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The Druids, a Celtic study
Get PDFMy concern is with a select group of religious leaders known as "the Druids" who were affiliated to "the Celtic" peoples. I am particularly interested in the parallels that can be drawn with other religious leaders of Indo-European heritage. I will show how this description of the Druids as religious leaders is altered with a changing mythological context, with my emphasis on religion as a process involving both content and context. [Foreword
Genetics of Digitocutaneous Dysplasia
Get PDFThe development of the human skeleton is a precisely controlled process. The study of Mendelian diseases involving abnormalities in the skeleton enables the idenfication of factors critical to skeletal development.
Digitocutaneous dysplasia (DCD) is a rare genetic syndrome exhibiting abnormalities in the skeleton that are most pronounced in the hands and feet. This condition is caused by a single mis-splicing event that results in the in-frame deletion of 16 amino acids from the encoded filamin A protein (FLNA; NP_001104026.1:p.Val1724_Thr1739del). Tellingly, this region of FLNA has been shown to interact with the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Activation of CaSR initiates downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling that can trigger osteoblast recruitment and differentiation.
This project aimed to explore the pathomechanisms that lead to the skeletal abnormalities in DCD. This was achieved using two approaches, one examining the effects of this FLNA variant on osteoblast function, and the other investigating the possible involvement of CaSR.
Two immortalised cell lines, MC3T3-E1 and U2OS, were chosen to model osteoblasts. Given the murine origin of MC3T3-E1, the nucleotide sequence of mouse Flna was compared with that of human FLNA. It was discovered that rodents had what was equivalent to the pathogenic variant responsible for the mis-splicing of FLNA in humans. However, no mis-splicing was found in the mouse following the investigation of a publicly available mouse development RNA-seq dataset. Disrupting the splice site of interest in MC3T3-E1 using antisense oligonucleotides resulted in a mis-splicing event different to that associated with DCD. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the regulation of splicing at this site differ between mice and humans.
Antisense oligonucleotides were also transfected into human U2OS cells but no mis-splicing was induced. Subsequently, a transient transfection approach to introduce the misspliced form of FLNA via a plasmid vector was initiated. A satisfactory transfection efficiency was unable to be achieved and consequently, no clear results were obtained.
Meanwhile, the expression of CASR was investigated using reverse transcription PCR. CASR was detected in mouse bone but not in two osteoblastic cell lines, MC3T3-E1 and U2OS. The apparent absence of CASR in these cell lines was thought to be due to this method lacking the sensitivity to detect very the low expression of this gene common in in vitro cultures.
The experiments utilising antisense oligonucleotides along with the exploration of interspecific differences in the nucleotide sequence of FLNA has led to the uncovering of putative factors that influence mis-splicing at this site. The finding of Casr expression in bone has called attention to the possible role that osteocytes may have in the pathogenesis of DCD. Overall, this project has laid a foundation for further work and opened up some new avenues that can be explored in the future to better understand the various aspects of this disease
Dynamic Causal Inference Using a Hardware Implementation of Spiking Neurons
Get PDFNervous systems may have originated in the late Ediacaran period to rapidly detect “critical states” of the first predators (or prey) being within striking distance, likely by virtue of electroreception. However as motility and these critical distances increased, the acuity of early electroreceptors heightened in kind to detect weaker remote signals, giving rise to an inference problem of determining the true state of the environment using noisy sensory data. The statistically-optimal means of doing so lies in Bayesian inference; a computationally expensive form of probabilistic reasoning for which neuronal membranes and populations appear naturally-suited. As such, this thesis focuses on the goal of studying, extending and implementing existing models of neural inference in the context of electroreception. In doing so, the findings may not only contribute to understanding how and why neurons represent information probabilistically, but also serve as a biomorphic engineering solution for improving cheap, noisy sensors.
