8,617 research outputs found
The built environment, Hamilton City Council policies and child driveway safety: a balancing act
No full textDriveway run-overs continue to bring tragedy to New Zealand families at a higher rate than any other Western nation. Meanwhile, little progress appears to have been made in regard to the recommendations of previous research. This project investigates whether recommendations in regard to one key factor in driveway run-overs, the built environment, are reflected in current local body policies and regulations. The research evaluates Hamilton City Council policies affecting the renovation and/or erection of domestic residences with a view to determining whether they are consistent with existing knowledge and best practice initiatives designed to minimise accidental injuries to children on driveways.
The project compares the findings of a review of the existing literature on child safety best practice for the built environment and urban design of driveways, with a review of Hamilton City Council policies and guidelines relating to the built environment of residential properties and adjacent roads (the Operative District Plan, Ten Year Plan, Urban Growth Strategy, Vista, and more), along with relevant central government policy. These findings are triangulated with data from interviews with four expert informants – one child safety expert and three Hamilton City Council employees involved in planning, policy and transport – who provide insights into the translation of policies into practice
Obstacles on the path: An exposition of the experience of car-free living
No full textThe contemporary focus by local and central government on the promotion of sustainable transport options has highlighted the need for commuting to move away from the current dependence on private cars to more public and active (walking and cycling) modes of transport. Given the prominence of the motor car in personal transport options however, choosing to live car-free in this car dependent culture appears at first glance to be an irrational choice. This research explores the lived experiences of a group of Hamilton residents who have made such a choice. Using a grounded theory approach, the thesis presents the results of interviews with nine car-free Hamilton residents who shared their personal transport stories, which include their childhood experiences, but focus on their current everyday practices and experiences. Through semi-structured interviews, the costs and benefits of a car-free lifestyle are articulated and analysed. Their motivations for choosing to forgo cars and their solutions for overcoming potential barriers to car-free living are also reported and explored. The collected data generated a range of themes which are presented in three chapters, each covering a specific aspect of the participants’ stories. The first group of themes relate to the public sphere, the second to the private realm and the final group emanates from specific elements of car-free living that the thesis sought to clarify through the participants’ stories. The key finding is that living car-free within Hamilton City is viewed by the participants as a well reasoned and eminently sensible choice, which produces multiple benefits. In addition to their reduced environmental footprints, the participants value the social interaction associated with active and public transport. Their consensus is that they are healthier, wealthier and more involved members of the community. The most problematic areas of living without a car were associated with recreational and social activities, which often do not coincide with public transport schedules or involve distances too great for active transport. The benefits far outweigh any disadvantages however, and ultimately, this thesis concludes that a motor car is not necessary for the everyday activities of urban living in Hamilton and any associated inconveniences are not as insurmountable as generally imagined
A modelling approach to assist with managing water quality in a catchment subject to rapid urbanisation: Lake Rotokauri, Hamilton, New Zealand
No full textThe objective of this study was to apply a coupled hydrodynamic-ecological model to a peat-stained and shallow (~4 m maximum depth) eutrophic lake whose catchment is likely to be subject to urban expansion associated with the development of Hamilton city, Waikato, New Zealand. The in-lake modelling was designed to increase understanding of the lake ecosystem and potentially to influence planning and management decisions associated with the prospective urban development project being undertaken by the Hamilton City Council (HCC). The overarching goal of the development is to accommodate urban expansion whilst retaining and enhancing the existing natural resources of Lake Rotokauri and Waiwhakareke Lake, and to restore the ecological value of the Rotokauri catchment. The main objective of this study was to understand the relationship between lake water quality and the effects of change of land-use from pastoral to urban within the Rotokauri catchment. This study incorporated results from a twelve-month programme of field work undertaken independently to the present study, into empirical calculations and computer modelling related to the catchment water budget and nutrient load, as well as the lake water quality. The fieldwork included the collection of water samples at set depths from Lake Rotokauri for the analysis of total and dissolved nutrients, chlorophyll a and dissolved oxygen concentrations, and water temperature. On each sampling occasion a Secchi depth was measured. The surface flow measurements and nutrient loadings via the inflows were obtained as part of a water budget calculation for the lake as well as from previous studies that used both field measurements and models to derive nutrient concentrations and loads.
