title: How convergent are regional house prices in the United Kingdom? Some new evidence from panel data unit root testing

authors: Holmes, Mark J.

subjects: panel data unit root

abstract: Using a variety of econometric methods, existing studies have failed to reach a consensus on whether or not UK regional house prices are engaged in kong-run equilibrium relationships with each other. Using data for the 197302005 study period, this study offers a novel approach to this debate through the application of unit root testing within a seemingly unrelated regression framework. It is argued that there exist significant advantages in this approach over and above existing univariate and panel data unit root testing procedures. The results indicate that the majority of UK regions exhibit regional house price convergence. However, there is an east-west split in terms of whether regional house prices have a tendency towards long-run equilibrium relationship with UK prices as whole. This is also evidence of considerable heterogeneity in the regional speeds of adjustment towards long-run equilibrium.

text: How convergent are regional house prices in the United Kingdom? Some new evidence from panel data unit root testing Using a variety of econometric methods, existing studies have failed to reach a consensus on whether or not UK regional house prices are engaged in kong-run equilibrium relationships with each other. Using data for the 197302005 study period, this study offers a novel approach to this debate through the application of unit root testing within a seemingly unrelated regression framework. It is argued that there exist significant advantages in this approach over and above existing univariate and panel data unit root testing procedures. The results indicate that the majority of UK regions exhibit regional house price convergence. However, there is an east-west split in terms of whether regional house prices have a tendency towards long-run equilibrium relationship with UK prices as whole. This is also evidence of considerable heterogeneity in the regional speeds of adjustment towards long-run equilibrium.

year: 2007

title: The influence of velocity-based resistance training on strength and power development

authors: Peta, Henare Te Ura Ote Ra

subjects: Technology

abstract: Sports that require high levels of strength and power typically employ traditional percentage-based training methods (%1RM). However, a major flaw to this form of training is that it does not take into account the athletes daily biological status and readiness to train. Therefore, movement velocity has been proposed as a viable method of resistance training to enhance performance. The purpose of this thesis was firstly, to examine literature on the adaptations and current practices of traditional based training (TT, %1RM) and velocity-based training methods (VBT). Secondly, to investigate the reliability of the bar mode application (band attached to the bar) of the PUSH band accelerometer in measuring peak velocity (PV) during the barbell squat jump exercises (SJ), and finally, to investigate the effects of VBT training on neuromuscular strength (back squat [BS], bench press, [BP]) and power (squat jump PV using the PUSH band) in comparison to TT (%1RM). The PUSH band showed high to perfect reliability in PVmax and PVmean across four trials (mean ICC 0.91 & 0.90). The results are in agreement with previous research conducted on the PUSH band accelerometer (when attached to the subject's forearm). No significant differences were found between groups in strength and power measures (p > 0.05). Furthermore, between-group effect sizes were deemed trivial for BS and BP (d = 0.00 and 0.03, respectively), while the effects for PVmax (d = 0.23 ±0.73) and PVmean (d = -0.38 ±0.59) were deemed unclear. Future research should focus on assessing the reliability of the bar mode application on other traditional exercises (BP, BS, deadlifts) at various intensities (20 – 90%1RM). Additionally, future research should utilise a larger sample size and a more homogenous strength/training group in order to determine any potential effects.

text: The influence of velocity-based resistance training on strength and power development Sports that require high levels of strength and power typically employ traditional percentage-based training methods (%1RM). However, a major flaw to this form of training is that it does not take into account the athletes daily biological status and readiness to train. Therefore, movement velocity has been proposed as a viable method of resistance training to enhance performance. The purpose of this thesis was firstly, to examine literature on the adaptations and current practices of traditional based training (TT, %1RM) and velocity-based training methods (VBT). Secondly, to investigate the reliability of the bar mode application (band attached to the bar) of the PUSH band accelerometer in measuring peak velocity (PV) during the barbell squat jump exercises (SJ), and finally, to investigate the effects of VBT training on neuromuscular strength (back squat [BS], bench press, [BP]) and power (squat jump PV using the PUSH band) in comparison to TT (%1RM). The PUSH band showed high to perfect reliability in PVmax and PVmean across four trials (mean ICC 0.91 & 0.90). The results are in agreement with previous research conducted on the PUSH band accelerometer (when attached to the subject's forearm). No significant differences were found between groups in strength and power measures (p > 0.05). Furthermore, between-group effect sizes were deemed trivial for BS and BP (d = 0.00 and 0.03, respectively), while the effects for PVmax (d = 0.23 ±0.73) and PVmean (d = -0.38 ±0.59) were deemed unclear. Future research should focus on assessing the reliability of the bar mode application on other traditional exercises (BP, BS, deadlifts) at various intensities (20 – 90%1RM). Additionally, future research should utilise a larger sample size and a more homogenous strength/training group in order to determine any potential effects.

year: 2019

title: Life history of fluvial and lacustrine land-locked koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) Günther (Pisces: galaxiidae) in the Tarawera lakes

authors: Young, Kim D.

abstract: Biological diversity in New Zealand has been seriously degraded as a result of human induced disturbances which include the introduction of many exotic species. Freshwater ecosystems have not escaped damage, with the introduction of primarily sports fish suspected to be a significant contributing factor in diminished native biological freshwater values. This is reflected by range and population reductions of several native fish species. 

One of these species is koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis), for which abundance in land-locked populations in the central North Island lakes has significantly declined. Koaro were once abundant in these lakes, and pre-European harvest in both its juvenile (whitebait) and adult (kokopu) form, comprised an important food resource for inland Maori. Since the introduction of recreational trout species to these lakes in the late 1880s, followed by the introduction of common smelt (Retropinna retropinna) in the early 1900s, the abundance of koaro has dramatically declined to the extent that, in these lakes, the species is now considered rare. 

