title: Event notification services: analysis and transformation of profile definition languages

authors: Jung, Doris

subjects: computer science

abstract: The integration of event information from diverse event notification sources is, as with meta-searching over heterogeneous search engines, a challenging task. Due to the complexity of profile definition languages, known solutions for heterogeneous searching cannot be applied for event notification.
In this technical report, we propose transformation rules for profile rewriting. We transform each profile defined at a meta-service into a profile expressed in the language of each event notification source. Due to unavoidable asymmetry in the semantics of different languages, some superfluous information may be delivered to the meta-service. These notifications are then post-processed to reduce the number of spurious messages. We present a survey and classification of profile definition languages for event notification, which serves as basis for the transformation rules. The proposed rules are implemented in a prototype transformation module for a Meta-Service for event notification.

text: Event notification services: analysis and transformation of profile definition languages The integration of event information from diverse event notification sources is, as with meta-searching over heterogeneous search engines, a challenging task. Due to the complexity of profile definition languages, known solutions for heterogeneous searching cannot be applied for event notification.
In this technical report, we propose transformation rules for profile rewriting. We transform each profile defined at a meta-service into a profile expressed in the language of each event notification source. Due to unavoidable asymmetry in the semantics of different languages, some superfluous information may be delivered to the meta-service. These notifications are then post-processed to reduce the number of spurious messages. We present a survey and classification of profile definition languages for event notification, which serves as basis for the transformation rules. The proposed rules are implemented in a prototype transformation module for a Meta-Service for event notification.

year: 2004-01-01

title: Capabilities and considerations for the implementation of a phycocyanin sensor to enhance cyanobacteria monitoring in lakes

authors: Cotterill, Vanessa

subjects: Phycocyanin quota

abstract: Bloom-forming cyanobacteria are problematic in recreational waters as humans may be exposed to their toxins via primary contact or ingestion. Cyanobacteria can be monitored using microscopy but this is time consuming, costly and requires taxonomic expertise. Phycocyanin (an accessory pigment specific to cyanobacteria) can be used as a proxy for cyanobacteria biomass. Phycocyanin sensors are thus increasingly being used to monitor cyanobacteria, even though many limitations to their use still exist. This research investigated the opportunities and challenges of use a phycocyanin sensor for cyanobacteria monitoring. It tested three hypotheses that: 1) there would be a strong relationship between phycocyanin and biovolumes in samples collected from the Te Arawa/Rotorua Lakes, North Island, New Zealand, 2) colony morphology and cell size affect phycocyanin readings, and 3) nutrient and light exposure would affect phycocyanin quotas independently of growth in Microcystis aeruginosa.

The relationship between phycocyanin and biovolume was investigated using data collected in the field from over two summers (2016 and 2017). A phycocyanin sensor was used to measure phycocyanin in situ, and biovolume was enumerated by microscopy. Eutrophic lakes with high biovolumes (>1.8 Mm³ L⁻¹) and single species dominance had stronger relationships between phycocyanin. Phycocyanin concentration >40 µg L⁻¹ derived from the sensor approximated a biovolume of 1.8 Mm³ L⁻¹, which is the health warning level for potentially toxic cyanobacteria species under the New Zealand guidelines for recreational monitoring of cyanobacteria in fresh waters.

The effect of colony morphology and cell size on phycocyanin detection was tested with serial dilutions of cultures of four cyanobacterial species. Large colonial Microcystis wesenbergii had the highest variability in phycocyanin readings from the sensor. Non-linear relationships in all four species resulted in low confidence for predicting low biovolumes <1.8 Mm³ L⁻¹ from phycocyanin.

The effects of nutrients and light intensity on growth and phycocyanin quota in M. aeruginosa were assessed by a laboratory experiment using a Central Composite design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). RSM models tested for significant interactions and effects of 20 different combinations of nitrogen (26-84 mgL⁻¹), phosphorus (0.05-5.47 mg L⁻¹) and light intensity (10-300 µmol M⁻² s⁻¹) on the growth and phycocyanin quota. Phycocyanin from the sensor and cell concentrations from microscopy were measured over 26 days at five-day intervals. Phycocyanin quota was significantly (P<0.05) higher in four of the 20 treatments at day 18 compared to the day 22. RSM demonstrated that light and nutrient concentrations affected both growth rate and phycocyanin quota differently. Importantly phycocyanin quotas at day 18 and 22 were affected differently by light and nutrients. This experiment suggests phycocyanin quota changes in cyanobacteria, and this may result in over or underestimates of biomass by a sensor. Regardless of the challenges of using phycocyanin sensors with changing species compositions, morphology, density and with the effects of nutrients and light on phycocyanin and growth. Phycocyanin sensors offer an opportunity to increase current sampling capability and the prioritisation of high-risk samples for counting which may lead to improved protection of human health from the toxicity associated with cyanobacteria blooms.

