title: Energetics of the freshwater mussel Hyridella Menziesi gray

authors: Nobes, Roderick George

abstract: Various aspects of the biology of Hyridella menziesi were studied to obtain an energy budget so that its role in the Waikato River could be elucidated.

Respiration rates were found to increase with both temperature and animal size. The Q₁₀ ranged from 1.1 to 8 °c to 2.6 at 27.5 °c. Weight dependent respiration increased exponentially with weight (in g. dry weight), the relationship being R = 417 W ⁰·⁴¹⁰ μg 0₂.hr⁻¹ at ambient temperatures (18.5 to 24.6 °c).

The water pumping rate (P) increased with animal size (P = 3.8 w⁰·²⁷ ℓ.hr⁻¹), but filtering rates were variable, being affected by the particle retention efficiency of the gill. Retention efficiencies decreased in larger animals, a result of increasing interfilament distances which were evident from electron micrographs.

Filtration rates using Chlorella showed no variation with animal size or food concentration (FC cells. ml⁻¹ ) , the mean being 1.02 ℓ.hr⁻¹, but the proportion of food ingested did depend on the amount available (ingestion ratio = 2.20 FC ⁻⁰·²²) and assimilation efficiencies (AE %), obtained by the dual isotope method of Calow and Fletcher, decreased as the feeding rate increased (AE 272 FR⁻⁰·¹²⁸, FR cells.hr⁻¹).

Calculated energy budgets were positive but cell numbers in the Waikato River fell below that required for maintenance by animals of 0.05 g dry weight and larger during the winter months of July through September. The expected energy fluxes derived from river-bed transect and budget data were higher than those for other bivalves, but similar to that of Potamopyrgus antipodarum which is also found in the Waikato River, and is indicative of the intermediary role played by Hyridella of providing detritus for the benthos and speeding nutrient cycling.

text: Energetics of the freshwater mussel Hyridella Menziesi gray Various aspects of the biology of Hyridella menziesi were studied to obtain an energy budget so that its role in the Waikato River could be elucidated.

Respiration rates were found to increase with both temperature and animal size. The Q₁₀ ranged from 1.1 to 8 °c to 2.6 at 27.5 °c. Weight dependent respiration increased exponentially with weight (in g. dry weight), the relationship being R = 417 W ⁰·⁴¹⁰ μg 0₂.hr⁻¹ at ambient temperatures (18.5 to 24.6 °c).

The water pumping rate (P) increased with animal size (P = 3.8 w⁰·²⁷ ℓ.hr⁻¹), but filtering rates were variable, being affected by the particle retention efficiency of the gill. Retention efficiencies decreased in larger animals, a result of increasing interfilament distances which were evident from electron micrographs.

Filtration rates using Chlorella showed no variation with animal size or food concentration (FC cells. ml⁻¹ ) , the mean being 1.02 ℓ.hr⁻¹, but the proportion of food ingested did depend on the amount available (ingestion ratio = 2.20 FC ⁻⁰·²²) and assimilation efficiencies (AE %), obtained by the dual isotope method of Calow and Fletcher, decreased as the feeding rate increased (AE 272 FR⁻⁰·¹²⁸, FR cells.hr⁻¹).

Calculated energy budgets were positive but cell numbers in the Waikato River fell below that required for maintenance by animals of 0.05 g dry weight and larger during the winter months of July through September. The expected energy fluxes derived from river-bed transect and budget data were higher than those for other bivalves, but similar to that of Potamopyrgus antipodarum which is also found in the Waikato River, and is indicative of the intermediary role played by Hyridella of providing detritus for the benthos and speeding nutrient cycling.

year: 1980

title: Improving Corporate Internet Reporting in China

authors: Liu, George

subjects: Corporate Internet Reporting

abstract: For decades companies have disseminated information through traditional paper-based methods such as annual reports. This traditional method of reporting is limited by numerous issues and so cannot properly reflect the current state of the business world. Corporate Internet Reporting (CIR), however, differs from paper-based reporting in that it offers various benefits such as wide coverage and unlimited information capacity. Currently, there is an increasing trend for companies to utilise CIR to disclose information to stakeholders. In China, however, firms are lagging behind in the uptake of this technology. With limited CIR literature in the Chinese context, and no CIR practice model to guide Chinese companies, the provision and quality of their CIR practices are low.

