title: Temporal dynamics of microbial communities in geothermal hotsprings of the Taupo Volcanic Zone

authors: Lowe, Caitlin Louise

subjects: microbial

abstract: Few studies of microbial biogeography address temporal variability in physicochemical conditions and communities in geothermal environments. Here we examine the temporal variability of 43 chemical analytes, temperature and pH in association with microbial community composition of 69 water samples collected bimonthly from 12 hotsprings of the Taupo Volcanic Zone between December 2015 and October 2016. Communities and physicochemical parameters were characterized using a combination of next generation Ion Torrent sequencing (16S rRNA), UV-spectrometry, ICP-MS, FIA and gas chromatography. Using correlation association tests, significant physicochemical changes (P<0.05) were correlated with temporal variations in microbial community composition in six of the target hotsprings. Of these six hotsprings, temperature and pH were the most influential variables associated with community changes and commonly covaried with the Aquificae, Deinococcus-Thermus and Proteobacteria at four sites. Downstream effects of rainfall using rainfall and geothermal bore water datasets could be linked with physicochemical and microbial community changes during the winter months at two of these sites. This study contributes to our understanding of geothermal microbial dynamics in stable and variable geothermal environme nts, and highlights that geothermal hotsprings are not isolated from their surrounding environment.

text: Temporal dynamics of microbial communities in geothermal hotsprings of the Taupo Volcanic Zone Few studies of microbial biogeography address temporal variability in physicochemical conditions and communities in geothermal environments. Here we examine the temporal variability of 43 chemical analytes, temperature and pH in association with microbial community composition of 69 water samples collected bimonthly from 12 hotsprings of the Taupo Volcanic Zone between December 2015 and October 2016. Communities and physicochemical parameters were characterized using a combination of next generation Ion Torrent sequencing (16S rRNA), UV-spectrometry, ICP-MS, FIA and gas chromatography. Using correlation association tests, significant physicochemical changes (P<0.05) were correlated with temporal variations in microbial community composition in six of the target hotsprings. Of these six hotsprings, temperature and pH were the most influential variables associated with community changes and commonly covaried with the Aquificae, Deinococcus-Thermus and Proteobacteria at four sites. Downstream effects of rainfall using rainfall and geothermal bore water datasets could be linked with physicochemical and microbial community changes during the winter months at two of these sites. This study contributes to our understanding of geothermal microbial dynamics in stable and variable geothermal environme nts, and highlights that geothermal hotsprings are not isolated from their surrounding environment.

year: 2017

title: Adaptive Interfaces for Massively Multiplayer Online Games

authors: Deaker, Chris

subjects: HCI

abstract: Massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPGs), such as World of Warcraft, have become very popular in recent years. These types of games typically feature rich and complex game environments, enabling more engaging game-play experiences. However, the complexity of the underlying game systems can also result in increased interface complexity, which may diminish player enjoyment - a major element of players' game experience. Players may customise their in-game interfaces to deal with this type of complexity and hence improve their performance, but the challenges associated with manual interface customisation may prevent some players from effectively personalising their own game interface. 

Players' behavioural models can be used to provide a means of determining potential player in-game behaviour, thus allowing for the automatic adaptation of game interfaces to better suit player needs. This thesis aims to determine whether player-modelled adaptive interfaces can improve players' game experience in MMORPGs.

A survey of MMORPG players was conducted to determine which aspects of player experience may be impacted by interface modification. The findings of this study informed the development of an adaptive interface feedback system which aimed to provide players with relevant information, in order to improve their game experience. This prototype system was then evaluated, in order to determine the impact of the developed system on players' game experience.

text: Adaptive Interfaces for Massively Multiplayer Online Games Massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPGs), such as World of Warcraft, have become very popular in recent years. These types of games typically feature rich and complex game environments, enabling more engaging game-play experiences. However, the complexity of the underlying game systems can also result in increased interface complexity, which may diminish player enjoyment - a major element of players' game experience. Players may customise their in-game interfaces to deal with this type of complexity and hence improve their performance, but the challenges associated with manual interface customisation may prevent some players from effectively personalising their own game interface. 

