title: H₂¹⁸O labelled vapour reveals evidence of radial Péclet effects in some leaves, but not all

authors: White, Melissa

subjects: Péclet

abstract: Previous studies demonstrated the importance of pathways of water movement, hydraulic conductance, and leaf hydraulic design on leaf water isotopic enrichment. The current study addresses the relevance of Péclet effects to leaf water isotopic enrichment by assessing spatial variation and comparing bulk leaf water enrichment to Craig-Gordon modelled values. Vapour isotope labelling was also utilised in an experimental first to quantify the carry-forward of mesophyll water isotope compositions to more distal parts of corn (Zea mays), oat (Avena sativa), sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) leaves through coupled leaf gas exchange and isoflux measurements. In this study, we found that the Péclet effect was relevant to patterns of leaf water isotopic enrichment for three out of four species tested. The change in H₂¹⁸O for both monocots highlighted a vascular Péclet effect, while the change in foxglove showed a mesophyll Péclet effect, both of which were found to be relevant for the isotopic enrichment of transpired vapour and leaf water. In contrast, sunflower did not present any evidence of either a vascular or a mesophyll Péclet effect, suggesting a difference in leaf hydraulic design. These findings help us to understand how differences in leaf hydraulic design and anatomy influence the development of gradients in leaf water isotopes. This improved understanding will assist in the most appropriate choice of theoretical models to accurately predict leaf water isotope composition for applications as varied as predicting past climates from tree ring isotopes or selecting water-use efficient genotypes in crop plants.

text: H₂¹⁸O labelled vapour reveals evidence of radial Péclet effects in some leaves, but not all Previous studies demonstrated the importance of pathways of water movement, hydraulic conductance, and leaf hydraulic design on leaf water isotopic enrichment. The current study addresses the relevance of Péclet effects to leaf water isotopic enrichment by assessing spatial variation and comparing bulk leaf water enrichment to Craig-Gordon modelled values. Vapour isotope labelling was also utilised in an experimental first to quantify the carry-forward of mesophyll water isotope compositions to more distal parts of corn (Zea mays), oat (Avena sativa), sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) leaves through coupled leaf gas exchange and isoflux measurements. In this study, we found that the Péclet effect was relevant to patterns of leaf water isotopic enrichment for three out of four species tested. The change in H₂¹⁸O for both monocots highlighted a vascular Péclet effect, while the change in foxglove showed a mesophyll Péclet effect, both of which were found to be relevant for the isotopic enrichment of transpired vapour and leaf water. In contrast, sunflower did not present any evidence of either a vascular or a mesophyll Péclet effect, suggesting a difference in leaf hydraulic design. These findings help us to understand how differences in leaf hydraulic design and anatomy influence the development of gradients in leaf water isotopes. This improved understanding will assist in the most appropriate choice of theoretical models to accurately predict leaf water isotope composition for applications as varied as predicting past climates from tree ring isotopes or selecting water-use efficient genotypes in crop plants.

year: 2022

title: Spatial equity and realised access to healthcare - a geospatial analysis of general practitioner enrolments in Waikato, New Zealand

authors: Whitehead, Jesse

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Introduction:  Geographic measures of accessibility can quantify inequitable distributions of health care. Although closest distance measures are often used in Aotearoa New Zealand these may not reflect patient use of health care. This research examines patterns of patient enrolment in general practitioner (GP) services from a geospatial perspective.
Methods:  Patient enrolment records (n=137 596) from one primary health organisation were examined and geographic information systems used to determine whether patients enrolled with their closest GP service. A binomial logistic regression was performed to examine factors associated with the bypass of GP services closer to patients’ homes.
Results:  Overall 68.1% of patients in the sample bypassed the GP service closest to their home, while rates of GP bypass varied across the Waikato region and between rural and urban areas. A binary logistic regression analysis revealed that rurality of patient residence, patient ethnicity, patient age, area-level socioeconomic deprivation, sex, distance to the closest GP clinic, clinic after-hours availability, Māori service provider status, GP and nurse full time equivalent hours, and clinic fees were statistically significant predictors of increased closest-GP bypass. While residents of major urban areas had high rates of GP bypass, this was followed by patients living in rural areas – patients living more than 20 km from the closest GP service had exceptionally high rates of GP bypass.
Conclusion:  This study suggests that most patients in the Waikato region do not enrol with the GP service closest to their home and it outlines several factors, including rurality of residence, associated with the GP bypass. Closest distance accessibility measures may be inappropriate in mixed urban–rural settings, and researchers should consider other approaches to quantifying spatial equity. Health services should also be designed to better reflect the realities of the populations they serve.

