title: Testing use of mitochondrial COI sequences for the identification and phylogenetic analysis of New Zealand caddisflies (Trichoptera)

authors: Hogg, Ian D.

subjects: aquatic insects

abstract: We tested the hypothesis that cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences would successfully discriminate recognised species of New Zealand caddisflies. We further examined whether phylogenetic analyses, based on the COI locus, could recover currently recognised superfamilies and suborders. COI sequences were obtained from 105 individuals representing 61 species and all 16 families of Trichoptera known from New Zealand. No sequence sharing was observed between members of different species, and congeneric species showed from 2.3 to 19.5% divergence. Sequence divergence among members of a species was typically low (mean = 0.7%; range 0.0–8.5%), but two species showed intraspecific divergences in excess of 2%. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on COI were largely congruent with previous conclusions based on morphology, although the sequence data did not support placement of the purse-cased caddisflies (Hydroptilidae) within the uncased caddisflies, and, in particular, the Rhyacophiloidea. We conclude that sequence variation in the COI gene locus is an effective tool for the identification of New Zealand caddisfly species, and can provide preliminary phylogenetic inferences. Further research is needed to ascertain the significance of the few instances of high intra-specific divergence and to determine if any instances of sequence sharing will be detected with larger sample sizes.

text: Testing use of mitochondrial COI sequences for the identification and phylogenetic analysis of New Zealand caddisflies (Trichoptera) We tested the hypothesis that cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences would successfully discriminate recognised species of New Zealand caddisflies. We further examined whether phylogenetic analyses, based on the COI locus, could recover currently recognised superfamilies and suborders. COI sequences were obtained from 105 individuals representing 61 species and all 16 families of Trichoptera known from New Zealand. No sequence sharing was observed between members of different species, and congeneric species showed from 2.3 to 19.5% divergence. Sequence divergence among members of a species was typically low (mean = 0.7%; range 0.0–8.5%), but two species showed intraspecific divergences in excess of 2%. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on COI were largely congruent with previous conclusions based on morphology, although the sequence data did not support placement of the purse-cased caddisflies (Hydroptilidae) within the uncased caddisflies, and, in particular, the Rhyacophiloidea. We conclude that sequence variation in the COI gene locus is an effective tool for the identification of New Zealand caddisfly species, and can provide preliminary phylogenetic inferences. Further research is needed to ascertain the significance of the few instances of high intra-specific divergence and to determine if any instances of sequence sharing will be detected with larger sample sizes.

year: 2009

title: Failure analysis of some Toyota Prius battery packs and potential for recovery

authors: Leijen, Peter

subjects: Toyota Prius

abstract: The Toyota Prius battery pack consists of 38 individual battery blades, each blade contains 6 NiMH cells in series. This means that each pack contains 228 NiMH cells. Each cell has the potential to fail. This report investigates the mode of failure of Prius battery packs by first analysing a number of packs in the lab, and then road testing them in a Toyota Prius. The analysis of the battery packs shows that some packs had aged “linearly”, that is in a balanced manner, such that the state of health of all blades remained similar. However, in other packs discrete blades had significantly different states of health. A pack that consists of cells that are matched in both state of health and state of charge delivers the best performance. The research also showed that the worst cell in the pack determines the overall pack performance. This was demonstrated by substituting reducedcapacity or short-circuited blades into a functioning battery pack. A vehicle with a pack consisting of 37 2400 mAh battery blades and one 1200 mAh battery blade was only able to drive 1.3 km in Electric Vehicle mode, as opposed to 2.6 km with a pack consisting of 38 2400 mAh battery blades.

text: Failure analysis of some Toyota Prius battery packs and potential for recovery The Toyota Prius battery pack consists of 38 individual battery blades, each blade contains 6 NiMH cells in series. This means that each pack contains 228 NiMH cells. Each cell has the potential to fail. This report investigates the mode of failure of Prius battery packs by first analysing a number of packs in the lab, and then road testing them in a Toyota Prius. The analysis of the battery packs shows that some packs had aged “linearly”, that is in a balanced manner, such that the state of health of all blades remained similar. However, in other packs discrete blades had significantly different states of health. A pack that consists of cells that are matched in both state of health and state of charge delivers the best performance. The research also showed that the worst cell in the pack determines the overall pack performance. This was demonstrated by substituting reducedcapacity or short-circuited blades into a functioning battery pack. A vehicle with a pack consisting of 37 2400 mAh battery blades and one 1200 mAh battery blade was only able to drive 1.3 km in Electric Vehicle mode, as opposed to 2.6 km with a pack consisting of 38 2400 mAh battery blades.

year: 2011

title: Level 2 Māori medium programmes: What are the perceptions of parents and students on this form of education?

authors: Hill, Richard Kenneth

subjects: Māori medium

abstract: Māori medium education provides a range of options for families wishing to educate their children through the indigenous language of Aotearoa New Zealand. Level 2 programmes with 51–80% Māori language instruction, can play an important role in supporting students and their Māori language development, yet little is known about these programmes. This project explored the experiences of whānau (families) and students of level 2 Māori medium programmes to gauge the contribution they make to the education of students. It found that this form of education attracts whānau with wide ranging aims and expectations, but offers highly satisfactory educational options for them. However, there are some tensions, particularly in regard to the part they play in lifting students’ Māori language skills. Ensuring graduates of level 2 programmes have a pathway to learn the Māori language beyond primary school was also a cause for concern.

text: Level 2 Māori medium programmes: What are the perceptions of parents and students on this form of education? Māori medium education provides a range of options for families wishing to educate their children through the indigenous language of Aotearoa New Zealand. Level 2 programmes with 51–80% Māori language instruction, can play an important role in supporting students and their Māori language development, yet little is known about these programmes. This project explored the experiences of whānau (families) and students of level 2 Māori medium programmes to gauge the contribution they make to the education of students. It found that this form of education attracts whānau with wide ranging aims and expectations, but offers highly satisfactory educational options for them. However, there are some tensions, particularly in regard to the part they play in lifting students’ Māori language skills. Ensuring graduates of level 2 programmes have a pathway to learn the Māori language beyond primary school was also a cause for concern.

year: 2017