title: Transnational geographies of the heart [Book Review]

authors: Johnston, Lynda

abstract: Transnational Geographies of the Heart provides rich insights into the lives of British migrants in Dubai during a time when the UAE was undergoing rapid globalisation, super-fast urbanisation, and economic diversification (2002–2004). Dubai, as Walsh explains, was a perfect site to explore transnational migrants’ intimate subjectivities. It is one of the ‘most global’ cities in the world with about 85% of its population born in other countries, and appealing to British migrants due to ‘tax-free sunshine’ (p. 2). Walsh was motivated to conduct research on British migrants in Dubai not because she had been one, but because she wanted to know their sense of home and belonging, their geographies of the heart. She found herself ‘increasingly exploring the textures of intimacy negotiated and enacted by British migrants in this particular spatial-temporal, and thoroughly transnational, urban site, but without the language for doing so’ (p. 4). The book then, focuses on ‘freely established relationships from the perspective of relatively privileged migrants, questions of power and the impact of global work on the reproduction of migrants’ subjectivities’ (p. 4). British migrants in Dubai are marked by privilege – white, middle class, heterosexual – yet they are also diverse in their performances of heterosexual and gendered subjectivities. This book shows the power of these performances as they work, play and live in Dubai. Throughout the book Walsh refuses to focus on any one type of relationship, rather she explores a range of interpersonal relations, such as friendships, ‘community’, and sexual relationships. As she notes ‘love ties cannot be isolated from their enactment of friendship or family’ (p. 4) and this intersectional approach to intimate subjectivities proves to be a rich formula for her research.

text: Transnational geographies of the heart [Book Review] Transnational Geographies of the Heart provides rich insights into the lives of British migrants in Dubai during a time when the UAE was undergoing rapid globalisation, super-fast urbanisation, and economic diversification (2002–2004). Dubai, as Walsh explains, was a perfect site to explore transnational migrants’ intimate subjectivities. It is one of the ‘most global’ cities in the world with about 85% of its population born in other countries, and appealing to British migrants due to ‘tax-free sunshine’ (p. 2). Walsh was motivated to conduct research on British migrants in Dubai not because she had been one, but because she wanted to know their sense of home and belonging, their geographies of the heart. She found herself ‘increasingly exploring the textures of intimacy negotiated and enacted by British migrants in this particular spatial-temporal, and thoroughly transnational, urban site, but without the language for doing so’ (p. 4). The book then, focuses on ‘freely established relationships from the perspective of relatively privileged migrants, questions of power and the impact of global work on the reproduction of migrants’ subjectivities’ (p. 4). British migrants in Dubai are marked by privilege – white, middle class, heterosexual – yet they are also diverse in their performances of heterosexual and gendered subjectivities. This book shows the power of these performances as they work, play and live in Dubai. Throughout the book Walsh refuses to focus on any one type of relationship, rather she explores a range of interpersonal relations, such as friendships, ‘community’, and sexual relationships. As she notes ‘love ties cannot be isolated from their enactment of friendship or family’ (p. 4) and this intersectional approach to intimate subjectivities proves to be a rich formula for her research.

year: 2020

title: Quantitative Methodology for Measuring Natural Character in New Zealand's Coastal Environments