An empirical water budget for Lake Rotokauri was developed to estimate the groundwater and outflow discharge as there were no gaugings that could be applied to input these variables into the lake model. Meteorological data for Lake Rotokauri was obtained from the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere Limited database, based on measurement at the Ruakura meteorological station. Meteorological data, inflows (including empirically estimated groundwater and measured surface water discharges to the lake) and the calculated outflow were entered as daily inputs to the DYRESM-CAEDYM lake model for the period of 2009. The available data relating to 2009 were looped for 2010 to check the stability of the model and its ability to capture repeated inter-annual dynamics that would be expected with identical annual forcing data input. DYRESM is a one-dimensional hydrodynamic model that predicts the vertical distribution of temperature, density and salinity. CAEDYM is an aquatic ecological model which was coupled with DYRESM as its hydrodynamic driver to simulate transport and mixing, and output temperature and biogeochemical parameters associated with lake water quality. The model satisfactorily simulated both the surface (0 m) and bottom (3 m) water temperature and the seasonal trends including the occasional stratification periods observed through spring to autumn. The model simulations showed greater departures from field data in simulating the dynamics of biogeochemical variables, particularly the seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton. The conceptual seasonal succession in phytoplankton communities depicts dominance of cyanobacteria in summer and diatoms in winter. In the observed data for Lake Rotokauri diatoms were found to be the dominant group throughout the year. The calibrated model was able to show diatoms to be the dominant group over cyanobacterial blooms. The agreement between concentrations of nitrate and dissolved reactive phosphorus in the water column was better than for chlorophyll a, and the observed magnitude and seasonal fluctuations at both depths (0 and 3 m) were captured reasonably well by the model simulations. The total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations were under and over-estimated, respectively. Dissolved reactive phosphorus (PO4) was overestimated perhaps as a result of insufficient uptake of phosphorus by the two phytoplankton groups. As the present model does not contain a dynamic description of sediment dynamics, the sediment phosphorus release rates were influenced by user-defined maximum phosphorus release rate, temperature and the oxygen concentration in the overlying waters. Concentrations of ammonium were underestimated but it represented a relatively small proportion of TN. Due to wind-induced mixing and sediment resuspension, as well as convective sediment-water heat exchanges, phosphorus may be released from the bottom sediments where it has previously sedimented out. The model simulations may not have captured these internal loads of phosphorus adequately as sediment resuspension, for example, was not explicitly included in the model configuration.
To depict the future water quality of Lake Rotokauri when subjected to urbanisation, three scenarios were developed which involved simulations with altered nutrient loads to DYRESM-CAEDYM and comparisons with the calibrated model which represented a ‘base’ or present case of water quality. The scenarios considered the water quality that could evolve during and after urban development, and with a range of mitigation measures, from relatively modest treatment to best management practices to reduce nutrient loads and attenuate water flows to the lake.
The predicted nutrient load contributed from future urban run-off was less than the nutrient load from the pastoral run-off in all scenarios. The model indicated that the nutrient loading from a future catchment with little or modest treatment of the urban area (Scenario I) would be only slightly poorer water quality than Scenario II which examined the water quality during the construction phase. Scenario III (treated water) was most effective in reducing nutrient loads to Lake Rotokauri. At 3 m depth dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations showed large fluctuations throughout the year for the both the base and untreated discharge scenarios. Chlorophyll a (chl a) concentrations for the untreated scenario were greater than in the base scenario. The timing of peak chl a concentrations between base and untreated discharges differed by a few days. The TP, TN and nitrate (NO3-N) concentrations of the base scenario were greater than the untreated scenario.
Scenario II represented the intermediate stage towards Scenario 3 which was the optimal treatment case for the catchment. The greatest difference in DO at 0 m between the base case and scenario II was in March (i.e., base-intermediate = 2.76 mg L-1). At 3 m depth, Lake Rotokauri was predicted to be anoxic on 4 July 2011 (0.18 mg L-1) for scenario II. Chlorophyll a concentrations for scenario 2 were lower than the base case and PO4-P concentrations were higher. Concentrations of NO3-N and NH4-N at 3 m depth for scenario II were lower than the base case.
