Rangahau Aranga: AUT Graduate Review
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The Dying Lake: Waikare and the Embodied Artist
Get PDFThis illustrated paper discusses a practice-led thesis that considers how the artistic action in a heavily polluted, localised environment might lead to an experience and expression of embodiment. Accordingly, the research question asks: How might lens-based recording serve in communicating an embodied connection to land?The research investigates alternative ways of considering value from embodied localised engagement with the land. In adopting this position, the study considers the Anthropocene as inseparable from cognition and shifts its focus from global, political mobilisation, to embodied relationality (Ingold, 2021). The project, that is currently 16 months into development, explores the subjective relationship between the practitioner and his environment, where an intrinsic connection is actioned between knowing and doing. This perspective aligns with the concept of ‘situated cognition’ where knowledge is inherently located within the context of activity (Brown et al., 1989). The presentation uses photographic images, synthesised audio and moving image sequences of Lake Waikare, to consider the nature of duration (Bergson, 1957) and an intimate connection with a single site. Methodologically, the project constitutes a heuristic inquiry that utilises a subjective, iterative, reflective approach to problem-solving. The significance of the study lies in its contribution to existing discourses surrounding how embodied experiences of land (interpreted through multi-mediatic approaches) can be used to elevate the intimate and the visceral and negotiate a narrative of experience that considers processes of disconnection, destruction, and reconnection
Conceptual Design of a Small-scale Travelling-wave Thermoacoustic Stirling Cryocooler
Get PDFThermoacoustic machines have received increased interest since Sondhauss’ initial investigation into ‘thermoacoustic oscillations’ in 1850, due to their diminished environmental impact, and high reliability from the omission of moving parts. These machines rely on the Stirling cycle where gas performs energy conversion through the propagation of acoustic waves through a differentially heated regenerator. The direction of wave propagation determines the type of energy conversion: thermal to acoustic energy (engine) or vice versa (refrigeration). There are two types of waves ‘standing’ or ‘travelling’, but research has shown that the latter provides higher efficiencies due to the timing of the pressure and velocity peaks, which eliminate ‘thermal delay’ in the heating/cooling processes. These thermal delays are vital for a standing-wave device to convert any energy but consequently reduce the effectiveness of the regenerator resulting in poor efficiencies.The construction of a travelling-wave Thermoacoustic Stirling cooler by Ueda in 2004, following the production of an extremely efficient Thermoacoustic Stirling Engine (TASE) by Backhaus and Swift in 1999, illustrated the potential for achieving low temperatures with no moving parts and a relatively simple design. Unfortunately, the size limitations imposed by the resonator have hindered the exploration of small-scale versions for applications like aerospace.In this paper, a numerical model of such a cooler will be developed in DeltaEC – a free software package created by Los Alamos National Laboratory for modelling thermoacoustic devices; through adaptation of the TASE proposed by Backhaus and Swift. The primary goals will be to reduce the overall size by minimising the area and length of the components – particularly the resonator and looped tube and attempt to increase the cooling capacity by varying operating parameters such as the mean pressure and frequency. The results will provide initial geometric estimates required to later construct an experimental prototype
Nurses’ knowledge and perceptions of caring for a person with polycystic ovarian syndrome: Integrative review: Nurses’ knowledge of caring for a person with polycystic ovarian syndrome: Integrative review
No full textBackground: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition which affects 4-20% of reproductive-aged women worldwide, yet the education, understanding and support for both healthcare staff and patients is relatively limited in comparison. This study aimed to explore nurses’ knowledge and perceptions of caring for a person living with PCOS across healthcare settings.
Methods: An integrative review guided by Whittemore and Knafl (2005) was conducted. Six electronic databases were searched: CINAHL, MEDLINE, Ovid, Scopus, PubMed and ProQuest. Included studies were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Inductive thematic analysis was used to generate themes, sub-themes and categories.
Results: Eleven studies involving approximately 1002 nurses were included. Three themes, eight categories and 172 codes were generated from 287 findings: (1) clinical manifestations (menstruation, reproduction, and fertility; physical presentation; and risks of PCOS), (2) management (functional lifestyle intervention; managing PCOS; diagnosis), (3) health literacy (PCOS knowledge; and sources of knowledge).
