title: Using the HTRC Data Capsule Model to promote reuse and evolution of experimental analysis of digital library data: a case study of topic modeling

authors: Bainbridge, David

subjects: computer science

abstract: We report on a case-study to independently reproduce the work given in a publicly available blog on how to develop a topic model sourced from a collection of texts, where both the data set and source code used are readily available. More specifically, we detail the steps necessary—and the challenges that had to be overcome—to replicate the work using the HathiTrust Research Center’s virtual machine Data Capsule platform. From this we make recommendations for authors to follow, based on the lessons learned. We also show that the Data Capsule model can be put to work in a way that is of benefit to those interested in supporting computational reproducibility within their organizations.

text: Using the HTRC Data Capsule Model to promote reuse and evolution of experimental analysis of digital library data: a case study of topic modeling We report on a case-study to independently reproduce the work given in a publicly available blog on how to develop a topic model sourced from a collection of texts, where both the data set and source code used are readily available. More specifically, we detail the steps necessary—and the challenges that had to be overcome—to replicate the work using the HathiTrust Research Center’s virtual machine Data Capsule platform. From this we make recommendations for authors to follow, based on the lessons learned. We also show that the Data Capsule model can be put to work in a way that is of benefit to those interested in supporting computational reproducibility within their organizations.

year: 2019

title: Dairy farm system solutions that reduce nitrate leaching and their consequences for profitability: Using plantain, fodder beet and oats on a Canterbury case study farm

authors: Robertson, Charlotte

subjects: nitrate leaching

abstract: Dairy products provide nutrition, energy and income for much of the world. It is currently necessary to continue their supply albeit in a more environmentally sustainable manner. Excess nitrate (NO₃⁻) from dairy cow urine patches can leach from soils with significant consequences for receiving waters. Some potential on-farm management solutions exist, but can be costly to adopt.
The research aim of this thesis was to test prescribed management solutions for reducing NO₃⁻ leaching by 20%, in comparison to an existing farm management baseline for the 2017/2018 dairy season, whilst maintaining profitability. Nitrate leaching and profitability were estimated for a south Canterbury case study dairy farm using the models FARMAX Dairy and OVERSEER® Nutrient Budgets.
Prescribed management practices from the Forages for Reduced Nitrate Leaching (FRNL) programme were modelled to achieve this target. The principles were: (i) reducing nitrogen (N) in cows’ diets through low-N feed (fodder beet), (ii) recapturing N from soils through catch crops (oats) and (iii) diluting urinary N (through ingested plantain). Two crop treatments were applied to the Baseline to address (i) and (ii). Plantain was included in pastures to address (iii). A number of key assumptions were made about plantain’s efficacy for reducing NO₃⁻ leaching. Plantain was not expected to persist in pasture swards without active management and so a persistence curve and maintenance treatments were incorporated. A sensitivity analysis investigated the influence of soil type and poorer persistence of plantain on treatment success.
Most treatments reduced NO₃⁻ leaching, but significant management inputs were required to achieve a 20% reduction from the Baseline. Plantain was identified as the key forage for reducing NO₃⁻ leaching. When plantain was included in pasture swards and undersown every second year to increase its presence, NO₃⁻ leaching could be reduced by 21-24%, however, profitability was reduced by 5-10%. Fodder beet and oats had little impact on NO₃⁻ leaching because the crop area was small in comparison to the rest of the farm (4%). There were no treatments that achieved a 20% reduction in NO₃⁻ leaching and maintained profitability.
The implications of this modelling study for real-life application are that if plantain can be maintained in the pasture sward at high enough levels NO₃⁻ leaching can be substantially reduced, though this would likely result in a loss of profit.

