title: Kava (Piper methysticum): Demythifying the Pacific's cultural keystone species

authors: Aporosa, S. 'Apo'

abstract: Kava, in both its plant and drink form, is Pasifika’s ‘cultural keystone species’ and a potent icon of identity with some of its medicinal efficacy legitimised within Western pharmacology and research. However, for every positive concerning kava there appears to be a counterpoint: kava is being ‘abused’; kava causes liver damage; kava encourages men to stay away from home for lengthy periods negatively impacting the family; kava turns it’s drinkers into Zombies incapable of functioning the next day, etc. This presentation will address these claims while also seeking reasons as to what motivates kava criticism.

text: Kava (Piper methysticum): Demythifying the Pacific's cultural keystone species Kava, in both its plant and drink form, is Pasifika’s ‘cultural keystone species’ and a potent icon of identity with some of its medicinal efficacy legitimised within Western pharmacology and research. However, for every positive concerning kava there appears to be a counterpoint: kava is being ‘abused’; kava causes liver damage; kava encourages men to stay away from home for lengthy periods negatively impacting the family; kava turns it’s drinkers into Zombies incapable of functioning the next day, etc. This presentation will address these claims while also seeking reasons as to what motivates kava criticism.

year: 2017

title: Implementation of the supercapacitor-assisted surge absorber (SCASA) technique in a practical surge protector

authors: Fernando, Jayathu

abstract: Their combination of large continuous energy ratings and very large time constants allows supercapacitors to be used in surge protection circuits. This fact, supported by recent research publications and laboratory tests, has assisted the authors to propose a new surge protection circuit topology known as the supercapacitor-assisted surge absorber (SCASA). This technique utilizes a multi-winding transformer, common surge protector devices such as metal oxide Varistors (MOV) and/or semiconductor types combined with a supercapacitor sub-circuit to absorb part of the surge energy usually expected to dissipate within the MOV or the semiconductor. The paper presents design details and test results for a differential mode surge protector based on the SCASA technique where the test device was subjected to lightning-type surges defined in international standards for Class-A and Class B type protectors. The performance of a prototype based on Class-B waveforms of up to 6.6 kV surges generated from a lightning surge simulator are discussed in the paper. Its performance is compared with two commercially available surge protectors.

text: Implementation of the supercapacitor-assisted surge absorber (SCASA) technique in a practical surge protector Their combination of large continuous energy ratings and very large time constants allows supercapacitors to be used in surge protection circuits. This fact, supported by recent research publications and laboratory tests, has assisted the authors to propose a new surge protection circuit topology known as the supercapacitor-assisted surge absorber (SCASA). This technique utilizes a multi-winding transformer, common surge protector devices such as metal oxide Varistors (MOV) and/or semiconductor types combined with a supercapacitor sub-circuit to absorb part of the surge energy usually expected to dissipate within the MOV or the semiconductor. The paper presents design details and test results for a differential mode surge protector based on the SCASA technique where the test device was subjected to lightning-type surges defined in international standards for Class-A and Class B type protectors. The performance of a prototype based on Class-B waveforms of up to 6.6 kV surges generated from a lightning surge simulator are discussed in the paper. Its performance is compared with two commercially available surge protectors.

year: 2014

title: Environmental ethics in a New Zealand context

authors: Gunn, Alastair S.

subjects: environmental ethics

abstract: Environmental ethics has many strands and roots but there is increasing for a holistic approach. Such an approach, which is consistent with te ao Maori and tikanga Maori, is especially appropriate for New Zealand.

text: Environmental ethics in a New Zealand context Environmental ethics has many strands and roots but there is increasing for a holistic approach. Such an approach, which is consistent with te ao Maori and tikanga Maori, is especially appropriate for New Zealand.

year: 2007