title: Correlations Between a Cyanobacteria Bloom's Decline and Environmental Dynamics.

authors: O'Rorke, Richard

subjects: cayanobacteria

abstract: Lake Kainui is an ombrogenous peat lake that is eutrophic and has frequent cyanobacterial blooms.  This research aimed to elucidate the factors that correlated with cyanobacterial bloom decline in Lake Kainui.  Abiotic and biotic variables in Lake Kainui were monitored weekly across the bloom decline phase.  Physicochemical parameters measured included nutrients, micronutrients, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and meteorological variables.  Planktonic and particle-associated bacterial community composition (BCC) was assessed through time using molecular fingerprinting (ARISA).  Total algal, cyanobacterial, planktonic bacteria, planktonic viruses and planktonic crustacean abundances were determined using microscopy.

The bloom decline coincided with multiple factors including; an increasing ratio of TN:TP, changes in the ratio of mixing depth (z¬mix) to euphotic depth (zeu) and pH.  The lake was stratified for several weeks before the decline and the resulting lake stability potentially created an adverse environment for cyanobacterial dominance.  Changes in planktonic biota were various.  Virus dynamics were positively correlated with phytoplankton dynamics.  If virus abundance was negatively correlated to phytoplankton diversity, it would potentially mean that viruses were controlling the phytoplankton assemblage, however virus abundance was positively correlated to phytoplankton diversity, which suggests that viruses had a positive impact on the bloom.  The positive effect was most likely due to to viruses upregulating the amount of dissolved organic matter through lysis.  Bacterial abundance showed no clear correlation with other variables, but bacterial community composition (BCC) shifted as the bloom declined.  Planktonic Cladocera spiked just after the bloom decline.  Bosmina was the dominant species of Cladocera, but was probably too small to ingest colonial Microcystis, which suggests that the Bosmina may be consuming degradation products produced by Microcystis.  These observations indicate that if planktonic biota played a role in bloom dynamics it was most likely due to shifts in the biota causing shifts in trophic cycling that alternately favour or disfavour blooming.

text: Correlations Between a Cyanobacteria Bloom's Decline and Environmental Dynamics. Lake Kainui is an ombrogenous peat lake that is eutrophic and has frequent cyanobacterial blooms.  This research aimed to elucidate the factors that correlated with cyanobacterial bloom decline in Lake Kainui.  Abiotic and biotic variables in Lake Kainui were monitored weekly across the bloom decline phase.  Physicochemical parameters measured included nutrients, micronutrients, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and meteorological variables.  Planktonic and particle-associated bacterial community composition (BCC) was assessed through time using molecular fingerprinting (ARISA).  Total algal, cyanobacterial, planktonic bacteria, planktonic viruses and planktonic crustacean abundances were determined using microscopy.

The bloom decline coincided with multiple factors including; an increasing ratio of TN:TP, changes in the ratio of mixing depth (z¬mix) to euphotic depth (zeu) and pH.  The lake was stratified for several weeks before the decline and the resulting lake stability potentially created an adverse environment for cyanobacterial dominance.  Changes in planktonic biota were various.  Virus dynamics were positively correlated with phytoplankton dynamics.  If virus abundance was negatively correlated to phytoplankton diversity, it would potentially mean that viruses were controlling the phytoplankton assemblage, however virus abundance was positively correlated to phytoplankton diversity, which suggests that viruses had a positive impact on the bloom.  The positive effect was most likely due to to viruses upregulating the amount of dissolved organic matter through lysis.  Bacterial abundance showed no clear correlation with other variables, but bacterial community composition (BCC) shifted as the bloom declined.  Planktonic Cladocera spiked just after the bloom decline.  Bosmina was the dominant species of Cladocera, but was probably too small to ingest colonial Microcystis, which suggests that the Bosmina may be consuming degradation products produced by Microcystis.  These observations indicate that if planktonic biota played a role in bloom dynamics it was most likely due to shifts in the biota causing shifts in trophic cycling that alternately favour or disfavour blooming.

year: 2009

title: A framework for Go/No-Go decisions in high-tech R&D

authors: Woollaston, Owen

abstract: New product development (NPD) failure rates range from 40% (Cooper, 2019) to 90% (Kim et al., 2016), so firms must allocate resources effectively, including abandoning failing projects if necessary. However, when to abandon is often unclear, so portfolio managers risk commitment escalation (Eliens et al., 2018) and overinvesting. This study explored the research question: How should firms evaluate whether to continue or abandon projects in high-tech R&D? A dual approach was taken: First, to gain foundational insights, an innovative AI-assisted literature review method was developed and used to create a novel R&D decision-making framework. Second, to test the key concepts of the framework and illustrate its application, an agent-based simulation (Sulis & Taveter, 2022) compared the performance of the framework against risk-based and ROI-based approaches in a 1000-project portfolio. The framework outperformed the other strategies in simulations and emphasised the importance of gatekeeper independence, negotiating clear criteria up front and using formal decision gates. The simulation results also suggested actionable guidance for practitioners: For a feasibility phase to add value, it should cost less than 30% of the project budget and significantly improve cost estimates.
Theoretical contribution: This study integrated key NPD decision theories from real options, behavioural decision-making, and portfolio management and developed a novel decision-making framework while exemplifying the use of AI to enable rapid, scalable research. It then demonstrated that decision gates outperform ROI- and risk-based approaches in simulation.
Practical contribution: For R&D portfolio managers, the study provides a structured decision-making approach and guidance for sizing feasibility studies. For researchers, it provides a methodology for accelerating and scaling literature reviews.