text: Capabilities and considerations for the implementation of a phycocyanin sensor to enhance cyanobacteria monitoring in lakes Bloom-forming cyanobacteria are problematic in recreational waters as humans may be exposed to their toxins via primary contact or ingestion. Cyanobacteria can be monitored using microscopy but this is time consuming, costly and requires taxonomic expertise. Phycocyanin (an accessory pigment specific to cyanobacteria) can be used as a proxy for cyanobacteria biomass. Phycocyanin sensors are thus increasingly being used to monitor cyanobacteria, even though many limitations to their use still exist. This research investigated the opportunities and challenges of use a phycocyanin sensor for cyanobacteria monitoring. It tested three hypotheses that: 1) there would be a strong relationship between phycocyanin and biovolumes in samples collected from the Te Arawa/Rotorua Lakes, North Island, New Zealand, 2) colony morphology and cell size affect phycocyanin readings, and 3) nutrient and light exposure would affect phycocyanin quotas independently of growth in Microcystis aeruginosa.

The relationship between phycocyanin and biovolume was investigated using data collected in the field from over two summers (2016 and 2017). A phycocyanin sensor was used to measure phycocyanin in situ, and biovolume was enumerated by microscopy. Eutrophic lakes with high biovolumes (>1.8 Mm³ L⁻¹) and single species dominance had stronger relationships between phycocyanin. Phycocyanin concentration >40 µg L⁻¹ derived from the sensor approximated a biovolume of 1.8 Mm³ L⁻¹, which is the health warning level for potentially toxic cyanobacteria species under the New Zealand guidelines for recreational monitoring of cyanobacteria in fresh waters.

The effect of colony morphology and cell size on phycocyanin detection was tested with serial dilutions of cultures of four cyanobacterial species. Large colonial Microcystis wesenbergii had the highest variability in phycocyanin readings from the sensor. Non-linear relationships in all four species resulted in low confidence for predicting low biovolumes <1.8 Mm³ L⁻¹ from phycocyanin.

The effects of nutrients and light intensity on growth and phycocyanin quota in M. aeruginosa were assessed by a laboratory experiment using a Central Composite design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). RSM models tested for significant interactions and effects of 20 different combinations of nitrogen (26-84 mgL⁻¹), phosphorus (0.05-5.47 mg L⁻¹) and light intensity (10-300 µmol M⁻² s⁻¹) on the growth and phycocyanin quota. Phycocyanin from the sensor and cell concentrations from microscopy were measured over 26 days at five-day intervals. Phycocyanin quota was significantly (P<0.05) higher in four of the 20 treatments at day 18 compared to the day 22. RSM demonstrated that light and nutrient concentrations affected both growth rate and phycocyanin quota differently. Importantly phycocyanin quotas at day 18 and 22 were affected differently by light and nutrients. This experiment suggests phycocyanin quota changes in cyanobacteria, and this may result in over or underestimates of biomass by a sensor. Regardless of the challenges of using phycocyanin sensors with changing species compositions, morphology, density and with the effects of nutrients and light on phycocyanin and growth. Phycocyanin sensors offer an opportunity to increase current sampling capability and the prioritisation of high-risk samples for counting which may lead to improved protection of human health from the toxicity associated with cyanobacteria blooms.

