title: Future trends in I&M: The next generation of measurement technology for medicinal cannabis production

authors: Ooi, Melanie Po-Leen

abstract: Across the globe, legislation surrounding the application of cannabinoid compounds towards human health is gaining momentum. Corresponding with new regulations is a dramatic increase in cannabinoid-based treatment options—from just a few drugs in the early 2000s to now over 300 medical products currently in human trials for ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder, nervous system degeneration, depression, epileptic seizures, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. Consumption of medicinal cannabis is currently legal in over 40 countries and 33 states in the US, with the global sector estimated by some industry analysts to be worth over USD 62.6 billion by 2024 [1]. Legalization of medicinal cannabis is under consideration in over a dozen other countries, and more jurisdictions can be expected to follow suit if the evidence for efficacy of medicinal cannabis increases.

text: Future trends in I&M: The next generation of measurement technology for medicinal cannabis production Across the globe, legislation surrounding the application of cannabinoid compounds towards human health is gaining momentum. Corresponding with new regulations is a dramatic increase in cannabinoid-based treatment options—from just a few drugs in the early 2000s to now over 300 medical products currently in human trials for ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder, nervous system degeneration, depression, epileptic seizures, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. Consumption of medicinal cannabis is currently legal in over 40 countries and 33 states in the US, with the global sector estimated by some industry analysts to be worth over USD 62.6 billion by 2024 [1]. Legalization of medicinal cannabis is under consideration in over a dozen other countries, and more jurisdictions can be expected to follow suit if the evidence for efficacy of medicinal cannabis increases.

year: 2020

title: Extent of seagrass in Tauranga Harbour: a comparison of satellite automated classification versus manual delineation of aerial imagery

authors: Shao, Zhanchao

abstract: This report outlines a comprehensive analysis of seagrass extent in Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand, using advanced remote sensing techniques. It compares two key methods: satellite-based supervised classification using Random Forest, and manual delineation via aerial photography. The research focuses on mapping the spatial and temporal changes in seagrass habitats, particularly the native species Zostera muelleri, from 1959 to 2024. Complementary to the satellite-based classification method, an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) was developed, enabling users to efficiently access satellite imagery and generate detailed habitat maps.
The supervised classification using Random Forest proved effective for detecting seagrass habitats, achieving high accuracy (0.92 for Sentinel-2 and 0.88 for Landsat imagery). Despite occasional misclassifications, particularly in areas with high chlorophyll concentrations (i.e., the Tauranga Harbour sub-estuaries), the method provided a more time-efficient and scalable alternative to manual delineation. Aerial photography and manual mapping served as an important comparison but are less efficient in capturing less visible seagrass areas in deeper water or fragmented meadows.

text: Extent of seagrass in Tauranga Harbour: a comparison of satellite automated classification versus manual delineation of aerial imagery This report outlines a comprehensive analysis of seagrass extent in Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand, using advanced remote sensing techniques. It compares two key methods: satellite-based supervised classification using Random Forest, and manual delineation via aerial photography. The research focuses on mapping the spatial and temporal changes in seagrass habitats, particularly the native species Zostera muelleri, from 1959 to 2024. Complementary to the satellite-based classification method, an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) was developed, enabling users to efficiently access satellite imagery and generate detailed habitat maps.
The supervised classification using Random Forest proved effective for detecting seagrass habitats, achieving high accuracy (0.92 for Sentinel-2 and 0.88 for Landsat imagery). Despite occasional misclassifications, particularly in areas with high chlorophyll concentrations (i.e., the Tauranga Harbour sub-estuaries), the method provided a more time-efficient and scalable alternative to manual delineation. Aerial photography and manual mapping served as an important comparison but are less efficient in capturing less visible seagrass areas in deeper water or fragmented meadows.

year: 2024-11-28

title: The revitalisation roles of Māori-medium whānau

authors: Bryant, Braden

abstract: For over a century and a half, te reo Māori (the Māori language) has suffered from linguistic marginalisation, causing significant language shift to English, and, with it, generations of Māori who are unable to speak their indigenous language. While efforts since the 1970s to rebuild te reo Māori have primarily focused on educational initiatives such as kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa, there is now a move to shift the revitalisation strategy towards encouraging te reo Māori use in the home, and to rebuilding the language intergenerationally. Unfortunately, little is known about whānau perceptions regarding te reo Māori revitalisation, which is what this research investigates.

