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Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au The Connection Between Kāi Tahu/Kāti Māmoe Identity and Cultural Landscapes in Murihiku
Full text linkFor takata whenua, landscapes tell the stories of our whakapapa and experiences as
whānau, hapū, and iwi. How we see how whenua interacts with these identities comes down
to personal interpretation, where our experiences as takata whenua influence, but do not
necessarily dictate, the connection between our Māoritaka and the whenua.
Using qualitative research methods, data was retrieved from unpublished
manuscripts written by the authors Nana, Marna Dunn, in c. 2000. Interviews were also
conducted with a selection of her descendants. These individuals are mana whenua of
Makāti (Chaslands Mistake), located on the Catlins coast. Using this data, this research has
investigated the connection that Dunn, her tīpuna, and her descendants, have to Makāti, and
how this connection influences, and is influenced by, their Kāi Tahutaka/Kāti Māmoetaka.
This research centres around the methodology of autoethnography, where the author
embraces the self-reflective perspective of the subject matter. The author acknowledges the
connection between the self and the research, and uses this for their benefit.
Māori protest movements from Parihaka in the nineteenth century, Takaparawhā
(Bastion Point) in the 1970s, and Ihumātao since 2016, illustrate that pre-colonial
connections to the whenua are still crucial for Māori. This research will demonstrate how
these contemporary connections to the whenua fit into a Kāi Tahu/Kāti Māmoe context,
using Makāti and the Dunn whānau as a case study. It is generally agreed that Māori kaupapa
surrounding the whenua differs from a European viewpoint. This research will explore how
Kāi Tahu and Kāti Māmoe specifically view the landscape, and how this does or does not
connect with their Kāi Tahu/Kāti Māmoe identity
Medieval Light, Robert Grosseteste, and the Architecture of Lincoln Cathedral
Full text linkThe focus of this thesis is whether or not the scientific writings of Robert Grosseteste,
specifically his treatise on light entitled De Luce, had any influence on the architecture and
design of the rebuild of Lincoln cathedral in the thirteenth century. This paper analyses the
medieval approach to light and the works of selected modern scholars who link the writings of
Grosseteste with Lincoln cathedral. These are discussed to try and establish if any influence can
be proven
The Effects of Activin B and Activin C on the Growth and Migration of Prostate Cancer Cells
No full textProstate cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed cancer in New Zealand men and is one of the leading causes of male cancer related death globally. Current diagnostic and prognostic tools for PCa are unable to differentiate between aggressive or non-aggressive forms of PCa, or to predict whether tumours will metastasize. Additionally, a lack of non-invasive treatment options for lower grade PCa leads to overtreatment of the disease and subsequent unnecessary harm and long-term negative side effects from invasive treatments. Little is known about the regulation of the healthy prostate, or factors leading to the development and progression of prostate tumours. This thesis aimed to further the understanding of healthy prostate development, disease progression, as well as to present new prognostic and diagnostic markers to validate and improve prostate cancer outcomes.
This research studied activin B and activin C and tested the hypotheses that these activins alter growth and migration in the healthy and cancerous prostate. Additionally, it sought to elucidate the signalling pathways that these activins act through, showing the first activin C prostate signalling data to date. To test these hypotheses; healthy and cancerous prostate cells were stably transfected to overexpress activin B and activin C. Growth, migration and signalling assays were performed using stably transfected cells to measure how activins affect the normal and cancerous prostate. These results have shown activin B promotes proliferation (fold change = 1.17, p < 0.0001) and migration (fold change = 1.65, p < 0.0001) of PC3 cells. Additionally, this research showed for the first time that activin C promotes PNT1A cell growth (fold change = 1.14, p < 0.001), inhibits PC3 cell growth (fold change = 0.90, p < 0.05), and increased PC3 cell migration (fold change = 1.64, p < 0.0001).
This research highlighted new data to further the understanding of healthy and cancerous prostate growth and development, as well as showing new prognostic and diagnostic markers that may have important clinical value
A qualitative study investigating the perceived impacts of wearable and stationary cameras on children’s eating habits at home
No full textBackground: Accurately measuring dietary intake can be challenging, especially with children. For this reason, wearable cameras are starting to be used in research as an alternative and complementary method for assessing diet. They have the potential for reducing participant burden and recall bias that can occur with traditional dietary assessment methods, such as diet recalls. However, little is known about children’s experiences with cameras and whether they alter their eating habits while wearing them.
