activity in adults with venous leg ulcers to inform clinical practice and the development of targeted physical activity strategies.MethodsAn online questionnaire was developed to assess clinicians' familiarity with physical activity guidelines, their confidence in recommending physical activity, and the barriers they encountered in practice.ResultsA total of 141 clinicians, predominantly nurses (99%), completed the survey, with 83% reporting awareness of clinical guidelines for venous leg ulcer management. However, only 25% regularly recommended a general increase in physical activity, 27% recommended calf strengthening exercises, and 38% consistently recommended ankle joint mobility exercises. Key barriers; 1) insufficient training to recommend specific exercises, 2) lack of evidence-based information to provide to patients and 3) limited access to exercise specialists for referrals. Statistical modelling showed that self-efficacy significantly influenced recommendations for ankle mobility exercises; clinicians with higher confidence were 7.6 times more likely to make such recommendations (p ConclusionWhile clinicians recognise the importance of physical activity for adults with venous leg ulcers, gaps in knowledge, resources, and training limit their ability to provide specific exercise recommendations. Addressing these gaps through large-scale implementation of structured physical activity strategies is essential