title: Calculating the surface melt rate of Antarctic glaciers using satellite-derived temperatures and stream flows

authors: Brabyn, Lars

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Melt rate models are fundamental for understanding the impacts of climate change on glaciers and the subsequent effects on habitats and sea level rise. Ice melt models have mostly been derived from energy balance or air temperature index calculations. This research demonstrates that satellite-derived land surface temperature (LST) measurements provide a simpler method for estimating surface melt rate that substitutes for energy balance models. Since these satellite images are continuous (distributed) across space, they do not need calibration for topography. Antarctic glacier melt discharge data from nearby stream gauges were used to calibrate an LST-derived melt model. The model calculations are simplified by the fact that groundwater flow is assumed to be minimal due to permafrost, and the glaciers are assumed to only melt on the surface. A new method called the Temperature Area Sum model is developed, which builds on an existing Temperature Area Index model. A daily melt rate model is developed using 77 Landsat 8 images and calculates the volume of meltwater produced per hectare for any given LST between − 7 and 0 °C. A seasonal average daily melt rate model is also developed that uses 1660 MODIS images. The utility of the seasonal MODIS model is demonstrated by calculating melt rates, water flows and wetness across the entire Ross Sea Region. An unexpected large wet area to the southwest of the Ross Ice Shelf requires further investigation and demonstrates the usefulness of these models for large remote areas. Surface melt rate and wetness can now be calculated for different climate change scenarios.

text: Calculating the surface melt rate of Antarctic glaciers using satellite-derived temperatures and stream flows Melt rate models are fundamental for understanding the impacts of climate change on glaciers and the subsequent effects on habitats and sea level rise. Ice melt models have mostly been derived from energy balance or air temperature index calculations. This research demonstrates that satellite-derived land surface temperature (LST) measurements provide a simpler method for estimating surface melt rate that substitutes for energy balance models. Since these satellite images are continuous (distributed) across space, they do not need calibration for topography. Antarctic glacier melt discharge data from nearby stream gauges were used to calibrate an LST-derived melt model. The model calculations are simplified by the fact that groundwater flow is assumed to be minimal due to permafrost, and the glaciers are assumed to only melt on the surface. A new method called the Temperature Area Sum model is developed, which builds on an existing Temperature Area Index model. A daily melt rate model is developed using 77 Landsat 8 images and calculates the volume of meltwater produced per hectare for any given LST between − 7 and 0 °C. A seasonal average daily melt rate model is also developed that uses 1660 MODIS images. The utility of the seasonal MODIS model is demonstrated by calculating melt rates, water flows and wetness across the entire Ross Sea Region. An unexpected large wet area to the southwest of the Ross Ice Shelf requires further investigation and demonstrates the usefulness of these models for large remote areas. Surface melt rate and wetness can now be calculated for different climate change scenarios.

year: 2020

title: Exploring fears of death and dying using network analysis

authors: Calkin, Cailen J.

subjects: Fear of death

abstract: Objective: Fear of death is often pathologised, yet little research has examined its unique links to different aspects of an individual’s life. This study investigated the unique associations among fear of death, psychological distress, mindfulness, compassion, life limiting illness, spirituality, meaning in life, and self-esteem using network analysis. It also explored the potential influence of meditation and psychedelics.

Method: A total of 486 university students and community-based participants completed a series of online surveys, which included a sociodemographic questionnaire and eight self-report rating scales. A Bayesian Gaussian Graphical Model was used to estimate nondirectional associations between variables, while a Directed Acyclic Graph depicted probabilities of directional links.

Results: The directed network revealed the central role of fear of another's death and its direct influence on other facets of death anxiety, life limiting illness, mindfulness, meaning in life, and subsequently spirituality and other variables in the network. The remaining facets of death anxiety had no significant influence on any wellbeing-related variables. This study empirically expanded upon the Terror Management Theory and found that self-esteem may not buffer death anxiety as previously proposed. Secondary analyses found that psychedelic use and meditation experience correlated with lower death anxiety, but these findings require replication due to small samples between groups.

Conclusions: These findings reframe assumptions about death anxiety by revealing its specific effects and avenues for promoting wellness surrounding mortality. In addition, they provide empirical support for Buddhist teachings, which emphasise the awakening effect of directly realising mortality. These results suggest that death anxiety could facilitate existential growth, contributing to the body of literature that highlights its potential positive effects.

text: Exploring fears of death and dying using network analysis Objective: Fear of death is often pathologised, yet little research has examined its unique links to different aspects of an individual’s life. This study investigated the unique associations among fear of death, psychological distress, mindfulness, compassion, life limiting illness, spirituality, meaning in life, and self-esteem using network analysis. It also explored the potential influence of meditation and psychedelics.

