title: Investigating the use of activity trackers to observe high-risk work environments

authors: Bowen, Judy

subjects: computer science

abstract: The New Zealand forestry industry has the country's highest rate of workplace fatalities. The reasons are not well studied or understood and no large-scale systematic physical and physiological data has been recorded to investigate this. Current research focusses on developing mechanised solutions and changing worker behaviour. We believe the first step in identifying any successful solution is to develop a fine-grained understanding of the physical context of forestry work by performing large-scale data collection of the levels of physical activity the workers engage in as well as their sleep patterns over extended periods of time. Our goal is to use lightweight, wearable technology (so-called activity trackers) to collect this data. In order to do so we need a clear understanding of the capabilities and limitations of such devices, both in general and in the proposed use environment for forestry workers. In this paper we present the results of user studies and comparisons of six activity trackers and three mobile phone applications used to track activity and sleep. We also discuss our initial pilot study with forestry workers and discuss the problems encountered using the trackers in the environment.

text: Investigating the use of activity trackers to observe high-risk work environments The New Zealand forestry industry has the country's highest rate of workplace fatalities. The reasons are not well studied or understood and no large-scale systematic physical and physiological data has been recorded to investigate this. Current research focusses on developing mechanised solutions and changing worker behaviour. We believe the first step in identifying any successful solution is to develop a fine-grained understanding of the physical context of forestry work by performing large-scale data collection of the levels of physical activity the workers engage in as well as their sleep patterns over extended periods of time. Our goal is to use lightweight, wearable technology (so-called activity trackers) to collect this data. In order to do so we need a clear understanding of the capabilities and limitations of such devices, both in general and in the proposed use environment for forestry workers. In this paper we present the results of user studies and comparisons of six activity trackers and three mobile phone applications used to track activity and sleep. We also discuss our initial pilot study with forestry workers and discuss the problems encountered using the trackers in the environment.

year: 2015

title: Quantifying the impact of emerging trade issues and non-tariff measures on Bangladesh

authors: Rahman, Mohammad Masudur

subjects: Non-tariff measures, Computable general equilibrium, Least developed country

abstract: The overall aim of this thesis is to quantify the impact of emerging trade issues, including non-tariff measures (NTMs), for Bangladesh. This thesis focuses on how trade costs, mostly NTM-related trade costs, impact international trade. NTMs are policy-related trade costs that arise in addition to tariffs, and they are of particular interest as they can constitute a large share of trade costs, particularly for developing countries.
My research involves both econometric and computable general equilibrium modelling analysis. I developed a unique NTM dataset for Bangladesh, at the HS 6-digit product level, which is used to econometrically estimate the impact of NTMs on imports. Global computable general equilibrium modelling is then used for quantifying the impact of changes in trade costs. 
This thesis comprises four applications of trade cost analysis. The first (chapter two) estimates the bilateral trade costs between Bangladesh and its leading trading partners, before investigating the factors that influence Bangladesh’s import costs. To measure implied bilateral trade costs, I first deploy an inverse gravity equation. I then estimate the determinants of import trade costs at the HS 6-digit product level, applying PPML estimation techniques to a gravity model, using a unique new NTM database developed for this thesis. The results show that imports to Bangladesh are related in an expected way to common trade cost proxies and that NTMs negatively impact imports.
In the second application, I use the MyGTAP model, an extension of the well-known GTAP model which allows household disaggregation, to analyse the impact of eliminating export subsidies using a computable general framework. Export subsidies can be significant NTMs and important trade policy instruments for many developing countries. The simulations indicate that elimination of export subsidies has a positive effect on GDP. If we reduce the export subsidy by 50 percent and transfer this amount of money from the government to the targeted seven low-income household groups, real GDP may increase by about one percent. Government transfers to households lead to an increase in real income to all households, especially rural households, where incomes on average rise by 2.5 percent. This study suggests there are substantial opportunity costs to export subsidies, and household income could be enhanced by redirecting the spending to more productive channels.
In the third application, I again employ the MyGTAP model to estimate the potential market access costs of Bangladesh’s least developed country (LDC) graduation. Bangladesh is an important case study of an emerging trading nation that will graduate from the LDC status to a developing country by 2026. The findings show that if developed countries impose a standard generalized system of preferences (GSP) tariffs while importing from Bangladesh and at the same time Bangladesh eliminates its export subsidies, Bangladesh’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) may drop by about 0.38 percent and exports could fall by about six percent. The ready-made garment sector could be affected severely, and exports may decline by about 14 percent. The analysis indicates that the income of urban households could decrease by three percent, and household consumption may shrink by about four percent.
In my fourth application, I explore how Bangladesh is dealing with balancing its relationship with its two important neighbours, India and China. China now holds the position of Bangladesh’s top trading and investment partner, while India is its second-biggest trading partner. Bangladesh has substantial comparative advantages in the apparel, jute, and leather sectors, and at the same time, both countries offer generous tariff elimination for imports from Bangladesh. However, various NTMs and a lack of trade facilitation present mounting barriers to exporting to the giants’ markets. Computable general equilibrium modeling simulations indicate that if India and China reduce NTMs through increased trade facilitation by 50 percent, Bangladesh’s exports may increase by three percent to these two markets. 
My thesis contributes to the improved understanding of emerging trade issues for Bangladesh. Using my new NTM dataset, I demonstrate the high costs of NTMs for Bangladesh. I then estimate the opportunity cost of export subsidies and the potential impacts of Bangladesh’s LDC graduation, including on different households. Finally, I highlight the importance of improved trade facilitation between Bangladesh and the huge neighbouring economies of China and India.

