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Feeling Social Change in the Gut: Gyāstrik and the Problematisation of Domestic Roles Among Newar Women in Contemporary Nepal
No full textDrawing upon 15 months of research conducted in 2018–2019 in Bhaktapur, Nepal, this paper examines how middle-class women experience and make sense of gyāstrik (an umbrella term for multiple gut disorders) as an embodiment of social change. Enumerating dietary injustices and distress following unmet middle-class expectations of well-being and domestic intimacy as a primary cause of the condition, these women narratively problematised social norms and found ways out through the concomitant vocalisation of physical pain and social discontent. While illness epistemologies differ (with the persistence of mind-body dichotomies on the one hand and the centrality of notions of well-being and ideals of self-care on the other), these accounts demonstrate both a passive and active role of the gut in the social change experience, inviting to take the gut as the site where somatic modes of ‘attention’ and ‘action’ enable the navigation of personal life trajectories and the negotiation of social change itself
Reassessing The Data Exclusivity Regime For The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry
No full textData exclusivity is primarily created to support drug regulation. Some World Trade Organisation (WTO) members use this form of protection for regulatory data submitted for approval of a new chemical entity. This protection prevents competitors from relying on the data submitted by the originator company to obtain regulatory approval for their generic product for a certain period. Some members, including India, protect undisclosed information using the doctrine of breach of confidence. Under this form of data protection, subsequent applicants may enter the market by simply proving that their drug is similar to the first applicant’s drug through bioequivalent studies. This ensures early market entry of generics soon after patent protection expiry without waiting out any other form of exclusivity period. The thesis reassesses data exclusivity for the Indian pharmaceutical industry for two primary reasons. First, there is external pressure from trading partners to implement data exclusivity. Second, it aims to examine whether data exclusivity can address the evolving challenges faced by the Indian pharmaceutical sector. These challenges include persistent concerns related to substandard drugs and mishaps in clinical trials. Additionally, the nature of the Indian pharmaceutical industry is shifting from generic specific to include a more research and development-based industry. Lastly, the thesis discusses the effect on Indian patent law more broadly if India were to adopt data exclusivity. Such an approach could imbalance India’s effort to tailor its patent regime to promote the national interest whilst promoting innovation by becoming an alternative to patent protection.</p
Evolutionary Transfer Learning for Multi-objective Feature Selection in Supervised Learning
No full textEvolutionary multi-objective optimisation (EMO) has been successfully used for feature selection that usually has two conflicting objectives, minimising the number of selected features and maximising the supervised learning performance. Furthermore, EMO algorithms leverage their sophisticated search abilities to explore the huge solution space effectively and efficiently, which is essential given the NP-hard nature of the feature selection problem. One of the limitations of most of the existing EMO-based feature selection methods is that they tend to address feature selection tasks independently. However, many real-world feature selection tasks are related and share common knowledge. Evolutionary transfer learning, which aims to capture and transfer knowledge across related learning tasks, has been used in many areas. However, it is challenging to use existing evolutionary transfer learning methods to address feature selection tasks. Firstly, many existing methods rely on the analysis of the relationships between tasks to achieve positive transfer. This is challenging in feature selection since feature selection tasks can be very high-dimension and complex. Furthermore, many existing methods rely on sharing solutions to transfer knowledge across tasks. However, in the solution evaluation of evolutionary feature selection, informative features can be across the classifiers built for the related tasks, which has not been systematically investigated.The overall goal of this thesis is to investigate and improve the capability of evolutionary transfer learning techniques, mainly evolutionary sequential transfer learning-based methods, and evolutionary multitasking-based methods, to search for the best feature subsets for each task by transferring knowledge across tasks.Different aspects of evolutionary multi-objective feature selection are considered in this thesis, such as the encoding schemes, the evaluation operators, and the searching operators. New encoding schemes are proposed for transforming related feature selection tasks into the same search space where knowledge can be share across tasks. New evaluation operators are proposed to evaluate the solutions of related tasks simultaneously and share knowledge across them. In this process, informative features are shared across the classifiers built for the related tasks, which can improve learning performance. Finally, new searching operators are developed to select and share useful solutions across related tasks, which can improve feature selection performance.This thesis introduces a new evolutionary sequential transfer learning method for evolutionary multi-objective feature selection, which aims to address a target task by using the probabilistic models describing the high-order information of the solutions of the source tasks. In this study, the high-order information represents the probability of whether a feature is selected or not for a task.Since many feature selection tasks are related and share common knowledge, capturing and transferring knowledge from the solved tasks to new tasks can improve the performance of the new tasks.The experimental results show that the proposed method successfully improves feature selection performance on the target task by effectively and efficiently using the knowledge from the source tasks.This thesis develops a novel evolutionary multitasking