authors: Froude, Victoria Ann

subjects: aquatic

abstract: Anecdotal evidence points to an overall loss of coastal natural character in New Zealand since preserving the natural character of the coastal environment first became a statutory policy-goal in 1973. Today the preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment is one of the matters of national importance in the Resource Management Act 1991 (development control legislation) and one of the purposes of the Reserves Act 1977 (protected area legislation). There has, however, been no quantitative measurement or systematic monitoring of changes in overall natural character. The purpose of this thesis has been to develop a robust quantitative methodology for measuring natural character and its change using a consistent framework across terrestrial, freshwater and marine coastal environments. While methodology development took place in Northland, New Zealand, the methodology has been designed to be applied throughout New Zealand. With modification it would also have applicability in other countries. A comprehensive definition of natural character was developed for the New Zealand environmental, legal and policy contexts that also addressed the role of perception. Court decisions on appeals lodged under the Resource Management Act were found to be generally consistent with this definition. The Quantitative Index for measuring the Natural Character of the Coastal Environment (QINCCE) methodology was developed using indicators (and environment-specific parameters) derived from the comprehensive definition of natural character. A consistent framework is used for measuring natural character across terrestrial, freshwater and marine coastal environments. The methodology can be applied at a range of scales and for a range of purposes. For each broad class of coastal environment there is a core set of parameters that are used to calculate three sub-indices for each plan-view unit: • An ecological naturalness index (ENI) • A hydrological and geomorphological naturalness index (HGNI) • A freedom from buildings and structures index (FBSI) These three sub-indices are combined to give an overall natural character index (NCI) for each unit, which can be multiplied by 100 to give a natural character score between 0 and 100. Second tier parameters and alternative measurement perspectives have been developed for those situations where additional detail is required. Several key parameters are measured relative to the reference condition present-potential natural state. One is Score representing progress towards present-potential cover where present-potential cover is the terrestrial and aquatic land cover that would be present today had natural processes proceeded without the arrival of humans, the species they introduced and the consequential changes to the environment. Scoring tables for measuring progress towards present-potential cover have been developed for eastern Northland. Hydrological and geomorphological naturalness is assessed relative to the equivalent present-potential natural state. Protocols for addressing interactions between the hydrological and geomorphological, and cover parameters have been developed. This includes distinguishing between natural versus human-induced, and on-site versus off-site sources of disturbance. As part of the methodology refinement process, 113 “informed” participants scored their perceptions of natural character for 40 coastal environment photographs. These perceived scores were compared with scores calculated for the same photographs using the QINCCE methodology applied using an oblique Viewpoint perspective. The results assisted with the subsequent refinement of the scoring protocols for some parameters, and the construction and combination of the QINCCE indices.

text: Quantitative Methodology for Measuring Natural Character in New Zealand's Coastal Environments Anecdotal evidence points to an overall loss of coastal natural character in New Zealand since preserving the natural character of the coastal environment first became a statutory policy-goal in 1973. Today the preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment is one of the matters of national importance in the Resource Management Act 1991 (development control legislation) and one of the purposes of the Reserves Act 1977 (protected area legislation). There has, however, been no quantitative measurement or systematic monitoring of changes in overall natural character. The purpose of this thesis has been to develop a robust quantitative methodology for measuring natural character and its change using a consistent framework across terrestrial, freshwater and marine coastal environments. While methodology development took place in Northland, New Zealand, the methodology has been designed to be applied throughout New Zealand. With modification it would also have applicability in other countries. A comprehensive definition of natural character was developed for the New Zealand environmental, legal and policy contexts that also addressed the role of perception. Court decisions on appeals lodged under the Resource Management Act were found to be generally consistent with this definition. The Quantitative Index for measuring the Natural Character of the Coastal Environment (QINCCE) methodology was developed using indicators (and environment-specific parameters) derived from the comprehensive definition of natural character. A consistent framework is used for measuring natural character across terrestrial, freshwater and marine coastal environments. The methodology can be applied at a range of scales and for a range of purposes. For each broad class of coastal environment there is a core set of parameters that are used to calculate three sub-indices for each plan-view unit: • An ecological naturalness index (ENI) • A hydrological and geomorphological naturalness index (HGNI) • A freedom from buildings and structures index (FBSI) These three sub-indices are combined to give an overall natural character index (NCI) for each unit, which can be multiplied by 100 to give a natural character score between 0 and 100. Second tier parameters and alternative measurement perspectives have been developed for those situations where additional detail is required. Several key parameters are measured relative to the reference condition present-potential natural state. One is Score representing progress towards present-potential cover where present-potential cover is the terrestrial and aquatic land cover that would be present today had natural processes proceeded without the arrival of humans, the species they introduced and the consequential changes to the environment. Scoring tables for measuring progress towards present-potential cover have been developed for eastern Northland. Hydrological and geomorphological naturalness is assessed relative to the equivalent present-potential natural state. Protocols for addressing interactions between the hydrological and geomorphological, and cover parameters have been developed. This includes distinguishing between natural versus human-induced, and on-site versus off-site sources of disturbance. As part of the methodology refinement process, 113 “informed” participants scored their perceptions of natural character for 40 coastal environment photographs. These perceived scores were compared with scores calculated for the same photographs using the QINCCE methodology applied using an oblique Viewpoint perspective. The results assisted with the subsequent refinement of the scoring protocols for some parameters, and the construction and combination of the QINCCE indices.

