title: Remote sensing of freshwater habitats for large rivers and lakes of the Waikato region using sub-pixel classification

authors: Ashraf, Muhammad Salman

subjects: remote sensing data

abstract: The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of multi-sensor and multi-spectral remote sensing data for mapping different freshwater habitat zones of large rivers and lakes of the Waikato region. The review of satellite sensors available in NZ for aquatic mapping has identified three data options, which have been purchased for a case study area (Tongariro river delta). These data options are Landsat-5 (30m resolution), ALOS (10m and 2.5m) and QuickBird-2 (2.4m and 0.6m). There is no perfect option available as each option is a compromise between spatial and spectral resolution and cost.

text: Remote sensing of freshwater habitats for large rivers and lakes of the Waikato region using sub-pixel classification The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of multi-sensor and multi-spectral remote sensing data for mapping different freshwater habitat zones of large rivers and lakes of the Waikato region. The review of satellite sensors available in NZ for aquatic mapping has identified three data options, which have been purchased for a case study area (Tongariro river delta). These data options are Landsat-5 (30m resolution), ALOS (10m and 2.5m) and QuickBird-2 (2.4m and 0.6m). There is no perfect option available as each option is a compromise between spatial and spectral resolution and cost.

year: 2007-09

title: Two-state systems with non-Markovian thermal and squeezed quantum noise inputs

authors: Parkins, Andrew Scott

abstract: The effect of quantum noise on the two-state system is studied in the context of (i) coherent quantum tunnelling in a double-well system subject to low temperature quantum noise, and (ii) the two-level atom subject to finite bandwidth squeezed noise. Our approach to these problems is based on the adjoint equation, which describes the evolution of a quantum stochastic density operator. This equation is amenable to solution by ordinary stochastic methods, of which numerical simulation plays the most significant role in our calculations.
The dissipative double-well system is relevant to the search for macroscopic quantum coherence in superconducting quantum interference devices, and previous work, starting from a two-state model and using path integral methods, has established the so-called “noninteracting-blip approximation” as a central result. The adjoint equation, applied to this problem in the weak coupling limit, is shown to closely reproduce this result. The noninteracting-blip approximation entails a Markovian-type assumption about the noise, and, by means of stochastic simulation, we are able to check, and confirm, the validity of this assumption, even for the case of a zero-temperature bath.
Squeezed light, which has reduced quantum fluctuations in one quadrature phase, has been produced experimentally, and possible applications are under active consideration. Analyses of the effect of squeezed light on fundamental radiative processes in simple atoms have revealed interesting possibilities, most notably line-narrowing in the fluorescence spectrum. The original analyses in this field of research have been based on the assumption of broad bandwidth squeezing, and we review the primary results found in this limit. Also in this limit, we study in more detail the phenomenon of squeezed-light-induced photon echoes.
For broad bandwidth squeezing, line-narrowing in resonance fluorescence is restricted to the central fluorescence peak, while the Rabi sidebands exhibit broadening. We examine strongly driven resonance fluorescence for the case in which squeezing is confined to relatively small regions of frequency space about individual fluorescence peaks. It is shown that the noisy component associated with the unsqueezed quadrature phase can be effectively decoupled from the atomic dynamics, which allows narrowing to occur in all three peaks of the spectrum.
Finally, we address the practical problem of producing an effective coupling between an atom and a realistic three-dimensional squeezed field of modest angular spread. We show that this can be achieved, in principle, inside a microscopic plane mirror cavity, provided the injected squeezed field is suitably mode-matched to the cavity.

