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Consumer Perceptions of Upcycled Products: Understanding Facilitators and Barriers to Upcycled Product Adoption
No full textSociety is currently facing a major waste problem. Excessive amounts of waste continue to be produced and are insufficiently managed leading to poor environmental and financial outcomes. Upcycled products are an innovative way to encourage more sustainable consumption behaviour and assist in diverting waste from landfill. This study explores consumers’ perceptions of upcycled products across a variety of product categories and identifies key facilitators and barriers to the adoption of these products through a new product adoption perspective. Upcycled products are a unique facet of green innovation adoption that are currently under-researched particularly in a qualitative capacity. Twenty semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with participants ranging in ages from 19-67 with varied occupations and incomes. The findings show that consumers are unfamiliar with upcycled products particularly in commercial contexts and in the food and skincare product categories. Barriers identified by participants included perceived financial, performance and physical risks, uncertainty of source material, scepticism of environmental benefits, presentation and cost expectation of the upcycled product. Upcycled product adoption was found to be facilitated by provision of detailed information, word-of-mouth communication, trialability, perceived environmental benefit and novelty. Some key issues were highlighted by participants regarding the atypicality of these products. While the unconventionality of these products seemingly enhanced novelty perceptions, this atypicality also led to greater concern and uncertainty, particularly for products consumed topically or internally such as skincare or food products. These findings help illustrate the need to distinguish between product categories when discussing consumer perceptions and assist in our understanding of how consumers respond to atypical green innovations. Additionally, these findings are useful to marketers of upcycled products as it provides product-specific implications of what may encourage or discourage the adoption of these products.</p
Conducting Treatises and Deliberate Practice: An Enhanced Approach to the Pedagogy of Expressive Conducting
No full textOrchestral conducting has often been viewed by its practitioners and commentators as an unteachable art, open to only the few born with an innate talent. These assumptions are challenged, however, by the body of conducting treatises, as these texts codify and teach conducting techniques, from technical beat patterns – the foundation of conducting – to expressive conducting techniques – the highest and most elusive level of the art. The treatises identify the left hand and arm (LHA) as a key contributor to an expressive performance, as it works to not only reinforce the expressive gestures of the right hand and arm, but can also be deployed independently for expressive effect. While individual treatises vary in the depth and quality of their pedagogical approach, when considered as a body, they represent an hitherto untapped resource, yet one which needs updating in line with recent educational developments.This study investigates the 71 treatises published in English, or English translation, from 1855–2023, to discover their pedagogical approach to teaching the skills of expressive conducting, in particular LHA expressive gestures and the development of independence in both hands and arms (HA). No single treatise provides a complete overview of these skills and their pedagogical approach is often unconducive for optimal learning, therefore this project introduces a new training programme inspired by the treatises and enhanced by design features derived from the theories of deliberate practice. These theories were pioneered by Swedish psychologist K. Anders Ericsson and posit that expertise can be developed by undertaking iterative and increasingly difficult exercises over a long period of time. The training programme was tested out by a group of volunteers (N = 14) and a panel of experts (N = 3) assessed the difference between participants’ pre- and post-test performance. The experiment used a mixed-methods and triangulated approach to its methodology, including dividing the participants into treatment (n = 10) and control (n = 4) groups.The outcomes of this study indicate that while all participants experienced improvement with their LHA expressive skills and HA independence, treatment group participants, who undertook the enhanced training programme, improved notably more. This result therefore contributes to a greater understanding of best practice in the teaching of LHA expressive conducting and HA independence, and further challenges the claim that conducting is an innate art. This result also reveals that despite individual treatises providing an incomplete overview of expressive conducting skills and lacking a contemporary pedagogical approach, when considered as a whole, and enhanced by deliberate practice features, the body of treatises are a significantly impactful resource for conductor training, and is therefore worthy of further study.</p
Exploring Stories To Understand The Journey: A Kaupapa Māori and Structural Narrative Inquiry Into a Tauira Māori's Experiences at University