Scenario III involved simulating water quality from with best management practices implemented. These practices included detention basins (grass-lined), constructed wetlands, biofiltration swales and floodways. At 3 m depth, fluctuations in DO concentration for both the base and scenario III were similar at the beginning of the simulated period, but for the months of May to November DO was lower in Scenario III than the base case. The maximum chl a for scenario 3 peaked at 30.8 μgL-1 compared to 38.9 μg L-1 observed in the base model. The TP and TN concentrations were substantially lower in Scenario III than the base model. Concentrations of PO4-P at 3 m depth were low for most of the year except in March. At 0 m depth the NH4-N concentrations were greater than the base model from mid-June to July. Concentrations of NO3-N for the treated scenario at 0 m depth were approximately 25% less than the base model.
Future studies should consider an ongoing comprehensive and consistent monitoring plan that would emphasise any change in the water quality of Lake Rotokauri during and/or after high-density urban developments within the catchment. Future works should involve regular monitoring that would not only limit the uncertainties in the data but also account for any effects that may be attributable to the management plan. Restoration plans should also be considered to explore the effects of biomanipulation and re-establishment of submerged vegetation. The DYRESM-CAEDYM model may also be used to examine the effects of climate change on in-lake processes and external loads to the lake
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)’s Stone Worlds
No full textThis article explores the spatial, architectural and conceptual relationships between landscape places, stone quarrying, and stone moving and building during Rapa Nui’s statue-building period. These are central themes of the ‘Rapa Nui Landscapes of Construction Project’ and are discussed using aspects of the findings of our recent fieldwork. The different scales of expression, from the detail of the domestic sphere to the monumental working of quarries, are considered. It is suggested that the impressiveness of Rapa Nui’s stone architecture is its conceptual coherence at the small scale as much as at the large scale. </div
Aging, Gender and Neighbourhood Determinants of Distance Traveled: A Multilevel Analysis in the Hamilton CMA
No full textThe objective of this study is to investigate the determinants of mean trip distance traveled by different mode types. The study uses data from the Hamilton CMA in Canada, and multilevel models to investigate demographic aging factors, gender differentials, and neighbourhood attributes on distance traveled. The results of the study validate previous findings regarding the decline in distance traveled as age advances. In addition, it is found that: 1) While this effect of age is present for all modes analyzed (car-driving, car-passenger, and bus) it is considerably more marked for car-driving; 2) There are significant gender effects compounded by the interrelated factors of employment constraints, household dynamics, and greater reliance on travel modes other than car driving; and 3) Neighbourhoods with high commercial and residential mix showed a negative relation with distance traveled only in the case of car-driver.distance traveled, aging, elderly, gender, neighbourhood influence, multilevel analysis
FIGURES 53–56 in Morphological and molecular characterization of twenty-five new Diploneis species (Bacillariophyta) from Lake Tanganyika and its surrounding areas
No full textFIGURES 53–56. Diploneis cristata sp. nov., SEM external valve views, Lake Tanganyika. 53, 55. Specimen from Isanga Bay. 54, 56. Specimen from Ndole Bay. 53. Whole valve. 54. Close view of striae structure; arrowed areola divided by thick thickenings bearing fin-like silica ridges. 55. Central area with extended teardrop shaped depressions with proximal raphe ends. 56. Distal raphe ends with deflected terminal fissures. Scale bars = 10 μm (Fig. 53), 5 μm (Figs 55, 56), 2 μm (Fig. 54).Published as part of Jovanovska, Elena, Wilson, Mallory C., Hamilton, Paul B. & Stone, Jeffery, 2023, Morphological and molecular characterization of twenty-five new Diploneis species (Bacillariophyta) from Lake Tanganyika and its surrounding areas, pp. 1-102 in Phytotaxa 593 (1) on page 18, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.593.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/787508
