25813 research outputs found
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Musical aptitude and phonemic processing of English as L2 by Arabic speakers.
No full textIt is suggested that there is a connection between musical aptitude and the ability to process phonemes in a second language (L2) through acoustic processing. Previous research indicates that musical ability might aid in the processing of L2 vowel sounds, while findings regarding musical ability and L2 consonant processing are inconsistent. While some argue that musical aptitude can facilitate the processing of consonant phonemes, others contend that there is no correlation between musical ability and consonant phonemic processing. To address this issue, the present study examined whether the musical aptitude of Arabic speakers is closely linked to their processing of L2 English consonant phonemes, focusing on two English consonant phonemes absent in Arabic. Results indicated a strong correlation between Arabic speakers’ musical aptitude and their accuracy in processing of English consonant phonemes. These findings suggest that individuals with better musical skills among Arabic speakers are more adept at perceiving English phonemes that do not exist in Arabic. These results have implications for the potential use of music as a pedagogical tool in L2 classrooms
Preparation, characterization and testing of modified catalytic carbon as an electrode material for vanadium redox flow battery.
No full textThe global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy highlights the critical need for efficient and scalable energy storage systems due to the intermittent nature of renewables. Among these systems, vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) offer several advantages, including long cycle life, flexible design, environmental compatibility and operational safety. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by challenges such as sluggish redox reaction kinetics and degradation of carbon electrodes over time. Enhancing electrode performance is therefore essential. This research focuses on the development and evaluation of modified carbon-based materials, particularly those derived from carbon precursors such as heterocyclic compounds and ionic liquids (ILs), to address these limitations.
Initially, the thermal decomposition behaviour of two heterocyclic compounds, Meldrum’s acid (MA) and methyl Meldrum’s acid (MMA), was studied to obtain oxygen-functionalized carbon. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) and hybrid density functional theory (h-DFT) were used to investigate the decomposition pathways, confirming MA as the more stable precursor with higher carbon yield. The resulting carbon materials were characterized using surface and electrochemical techniques, which revealed that oxygen content significantly influenced redox activity. Higher activity and better kinetics were observed from the material derived from MMA than that of the material from MA, suggesting that there is a relationship between the oxygen content or active oxygen functional groups such as O=C-O in the carbon material and the electrochemical behavior.
Complementing the experimental work, computational studies were carried out for predicting the decomposition temperatures and carbonization feasibility with the pyrolysis mechanisms of various Meldrum’s acid derivatives such as dimethyl Meldrum’s acid (DMMA), methylene Meldrum’s acid (MeMA) and (dimethylamino)methylene Meldrum’s acid (DMAMeMA). The h-DFT analysis identified that DMMA is the most suitable precursor for producing heteroatom-doped carbon, given its high energy barrier and thermal stability, suggesting it can yield high-quality carbon with minimal structural degradation.
Building on these insights, a novel strategy was developed to synthesize catalytic carbon with enhancing carbon yield and quality from ILs by optimizing pyrolysis conditions and introducing pre-made carbon supports. This method was effective for ILs with nitrile anions, such as [BDMA3Cp][DCA] has revealed a novel and unique polymer-forming decomposition pathway before producing residual carbon materials rich in heteroatoms and structural defects at 1000 °C.
Characterization via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed improved material properties, including high conductivity, tunable porosity and surface chemistry ideal for electrochemical applications such as electrodes or current collectors in supercapacitors and metal ion- and redox flow batteries and electrocatalytic applications.
Further studies focused on enhancing the performance of IL-derived carbon electrodes for VRFB applications. IL-derived carbons synthesized with and without added carbon supports were evaluated for their activity toward the V4+/V5+ redox reaction. The materials showed improved kinetics and lower peak potential separation (ΔEp), attributed to the presence of heteroatoms (N, S, O and P) and increased structural disorder. These properties enhanced surface wettability and electrochemical activity, making the materials effective candidates for VRFB electrodes. When used to modify graphite felt (GF) electrodes, the IL-derived carbon significantly improved energy efficiency in single-cell VRFB tests compared to bare GF.