Objective: To explore child and parent experiences of having wearable and stationary cameras in their home and perceived changes (if any) to their eating habits.
Design: Fifteen children (aged 11-15 years) and their parents took part in a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences with cameras at home. This was part of a larger and ongoing study called BED (Bedtime Electronic Device) which is investigating the effects of evening and nighttime screen use on sleep, diet, and wellbeing using wearable and stationary cameras. Participants wear a camera for three hours before bedtime and are filmed overnight with a stationary camera on four evenings to measure their screen use. They also wear a Fitbit and accelerometer for eight days and nights, and complete daily surveys on sleep quality and wellbeing, as well as 24-hour diet recalls on three non-consecutive days in the study period. Qualitative interviews were completed on the final day of the study. Transcripts were coded and themes identified.
Results:
The mean age of the children was 12 years and 80% identified as NZ European only. Four themes were identified and described, based on the parents’ and/or children’s responses. One was ‘awareness’, where 33% participants and 53% parents reported becoming more aware of the wearable cameras, respectively. However, this was followed by an adjustment to the cameras during the other evenings. ‘Practicality and ease of use’ of the cameras was a second theme, referring to the physical discomfort and hindrance on evening activities (eating and leisure) that participants found while wearing them. A third theme denoted ‘social embarrassment’ included 80% of children expressing anticipated discomfort when asked about their willingness to wear the cameras in public places. Finally, 93% of participants reported making no changes to their regular eating habits and evening activities while wearing the cameras, referring to the theme ‘behaviour changes’. However, some children (33%) believed that the cameras were ineffective at capturing their food intake due to the position on their chest. Suggestions to improve the comfort and effectiveness of the cameras for capturing food intake included using smaller cameras located higher up on the chest or worn on the shoulder or head.
Conclusion:
This study has highlighted the potential for using wearable cameras as an alternative method for dietary assessment in children. Most of the children perceived no changes were made to their usual eating habits while wearing the cameras. Future research could implement these suggestions in addition to a longer period for wearing the cameras to capture total food intake across an entire day. This would allow for the data collected to be more representative of usual diets, as well as being in a more comfortable and discreet position to potentially mitigate participants’ social embarrassment
Wellington Mental Health Co-Response Team Evaluation - Study Protocol
No full textPolice and ambulance services are increasingly the first responders to people in mental distress as mental-health related calls to 111 increase and mental health services struggle to meet the significant increases in demand. Apart from the demands this places on limited police resources, the lack of timely mental health expertise during a crisis negatively affects service users (as described in the next section).
This is the protocol of a study aiming to evaluate the implementation of an innovative mental health co-response team (CRT) that is being piloted in the Wellington region. Inspired by successful initiatives in Australia and the United Kingdom, the pilot involves staff from mental health services (MHAIDS 3DHB), Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) and the Wellington District Police being jointly deployed to respond to 111 calls made by or about someone requiring help in a mental health crisis. From March 2020 for 12 months, the CRT pilot will provide front-line, first-response capability for the provision of in-situ mental health assessments and therapeutic care in a home or community setting rather than the person being transported to an emergency department (ED) or police station for mental health triaging.
Our evaluation is a mixed method study. The qualitative components involve direct observation and interviews. The focus of the observation of staff is to understand their processes and procedures, in particular how they approach, manage and then help resolve a mental health crisis with the person and whānau (both CRT and non-CRT practice). Interviews with staff and CRT service users will equally focus on their views and experiences of the CRT. The quantitative components involve comparing de-identified data on 111 calls involving a mental health crisis attended to by (a) the treatment group (CRT), (b) Wellington City Police without CRT and (c) Hutt Valley Area Police without CRT. We will provide descriptive analysis and change data. We will also collect survey data from staff and examine a linked de-identified dataset with health, police and WFA information. Our evaluation study will help service planners understand the benefits and gaps of CRT and ensure that people experiencing a mental health crisis receive optimal mental health care
Reintroduction modelling: A guide to choosing and combining models for species reintroductions
Full text link1. Species reintroductions are high-investment ecological interventions that require careful planning. Predictive models are useful tools for managing reintroductions.