No full textStorytelling, deeply embedded in Māori traditional oral and cultural practices, has long been a means for Māori to convey their values, worldviews, and lived experiences. This study explored the stories of a young wahine tauira Māori’s about her experiences at Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Situated within a broader Kaupapa Māori project, "Telling It Like It Is: Māori Student Voices in Tertiary Education," which seeks to explore how tauira Māori experience tertiary education, this research used a structural narrative approach to examine how one wahine tauira Māori narrated her university journey.By employing a structural narrative analysis within a Kaupapa Māori framework, this study focused on centring one wahine tauira Māori’s perspective to understand how her Māori identity and worldview both shaped her academic experiences and her way of retelling them.Initial data collection in the wider Kaupapa Māori project involved open-ended interviews with six tauira Māori, allowing them to articulate their lived experiences of university in their own words.By applying a plot typology of significant events and turning points to structure her stories into a coherent narrative, this analysis revealed how her overarching narrative structure of her lived experiences through university follows aspects of the framework of a hero’s journey structure. It also explored three dimensions that are consistent throughout her journey: independence and interdependence, resistance, and whānau and community. By exploring these narratives, the aim was to demonstrate how her journey was interconnected and how these experiences were not isolated events but were continuously influenced by her Māori worldview and Māori identity.The study highlights the value of structural narrative analysis in providing deeper insights into tauira Māori’s experiences. This approach not only reveals the challenges and strengths they face but also illustrates how these elements influence and shape their academic journeys. Thus, it provides a culturally nuanced approach to understanding the lived experiences of tauira Māori.</p
Arriving on Time: Punctuality in Structures, Isomorphisms and 1-Decidability
No full textThis thesis contributes to the area of computable structure theory. In particular, it contributes to the study of punctual structures; the systematic study of the primitive recursive content of mathematics initiated by Kalimullin, Melnikov and Ng in [KMN17]. We investigate of finite punctual dimension, the punctual degrees (a degree structure induced by primitive recursive isomorphisms) and punctual 1-decidability. We show that the simple trick in order to show there exists structure of finite computable dimension n > 2 does not work in the punctual case and therefore we give a construction of structure of finite punctual dimension n > 2 by hand which uses the techniques of the construction of a structure of punctual dimension 2 in [MN20]. We explore embedding lattices in the punctual degrees of various linear orders, by embedding the atomless Boolean algebra while preserving supremums and infimums. Finally we investigate punctual 1-decidability, including classifying 1-decidable Boolean algebra with computable isomorphisms to punctually 1-decidable presentations and showing that there is a structure that is punctually 1-decidably categorical but not 1-decidably categorical; the 1-decidable analogue of the surprising result from [KMN17]. The thesis highlights that new techniques are required once we forbid unbounded search and studying punctual structures allows us to understand the nature of the use of unbounded search in computable structure theory.</p
Investigating the phenotypic variation and proteomic response to lipid biosynthesis dysregulation across genetic backgrounds
No full textLipids are the core structural components of all cell membranes and organelles as well as crucial signaling molecules. In humans, dysregulation of lipid biosynthesis leads to numerous diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neurological diseases. Outside of diseases, altering the lipid levels of microorganisms is essential for industrial applications and metabolite production. Much of our knowledge regarding lipid metabolism has been discovered and characterised in the genetic model Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker’s yeast). Although, this knowledge mostly stems from a single genetic background, ignoring the inherent differences between individuals. My thesis therefore aims to understand the molecular variability underlying lipid biosynthesis perturbation across genetically diverse yeast strains using three lipid biosynthesis inhibitors: atorvastatin (sterol biosynthesis), cerulenin (fatty acid biosynthesis) and myriocin (sphingolipid biosynthesis).In Chapter 2, I investigated the variation in growth inhibition in a library of 929 genetically diverse yeast strains in response to treatment with atorvastatin (sterol biosynthesis inhibitor), cerulenin (fatty acid synthesis inhibitor) and myriocin (sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitor). The inhibition in growth was largely explained by grouping the strains into phylogenetic clades, whereby specific clades showed either increased resistance or sensitivity to each inhibitor. Of note were the alpechin and French Guiana human clades that were resistant to all treatments and contained a large number of introgressed genes from Saccharomyces paradoxus, the sister species to S. cerevisiae. Grouping the strains by ecological niches such as brewing, bioethanol production and human isolates, ploidy, or zygosity did not correlate strongly with growth inhibition. More specifically, copy number analysis identified potential genes, that when increased or decreased, were associated with either increased resistance or sensitivity to each treatment.In Chapter 3, I investigated variation at the level of the proteome. Via selection for the ability to form discrete cells in liquid culture and having a haploid mating type of MATα, CBS1252 (bakery strain), CBS7765 (natural isolate) and S288C (lab strain) were mated with the yeast GFP-tagged protein collection, which consists of approximately 4,200 strains each with a different GFP-tagged protein. The resultant diploid strains as well as the haploid GFP-tagged strains were imaged using high-throughput confocal microscopy. Automated image analysis and machine learning were applied to identify changes in abundance and localisation of proteins. Prompted by increases in lipid biosynthesis proteins, thin-layer chromatography and lipid