Firstly, I constructed a simple and interactive computational model of inference based on the system-level activation caused by ion flow in a Trichoplax-like Placozoan, in the context of low-motility, pre-Cambrian predator-prey interaction. With this, I demonstrated how the direction and proximity of an electric dipole can be inferred using simple biological building blocks and diffusing chemical gradients to form a “particle filter”; a generalised form of Bayesian inference wherein particles (ions) approximate the distribution at each time step and are used as priors to create the probability distributions in the subsequent time step. Then, I translated this model into a modern, high-motility, experimentally-based generative model; using the simulated output of a cheap Hall Effect sensor to infer the location of a magnetic dipole. Finally, I extended the preceding work into a physical and functional model of neural inference. In this final model, analogue Hall voltages were translated into spikes, which were used as particles in a map of neurons to infer the true state of the magnetic dipole in one dimension, in real time, and at distances and levels of accuracy beyond the typical limits of a Hall Effect sensor
Dose-response relationship between stair climbing duration and cognitive performance and mood in healthy young adults: A randomised cross-over controlled trial
Get PDFPrevious research indicates that even a single bout of exercise can improve cognitive performance and mood, but this has largely been demonstrated using specialised exercise equipment. Thus, there is need for an intervention that is easily translatable into everyday life. Considering this, the current study used stair climbing as a form of exercise intervention that is easily accessible and has high ecological validity. Building on recent evidence that stair climbing has positive effects on cognitive performance and mood, in the current study we sought to investigate a potential dose-response relationship between stair climbing duration and cognitive performance and mood, using a controlled randomised cross-over design. Thirty-six participants (mean age = 19.72 ± 2.20 years) attended three sessions: control, 3 stair climb and 6 stair climb. The stair climb sessions differed in the duration of exercise. During the 3 stair climb session participants completed 3 × 1 min stair climbing whereas for the 6 stair climb session participants completed 6 × 1 min stair climbing, with 45 s rest (walking) in between the intervals during both sessions. Participants completed cognitive tests (Pro, Anti, Pro/Anti) and visual analogue mood scales during each session, either after exercise during the stair climb sessions, or without exercise during the control session. Regarding cognitive performance, consistent with our hypothesis, we found a main effect of session, with the pattern of overall cognitive performance consistent with a dose- response relationship. Additionally, performance on the Pro/Anti task showed a dose- response pattern, with tendencies for better performance during the 6 stair climb session compared to 3 stair climb session. Mood benefits were limited and for the most part did not show dose-response relationships, although participants reported feeling more energetic post the 6 × 1 stair climbing protocol. Overall, the findings suggest that 6 stair climbing intervals is more beneficial than 3 stair climbing intervals, and stair climbing can be used as an effective intervention to improve cognition and mood
“We can’t find a safe or secure environment to be ourselves”: Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textInternationally, people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and other minority gender and sexual orientation identities (LGBTIQ+) experience disproportionately high levels of homelessness. Despite this, no research has been undertaken on Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand. This thesis addresses this knowledge gap by utilising qualitative and quantitative methods, however, it is not an explicitly mixed methods PhD. The qualitative and quantitative strands remain separate; however, they can be used to create a more comprehensive understanding of LGBTIQ+ homelessness than if only one type of research method was used.
For the qualitative strand, constructivist grounded theory was used to analyse eight semi-structured interviews; proposing that “Experiences of Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ homelessness are shaped by: multiple failures of support and intervention points; the necessity of survival restricting choice and agency; and the long-term effect of concealing identities and coping with shame, stigma, and trauma. Understanding experiences of Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ homelessness demands a focus on and across systems and institutions.” Learnings from an ultimately unsuccessful attempt at participatory video with the interview participants also contribute to the grounded theory.
The quantitative strand uses the New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure to analyse the government service usage of a cohort of formerly homeless women. It highlights the ways in which government support systems fail vulnerable people. Despite high rates of interactions with government services, these women still became homeless and needed Housing First support. These findings demonstrate how a similarly under-researched group of women experience poverty and homelessness, and provides an intersectional understanding of how LGBTIQ+ women can potentially experience homelessness.
Experiences of Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ homelessness are diverse and multi-faceted. The phenomenon is produced by multiple systems of oppression and failures of government support systems. These experiences were characterised by; poverty, shame, stigma, instability, and poor mental wellbeing. There is a need for targeted support for Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ homelessness in Aotearoa New Zealand. Furthermore, this thesis highlights the importance of focusing on addressing the structural, systemic, causes of Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ homelessness—over problematising the individual and their actions—to understand and address the phenomenon
NZDep2018 analysis of census 2018 variables - DHB07: Bay of Plenty
No full textFor further information about data sources, interpretation of the graphs, and cautions, please see the separate Introduction Chapter
All data relating to the 2018 census is provided by Stats NZ, https://www.stats.govt.nz/
NZDep2018 analysis of census 2018 variables - DHB14: Capital and Coast
No full textFor further information about data sources, interpretation of the graphs, and cautions, please see the separate Introduction Chapter
All data relating to the 2018 census is provided by Stats NZ, https://www.stats.govt.nz/
Improving the Evidence Base for Primary Dental Care
No full textPrimary Dental Care, where the majority of dentistry is provided, is an area that frequently lacks robust evidence to support clinical practice. Surveys of primary dental care practitioners (general dentists) were used to identify the clinical challenges they face and to focus research on the "gaps" in evidence to support best clinical practice. Using this information multiple, suitably powered, clinical trials were conducted, in partnership with primary dental care practitioners. The results of these trials were then used to develop clinical guidelines for practitioners so that a more evidenced based approach to providing dental care could be incorporated into clinical practice
Phase One: Strengthening the Ability for Māori Law to Become a Firm Foundational Component of a Legal Education in Aotearoa New Zealand
Get PDFThis Issues Paper is the result of the first stage of a multi-year, three-phase national project. In it we review the literature and consider some of the preliminary opportunities relevant for the teaching of Māori law as a foundation source of the Aotearoa New Zealand Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree for the benefit of the legal profession and Aotearoa New Zealand society. We present ten key messages as integral to this Issues Paper
NZDep2018 analysis of census 2018 variables - TA31: Napier City
No full textFor further information about data sources, interpretation of the graphs, and cautions, please see the separate Introduction Chapter
All data relating to the 2018 census is provided by Stats NZ, https://www.stats.govt.nz/