text: Two-state systems with non-Markovian thermal and squeezed quantum noise inputs The effect of quantum noise on the two-state system is studied in the context of (i) coherent quantum tunnelling in a double-well system subject to low temperature quantum noise, and (ii) the two-level atom subject to finite bandwidth squeezed noise. Our approach to these problems is based on the adjoint equation, which describes the evolution of a quantum stochastic density operator. This equation is amenable to solution by ordinary stochastic methods, of which numerical simulation plays the most significant role in our calculations.
The dissipative double-well system is relevant to the search for macroscopic quantum coherence in superconducting quantum interference devices, and previous work, starting from a two-state model and using path integral methods, has established the so-called “noninteracting-blip approximation” as a central result. The adjoint equation, applied to this problem in the weak coupling limit, is shown to closely reproduce this result. The noninteracting-blip approximation entails a Markovian-type assumption about the noise, and, by means of stochastic simulation, we are able to check, and confirm, the validity of this assumption, even for the case of a zero-temperature bath.
Squeezed light, which has reduced quantum fluctuations in one quadrature phase, has been produced experimentally, and possible applications are under active consideration. Analyses of the effect of squeezed light on fundamental radiative processes in simple atoms have revealed interesting possibilities, most notably line-narrowing in the fluorescence spectrum. The original analyses in this field of research have been based on the assumption of broad bandwidth squeezing, and we review the primary results found in this limit. Also in this limit, we study in more detail the phenomenon of squeezed-light-induced photon echoes.
For broad bandwidth squeezing, line-narrowing in resonance fluorescence is restricted to the central fluorescence peak, while the Rabi sidebands exhibit broadening. We examine strongly driven resonance fluorescence for the case in which squeezing is confined to relatively small regions of frequency space about individual fluorescence peaks. It is shown that the noisy component associated with the unsqueezed quadrature phase can be effectively decoupled from the atomic dynamics, which allows narrowing to occur in all three peaks of the spectrum.
Finally, we address the practical problem of producing an effective coupling between an atom and a realistic three-dimensional squeezed field of modest angular spread. We show that this can be achieved, in principle, inside a microscopic plane mirror cavity, provided the injected squeezed field is suitably mode-matched to the cavity.

year: 1990

title: Repositioning within indigenous discourses of transformation and self-determination

authors: Berryman, Mere

subjects: research-whanau

abstract: This thesis reflectively and critically examines a series of research case studies initiated by a research-whānau. It explores the thinking, experiences and reflections of this research-whānau, as they worked to enhance the educational achievement of Māori students. Authorship of the thesis was undertaken by me (Mere Berryman). However, the methodology involved a collaborative, retrospective and critical reflection of research-whānau experiences and thinking, in the light of the research findings and experiences since the inception of this research-whānau in 1991. In the course of this work, the research-whānau have been able to explore what it has meant to put the principles of kaupapa Māori research into practice while working within a mainstream organisation (Specialist Education Services then the Ministry of Education). Our research work has involved repositioning ourselves from dependence on Western research methodologies to a better understanding and application of kaupapa Māori conceptualisations of research. 
The thesis begins by identifying mainstream and kaupapa Māori events that have historically and still continue to impact upon Māori students' educational experiences. These events provide the wider context for the work of this research-whānau at the interface of Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā, and for the 11 case studies that exemplify changes in our thinking and research practice over a period of 15 years. The thesis employs an indigenous (and specifically Māori) worldview as the framework for description, critical reflection, and theorising around these case studies. Common themes are collaboratively co-constructed then each theme is explained in relation to relevant Māori theory.
The thesis concludes with the shifts in theorising and practice made by the research-whānau during the course of our work as we sought to contribute in ways that were more transformative and self-determining. We argue that these shifts in theorising and practice are also required of others if we are to change the status quo and contribute constructively to improving Māori students' potential.

text: Repositioning within indigenous discourses of transformation and self-determination This thesis reflectively and critically examines a series of research case studies initiated by a research-whānau. It explores the thinking, experiences and reflections of this research-whānau, as they worked to enhance the educational achievement of Māori students. Authorship of the thesis was undertaken by me (Mere Berryman). However, the methodology involved a collaborative, retrospective and critical reflection of research-whānau experiences and thinking, in the light of the research findings and experiences since the inception of this research-whānau in 1991. In the course of this work, the research-whānau have been able to explore what it has meant to put the principles of kaupapa Māori research into practice while working within a mainstream organisation (Specialist Education Services then the Ministry of Education). Our research work has involved repositioning ourselves from dependence on Western research methodologies to a better understanding and application of kaupapa Māori conceptualisations of research. 
The thesis begins by identifying mainstream and kaupapa Māori events that have historically and still continue to impact upon Māori students' educational experiences. These events provide the wider context for the work of this research-whānau at the interface of Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā, and for the 11 case studies that exemplify changes in our thinking and research practice over a period of 15 years. The thesis employs an indigenous (and specifically Māori) worldview as the framework for description, critical reflection, and theorising around these case studies. Common themes are collaboratively co-constructed then each theme is explained in relation to relevant Māori theory.
The thesis concludes with the shifts in theorising and practice made by the research-whānau during the course of our work as we sought to contribute in ways that were more transformative and self-determining. We argue that these shifts in theorising and practice are also required of others if we are to change the status quo and contribute constructively to improving Māori students' potential.

year: 2008