Omolabus fasciventris Hamilton, new species
No full text<i>Omolabus fasciventris</i> Hamilton, new species <p>(Figs. 1, 16, 53, 54, 55 & 56)</p> <p> <b>Type locality.</b> Republic of Panama, Canal Zone.</p> <p> <b>Type holder.</b> The United States National Museum (USNM)</p> <p> <b>Type material.</b> The type series consists of 16 specimens. The holotype male is labeled as follows: Panama: Canal Zone, 3 mi NW Gamboa, 27­ii­1970, 9°09'N 79°43'W, HA Hespenheide <b>(CHAH)</b>. The allotype female is labeled as follows: Panama: Canal Zone, 3.5 km WNW Paraiso, 20­vii­1970, 9°02'N 79°50'W, HA Hespenheide <b>(CHAH)</b>. The sex and label data of the paratypes are as follows: Panama: 2 males, Canal Zone, Barro Colorado Is., 18­vi­1977, 9°10'N 79°50'W, HA Hespenheide; 1 male (same except 12­vii­1977); 1 male & 1 female (same as allotype); 1 male (same as holotype except 29­ ix­1969) <b>(CHAH)</b>; 1 male, Panama: Zona Del Canal, Barro Colorado Island, 13 March 1985, sitting on leaf of <i>Uncatia</i> (Rubiaceae), A Aiello; 1 female, Panama, C. Z. [Canal Zone], 4 km E Margarita, 22 June 1974, on foliage of <i>Lacistema aggregatum</i>, H Stockwell; 1 male & 1 female (same except no host plant label); 1 female, Panama, C. Z., 5 mi NW Gamboa, 6 April 1976, Y Lubin, Canopy fog <b>(HPSC)</b>; 1 male, Cabima [?], Pan. [Panama], May 22 1911, A Busck; 1 female, Canal Zone, 5.0 mi NW Gamboa, 23–24 Oct 1975, 9°10'00"N 79°45'00"W, 100 m, canopy fogging experiment in <i>Luehea seemannii</i>, pyrethrin fog, sample 5B 24 x 1975 <b>(USNM)</b>; 1 female, Panama, Gamboa, Pipeline rd., 11 May 1995, leg. F Oedegaard <b>(FODC)</b>.</p> <p> <b>Size range</b> Male: 4.0 x 1.8 mm to 4.7 x 2.2 mm; Female: 4.0 x 1.9 mm to 4.7 x 2.2 mm.</p> <p> <b>Description. Body</b> testaceous to reddish­brown; eyes, antennae and front tibiae darker. <b>Head</b> without punctures; eyes reniform, moderately protuberant; frons smooth, flat, with scattered minute punctures; vertex smooth, flattened. <b>Rostrum</b> distinctly shorter than head; minutely punctured, widened beyond antennal insertions; apex 3 times wider than frons in male, about 2 times wider than frons in female; postlabial area in male with pair of small bump­like projections. <b>Antennae</b> inserted near base of rostrum in both sexes; club elongate­compact, subequal to funicle in length; basal and terminal club segments subequal in length; middle segment slightly shorter; funicular segment 1 globose, shorter than scape; 2 short, shorter than segment 1, clavate; segment 3 like 2 but longer; subequal in length to segment 1; segment 4 subequal in length to 2 but more robust; 5–7 subequal, moniliform. <b>Pronotum</b> smooth, shiny, with some minute shallow punctures; anterior collar weakly defined, dorsally widened and v­shaped. <b>Scutellum</b> only slightly wider than long, 4­sided, posterior margin rounded, with some minute punctures. <b>Elytra</b> slightly longer than wide in male, as long as wide in female, widest at humeri; in dorsal view narrowed posteriorly, without transverse depression behind scutellum; humeri simple, moderately protuberant, obliquely angulate; striae distinct at elytral base, smaller and less distinct posteriorly; intervals flat, smooth, wide, with minute punctures. <b>Profemora</b> evenly swollen in both sexes.</p> <p> <b>Distribution</b> (Fig. 1). All specimens, except one (Cabima), are from the Canal Zone of Panama.</p> <p> <b>Comments.</b> This species can be identified by the smooth shiny reddish­brown to pale brownish body and the darker eyes, antennae and protibiae (Figs 53–56). The females have unique large paired setose patches on abdominal sternites 1–3 (Fig. 55).