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Searching for fungal mycoherbicides effective against climbing asparagus (Asparagus scandens) in New Zealand
No full textClimbing asparagus (Asparagus scandens) is an invasive species in New Zealand and is known to cover forest floors, inhibiting the growth of native plants. Conventional chemical control strategies might threaten nearby native species due to their non-selective features, making the use of biological control methods attractive. In this study, we surveyed A. scandens across New Zealand for potential disease symptoms and isolated potentially pathogenic fungi. A large variety of fungal species were recovered from A. scandens specimens. All fungal isolates were identified by DNA sequencing, cultured in a laboratory, and inoculated onto A. scandens samples in vitro. Multiple fungal isolates were also tested in planta by inoculation.
Alternaria sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., Fusarium acuminatum, Colletotrichum spp., Neofusicoccum parvum, Hendersonia culmiseda are among the most pathogenic strains in vitro; Neofusicoccum sp., and Colletotrichum sp. the two most pathogenic strains in planta. Treated plant samples expressed discolouration, black or brown spots and visible fungal hyphae as symptoms both in vitro and in planta. This study will continue to evaluate the pathogenicity of promising fungal isolates against A. scandens in planta at a larger scale and explore the potential of mycoherbicides in New Zealand in application
Nurturing Pasifika learners through effective pedagogy: A case study of a program at Unitec/Te Pūkenga New Zealand
No full textThe presentation showcases the successful pedagogical approaches that have been implemented in the programme by using Pacific models of learning, collaborative learning, and experiential learning combined with strong relationships with Pasifika learners and their communities that has helped Pasifika students enrolled in New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (NZCHW) programme at Unitec/Te Pūkenga New Zealand to be successful.
Unitec/Te Pūkenga New Zealand is a tertiary education provider that offers a range of courses and programmes to students of culturally diverse backgrounds, including Pasifika learners. Pasifika learners refer to students who come from the eight Pacific Islands, including Samoa, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Niue, Fiji, Tokelau, Tuvalu and Kiribati.
Pasifika learners have unique cultural and learning needs that require effective pedagogical approaches that consider their values, beliefs, and ways of learning. The Certificate in Support Work programme at Unitec/Te Pūkenga New Zealand has been successful in nurturing Pasifika learners by adopting culturally responsive teaching practices and strategies that promote engagement, inclusion, and achievement. This is done by using Pacific models of learning, collaborative learning, and experiential learning that have gained popularity and have shown its effectiveness along with establishing strong relationships with Pasifika learners and their communities. As such, by creating a safe and supportive learning environment that fosters a sense of belonging and identity has proven academic and personal success for Pacific learners
Impact of 48-hr carbohydrate loading with varied FODMAPs on exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (EIGS) and running performance
No full textBACKGROUND: Dietary fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharide and polyol (FODMAP) are known to exacerbate exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) and impact exercise performance outcomes.
AIM: The study aimed to investigate the effects of a high-carbohydrate diet, with varying FODMAP content, before endurance exercise, on gastrointestinal integrity, motility and symptoms, and subsequent exercise performance.
METHODS: Twelve recreationally competitive endurance athletes consumed two randomly allocated high-carbohydrate (mean ± SD; 12.1 ± 1.8 g/kg/day) diets on separate occasions, with either high (54.8 ± 10.5 g/day) or low FODMAP (3.0 ± 0.2 g/day) content, with a 7-day washout between. Athletes then completed 2 h of steady state running at 60% V̇ O2max, followed by a 1-h distance test (22.9 ± 1.2 C, 46.4 ± 7.9% RH). Heart rate and RPE were determined pre-exercise and every 15-min during exercise, while Tre was recorded pre- and post-exercise. A 10 g maltodextrin solution (10% w/v) was consumed pre exercise and every 20 min during steady-state exercise. A 150 mL solution containing 20 g of lactulose was consumed 30 min into the distance performance test to determine orocecal transit time (OCTT). Blood was collected pre-exercise, 0-, 1- and 2-h post-exercise to determine plasma concentrations of cortisol, I-FABP, sCD14 and CRP. Breath H2 and GIS were determined preexercise, every 15 min during exercise, and throughout recovery.
RESULTS: A main effect over time (MEOTime) for heart rate, RPE and plasma cortisol (p < 0.01) was observed, with no trial differences between HCHF and HCLF. Tre pre- to post-exercise increased significantly for each trial (p < 0.001); however, no trial differences were found. The magnitude of change pre- to peak post-exercise for I-FABP (overall mean ± SD: 894 ± 763 pg/mL), sCD14 (809 ± 612 ng/mL) and CRP (0.9 ± 0.9 ng/mL) was not different between trials. OCTT did not differ between trials (89 ± 56 min), as did the total distance completed during the 1-h distance performance test (10 ± 1.6 km). Greater total-GIS severity was reported pre-exercise (4.3 ± 4.4, p = 0.042), while gut discomfort (15.8 ± 9.0, p = 0.034) and upper-GIS (5.7 ± 4.8, p = 0.042) were higher during exercise on HCHF. Total-GIS (4.9 ± 6.8, p = 0.043) and gut discomfort (3.4 ± 4.4, p = 0.042) were higher during the 2-h recovery period in HCLF.