Conclusion: Deficits in the knowledge and perceptions of nurses were identified and congruent with those of other healthcare practitioners, with educational interventions proving to be beneficial to improve knowledge and understanding of PCOS. This necessitates further educational support for nurses and further development and distribution of care protocols to improve the lives of people living with PCOS
Methodology and positionality: A process of weaving the individual to the collective
Get PDFIdentifying a methodology can be daunting to an emerging researcher, but the key is to start from your place of strength – knowing who you are, your readiness to engage with an in-depth study, and what story is needing to be brought to light for the benefit of society. “Positionality refers to the stance or positioning of the researcher in relation to the social and political context of the study—the community, the organization or the participant group” (Coghlan & Brydon-Miller, 2014, p. 628), and it should guide the entire process of the research. The key to good research is relationships, and before we can have relationality, we must have positionality. Positionality brings purpose which dictates the tikanga (correct procedures) that align to that purpose. Positionality determines relationality, which determines your research objectives, and then your methodology begins to take shape. This article shares considerations I took as a Pākehā researcher when choosing a methodological framework that weaves together Indigenous and Western methodologies to honour and uphold the mana (sense of self-efficacy, pride, power) of the people and places where the research was conducted, meet the guidelines of academic study, and represent my positionality and passions
The Illuminated Traveller: A Methodological framework
Get PDFThe Illuminated Traveller is a practice-oriented project that employs Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven visual storytelling to explore concepts of Iranian mystical wisdom. The central narrative follows Mana, a young woman seeking a sense of belonging. Throughout her journey, she encounters Farhang, a magical figure who guides her through the intricate layers of Iranian culture, provoking deep inner conflict and reflection as she negotiates her place within it. In this article, I will outline the methodological aspects that inform this work. Grounded in Suhrawardi’s Illuminationism and Sufi philosophies, the project bridges ancient cultural archetypes with contemporary technological narratives.
Methodologically, the research employs self-search techniques, combining personal experience with cultural reflection, while using AI to reimagine Persian mystical traditions in the digital age. The philosophical foundation draws parallels between heuristic research and Illuminationist philosophy, synthesising intuitive knowledge with rational inquiry. The iterative development process, guided by artistic intuition, informs the creation of an authentic cultural narrative. Ultimately, this research seeks to reimagine Persian mystical traditions, resonating with contemporary audiences while maintaining cultural authenticity
Water Flossers: What We Know and What We Need to Know
Get PDFWater flossers are devices that clean teeth with a pressured stream of water. Recently, water flossing has been included in guidelines for managing gum disease and dental implant maintenance (Herrera et al., 2023; Sanz et al., 2020). However, despite being on the market for over 60 years, much remains unknown about the devices’ effectiveness and mechanism of action. This presentation will discuss the results of a scoping review on water flossers.Four databases and eight grey literature sources were searched for primary and secondary studies up to January 2024, with 275 sources included in the review (Sarkisova et al., 2024). Most studies were conducted in North America, with no trials originating in Oceania. Most studies enrolled adults with gingivitis (i.e., gum inflammation), and fewer recruited individuals with periodontitis (i.e., gum disease). No research has been conducted on flossers’ effect on dental decay, and only one trial enrolled participants with peri-implantitis (i.e., infection around dental implants). Water flossers are safe when the manufacturers’ recommendations are followed. They effectively reduce gum inflammation. However, there are differences in research designs and devices, making evidence of their plaque removal ability inconclusive. Plaque reduction has been reported in several trials with special needs populations. Water flossers appear to promote health-associated oral microorganisms, justifying further research in this area. Researchers also report high acceptance of water flossers, but no validated tools have been used to assess this.Future trials need to investigate any effects of water flossing on dental decay, periodontitis, peri-implantitis, and in special needs populations. Aspects such as microbiological effects, patient-reported outcome measures, costs, and environmental impact of water flossing also require further evaluation. This comprehensive review analysed and synthesised evidence on water flossers and identified knowledge gaps to highlight the areas requiring further research
Literature Review on the Effects of Yoga Nidra on the Nervous System and Sleep
Get PDFThe New Zealand Health Survey (Ministry of Health, 2023) shows that 26.8% of the population slept less than recommended in a 24-hour period. Based on the statistics available worldwide, insomnia could be a growing epidemic (Stranges et al., 2012). Relaxation techniques are one of the non-pharmacological treatments available for insomnia. Yoga Nidra is a guided relaxation technique that has gained attention for its potential therapeutic benefits. Claims about its value as a form of guided relaxation are common on the internet; with a popular claim by the founder of modern Yoga Nidra, “A single hour of Yoga Nidra is as restful as four hours of conventional sleep” (Saraswati, 2002, p.14). Despite these claims, little research exists into either Yoga Nidra as a form of guided relaxation for promoting/aiding sleep or its benefits on the nervous system. This presentation is a literature review which explores these gaps with a focus on efficacy of Yoga Nidra in managing insomnia and its potential to substitute traditional sleep. A systematic review was done to find the existing literature. As this method partially failed, a traditional literature review method was used, conducting a comprehensive search of databases for all the studies published in the Yoga and Sleep Research. The conclusions from the review suggest that sleep and Yoga Nidra state can have similar effects on brain activity and brain waves. The effects of sleep and Yoga Nidra practice on Nervous System activity measured using different measures show similarities. Studies also show that Yoga Nidra can improve sleep parameters, but the number of credible studies in Yoga Nidra and its benefits on body and sleep are limited. Yoga Nidra could promote sleep and could be a partial substitute of sleep and potentially be an interim solution to sleep issues and insomnia