text: A framework for Go/No-Go decisions in high-tech R&D New product development (NPD) failure rates range from 40% (Cooper, 2019) to 90% (Kim et al., 2016), so firms must allocate resources effectively, including abandoning failing projects if necessary. However, when to abandon is often unclear, so portfolio managers risk commitment escalation (Eliens et al., 2018) and overinvesting. This study explored the research question: How should firms evaluate whether to continue or abandon projects in high-tech R&D? A dual approach was taken: First, to gain foundational insights, an innovative AI-assisted literature review method was developed and used to create a novel R&D decision-making framework. Second, to test the key concepts of the framework and illustrate its application, an agent-based simulation (Sulis & Taveter, 2022) compared the performance of the framework against risk-based and ROI-based approaches in a 1000-project portfolio. The framework outperformed the other strategies in simulations and emphasised the importance of gatekeeper independence, negotiating clear criteria up front and using formal decision gates. The simulation results also suggested actionable guidance for practitioners: For a feasibility phase to add value, it should cost less than 30% of the project budget and significantly improve cost estimates.
Theoretical contribution: This study integrated key NPD decision theories from real options, behavioural decision-making, and portfolio management and developed a novel decision-making framework while exemplifying the use of AI to enable rapid, scalable research. It then demonstrated that decision gates outperform ROI- and risk-based approaches in simulation.
Practical contribution: For R&D portfolio managers, the study provides a structured decision-making approach and guidance for sizing feasibility studies. For researchers, it provides a methodology for accelerating and scaling literature reviews.

year: 2024

title: Te Poho o Te Arawa: Te Mana Whenua o Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū

authors: Potaka, Ngahu

subjects: Ngāti Whakaue

abstract: Maketū is a small coastal town in the Bay of Plenty and is the final resting place of the Te Arawa canoe, the ancestral waka of the Te Arawa people. This is the home of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū a coastal hapū of the tribe Ngāti Whakaue from the Te Arawa confederation of tribes. Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū is actually a collection of smaller hapū who descend from the union of their ancestor Whakaue Kaipapa and his wife Rangiuru, and they trace their overall decent from the celebrated chief Tama te Kapua. It is on their ancestral land in Maketū that Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū have resided and established their mana whenua (tribal authority) for over 170 years. In that time they have faced many internal and external challenges to their mana whenua including military engagement, political maneuvering, and other social issues.

This thesis traces the historical origins and mana whenua of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū and analyses the various key components that combine to ensure Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū maintain mana whenua across their tribal lands. This thesis also explores how mana whenua is a vehicle for maintaining tribal authority and well being for Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū. Part of this study is the creation of a mana whenua strategic plan that will help Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū maintain and secure mana whenua in Maketū for future generations.

It is the proposition of this thesis that mana whenua has, is and will always play an important part in the social identity and fabric of Ngati Whakaue ki Maketū. However as Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū stand at the dawn of a new era, it is important for this related group to understand how mana whenua operates, and can be nurtured as a means of protection to ensure the survival of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū in this ever changing world.

text: Te Poho o Te Arawa: Te Mana Whenua o Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū Maketū is a small coastal town in the Bay of Plenty and is the final resting place of the Te Arawa canoe, the ancestral waka of the Te Arawa people. This is the home of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū a coastal hapū of the tribe Ngāti Whakaue from the Te Arawa confederation of tribes. Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū is actually a collection of smaller hapū who descend from the union of their ancestor Whakaue Kaipapa and his wife Rangiuru, and they trace their overall decent from the celebrated chief Tama te Kapua. It is on their ancestral land in Maketū that Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū have resided and established their mana whenua (tribal authority) for over 170 years. In that time they have faced many internal and external challenges to their mana whenua including military engagement, political maneuvering, and other social issues.

This thesis traces the historical origins and mana whenua of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū and analyses the various key components that combine to ensure Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū maintain mana whenua across their tribal lands. This thesis also explores how mana whenua is a vehicle for maintaining tribal authority and well being for Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū. Part of this study is the creation of a mana whenua strategic plan that will help Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū maintain and secure mana whenua in Maketū for future generations.

It is the proposition of this thesis that mana whenua has, is and will always play an important part in the social identity and fabric of Ngati Whakaue ki Maketū. However as Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū stand at the dawn of a new era, it is important for this related group to understand how mana whenua operates, and can be nurtured as a means of protection to ensure the survival of Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū in this ever changing world.

year: 2014