</p> <p> <b>Host plants.</b> <i>Omolabus fasciventris</i> has been collected on the foliage of <i>Uncatia</i> sp. (Rubiaceae) and <i>Lacistema aggregatum</i> (Berg.) Rusby (Lacistemaceae) and fogged from <i>Luehea seemannii</i> Triana & Planchon (Tiliaceae).</p> <p> <b>Name derivation.</b> The specific epithet is in reference to the setose patches on the ventrites of the female.</p>Published as part of <i>HAMILTON, ROBERT W., 2005, Omolabus Jekel in north and central America (Coleoptera: Attelabidae), pp. 1-60 in Zootaxa 986 (1)</i> on pages 46-47, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.986.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5056385">http://zenodo.org/record/5056385</a>
Hamilton East: Interpretation of house styles and infilling the one acre sections
No full textThis thesis elucidates and interprets the social construction of an inner city suburb of Hamilton. Hamilton East was originally surveyed as a military settlement in 1864. The provenance of house styles is examined in the context of particular periods of time, and six commonly constructed period-styles are identified. These are nineteenth century houses, villas, bungalows, standard New Zealand houses, flats, and variations on old themes. In the context of changes in subdivision design since the original survey, three questions related to the location of these houses are addressed. These are: why, where and how was a tiny township infilled with houses to the density of the present suburb? This thesis focuses on the identification and interpretation of meanings implied in house styles and infilling processes.
The conditions which determined and contributed to the period-styles in popular housing are explored in detail. The significance of meaning in the built environment is a vital and recurring theme. Housing acts as a form of non-verbal communication. Each period-style functions as a set of symbols. The sign value of a house style is its meaning as a symbol of something else. The meaning functions like a code, shared by the people of the community, and changes over time.
Socio-cultural influences include practical and economic considerations. Fashion, demands for decorated or non-decorated architecture, trends in high style architecture, changing lifestyles, changing attitudes to families, and households are identified as determinants of style. The importance of cultural diffusion from the Old and the New Worlds, and increasing and accelerating internationalism are clearly evident in the human landscape. Local and national State intervention in the provision of housing contributed significantly to specific period-styles. Technical innovations have not determined, but have influenced housing styles. They include the available construction materials, and developments associated with the 'machine age' and the production of new materials.
The infilling of the original one acre rectangular allotments, with new housing between the settler cottages is explored under five period headings. These are the nineteenth century, the villa period, the bungalow period, the standard New Zealand house period, and the last two decades. Infilling brought a gradual intensification of housing with time and an interesting pastiche of juxtaposed houses. The evolution of the pattern of survey and subdivision is traced from the 1864 surveyed design to the present day pattern. Based on tradition and statute, concerted division created smaller and smaller rectangular sections.
The research has drawn upon four forms of data: literature, field data, maps photographs and files, and informal contact with members of the local community. Every one of the more than 2000 houses and flats in the suburb was surveyed for age, style, and other characteristics. Valuation New Zealand files, survey plans, many other historical and contemporary maps, aerial photographs, old photographs, statutes and trade directories were used to compile a detailed record about each of the more than 50 residential blocks, comprising nearly 400 acres (162 hectares) of land.
