title: Understanding Game Actions: The Development of a Post-Processing Method for Audio-Visual Scene Analysis

authors: Schott, Gareth R.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: This paper introduces a video processing method designed specifically to give researchers access to players' behaviors within any commercially available off-the-shelf PC game. Insights into players' experiences with videogame violence are achieved from automatically processing significant elements of the audio-visual communication/feedback (i.e. moving image and sound) over long periods of uninhibited game play. The method exploits a wealth of significant and (behaviorally) influential information that is conveyed to the player as they progress through a game. Such information can relate to virtual progress (e.g. maps, mission logs), player reserves (e.g. acquisitions) or vitality (e.g. health or stamina levels), to name but a few. By analyzing what is transmitted to the player during play, feedback-based game metrics are produced that utilize the same content that the player perceives and processes during their gameplay, thus, tying the method directly to individual 'player experiences.' This method was developed for a project that addressed the persistent concerns over the impact of game violence and its translation into societal violence. The method provided the project with an alternative approach to understanding the use and function of violence within game systems, taking research in a new direction from the approach and research-designs employed by experimental psychological over the last few decades.

text: Understanding Game Actions: The Development of a Post-Processing Method for Audio-Visual Scene Analysis This paper introduces a video processing method designed specifically to give researchers access to players' behaviors within any commercially available off-the-shelf PC game. Insights into players' experiences with videogame violence are achieved from automatically processing significant elements of the audio-visual communication/feedback (i.e. moving image and sound) over long periods of uninhibited game play. The method exploits a wealth of significant and (behaviorally) influential information that is conveyed to the player as they progress through a game. Such information can relate to virtual progress (e.g. maps, mission logs), player reserves (e.g. acquisitions) or vitality (e.g. health or stamina levels), to name but a few. By analyzing what is transmitted to the player during play, feedback-based game metrics are produced that utilize the same content that the player perceives and processes during their gameplay, thus, tying the method directly to individual 'player experiences.' This method was developed for a project that addressed the persistent concerns over the impact of game violence and its translation into societal violence. The method provided the project with an alternative approach to understanding the use and function of violence within game systems, taking research in a new direction from the approach and research-designs employed by experimental psychological over the last few decades.

year: 2016-01-01

title: Structure, composition and dynamics of Metrosideros excelsa (pōhutukawa) forest, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

authors: Bylsma, Rebecca Johanna

subjects: Metrosideros excelsa

abstract: The structure, composition and dynamics of a rare forest type, Metrosideros excelsa (henceforward referred to as Metrosideros) forest, were assessed in the Bay of Plenty Region, North Island, New Zealand. Metrosideros and associated species’ shade tolerances were also investigated. Study sites extended from Waihi Beach in the west, to Opape headlands in the east of the region. Thirty five quadrats ranging from 50–400 m² in size were measured resulting in a total survey area of 14,200 m². 

Metrosideros forests were floristically poor in comparison to other indigenous forest types; though semi-coastal Metrosideros forest hosted a more diverse understory than coastal forest. A total of 122 indigenous species were recorded, however only a minority of these were considered common and widespread, such species included Coprosma macrocarpa, Coprosma robusta, Cyathea dealbata, Melicytus ramiflorus, Myrsine australis, Pseudopanax lessonii, Pseudopanax arboreus, Beilschmiedia tawa, Dysoxylum spectabile and Litsea calicaris. In general, forest understories comprised of a sparse shrub layer, overtopped by a sub-canopy dominated by either tree ferns in steep inland localities, Pseudopanax spp., Coprosma spp. and Melicytus ramiflorus on coastal headlands, or Coprosma spp., Myrsine, Beilschmiedia, Dysoxylum and Litsea in mature and semi-coastal forest. 
Metrosideros growth rates were determined in two ways; first from the diameter growth of stems in four permanent quadrats, and second from ring counts on cut stem disks. Metrosideros stems initially had high growth rates, which could exceed 4 mm year⁻¹ in the first 80 years, however diameter growth subsequently slowed down as trees developed. All Metrosideros populations had regenerated in cohorts. The derived diameter age relationship suggested that stands ranged from 20–>300 years old, with mature forest being formed within 250 years. The oldest trees measured may be >1000 years old, and represent relics of the regions original vegetation.
The sequence of forest development quantified for Bay of Plenty forests shows a decline in Metrosideros stems from >2000–<400 stems ha⁻¹ over a period of c. 300 years; a result of self-thinning. This was coupled with an increase in Metrosideros basal area from <20 m² ha⁻¹ to an average of 50 m² ha⁻¹; plateauing after 70 years. Total stem density and basal area were greatest in stands between 60–300 years old.
The diameter frequency distributions quantified for key species suggested that appreciable shifts in species composition were occurring. The replacement strategies among key canopy species involved establishment at different phases of forest development, and this directly reflected species’ differing shade tolerances. Shade intolerant species Metrosideros and Kunzea ericoides (which could form mixed stands) established solely following disturbance. Metrosideros forest is likely to replace itself indefinitely on the unstable coastal headlands cliffs in the region, where frequent disturbances provide suitable regeneration sites. However, in semi-coastal localities, where disturbance is less frequent, Metrosideros is succeeded by shade tolerant species. Litsea, Dysoxylum and Corynocarpus laevigatus establish in mid-successional forest, however may be somewhat reliant on canopy gaps to stimulate height growth. Conversely Beilschmiedia, the most shade tolerant species, commonly establishes in mature forest and is capable of continued regeneration; thus is likely to be a dominant component of the forest community that replaces Metrosideros forest, in the Bay of Plenty. 
This research contributes to the national reporting of quantitative data describing the structure and composition of New Zealand’s indigenous forests, provides the first quantitative model of forest succession in Metrosideros forest in the Bay of Plenty, and contributes to the understanding of linkages between species’ shade tolerance, regenerative strategies and successional status.

