title: A fedora librarian interface

authors: Bainbridge, David

subjects: computer science

abstract: The Fedora content management system embodies a powerful and flexible digital object model. This paper describes a new open-source software front-end that enables end-user librarians to transfer documents and metadata in a variety of formats into a Fedora repository. The main graphical facility that Fedora itself provides for this task operates on one document at a time and is not librarian-friendly. A batch driven alternative is possible, but requires documents to be converted beforehand into the XML format used by the repository, necessitating a need for programming skills. In contrast, our new scheme allows arbitrary collections of documents residing on the user's computer (or the web at large) to be ingested into a Fedora repository in one operation, without a need for programming expertise. Provision is also made for editing existing documents and metadata, and adding new ones. The documents can be in a wide variety of different formats, and the user interface is suitable for practicing librarians. The design capitalizes on our experience in building the Greenstone librarian interface and participating in dozens of workshops with librarians worldwide.

text: A fedora librarian interface The Fedora content management system embodies a powerful and flexible digital object model. This paper describes a new open-source software front-end that enables end-user librarians to transfer documents and metadata in a variety of formats into a Fedora repository. The main graphical facility that Fedora itself provides for this task operates on one document at a time and is not librarian-friendly. A batch driven alternative is possible, but requires documents to be converted beforehand into the XML format used by the repository, necessitating a need for programming skills. In contrast, our new scheme allows arbitrary collections of documents residing on the user's computer (or the web at large) to be ingested into a Fedora repository in one operation, without a need for programming expertise. Provision is also made for editing existing documents and metadata, and adding new ones. The documents can be in a wide variety of different formats, and the user interface is suitable for practicing librarians. The design capitalizes on our experience in building the Greenstone librarian interface and participating in dozens of workshops with librarians worldwide.

year: 2008

title: Studies of modified pumice and titanomagnetite filtration media

authors: Yang, Zailu

abstract: There is a continuing interest in filtration technologies capable of more efficient filtration, particularly of small microbial particles, but which place less reliance on the use of water treatment chemicals. In order to develop new options for granular filtration systems, two indigenous New Zealand media, titanomagnetite (TM) and pumice were investigated. TM was of interest because its particle size is finer than most filtration media and its magnetic properties allow the possibility of magnetic conditioning of the bed. A modified pumice, marketed as Silicon Sponge (SS), is already finding application in filtration systems where its low effective density and porous structure make it ideally suited for use as the upper layer of dual media filters. 

Particle size and surface charge are key parameters influencing the effectiveness of a given filtration medium. Finer medium particle size improves filtration efficiency but at the expense of lower hydraulic conductivity. Magnetic conditioning of fine TM filtration beds was used to improve hydraulic conductivity. Hydraulic conductivity was increased by 140% when a vertically aligned magnetic field 0.018 T was applied. However filtration efficiency was decreased by about 9% in the conditioned (expanded) bed. Adjustment of pH to enhance electrostatic interactions more than compensated for this decrease. 

The particulate matter of most waters requiring filtration is negatively charged. Surface treatment to make a filtration medium more electropositive is known to improve the medium’s filtration effectiveness. The isoelectric point (IEP) of natural TM, even after rigorous chemical cleaning, was found to be 3.64 ± 0.06 This value was confirmed by the preparation of a synthetic TM and the measurement of its IEP. Attempts to raise the IEP of natural TM by treatment with aluminium and iron polycation solutions were unsuccessful. 

Greater success was achieved in the modification of the properties of SS by treatment with aluminium and iron polycation solutions and mixtures of these solutions. IEPs ranging from the 4.10 ± 0.06 of acid rinsed SS to the 8.52 ± 0.06 of aluminium treated SS were achieved. In addition, it was found possible to impart magnetic properties to fine SS by the use of treatment solutions containing a mixture of ferric and ferrous ions. The presence of aluminium in the treatment solutions allowed higher IEPs to be obtained but the magnetic effect was reduced. In the absence of aluminium, the ferric/ferrous mixture gave a product with a magnetic effect that was 7% of that observed for pure magnetite. 

Filtration studies using 1.7 μm negatively charged kaolin as a model negative colloid showed that significant increases in filtration efficiency were achieved by medium pre-treatments with the aluminium and iron solutions. For example, turbidity removal for 710-1000 μm SS was increased from 22% to 94% by aluminium pre-treatment. 