CONCLUSIONS: A 48-h HCLF diet before endurance running leads to less Ex-GIS before and during exercise, but this does not impact physiological strain, gastrointestinal integrity or motility, or exercise performance
Features of the vertebral column and caudal fin skeleton for identifying Engraulis australis in food of the Australasian gannet Morus serrator, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
No full textIdentifying fish species from their bone remains is employed in identifying the prey of aquatic animals. However, diagnostic skeletal descriptions are scarce for fish species prey found in the food of piscivorous birds and other marinepredators in New Zealand. The present article addresses this knowledge gap, providing a diagnostic description for the vertebral column and the skeleton ofthe caudal fin of the Australian anchovy Engraulis australis inhabiting coastalwaters in and around the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. The vertebral column of E. australis is divided into four morphologically distinct regions more complicated than the classical division in abdominal and caudal parts only and the drawing of characteristic-looking vertebral profiles. Each of these four regions is associated with characteristic vertebral profiles. These morphological descriptive parameters express a morphotype that may be linked with the swimming mode of the Australian anchovy. The skeleton of the caudal fin of E. australis showed distinctive characteristics that will be useful as diagnostic criteria to identify specimens of the Australian anchovy and separate them from the skeletal elements of other fish species found in the food of gannets and other marine predators in future studie
The Experiences and Factors Influencing Employee Retention in the Retail Industry
No full textThe retail industry in New Zealand plays a vital role in the country’s economy, characterised by its diversity and dynamism. Consequently, the retention of employees is a vital factor in ensuring the sustainable growth of this sector. An analysis of the literature reveals a paucity of empirical research concerning employee retention within New Zealand’s retail sector. Notably, there appears to be an absence of prior research that examines the influence of job satisfaction and loyalty on retail employees’ decision to remain using a qualitative approach. Therefore, the study has three objectives: to explore the reasons why retail employees stay a long time in the job, to identify the employees' perception of the effect of job satisfaction on their decision to stay in the retail industry and to explore retail employees' perception on loyalty and its impact on retention. The study utilised a qualitative approach to gather data from 15 customer service representatives in various retail stores in Invercargill through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data. Expectancy theory and Herzberg's two-factor theory were adopted as the theoretical frameworks to study employee retention and job satisfaction, respectively, while social exchange theory was adopted to study employee loyalty. The findings revealed that retail workers' retention is driven by a favourable work environment, growth opportunities, challenges that encourage adaptability, and flexibility that promotes work-life balance. The study further identified employee job satisfaction is promoted through teamwork, positive customer experiences, and supportive management, subsequently influencing their decision to remain in the job. Finally, the study found that although employee loyalty holds importance, it does not emerge as a primary driver for their decision to stay in the job. The key areas outlined in the findings provide useful insights for retail industry employers to develop distinct strategies to retain their skilled workforce, and it is recommended that further studies be conducted to gain a deeper understanding of employee loyalty in the retail industry
Perspective of workers with physical disabilities: The impact of disability inclusion for people with disabilities in the workplace
No full textPeople with disabilities are known to have the potential to make a valuable contribution to the workforce to close the unemployment gap in every country. Many governments have introduced policies, legislation, and programs to provide employment opportunities to people with disabilities to encourage them to have equal access to employment. This research explores the employment experience of workers with physical disabilities in Invercargill, New Zealand. To achieve this, three main objectives have been established in the research aim, which include the challenges workers with physical disabilities perceive in the workplace, the benefits of disability inclusion practices, and the working accommodations provided to them. This research adopts an interpretivism philosophy, and data was collected for this study through interviews. The data is analysed via thematic analysis, where six themes emerge from the findings and are categorised into different topics per research objectives. The first objective focused on the challenges they met in the workplace, including attitudinal barriers, such as discrimination, negative attitudes, stereotypes, and labelling. The second objective was based on the perceived benefit of integrating into employment. The third objective identified reasonable accommodations in an inclusive workplace for participants to perform their tasks effectively. It is recommended to conduct future studies on the employment of workers with physical disabilities in other regions in New Zealand and to have a broader approach to employment for disabled workers by focusing on the work experience of different types of disability in general to compare their experiences
A three-dimensional mapping of financial time series data using spatialisation
Get PDFTime series comprises data on some attribute gathered at different points in time which is ordered chronologically [1]. The representation of time series is performed via a two dimensional profile view, where the x-axis represents time intervals, and the y-axis represents a variable of interest, e.g., the daily closing Bitcoin prices. In this example, the geometric relationship between observations is formed via an irregular horizontal line that directly links the Bitcoin prices at different time intervals, or a mathematical function fitted to the observations
Strategies that could help parents better identify and respond to suicide risk
No full textRESEARCH QUESTIONS
1 What was the awareness of parents and guardians in relation to… prior to their gaining the knowledge of their children's suicidal thoughts or attempts at suicide?