text: Spatial equity and realised access to healthcare - a geospatial analysis of general practitioner enrolments in Waikato, New Zealand Introduction:  Geographic measures of accessibility can quantify inequitable distributions of health care. Although closest distance measures are often used in Aotearoa New Zealand these may not reflect patient use of health care. This research examines patterns of patient enrolment in general practitioner (GP) services from a geospatial perspective.
Methods:  Patient enrolment records (n=137 596) from one primary health organisation were examined and geographic information systems used to determine whether patients enrolled with their closest GP service. A binomial logistic regression was performed to examine factors associated with the bypass of GP services closer to patients’ homes.
Results:  Overall 68.1% of patients in the sample bypassed the GP service closest to their home, while rates of GP bypass varied across the Waikato region and between rural and urban areas. A binary logistic regression analysis revealed that rurality of patient residence, patient ethnicity, patient age, area-level socioeconomic deprivation, sex, distance to the closest GP clinic, clinic after-hours availability, Māori service provider status, GP and nurse full time equivalent hours, and clinic fees were statistically significant predictors of increased closest-GP bypass. While residents of major urban areas had high rates of GP bypass, this was followed by patients living in rural areas – patients living more than 20 km from the closest GP service had exceptionally high rates of GP bypass.
Conclusion:  This study suggests that most patients in the Waikato region do not enrol with the GP service closest to their home and it outlines several factors, including rurality of residence, associated with the GP bypass. Closest distance accessibility measures may be inappropriate in mixed urban–rural settings, and researchers should consider other approaches to quantifying spatial equity. Health services should also be designed to better reflect the realities of the populations they serve.

year: 2019

title: E Toru Ngā Reo: A Case Study of a Spanish Language Programme in a Kura Kaupapa Māori

authors: Flavell, William

subjects: Kaupapa Maori Research

abstract: Learning Languages is a new area in the 2007 New Zealand Curriculum.  However there have not been many studies in this subject.  Kura Kaupapa Māori, established in 1985 in New Zealand with over 6,000 students currently attending, have English language programmes (Hill, 2010), however few, if any, studies of the teaching of other languages have been conducted.  The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate an additional international language programme at a Kura Kaupapa Māori.

This qualitative case study describes the views of the Principal, five teachers, five students and three parents of a Kura Kaupapa Māori about an additional Spanish language programme. The primary means of gathering data was through individual semi-structured interviews.  Interviews were used to collect data in the areas of identifying the attitudes of the participants towards learning an additional international language, the perceived benefits, if any, of learning an additional international language and if there is a relationship between the learning of an  additional international language, and Kaupapa Māori.  The narrative data was transcribed, coded and categorised into four themes related to the research questions.  

 The success of this Spanish language programme can be understood in terms of several factors such as whānau support, programme leadership, quality teachers, international excursions and positive attitudes to foreign language learning.  

These findings will contribute to literature concerning additional language learning programmes, specifically those based in indigenous language immersion settings and they will also provide useful information and ideas which other Kura Kaupapa Māori can take advantage of when implementing additional international language learning programmes.

text: E Toru Ngā Reo: A Case Study of a Spanish Language Programme in a Kura Kaupapa Māori Learning Languages is a new area in the 2007 New Zealand Curriculum.  However there have not been many studies in this subject.  Kura Kaupapa Māori, established in 1985 in New Zealand with over 6,000 students currently attending, have English language programmes (Hill, 2010), however few, if any, studies of the teaching of other languages have been conducted.  The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate an additional international language programme at a Kura Kaupapa Māori.

This qualitative case study describes the views of the Principal, five teachers, five students and three parents of a Kura Kaupapa Māori about an additional Spanish language programme. The primary means of gathering data was through individual semi-structured interviews.  Interviews were used to collect data in the areas of identifying the attitudes of the participants towards learning an additional international language, the perceived benefits, if any, of learning an additional international language and if there is a relationship between the learning of an  additional international language, and Kaupapa Māori.  The narrative data was transcribed, coded and categorised into four themes related to the research questions.  

 The success of this Spanish language programme can be understood in terms of several factors such as whānau support, programme leadership, quality teachers, international excursions and positive attitudes to foreign language learning.  

These findings will contribute to literature concerning additional language learning programmes, specifically those based in indigenous language immersion settings and they will also provide useful information and ideas which other Kura Kaupapa Māori can take advantage of when implementing additional international language learning programmes.

year: 2012