method for evolutionary multi-objective feature selection to address multiple related feature selection tasks simultaneously and share knowledge across them. In multitasking, the connections between tasks can be complex, which make it challenging to conduct knowledge transfer between each two tasks. For example, assume the number of tasks is , number of the pairs of tasks is . Furthermore, the relationships between tasks can be complex, make it challenging to analyse the relationships between tasks. To address the challenges, a searching method which selects and shares useful solutions across tasks is developed.To achieve positive transfer across tasks, the source solutions that can improve the performance of their target task are shared across tasks.The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving the performance of feature selection on multiple tasks. This thesis proposes a novel evolutionary multitasking method based on feature-sharing for evolutionary multi-objective feature selection. Since the relationships between classifiers and features can be very complex, which makes it challenging to select and share commonly informative features across the related classifiers of related feature selection tasks. To address this, a dirty-model joint feature selection method is developed to selected and share useful features across the classifiers of related tasks, which can improve supervised learning performance.To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of supervised learning, the commonly informative features are selected and shared across tasks in the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves significantly better supervised learning performance than current popular evolutionary feature selection methods.This thesis introduces an evolutionary multitasking multi-objective feature selection framework for marine chemical analysis, which selects and shares commonly informative features across the related tasks of predicting the chemical properties of fish.Experimental results show that the proposed framework achieves a better performance on marine chemical analysis than the current popular machine learning methods by knowledge sharing between related tasks.In conclusion, this thesis investigates evolutionary sequential transfer learning and multitasking for feature selection. Novel methods of knowledge transfer are proposed to address the challenges of evolutionary transfer learning for feature selection. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed evolutionary transfer learning methods in addressing related feature selection tasks.</p
Augmented Text: A New Frontier in Comprehension
No full textWhat is Augmented Text?It’s easy to read, but too hard to comprehend what you’re reading. Consider reading an engrossing novel on a beach. Compare that to the feeling of having 127 browser tabs open while trying to research a complex topic. On one hand, it's hard to find flow when you're being bombarded with information, which is where novels excel. On the other hand, it’s hard to comprehend dense content filled with jargon, which is where comprehension-aiding software excels. Augmented Text aims to take the best from both words, by combining the flow a person can experience while reading a novel with the power of comprehension-aiding software tools.Research Objective This work addresses one question: How can we enhance the reading experience through technology without compromising the essence of traditional reading? It utilises a methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches in order to quantify the "essence" of traditional reading with enhancements that benefit readers of educational and informational content.</p
Pai tū, pai hinga: Perfectionism, Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Identity Amonga Rangatahi - Exploring understandings and experiences of Māuiui Kōtihitihi (Perfectionism)
No full textMental wellbeing statistics indicate Māori are more likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, attempt suicide, and die by suicide than non-Māori. However, these disorders have been researched using Western definitions and approaches, suggesting definitions, research, and treatment of these disorders may not be culturally relevant for Māori. This thesis explores how rangatahi understand and experience perfectionism, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and their identity as Māori to explore how NSSI, perfectionism, and identity are related, and to determine how rangatahi may perceive and experience perfectionism. A mixed methods approach was used to explore the research aim. Quantitative aspects utilised a pre-existing high school participant group (N = 1654) of both Māori and non-Māori to examine how perfectionism, NSSI, and ethnic identity were related. Additionally, a first year Psychology student sample (N = 289) of both Māori and non-Māori from Te Herenga Waka, was used to further examine this relationship using an updated sample, various perfectionism measures, and more encompassing measures of Māori cultural embeddedness rather than just Māori identity. The two qualitative components utilised only Māori participants. The first explored how perfectionism, or related concepts in te ao Māori, may have been relevant traditionally and currently for Māori through interviewing four Māori from diverse cultural backgrounds. The second explored how rangatahi understand and experience perfectionism through semi-structured interviews with 10 rangatahi (aged 17-24) also from diverse cultural backgrounds. Quantitative findings indicated that perfectionism and identity are relevant and important psychological constructs to consider for rangatahi who self-injure. However, the way identity is measured is important: ethnic identity and Māori identity do not appear to fully capture the essence of what it is to be Māori, while measures of cultural embeddedness provide a better understanding of how one feels about their identity as Māori. Additionally, for rangatahi, the current measures of perfectionism do not seem to interact with NSSI and identity in the way current research has found. These findings suggest perfectionism may be experienced differently for rangatahi, such that perfectionism may manifest differently and/or develop through different mechanisms. Qualitative findings highlighted participants felt contextualising their experiences within broader experiences of the colonisation was important for understanding why they