title: Searching in a Book

authors: Liesaputra, Veronica

subjects: computer science

abstract: Information has no value unless it is accessible. With physical books, most people rely on the table of contents and subject index to find what they want. But what if they are reading a book in a digital library and have access to a full-text search tool?. 
The paper describes a search interface to Realistic Books, and investigates the influence of document format and search result presentation on information finding. We compare searching in Realistic Books with searching in HTML and PDF files, and with physical books.

text: Searching in a Book Information has no value unless it is accessible. With physical books, most people rely on the table of contents and subject index to find what they want. But what if they are reading a book in a digital library and have access to a full-text search tool?. 
The paper describes a search interface to Realistic Books, and investigates the influence of document format and search result presentation on information finding. We compare searching in Realistic Books with searching in HTML and PDF files, and with physical books.

year: 2009

title: An Evaluation of the Cognitive Functioning of Individuals on Methadone Maintenance Treatment and its Relation to Treatment Adherence

authors: Yates, Susan J

subjects: methadone maintenance treatment

abstract: This research assessed the cognitive functioning of several different drug and alcohol samples, with a specific focus on individuals in methadone maintenance treatment. Additionally, this research assessed the relation between cognitive functioning and adherence to treatment in these populations. This is a link that has been suggested by research in this area previously. The present research consisted of five experiments. Experiment 1 assessed the application, within New Zealand, of the normative data for a number of psychometric tests with a non- substance using sample of New Zealand university students. The results from this study showed that the scores for the university sample were generally similar to the normative means, suggesting that the existing normative data could be used in New Zealand. Experiment 2 assessed the cognitive functioning of university students who reported regular use of alcohol and/or cannabis. The results from this study showed that the frequency of alcohol use was positively correlated with problem solving ability, while frequency of cannabis use was positively correlated with memory functioning. Cannabis use was also associated with poorer problem solving ability. These findings showed that casual use of alcohol and/or cannabis was associated with poorer functioning on some psychometric tests, and that these tests were sensitive to the effects of substance use. Experiment 3 assessed the cognitive functioning of a sample of individuals in methadone maintenance treatment in relation to their adherence to treatment. The results from this study showed deficits in memory, divided attention and cognitive flexibility, and poor mathematical ability when compared to the normative data. Treatment adherence was found to be associated with lower levels of treatment satisfaction, and findings also suggested a possible relation between poor treatment adherence and better scores on the psychometric test scores. Due to difficulties in recruiting participants, Experiment 4 assessed the cognitive functioning of a second sample of individuals in methadone maintenance in relation to treatment adherence. This sample completed a reduced battery of psychometric tests, and results showed deficits in memory, attention, and problem solving abilities compared to the normative data. Treatment adherence was not found to be associated with lower levels of treatment satisfaction in this sample. A possible relation between poor treatment adherence and better psychometric test scores was identified for this sample also, although the relation was between different test scores than those in Experiment 3. To assess whether the obtained results for Experiment 3 and Experiment 4 were specific to methadone, Experiment 5 assessed the cognitive functioning of several different drug and alcohol samples in relation to treatment adherence. The study examined the cognitive functioning of alcohol, drug and alcohol, and other opiate users, and showed that all samples had difficulty recalling information in a visual format, that a large percentage showed impairments in divided attention and cognitive flexibility, and that the drug and alcohol, and other opiate samples had deficits in problem solving ability. Treatment adherence in this study was assessed for the alcohol sample, with results showing a relation between poor treatment adherence and verbal memory ability, and divided attention and cognitive flexibility. Overall, the cognitive deficits found in the samples for each experiment were not related to treatment adherence as measured in this research. However, results for the alcohol sample suggested that there may be a link between poor adherence and impairments in verbal memory and divided attention. The findings from this research suggest that cognitive deficits and treatment adherence are not related, but this finding may be the result of limitations in this research (i.e., recruitment difficulties, adherence measures used). The clinical and research implications of the results of the research are discussed. In particular, recommendations for treatment services dealing with the drug and alcohol population are provided.

text: An Evaluation of the Cognitive Functioning of Individuals on Methadone Maintenance Treatment and its Relation to Treatment Adherence This research assessed the cognitive functioning of several different drug and alcohol samples, with a specific focus on individuals in methadone maintenance treatment. Additionally, this research assessed the relation between cognitive functioning and adherence to treatment in these populations. This is a link that has been suggested by research in this area previously. The present research consisted of five experiments. Experiment 1 assessed the application, within New Zealand, of the normative data for a number of psychometric tests with a non- substance using sample of New Zealand university students. The results from this study showed that the scores for the university sample were generally similar to the normative means, suggesting that the existing normative data could be used in New Zealand. Experiment 2 assessed the cognitive functioning of university students who reported regular use of alcohol and/or cannabis. The results from this study showed that the frequency of alcohol use was positively correlated with problem solving ability, while frequency of cannabis use was positively correlated with memory functioning. Cannabis use was also associated with poorer problem solving ability. These findings showed that casual use of alcohol and/or cannabis was associated with poorer functioning on some psychometric tests, and that these tests were sensitive to the effects of substance use. Experiment 3 assessed the cognitive functioning of a sample of individuals in methadone maintenance treatment in relation to their adherence to treatment. The results from this study showed deficits in memory, divided attention and cognitive flexibility, and poor mathematical ability when compared to the normative data. Treatment adherence was found to be associated with lower levels of treatment satisfaction, and findings also suggested a possible relation between poor treatment adherence and better scores on the psychometric test scores. Due to difficulties in recruiting participants, Experiment 4 assessed the cognitive functioning of a second sample of individuals in methadone maintenance in relation to treatment adherence. This sample completed a reduced battery of psychometric tests, and results showed deficits in memory, attention, and problem solving abilities compared to the normative data. Treatment adherence was not found to be associated with lower levels of treatment satisfaction in this sample. A possible relation between poor treatment adherence and better psychometric test scores was identified for this sample also, although the relation was between different test scores than those in Experiment 3. To assess whether the obtained results for Experiment 3 and Experiment 4 were specific to methadone, Experiment 5 assessed the cognitive functioning of several different drug and alcohol samples in relation to treatment adherence. The study examined the cognitive functioning of alcohol, drug and alcohol, and other opiate users, and showed that all samples had difficulty recalling information in a visual format, that a large percentage showed impairments in divided attention and cognitive flexibility, and that the drug and alcohol, and other opiate samples had deficits in problem solving ability. Treatment adherence in this study was assessed for the alcohol sample, with results showing a relation between poor treatment adherence and verbal memory ability, and divided attention and cognitive flexibility. Overall, the cognitive deficits found in the samples for each experiment were not related to treatment adherence as measured in this research. However, results for the alcohol sample suggested that there may be a link between poor adherence and impairments in verbal memory and divided attention. The findings from this research suggest that cognitive deficits and treatment adherence are not related, but this finding may be the result of limitations in this research (i.e., recruitment difficulties, adherence measures used). The clinical and research implications of the results of the research are discussed. In particular, recommendations for treatment services dealing with the drug and alcohol population are provided.

