title: Economical genotyping of little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) clades from feather-based DNA

authors: Clark, Alan J.

subjects: Clades

abstract: Determination of clade membership is a crucial requirement for many research questions addressing phylogeography, population structure, mating patterns, speciation, and hybridisation. The little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) can be separated into two deeply divergent clades. However, assigning clade membership in little blue penguins requires molecular methods. Genetic sequencing can be used to identify clade membership but is expensive. Here, we present an economical alternative to the use of sequencing to determine little blue penguin clade membership. We extracted DNA from feathers using a method that produced reasonable quantities of DNA. We then amplified the D-loop section of the mitochondrial control region from total genomic DNA extracts, using the primers 'C L-tRNAglu' and 'D H-Dbox' followed by digestion with the restriction enzyme AluI. When visualised on a gel, distinctive banding patterns clearly indicated clade membership. We sequenced a subset of our samples and verified the accuracy of this method. The methods we present should facilitate little blue penguin research through a cost-effective approach to clade analysis as well as a successful technique to extract DNA from feathers when blood or tissue samples are not available.

text: Economical genotyping of little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) clades from feather-based DNA Determination of clade membership is a crucial requirement for many research questions addressing phylogeography, population structure, mating patterns, speciation, and hybridisation. The little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) can be separated into two deeply divergent clades. However, assigning clade membership in little blue penguins requires molecular methods. Genetic sequencing can be used to identify clade membership but is expensive. Here, we present an economical alternative to the use of sequencing to determine little blue penguin clade membership. We extracted DNA from feathers using a method that produced reasonable quantities of DNA. We then amplified the D-loop section of the mitochondrial control region from total genomic DNA extracts, using the primers 'C L-tRNAglu' and 'D H-Dbox' followed by digestion with the restriction enzyme AluI. When visualised on a gel, distinctive banding patterns clearly indicated clade membership. We sequenced a subset of our samples and verified the accuracy of this method. The methods we present should facilitate little blue penguin research through a cost-effective approach to clade analysis as well as a successful technique to extract DNA from feathers when blood or tissue samples are not available.

year: 2013

title: Modelling fractal-structured smart microgrids: Exploring signals and protocols

authors: Apperley, Mark

subjects: computer science

abstract: This paper discusses some of the issues surrounding the interconnection of smart microgrids, with a focus on fractal structures, their implementation, management, operation, and potential effectiveness. It builds on a basic smart microgrid model which focuses on the property of localised energy balance, in order to mitigate the dependency on legacy-grid resources to accommodate short-term (hourly) and medium term (daily to monthly) imbalance. This model provides the basis for further development to allow connecting a group of such micro-grids into a network which externally presents identical structure and characteristics, so enabling the fractal-like interconnection of these micro-grids, or groups of microgrids. Such structures simplify the interconnection, management and operation of smart microgrids, and their connection to the legacy grid. They also intrinsically enable the notion of grid-edge trading. These characteristics have the potential not just to further enable and promote the effective utilisation of distributed generation and storage, but also to simplify and rationalise future backbone grid development.

text: Modelling fractal-structured smart microgrids: Exploring signals and protocols This paper discusses some of the issues surrounding the interconnection of smart microgrids, with a focus on fractal structures, their implementation, management, operation, and potential effectiveness. It builds on a basic smart microgrid model which focuses on the property of localised energy balance, in order to mitigate the dependency on legacy-grid resources to accommodate short-term (hourly) and medium term (daily to monthly) imbalance. This model provides the basis for further development to allow connecting a group of such micro-grids into a network which externally presents identical structure and characteristics, so enabling the fractal-like interconnection of these micro-grids, or groups of microgrids. Such structures simplify the interconnection, management and operation of smart microgrids, and their connection to the legacy grid. They also intrinsically enable the notion of grid-edge trading. These characteristics have the potential not just to further enable and promote the effective utilisation of distributed generation and storage, but also to simplify and rationalise future backbone grid development.

year: 2019

title: Mental health and wellbeing for young people from intersectional identity groups: Inequity for Māori, Pacific, Rainbow young people, and those with a disabling condition

authors: Roy, Rituparna

subjects: Māori

abstract: ‘Intersectionality’ describes the converging effects of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, and other social group characteristics that influence life experiences. We draw on a representative study of year 9-13 students in Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, and Waikato (Youth19) to explore differences in mental health and wellbeing outcomes for young people from a selection of intersectional identities (Māori, Pasifika, Rainbow, and young people with a Disabling Condition). We found a pervasive pattern of inequity for young people who have intersectional identities compared to those from the majority groups (i.e. Pākehā, non-disabled, cis-heterosexual youth). Intersectional youth had higher levels of inequity and faced a greater array of inequities. There was evidence of an additive effect for some indicators. Thematic analysis of open-text survey responses found the need for positive inclusive environments, and support for all young people, including those at the intersections of identity. Drawing on the findings, we offered several systemslevel policy recommendations, including strategies to improve inclusiveness and reduce discrimination.

text: Mental health and wellbeing for young people from intersectional identity groups: Inequity for Māori, Pacific, Rainbow young people, and those with a disabling condition ‘Intersectionality’ describes the converging effects of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, and other social group characteristics that influence life experiences. We draw on a representative study of year 9-13 students in Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, and Waikato (Youth19) to explore differences in mental health and wellbeing outcomes for young people from a selection of intersectional identities (Māori, Pasifika, Rainbow, and young people with a Disabling Condition). We found a pervasive pattern of inequity for young people who have intersectional identities compared to those from the majority groups (i.e. Pākehā, non-disabled, cis-heterosexual youth). Intersectional youth had higher levels of inequity and faced a greater array of inequities. There was evidence of an additive effect for some indicators. Thematic analysis of open-text survey responses found the need for positive inclusive environments, and support for all young people, including those at the intersections of identity. Drawing on the findings, we offered several systemslevel policy recommendations, including strategies to improve inclusiveness and reduce discrimination.

year: 2023