had the experiences they did. For example, understanding the current ‘ideal’ (whether it be in terms of your body, academic achievement, or economic success) was imposed by Western standards which do not necessarily align with Māori standards of success. While there were some similarities between participants experiences and understandings of perfectionism with the Western-developed definitions of perfectionism, there were underlying factors which differed, such as concern over mistakes being motivated by concern for how Māori are perceived by Pākehā and worry about how your mistakes may be generalised to all Māori or further negative stereotypes.This thesis is the first scholarship to explore how perfectionism is understood and experienced by rangatahi. Based on the above findings, the continued use of the current definition and measures of perfectionism to understand rangatahi experiences will not provide culturally relevant or responsive research and clinical practice. The purpose of this thesis is to lay the foundations for future research to build upon, to challenge the blind use of Western-developed measures, definitions, and interventions with Māori and other indigenous groups, and to begin the development of a culturally relevant definition of perfectionism for rangatahi.</p
The Derivation and Characterisation of Bovine Expanded Potential Stem Cells
No full textEmbryonic stem cells were first derived from the embryo of a mouse in 1981. They are characterised by their ability to eternally self-renew in proper conditions in cell culture, and their ability to be directed to differentiate into all adult tissue types. In the last 40 years embryonic stem cells have been derived in mice, then humans and more recently in livestock animals including cattle, pigs, and horses. Stem cells have been used in a wide range of research areas, with more recent developments of 3D cell cultures and organoids being used in complex modelling of diseases like cancer and Covid-19. This thesis explores a new method for the derivation of expanded potential stem cells first used to derive mouse expanded potential stem cells, and subsequently applied to derive human and porcine expanded potential stem cells. Hatched bovine blastocyst-stage embryos were plated on mouse embryonic fibroblast feeders using a chemically defined media, which promoted outgrowth of the inner cell mass. Outgrowths were able to be passaged twice, surviving up to 20 days. Immunohistochemistry and alkaline phosphatase staining showed limited expression of pluripotency related genes, and no expression of trophectoderm genes. However, after passaging, much of this expression was lost. While the general principles of the process show promise, further research is needed to optimise the process of derivation and improve passaging quality to properly derive a bovine embryonic stem cell line.</p
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Invasive Mammals in a Wetland Environment: Trialling an Automated Radio Telemetry System to Track Rattus spp.
No full textInvasive species are a core driver of global biodiversity loss, with a disproportionate negative effect on island ecosystems. This is notably true in Aotearoa New Zealand, where every terrestrial ecosystem has been detrimentally impacted by invasive mammalian species. Out of the 25 actively managed invasive mammal species in Aotearoa, Rattus spp. inflict widespread damage. Although widely studied in some habitats, little is known about invasive mammals in wetland environments. This thesis aimed to characterise the community of invasive mammals in a wetland environment with a specific focus on the behaviour and movement of Rattus spp., while trialling a novel Automated Radio Telemetry System (ARTS).This study first utilised two passive monitoring techniques, tracking tunnels and camera traps, to characterise the community of invasive mammals present in Wairio Wetland, Wairarapa. Trap catch data from the past decade indicated high abundance of hedgehogs, rats, and mice, but low abundance of possums, mustelids, and feral cats. Data gathered in the present analysis contradicted these findings, with high incidence of possum, mice, and ship rats but low incidence of hedgehogs. These differences can likely be attributed to monitoring methodology, where previous indications of abundance were determined through trap data, while these analyses using cameras were more robust and catered to the entire community. There were large differences in the time-of-day species were active between seasons, most species becoming active earlier in the night over winter but continuing their activity later into the morning in summer. Canopy cover did not influence differences in community throughout the wetland, but the presence of differences in community composition suggests intricate ecological relationships shaped by multiple unmeasured factors.Chapter Three investigated the construction and functioning of an ARTS. Manufactured by Cellular Tracking Technologies (CTT), an ARTS was deployed as a network of 20 receiving and transmitting nodes, a SensorStation, antennae, and a power supply. This was trialled in the wetland environment and stationary transmitting CTT PowerTags were tested in situ to determine signal strength calibration, derive a method for localising tags, and measuring the accuracy and precision of tag localisations. The ARTS was sufficiently powered by an 80W solar panel and a 12V battery and was able to withstand local weather conditions. However, pest proofing the system was required after damage from rats. The error on tag localisation points were 51.87 ± 5.45 metres (80% CI). The root mean square error for localisation accuracy was 22.31m to 30.57m. It is recommended that a greater number of node and tag calibration trials are conducted in future studies to increase the site-specific accuracy and precision of localisations.Chapter Four employed the ARTS to track ship rats (Rattus rattus) and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus). After extensive live trapping one individual of each species was collared with an activated CTT PowerTag. Data was automatically received by the SensorStation and uploaded to an online portal for post-processing. Rat #1 (ship rat) yielded 53,681 transmitter detections over 1 day, while Rat #2 (Norway rat) yielded 271,492 transmitter detections over 11 days. Combining transmissions into minute-by-minute intervals and using those minutes where three or more nodes detected a transmitter, estimates of spatial locations were determined. From these fixes, Kernel Density Estimates (KDE) of home ranges were calculated, of Rat #1 90% KDE was estimated at 3,360m2 and for Rat #2 at 17,664m2. Clearly identifying areas of the individuals spatial use within the wetland and providing the first known home ranges estimates of Rattus spp. in an Aotearoa wetland.This study is one of very few to characterise the community of mammals present in a New Zealand wetland, while providing insights into Rattus spp. movement and home ranges in such an environment. The results have important implications for effective, targeted pest control management. The novel CTT technology that was trialled here has the potential to enhance conservation research in Aotearoa, if improvements in technology and data reliability can be developed, and enhanced in situ calibration of signal strength is implemented.</p
