title: Evaluating and using remote sensing data for studying economic activity and population change in China

authors: Zhang, Xiaoxuan

abstract: use of remote sensing data, especially night-time lights (NTL) data, has flourished
in recent decades as a proxy for measuring economic activity and the spatial distribution
of population. The availability of these data can make up for the absence of and possible
inaccuracy in traditional economic statistics, especially because NTL data are available
at fine scale and with high frequency. The growing use of these data raises the question
of how accurate is this night-time lights proxy, and for what purposes is it best suited
when studying economic development and population changes at sub-national levels.
In the first part of this thesis, a 20-year time-series of GDP at China’s third
sub-national level (counties, county-level cities and districts) and census population
counts at the same level from 2000, 2010 and 2020, are used as a benchmark to examine
the performance of multiple sources of NTL data as proxies for local economic activity
and inequality. I also test the accuracy of gridded population estimates, some of which
rely on NTL data, for estimating inter-census changes in local population.
Based on the comprehensive evaluation of different NTL sources at different levels of
spatial aggregation, the second part of the thesis uses NTL and other remote sensing
data, in conjunction with the traditional GDP and population statistics, to study a set of
economic issues that are pertinent to regional development in China. The impact of
administrative upgrading of county-level units (a type of regional policy practiced in
China) and of modern transport infrastructure is studied, using both GDP and NTL data
to measure economic impacts. These studies use spatial econometric models that allow
for spillovers. The changes in the city size distribution, in terms of land and people, is
also studied because of the possibility that China’s cities are physically expanding in
places other than where the population is moving.
Overall, the thesis contributes a nuanced understanding of how NTL data and
other remote sensing data can assist in studying complex social and economic problems,
as well as raising some caveats about the limits to the uses of such data.

text: Evaluating and using remote sensing data for studying economic activity and population change in China use of remote sensing data, especially night-time lights (NTL) data, has flourished
in recent decades as a proxy for measuring economic activity and the spatial distribution
of population. The availability of these data can make up for the absence of and possible
inaccuracy in traditional economic statistics, especially because NTL data are available
at fine scale and with high frequency. The growing use of these data raises the question
of how accurate is this night-time lights proxy, and for what purposes is it best suited
when studying economic development and population changes at sub-national levels.
In the first part of this thesis, a 20-year time-series of GDP at China’s third
sub-national level (counties, county-level cities and districts) and census population
counts at the same level from 2000, 2010 and 2020, are used as a benchmark to examine
the performance of multiple sources of NTL data as proxies for local economic activity
and inequality. I also test the accuracy of gridded population estimates, some of which
rely on NTL data, for estimating inter-census changes in local population.
Based on the comprehensive evaluation of different NTL sources at different levels of
spatial aggregation, the second part of the thesis uses NTL and other remote sensing
data, in conjunction with the traditional GDP and population statistics, to study a set of
economic issues that are pertinent to regional development in China. The impact of
administrative upgrading of county-level units (a type of regional policy practiced in
China) and of modern transport infrastructure is studied, using both GDP and NTL data
to measure economic impacts. These studies use spatial econometric models that allow
for spillovers. The changes in the city size distribution, in terms of land and people, is
also studied because of the possibility that China’s cities are physically expanding in
places other than where the population is moving.
Overall, the thesis contributes a nuanced understanding of how NTL data and
other remote sensing data can assist in studying complex social and economic problems,
as well as raising some caveats about the limits to the uses of such data.

year: 2024

title: Evaluation of wood pretreatments on oak and cedar

authors: Hoper, S.T.

subjects: radiocarbon

abstract: In a separate study, we conducted a series of high-precision radiocarbon measurements using wood from Britain and New Zealand to investigate interhemispheric offsets and possible temporal variations. To minimize variability associated with different species, the pretreatment of the oak (Quercus patraea) and cedar (Librocedrus bidwilli) was to acellulose for both. This study investigates the thoroughness of a range of pretreatment processes by the stable isotope analysis of the products.