Detecting Brain Activity in ADHD Children and Healthy Controls using Machine Learning Techniques
Get PDFThis study investigates the brain activity of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) compared to healthy children by analysing brain wave patterns through advanced Machine Learning (ML) techniques. ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects numerous children worldwide, leading to difficulties with attention, impulse control, and excess activity (Flisher & Hawkridge, 2013). Precise diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, highlighting the importance of using technology alongside neuroscience insights (Sayal et al., 2018). The methodology of my study involved collecting brain wave data, known as Electroencephalogram (EEG) from 60 children, divided equally between those diagnosed with ADHD and healthy controls. I employed a machine learning model known as a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), validated using techniques called Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation and K-fold, to ensure the reliability of the findings (Gramouseni et al., 2023). The model achieved an overall accuracy of 80% in distinguishing between ADHD and control groups, indicating significant potential for ML techniques in supporting the diagnostic processes of ADHD through EEG data. This study not only provides an objective way to analyse brain function but also emphasizes the need to combine this with observations of behaviour to fully understand ADHD. This research highlights the important role of the brain's frontal areas (front part of brain) in ADHD, consistent with previous studies that show unusual brain activity in affected individuals. However, the small number of participants and the need for comparison with other brain imaging techniques are limitations of this study. Future research should include more data and different imaging methods to improve the accuracy of ADHD diagnosis
Methodological Challenges in Studying a Dynamic Screen Ecology
Get PDFThe primary purpose of the research has been to look at the significant challenges that have impacted the New Zealand screen industry since streaming of global Subscription-Video-On-demand (SVOD) services entered the sector nearly a decade ago. Turner (2018) describes the shift as the ‘The Netflix effect’; linear television has seen declining viewership numbers with audiences shifting to a wide range of platforms and services. This change has placed a strain on the sustainability of traditional funding of legacy television through advertising. Across the globe, nations have had similar impacts on local screen industries (Lotz et al., 2022). Thematic analysis of the research data, gathered from in-depth semi-structured interviews with 19 key industry experts, showed that New Zealand economy faces multiple challenges across various areas within the screen sector. The presentation will report on key findings: the decentralised way audiences consume content and the uncertainty in shifts in audience viewing behaviours, the importance of industry transformation, and what the industry considers a measure of success. The presentation will also recognise and discuss how the themes intersect at several critical points, where economic and cultural forces are at play, and the challenge of navigating a selected theoretical framework when researching a dynamic industry
A Confluence of Three Knowledge Rivers: Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Disaster Risk Management (DRM), and the Cultural Dimensions of Risk: Adapting to Flash Flooding in Auckland
Get PDFGrowing evidence indicates that coastal cities face heightened climate risks, notably pluvial floods, due to urban development in at-risk coastal locations (IPCC, 2022). Urban flash floods, a type of pluvial flooding, may exacerbate ethnic disparities, particularly affecting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities due to social isolation, language barriers, and limited access to resources and knowledge (Ministry for the Environment (MfE), 2022; Yin et al., 2023). This research aims to enhance understanding of how culturally diverse households in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland adapt to flash flood risk, considering the city’s future exposure to intense rainfall events and its diverse population. Despite the interaction between climate and socio-cultural factors, there is limited understanding of how diverse cultural groups adapt to climate variability in urban settings.To address this gap, the study employs a mixed methods research approach with a social constructivist worldview, and sequential explanatory research design. The research design involves combining quantitative geospatial mapping, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and semi-structured interviews (SSIs). The study’s conceptual framework on people’s risk perception and response is nested at the confluence of three connected areas of knowledge: anthropogenic climate change adaptation (CCA), disaster risk management (DRM), and the cultural dimensions of risk. The analytical method aims to refine this framework, providing insights for developing CCA and DRM strategies tailored to CALD communities residing in flood-prone areas within ethnically diverse coastal cities. Ultimately, the study’s outcomes will enhance scholarly, societal, and policy understanding, contributing valuable knowledge for future research endeavours