title: Towards rapid assay of cryptotephra in peat cores: review and evaluation of selected methods

authors: Gehrels, Maria J.

subjects: tephra

abstract: Peat bogs are highly effective archives for the preservation and detection of cryptotephra but the conventional methods used to detect these hidden, diminutive layers are destructive and can be time consuming. We briefly review methods that have been used for cryptotephra detection and evaluate the potential of a range of alternative reconnaissance methods, both non-destructive and destructive, to provide for more rapid examination of continuous cryptotephra content in peat cores. The techniques evaluated—magnetic susceptibility (MS), spectrophotometry, and X-ray fluorescence—are used to pick out compositional contrasts between tephra deposits and peat. Measurements of organic content are also evaluated as a potential guide to tephra content based on an inverse relationship. Although we find limitations to each method, particularly where deployed at the distal-most end of tephra dispersal, there is potential for all methods to be used in the detection of cryptotephra where time or material is limited. These methods can also provide additional sedimentological and stratigraphic information for studies of peat cores. However, where a reliable cryptotephra profile is required, we conclude that there is no quick or easy substitute for the conventional extraction-microscopy method.

text: Towards rapid assay of cryptotephra in peat cores: review and evaluation of selected methods Peat bogs are highly effective archives for the preservation and detection of cryptotephra but the conventional methods used to detect these hidden, diminutive layers are destructive and can be time consuming. We briefly review methods that have been used for cryptotephra detection and evaluate the potential of a range of alternative reconnaissance methods, both non-destructive and destructive, to provide for more rapid examination of continuous cryptotephra content in peat cores. The techniques evaluated—magnetic susceptibility (MS), spectrophotometry, and X-ray fluorescence—are used to pick out compositional contrasts between tephra deposits and peat. Measurements of organic content are also evaluated as a potential guide to tephra content based on an inverse relationship. Although we find limitations to each method, particularly where deployed at the distal-most end of tephra dispersal, there is potential for all methods to be used in the detection of cryptotephra where time or material is limited. These methods can also provide additional sedimentological and stratigraphic information for studies of peat cores. However, where a reliable cryptotephra profile is required, we conclude that there is no quick or easy substitute for the conventional extraction-microscopy method.

year: 2008-02

title: Active Electromagnetic Damping for Lightweight Electric Vehicles.

authors: Duke, Mike

subjects: Electromagnetic

abstract: Due to the low weight of most current electric vehicles, the effectiveness of commercial passive dampers is reduced when compared to current production automobiles. Active dampers allow for a significant reduction in the amount of road signal that affects the passenger body. However current active hydraulic dampers tend to be heavy and to have a power consumption that precludes their use in electric vehicles. By use of a linear electromagnetic element it is possible to create an active damper that has enough authority to provide active damping with a fraction of the weight and power consumption of a hydraulic system. A computer model of an active electromagnetic damper was constructed and the results were compared to a physical prototype. This verified the effectiveness of the damper and the low power consumption. This computer model was then scaled up for the simulation of a real world quarter car model. This simulation demonstrated that the use of the active linear electromagnetic damper was more effective at all frequencies when compared to an ideal passive damper. It was also demonstrated that the active electromagnetic damper had a similar mass to a passive damper and had a power consumption of more than an order of magnitude less than a comparable active hydraulic damper. Keywords-component; Electromagnetic; damping; active; suspension.

text: Active Electromagnetic Damping for Lightweight Electric Vehicles. Due to the low weight of most current electric vehicles, the effectiveness of commercial passive dampers is reduced when compared to current production automobiles. Active dampers allow for a significant reduction in the amount of road signal that affects the passenger body. However current active hydraulic dampers tend to be heavy and to have a power consumption that precludes their use in electric vehicles. By use of a linear electromagnetic element it is possible to create an active damper that has enough authority to provide active damping with a fraction of the weight and power consumption of a hydraulic system. A computer model of an active electromagnetic damper was constructed and the results were compared to a physical prototype. This verified the effectiveness of the damper and the low power consumption. This computer model was then scaled up for the simulation of a real world quarter car model. This simulation demonstrated that the use of the active linear electromagnetic damper was more effective at all frequencies when compared to an ideal passive damper. It was also demonstrated that the active electromagnetic damper had a similar mass to a passive damper and had a power consumption of more than an order of magnitude less than a comparable active hydraulic damper. Keywords-component; Electromagnetic; damping; active; suspension.

year: 2015-01-17

title: A community psychology-based evaluation of the you good? You Good! program delivered by Jade speaks up educational trust in Aotearoa. Empowering tamariki emotional literacy, supporting mental health and encouraging well-being.