text: Quantifying the impact of emerging trade issues and non-tariff measures on Bangladesh The overall aim of this thesis is to quantify the impact of emerging trade issues, including non-tariff measures (NTMs), for Bangladesh. This thesis focuses on how trade costs, mostly NTM-related trade costs, impact international trade. NTMs are policy-related trade costs that arise in addition to tariffs, and they are of particular interest as they can constitute a large share of trade costs, particularly for developing countries.
My research involves both econometric and computable general equilibrium modelling analysis. I developed a unique NTM dataset for Bangladesh, at the HS 6-digit product level, which is used to econometrically estimate the impact of NTMs on imports. Global computable general equilibrium modelling is then used for quantifying the impact of changes in trade costs. 
This thesis comprises four applications of trade cost analysis. The first (chapter two) estimates the bilateral trade costs between Bangladesh and its leading trading partners, before investigating the factors that influence Bangladesh’s import costs. To measure implied bilateral trade costs, I first deploy an inverse gravity equation. I then estimate the determinants of import trade costs at the HS 6-digit product level, applying PPML estimation techniques to a gravity model, using a unique new NTM database developed for this thesis. The results show that imports to Bangladesh are related in an expected way to common trade cost proxies and that NTMs negatively impact imports.
In the second application, I use the MyGTAP model, an extension of the well-known GTAP model which allows household disaggregation, to analyse the impact of eliminating export subsidies using a computable general framework. Export subsidies can be significant NTMs and important trade policy instruments for many developing countries. The simulations indicate that elimination of export subsidies has a positive effect on GDP. If we reduce the export subsidy by 50 percent and transfer this amount of money from the government to the targeted seven low-income household groups, real GDP may increase by about one percent. Government transfers to households lead to an increase in real income to all households, especially rural households, where incomes on average rise by 2.5 percent. This study suggests there are substantial opportunity costs to export subsidies, and household income could be enhanced by redirecting the spending to more productive channels.
In the third application, I again employ the MyGTAP model to estimate the potential market access costs of Bangladesh’s least developed country (LDC) graduation. Bangladesh is an important case study of an emerging trading nation that will graduate from the LDC status to a developing country by 2026. The findings show that if developed countries impose a standard generalized system of preferences (GSP) tariffs while importing from Bangladesh and at the same time Bangladesh eliminates its export subsidies, Bangladesh’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) may drop by about 0.38 percent and exports could fall by about six percent. The ready-made garment sector could be affected severely, and exports may decline by about 14 percent. The analysis indicates that the income of urban households could decrease by three percent, and household consumption may shrink by about four percent.
In my fourth application, I explore how Bangladesh is dealing with balancing its relationship with its two important neighbours, India and China. China now holds the position of Bangladesh’s top trading and investment partner, while India is its second-biggest trading partner. Bangladesh has substantial comparative advantages in the apparel, jute, and leather sectors, and at the same time, both countries offer generous tariff elimination for imports from Bangladesh. However, various NTMs and a lack of trade facilitation present mounting barriers to exporting to the giants’ markets. Computable general equilibrium modeling simulations indicate that if India and China reduce NTMs through increased trade facilitation by 50 percent, Bangladesh’s exports may increase by three percent to these two markets. 
My thesis contributes to the improved understanding of emerging trade issues for Bangladesh. Using my new NTM dataset, I demonstrate the high costs of NTMs for Bangladesh. I then estimate the opportunity cost of export subsidies and the potential impacts of Bangladesh’s LDC graduation, including on different households. Finally, I highlight the importance of improved trade facilitation between Bangladesh and the huge neighbouring economies of China and India.

