title: From concussion to classroom: Predicting post-concussion pediatric school functioning

authors: Kennedy, Kristen

abstract: Pediatric concussion is a common injury that can impact many children annually, and while most children return to school within 2 weeks post-concussion, many experience ongoing symptoms that can significantly impair school functioning. Moreover, children with preexisting learning conditions may be at even greater risk for delayed return-to-learn. However, there is limited research examining what factors predict school functioning 1 month post-concussion. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether initial post-concussion symptom severity predicted school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while accounting for pre-existing learning conditions and demographics. 

This research involved 275 children and adolescents aged 5-17 years old who had sustained a concussion. Parent reports were analysed which included the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, as well as study specific demographic questions. We used a hierarchical multiple linear regression to examine whether initial PCSI symptom severity predicted PedsQL school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while accounting for pre-existing learning conditions and demographics. 

The results showed that more severe initial PCSI symptoms significantly predicted worse school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion (R2 = .12, F(6, 158) = 3.53, p = .003), supporting our main hypothesis. However, pre-existing learning conditions did not significantly predict school functioning outcomes, which failed to support our second hypothesis. The final model accounted for 11.8 percent of the variance in school functioning outcomes. 

In conclusion, this research demonstrates that initial post-concussion symptom severity predicts school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while pre-existing learning conditions did not. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive symptom assessment and individualised support plans for children returning to school.

text: From concussion to classroom: Predicting post-concussion pediatric school functioning Pediatric concussion is a common injury that can impact many children annually, and while most children return to school within 2 weeks post-concussion, many experience ongoing symptoms that can significantly impair school functioning. Moreover, children with preexisting learning conditions may be at even greater risk for delayed return-to-learn. However, there is limited research examining what factors predict school functioning 1 month post-concussion. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether initial post-concussion symptom severity predicted school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while accounting for pre-existing learning conditions and demographics. 

This research involved 275 children and adolescents aged 5-17 years old who had sustained a concussion. Parent reports were analysed which included the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, as well as study specific demographic questions. We used a hierarchical multiple linear regression to examine whether initial PCSI symptom severity predicted PedsQL school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while accounting for pre-existing learning conditions and demographics. 

The results showed that more severe initial PCSI symptoms significantly predicted worse school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion (R2 = .12, F(6, 158) = 3.53, p = .003), supporting our main hypothesis. However, pre-existing learning conditions did not significantly predict school functioning outcomes, which failed to support our second hypothesis. The final model accounted for 11.8 percent of the variance in school functioning outcomes. 

In conclusion, this research demonstrates that initial post-concussion symptom severity predicts school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while pre-existing learning conditions did not. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive symptom assessment and individualised support plans for children returning to school.

year: 2025

title: Precursory eruptions, magma priming and eruption dynamics associated with the climactic 19th February 1975 eruption of Ngauruhoe

authors: Geraghty, Krystal Joan

subjects: Ngauruhoe

abstract: Ngauruhoe is an active central North Island composite volcano, located at the south end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. This basaltic andesite to andesite cone is one of the most active vents of the larger Tongariro Volcanic Complex; the active summit scoria cone (c. 150 m in diameter) was constructed within the older crater (c. 400 m in diameter) during the eruptions of 1954 to 1975. Approximately 9 m of volcanic material was added to the inner crater rim during the 1975 eruption. Past eruptions from Ngauruhoe have been well-documented in various studies; however, these generally lack detailed observation and analyses of the 1975 eruption deposit meaning that pre-eruptive conditions and explosion dynamics associated with this eruption were left poorly constrained.

This research investigates the physical parameters and eruption controls that led up to the 1975 eruption, including the activity observed from 1968. Specifically, this study examines the pre-eruptive conditions, triggers and eruption mechanisms that led to eruption and emplacement of the 1975 inner crater rim deposit. A key part of this study involved identifying the relationship between, and source of, different clast types comprising the deposit, in addition to determining whether a solid plug and/or magma-water interaction contributed to the high explosivity of the 1975 eruption. By improving our understanding of magmatic and volcanic processes associated with this eruption, this study may assist with more reliable interpretation of monitoring data prior to and during such eruptions (not only at Ngauruhoe, but also basaltic-andesitic volcanoes worldwide). Fieldwork involved stratigraphic logging, high-resolution photography, and sample collection, in addition to sub-sample collection of the 1954-75 volcanic ash deposits stored on archive at GNS Science. Outcrop photos were subsequently point-counted to discriminate between the components, and collected samples described and characterised. Further laboratory analyses included optical microscopic petrography, component point counting, vesicularity studies, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, laser sizing, and quantitative software shape analysis.

This study has demonstrated the importance of crystal fractionation and magma mixing in the evolution of the magma that erupted during 1975. In particular, the transporting magma may have interacted with, and entrained, exotic crystals from a cooler, more evolved crystal mush zone formed by an antecedent magma. Further, magma ascent was associated with efficient gas segregation and transport to the surface along preferential percolation pathways. Efficient degassing in low viscosity magmas typically results in effusive activity; however, this study shows that the high explosivity of the climactic 19th February 1975 eruption was linked to the presence of a coherent, degassed, and hydrothermally altered caprock resulting in accumulation and coalescence of pressurised gas beneath the plug. This study discounts the previously ascribed theory that magma-water interaction controlled the high explosivity of this event. Instead, limited magma-water interaction likely produced the steam observed in the eruption column.