text: Dairy farm system solutions that reduce nitrate leaching and their consequences for profitability: Using plantain, fodder beet and oats on a Canterbury case study farm Dairy products provide nutrition, energy and income for much of the world. It is currently necessary to continue their supply albeit in a more environmentally sustainable manner. Excess nitrate (NO₃⁻) from dairy cow urine patches can leach from soils with significant consequences for receiving waters. Some potential on-farm management solutions exist, but can be costly to adopt.
The research aim of this thesis was to test prescribed management solutions for reducing NO₃⁻ leaching by 20%, in comparison to an existing farm management baseline for the 2017/2018 dairy season, whilst maintaining profitability. Nitrate leaching and profitability were estimated for a south Canterbury case study dairy farm using the models FARMAX Dairy and OVERSEER® Nutrient Budgets.
Prescribed management practices from the Forages for Reduced Nitrate Leaching (FRNL) programme were modelled to achieve this target. The principles were: (i) reducing nitrogen (N) in cows’ diets through low-N feed (fodder beet), (ii) recapturing N from soils through catch crops (oats) and (iii) diluting urinary N (through ingested plantain). Two crop treatments were applied to the Baseline to address (i) and (ii). Plantain was included in pastures to address (iii). A number of key assumptions were made about plantain’s efficacy for reducing NO₃⁻ leaching. Plantain was not expected to persist in pasture swards without active management and so a persistence curve and maintenance treatments were incorporated. A sensitivity analysis investigated the influence of soil type and poorer persistence of plantain on treatment success.
Most treatments reduced NO₃⁻ leaching, but significant management inputs were required to achieve a 20% reduction from the Baseline. Plantain was identified as the key forage for reducing NO₃⁻ leaching. When plantain was included in pasture swards and undersown every second year to increase its presence, NO₃⁻ leaching could be reduced by 21-24%, however, profitability was reduced by 5-10%. Fodder beet and oats had little impact on NO₃⁻ leaching because the crop area was small in comparison to the rest of the farm (4%). There were no treatments that achieved a 20% reduction in NO₃⁻ leaching and maintained profitability.
The implications of this modelling study for real-life application are that if plantain can be maintained in the pasture sward at high enough levels NO₃⁻ leaching can be substantially reduced, though this would likely result in a loss of profit.

year: 2020

title: A collaborative approach to improving youth mental health.

authors: Goodwin, Debbie Waireka Tuhi

subjects: Maori

abstract: Nga Taiohi Whai Marama / Youth Connex was developed collaboratively by three organisations: Health Waikato Mental Health, Te Runanga o Kirikiriroa, and Linkage. These organisations had a vision of creating greater integration and improved pathways between youth and mental health services, as well as providing a service explicitly based on youth-friendly principles. The key aims of Whai Marama Youth Connex are to improve youth’s access to services and contribute to the development of a youth service-provider network. To fulfil this we aim to provide a range of services, integrated pathways and capacity building on several levels, the client level, the provider level and the funder level. Debbie Goodwin (Tuhoe) was employed as the Manager of the service and has a key role in developing the organisation, planning and shaping its services, and employing and managing its’ staff. She will give an overview of how the service is developing in partnership and biculturally, how youth-friendly principles are enacted, and what some of the key issues have been in its early stages.

text: A collaborative approach to improving youth mental health. Nga Taiohi Whai Marama / Youth Connex was developed collaboratively by three organisations: Health Waikato Mental Health, Te Runanga o Kirikiriroa, and Linkage. These organisations had a vision of creating greater integration and improved pathways between youth and mental health services, as well as providing a service explicitly based on youth-friendly principles. The key aims of Whai Marama Youth Connex are to improve youth’s access to services and contribute to the development of a youth service-provider network. To fulfil this we aim to provide a range of services, integrated pathways and capacity building on several levels, the client level, the provider level and the funder level. Debbie Goodwin (Tuhoe) was employed as the Manager of the service and has a key role in developing the organisation, planning and shaping its services, and employing and managing its’ staff. She will give an overview of how the service is developing in partnership and biculturally, how youth-friendly principles are enacted, and what some of the key issues have been in its early stages.

year: 2003