Players' behavioural models can be used to provide a means of determining potential player in-game behaviour, thus allowing for the automatic adaptation of game interfaces to better suit player needs. This thesis aims to determine whether player-modelled adaptive interfaces can improve players' game experience in MMORPGs.

A survey of MMORPG players was conducted to determine which aspects of player experience may be impacted by interface modification. The findings of this study informed the development of an adaptive interface feedback system which aimed to provide players with relevant information, in order to improve their game experience. This prototype system was then evaluated, in order to determine the impact of the developed system on players' game experience.

year: 2013

title: Te mana o ngā toa: Māori experiences of Ngāti Tūmatauenga, the New Zealand Army

authors: Kohere, Cheyenne Atairehia Mere

subjects: Kaupapa Māori

abstract: Diverse realities impact Māori people and their capacity to flourish. It is well- established that Māori are significant contributors to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), and especially the New Zealand Army. Noteworthy participation in major conflicts, especially WWI and WWII create a whakapapa of military tradition which contributed to institutional change within the Army in the 1990s. The inclusion of Māori cultural training in the New Zealand Army can contribute to morale and the effectiveness of the organisation (Hohaia, 2016). This master’s thesis aims to deepen understandings of the experiences of Māori personnel in the Army by exploring the role of the New Zealand Army in the health and wellbeing of Māori soldiers, as well as how the Army can be a career pathway for Māori and their whānau to flourish.
This research employs the use qualitative methods such as Kaupapa Māori theory, phenomenology, and pūrākau as a form of narrative analysis. Semi-structured interviews with five participants (three retired personnel and two currently serving) explores these factors that contribute to the flourishing of Māori soldiers in the New Zealand Army. Each pūrākau developed from interview data is an acknowledgment of the personal journeys of the five participants and contains philosophical thought, epistemological constructs, cultural codes, and worldviews (Lee, 2009).
The findings of the research highlight the complexities that arise when considering the health and wellbeing of Māori soldiers. A range of interconnected factors conceptualised within five themes contributes to participants’ ability to flourish. These five themes include hauora (health), whanaungatanga (relationships), manaakitanga (support), whanonga pono (values) and whakapāwera (hardships). These results suggest that flourishing for Māori personnel is complex, and there is not a simple route to enable Māori to flourish. There are many ‘trade-offs’ for Māori and their experiences. However, Māori service provides opportunities and obstacles for an individual, as well as their whānau, hapū and iwi.

text: Te mana o ngā toa: Māori experiences of Ngāti Tūmatauenga, the New Zealand Army Diverse realities impact Māori people and their capacity to flourish. It is well- established that Māori are significant contributors to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), and especially the New Zealand Army. Noteworthy participation in major conflicts, especially WWI and WWII create a whakapapa of military tradition which contributed to institutional change within the Army in the 1990s. The inclusion of Māori cultural training in the New Zealand Army can contribute to morale and the effectiveness of the organisation (Hohaia, 2016). This master’s thesis aims to deepen understandings of the experiences of Māori personnel in the Army by exploring the role of the New Zealand Army in the health and wellbeing of Māori soldiers, as well as how the Army can be a career pathway for Māori and their whānau to flourish.
This research employs the use qualitative methods such as Kaupapa Māori theory, phenomenology, and pūrākau as a form of narrative analysis. Semi-structured interviews with five participants (three retired personnel and two currently serving) explores these factors that contribute to the flourishing of Māori soldiers in the New Zealand Army. Each pūrākau developed from interview data is an acknowledgment of the personal journeys of the five participants and contains philosophical thought, epistemological constructs, cultural codes, and worldviews (Lee, 2009).
The findings of the research highlight the complexities that arise when considering the health and wellbeing of Māori soldiers. A range of interconnected factors conceptualised within five themes contributes to participants’ ability to flourish. These five themes include hauora (health), whanaungatanga (relationships), manaakitanga (support), whanonga pono (values) and whakapāwera (hardships). These results suggest that flourishing for Māori personnel is complex, and there is not a simple route to enable Māori to flourish. There are many ‘trade-offs’ for Māori and their experiences. However, Māori service provides opportunities and obstacles for an individual, as well as their whānau, hapū and iwi.

year: 2022