title: Suboptimal Choice Behaviour in Hens

authors: Ngatai, Karmen Louise

subjects: Suboptimal Choice

abstract: Choice performances of six Brown Shaver hens were studied across three series of conditions, using a partial replication of Stagner and Zentall’s (2010) procedure.  Hens chose between two alternatives during choice-trials.  Choice of the low-probability alternative provided one of two stimuli that reliably predicted 100% reinforcement on 20% of the trials, and 0% reinforcement on the remaining 80% of trials.  Choice of the non-discriminative alternative provided one of two unreliable stimuli that non-differentially signalled 50% reinforcement, regardless of the stimulus presented.  In Conditions 1-4 and Condition 6, the stimuli and reinforcement contingencies associated with the side keys were repeatedly reversed across conditions.  In Condition 5, stimulus and reinforcement contingencies were each equated at 50%.  Results replicated Stagner and Zentall’s (2010) findings demonstrating that choice for the low-probability alternative for most hens remained almost exclusive across reversals, except Condition 5 where previous choice performances for all subjects, was disrupted.  In Conditions 7-11, the reliability of the low-probability stimuli was gradually decreased across conditions.  Results showed that the decreasing reliability of the low-probability stimuli did not deter many hens from choosing suboptimally.  Conditions 12 and 13 reversed Conditions 8 and 11, respectively.  Results showed that choice performances for most hens in Condition 13 varied considerably from Condition 11.  The main finding from this study is that hens do not exclusively choose signals that reliably signal a reinforcing outcome.  This is because choice for the low-probability alternative for many hens was not affected when the reliability of those signals decreased.  This suggests that the signals themselves may be more reinforcing than their subsequent outcome which may have implications for human gambling behaviour.

text: Suboptimal Choice Behaviour in Hens Choice performances of six Brown Shaver hens were studied across three series of conditions, using a partial replication of Stagner and Zentall’s (2010) procedure.  Hens chose between two alternatives during choice-trials.  Choice of the low-probability alternative provided one of two stimuli that reliably predicted 100% reinforcement on 20% of the trials, and 0% reinforcement on the remaining 80% of trials.  Choice of the non-discriminative alternative provided one of two unreliable stimuli that non-differentially signalled 50% reinforcement, regardless of the stimulus presented.  In Conditions 1-4 and Condition 6, the stimuli and reinforcement contingencies associated with the side keys were repeatedly reversed across conditions.  In Condition 5, stimulus and reinforcement contingencies were each equated at 50%.  Results replicated Stagner and Zentall’s (2010) findings demonstrating that choice for the low-probability alternative for most hens remained almost exclusive across reversals, except Condition 5 where previous choice performances for all subjects, was disrupted.  In Conditions 7-11, the reliability of the low-probability stimuli was gradually decreased across conditions.  Results showed that the decreasing reliability of the low-probability stimuli did not deter many hens from choosing suboptimally.  Conditions 12 and 13 reversed Conditions 8 and 11, respectively.  Results showed that choice performances for most hens in Condition 13 varied considerably from Condition 11.  The main finding from this study is that hens do not exclusively choose signals that reliably signal a reinforcing outcome.  This is because choice for the low-probability alternative for many hens was not affected when the reliability of those signals decreased.  This suggests that the signals themselves may be more reinforcing than their subsequent outcome which may have implications for human gambling behaviour.

year: 2013

title: Showcasing the TAIAO project: providing resources for machine learning from images of New Zealand's natural environment

authors: Lim, Nick Jin Sean

subjects: computer science

abstract: Proper management of the earth's natural resources is imperative to combat further degradation of the natural environment. However, the environmental datasets necessary for informed resource planning and conservation can be costly to collect and annotate. Consequently, there is a lack of publicly available datasets, particularly annotated image datasets relevant for environmental conservation, that can be used for the evaluation of machine learning algorithms to determine their applicability in real-world scenarios. To address this, the Time-evolving Data Science and Artificial Intelligence for Advanced Open Environmental Science (TAIAO) project in New Zealand aims to provide a collection of datasets and accompanying example notebooks for their analysis. This paper showcases three New Zealand-based annotated image datasets that form part of the collection. The first dataset contains annotated images of various predator species, mainly small invasive mammals, taken using low-light camera traps predominantly at night. The second provides aerial photography of the Waikato region in New Zealand, in which stands of Kahikatea (a native New Zealand tree) have been marked up using manual segmentation. The third is a dataset containing orthorectified high-resolution aerial photography, paired with satellite imagery taken by Sentinel-2. Additionally, the TAIAO web platform also contains a collated list of other datasets provided and licensed by our data partners that may be of interest to other researchers.

