title: Alfred Henry Whitehouse; a bootmaker who became a pioneer of New Zealand films

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: In December 1880, Alfred Henry Whitehouse set himself up in business in Te Aroha as its ‘Pioneer Bootmaker’. He had a very small involvement in local mining. As well as making boots and shoes, he tried to earn more money by erecting houses and being an agent, a clerk, and, very briefly, the town clerk. Actively involved in local politics, he was especially critical of the local newspaper and the domain board, sometimes being abrasive and tactless, as he could be in private life as well. More positively, he was active in sporting and especially social events, with a particular interest in music.
After leaving Te Aroha at the end of 1888, following the death of his first wife, Whitehouse was a commercial traveller for some years before holding public performances of the newest phonographs and of the early varieties of ‘moving pictures’. Not only did he arrange exhibitions of imported short films, he made the first New Zealand ones, using another man as the cameraman. He toured his exhibitions all around the North Island, including in his programmes a variety of musical selections and other attractions. By 1910, facing increasing competition and with his advancing age, he gave up this occupation. Financially, it had been only a modest success, but it earned him an honoured place as a pioneer of the New Zealand film industry.

text: Alfred Henry Whitehouse; a bootmaker who became a pioneer of New Zealand films In December 1880, Alfred Henry Whitehouse set himself up in business in Te Aroha as its ‘Pioneer Bootmaker’. He had a very small involvement in local mining. As well as making boots and shoes, he tried to earn more money by erecting houses and being an agent, a clerk, and, very briefly, the town clerk. Actively involved in local politics, he was especially critical of the local newspaper and the domain board, sometimes being abrasive and tactless, as he could be in private life as well. More positively, he was active in sporting and especially social events, with a particular interest in music.
After leaving Te Aroha at the end of 1888, following the death of his first wife, Whitehouse was a commercial traveller for some years before holding public performances of the newest phonographs and of the early varieties of ‘moving pictures’. Not only did he arrange exhibitions of imported short films, he made the first New Zealand ones, using another man as the cameraman. He toured his exhibitions all around the North Island, including in his programmes a variety of musical selections and other attractions. By 1910, facing increasing competition and with his advancing age, he gave up this occupation. Financially, it had been only a modest success, but it earned him an honoured place as a pioneer of the New Zealand film industry.

year: 2016

title: Photosynthesis and transpiration in a dry-land Pinus radiata forest

authors: Walcroft, Adrian S.

abstract: This thesis investigates biotic and abiotic regulation of photosynthesis and transpiration at the leaf and canopy scales in a dry-land Pinus radiata D. Don forest by combining gas exchange measurements with biophysical process-based models of photosynthesis, radiation transfer, and soil water balance.

Responses of photosynthesis to leaf intercellular CO₂ concentration in two-year old P. radiata seedlings were measured at a range of temperatures and leaf nitrogen concentrations in order to quantify parameters describing photosynthetic capacity and temperature response in a biophysical model of C₃ photosynthesis. Increasing leaf temperature from 8 °C to 30 °C caused a four-fold increase in Vcₘₐₓ the maximum rate of carboxylation (10.7 to 43.3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and a three-fold increase in Jₘₐₓ, the maximum electron transport rate (20.5 to 60.2 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Foliar nitrogen concentration (N) varied between 0.36 mmol g⁻¹ and 1.27 mmol g⁻¹, and there were linear relationships between N and both Vcₘₐₓ and Jₘₐₓ. Measurements made throughout the crown of a forest tree, where N varied from 0.83 mmol g⁻¹ near the base to 1.54 mmol g⁻¹ near the leader, yielded similar relationships.

The leaf-level photosynthesis model was combined with a water balance model to successfully explain a seasonal pattern in stable carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) measured within annual rings of P. radiata from two sites which differed markedly in annual water balance. Over two growing seasons there was good agreement between mean canopy-level cᵢ derived from the tree-ring δ¹³C data and modelled leaf-level cᵢ levels. The amplitudes of seasonal δ¹³C variation at the wet and dry sites were 1-2 %₀ and 4 %₀ respectively, and mean δ¹³C values from the wet site were 3 %₀ more ¹³C depleted than those from the dry site implying lower water-use efficiency (carbon assimilation per unit transpiration). Seasonal variation in carbon isotope discrimination of leaves in the canopy is therefore reflected directly in the δ¹³C of stem wood.

A canopy photosynthesis model was developed by combining the leaf-level model with a model of canopy radiation transfer, and used as a framework to analyse a field experiment designed to quantify the response of photosynthesis and tree growth to a long-term reduction in illuminated leaf area. Shading the lower crown of two young forest trees reduced absorbed radiation and canopy photosynthesis by 11 and 9 % respectively in the first year. Nitrogen was translocated from current year foliage below the shade cloth to that above, and carbon partitioning to the branches increased at the expense of stem growth. In the second year, the effect of the shading on absorbed radiation, canopy photosynthesis and tree growth was less due to a reduction in shaded foliage proportional to total leaf area. Additionally, a prolonged period of soil water deficit during the summer of year 2 reduced photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and growth similarly in both shaded and control trees. Models which scale up processes from the leaf-level to the canopy can provide a framework to analyse and interpret field experiments.

text: Photosynthesis and transpiration in a dry-land Pinus radiata forest This thesis investigates biotic and abiotic regulation of photosynthesis and transpiration at the leaf and canopy scales in a dry-land Pinus radiata D. Don forest by combining gas exchange measurements with biophysical process-based models of photosynthesis, radiation transfer, and soil water balance.