To date, the interactions between recreational trout species, common smelt, and koaro populations have not been established, and the life-history of land-locked koaro is not fully understood. In particular, the extent of movement between lake and stream habitats remains unclear. However, a collaborative project between the indigenous people of the Rotorua Lakes (Te Arawa) and the Department of Conservation to restore a koaro population in one Rotorua lake, has driven a need to gain a better understanding of the biology and ecology of land-locked koaro. This includes identifying threats to important life-history stages and understanding the role of tributary streams.

During July 1999 to February 2001, lacustrine and fluvial koaro were studied in Lake Tarawera and Lake Okareka and their tributary streams. Both lakes are part of the Tarawera lakes group, a subgroup of the Rotorua lakes situated in the central North Island. Fyke netting was used to sample lacustrine koaro on a monthly basis from January 2000 to February 2001, and seasonal two-pass reduction electric fishing at five sites in the tributary streams took place in April, July and November 2000 and February 2001. All fish larger than 70 mm total length were tagged with a passive implant transponder. Spawning season and location, together with size and growth of lake and stream fish were determined. Movement of lake fish within the littoral zone was also investigated. 

The study found that lake and stream koaro may belong to two sub-populations indicated by differences in size, growth rate, spawning time and locality, and return of lake and stream koaro to natal habitats. The life-history of stream koaro has remained similar to that of its diadromous counterparts. Stream fish were found to spawn and hatch in stream environs, rear as larvae in the lake environs, and return to tributary streams as juvenile fish. Lake fish by contrast, most likely spawn in the lake itself, and results suggest that no juvenile migration of lake spawned fish to tributary streams occurs. Consequently, it was concluded that tributary streams may play little role in the life-history of lacustrine koaro.

Abundance of lacustrine koaro in both Lake Tarawera and Lake Okareka was low in comparison to lakes where trout species or common smelt are absent, and abundance of post-whitebait koaro (greater than 45 mm total length coloured and patterned) in both tributary streams studied was also low where rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were proportionally present in greater abundance. Important life-history stages were found to be subject to competition and predation by a combination of rainbow trout and common smelt in both lakes and streams.

Given the above, restoration programmes for land-locked koaro will need to be undertaken at the population level to enhance the survival of larval and juvenile life-history stages. This will need to occur at an ecosystem scale, and include the management of the combined effects of trout and common smelt in both lake and respective tributary stream environs.

text: Life history of fluvial and lacustrine land-locked koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) Günther (Pisces: galaxiidae) in the Tarawera lakes Biological diversity in New Zealand has been seriously degraded as a result of human induced disturbances which include the introduction of many exotic species. Freshwater ecosystems have not escaped damage, with the introduction of primarily sports fish suspected to be a significant contributing factor in diminished native biological freshwater values. This is reflected by range and population reductions of several native fish species. 

One of these species is koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis), for which abundance in land-locked populations in the central North Island lakes has significantly declined. Koaro were once abundant in these lakes, and pre-European harvest in both its juvenile (whitebait) and adult (kokopu) form, comprised an important food resource for inland Maori. Since the introduction of recreational trout species to these lakes in the late 1880s, followed by the introduction of common smelt (Retropinna retropinna) in the early 1900s, the abundance of koaro has dramatically declined to the extent that, in these lakes, the species is now considered rare. 

To date, the interactions between recreational trout species, common smelt, and koaro populations have not been established, and the life-history of land-locked koaro is not fully understood. In particular, the extent of movement between lake and stream habitats remains unclear. However, a collaborative project between the indigenous people of the Rotorua Lakes (Te Arawa) and the Department of Conservation to restore a koaro population in one Rotorua lake, has driven a need to gain a better understanding of the biology and ecology of land-locked koaro. This includes identifying threats to important life-history stages and understanding the role of tributary streams.

During July 1999 to February 2001, lacustrine and fluvial koaro were studied in Lake Tarawera and Lake Okareka and their tributary streams. Both lakes are part of the Tarawera lakes group, a subgroup of the Rotorua lakes situated in the central North Island. Fyke netting was used to sample lacustrine koaro on a monthly basis from January 2000 to February 2001, and seasonal two-pass reduction electric fishing at five sites in the tributary streams took place in April, July and November 2000 and February 2001. All fish larger than 70 mm total length were tagged with a passive implant transponder. Spawning season and location, together with size and growth of lake and stream fish were determined. Movement of lake fish within the littoral zone was also investigated. 

The study found that lake and stream koaro may belong to two sub-populations indicated by differences in size, growth rate, spawning time and locality, and return of lake and stream koaro to natal habitats. The life-history of stream koaro has remained similar to that of its diadromous counterparts. Stream fish were found to spawn and hatch in stream environs, rear as larvae in the lake environs, and return to tributary streams as juvenile fish. Lake fish by contrast, most likely spawn in the lake itself, and results suggest that no juvenile migration of lake spawned fish to tributary streams occurs. Consequently, it was concluded that tributary streams may play little role in the life-history of lacustrine koaro.

Abundance of lacustrine koaro in both Lake Tarawera and Lake Okareka was low in comparison to lakes where trout species or common smelt are absent, and abundance of post-whitebait koaro (greater than 45 mm total length coloured and patterned) in both tributary streams studied was also low where rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were proportionally present in greater abundance. Important life-history stages were found to be subject to competition and predation by a combination of rainbow trout and common smelt in both lakes and streams.

Given the above, restoration programmes for land-locked koaro will need to be undertaken at the population level to enhance the survival of larval and juvenile life-history stages. This will need to occur at an ecosystem scale, and include the management of the combined effects of trout and common smelt in both lake and respective tributary stream environs.

year: 2002