text: Showcasing the TAIAO project: providing resources for machine learning from images of New Zealand's natural environment Proper management of the earth's natural resources is imperative to combat further degradation of the natural environment. However, the environmental datasets necessary for informed resource planning and conservation can be costly to collect and annotate. Consequently, there is a lack of publicly available datasets, particularly annotated image datasets relevant for environmental conservation, that can be used for the evaluation of machine learning algorithms to determine their applicability in real-world scenarios. To address this, the Time-evolving Data Science and Artificial Intelligence for Advanced Open Environmental Science (TAIAO) project in New Zealand aims to provide a collection of datasets and accompanying example notebooks for their analysis. This paper showcases three New Zealand-based annotated image datasets that form part of the collection. The first dataset contains annotated images of various predator species, mainly small invasive mammals, taken using low-light camera traps predominantly at night. The second provides aerial photography of the Waikato region in New Zealand, in which stands of Kahikatea (a native New Zealand tree) have been marked up using manual segmentation. The third is a dataset containing orthorectified high-resolution aerial photography, paired with satellite imagery taken by Sentinel-2. Additionally, the TAIAO web platform also contains a collated list of other datasets provided and licensed by our data partners that may be of interest to other researchers.

year: 2022

title: Kua takoto te maanuka: Te tiimatanga o teetahi Kura Kaupapa Maaori

authors: Douglas, Vianney Gaye

subjects: Kura Kaupapa Maori

abstract: There is a paucity of literature on the establishment of new schools, and more particularly, the establishment of Kura Kaupapa Maaori. In addition, there is even less literature concerning the experiences and perspectives of whaanau and hapuu within Kaupapa Maaori initiatives. 

This thesis, therefore, illustrates the experience of a whaanau in the establishment of their Kura Kaupapa Maaori. The assertion within this thesis is that there are unique issues and challenges that Maaori communities encounter when pursuing the establishment of a Kura Kaupapa Maaori. Furthermore, a key factor in the success of establishing and sustaining the school is in the leadership.

Thus, the cognisance of Kaupapa Maaori and the development of Kura Kaupapa Maaori are explored. In addition, the key characteristics, roles and responsibilities of Maaori leadership both within the wider community and within schools are explored.

This case study included an interview with the Principal, and several focus group interviews with parents, staff and students of the new Kura Kaupapa who were involved with the school’s establishment during its first three years. In 2013, in its eleventh year, the school was identified as one of the top five successful Kura Kaupapa Maaori. 

The findings of this research will assist whaanau and leaders within schools to develop an understanding and appreciation of five key issues and challenges that a new school may face, and avenues that may take to address these.

text: Kua takoto te maanuka: Te tiimatanga o teetahi Kura Kaupapa Maaori There is a paucity of literature on the establishment of new schools, and more particularly, the establishment of Kura Kaupapa Maaori. In addition, there is even less literature concerning the experiences and perspectives of whaanau and hapuu within Kaupapa Maaori initiatives. 

This thesis, therefore, illustrates the experience of a whaanau in the establishment of their Kura Kaupapa Maaori. The assertion within this thesis is that there are unique issues and challenges that Maaori communities encounter when pursuing the establishment of a Kura Kaupapa Maaori. Furthermore, a key factor in the success of establishing and sustaining the school is in the leadership.

Thus, the cognisance of Kaupapa Maaori and the development of Kura Kaupapa Maaori are explored. In addition, the key characteristics, roles and responsibilities of Maaori leadership both within the wider community and within schools are explored.

This case study included an interview with the Principal, and several focus group interviews with parents, staff and students of the new Kura Kaupapa who were involved with the school’s establishment during its first three years. In 2013, in its eleventh year, the school was identified as one of the top five successful Kura Kaupapa Maaori. 

The findings of this research will assist whaanau and leaders within schools to develop an understanding and appreciation of five key issues and challenges that a new school may face, and avenues that may take to address these.

year: 2014