year: 2023

title: Maori and mining in New Zealand and beyond

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: Before the arrival of Europeans, Maori had known of the existence of gold but did not mine it and had no understanding of its value. Once mining commenced in California in 1849 and Australia in the early 1850s, many Maori participated on several fields, especially in Victoria. When gold was first discovered in New Zealand, at Coromandel in 1852, Maori were keen to learn prospecting skills, and soon found gold in several parts of both the North and South Islands. Some alluvial claims were worked communally, even some women participating. From the start, Maori were determined to protect their rights against Pakeha when they were rivals for the same ground.  
On the Hauraki Peninsula, which had no alluvial gold, Maori were prospectors rather than miners. Some were successful, often going against the wishes of rangatira who, fearing that opening goldfields would result in their losing their land, refused access to prospectors, particularly in Ohinemuri. At Thames, Maori prospectors succeeded where Pakeha ones had failed, finding the gold that led to the 1867 rush; a rush encouraged by one rangatira in particular, Wirope Hoterene Taipari, who understood how a successful field would benefit him financially (including obtaining a reward for discovering a payable goldfield). After the opening of this field, some Maori prospected throughout the peninsula and elsewhere for the remainder of the century, with varying success but with some good finds, particularly at Kuaotunu. A few even participated in the Klondike rush. By the twentieth century, Maori were overcoming their reluctance to mine underground, notably in the coalmines of the Waikato, but until then almost none had seen mining as a full-time career. 
Indigenous inhabitants throughout the world successfully prospected for precious metals, but their achievements were commonly written out of history, as for example in Australia, where Aboriginal involvement is only now being uncovered. In New Zealand also, Maori achievements, although well known to contemporaries, have largely been forgotten. At the time, Maori prospector’s successes were praised and many became owners of claims, and in some cases benefited financially from their involvement in mining.

text: Maori and mining in New Zealand and beyond Before the arrival of Europeans, Maori had known of the existence of gold but did not mine it and had no understanding of its value. Once mining commenced in California in 1849 and Australia in the early 1850s, many Maori participated on several fields, especially in Victoria. When gold was first discovered in New Zealand, at Coromandel in 1852, Maori were keen to learn prospecting skills, and soon found gold in several parts of both the North and South Islands. Some alluvial claims were worked communally, even some women participating. From the start, Maori were determined to protect their rights against Pakeha when they were rivals for the same ground.  
On the Hauraki Peninsula, which had no alluvial gold, Maori were prospectors rather than miners. Some were successful, often going against the wishes of rangatira who, fearing that opening goldfields would result in their losing their land, refused access to prospectors, particularly in Ohinemuri. At Thames, Maori prospectors succeeded where Pakeha ones had failed, finding the gold that led to the 1867 rush; a rush encouraged by one rangatira in particular, Wirope Hoterene Taipari, who understood how a successful field would benefit him financially (including obtaining a reward for discovering a payable goldfield). After the opening of this field, some Maori prospected throughout the peninsula and elsewhere for the remainder of the century, with varying success but with some good finds, particularly at Kuaotunu. A few even participated in the Klondike rush. By the twentieth century, Maori were overcoming their reluctance to mine underground, notably in the coalmines of the Waikato, but until then almost none had seen mining as a full-time career. 
Indigenous inhabitants throughout the world successfully prospected for precious metals, but their achievements were commonly written out of history, as for example in Australia, where Aboriginal involvement is only now being uncovered. In New Zealand also, Maori achievements, although well known to contemporaries, have largely been forgotten. At the time, Maori prospector’s successes were praised and many became owners of claims, and in some cases benefited financially from their involvement in mining.

year: 2016