title: Traditional kava use, cognition and driver fitness

authors: Aporosa, S. 'Apo'

abstract: Introduction: Kava (Piper methysticum) is a traditional, culturally significant Pacific Island beverage, which produces soporific relaxant effects similar to Benzodiazepine (Sarris et al, 2012, Journal of Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental, 27:262-9). Most research into kava psychopharmacology has utilised kava in extract tablet form (typically 300mg per/day), with the results erroneously overlaid on kava as used in traditional settings. Very little is known about kava’s impacts on cognitive function when consumed traditionally as a drink over many hours, which often amount to more than 15 times the pharmacologically recommended dose. Approximately 70% of kava drinkers drive following use, which has prompted concerns regarding driver impairment. This research builds on two earlier studies (Aporosa et al, 2020, Journal of Human Psychopharmacology, 35[2]:e2725) to investigate the effects of kava on six cognition-related functions associated with driving.  
Methods:  The study was guided by the Pacific Post-development Methodological Framework to ensure the ethical and equitable use of Western standardised psychometrics among Pacific peoples (Aporosa et al., Pacific Dynamics, 5[1]:74-92). Experienced male kava users (n=20, mean age = 34.75) attended a six hour traditionally influenced kava session. Each participant consumed 3.6 litres (6.33 pints) of kava, equating to 3,680mg of kavalactones.  Also present were a control group of non-kava consuming males (n=19, mean age = 35.57). At baseline, the participants completed computerised somato-sensory psychometric tests (using the Brain Gauge [www.corticalmetrics.com]) to measure six strategic, tactical and operational functions, including fine-motor-skills and fatigue.  Re-testing was conducted three and six hours after kava consumption.  Pre/post analysis compared within person and between group differences.  Statistical modelling was based on t-tests and Bayesian analysis.  
Results: Test data revealed significant impairment (p<0.05) to only one of the six functions assessed by the Brain Gauge  ̶  Temporal Order Judgement (TOJ) [t=0.007; B=6.193].
Conclusion: When ingested in traditional use volumes, kava did not impact participants’ Focus, Accuracy, Timing Perception, Plasticity or Fatigue, but there was a significant negative impact on TOJ. TOJ (as measured by the Brain Gauge) is chiefly associated with sequencing linked to executive functions allied with decision making, behavioural control, and information processing (Aporosa et al., 2022, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 291[115080]:1-15). These new findings suggest that traditional kava use effects are unique and subtle, and manifest very differently to alcohol, cannabis and hallucinogens. Nevertheless, kava effects may compromise driver safety. The study was followed up with a culture-friendly kava drink-driving awareness campaign.

text: Traditional kava use, cognition and driver fitness Introduction: Kava (Piper methysticum) is a traditional, culturally significant Pacific Island beverage, which produces soporific relaxant effects similar to Benzodiazepine (Sarris et al, 2012, Journal of Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental, 27:262-9). Most research into kava psychopharmacology has utilised kava in extract tablet form (typically 300mg per/day), with the results erroneously overlaid on kava as used in traditional settings. Very little is known about kava’s impacts on cognitive function when consumed traditionally as a drink over many hours, which often amount to more than 15 times the pharmacologically recommended dose. Approximately 70% of kava drinkers drive following use, which has prompted concerns regarding driver impairment. This research builds on two earlier studies (Aporosa et al, 2020, Journal of Human Psychopharmacology, 35[2]:e2725) to investigate the effects of kava on six cognition-related functions associated with driving.  
Methods:  The study was guided by the Pacific Post-development Methodological Framework to ensure the ethical and equitable use of Western standardised psychometrics among Pacific peoples (Aporosa et al., Pacific Dynamics, 5[1]:74-92). Experienced male kava users (n=20, mean age = 34.75) attended a six hour traditionally influenced kava session. Each participant consumed 3.6 litres (6.33 pints) of kava, equating to 3,680mg of kavalactones.  Also present were a control group of non-kava consuming males (n=19, mean age = 35.57). At baseline, the participants completed computerised somato-sensory psychometric tests (using the Brain Gauge [www.corticalmetrics.com]) to measure six strategic, tactical and operational functions, including fine-motor-skills and fatigue.  Re-testing was conducted three and six hours after kava consumption.  Pre/post analysis compared within person and between group differences.  Statistical modelling was based on t-tests and Bayesian analysis.  
Results: Test data revealed significant impairment (p<0.05) to only one of the six functions assessed by the Brain Gauge  ̶  Temporal Order Judgement (TOJ) [t=0.007; B=6.193].
Conclusion: When ingested in traditional use volumes, kava did not impact participants’ Focus, Accuracy, Timing Perception, Plasticity or Fatigue, but there was a significant negative impact on TOJ. TOJ (as measured by the Brain Gauge) is chiefly associated with sequencing linked to executive functions allied with decision making, behavioural control, and information processing (Aporosa et al., 2022, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 291[115080]:1-15). These new findings suggest that traditional kava use effects are unique and subtle, and manifest very differently to alcohol, cannabis and hallucinogens. Nevertheless, kava effects may compromise driver safety. The study was followed up with a culture-friendly kava drink-driving awareness campaign.