2. We provide an overview of habitat suitability, dispersal, population dynamics and interspecies models, considering potential uses and limitations of established methods for reintroductions. Furthermore, we include a guide for integrating one or more model types to predict reintroduction outcomes and answer specific management questions.
3. Model utility will be maximized by considering the goals of the reintroduction, attributes of the reintroduced species, threats to persistence and the quality of available data.
4. Synthesis and applications. Our synthesis of state-of-the-art ecological models outlines how key ecological models can be applied to reintroductions. Our review can aid practitioners undertaking reintroductions to assess and quantify their data and modelling needs in line with their management goals.Peer Reviewe
Peer Support for people with Spinal Cord Injury in New Zealand
Full text linkPurpose: To provide an argument supporting the routine provision of peer support to people with newly acquired traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI) while they undergo inpatient rehabilitation, and during their first 6-months in the community following discharg
Synthesis of Heterometallic Supramolecular Cages
No full textThis thesis consists of five chapters.
Chapter 1 discusses supramolecular chemistry and the three main approaches towards the self-assembly of metallosupramolecular architectures. These include the symmetry interaction, ligand directed and weak link approach. The host-guest chemistry of cavity containing supramolecular architectures are discussed as well as their potential applications as reaction vessels and catalysts, for drug delivery, molecular storage and sequestering of environmental pollutants. This is followed by an introduction into stimuli responsive cages that can switch on and off host-guest interactions by the addition/elimination of external stimuli. Next, the importance of heterometallic architectures and the three main synthetic approaches, metal/ligand geometry and chelation directed, subcomponent self-assembly and post-assembly modification, have been detailed. Finally, the aim of this project, that is to synthesise heterometallic Pd(II)/Pt(II) architectures for the purpose of creating stimuli responsive cages have been introduced.
Chapter 2 focusses largely on quadruply stranded Pd2L4 architectures, ease of synthesis and their host-guest chemistry as well as the difficulties that arise from making Pt(II) analogues due to Pt(II)’s higher degree of inertness. In this chapter, a range of different techniques were trialed towards the synthesis of heterometallic Pd(II)/Pt(II) structures. However, synthetic success was limited to the selective coordination of Pt(II) to a single binding site on a bis-monodentate ligand. Eventually, the most feasible approach towards the synthesis of these architectures was determined to be sub-component self assembly using mild conditions. With this approach, three new heterometallic [PdPtL4]4+ cages were synthesised through imine or hydrazone condensation reactions between a preformed [Pt(3-pyridylcarboxyaldehyde)4](BF4)2 complex and amine or hydrazide containing ligand components as well as the addition of naked Pd(II) metal ions. The ability of these cages to switch off host-guest chemistry was confirmed by the addition of the competitive ligand 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). The addition of DMAP reacted with only the labile metal end, and resulted in a [Pd(DMAP)4](BF4)2 complex and a partially disassembled cage. The addition of p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) facilitated the reformation of the cages. This switching of the cages was also shown to controllably release and re-bind guest molecules.
Chapter 3 discusses the global issue that is the disease cancer and the revolutionary Pt(II) based drugs that have saved countless lives since their
v
discovery. In this chapter, the potential of supramolecular architectures as cytoxic agents and anticancer drug delivery systems have been discussed. The successfully synthesised heterometallic architectures were tested for their guest binding abilites using a selection of anticancer and antimicrobial molecules and other drug analogues. Additionally, the stability of these cages in water and when combined with selected guest molecules was examined. The cytotoxic activity of these cages along with selected host-guest mixtures was also studied.
Chapter 4 delves into the recent advances towards the synthesis of multicavity supramolecular architectures. The methods used to make the original heterometallic structures have been adapted to synthesise linearly extended double and triple cavity heterometallic architectures. The synthesis of these architectures, along with their host-guest chemistry, segregated guest binding and stimuli responsive switching have been discussed in this chapter. This chapter concludes by exploring new directions towards the synthesis of other heterometallic multicavity architectures including a heptacavity laterally extended molecule.