droplet staining showed an increase in neutral lipids in CBS1252 as well as differences in lipid droplet counts per cell in each background. Based on increased mitochondrial protein abundance in CBS1252, altered mitochondrial protein distribution in the haploid S288C, and increased mitochondrial membrane potential in CBS1252, it is plausible that these background-specific mitochondrial changes correlate with background-specific changes in lipid metabolism.In Chapter 4, I treated the diploid strains constructed in Chapter 3 with atorvastatin, cerulenin, and myriocin and imaged the strains using high throughput confocal microscopy. Via automated image analysis and machine learning to identify changes in protein abundance and localisation, most of the proteins that were upregulated in response to each treatment were unique to a single background. A greater degree of overlap was seen between backgrounds when investigating changes in protein localisation, with most changes observed in more than one background. The machine learning identified decreased lipid droplet numbers in atorvastatin-treated cells that coincided with decreased levels of sterol ester, lanosterol and triacylglycerol as well as an increase in free fatty acids. In conjunction with altered lipid levels, eisosome distribution, which relies on sterols and sphingolipid levels, were affected across all treatments and backgrounds. Also identified was a shift of the lipid droplet protein Pdr16 to the nucleus when treated with atorvastatin.Overall, these results provide further insight into the variability of responses to lipid biosynthesis inhibition at the protein level across genetically diverse yeast strains. Notably, I identified strains that were both sensitive and resistant to lipid biosynthesis inhibitors and related these to genetic variation. I determined changes in protein abundance in response to lipid biosynthesis inhibition that were unique to specific genetic backgrounds as well as changes that were common to all backgrounds in response to lipid biosynthesis dysregulation. My results provide further insight into how cells respond to lipid biosynthesis inhibition, which is of interest in terms of understanding fundamental eukaryotic lipid metabolism, individual drug response in humans, and yeast-based genetic engineering of lipid metabolism in industrial applications.</p
Sociality in the terrestrial epiphytic fern Platycerium bifurcatum
No full textThroughout the history of life on Earth, major evolutionary transitions have led to greater levels of complexity and organization. One of the most intricate transitions is the emergence of eusociality, characterized by complex social organizations with overlapping generations, cooperative care of young, and reproductive and non-reproductive castes that drive reproductive division of labour. Eusociality has primarily been studied in animals, evolving independently in several lineages, including insects, crustaceans, and mammals. This complexity has captivated biologists for decades, but research has focused mainly on animal models, leaving unexplored the potential for analogous social tendencies in plants. In this thesis, we investigated whether the tropical epiphytic fern Platycerium bifurcatum exhibits traits traditionally associated with sociality. In Chapter 2, we examined how the arboreal environment affects asexual recruitment in staghorn ferns on Lord Howe Island, comparing fecundity and colony size between arboreal and terrestrial colonies. Glasshouse data were also compared to field results. Our findings showed that the arboreal environment favoured asexual recruitment, while terrestrial colonies grew solitarily. Chapter 3 focused on non-reproductive division of labour, specifically nest frond specialization. We found that nest fronds produced by different individuals in P. bifurcatum colonies specialize in specific tasks. Fronds at the colony apex captured nutrients through enlarged, highly lobed structures, while those in lower sections specialized in water storage and were small and circular. Additionally, apex fronds protected the colony from foreign seedlings. In Chapter 4, we conducted a reciprocal transplantation experiment to further investigate the impact of terrestrial versus epiphytic growth on differences in reproduction, frond production, longevity, and morphology. Staghorn ferns do not naturally grow in terrestrial soil, but in commercial settings, they do. Our results indicated that artificial terrestrial conditions led to greater frond production, survivorship, and larger fronds for both leaf types. However, reproductive mode was strongly influenced by habitat: arboreal habitats favoured asexual reproduction, while terrestrial plants sporulated more successfully during the experiment. Overall results indicate that, P. bifurcatum displays high degrees of specialization among individuals within colonies of various sizes. However, whether these plants meet all criteria to be considered eusocial remains unclear. This research opens new avenues for understanding social structures in plant species and their adaptations to different environments</p
re.Order: Disassembling New Zealand Building Standards
No full textToxicity has become second nature in our built environment. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of nature itself. Consequences of the prioritisation of toxic practices manifests in environmental and human health concerns.To address this issue, there is a need to appreciate the significant benefits natural processes, such as decay, present for New Zealand’s sustainability ambitions. Cradle-to-cradle principles provide a foundational understanding of this.This research aims bridge the gap between regenerative thinking and technical implementation through a critical design inquiry. Existing techniques for construction practice are examined against the objectives of Design for Disassembly. The purpose of this it to create a model for durable construction that doesn’t depend on, or create, toxicity.This thesis concludes by proposing a series of morphological details that present further development potential. These details are tested at full scale through an installation that encapsulates the scope of possibilities.</p