Overall, this thesis demonstrates a comprehensive approach to design and optimize IL- and heterocyclic-derived carbon materials for next-generation VRFB electrodes. This work provides valuable insights for advancing the carbon electrode sustainable energy storage technologies by integrating experimental analysis, computational modeling and electrochemical testing
Heavy metal pollutant contributions from roofing materials: A systematic review of pollutant generation processes, influencing factors and quality of roof runoff
No full textUrbanization has led to increased impermeable surfaces, significantly impacting urban waterways through polluted surface runoff. Roofs, covering over 247 billion m² globally, are major contributors to this pollution, particularly through the release of heavy metals such as zinc, copper, and aluminium. This systematic review examines the processes generating heavy metal pollutants from roofs, the factors influencing these processes, and the quality of roof runoff. The key pathways are 1) dissolution from a metallic roof material or its fastenings and guttering, 2) diffusion of metal compounds within non-metallic roof components, and 3) build up and wash off of atmospheric deposition on the roof. The generation rates are influenced by factors such as rainfall characteristics, air quality, roof structural properties, and roof material conditions. Using an extensive database of international studies, the review highlights variability in heavy metal release rates based on individual roof material types. Zinc-based and copper roofs show elevated zinc and copper concentrations, respectively, at concentrations a hundred- to a thousand-fold higher than receiving environmental guideline values, but non-metallic roofs also show substantially elevated metals from additives in the roofing material or metallic components of the roofing system. Most of the released metal is in dissolved form which is more bioavailable and requires targeted treatment processes. The study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate roofing materials, regular maintenance, and at source treatment to limit the amount of pollutants generated over the roof's lifetime. Further research is needed to better understand the contribution of ageing processes to metal release rates
Losing control? Strategic rivalry, changing US policy, and insecurity in Oceania
No full textIncreased geopolitical competition has caused the United States to pay more attention to the
Pacific Islands region than at any time since the end of the Cold War. This article explores how
Washington’s outreach to the Pacific has developed in recent years, and how President Trump’s
approach differs in fundamental ways from that of President Biden. It also outlines some key
implications for Pacific states as they pursue their own, increasingly elusive, security interests.
I argue that the region as a whole is less secure as a result of increased geopolitical competition,
and that the collective ability of Island states to manage its impacts had been significantly
eroded—even before Trump resumed office
Tree Canopy Cover in Alexandra 2018
No full textThis report was prepared by Professor Justin Morgenroth and Dr. Ning Ye at the School of
Forestry, University of Canterbury. The aim of this report is to provide local authorities in New
Zealand with a basic understanding of the urban tree canopy cover within their cities and towns
A Tivaivai research framework: A strengths-based quantitative approach to Pacific health research
No full textAlthough quantitative studies have a great deal to offer for Pacific health research, many
findings have potential for deficit-framing and polarising for the communities they describe.
There is a growing body of Pacific research frameworks but still few that focus on analyses
that apply to quantitative studies, and even fewer considering a movement toward ethnicspecific
research, thus incorporating current understandings around issues of Pacific data
sovereignty and other ethical considerations. The aim of this paper is to extend our
previously reported Tivaivai research framework (Kokaua et al., 2020), which was developed
to ensure a Pacific worldview was integrated into analysing administrative data. In this paper,
we generalise its applicability to an interdisciplinary setting. It is hoped that this paper may
provide a starting point for other quantitative Pacific research projects involving
administrative or other big data. It also provides a potential blueprint for any researchers,
not only Cook Islanders and Pacific researchers, to be explicit about the values, principles,
and connections we wish to uphold for the communities we study
Tree Canopy Cover in Temuka 2020
No full textThe aim of this report is to provide local authorities in New Zealand with a basic understanding of the urban tree canopy cover within their cities and towns
Centralising the Tīvaevae research framework: A tapestry of guidance, practice, and clarity
No full textThis article presents a reflective account demonstrating how a Cook Islands research
methodology was critical in supporting the investigation of an ethnic-specific nursing
programme’s impact on Cook Islands Māori tauira (student) attrition and academic success.
Being deeply grounded in Cook Islands theories of relationality, the Tīvaevae framework
(Futter-Puati and Maua-Hodges, 2019) guided my Masters research project exploring the
lived experiences, perspectives, and insights of Cook Islands graduates during their training
in a Bachelor of Nursing Pacific (BNP) programme. In this article, I discuss how the four key
stages and crucial values of the Tīvaevae framework were implemented during the research
process, and how the framework provided both qualitative and culturally specific methods.
Utilising the Tīvaevae resulted in research that was culturally cohesive and responsive to the
needs of my Cook Islands participants, well beyond what Western methods could achieve
alone. This article illustrates the use of culturally safe approaches to mixed-methods
qualitative research involving Cook Islands peopl
Book review Nicole George. (2025). Between Rights and Rightfulness: Gender and violence in the Pacific Islands.
No full textThis book is a comparative study of an underreported issue: violence against women in the Pacific,
with a focus on New Caledonia, Bougainville and Fiji. George’s major message, developed from many
years of fieldwork and engagement with feminist movements, is that we cannot rely on the state
alone to reduce levels of exposure to violence experienced by women in the Pacific. In this respect, if
women are currently suffering aggression and violence in the domestic sphere, then decolonization
and new state formations established across the Pacific in recent decades have been disappointing.
The notable strengthening of women’s political representation in many Pacific nations has not
resolved these issues in households and communities