text: Evaluation of wood pretreatments on oak and cedar In a separate study, we conducted a series of high-precision radiocarbon measurements using wood from Britain and New Zealand to investigate interhemispheric offsets and possible temporal variations. To minimize variability associated with different species, the pretreatment of the oak (Quercus patraea) and cedar (Librocedrus bidwilli) was to acellulose for both. This study investigates the thoroughness of a range of pretreatment processes by the stable isotope analysis of the products.

year: 1998

title: Te mana o te wahine: Young mothers healthcare experiences in pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood

authors: Kolo, Mia Elaine

subjects: Health

abstract: In Aotearoa-New Zealand being a young mother is often associated with clinical and societal ‘risks.’ Younger women have higher rates of maternal depression and suicide, complications during birth, and their babies are more likely to be born preterm, and of smaller gestational age and weight (Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee, 2012; Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, 2023b, 2023a). Research also indicates that young mothers experience stigmatisation and discrimination that they attribute to their age and/or ethnicity (Adcock, 2016; Makowharemahihi et al., 2014; Rawiri, 2007; Ware, 2019).
In discussion with researchers, discrimination was the topic that young mothers at He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre wanted to talk about. They shared a strong desire to see change in the way that doctors, nurses, and midwives service young parents and were passionate about ensuring that future young mothers had more support. Thus, in responding to their call, 22 parents, including two fathers attending (or recent school-leavers of) He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre volunteered to participate in this study. This qualitative kaupapa Māori study employed a series of wānanga, individual kōrero, and an investigator-triangulation thematic analysis. The research questions explored both the positive and negative healthcare experiences of this cohort during pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood.
The aim of this study was to listen and learn about the experiences of these young parents and co-design informational and/or educational materials to help healthcare practitioners better understand and support young mothers/parents. To spread awareness of the experiences of these young parents, the co-design materials and findings of this study were disseminated via various healthcare seminars and meetings around the Waikato region. The findings of this study contribute to previous research that revealed over the last 20 years young parents have continued to report predominantly negative experiences in their maternity journey. Participants of this study reported experiences of unsolicited judgement and advice, a general lack of manaakitanga (care, empathy, respect), communication, and support from doctors, nurses, and midwives. The relatively small number of positive experiences shared in this study emphasises the importance of manaakitanga regardless of age. An unexpected finding was the impact that receptionists had on young parents’ healthcare experiences, as the face and entry point of healthcare services.

text: Te mana o te wahine: Young mothers healthcare experiences in pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood In Aotearoa-New Zealand being a young mother is often associated with clinical and societal ‘risks.’ Younger women have higher rates of maternal depression and suicide, complications during birth, and their babies are more likely to be born preterm, and of smaller gestational age and weight (Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee, 2012; Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, 2023b, 2023a). Research also indicates that young mothers experience stigmatisation and discrimination that they attribute to their age and/or ethnicity (Adcock, 2016; Makowharemahihi et al., 2014; Rawiri, 2007; Ware, 2019).
In discussion with researchers, discrimination was the topic that young mothers at He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre wanted to talk about. They shared a strong desire to see change in the way that doctors, nurses, and midwives service young parents and were passionate about ensuring that future young mothers had more support. Thus, in responding to their call, 22 parents, including two fathers attending (or recent school-leavers of) He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre volunteered to participate in this study. This qualitative kaupapa Māori study employed a series of wānanga, individual kōrero, and an investigator-triangulation thematic analysis. The research questions explored both the positive and negative healthcare experiences of this cohort during pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood.
The aim of this study was to listen and learn about the experiences of these young parents and co-design informational and/or educational materials to help healthcare practitioners better understand and support young mothers/parents. To spread awareness of the experiences of these young parents, the co-design materials and findings of this study were disseminated via various healthcare seminars and meetings around the Waikato region. The findings of this study contribute to previous research that revealed over the last 20 years young parents have continued to report predominantly negative experiences in their maternity journey. Participants of this study reported experiences of unsolicited judgement and advice, a general lack of manaakitanga (care, empathy, respect), communication, and support from doctors, nurses, and midwives. The relatively small number of positive experiences shared in this study emphasises the importance of manaakitanga regardless of age. An unexpected finding was the impact that receptionists had on young parents’ healthcare experiences, as the face and entry point of healthcare services.

year: 2024