title: Sedimentologic and hydrodynamic trends along a modern fluvial to marine transition zone: Mud deposition in the Lower Waihou River, Aotearoa-New Zealand

authors: Roche, Ben

subjects: Process-response

abstract: The fluvial to marine transition zone (FMTZ) is a dynamic environment, subject to a mixture of marine and riverine forcing mechanisms. These processes control deposition of sediments, which can hold valuable natural resources. However, due to the complex process regime, the sedimentary successions from these areas can be difficult to interpret. This study aims to improve depositional models by linking quantified measurements of the active processes to their deposits along the transition zone, using a modern example of these systems, the Waihou River in the North Island of Aotearoa-New Zealand. This study produced three main findings, which are relevant to people researching ancient shallow marine strata: 1) The locus of mud deposition occurs in the middle of the transition zone due the combined influence of depositional and preservational controls. Mixing of marine and freshwater reduces landward, which limits flocculation, and hence, deposition of mud upstream. In contrast, preservation of mud deposits is reduced towards the mouth of the river as a result of faster flow speeds. Midway between these two endpoints is a region where deposition and preservation of mud is the largest within the FMTZ. 2) Fluid mud deposits are poorly preserved in the deepest parts of channels, likely due to the high energy levels in this environment. Nevertheless, our results do not preclude the possibility that significant accumulations may occur in the shallow parts of the cross-channel profile. 3) Mud facies diversity is an indicator of depositional position along the FMTZ. Facies diversity was greatest at the middle observational site, which corresponds to the area that is subject to the most variable process regime. The landward and seaward ends of the transition zone exhibit a greater level of dominance in solely riverine or marine depositional processes, respectively. This study yields new insights into the process-response relationships for mud deposition at the interface of land to sea.

text: Sedimentologic and hydrodynamic trends along a modern fluvial to marine transition zone: Mud deposition in the Lower Waihou River, Aotearoa-New Zealand The fluvial to marine transition zone (FMTZ) is a dynamic environment, subject to a mixture of marine and riverine forcing mechanisms. These processes control deposition of sediments, which can hold valuable natural resources. However, due to the complex process regime, the sedimentary successions from these areas can be difficult to interpret. This study aims to improve depositional models by linking quantified measurements of the active processes to their deposits along the transition zone, using a modern example of these systems, the Waihou River in the North Island of Aotearoa-New Zealand. This study produced three main findings, which are relevant to people researching ancient shallow marine strata: 1) The locus of mud deposition occurs in the middle of the transition zone due the combined influence of depositional and preservational controls. Mixing of marine and freshwater reduces landward, which limits flocculation, and hence, deposition of mud upstream. In contrast, preservation of mud deposits is reduced towards the mouth of the river as a result of faster flow speeds. Midway between these two endpoints is a region where deposition and preservation of mud is the largest within the FMTZ. 2) Fluid mud deposits are poorly preserved in the deepest parts of channels, likely due to the high energy levels in this environment. Nevertheless, our results do not preclude the possibility that significant accumulations may occur in the shallow parts of the cross-channel profile. 3) Mud facies diversity is an indicator of depositional position along the FMTZ. Facies diversity was greatest at the middle observational site, which corresponds to the area that is subject to the most variable process regime. The landward and seaward ends of the transition zone exhibit a greater level of dominance in solely riverine or marine depositional processes, respectively. This study yields new insights into the process-response relationships for mud deposition at the interface of land to sea.

year: 2022

title: Multiple viewpoint systems for music prediction

authors: Witten, Ian H.

subjects: Machine learning

abstract: This paper examines the prediction and generation of music using a multiple viewpoint system, a collection of independent views of the musical surface each of which models a specific type of musical phenomena. Both the general style and a particular piece are modeled using dual short-term and long-term theories, and the model is created using machine learning techniques on a corpus of musical examples. The models are used for analysis and prediction, and we conjecture that highly predictive theories will also generate original, acceptable, works. Although the quality of the works generated is hard to quantify objectively, the predictive power of models can be measured by the notion of entropy, or unpredictability. Highly predictive theories will produce low-entropy estimates of a musical language. The methods developed are applied to the Bach chorale melodies. Multiple-viewpoint systems are learned from a sample of 95 chorales, estimates of entropy are produced, and a predictive theory is used to generate new, unseen pieces.

text: Multiple viewpoint systems for music prediction This paper examines the prediction and generation of music using a multiple viewpoint system, a collection of independent views of the musical surface each of which models a specific type of musical phenomena. Both the general style and a particular piece are modeled using dual short-term and long-term theories, and the model is created using machine learning techniques on a corpus of musical examples. The models are used for analysis and prediction, and we conjecture that highly predictive theories will also generate original, acceptable, works. Although the quality of the works generated is hard to quantify objectively, the predictive power of models can be measured by the notion of entropy, or unpredictability. Highly predictive theories will produce low-entropy estimates of a musical language. The methods developed are applied to the Bach chorale melodies. Multiple-viewpoint systems are learned from a sample of 95 chorales, estimates of entropy are produced, and a predictive theory is used to generate new, unseen pieces.

year: 1993

title: Whānau Māori explain how the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool assists better access to health services

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: In this paper whānau Māori highlight how a Kaupapa Māori centred intervention (the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool) has improved interactions with health services. The Harti tool is undergoing a Randomised Control Trial at Waikato Hospital in New Zealand. As part of the RCT, the authors engaged in a series of qualitative interviews with whānau members of tamariki Māori (children aged 0-5years) admitted to Waikato Hospital’s paediatric ward. Whānau who met at least one criteria for New Zealand’s domains of deprivation were included. Using a Kaupapa Māori approach to the study, participants shared their views on barriers and facilitators to accessing health resources and primary care services. Our interviews highlight how the Harti tool, when administered in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner that prioritised relationship-building, enabled better connection to healthcare services. Prevalent in our analysis were connections to wider determinants of health and ways to reduce existing health inequities. To conclude the paper, we highlight how the tool has enhanced feelings of being in control of health with the potential to reduce the likelihood of a hospital readmission.

text: Whānau Māori explain how the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool assists better access to health services In this paper whānau Māori highlight how a Kaupapa Māori centred intervention (the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool) has improved interactions with health services. The Harti tool is undergoing a Randomised Control Trial at Waikato Hospital in New Zealand. As part of the RCT, the authors engaged in a series of qualitative interviews with whānau members of tamariki Māori (children aged 0-5years) admitted to Waikato Hospital’s paediatric ward. Whānau who met at least one criteria for New Zealand’s domains of deprivation were included. Using a Kaupapa Māori approach to the study, participants shared their views on barriers and facilitators to accessing health resources and primary care services. Our interviews highlight how the Harti tool, when administered in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner that prioritised relationship-building, enabled better connection to healthcare services. Prevalent in our analysis were connections to wider determinants of health and ways to reduce existing health inequities. To conclude the paper, we highlight how the tool has enhanced feelings of being in control of health with the potential to reduce the likelihood of a hospital readmission.

year: 2019