Chapter 5, the last chapter of this thesis, describes the synthesis of a different type of supramolecular architecture, metallohelices. Metallohelices have shown potential as cytotoxic agents due to their structural similarities to molecules ubiquitously found in nature. This chapter describes the synthesis of two new triple stranded Fe2L3 helicates, a study on their host-guest interactions and examination of their cytotoxic activity. Methods towards the synthesis of a new family of heterometallic M1M2L3 architectures have been proposed
Quantum simulations in atomic physics
Full text linkThe aim of physics is to provide a mathematical framework that underpins our understanding of the world. In the simplest cases, this provides descriptions of processes that are amenable to analytic (mathematical) investigation. The problem is that, for any real world, multi-component problem, this becomes very too complex very too fast. One way of dealing with this is to perform our calculations on a computer - numerical simulation of the problem which offers a faster solution and higher accuracy than calculation. This has been the traditional approach to quantum mechanics, high-energy physics, nuclear, atomic and condensed matter physics to thermal rate constants, molecular energies in chemistry and plasma physics etc, for the last sixty years.
But there is a different way of doing simulation, not based upon solving the myriad equations of quantum mechanics. This is done by mapping one problem of interest on to another, quantum mechanical system over which we have supreme experimental control. Well-controlled quantum systems can be used to reproduce the behaviour of other, less accessible quantum systems
Multi-sensory fingerprints and their links to hedonic eating
No full textThe modern food environment, providing easy access to an abundant supply, is thought to be one of the key contributors to the current obesity epidemic (e.g., Chaput, Klingenberg, Astrup, & Sjödin, 2011; Ferretti, Mariani, & Sarti, 2021). However, why some individuals are more susceptible to the current obesogenic eating environment than others represent a key research question. Over recent decades, research has gathered evidence for sensory effects on eating behaviour and body adiposity. For instance, individuals with obesity show declined sensitivities in olfactory and auditory senses. While this evidence points to a promising research direction, it remains perplexing how an individual’s sensory function affects their food-related behaviour. Recent behavioural and neurological research has highlighted the importance of cross-modal interactions across the five senses, which has led to an intriguing research direction to investigate combined sensory effects on eating behaviour. Understanding individual differences in susceptibility to pleasurable food and body adiposity might rest into testing for individual multi-sensory abilities – the multi-sensory fingerprint.
In the first part of the thesis, 98 healthy Caucasian males (M±SD: Age=25.9±5.7; BMI=26.8±5.1) were tested for sensory discriminability (measured by d′) to three olfactory, three gustatory, three visual and two auditory food-related stimuli. This cohort of participants was also assessed for their food-related psychological and physiological profiles, including personality traits, anxiety/depression levels, positive/negative affect, eating style, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), and hormonal measures of peripheral ghrelin, insulin, and leptin levels. A sub-group of this cohort (N=37) also participated in a food reward EEG study. The latter study investigated the frontal cortical responses to food versus money reward, initiated by a probabilistic reward task (PRT). Additionally, this experiment also included a Food Go/No-Go task, which assessed participants’ impulsivity towards food.
In this thesis, the establishment of a multi-sensory fingerprint was firstly discussed. Sensory discriminability results revealed a stark contrast in the multi-sensory fingerprints, with three distinct patterns - i.e., enhanced multi-sensory discriminability (Cluster 1), reduced multi-sensory discriminability (Cluster 2) and reduced chemosensory discriminability coupled with enhanced visual and auditory discriminability (Cluster 3). Further assessments of individuals in these three multi-sensory clusters suggested significant differences in terms of BMI (p = 0.010), anxiety level (p = 0.017), and eating style (p = 0.003), but no difference in personality traits, positive/negative affect or peripheral ghrelin, leptin, and insulin were observed. Specifically, Cluster 3 was characterised by a relatively high BMI (mean ± SD: 28.04 ± 5.11) and Cluster 1 a rather low one (mean ± SD: 24.68 ± 2.74), while Cluster 2 demonstrated high anxiety levels and restrictive eating behaviour. Finally, results from the last chapter revealed that Cluster 2 and 3 showed preferential bias towards food over monetary rewards. Additionally, these results have indicated a frontal asymmetry in response to money and food reward, with a left-lateralised activity associated with food reward and a right-lateralised activity with money reward. Such frontal asymmetry appeared to be notably stronger in response to food for the higher BMI groups with a specific multi-sensory fingerprint (Cluster 3).
Altogether, this thesis is the first to test for individual multi-sensory discriminability and relate it to food-related physiological and behavioural responses. With data from a wide range of measures, this thesis provides novel and important insights into inter-individual differences associated with multi-sensory sensitivities. These fundamental findings offer a better understanding of obesity and provide new opportunities for the management of this metabolic pathology