title: Effect of river flow, temperature, and water chemistry on proliferations of the benthic anatoxin-producing cyanobacterium Phormidium

authors: Wood, Susanna A.

subjects: anatoxins

abstract: Proliferations of the benthic anatoxin-producing cyanobacterium Phormidium are increasing in prevalence in cobble-bed rivers worldwide. This proliferation is of particular concern when rivers are used as sources of drinking water or for recreation. Little is known about the physicochemical variables promoting proliferations, and our existing knowledge is based on data from only a few rivers. We assessed Phormidium cover, physicochemical variables, and anatoxin concentrations at 10 sites in 7 New Zealand rivers every week for 2 y. Generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) identified dissolved inorganic N (DIN) over the accrual period <0.8 mg/L, dissolved reactive P accrual <0.005 mg/L, water temperatures >15°C, and conductivity as having positive and statistically significant effects on % Phormidium cover. Flow intensity, expressed relative to the long-term median, had a positive effect up to 0.4× the median flow and a negative effect when >0.5× the median flow. Quantile regression models showed marked variability among sites in relation to the flow intensity required to reduce % Phormidium cover (90ᵗʰ percentile ranged 0.65–249× the long-term median flow). Anatoxins were detected in variable concentrations in samples from 7 of the 10 sites. GAMMs identified strong relationships between elevated toxin concentrations and low conductivity and increasing % Phormidium cover, and significantly lower toxin concentrations when DIN was <0.2 mg/L. These data demonstrate that multiple physicochemical variables influence Phormidium proliferations and toxin concentrations and indicate that the relative importance of these variables differs among rivers and sites.

text: Effect of river flow, temperature, and water chemistry on proliferations of the benthic anatoxin-producing cyanobacterium Phormidium Proliferations of the benthic anatoxin-producing cyanobacterium Phormidium are increasing in prevalence in cobble-bed rivers worldwide. This proliferation is of particular concern when rivers are used as sources of drinking water or for recreation. Little is known about the physicochemical variables promoting proliferations, and our existing knowledge is based on data from only a few rivers. We assessed Phormidium cover, physicochemical variables, and anatoxin concentrations at 10 sites in 7 New Zealand rivers every week for 2 y. Generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) identified dissolved inorganic N (DIN) over the accrual period <0.8 mg/L, dissolved reactive P accrual <0.005 mg/L, water temperatures >15°C, and conductivity as having positive and statistically significant effects on % Phormidium cover. Flow intensity, expressed relative to the long-term median, had a positive effect up to 0.4× the median flow and a negative effect when >0.5× the median flow. Quantile regression models showed marked variability among sites in relation to the flow intensity required to reduce % Phormidium cover (90ᵗʰ percentile ranged 0.65–249× the long-term median flow). Anatoxins were detected in variable concentrations in samples from 7 of the 10 sites. GAMMs identified strong relationships between elevated toxin concentrations and low conductivity and increasing % Phormidium cover, and significantly lower toxin concentrations when DIN was <0.2 mg/L. These data demonstrate that multiple physicochemical variables influence Phormidium proliferations and toxin concentrations and indicate that the relative importance of these variables differs among rivers and sites.

year: 2016-12-15

title: Women Leading in Silence in Papua New Guinea Higher Education

authors: Vali, Kerren Silo

subjects: women

abstract: The Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (National Goals and Directive Principles, the Preamble of the PNG Constitution, 1975) and the National Gender Equity Policy (2003) advocate for the increase of women's representation in educational leadership positions in higher education institutions. However, that has not been the case because leadership opportunities have not been fully extended to the women academics in the higher education sector. 
This research explored the experiences of women in formal leadership positions and aspiring women leaders. The study examined what influenced women's access to leadership roles within the higher education in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and how this impacted their career advancement within the leadership structure. It also explored the beliefs and perceptions women held towards leadership, and investigated what factors influenced these. 
This research used a qualitative approach to gather data in Papua New Guinea from April - June 2009. The interviews were conducted with five women who were in formal leadership positions and eight aspiring women leaders in one university. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. A major finding was that the socio-cultural context had a powerful influence on women's educational leadership experiences in PNG. It impacted on women's values and beliefs in leadership which were significantly influenced by the Christian and Melanesian cultural value systems. As a result, women associated leadership with collaborative and servant leadership approaches. Some key findings illustrated how power was wielded over women in family settings, and through 'big man' leadership which in turn, impacted women's leadership aspirations. Furthermore, the appointment process and the lack of support systems such as mentoring and networking for women in the institution disadvantaged women to progress in their careers. There were other factors such as gender discrimination, the challenges of balancing family/work and lack of confidence which created barriers for women's advancement to leadership positions. Overall, this study has shown that Papua New Guinea patriarchal society by large has effects on the women educational leaders in the higher education sector.

