title: Subsidies, selectivity and the returns to education in urban Papua New Guinea

authors: Gibson, John

subjects: demand for schooling

abstract: There is debate about whether the rate of return to education in developing countries declines with the level of schooling. This paper reports evidence from urban Papua New Guinea which shows that the average private rate of return to an additional year of education rises with the level of education considered. This pattern is robust to the specification of the extended earnings function and is strengthened when the measure of employee compensation includes fringe benefits. The results are not sensitive to controls for sample selectivity bias and the estimated selectivity effects are more consistent with the principle of comparative advantage than is existing evidence from developing countries. The returns to on-the-job training are also higher than indicated by previous evidence in developing countries.

text: Subsidies, selectivity and the returns to education in urban Papua New Guinea There is debate about whether the rate of return to education in developing countries declines with the level of schooling. This paper reports evidence from urban Papua New Guinea which shows that the average private rate of return to an additional year of education rises with the level of education considered. This pattern is robust to the specification of the extended earnings function and is strengthened when the measure of employee compensation includes fringe benefits. The results are not sensitive to controls for sample selectivity bias and the estimated selectivity effects are more consistent with the principle of comparative advantage than is existing evidence from developing countries. The returns to on-the-job training are also higher than indicated by previous evidence in developing countries.

year: 2006

title: Aesthetic local search of wind farm layouts

authors: Mayo, Michael

subjects: wind farm layout optimisation

abstract: The visual impact of wind farm layouts has seen little consideration in the literature on the wind farm layout optimisation problem to date. Most existing algorithms focus on optimising layouts for power or the cost of energy alone. In this paper, we consider the geometry of wind farm layouts and whether it is possible to bi-optimise a layout for both energy efficiency and the degree of visual impact that the layout exhibits. We develop a novel optimisation approach for solving the problem which measures mathematically the degree of visual impact of a layout. The approach draws inspiration from the field of architecture. To evaluate our ideas, we demonstrate them on three benchmark problems for the wind farm layout optimisation problem in conjunction with two recently-published stochastic local search algorithms. Optimal patterned layouts are shown to be very close in terms of energy efficiency to optimal non-patterned layouts.

text: Aesthetic local search of wind farm layouts The visual impact of wind farm layouts has seen little consideration in the literature on the wind farm layout optimisation problem to date. Most existing algorithms focus on optimising layouts for power or the cost of energy alone. In this paper, we consider the geometry of wind farm layouts and whether it is possible to bi-optimise a layout for both energy efficiency and the degree of visual impact that the layout exhibits. We develop a novel optimisation approach for solving the problem which measures mathematically the degree of visual impact of a layout. The approach draws inspiration from the field of architecture. To evaluate our ideas, we demonstrate them on three benchmark problems for the wind farm layout optimisation problem in conjunction with two recently-published stochastic local search algorithms. Optimal patterned layouts are shown to be very close in terms of energy efficiency to optimal non-patterned layouts.

year: 2017

title: Pūrākau, death, and assisted dying: A Māori framework for understanding end-of-life

authors: Karaka-Clarke, Te Hurinui

subjects: Pūrākau, Assisted Dying, Tikanga Māori, Mōair Cosmology, End of Life: Ethics, Mana Motuhake, Wairua, Whakapapa, Relational Autonomy

abstract: This conceptual article addresses several critical gaps in health literature by exploring the ethical, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of assisted dying through the lens of Tikanga Māori and pūrākau (ancestral narratives).  While existing end-of-life policy frameworks often prioritize Western bioethical principles, this article argues for the inclusion of Kaupapa Māori principles such as whakapapa, wairua, mana motuhake, and tapu/ noa as essential components of culturally resonant care.    Drawing upon foundational narratives including the separation of  Ranginui and Papatūānuku, the creation of Hineahuone, the transformation of Hinetītama into Hinenuitepō, and the fatal attempt of Māui to conquer death, we position pūrākau as dynamic ethical texts that guide decision-making.  This article contributes to Indigenous health discourse by offering a whānau-centred, tikanga-informed critique of the End-of-Life Choice Act 2019 and calls for broader recognition of spiritual and relational dimensions in end-of-life care.   We contend that, when under-taken with whānau engagement, spiritual awareness, and cultural integrity, may be ethically compatible with tikanga Māori

text: Pūrākau, death, and assisted dying: A Māori framework for understanding end-of-life This conceptual article addresses several critical gaps in health literature by exploring the ethical, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of assisted dying through the lens of Tikanga Māori and pūrākau (ancestral narratives).  While existing end-of-life policy frameworks often prioritize Western bioethical principles, this article argues for the inclusion of Kaupapa Māori principles such as whakapapa, wairua, mana motuhake, and tapu/ noa as essential components of culturally resonant care.    Drawing upon foundational narratives including the separation of  Ranginui and Papatūānuku, the creation of Hineahuone, the transformation of Hinetītama into Hinenuitepō, and the fatal attempt of Māui to conquer death, we position pūrākau as dynamic ethical texts that guide decision-making.  This article contributes to Indigenous health discourse by offering a whānau-centred, tikanga-informed critique of the End-of-Life Choice Act 2019 and calls for broader recognition of spiritual and relational dimensions in end-of-life care.   We contend that, when under-taken with whānau engagement, spiritual awareness, and cultural integrity, may be ethically compatible with tikanga Māori

year: 2025-09-24