authors: Webbon, Abigail

abstract: This evaluation was completed for Jade Speaks Up (JSU) Educational Trust to provide feedback from school teachers and whānau who were involved in the You Good? You Good! (YG?YG!) program, delivered by JSU Educational Trust to schools across Aotearoa. The evaluation goal was to collate the narratives of participating school staff, whānau, and JSU Educational Trust trainers, contrasting experiences and perspectives to determine program effectiveness.
This program is for schools, management, and teachers who work with tamariki, to help teachers and students understand anxiety and develop skills and strategies to have self-agency. JSU Educational Trust developed YG?YG! in 2021, and in 2022 the YG?YG! pilot program was implemented.
This evaluation had three research objectives: 1) Identify and collate the experiences of school staff and other key stakeholders when implementing the YG?YG!, 2) Identify the strengths and barriers to inclusion for tamariki in schools where the program was delivered, and 3) Draw on the stakeholder narratives to assess the program's ability to achieve its goal: enable tamariki to be more agentic in responding to early signs of anxiety in themselves and others.
Information for this evaluation was collected from four sources: 1) Focus groups with JSU trainers, 2) Interviews with school staff, 3) Online surveys with school staff, 4) Archival supervision, and 5) Literature review. Data collected was interpreted through the use of thematic analysis, informed by Community Psychology principles, and the “Six C” framework, guided by He Awa Whiria.
Thematic analysis was completed by coding themes and categories from data sources. The findings from this empirical research engagement informed the analysis and discussion on program effectiveness. 
The findings and analysis found that forming a program design and approach informed with respect for the community’s needs and world-views can enable recognition, awareness and inclusion. A way for the program to begin to do so is to collaborate with communities.
Including researchers from a local community can enable empowerment, build social power, and create responses that promote the needs of the involved communities. The program can champion the field and those they work with by being accountable and enabling transparency.
The program can take an inclusive approach to sustaining its relationships, content relevance, and development for tamariki emotional well-being. The program can work on cultivating and empowering participants to be active partners, enabling the program to be shaped with equity in mind.
Key to program efficacy is acknowledging change and encompassing adaptation. The way to do this is to consider local health issues driven by who experience them, elevating the voice of the community.
Change and need cannot be determined without considering the voice of involved communities. By taking participants feedback, the program can create change for tamariki mental health, whilst acknowledging system and structural barriers, striving for community competence.
Importance lies within the work the program does to enable and support those affected by external factors. The program can acknowledge these challenges, and provide hope that community competence can be achieved.
To conclude, recommendations are presented for JSU Educational Trust to consider.

text: A community psychology-based evaluation of the you good? You Good! program delivered by Jade speaks up educational trust in Aotearoa. Empowering tamariki emotional literacy, supporting mental health and encouraging well-being. This evaluation was completed for Jade Speaks Up (JSU) Educational Trust to provide feedback from school teachers and whānau who were involved in the You Good? You Good! (YG?YG!) program, delivered by JSU Educational Trust to schools across Aotearoa. The evaluation goal was to collate the narratives of participating school staff, whānau, and JSU Educational Trust trainers, contrasting experiences and perspectives to determine program effectiveness.
This program is for schools, management, and teachers who work with tamariki, to help teachers and students understand anxiety and develop skills and strategies to have self-agency. JSU Educational Trust developed YG?YG! in 2021, and in 2022 the YG?YG! pilot program was implemented.
This evaluation had three research objectives: 1) Identify and collate the experiences of school staff and other key stakeholders when implementing the YG?YG!, 2) Identify the strengths and barriers to inclusion for tamariki in schools where the program was delivered, and 3) Draw on the stakeholder narratives to assess the program's ability to achieve its goal: enable tamariki to be more agentic in responding to early signs of anxiety in themselves and others.
Information for this evaluation was collected from four sources: 1) Focus groups with JSU trainers, 2) Interviews with school staff, 3) Online surveys with school staff, 4) Archival supervision, and 5) Literature review. Data collected was interpreted through the use of thematic analysis, informed by Community Psychology principles, and the “Six C” framework, guided by He Awa Whiria.
Thematic analysis was completed by coding themes and categories from data sources. The findings from this empirical research engagement informed the analysis and discussion on program effectiveness. 
The findings and analysis found that forming a program design and approach informed with respect for the community’s needs and world-views can enable recognition, awareness and inclusion. A way for the program to begin to do so is to collaborate with communities.
Including researchers from a local community can enable empowerment, build social power, and create responses that promote the needs of the involved communities. The program can champion the field and those they work with by being accountable and enabling transparency.
The program can take an inclusive approach to sustaining its relationships, content relevance, and development for tamariki emotional well-being. The program can work on cultivating and empowering participants to be active partners, enabling the program to be shaped with equity in mind.
Key to program efficacy is acknowledging change and encompassing adaptation. The way to do this is to consider local health issues driven by who experience them, elevating the voice of the community.
Change and need cannot be determined without considering the voice of involved communities. By taking participants feedback, the program can create change for tamariki mental health, whilst acknowledging system and structural barriers, striving for community competence.
Importance lies within the work the program does to enable and support those affected by external factors. The program can acknowledge these challenges, and provide hope that community competence can be achieved.
To conclude, recommendations are presented for JSU Educational Trust to consider.

year: 2024-11-14