title: Readability of a Background Map Layer Under a Semi-transparent Foreground Layer

authors: Luz, Saturnino

subjects: Information Visualization

abstract: This study investigates the readability (interpretability) of information presented on a geographical map onto which a semi-transparent multivariate selection layer has been overlaid. The investigation is based on an information visualization prototype developed for a mobile platform (tablet devices) which aimed at supporting epidemiologists and medical staff in field data collection and epidemiological interpretation tasks. Different factors are analysed under varying transparency (alpha blending) levels, including: map interpretation task (covering "seeing map" and "reading map" tasks), legend symbol and map area type. Our results complement other studies that focused on the readability characteristics of items displayed on semi-transparent foreground layers developed in the context of "toolglass" interfaces. The implications of these results to the usability of transparency variable selection layers in geographical map applications are also discussed.

text: Readability of a Background Map Layer Under a Semi-transparent Foreground Layer This study investigates the readability (interpretability) of information presented on a geographical map onto which a semi-transparent multivariate selection layer has been overlaid. The investigation is based on an information visualization prototype developed for a mobile platform (tablet devices) which aimed at supporting epidemiologists and medical staff in field data collection and epidemiological interpretation tasks. Different factors are analysed under varying transparency (alpha blending) levels, including: map interpretation task (covering "seeing map" and "reading map" tasks), legend symbol and map area type. Our results complement other studies that focused on the readability characteristics of items displayed on semi-transparent foreground layers developed in the context of "toolglass" interfaces. The implications of these results to the usability of transparency variable selection layers in geographical map applications are also discussed.

year: 2014

title: Protogynous sex change in sexually immature spotty wrasse (Notolabrus celidotus)

authors: Hamer, Tessa Ellen

subjects: Aquaculture

abstract: One of the most unique forms of sexual plasticity can be witnessed in sequentially hermaphroditic fish, which begin as one sex and change to another at some stage in their lifecycle. The endemic protogynous spotty wrasse (Notolabrus Celidotus), has historically been considered monandric although two male morphs appear to exist. To date the majority of research has focused on sexually mature females that are changing sex to become terminal phase males. The current study seeks to describe sex change in sexually immature females that are transitioning to become initial phase males. This was achieved through analysis of gonadal histology as well as expression of three key sex differentiation related genes (amh, dmrt1 and cyp19a1a). Fish (n=141) were caught from the Tauranga Harbour ranging in size from 52-270 mm TL from May-June 2022. The smallest transitional fish identified was 52 mm TL and the smallest IP male detected in this study were 72 mm TL, indicating IP male spotty wrasse likely reach sexual maturity at a much earlier and smaller developmental stage than previously realised. Expression of amh and dmrt1 showed a clear male-bias across sex change, with the former being upregulated in early sex change. The aromatase gene, cyp19a1a showed an overall female-biased expression pattern despite having some unexpected upregulation in the mid stages of sex change. The results supported previous reports that all juvenile spotty wrasse are female first before some individuals undergo pre-maturational sex change to become IP males. Having clarified the process of sex change leading to IP male formation and considering data from other studies of IP and TP testicular structure in this species, it seems no longer tenable to consider them monandric.

text: Protogynous sex change in sexually immature spotty wrasse (Notolabrus celidotus) One of the most unique forms of sexual plasticity can be witnessed in sequentially hermaphroditic fish, which begin as one sex and change to another at some stage in their lifecycle. The endemic protogynous spotty wrasse (Notolabrus Celidotus), has historically been considered monandric although two male morphs appear to exist. To date the majority of research has focused on sexually mature females that are changing sex to become terminal phase males. The current study seeks to describe sex change in sexually immature females that are transitioning to become initial phase males. This was achieved through analysis of gonadal histology as well as expression of three key sex differentiation related genes (amh, dmrt1 and cyp19a1a). Fish (n=141) were caught from the Tauranga Harbour ranging in size from 52-270 mm TL from May-June 2022. The smallest transitional fish identified was 52 mm TL and the smallest IP male detected in this study were 72 mm TL, indicating IP male spotty wrasse likely reach sexual maturity at a much earlier and smaller developmental stage than previously realised. Expression of amh and dmrt1 showed a clear male-bias across sex change, with the former being upregulated in early sex change. The aromatase gene, cyp19a1a showed an overall female-biased expression pattern despite having some unexpected upregulation in the mid stages of sex change. The results supported previous reports that all juvenile spotty wrasse are female first before some individuals undergo pre-maturational sex change to become IP males. Having clarified the process of sex change leading to IP male formation and considering data from other studies of IP and TP testicular structure in this species, it seems no longer tenable to consider them monandric.

year: 2023

title: Health equity and wellbeing among older people's caregivers in New Zealand during COVID-19: Protocol for a qualitative study.

authors: Burholt, Vanessa

subjects: Aged

abstract: BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the challenges unpaid caregivers faced providing care to older people during the COVID-19 pandemic is limited. Challenges may be especially pronounced for those experiencing inequitable access to health and social care. This participatory action research study, located in New Zealand, has four main objectives, (i) to understand the challenges and rewards associated with caregiving to older care recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions; (ii) to map and collate resources developed (or mobilised) by organisations during the pandemic; (iii) to co-produce policy recommendations, identify useful caregiver resources and practices, prioritise unmet needs (challenges); and, (iv) to use project results in knowledge translation, in order to improve caregivers access to resources, and raise the profile and recognition of caregivers contribution to society. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Māori, Pacific and rural-dwelling caregivers to 30 older care-recipients, and 30 representatives from organisations supporting caregivers in New Zealand will be interviewed. Combining data from the interviews and caregivers letters (from an archive of older people's pandemic experiences), framework analysis will be used to examine the interrelated systems of the human ecological model and the impact on caregiving experiences during the pandemic. Resources that service providers had created or used for caregivers and older people will be collated and categorised. Through co-production with caregivers and community partners we will produce three short films describing caregivers' pandemic experiences; identify a suite of resources for caregivers to use in future events requiring self-isolation, and in everyday life; and generate ideas to address unresolved issues.

text: Health equity and wellbeing among older people's caregivers in New Zealand during COVID-19: Protocol for a qualitative study. BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the challenges unpaid caregivers faced providing care to older people during the COVID-19 pandemic is limited. Challenges may be especially pronounced for those experiencing inequitable access to health and social care. This participatory action research study, located in New Zealand, has four main objectives, (i) to understand the challenges and rewards associated with caregiving to older care recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions; (ii) to map and collate resources developed (or mobilised) by organisations during the pandemic; (iii) to co-produce policy recommendations, identify useful caregiver resources and practices, prioritise unmet needs (challenges); and, (iv) to use project results in knowledge translation, in order to improve caregivers access to resources, and raise the profile and recognition of caregivers contribution to society. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Māori, Pacific and rural-dwelling caregivers to 30 older care-recipients, and 30 representatives from organisations supporting caregivers in New Zealand will be interviewed. Combining data from the interviews and caregivers letters (from an archive of older people's pandemic experiences), framework analysis will be used to examine the interrelated systems of the human ecological model and the impact on caregiving experiences during the pandemic. Resources that service providers had created or used for caregivers and older people will be collated and categorised. Through co-production with caregivers and community partners we will produce three short films describing caregivers' pandemic experiences; identify a suite of resources for caregivers to use in future events requiring self-isolation, and in everyday life; and generate ideas to address unresolved issues.

year: 2022