The information on the performance of magnetically conditioned beds and the ability to enhance filtration efficiency by surface modification using iron and aluminium has potential applications in the design of novel systems for water and wastewater treatment. A small-scale system based upon the use of a permanent magnet has been proposed and work in this area is continuing.

text: Studies of modified pumice and titanomagnetite filtration media There is a continuing interest in filtration technologies capable of more efficient filtration, particularly of small microbial particles, but which place less reliance on the use of water treatment chemicals. In order to develop new options for granular filtration systems, two indigenous New Zealand media, titanomagnetite (TM) and pumice were investigated. TM was of interest because its particle size is finer than most filtration media and its magnetic properties allow the possibility of magnetic conditioning of the bed. A modified pumice, marketed as Silicon Sponge (SS), is already finding application in filtration systems where its low effective density and porous structure make it ideally suited for use as the upper layer of dual media filters. 

Particle size and surface charge are key parameters influencing the effectiveness of a given filtration medium. Finer medium particle size improves filtration efficiency but at the expense of lower hydraulic conductivity. Magnetic conditioning of fine TM filtration beds was used to improve hydraulic conductivity. Hydraulic conductivity was increased by 140% when a vertically aligned magnetic field 0.018 T was applied. However filtration efficiency was decreased by about 9% in the conditioned (expanded) bed. Adjustment of pH to enhance electrostatic interactions more than compensated for this decrease. 

The particulate matter of most waters requiring filtration is negatively charged. Surface treatment to make a filtration medium more electropositive is known to improve the medium’s filtration effectiveness. The isoelectric point (IEP) of natural TM, even after rigorous chemical cleaning, was found to be 3.64 ± 0.06 This value was confirmed by the preparation of a synthetic TM and the measurement of its IEP. Attempts to raise the IEP of natural TM by treatment with aluminium and iron polycation solutions were unsuccessful. 

Greater success was achieved in the modification of the properties of SS by treatment with aluminium and iron polycation solutions and mixtures of these solutions. IEPs ranging from the 4.10 ± 0.06 of acid rinsed SS to the 8.52 ± 0.06 of aluminium treated SS were achieved. In addition, it was found possible to impart magnetic properties to fine SS by the use of treatment solutions containing a mixture of ferric and ferrous ions. The presence of aluminium in the treatment solutions allowed higher IEPs to be obtained but the magnetic effect was reduced. In the absence of aluminium, the ferric/ferrous mixture gave a product with a magnetic effect that was 7% of that observed for pure magnetite. 

Filtration studies using 1.7 μm negatively charged kaolin as a model negative colloid showed that significant increases in filtration efficiency were achieved by medium pre-treatments with the aluminium and iron solutions. For example, turbidity removal for 710-1000 μm SS was increased from 22% to 94% by aluminium pre-treatment. 

The information on the performance of magnetically conditioned beds and the ability to enhance filtration efficiency by surface modification using iron and aluminium has potential applications in the design of novel systems for water and wastewater treatment. A small-scale system based upon the use of a permanent magnet has been proposed and work in this area is continuing.

year: 2001

title: Inside the Resource Management Act:  A Tainui Case Study

authors: Greensill, Angeline Ngahina

subjects: Maori

abstract: Under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 councils are required to promote the sustainable management of physical and natural resources within their respective areas.    In carrying out their duties, councils are obliged to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori with their culture, traditions, lands, waters and other taonga.  They are also required to have regard to kaitiakitanga, and to take into account the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi when making decisions.    
This thesis focuses on the RMA experiences of Tainui, a hapū in Whaingaroa. It sets out to prove that in the last 19 years, since the enactment of the RMA, Waikato councils have failed to honour these obligations to Tainui.  While the RMA specifically provides for Māori interests, in reality those interests are contested and eroded by decision makers who write and enforce rules which inequitably affect Māori relationships with land and other taonga. 
The thesis engages multiple theories and methodologies including Kaupapa Māori, critical theory, autobiography, and a longitudinal case study to expose personal experiences that   bring the realities of planning impacts on Tainui to life.    The fact that Tainui has successfully appealed several council decisions to the Environment Court indicates that councils are failing to meet their obligations as laid out in the legislation.

text: Inside the Resource Management Act:  A Tainui Case Study Under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 councils are required to promote the sustainable management of physical and natural resources within their respective areas.    In carrying out their duties, councils are obliged to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori with their culture, traditions, lands, waters and other taonga.  They are also required to have regard to kaitiakitanga, and to take into account the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi when making decisions.    
This thesis focuses on the RMA experiences of Tainui, a hapū in Whaingaroa. It sets out to prove that in the last 19 years, since the enactment of the RMA, Waikato councils have failed to honour these obligations to Tainui.  While the RMA specifically provides for Māori interests, in reality those interests are contested and eroded by decision makers who write and enforce rules which inequitably affect Māori relationships with land and other taonga. 
The thesis engages multiple theories and methodologies including Kaupapa Māori, critical theory, autobiography, and a longitudinal case study to expose personal experiences that   bring the realities of planning impacts on Tainui to life.    The fact that Tainui has successfully appealed several council decisions to the Environment Court indicates that councils are failing to meet their obligations as laid out in the legislation.

year: 2010