title: Biological flora of New Zealand 13. Pittosporum cornifolium, tāwhiri karo, cornel-leaved pittosporum

authors: Clarkson, Fiona Marie

subjects: biological flora

abstract: A comprehensive review of the morphology, anatomy, taxonomy, chemistry and ecology of the endemic New Zealand facultative shrub epiphyte Pittosporum cornifolium (Pittosporaceae) is presented. Strong habitat specificity restricts this species to lowland forest and coastal habitats, which are widely yet discontinuously distributed north of latitude 42°15′S. Pittosporum cornifolium is typically associated with old growth forest systems and low nutrient substrates, with low mean daily temperatures in the coldest month (<0.6 °C) and high mean October vapour pressure deficits (>0.5 kPa) apparently restricting its distribution. Significant morphological variability is evident in leaves and flowers, especially with respect to plants from the Poor Knights Islands. Genetic analyses of five mainland populations and individuals representing Poor Knights Islands populations revealed relatively low genetic diversity at the population level which is likely to be the result of geographic isolation. Molecular phylogenetic studies suggest a New Caledonian origin for the species with close affinities to both P. pimeleoides subspecies. Several lines of evidence suggest recognition of the Poor Knights Islands entity as a new taxon. However, analysis of additional morphological, reproductive and molecular data across the full geographic range will be required to confirm current inferences. Although populations have declined, P. cornifolium is not currently threatened, however, it should be considered for reintroduction to sites in districts where its range has been severely reduced.

text: Biological flora of New Zealand 13. Pittosporum cornifolium, tāwhiri karo, cornel-leaved pittosporum A comprehensive review of the morphology, anatomy, taxonomy, chemistry and ecology of the endemic New Zealand facultative shrub epiphyte Pittosporum cornifolium (Pittosporaceae) is presented. Strong habitat specificity restricts this species to lowland forest and coastal habitats, which are widely yet discontinuously distributed north of latitude 42°15′S. Pittosporum cornifolium is typically associated with old growth forest systems and low nutrient substrates, with low mean daily temperatures in the coldest month (<0.6 °C) and high mean October vapour pressure deficits (>0.5 kPa) apparently restricting its distribution. Significant morphological variability is evident in leaves and flowers, especially with respect to plants from the Poor Knights Islands. Genetic analyses of five mainland populations and individuals representing Poor Knights Islands populations revealed relatively low genetic diversity at the population level which is likely to be the result of geographic isolation. Molecular phylogenetic studies suggest a New Caledonian origin for the species with close affinities to both P. pimeleoides subspecies. Several lines of evidence suggest recognition of the Poor Knights Islands entity as a new taxon. However, analysis of additional morphological, reproductive and molecular data across the full geographic range will be required to confirm current inferences. Although populations have declined, P. cornifolium is not currently threatened, however, it should be considered for reintroduction to sites in districts where its range has been severely reduced.

year: 2012

title: Revealing the effects of ill global eco-financial systems and their capsules

authors: Mengesha, Lula G.

subjects: global financial crisis

abstract: This paper examines the origins of the global crisis, the impact of the crisis and the different capsules taken to address the crisis. Using daily data from mid-July 2002 to mid-July 2012 for five groups of economies, our estimation is based on BEKK diagonal GARCH. We augmented two dummy variables to represent the U.S. financial crisis and the debt crisis of Greece. We find that the U.S crisis has insignificant impact on the mean returns of all the economies except the African economies. The U.S. financial crisis, however, has positive and significant impact on the stock volatilities of all the groups except the African economies. The debt crisis of Greece, on the other hand, has negative and significant impact on the mean returns of the European and Latin American economies. Its impact on the stock volatilities, however, is positive and significant in all the economies except the African economies. In examining the origins of the crisis, we identify that excessive reliance of the U.S. economy on the credit system and on the stock market together with historic negligence of the production sector and inadequate regulation are some causative factors.

text: Revealing the effects of ill global eco-financial systems and their capsules This paper examines the origins of the global crisis, the impact of the crisis and the different capsules taken to address the crisis. Using daily data from mid-July 2002 to mid-July 2012 for five groups of economies, our estimation is based on BEKK diagonal GARCH. We augmented two dummy variables to represent the U.S. financial crisis and the debt crisis of Greece. We find that the U.S crisis has insignificant impact on the mean returns of all the economies except the African economies. The U.S. financial crisis, however, has positive and significant impact on the stock volatilities of all the groups except the African economies. The debt crisis of Greece, on the other hand, has negative and significant impact on the mean returns of the European and Latin American economies. Its impact on the stock volatilities, however, is positive and significant in all the economies except the African economies. In examining the origins of the crisis, we identify that excessive reliance of the U.S. economy on the credit system and on the stock market together with historic negligence of the production sector and inadequate regulation are some causative factors.

year: 2012-12

title: A Journey Beyond the Bars: Participants' Experiences of Psychological Treatment in a Prison Setting

authors: Terrill, Damian James

subjects: Prison

abstract: This study explored the experiences of high-risk male offenders at varying stages of a prison-based residential rehabilitation programme. Information was elicited by means of 1:1 semi-structured interviews with three adult offenders: one programme completer, one approaching completion and one non-completer. The opinions of three members of unit staff (two programme facilitators and one custodial officer) were also included. Having identified a lack of process-focused qualitative research in the criminological literature, this thesis has attempted to provide an insight into the lived experiences of offenders undergoing a residential rehabilitative intervention. The results are presented through a combined postmodernist, social constructionist discourse. They identify a series of coherent themes which emphasise the importance of numerous contextual, linguistic and communicative variables in dictating the participants’ self-perspectives and engagement with treatment. I will examine in particular, the role of motivation, the importance of the therapeutic bond established between participants and therapists, the relevance of the therapeutic environment, and the impact of both bi-cultural therapy and notions of individual stigmatisation. The overall findings are related to the broader penological literature in order to inspire further experiential analyses of offenders undergoing treatment, and to offer points for consideration in the application of prison-based rehabilitative interventions.

text: A Journey Beyond the Bars: Participants' Experiences of Psychological Treatment in a Prison Setting This study explored the experiences of high-risk male offenders at varying stages of a prison-based residential rehabilitation programme. Information was elicited by means of 1:1 semi-structured interviews with three adult offenders: one programme completer, one approaching completion and one non-completer. The opinions of three members of unit staff (two programme facilitators and one custodial officer) were also included. Having identified a lack of process-focused qualitative research in the criminological literature, this thesis has attempted to provide an insight into the lived experiences of offenders undergoing a residential rehabilitative intervention. The results are presented through a combined postmodernist, social constructionist discourse. They identify a series of coherent themes which emphasise the importance of numerous contextual, linguistic and communicative variables in dictating the participants’ self-perspectives and engagement with treatment. I will examine in particular, the role of motivation, the importance of the therapeutic bond established between participants and therapists, the relevance of the therapeutic environment, and the impact of both bi-cultural therapy and notions of individual stigmatisation. The overall findings are related to the broader penological literature in order to inspire further experiential analyses of offenders undergoing treatment, and to offer points for consideration in the application of prison-based rehabilitative interventions.

year: 2010