text: Structure, composition and dynamics of Metrosideros excelsa (pōhutukawa) forest, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand The structure, composition and dynamics of a rare forest type, Metrosideros excelsa (henceforward referred to as Metrosideros) forest, were assessed in the Bay of Plenty Region, North Island, New Zealand. Metrosideros and associated species’ shade tolerances were also investigated. Study sites extended from Waihi Beach in the west, to Opape headlands in the east of the region. Thirty five quadrats ranging from 50–400 m² in size were measured resulting in a total survey area of 14,200 m². 

Metrosideros forests were floristically poor in comparison to other indigenous forest types; though semi-coastal Metrosideros forest hosted a more diverse understory than coastal forest. A total of 122 indigenous species were recorded, however only a minority of these were considered common and widespread, such species included Coprosma macrocarpa, Coprosma robusta, Cyathea dealbata, Melicytus ramiflorus, Myrsine australis, Pseudopanax lessonii, Pseudopanax arboreus, Beilschmiedia tawa, Dysoxylum spectabile and Litsea calicaris. In general, forest understories comprised of a sparse shrub layer, overtopped by a sub-canopy dominated by either tree ferns in steep inland localities, Pseudopanax spp., Coprosma spp. and Melicytus ramiflorus on coastal headlands, or Coprosma spp., Myrsine, Beilschmiedia, Dysoxylum and Litsea in mature and semi-coastal forest. 
Metrosideros growth rates were determined in two ways; first from the diameter growth of stems in four permanent quadrats, and second from ring counts on cut stem disks. Metrosideros stems initially had high growth rates, which could exceed 4 mm year⁻¹ in the first 80 years, however diameter growth subsequently slowed down as trees developed. All Metrosideros populations had regenerated in cohorts. The derived diameter age relationship suggested that stands ranged from 20–>300 years old, with mature forest being formed within 250 years. The oldest trees measured may be >1000 years old, and represent relics of the regions original vegetation.
The sequence of forest development quantified for Bay of Plenty forests shows a decline in Metrosideros stems from >2000–<400 stems ha⁻¹ over a period of c. 300 years; a result of self-thinning. This was coupled with an increase in Metrosideros basal area from <20 m² ha⁻¹ to an average of 50 m² ha⁻¹; plateauing after 70 years. Total stem density and basal area were greatest in stands between 60–300 years old.
The diameter frequency distributions quantified for key species suggested that appreciable shifts in species composition were occurring. The replacement strategies among key canopy species involved establishment at different phases of forest development, and this directly reflected species’ differing shade tolerances. Shade intolerant species Metrosideros and Kunzea ericoides (which could form mixed stands) established solely following disturbance. Metrosideros forest is likely to replace itself indefinitely on the unstable coastal headlands cliffs in the region, where frequent disturbances provide suitable regeneration sites. However, in semi-coastal localities, where disturbance is less frequent, Metrosideros is succeeded by shade tolerant species. Litsea, Dysoxylum and Corynocarpus laevigatus establish in mid-successional forest, however may be somewhat reliant on canopy gaps to stimulate height growth. Conversely Beilschmiedia, the most shade tolerant species, commonly establishes in mature forest and is capable of continued regeneration; thus is likely to be a dominant component of the forest community that replaces Metrosideros forest, in the Bay of Plenty. 
This research contributes to the national reporting of quantitative data describing the structure and composition of New Zealand’s indigenous forests, provides the first quantitative model of forest succession in Metrosideros forest in the Bay of Plenty, and contributes to the understanding of linkages between species’ shade tolerance, regenerative strategies and successional status.

year: 2012

title: Whāia ngā pae o te māramatanga: our horizons of pursuit

authors: Ruru, Jacinta

abstract: In Aotearoa New Zealand there is a growing recognition that Māori engagement and leadership across the science and research sector is essential for addressing national challenges and realising the distinctive contribution of mātauranga Māori to innovation and knowledge creation (Ministry of Education 2013a). To reap the benefits of the nation’s changing demographics and to centre Te Tiriti o Waitangi in society, it is critical that Māori are engaged in research and decision making in all disciplines and in all sectors. This article considers how Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM), New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence, is contributing towards addressing and developing challenges and opportunities at the interface between mātauranga Māori and science. The article traces the contribution of NPM as a positive transformative contributor to research in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally

text: Whāia ngā pae o te māramatanga: our horizons of pursuit In Aotearoa New Zealand there is a growing recognition that Māori engagement and leadership across the science and research sector is essential for addressing national challenges and realising the distinctive contribution of mātauranga Māori to innovation and knowledge creation (Ministry of Education 2013a). To reap the benefits of the nation’s changing demographics and to centre Te Tiriti o Waitangi in society, it is critical that Māori are engaged in research and decision making in all disciplines and in all sectors. This article considers how Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM), New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence, is contributing towards addressing and developing challenges and opportunities at the interface between mātauranga Māori and science. The article traces the contribution of NPM as a positive transformative contributor to research in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally

year: 2019