Hamilton East may be seen as a microcosm of New Zealand experience in its subdivision design, road patterns, the processes of infilling and house styles. The provenance of the stylistic and spatial characteristics of housing and sections is articulated as human constructions, determined not by physical circumstances but by people
Cavinula vincentii Antoniades & Hamilton
No full textCavinula vincentii Antoniades & Hamilton (Figs 74–81, 172–180) Valves elliptic with broadly rounded ends. Valve length 11–13.5 µm, width 8–10 µm. Striae radiate at center, more strongly radiate towards ends, 22–26 in 10 µm. Striae uniseriate with elliptical to rounded areolae discernable in LM. Axial area narrow, linear; central area small, elliptical or almost round, to asymmetrically elongated. Short and long alternating striae surround the central area. Short striae along valve length, extend onto valve mantle. Internally striae between thickened costae and areolae covered with a hymen. Externally, raphe filiform. Proximal raphe fissures expanded pores, slightly unilaterally bent; distal raphe fissures small pores, terminating on valve face. Internally, raphe linear, positioned on thickened sternum. Terminal raphe fissures with a helictoglossa, not present on proximal raphe ends. Adjacent to distal raphe ends one enlarged, transversally elongated pore-like fissure, externally separated with a small ridge-like structure from areolae. Copulae open bands, with one row of pores, two or more at each valve. Type: –– White Pond, Alert, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada. Antoniades et al. 2009, figs 7–9 (holotype). Here presented in Figs 172–180 (type material). Observations:— Cavinula vincentii was described from Ellesmere Island, Canada. The taxon resembles the elliptical forms of C. pseudoscutiformis (Figs 44–53), but it is clearly distinguished by the valve outline, which is more elliptical, has a larger central area and the general morphology of the raphe. The main morphological character which separates C. vincentii from C. pseudoscutiformis and also the other taxa belonging to the genus Cavinula is the presence of the pore-like fissures at the valve apices. Based on SEM photomicrographs one other taxon, C. scutiformis has distinct pore-like fissures at the valve apices. Additionally, a specimen identified by (Krammer & Lange-Bertalot, 1986, fig. 59: 12) as C. pseudoscutiformis from Europe appears to be similar to C. vincentii, but a more detailed LM and SEM observation is necessary to confirm this. Distribution:— Antoniades et al. (2009) described C. vincentii from the locality White Pond, Alert, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, a shallow pond with inorganic sediments and high pH (8.3). During our observation of a number of slides deposited at the CANA Diatom Collection, the presence of C. vincentii was confirmed in the following localities: two sediment cores recovered from the deepest part of Lake Oakley and Little Clear Lake, respectively, both lakes located in the province of Ontario. This taxon was also observed in the recent samples from Lake Abitibi (Québec), Lake Contwoyto (Northwest Territories) and in samples originating from Isachsen (Ellef Ringnes Island, Nunavut Territory). Additionally, C. vincentii was confirmed from one samples collected in Pennsylvania (Fig. 77). This taxon is present in mildly acidic to circumneutral, oligotrophic waters across northern North America. Distribution Records:— Antoniades et al. (2009, figs 7–9, 12, 13, 60–64, Arctic Archipelago).Published as part of Cvetkoska, Aleksandra, Levkov, Zlatko, Hamilton, Paul B. & Potapova, Marina, 2014, The biogeographic distribution of Cavinula (Bacillariophyceae) in North America with the descriptions of two new species, pp. 181-207 in Phytotaxa 184 (4) on page 201, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.184.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/514671
Branching fraction and CP asymmetry of the decays B+→K0Sπ+ and B+→K0SK+
No full textAn analysis of B+ → K0
Sπ+ and B+ → K0
S K+ decays is performed with the LHCb experiment. The pp
collision data used correspond to integrated luminosities of 1 fb−1 and 2 fb−1 collected at centre-ofmass
energies of
√
s = 7 TeV and
√
s = 8 TeV, respectively. The ratio of branching fractions and the
direct CP asymmetries are measured to be B(B+ → K0
S K+
)/B(B+ → K0
Sπ+
) = 0.064 ± 0.009 (stat.) ±
0.004 (syst.), ACP(B+ → K0
Sπ+
) = −0.022 ± 0.025 (stat.) ± 0.010 (syst.) and ACP(B+ → K0
S K+
) =
−0.21 ± 0.14 (stat.) ± 0.01 (syst.). The data sample taken at
√
s = 7 TeV is used to search for
B+
c
→ K0
S K+ decays and results in the upper limit ( fc · B(B+
c
→ K0
S K+
))/( fu · B(B+ → K0
Sπ+
)) <
5.8 × 10−2 at 90% confidence level, where fc and fu denote the hadronisation fractions of a ¯b
quark
into a B+
c or a B+ meson, respectively
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