The aim of this research is to develop and apply a CIR practice model for Chinese public listed companies and, further, to make recommendations as to the improvement of Chinese CIR practice. To achieve this purpose, a disclosure index was constructed with the support of 25 panel experts, 46 questionnaire survey participants, and 40 interviewees from various stakeholder groups. The index was then applied to three groups of the largest 25 Chinese companies that are listed in either A shares, A+B shares, or A+H shares on the Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. The collected data were quantified and analysed to determine the extent and quality of Chinese firms’ CIR practices; in addition, several factors that may influence the level of CIR practices of Chinese listed companies were examined. 

The research outcome indicated that the current level of Chinese CIR was poor in both extent and quality, and an extensive information gap between the expectations of Chinese stakeholders and the actual practices of Chinese corporations was identified. It is contended that factors such as low recognition of the organisation-stakeholder relationship and a lack of generally accepted CIR theoretical framework and practice guidelines have contributed to the current level of Chinese CIR practices. It was also found that A and A+H shares groups report significantly more than the A+B shares group, and firms in finance and insurance industry tend to disclose and offer significantly more information and website features than corporations in the other two business sectors (manufacturing and others). Lastly, a significant correlation was found in factors such as firm size, profitability-PAT and institutional ownership, and profitability-ROE. However, no significant relationship was identified for the other two determinants (state ownership and public ownership). It is believed that the findings of this research can assist in the improvement of current Chinese CIR as well as the development of CIR practice guidelines applicable to the Chinese context.

text: Improving Corporate Internet Reporting in China For decades companies have disseminated information through traditional paper-based methods such as annual reports. This traditional method of reporting is limited by numerous issues and so cannot properly reflect the current state of the business world. Corporate Internet Reporting (CIR), however, differs from paper-based reporting in that it offers various benefits such as wide coverage and unlimited information capacity. Currently, there is an increasing trend for companies to utilise CIR to disclose information to stakeholders. In China, however, firms are lagging behind in the uptake of this technology. With limited CIR literature in the Chinese context, and no CIR practice model to guide Chinese companies, the provision and quality of their CIR practices are low.

The aim of this research is to develop and apply a CIR practice model for Chinese public listed companies and, further, to make recommendations as to the improvement of Chinese CIR practice. To achieve this purpose, a disclosure index was constructed with the support of 25 panel experts, 46 questionnaire survey participants, and 40 interviewees from various stakeholder groups. The index was then applied to three groups of the largest 25 Chinese companies that are listed in either A shares, A+B shares, or A+H shares on the Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. The collected data were quantified and analysed to determine the extent and quality of Chinese firms’ CIR practices; in addition, several factors that may influence the level of CIR practices of Chinese listed companies were examined. 

The research outcome indicated that the current level of Chinese CIR was poor in both extent and quality, and an extensive information gap between the expectations of Chinese stakeholders and the actual practices of Chinese corporations was identified. It is contended that factors such as low recognition of the organisation-stakeholder relationship and a lack of generally accepted CIR theoretical framework and practice guidelines have contributed to the current level of Chinese CIR practices. It was also found that A and A+H shares groups report significantly more than the A+B shares group, and firms in finance and insurance industry tend to disclose and offer significantly more information and website features than corporations in the other two business sectors (manufacturing and others). Lastly, a significant correlation was found in factors such as firm size, profitability-PAT and institutional ownership, and profitability-ROE. However, no significant relationship was identified for the other two determinants (state ownership and public ownership). It is believed that the findings of this research can assist in the improvement of current Chinese CIR as well as the development of CIR practice guidelines applicable to the Chinese context.

year: 2014

title: Reflections on relationship-building between tangata whenua and local government: Notes from research and practice

authors: Neill, Beth

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: In this paper, the author takes a reflective look at two areas: the preliminary discussions and fieldwork they undertook to set up a collaborative doctoral research project exploring relationship-building between
tangata whenua and local government (regional and district councils); and their
practice as a community psychologist within local government, advising on social
research and community participation in a number of environmental management
projects.

text: Reflections on relationship-building between tangata whenua and local government: Notes from research and practice In this paper, the author takes a reflective look at two areas: the preliminary discussions and fieldwork they undertook to set up a collaborative doctoral research project exploring relationship-building between
tangata whenua and local government (regional and district councils); and their
practice as a community psychologist within local government, advising on social
research and community participation in a number of environmental management
projects.

year: 2003-06