Responses of photosynthesis to leaf intercellular CO₂ concentration in two-year old P. radiata seedlings were measured at a range of temperatures and leaf nitrogen concentrations in order to quantify parameters describing photosynthetic capacity and temperature response in a biophysical model of C₃ photosynthesis. Increasing leaf temperature from 8 °C to 30 °C caused a four-fold increase in Vcₘₐₓ the maximum rate of carboxylation (10.7 to 43.3 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and a three-fold increase in Jₘₐₓ, the maximum electron transport rate (20.5 to 60.2 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Foliar nitrogen concentration (N) varied between 0.36 mmol g⁻¹ and 1.27 mmol g⁻¹, and there were linear relationships between N and both Vcₘₐₓ and Jₘₐₓ. Measurements made throughout the crown of a forest tree, where N varied from 0.83 mmol g⁻¹ near the base to 1.54 mmol g⁻¹ near the leader, yielded similar relationships.

The leaf-level photosynthesis model was combined with a water balance model to successfully explain a seasonal pattern in stable carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) measured within annual rings of P. radiata from two sites which differed markedly in annual water balance. Over two growing seasons there was good agreement between mean canopy-level cᵢ derived from the tree-ring δ¹³C data and modelled leaf-level cᵢ levels. The amplitudes of seasonal δ¹³C variation at the wet and dry sites were 1-2 %₀ and 4 %₀ respectively, and mean δ¹³C values from the wet site were 3 %₀ more ¹³C depleted than those from the dry site implying lower water-use efficiency (carbon assimilation per unit transpiration). Seasonal variation in carbon isotope discrimination of leaves in the canopy is therefore reflected directly in the δ¹³C of stem wood.

A canopy photosynthesis model was developed by combining the leaf-level model with a model of canopy radiation transfer, and used as a framework to analyse a field experiment designed to quantify the response of photosynthesis and tree growth to a long-term reduction in illuminated leaf area. Shading the lower crown of two young forest trees reduced absorbed radiation and canopy photosynthesis by 11 and 9 % respectively in the first year. Nitrogen was translocated from current year foliage below the shade cloth to that above, and carbon partitioning to the branches increased at the expense of stem growth. In the second year, the effect of the shading on absorbed radiation, canopy photosynthesis and tree growth was less due to a reduction in shaded foliage proportional to total leaf area. Additionally, a prolonged period of soil water deficit during the summer of year 2 reduced photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and growth similarly in both shaded and control trees. Models which scale up processes from the leaf-level to the canopy can provide a framework to analyse and interpret field experiments.

year: 1998

title: Patient-reported diagnostic intervals to colorectal cancer diagnosis in the Midland region of New Zealand: a prospective cohort study

authors: Blackmore, Tania Louise

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background and objectives
New Zealand (NZ) has high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) but low rates of early detection. The majority of CRC is diagnosed through general practice, where lengthy diagnostic intervals are common. We investigated factors contributing to diagnostic delay in a cohort of patients newly diagnosed with CRC.

Methods
Patients were recruited from the Midland region and interviewed about their diagnostic experience using a questionnaire based on a modified Model of Pathways to Treatment framework and SYMPTOM questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population characteristics. Chi-square analysis and logistic regression were used to analyse factors influencing diagnostic intervals.

Results
Data from 176 patients were analysed, of which 65 (36.9%) experienced a general practitioner (GP) diagnostic interval of >120 days and 96 (54.5%) experienced a total diagnostic interval (TDI) > 120 days. Patients reporting rectal bleeding were less likely to experience a long TDI (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14–0.78) and appraisal/help-seeking interval (OR, 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06–0.59). Patients <60 were more likely to report a longer appraisal/help-seeking interval (OR, 3.32, 95% CI: 1.17–9.46). Female (OR, 2.19, 95% CI: 1.08–4.44) and Māori patients (OR, 3.18, 95% CI: 1.04–9.78) were more likely to experience a long GP diagnostic interval.

Conclusion
NZ patients with CRC can experience long diagnostic intervals, attributed to patient and health system factors. Young patients, Māori, females, and patients experiencing change of bowel habit may be at particular risk. We need to increase symptom awareness of CRC for patients and GPs. Concentrated efforts are needed to ensure equity for Māori in access to screening, diagnostics, and treatment.

text: Patient-reported diagnostic intervals to colorectal cancer diagnosis in the Midland region of New Zealand: a prospective cohort study Background and objectives
New Zealand (NZ) has high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) but low rates of early detection. The majority of CRC is diagnosed through general practice, where lengthy diagnostic intervals are common. We investigated factors contributing to diagnostic delay in a cohort of patients newly diagnosed with CRC.

Methods
Patients were recruited from the Midland region and interviewed about their diagnostic experience using a questionnaire based on a modified Model of Pathways to Treatment framework and SYMPTOM questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population characteristics. Chi-square analysis and logistic regression were used to analyse factors influencing diagnostic intervals.

Results
Data from 176 patients were analysed, of which 65 (36.9%) experienced a general practitioner (GP) diagnostic interval of >120 days and 96 (54.5%) experienced a total diagnostic interval (TDI) > 120 days. Patients reporting rectal bleeding were less likely to experience a long TDI (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14–0.78) and appraisal/help-seeking interval (OR, 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06–0.59). Patients <60 were more likely to report a longer appraisal/help-seeking interval (OR, 3.32, 95% CI: 1.17–9.46). Female (OR, 2.19, 95% CI: 1.08–4.44) and Māori patients (OR, 3.18, 95% CI: 1.04–9.78) were more likely to experience a long GP diagnostic interval.

Conclusion
NZ patients with CRC can experience long diagnostic intervals, attributed to patient and health system factors. Young patients, Māori, females, and patients experiencing change of bowel habit may be at particular risk. We need to increase symptom awareness of CRC for patients and GPs. Concentrated efforts are needed to ensure equity for Māori in access to screening, diagnostics, and treatment.

year: 2021