year: 2009

title: eDNA-based detection of New Zealand freshwater mussel (kākahi) populations using digital PCR

authors: Ferris, Kelsey

subjects: eDNA

abstract: Globally, freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered taxa due to pollution, nutrient loading, habitat fragmentation, and species introduction attributable to anthropogenic activities. New Zealand freshwater mussels (kākahi) are ecological engineers and integral species in freshwater ecosystems. However, kākahi populations are expected to decline 70% by 2024 in part due to their unique reproductive cycle involving an obligatory phoretic relationship with declining native fish. Kākahi distribution and abundance throughout New Zealand is poorly understood due to time-consuming surveying techniques of concealed and morphologically cryptic species. A rapid and reliable method is required for the detection and identification of these ‘Threatened’ kākahi populations for conservation and management. Therefore, this study aimed to i) validate an environmental DNA (eDNA) based detection method for New Zealand freshwater mussels using digital PCR (dPCR); ii) determine the most appropriate sampling season for kākahi eDNA; and iii) determine whether eDNA could be used to detect effects of fish barriers on kākahi distribution.
In vivo trials determined that filtration of field samples within 24 hours of collection minimised eDNA degradation and that prefiltration effectively removed inhibitory detritus and glochidia. The lowest concentration of eDNA which could accurately be detected to infer abundance (≥3.2 copies/µL) or presence (0.32-3.19 copies/µL) of kākahi eDNA was determined.  Duplicate field samples were collected from the Waingaro River and Kahuhuru Stream at sites downstream of fish barriers and upstream of low-flow or all-flow barriers in December, May, and August to investigate spatial and temporal variation in eDNA concentrations. As hypothesised, December was the most effective month to sample, yielding the highest eDNA concentrations due to reduced dilution and heightened water temperatures. Based on eDNA, kākahi species distribution did not appear correlated with fish barriers, but all-flow barriers likely impeded fish host movement to significantly reduce the total kākahi eDNA concentrations found upstream. 
eDNA detection can be used by regional councils to effectively infer presence/absence of kākahi populations and direct further conventional surveying efforts to the most impactful locations. This method allows rapid determination of distribution and densities at a national scale to aid conservation management of this taonga (treasured) species.

text: eDNA-based detection of New Zealand freshwater mussel (kākahi) populations using digital PCR Globally, freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered taxa due to pollution, nutrient loading, habitat fragmentation, and species introduction attributable to anthropogenic activities. New Zealand freshwater mussels (kākahi) are ecological engineers and integral species in freshwater ecosystems. However, kākahi populations are expected to decline 70% by 2024 in part due to their unique reproductive cycle involving an obligatory phoretic relationship with declining native fish. Kākahi distribution and abundance throughout New Zealand is poorly understood due to time-consuming surveying techniques of concealed and morphologically cryptic species. A rapid and reliable method is required for the detection and identification of these ‘Threatened’ kākahi populations for conservation and management. Therefore, this study aimed to i) validate an environmental DNA (eDNA) based detection method for New Zealand freshwater mussels using digital PCR (dPCR); ii) determine the most appropriate sampling season for kākahi eDNA; and iii) determine whether eDNA could be used to detect effects of fish barriers on kākahi distribution.
In vivo trials determined that filtration of field samples within 24 hours of collection minimised eDNA degradation and that prefiltration effectively removed inhibitory detritus and glochidia. The lowest concentration of eDNA which could accurately be detected to infer abundance (≥3.2 copies/µL) or presence (0.32-3.19 copies/µL) of kākahi eDNA was determined.  Duplicate field samples were collected from the Waingaro River and Kahuhuru Stream at sites downstream of fish barriers and upstream of low-flow or all-flow barriers in December, May, and August to investigate spatial and temporal variation in eDNA concentrations. As hypothesised, December was the most effective month to sample, yielding the highest eDNA concentrations due to reduced dilution and heightened water temperatures. Based on eDNA, kākahi species distribution did not appear correlated with fish barriers, but all-flow barriers likely impeded fish host movement to significantly reduce the total kākahi eDNA concentrations found upstream. 
eDNA detection can be used by regional councils to effectively infer presence/absence of kākahi populations and direct further conventional surveying efforts to the most impactful locations. This method allows rapid determination of distribution and densities at a national scale to aid conservation management of this taonga (treasured) species.

year: 2020