year: 2017

title: Maori and goldfields revenue

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: When gold was first discovered, the Crown accepted that it needed Maori consent to open their land for mining and had to assuage fears of losing their land. Accordingly, officials devised agreements to protect Maori interests and to provide a financial return. Because of what had occurred in other countries after goldfields opened, both Maori and the government agreed that these must be well controlled. Over time, the regulations increasingly favoured the mining industry rather than the original landowners, who were not informed about the true value of their land, auriferous or otherwise. Maori were confused about their financial entitlement because of changes made by the government to the fees payable to them. 
Some rangatira, most notably Wirope Hoterene Taipari of Ngati Maru, saw a chance to obtain unexpected (and unearned) wealth, as shown by his insistence on opening Thames to miners despite the opposition of most of his hapu. Later, other rangatira wanted to open Ohinemuri and other potential fields because of the money they were promised by impatient miners and by more patient officials. For a brief time, some Maori considered controlling the potential Ohinemuri goldfield themselves. The main incentive to opening land was the wealth received by landowners during the early days of the Thames goldfield, but as mining faded later so did goldfields revenue. Changes to mining regulations diminished the amount distributed to Maori in ways that some Pakeha considered unfair, and these provoked complaints from Maori.
A continuing problem for officials was to ensure that revenue was allocated to the right owners. The system was complex, resulting in delays in paying money and in some Maori obtaining too much and others too little (or none at all), an outcome often resulting from rangatira distributing it as they chose rather than caused by government officials, who did their best to ensure fairness. Over time, the government unilaterally made changes to the system. For their part, miners complained about being required to pay for the right to mine, and encouraged the government to acquire the freehold of goldfield land because miners’ rights on Crown land were one-quarter the cost of those on Maori land. 
The revenue received by the landowners soon slipped through their fingers, sometimes in traditionally competitive gatherings such as tangi. It can be argued that Taipari, who very shrewdly adapted to the new economy (and experienced its perils, becoming bankrupt in 1870), used his income not just to give himself a luxurious lifestyle but also to boost the mana of his hapu. The government has been blamed for not insisting that revenue be protected for the use of future generations, a concept that occurred to only a few Pakeha at the time and to no Maori; far from considering the interests of their descendents, cultivating the land decreased while this revenue was received. But due to the nature of mining, by the twentieth century the landowners were lamenting the serious decline in their income from this source; despite having sold so much of their goldfield lands, some complained at not receiving any more revenue. 
Evaluating the outcome, the Waitangi Tribunal indulged in some counter-factual history by suggesting that the government should have encouraged rangatira to set up trusts to protect the income for future generations, but no rangatira had suggested this idea, nor did they ask that they should manage goldfields jointly with the Crown. After imagining that Maori in partnership with Pakeha capitalists could have developed the goldfields without the involvement of the Crown, the Tribunal had to accept that the outcome would have been the same: loss of money (because apart from anything else mining could not remain payable indefinitely) combined with the loss of much of their land.

text: Maori and goldfields revenue When gold was first discovered, the Crown accepted that it needed Maori consent to open their land for mining and had to assuage fears of losing their land. Accordingly, officials devised agreements to protect Maori interests and to provide a financial return. Because of what had occurred in other countries after goldfields opened, both Maori and the government agreed that these must be well controlled. Over time, the regulations increasingly favoured the mining industry rather than the original landowners, who were not informed about the true value of their land, auriferous or otherwise. Maori were confused about their financial entitlement because of changes made by the government to the fees payable to them. 
Some rangatira, most notably Wirope Hoterene Taipari of Ngati Maru, saw a chance to obtain unexpected (and unearned) wealth, as shown by his insistence on opening Thames to miners despite the opposition of most of his hapu. Later, other rangatira wanted to open Ohinemuri and other potential fields because of the money they were promised by impatient miners and by more patient officials. For a brief time, some Maori considered controlling the potential Ohinemuri goldfield themselves. The main incentive to opening land was the wealth received by landowners during the early days of the Thames goldfield, but as mining faded later so did goldfields revenue. Changes to mining regulations diminished the amount distributed to Maori in ways that some Pakeha considered unfair, and these provoked complaints from Maori.
A continuing problem for officials was to ensure that revenue was allocated to the right owners. The system was complex, resulting in delays in paying money and in some Maori obtaining too much and others too little (or none at all), an outcome often resulting from rangatira distributing it as they chose rather than caused by government officials, who did their best to ensure fairness. Over time, the government unilaterally made changes to the system. For their part, miners complained about being required to pay for the right to mine, and encouraged the government to acquire the freehold of goldfield land because miners’ rights on Crown land were one-quarter the cost of those on Maori land. 
The revenue received by the landowners soon slipped through their fingers, sometimes in traditionally competitive gatherings such as tangi. It can be argued that Taipari, who very shrewdly adapted to the new economy (and experienced its perils, becoming bankrupt in 1870), used his income not just to give himself a luxurious lifestyle but also to boost the mana of his hapu. The government has been blamed for not insisting that revenue be protected for the use of future generations, a concept that occurred to only a few Pakeha at the time and to no Maori; far from considering the interests of their descendents, cultivating the land decreased while this revenue was received. But due to the nature of mining, by the twentieth century the landowners were lamenting the serious decline in their income from this source; despite having sold so much of their goldfield lands, some complained at not receiving any more revenue. 
Evaluating the outcome, the Waitangi Tribunal indulged in some counter-factual history by suggesting that the government should have encouraged rangatira to set up trusts to protect the income for future generations, but no rangatira had suggested this idea, nor did they ask that they should manage goldfields jointly with the Crown. After imagining that Maori in partnership with Pakeha capitalists could have developed the goldfields without the involvement of the Crown, the Tribunal had to accept that the outcome would have been the same: loss of money (because apart from anything else mining could not remain payable indefinitely) combined with the loss of much of their land.

year: 2016