Social Computer Interface
No full textResearch indicates a growing dissatisfaction with the regulatory frameworks employed by corporations and government bodies in the design of public spaces. While public engagement methods such as consultations and workshops aim to address this disconnect, they often fall short due to logistical challenges and their inability to effectively include diverse voices. Digital design tools have the potential to bridge this gap, offering a means to empower communities to participate more meaningfully.However, their technical complexity restricts their accessibility to professionals, limiting their transformative potential in fostering inclusive design processes.This research seeks to overcome these challenges by developing a digital platform designed to simplify architectural concepts and enhance non-specialists’ ability to contribute to design processes. By translating community input into parametric modeling workflows, the tool aims to enable users to better understand the impact of their contributions on design outcomes.Using a research-through-design methodology within an action research framework, the study employs iterative cycles of development, testing, and reflection. The platform’s usability and effectiveness are assessed through qualitative and quantitative analyses, focusing on its ability to facilitate meaningful community engagement and influence design decisions.This research demonstrates that accessible digital tools can play a pivotal role in enhancing collaboration between designers and communities, addressing long-standing power imbalances in architectural decision-making.By integrating community input directly into parametric modeling workflows, these tools create opportunities for more inclusive and transparent design processes. The findings suggest that such approaches not only empower communities to actively participate in shaping public spaces but also enhance the responsiveness and accountability of design outcomes. This study contributes to the architectural discipline by offering a framework for participatory design that prioritises inclusivity and equity. It advocates for the integration of digital tools into urban planning and architectural workflows, emphasising the need to reimagine decision- making processes to better reflect and respect community voices.</p
Recursive equation for conditional-mean particle smoother in nonlinear Bayesian smoothing
No full textThis paper develops a novel approach for recursive state estimation in nonlinear Bayesian smoothing. The new approach is based on simple distributional identities concerning the smoothing density. For forward filtering, they simplify derivation of particle filter (Gordon et al., 1993; Kitagawa, 1993). Most importantly, for backward smoothing they derive a new form of the smoothing density which gives a recursive equation for the conditional-mean particle smoother. It represents a nonlinear counterpart of the Rauch-Tung-Striebel (Rauch et al., 1965) equation for the smoother of general state-space models. Numerical study shows that the proposed conditional-mean particle smoother improves particle filtering estimates of state as confirmed by Binomial test on the estimation errors. </p
Pupū Ake te Whenua: Monitoring the cultural health of the Wharepapa Arthur Marble Aquifer
No full textCultural health monitoring of freshwater environments has emerged in Aotearoa over the last three decades as an effective approach to revitalising Māori knowledge and strengthening the kaitiakitanga of whānau, hapū and iwi Māori in their rohe. During this same time period new groundwater monitoring and modelling methods have led to improved understandings of the diversity and sensitivity of groundwater systems in Aotearoa. Whilst cultural health monitoring is increasingly being used across a range of different environments and regions in Aotearoa, there has still been limited application for aquifers.This thesis explores the possibilities of cultural health monitoring of an aquifer in Aotearoa by focusing on the Wharepapa Arthur Marble Aquifer located in the Tākaka catchment. This aquifer feeds Te Puna Waiora o Te Waikoropupū, a wāhi tapu for the three manawhenua iwi in the rohe of Mohua; Ngāti Tama; Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Rārua. Te Waikoropupū and the Wharepapa Arthur Marble Aquifer have recently been granted a Water Conservation Order for their protection, the first time for an aquifer and a spring. A key requirement of the Order is for manawhenua to develop and implement a cultural health monitoring programme for the catchment.This research contributes to this requirement by collaboratively considering some of the complexities and challenges associated with understanding the flows and encounters of wai through the Tākaka catchment and Wharepapa Arthur Marble Aquifer ki uta ki tai. By incorporating a range of different data such as hydrological reports, archival texts, pūrākau, kōrero tuku iho and ecological reports I explore the historical context of the catchment and how the relationships with wai have changed over time. Through working alongside manawhenua and other knowledge holders in the area I have identified the key interface zones within the recharge area of the aquifer that could be used for cultural health monitoring purposes. The research culminates in a list of considerations for cultural health monitoring of the Wharepapa Arthur Marble Aquifer related to site selection, methods and tohu for monitoring.Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader academic discourse on cultural health monitoring in Aotearoa, offering insights and methodologies that may benefit the kaitiakitanga of other whānau, hapū and iwi with aquifers in their rohe.</p
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