title: Monitoring network-design influence on assessment of ecological condition in wadeable streams

authors: Collier, Kevin J.

subjects: biomonitoring

abstract: We investigated outcomes of three monitoring networks for assessing ecological character and condition of wadeable streams, Waikato region, New Zealand. Site selection was based on professional judgment, stratification within categories of watershed characteristics, or on using an unequal-probability survey design. The professional-judgment network, stratified network and all site analyses included more ≥4th-order streams than for the probability-network survey-design estimates Professional-judgment and stratified network sites and survey-design analyses incorporated higher-quality catchments with coarser substrates. Cumulative frequency distributions indicated that the stratified and/or judgmental networks yielded fewer taxa than did the probability network, and that the stratified network provided lower estimates of the macroinvertebrate community index (MCI). Compared with the probability-network survey-design analysis, the stratified network site analysis underestimated percentage stream length classed as 'Excellent' by the quantitative MCI, and the professional-judgment site and survey-design analyses overestimated the percentage classed 'Fair' by the average score per metric. We conclude that deriving reliable estimates of wadeable stream character and condition requires (1) clearly defining and quantifying the target population for which inferences will be drawn, (2) accounting for probability of site selection and (3) optimising spatial representation across dominant stressor gradients

text: Monitoring network-design influence on assessment of ecological condition in wadeable streams We investigated outcomes of three monitoring networks for assessing ecological character and condition of wadeable streams, Waikato region, New Zealand. Site selection was based on professional judgment, stratification within categories of watershed characteristics, or on using an unequal-probability survey design. The professional-judgment network, stratified network and all site analyses included more ≥4th-order streams than for the probability-network survey-design estimates Professional-judgment and stratified network sites and survey-design analyses incorporated higher-quality catchments with coarser substrates. Cumulative frequency distributions indicated that the stratified and/or judgmental networks yielded fewer taxa than did the probability network, and that the stratified network provided lower estimates of the macroinvertebrate community index (MCI). Compared with the probability-network survey-design analysis, the stratified network site analysis underestimated percentage stream length classed as 'Excellent' by the quantitative MCI, and the professional-judgment site and survey-design analyses overestimated the percentage classed 'Fair' by the average score per metric. We conclude that deriving reliable estimates of wadeable stream character and condition requires (1) clearly defining and quantifying the target population for which inferences will be drawn, (2) accounting for probability of site selection and (3) optimising spatial representation across dominant stressor gradients

year: 2013

title: Development of proteinous bioplastics using bloodmeal

authors: Vebeek, Casparus J.R.

subjects: protein

abstract: The aim of this work was to investigate the use of bloodmeal as a thermoplastic biopolymer. Processing required water and chemical additives to perform three main functions: breaking covalent cross-links using sodium sulfite (SS), sodium dodecyl sulfate and urea as processing aids, and evaporating some processing water to allow formation of new interactions to stabilize the final structure. Extrusion was only possible in the presence of SS and strongly influenced by water and urea content. It was found that once water had been removed, mechanical properties increased significantly, indicating the formation of new intermolecular forces. SDS was required for processing and consolidation, but, it may restrict formation of new intermolecular forces, if used in excessive quantities. Materials based on optimal additive levels had a tensile strength of 8 MPa, Young’s modulus of 320 MPa and toughness 1.6 MPa m½.

text: Development of proteinous bioplastics using bloodmeal The aim of this work was to investigate the use of bloodmeal as a thermoplastic biopolymer. Processing required water and chemical additives to perform three main functions: breaking covalent cross-links using sodium sulfite (SS), sodium dodecyl sulfate and urea as processing aids, and evaporating some processing water to allow formation of new interactions to stabilize the final structure. Extrusion was only possible in the presence of SS and strongly influenced by water and urea content. It was found that once water had been removed, mechanical properties increased significantly, indicating the formation of new intermolecular forces. SDS was required for processing and consolidation, but, it may restrict formation of new intermolecular forces, if used in excessive quantities. Materials based on optimal additive levels had a tensile strength of 8 MPa, Young’s modulus of 320 MPa and toughness 1.6 MPa m½.

year: 2011

title: 'Chris Finlayson and James Christmas, He Kupu Taurangi'

authors: Simon, Hemopereki

abstract: Twenty-five years on from the Ngāi Tahu Treaty settlement this book authored by Former Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Hon. Chris Finlayson QC and Senior Ministerial Advisor James Christmas seems timely to capture the modern history and processes of the Treaty Settlement here in Aotearoa New Zealand. After all, the effects of these settlements is driving change economically, socially, environmentally, and politically, not only within hapū and iwi but nationally.

text: 'Chris Finlayson and James Christmas, He Kupu Taurangi' Twenty-five years on from the Ngāi Tahu Treaty settlement this book authored by Former Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Hon. Chris Finlayson QC and Senior Ministerial Advisor James Christmas seems timely to capture the modern history and processes of the Treaty Settlement here in Aotearoa New Zealand. After all, the effects of these settlements is driving change economically, socially, environmentally, and politically, not only within hapū and iwi but nationally.

year: 2022