text: Women Leading in Silence in Papua New Guinea Higher Education The Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (National Goals and Directive Principles, the Preamble of the PNG Constitution, 1975) and the National Gender Equity Policy (2003) advocate for the increase of women's representation in educational leadership positions in higher education institutions. However, that has not been the case because leadership opportunities have not been fully extended to the women academics in the higher education sector. 
This research explored the experiences of women in formal leadership positions and aspiring women leaders. The study examined what influenced women's access to leadership roles within the higher education in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and how this impacted their career advancement within the leadership structure. It also explored the beliefs and perceptions women held towards leadership, and investigated what factors influenced these. 
This research used a qualitative approach to gather data in Papua New Guinea from April - June 2009. The interviews were conducted with five women who were in formal leadership positions and eight aspiring women leaders in one university. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. A major finding was that the socio-cultural context had a powerful influence on women's educational leadership experiences in PNG. It impacted on women's values and beliefs in leadership which were significantly influenced by the Christian and Melanesian cultural value systems. As a result, women associated leadership with collaborative and servant leadership approaches. Some key findings illustrated how power was wielded over women in family settings, and through 'big man' leadership which in turn, impacted women's leadership aspirations. Furthermore, the appointment process and the lack of support systems such as mentoring and networking for women in the institution disadvantaged women to progress in their careers. There were other factors such as gender discrimination, the challenges of balancing family/work and lack of confidence which created barriers for women's advancement to leadership positions. Overall, this study has shown that Papua New Guinea patriarchal society by large has effects on the women educational leaders in the higher education sector.

year: 2010

title: Grounding the state of exception in New Zealand: A case study of racial segregation in Pukekohe, Whiteness and the Carceral State

authors: Martin, Jessica

subjects: State of exception

abstract: Indigenous scholars in settler-colonial contexts have highlighted the hyper-imprisonment of Indigenous people, locating it as an extension of the colonial project. Although research on this issue in New Zealand is emerging, there is a notable gap in understanding how the carceral state has developed within this particular context. This study aims to address the following research question: How does the historical context of racial segregation in Pukekohe contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of the carceral state in New Zealand?
To thoroughly examine the hyper-imprisonment of Māori, it is essential to unpack the historical origins of state violence. Despite existing research establishing a link between Māori over-representation in prisons and the enduring effects of colonisation, there is a lack of studies exploring the complex interplay among the carceral state, whiteness, policy, policing, and law, which collectively shape the current landscape of incarceration. This study focuses on the racial segregation in Pukekohe between 1920 and 1960 and utilises reflexive thematic analysis within a case study framework, drawing on the insights offered by Robert Bartholomew's book, No Māori Allowed (2020). The analysis centres on the theoretical concept of the state of exception, shedding light on how power was wielded by the white racial polity. Thus, providing a unique perspective on the carceral state and state-sanctioned violence.
The findings highlight the interconnectedness of various systemic control mechanisms employed by the carceral state. Housing, policing, and whiteness emerge as crucial factors in the control and confinement of Māori in Pukekohe. By emphasising the role of whiteness in suppressing this history, this study underscores the need for critical examination and recognition of white cultural imperialism as a fundamental pillar of the carceral state. Overall, this research offers significant insights into the construction of a targeted population and the enduring consequences of state-sanctioned violence, emphasising the importance of a comprehensive examination of New Zealand's racialised history in discussions on the hyper-imprisonment of Māori.

text: Grounding the state of exception in New Zealand: A case study of racial segregation in Pukekohe, Whiteness and the Carceral State Indigenous scholars in settler-colonial contexts have highlighted the hyper-imprisonment of Indigenous people, locating it as an extension of the colonial project. Although research on this issue in New Zealand is emerging, there is a notable gap in understanding how the carceral state has developed within this particular context. This study aims to address the following research question: How does the historical context of racial segregation in Pukekohe contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of the carceral state in New Zealand?
To thoroughly examine the hyper-imprisonment of Māori, it is essential to unpack the historical origins of state violence. Despite existing research establishing a link between Māori over-representation in prisons and the enduring effects of colonisation, there is a lack of studies exploring the complex interplay among the carceral state, whiteness, policy, policing, and law, which collectively shape the current landscape of incarceration. This study focuses on the racial segregation in Pukekohe between 1920 and 1960 and utilises reflexive thematic analysis within a case study framework, drawing on the insights offered by Robert Bartholomew's book, No Māori Allowed (2020). The analysis centres on the theoretical concept of the state of exception, shedding light on how power was wielded by the white racial polity. Thus, providing a unique perspective on the carceral state and state-sanctioned violence.
The findings highlight the interconnectedness of various systemic control mechanisms employed by the carceral state. Housing, policing, and whiteness emerge as crucial factors in the control and confinement of Māori in Pukekohe. By emphasising the role of whiteness in suppressing this history, this study underscores the need for critical examination and recognition of white cultural imperialism as a fundamental pillar of the carceral state. Overall, this research offers significant insights into the construction of a targeted population and the enduring consequences of state-sanctioned violence, emphasising the importance of a comprehensive examination of New Zealand's racialised history in discussions on the hyper-imprisonment of Māori.

year: 2024