This research investigates five whānau who have committed their children to Māori-medium education. It aims to understand what influenced their decision-making around Māori-medium and what they see as the key benefits for their children. It also looks at what whānau consider to be obstacles regarding their use of te reo Māori, and at their commitment to Māori-medium education. Finally, this research aims to uncover how whānau perceive the wider revitalisation effort, and their roles in it.

The qualitative method of semi-structured interviews was used to conduct this research. The conversational nature of this method gives whānau the freedom to express their beliefs, while remaining on the main themes of this study. As the participants and themes of this research are Māori, the study used Kaupapa Māori theory and principles to guide it. This supported the overall aim of aligning with Māori aspirations, and safeguarding participants from exploitation.

This research found that perceptions of whānau often reflected the extent to which they had been affected by intergenerational language shift. Whānau still highly affected by language shift, and whose te reo Māori is less normalised in the home, prioritised te reo Māori learning at school as the key benefit of Māori-medium education. This group also faced more opposition to their Māori-medium choices from friends and whānau, and perceived their revitalisation roles to be more concerned with the immediate whānau. By contrast, the whānau who had managed to regenerate te reo Māori in their homes to a greater extent placed more emphasis on tikanga and values as benefits of Māori-medium education. They identified opposition from friends and whānau as a barrier to their promotion of te reo Māori, while also identifying their own subconscious lapses into English as a major barrier to maintaining normalised te reo Māori environments for their children. Finally, they perceived their revitalisation roles as revolving around normalising te reo Māori for their whānau and for their communities. They played important roles in establishing language domains for further use of what is their home language.

This small study shows the importance of understanding the perceptions of those who are central to the regeneration of te reo Māori because they are the key agents of successful change, and have the attitudes and skills to do so. A larger study would provide more data to support the formation of new language revitalisation strategies.

text: The revitalisation roles of Māori-medium whānau For over a century and a half, te reo Māori (the Māori language) has suffered from linguistic marginalisation, causing significant language shift to English, and, with it, generations of Māori who are unable to speak their indigenous language. While efforts since the 1970s to rebuild te reo Māori have primarily focused on educational initiatives such as kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa, there is now a move to shift the revitalisation strategy towards encouraging te reo Māori use in the home, and to rebuilding the language intergenerationally. Unfortunately, little is known about whānau perceptions regarding te reo Māori revitalisation, which is what this research investigates.

This research investigates five whānau who have committed their children to Māori-medium education. It aims to understand what influenced their decision-making around Māori-medium and what they see as the key benefits for their children. It also looks at what whānau consider to be obstacles regarding their use of te reo Māori, and at their commitment to Māori-medium education. Finally, this research aims to uncover how whānau perceive the wider revitalisation effort, and their roles in it.

The qualitative method of semi-structured interviews was used to conduct this research. The conversational nature of this method gives whānau the freedom to express their beliefs, while remaining on the main themes of this study. As the participants and themes of this research are Māori, the study used Kaupapa Māori theory and principles to guide it. This supported the overall aim of aligning with Māori aspirations, and safeguarding participants from exploitation.

This research found that perceptions of whānau often reflected the extent to which they had been affected by intergenerational language shift. Whānau still highly affected by language shift, and whose te reo Māori is less normalised in the home, prioritised te reo Māori learning at school as the key benefit of Māori-medium education. This group also faced more opposition to their Māori-medium choices from friends and whānau, and perceived their revitalisation roles to be more concerned with the immediate whānau. By contrast, the whānau who had managed to regenerate te reo Māori in their homes to a greater extent placed more emphasis on tikanga and values as benefits of Māori-medium education. They identified opposition from friends and whānau as a barrier to their promotion of te reo Māori, while also identifying their own subconscious lapses into English as a major barrier to maintaining normalised te reo Māori environments for their children. Finally, they perceived their revitalisation roles as revolving around normalising te reo Māori for their whānau and for their communities. They played important roles in establishing language domains for further use of what is their home language.

This small study shows the importance of understanding the perceptions of those who are central to the regeneration of te reo Māori because they are the key agents of successful change, and have the attitudes and skills to do so. A larger study would provide more data to support the formation of new language revitalisation strategies.

year: 2017