2 What were the responses of parents and guardians and support services, immediately and over time, when they became aware that suicidal issues were present with their children?
3 To what extent were parents and guardians prepared for the possibility of a suicidal event and what was the value of support services post event?
4 How could parents and guardians be better resourced around suicide awareness and prevention, and around post-event recovery?
5 What are the demographics of the participant group?
ABSTRACT
This research explores youth suicide prevention strategy and the role that parents have in youth suicide prevention. Through participants’ interviews on their experience of their child’s suicide, we hope to discover strategies that could help parents better identify and respond to suicide risk, and for community agencies to use information from this research to develop better suicide prevention strategies for parents to use with their adolescences.
This research was based on lived experiences from six parents and one whangai carer (three Māori, two Pasifika and two Pākehā) collected in 2021. Six who had lost a child to suicide and one who had survived but has had multiple serious suicide attempts. These all happened in the period of 2014 and 2018. The process was undertaken with a narrative interview approach guided by a small number of pre-set questions and a larger number of interview prompts used to deepen the conversation if needed. The verbatim was then analysed by thematic analysis which demonstrated and supported themes in the literature such as current, relatively recent and life-time indicators of suicide risk.
The analysis showed consistent predicted and emerging themes in the narratives. The main areas of risk were mental health and drug use concerns; and prior self-harm or suicide attempt; cultural disconnection; the presence of abuse and trauma; and relationship issues particularly parental separation; and frequently very early in life. Key issues were the failure of many of the parents to recognise and /or respond to risk factors, particularly their own trauma issues and the failure of mainstream mental health services to respond to suicide attempts appropriately. Cultural practices and services were often absent or unhelpful and, in some circumstances, cultural services needed to work more closely with mainstream services to prevent further suicide attempts. Important post-suicide themes included powerful post-suicide depression in the male participants; the ineffectiveness of victim support; the value of whānau, marae and community support; as well as the power of love and commitment from whānau. Within these themes the issues of ideation, connection and capability and contagion play out.
The research confirmed the clear gaps found in the literature review around education and support for parents on youth suicide prevention. Participants confirmed there was little to no resources currently available specifically for parents with adolescents around this topic. Parents stated they had to search for support and even then, it was not guarantee
New Henan Museum By contextualising the exhibit, how do architects build a better relationship between museums and visitors?
No full textThis research project focuses on the design intricacies involved in the conceptualization of the New Henan Museum in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China. The central research question addresses a crucial aspect of museum design: By contextualizing the exhibit, how do architects build a better relationship between museums and visitors?
While considerable scholarship exists on museum architecture and visitor engagement, there is a notable gap in understanding the role of architectural design in enhancing the visitor experience within a museum setting, particularly through the lens of exhibit contextualization. This makes the research both necessary and relevant as it aims to fill this scholarly void.
To tackle the research question, a multi-faceted methodology is employed. An extensive literature review on museum history and contemporary museology provides a foundational theoretical framework. Precedent and symbolic architectural analysis contribute nuanced insights into how design elements can be orchestrated to forge a more meaningful connection between the museum and its visitors. The findings from these methods not only contribute to the general discourse on the transformative role that design can play in museums but also offer specific guidelines that could shape the New Henan Museum’s development
Te hiranga o Mātauranga Māori āiwi ki te mātauranga - Importance of including Mātauranga Māori ā-iwi in education
No full textChange is constant in the tertiary sector, however, within this change, there is potential for ākonga and kaimahi to feel grounded if they know about the history and whenua of a place. This research project sought to inform tertiary educators about the importance of incorporating mātauranga ā-rohe, ā-iwi (local regional and tribal cultural knowledge) within lessons to enhance students’ sense of belonging, and as a consequence, improve learning journeys. Through experiencing a hīkoi (field trip) 10 of local Te Arawa sites of cultural significance around Rotorua and attending a marae-based wānanga at Tangatarua Marae discussing local tikanga, student qualitative feedback identified a positive relationship between these experiences and their own personal sense of belonging to the Rotorua area and Toi Ohomai | Te Pūkenga. This presentation will cover six central themes that enhanced the sense of belonging of students: the encouragement of taha wairua attributes (taha wairua), honouring te ao Māori values and traditions (tino rangatiratanga), promoting the use of learning that requires the activation of all senses (ngā tairongo katoa), learning through ‘ako’ with those who have ‘lived’ cultural experiences and knowledge (ako), immersive wānanga and hīkoi experiences that require the inclusion of te reo Māori content (te reo Māori), and local mātauranga Māori content (mātauranga ā-rohe) that includes the careful and diligent preparation of the content with the Toi Ohomai | Te Pūkenga Kaitiaki Māori team. By including this type of content, kaimahi and ākonga have the potential to feel a greater sense of belonging within both their tertiary and local community settings no matter what changes occur