year: 2011

title: Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in New Zealand: phylogeny and structural biology

authors: Claire Vignette, Mulholland

subjects: tuberculosis

abstract: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an obligate human pathogen and is the primary causative agent of tuberculosis. New Zealand has a relatively low incidence of tuberculosis disease, however, Māori (the indigenous people of New Zealand) and Pacific People are disproportionally affected. Molecular typing shows that approximately two-thirds of M. tuberculosis isolates from New Zealand-born patients can be assigned to clusters of related strains. The largest M. tuberculosis cluster in New Zealand is known as the ‘Rangipo’ cluster and is predominantly found in Māori. This strain has been the source of several tuberculosis outbreaks over the last 30 years and anecdotal evidence suggests it may be particularly virulent. Two other large clusters, known as the ‘Southern Cross’ and ‘Otara’ clusters, most commonly occur in Pacific People.
Here, whole genome sequencing, phylogenetics and structural biology were used to investigate evolutionary origins and functional consequences of genomic diversity in New Zealand M. tuberculosis clusters, with a particular focus on the Rangipo strain. Analysis of Rangipo strain non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) identified bacterial genetic factors that may contribute to the high transmissibility of this strain. The F420-dependent oxidoreductase Rv2893 harbours a Rangipo-specific G72S mutation encoded by a nsSNP. H37Rv and Rangipo Rv2893 structures were solved and show the effect of this G72S mutation. Binding of the F420 cofactor was confirmed and characterised. SNP analyses also guided the optimisation of a diagnostic assay for rapid Rangipo strain classification at low cost and with high discriminatory power. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the Rangipo and Otara clusters belong to a larger M.tuberculosis clade of French/European origin that is also prevalent in indigenous populations in Canada. Molecular dating indicates dispersal of this clade to the South Pacific was driven by expanding European trade networks in the early 19th century and identifies host factors that have contributed to the dispersal and expansion of the Rangipo and Otara strains.
Overall, these results show that relatively recent changes in host ecology have likely played a crucial role in driving the success of the Rangipo strain in New Zealand and point to bacterial genetic factors that may influence its virulence and thereby also contribute to its prevalence.

text: Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in New Zealand: phylogeny and structural biology Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an obligate human pathogen and is the primary causative agent of tuberculosis. New Zealand has a relatively low incidence of tuberculosis disease, however, Māori (the indigenous people of New Zealand) and Pacific People are disproportionally affected. Molecular typing shows that approximately two-thirds of M. tuberculosis isolates from New Zealand-born patients can be assigned to clusters of related strains. The largest M. tuberculosis cluster in New Zealand is known as the ‘Rangipo’ cluster and is predominantly found in Māori. This strain has been the source of several tuberculosis outbreaks over the last 30 years and anecdotal evidence suggests it may be particularly virulent. Two other large clusters, known as the ‘Southern Cross’ and ‘Otara’ clusters, most commonly occur in Pacific People.
Here, whole genome sequencing, phylogenetics and structural biology were used to investigate evolutionary origins and functional consequences of genomic diversity in New Zealand M. tuberculosis clusters, with a particular focus on the Rangipo strain. Analysis of Rangipo strain non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) identified bacterial genetic factors that may contribute to the high transmissibility of this strain. The F420-dependent oxidoreductase Rv2893 harbours a Rangipo-specific G72S mutation encoded by a nsSNP. H37Rv and Rangipo Rv2893 structures were solved and show the effect of this G72S mutation. Binding of the F420 cofactor was confirmed and characterised. SNP analyses also guided the optimisation of a diagnostic assay for rapid Rangipo strain classification at low cost and with high discriminatory power. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the Rangipo and Otara clusters belong to a larger M.tuberculosis clade of French/European origin that is also prevalent in indigenous populations in Canada. Molecular dating indicates dispersal of this clade to the South Pacific was driven by expanding European trade networks in the early 19th century and identifies host factors that have contributed to the dispersal and expansion of the Rangipo and Otara strains.
Overall, these results show that relatively recent changes in host ecology have likely played a crucial role in driving the success of the Rangipo strain in New Zealand and point to bacterial genetic factors that may influence its virulence and thereby also contribute to its prevalence.

year: 2019