title: Urban narrative: Computational linguistic interpretation of large format public participation for urban infrastructure

authors: Dyer, Mark

abstract: Urban Narrative works at the interface between public participation and participatory design to support collaboration processes for urban planning and design. It applies computational linguistics to interpret large format public consultation by identifying shared interests and desired qualities for urban infrastructure services and utilities. As a proof of concept, data was used from the Christchurch public engagement initiative called ‘Share an Idea,’ where public thoughts, ideas, and opinions were expressed about the future redevelopment of Christchurch after the 2011 earthquakes. The data set was analysed to identify shared interests and desired connections between institutional, communal, or personal infrastructures with the physical urban infrastructures in terms of buildings, public places, and utilities. The data has been visualised using chord charts from the D3 JavaScript open source library to illustrate the existence of connections between soft and hard urban infrastructures along with individual contributions or stories. Lastly, the analysis was used to create an infographic design brief that compares and contrasts qualitative information from public consultation with quantitative municipal statistical data on well-being.

text: Urban narrative: Computational linguistic interpretation of large format public participation for urban infrastructure Urban Narrative works at the interface between public participation and participatory design to support collaboration processes for urban planning and design. It applies computational linguistics to interpret large format public consultation by identifying shared interests and desired qualities for urban infrastructure services and utilities. As a proof of concept, data was used from the Christchurch public engagement initiative called ‘Share an Idea,’ where public thoughts, ideas, and opinions were expressed about the future redevelopment of Christchurch after the 2011 earthquakes. The data set was analysed to identify shared interests and desired connections between institutional, communal, or personal infrastructures with the physical urban infrastructures in terms of buildings, public places, and utilities. The data has been visualised using chord charts from the D3 JavaScript open source library to illustrate the existence of connections between soft and hard urban infrastructures along with individual contributions or stories. Lastly, the analysis was used to create an infographic design brief that compares and contrasts qualitative information from public consultation with quantitative municipal statistical data on well-being.

year: 2020

title: Cracking the resistance of non-tuberculosis mycobacterium against existing antibiotics

authors: Hodson, Callie Jane

subjects: Mycobacterium

abstract: Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) is quickly becoming the most prevalent Mycobacterium infection in western countries. M. avium is an opportunistic pulmonary pathogen, infecting patients who often are vulnerable due to existing medical conditions. Antibiotic therapy of M. avium is long (generally 18 months) and often unsuccessful at eliminating the infection, promoting resistance to commonly used antibiotics, such as clarithromycin. 
M. avium exists as a biofilm in lung infections, adding to the difficulty in eradicating the infection. My research investigated potential M. avium biofilm dispersing agents, as well as antibiotic synergy for improved M. avium eradication.
Our findings show that ten clinically isolated M. avium samples were all highly resistant (>16μg/mL) to antibiotics commonly used in the treatment of M. avium infections, both in planktonic and biofilm phenotypes. Some isolates were found to have MICs of >128μg/mL.
M. avium isolates differed in biofilm phenotype, and correspondingly, their susceptibility to antibiotics and potential biofilm dispersing agents. 
No antibiotics tested during this research had significant bactericidal or bacteriostatic action on any M. avium isolates, in planktonic or biofilm phenotype.  
The addition of 3.6mg/mL aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or 3.6mg/mL ibuprofen to planktonic and biofilm cells showed significant increase in M. avium cell death. Previously identified biofilm dispersing agents, such as mannitol, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, active manuka honey, methylglyoxal, Lipitor®, 2,4-dinitrophenol and EDTA,  had no significant effect on dispersing M. avium biofilms or increasing their susceptibility to antibiotics. A concentrations of 4mg/mL aspirin combined with 8mg/mL of EDTA had significant effects, sterilizing and completely eradicating in vitro three week old mature M. avium biofilms.
Future work should be conducted into the specific pathways aspirin and ibuprofen effect. Furthermore, development of effective agonists/antagonists of those pathways to disperse M. avium biofilms should be researched. Research into improved and novel Mycobacterial antibiotics are needed to develop drugs capable of successfully treating M. avium infections.

text: Cracking the resistance of non-tuberculosis mycobacterium against existing antibiotics Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) is quickly becoming the most prevalent Mycobacterium infection in western countries. M. avium is an opportunistic pulmonary pathogen, infecting patients who often are vulnerable due to existing medical conditions. Antibiotic therapy of M. avium is long (generally 18 months) and often unsuccessful at eliminating the infection, promoting resistance to commonly used antibiotics, such as clarithromycin. 
M. avium exists as a biofilm in lung infections, adding to the difficulty in eradicating the infection. My research investigated potential M. avium biofilm dispersing agents, as well as antibiotic synergy for improved M. avium eradication.
Our findings show that ten clinically isolated M. avium samples were all highly resistant (>16μg/mL) to antibiotics commonly used in the treatment of M. avium infections, both in planktonic and biofilm phenotypes. Some isolates were found to have MICs of >128μg/mL.
M. avium isolates differed in biofilm phenotype, and correspondingly, their susceptibility to antibiotics and potential biofilm dispersing agents. 
No antibiotics tested during this research had significant bactericidal or bacteriostatic action on any M. avium isolates, in planktonic or biofilm phenotype.  
The addition of 3.6mg/mL aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or 3.6mg/mL ibuprofen to planktonic and biofilm cells showed significant increase in M. avium cell death. Previously identified biofilm dispersing agents, such as mannitol, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, active manuka honey, methylglyoxal, Lipitor®, 2,4-dinitrophenol and EDTA,  had no significant effect on dispersing M. avium biofilms or increasing their susceptibility to antibiotics. A concentrations of 4mg/mL aspirin combined with 8mg/mL of EDTA had significant effects, sterilizing and completely eradicating in vitro three week old mature M. avium biofilms.
Future work should be conducted into the specific pathways aspirin and ibuprofen effect. Furthermore, development of effective agonists/antagonists of those pathways to disperse M. avium biofilms should be researched. Research into improved and novel Mycobacterial antibiotics are needed to develop drugs capable of successfully treating M. avium infections.

year: 2015

title: Tracking patterns of tribal identification in the New Zealand census, 1991 to 2006

authors: Kukutai, Tahu

abstract: Despite the growing political and economic importance of iwi in New Zealand, little attention has been given to their changing demography. Using data from the New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings, we analyse the growth trajectories of four iwi - Ngāi Tahu, Waikato, Ngāti Awa and Tūhoe - between 1991 and 2006. We find a great deal of variation in iwi growth between censuses and over the entire focal period. In most instances, iwi birth cohorts increased rather than decreased in size, and gains from “new” members were especially marked among children, the middle-aged and women. The findings confirm the importance of accounting for non-demographic factors when projecting and planning for future iwi population growth.

text: Tracking patterns of tribal identification in the New Zealand census, 1991 to 2006 Despite the growing political and economic importance of iwi in New Zealand, little attention has been given to their changing demography. Using data from the New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings, we analyse the growth trajectories of four iwi - Ngāi Tahu, Waikato, Ngāti Awa and Tūhoe - between 1991 and 2006. We find a great deal of variation in iwi growth between censuses and over the entire focal period. In most instances, iwi birth cohorts increased rather than decreased in size, and gains from “new” members were especially marked among children, the middle-aged and women. The findings confirm the importance of accounting for non-demographic factors when projecting and planning for future iwi population growth.

year: 2013