Based on the interpretations outlined above, it is now possible to explain the inner crater stratigraphy. The 1975 inner crater rim deposit is now divided into four facies, A through D, based on textural characteristics and componentry. Facies A (comprising dense sub-angular lapilli and vesicular scoria lapilli) and B (comprising black scoria lapilli/bombs and dense lapilli) were emplaced during vulcanian activity associated with disruption of a caprock, leading up the climactic eruption on the 19th of February 1975. Facies C (comprising loose scoria, dense lapilli, and large irregular domains of densely coalesced/agglutinated pyroclasts) and D (comprising dense lapilli to blocks, scoria lapilli, and bombs) were deposited during the continuous ‘sub-plinian’ eruption on the 19th of February 1975, from strombolian fire-fountaining activity at the base of the large eruption plume. Evidence for this is recorded by the mixture of scoria, agglutinated spatter, and dense clasts throughout these facies; which are indicative of a spatter-fed eruption.

text: Precursory eruptions, magma priming and eruption dynamics associated with the climactic 19th February 1975 eruption of Ngauruhoe Ngauruhoe is an active central North Island composite volcano, located at the south end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. This basaltic andesite to andesite cone is one of the most active vents of the larger Tongariro Volcanic Complex; the active summit scoria cone (c. 150 m in diameter) was constructed within the older crater (c. 400 m in diameter) during the eruptions of 1954 to 1975. Approximately 9 m of volcanic material was added to the inner crater rim during the 1975 eruption. Past eruptions from Ngauruhoe have been well-documented in various studies; however, these generally lack detailed observation and analyses of the 1975 eruption deposit meaning that pre-eruptive conditions and explosion dynamics associated with this eruption were left poorly constrained.

This research investigates the physical parameters and eruption controls that led up to the 1975 eruption, including the activity observed from 1968. Specifically, this study examines the pre-eruptive conditions, triggers and eruption mechanisms that led to eruption and emplacement of the 1975 inner crater rim deposit. A key part of this study involved identifying the relationship between, and source of, different clast types comprising the deposit, in addition to determining whether a solid plug and/or magma-water interaction contributed to the high explosivity of the 1975 eruption. By improving our understanding of magmatic and volcanic processes associated with this eruption, this study may assist with more reliable interpretation of monitoring data prior to and during such eruptions (not only at Ngauruhoe, but also basaltic-andesitic volcanoes worldwide). Fieldwork involved stratigraphic logging, high-resolution photography, and sample collection, in addition to sub-sample collection of the 1954-75 volcanic ash deposits stored on archive at GNS Science. Outcrop photos were subsequently point-counted to discriminate between the components, and collected samples described and characterised. Further laboratory analyses included optical microscopic petrography, component point counting, vesicularity studies, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, laser sizing, and quantitative software shape analysis.

This study has demonstrated the importance of crystal fractionation and magma mixing in the evolution of the magma that erupted during 1975. In particular, the transporting magma may have interacted with, and entrained, exotic crystals from a cooler, more evolved crystal mush zone formed by an antecedent magma. Further, magma ascent was associated with efficient gas segregation and transport to the surface along preferential percolation pathways. Efficient degassing in low viscosity magmas typically results in effusive activity; however, this study shows that the high explosivity of the climactic 19th February 1975 eruption was linked to the presence of a coherent, degassed, and hydrothermally altered caprock resulting in accumulation and coalescence of pressurised gas beneath the plug. This study discounts the previously ascribed theory that magma-water interaction controlled the high explosivity of this event. Instead, limited magma-water interaction likely produced the steam observed in the eruption column.

Based on the interpretations outlined above, it is now possible to explain the inner crater stratigraphy. The 1975 inner crater rim deposit is now divided into four facies, A through D, based on textural characteristics and componentry. Facies A (comprising dense sub-angular lapilli and vesicular scoria lapilli) and B (comprising black scoria lapilli/bombs and dense lapilli) were emplaced during vulcanian activity associated with disruption of a caprock, leading up the climactic eruption on the 19th of February 1975. Facies C (comprising loose scoria, dense lapilli, and large irregular domains of densely coalesced/agglutinated pyroclasts) and D (comprising dense lapilli to blocks, scoria lapilli, and bombs) were deposited during the continuous ‘sub-plinian’ eruption on the 19th of February 1975, from strombolian fire-fountaining activity at the base of the large eruption plume. Evidence for this is recorded by the mixture of scoria, agglutinated spatter, and dense clasts throughout these facies; which are indicative of a spatter-fed eruption.

year: 2019

title: Turangawaewae/ Tu'ungava'e: Echoes of a place to stand and belong

authors: Brown Pulu, Teena J.

subjects: Maori

abstract: This paper examines the ways in which Pacific communities in Auckland are located and conceptualised by others in contrast to the ways in which they locate and conceptualise themselves. In particular, it looks at the ways in which, in the face of homeland fracture and socio-economic marginality, neighbourhoods are being reclaimed as places of belonging-ness, places in which informal alliances among Māori and Pacific groups are being forged. It also explores the problematic, often ambiguous, nature of these alliances.

text: Turangawaewae/ Tu'ungava'e: Echoes of a place to stand and belong This paper examines the ways in which Pacific communities in Auckland are located and conceptualised by others in contrast to the ways in which they locate and conceptualise themselves. In particular, it looks at the ways in which, in the face of homeland fracture and socio-economic marginality, neighbourhoods are being reclaimed as places of belonging-ness, places in which informal alliances among Māori and Pacific groups are being forged. It also explores the problematic, often ambiguous, nature of these alliances.

year: 2002-09