year: 2022

title: Legal rights to minerals in geothermal fluids

authors: Barton, Barry

abstract: This report is a discussion document which forms part of research into the commercial potential in New Zealand for the extraction of minerals from geothermal fluids. It undertakes a legal analysis of rights to the minerals and materials that may be obtained from such fluids. 
Geothermal fluids are extracted for the purposes of electricity generation and process heat, predominantly in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, but also in other parts of the country. The mineralization of the fluid varies from system to system, and, although the concentrations of minerals are not high, in some instances the quantities of fluid extracted are large. Silica is found in all high temperature geothermal fluid. It has some commercial value, depending on its character and grade, but its main significance is that it causes a build-up of scale in equipment and can make it more difficult to re-inject fluid into a subsurface system after use. Other materials that may be commercially viable for extraction are salts of boron and lithium. 
That the costs of extraction from the ground have already been met suggests that the commercial viability of producing minerals from the flow of fluid in a power station or other facility is greater than it would be otherwise. Where silica must be removed to facilitate re-injection or more efficient electricity generation, another step in an extraction process may also have been paid for. It might therefore be possible that geothermal minerals operations can produce by-products and income flows in association with the use of geothermal resources for energy purposes.

text: Legal rights to minerals in geothermal fluids This report is a discussion document which forms part of research into the commercial potential in New Zealand for the extraction of minerals from geothermal fluids. It undertakes a legal analysis of rights to the minerals and materials that may be obtained from such fluids. 
Geothermal fluids are extracted for the purposes of electricity generation and process heat, predominantly in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, but also in other parts of the country. The mineralization of the fluid varies from system to system, and, although the concentrations of minerals are not high, in some instances the quantities of fluid extracted are large. Silica is found in all high temperature geothermal fluid. It has some commercial value, depending on its character and grade, but its main significance is that it causes a build-up of scale in equipment and can make it more difficult to re-inject fluid into a subsurface system after use. Other materials that may be commercially viable for extraction are salts of boron and lithium. 
That the costs of extraction from the ground have already been met suggests that the commercial viability of producing minerals from the flow of fluid in a power station or other facility is greater than it would be otherwise. Where silica must be removed to facilitate re-injection or more efficient electricity generation, another step in an extraction process may also have been paid for. It might therefore be possible that geothermal minerals operations can produce by-products and income flows in association with the use of geothermal resources for energy purposes.

year: 2015

title: A jade door: Reconciliatory justice as a way forward citing New Zealand experience

authors: Joseph, Robert

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: Greenstone (jade) was highly valued in New Zealand because it was durable, beautiful, and precious. Greenstone is found only on the west coast of the South Island and was used as a means of exchange. In times of trouble, peace could be secured by ending warfare through a political marriage. Peace, thus established, was often likened figuratively to a greenstone door as both the woman and the peace ceremony were seen to be durable, strong, and valuable.

text: A jade door: Reconciliatory justice as a way forward citing New Zealand experience Greenstone (jade) was highly valued in New Zealand because it was durable, beautiful, and precious. Greenstone is found only on the west coast of the South Island and was used as a means of exchange. In times of trouble, peace could be secured by ending warfare through a political marriage. Peace, thus established, was often likened figuratively to a greenstone door as both the woman and the peace ceremony were seen to be durable, strong, and valuable.

year: 2008