Method: A total of 486 university students and community-based participants completed a series of online surveys, which included a sociodemographic questionnaire and eight self-report rating scales. A Bayesian Gaussian Graphical Model was used to estimate nondirectional associations between variables, while a Directed Acyclic Graph depicted probabilities of directional links.

Results: The directed network revealed the central role of fear of another's death and its direct influence on other facets of death anxiety, life limiting illness, mindfulness, meaning in life, and subsequently spirituality and other variables in the network. The remaining facets of death anxiety had no significant influence on any wellbeing-related variables. This study empirically expanded upon the Terror Management Theory and found that self-esteem may not buffer death anxiety as previously proposed. Secondary analyses found that psychedelic use and meditation experience correlated with lower death anxiety, but these findings require replication due to small samples between groups.

Conclusions: These findings reframe assumptions about death anxiety by revealing its specific effects and avenues for promoting wellness surrounding mortality. In addition, they provide empirical support for Buddhist teachings, which emphasise the awakening effect of directly realising mortality. These results suggest that death anxiety could facilitate existential growth, contributing to the body of literature that highlights its potential positive effects.

year: 2024

title: Understanding Māori rights and interests in intellectual property arising from research and innovation

authors: Sterling, Rogena

abstract: In the era of big data, the significance of data as a raw material for production and a source of societal and economic value has grown immensely. Advances in data mining, analytics, computing power, and storage capacity have facilitated broader access and utilization of big data for corporate and governmental purposes. This surge aligns with the knowledge economy, emphasizing knowledge-intensive activities to drive economic growth, a focus underscored in the latest Government Strategy.

However, as the knowledge economy expands, concerns arise about equity, Treaty partnerships, and the need to address issues of Māori data sovereignty and Indigenous data sovereignty. Discussions around Māori data sovereignty emphasize the importance of Māori control over various forms of Māori data, such as Mātauranga Māori, taonga species, and administrative data. Organizations like Te Mana Raraunga have been instrumental in developing principles and audit tools to support Māori data sovereignty.

Amidst these developments, questions have surfaced about the protection of Māori intellectual property (IP) within Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly outlined in the WAI262 report. This report, funded by Genomics Aotearoa and the National Science Challenge Science for Technological Innovation, aims to address these concerns. The project includes a literature review examining national legislation and international agreements constituting New Zealand's Intellectual Property Rights regime. This review explores how these frameworks safeguard Māori IP rights concerning Māori data, genomic data, and Mātauranga Māori. The second component involves a survey targeting research institutions to assess the presence of IP policies protecting Māori data in research and innovation processes.

The report provides a concise summary of the literature review and survey findings, with the overarching goal of assisting institutions in developing policies that safeguard Māori rights over their knowledge and data. The objective is to ensure equitable benefit-sharing throughout the innovation processes and address the evolving landscape of data sovereignty.

text: Understanding Māori rights and interests in intellectual property arising from research and innovation In the era of big data, the significance of data as a raw material for production and a source of societal and economic value has grown immensely. Advances in data mining, analytics, computing power, and storage capacity have facilitated broader access and utilization of big data for corporate and governmental purposes. This surge aligns with the knowledge economy, emphasizing knowledge-intensive activities to drive economic growth, a focus underscored in the latest Government Strategy.

However, as the knowledge economy expands, concerns arise about equity, Treaty partnerships, and the need to address issues of Māori data sovereignty and Indigenous data sovereignty. Discussions around Māori data sovereignty emphasize the importance of Māori control over various forms of Māori data, such as Mātauranga Māori, taonga species, and administrative data. Organizations like Te Mana Raraunga have been instrumental in developing principles and audit tools to support Māori data sovereignty.

Amidst these developments, questions have surfaced about the protection of Māori intellectual property (IP) within Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly outlined in the WAI262 report. This report, funded by Genomics Aotearoa and the National Science Challenge Science for Technological Innovation, aims to address these concerns. The project includes a literature review examining national legislation and international agreements constituting New Zealand's Intellectual Property Rights regime. This review explores how these frameworks safeguard Māori IP rights concerning Māori data, genomic data, and Mātauranga Māori. The second component involves a survey targeting research institutions to assess the presence of IP policies protecting Māori data in research and innovation processes.

The report provides a concise summary of the literature review and survey findings, with the overarching goal of assisting institutions in developing policies that safeguard Māori rights over their knowledge and data. The objective is to ensure equitable benefit-sharing throughout the innovation processes and address the evolving landscape of data sovereignty.

year: 2021-05