Exploring environmental cues of smartphone digital distraction in class for adolescents
No full textSmartphone use and ownership has become extensive for adolescents as an essential tool for conducting their social and digital lives. In the classroom smartphones can be a distraction from learning tasks which can lead to conflict between teachers and students, and negative learning outcomes. There is limited research examining the environmental cues that leads to smartphone use in the secondary classroom. This study applied an interpretive methodology to explore students’ experience of smartphone distraction in class. Students from three junior classes in a New Zealand secondary school participated in the study. The participants were observed in the classroom environment and data were collected through focus group interviews. A socio-material framework underpinned the research to explore the complex interactions experienced by students with their teachers, smartphones, and learning environments that prompted non-school related smartphone use in class. Environmental cues for non-school related smartphone use identified included pedagogical factors, physical environment features and social factors. Pedagogical factors included practices that made it difficult for students to engage with learning tasks, an absence of learning tasks or inconsistent enforcement of classroom smartphone rules. Physical factors included environmental comfort of the classroom, an absence of functioning and readable clocks, the proximity and movement of the teacher in the classroom, and the placement and settings of smartphones. Social factors included peer influence and social isolation. The range of perspectives presented by student participants indicates that the influence of environmental cues is dependent on complex socio-material networks in each learning environment. Implications including how teachers and schools can reduce the environmental cues for non-school related smartphone use in class are discussed.</p
Balancing rights and civic freedoms with effective pandemic governance: the Aotearoa New Zealand experience
No full textThis report explores the response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a focus on its balancing of rights and general protection of civic freedoms, in relation to the wide range of public health measures that were deployed, from significant lockdowns to border quarantine and vaccination requirements.
These public health measures, including some with significant impact on people’s lives and freedoms, were implemented through executive-made orders, mandated briefly by long-standing infectious disease powers and a bespoke Covid-19 Act with broad executive power. However, central to the legal framework and government’s response was the expectation that all public health measures would be consistent with the Bill of Rights Act; in other words, any limits imposed on people’s rights and freedoms needed to be prescribed by law and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.
A complex system of accountability processes sought to protect fundamental rights. The appraisal of measures for rights consistency focused especially on generous framing of implicated rights, careful definition of public health objectives and assessment of whether the means employed to achieve those objectives limited rights no more than reasonably necessary. Accountability processes insisted the government explain its response and justify limits imposed on people’s rights and freedoms; judicial scrutiny continued, allowing the courts to call out and invalidate measures they considered unjustifiably breached rights and freedoms. Democratic processes and civic activity continued too, despite the public health measures, sometimes modified to take account of heightened precautions.
Overall, Aotearoa New Zealand was able to deliver an effective public health response, with comparative successful outcomes, while generally maintaining and respecting human rights and civic freedoms
Elizabeth Fairburn/Colenso Her Times
No full textThis study seeks to give Elizabeth Fairburn/Colenso, an Evangelical 'helpmeet', whose story has been obscured by the patriarchal discourse of missionisation and colonisation, a place in history: more specifically, a place in nineteenth-century New Zealand pioneering history. Intertwined with this primary agenda is that of examining questions of contemporary femininity and colonial history as illustrated by Elizabeth's life. It was a life governed and informed by the Evangelical ethic of duty but distorted by the allegation of passionlessness; an allegation which served to mask the sexual double standard. Among other debates aired in the thesis are white women's agency as the interface of colonial and missionary campaigns; women's labour as the 'bedrock', the unacknowledged investment of such capitalist enterprises; the apparent contradiction between Evangelicalism's redefinition of women's role as within the private domestic sphere and women's extra-domestic pursuit of good causes such as Temperance and the Abolition of Slavery. These large debates prompt discussion of associated issues. The thesis then not only argues the anomalies of the nineteenth-century ideology of private (female) versus public (male) spheres and that the axes of power-gender, class and ethnicity are historically specific but it also points to the experiential and negotiable aspects of nineteenth-century women's role, albeit within patriarchy.</p
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