21436 research outputs found
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Planning for sustainable development and tourism in biosphere reserves: a metagovernance appraisal
No full textBiosphere Reserves can be incubators for innovative approaches that foster sustainable tourism and destination resilience. Yet, research focusing on management and planning at Biospheres Reserves is limited and fragmented. In particular, it fails to address how the overarching Biosphere Reserve programme and the UN-SDGs framing influence Biosphere Reserve at the site level. The aim of this study is to analyse tourism-relevant policies and regulations implemented at Biosphere Reserves and the currently overlooked nexus between the Biosphere Reserve programme and the UN-SDGs. Two Biosphere Reserves sites were chosen for this study: the Archipelago Sea Area Biosphere Reserve in Finland and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere in the United Kingdom. A metagovernance appraisal was adopted to analyse context and processes, governance archetypes, limitations and metagovernance alternatives. The findings indicate that there are different political and institutional governance framings at the two reserves leading to diverging approaches to sustainable tourism. Additionally, sites resort to metagovernance alternatives to address governance shortcomings and foster policy coherency. This study contributes to a greater understanding of governance practices within the context of Biosphere Reserves and provides a timely appraisal of site planning and metagovernance from a public policy and tourism perspectives.fals
Sweet as – The [ADJ + as] intensifier construction in Māori English/Aotearoa English
No full textWe introduce the Waikato Māori English Conversation (MEC) corpus, which consists of 43 dyadic conversations between 49 young adults who self-recorded informal conversations with close friends, in their own homes, with no topic of conversation specified (83 hours of dialogue; nearly 800,000 words). The resulting materials are colloquial and unstructured, capturing a wider range of pragmatic and stylistic modes than is possible in a standard sociolinguistic interview. Here, we report on one such feature, the [ADJ + as] construction, for example: ‘sorry some of the questions are like awkward as’ and ‘that caused a big as drama eh’. This intensifier construction has been identified as a distinctive New Zealand English (NZE) innovation, yet little has been written about this it. However, the Waikato MEC corpus presents the opportunity to analyse the construction in a more systematic manner and to fill existing gaps in analyses of Māori English grammar.fals
Immune modulating effects of continuous bioaerosol and terpene exposure over three years among sawmill workers in Norway
No full textOBJECTIVES: Exposure to wood dust, resin acids, microbial and volatile components among sawmill workers may impair respiratory health, with inflammation indicated as a key mechanism. Previous, mostly cross-sectional studies have shown mixed results, and a conclusive association between wood dust exposure and chronic respiratory inflammation has therefore not yet been established. This study assessed associations between exposure to bioaerosols and volatile terpenes and serum inflammatory marker levels over three years.
METHODS: Serum biomarkers and blood cell counts were analyzed based on 702 observations from 450 exposed sawmill workers and 102 observations from 65 unexposed sawmill workers in Norway at baseline and after three years. Job-exposure-matrices, based on measurements among the same cohort, were used to assess exposures for wood dust, endotoxins, resin acid, monoterpenes, fungal spores, and fungal fragments. Changes in exposures, biomarkers and cell counts over the study period, as well as group differences and potential cause-and-effect associations were assessed using linear mixed regression.
RESULTS: Exposures were relatively low and below occupational limits, although variances were relatively high (GSDtot 2.1-8.3), largely driven by differences between workers (GSDbw 1.9-7.8). Serum CC-16 and mCRP were slightly higher after three years, whereas IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10 levels were significantly lower among exposed compared with unexposed workers. Exposures positively associated with increases in biomarker levels included endotoxin with mCRP, monoterpenes with IL-10, and fungal spores with TNF-α and IL-8. Exposed workers had higher counts of total leucocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes and basophils after three years. Several of the increased leucocyte counts were associated with concurrent increase in mCRP and IL-6 concentrations, predominantly in the exposed group. Conversely, increased CC-16 levels were associated with lower leucocyte and neutrophil counts, mainly in the unexposed group.
CONCLUSION: Continuous exposure to wood dust and related components for three years appears to induce a chronic low-grade inflammatory response among sawmill workers with a shift in cytokine profiles towards a less regulated, potentially more muted immune state.fals
Thriving in clinical veterinary practice : a strengths-based, qualitative investigation of thriving in clinical veterinarians in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
No full textListed in 2025 Dean's List of Exceptional ThesesVeterinarians play an important role in society, contributing to animal health, public health, and environmental sustainability. However, there is growing international concern about the well-being and workforce stability of veterinarians, particularly those working in clinical practice. Much of the existing research has focused on the negative impact of veterinary work on well-being, emphasising that veterinarians experience high levels of psychological distress and burnout. However, there is a lack of understanding of what enables veterinarians not only to cope in clinical practice but also to thrive and enjoy fulfilling careers.
This research employed a qualitative approach, grounded in positive psychology, to explore the factors that help veterinarians thrive in clinical practice. Using in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this research investigated the lived experiences of clinical veterinarians in Aotearoa New Zealand, to identify the factors that contribute to a fulfilling and sustainable career. Participants across the three studies represented veterinarians from a wide range of clinical practice types, including companion animal, production animal, equine, and mixed practice. They included late-career veterinarians (n = 19), new and recent graduates (n = 22), and mid-late career veterinarians who were not practice owners or senior managers (n = 29). Reflexive thematic analysis was utilised to identify key themes from the data.
Three final key concepts emerged as critical to thriving in veterinary clinical practice: positive leadership, a psychologically safe clinic culture, and a strong sense of purpose and meaning in work, referred to as the “3Ps” of thriving. For early-career veterinarians, positive mentorship in a psychologically safe environment was crucial for developing confidence, self-efficacy, and a professional identity suitable for general practice. Mid- and late-career veterinarians who experienced positive leadership and a healthy, safe workplace culture reported an evolving sense of purpose that included providing care to patients and expanded to encompass mentoring and supporting others in the profession, as well as philanthropic work and community commitment. These veterinarians expressed high levels of engagement and were often motivated by fostering thriving in others. The attitudes and behaviours of clinic managers were noted as particularly important.
Thus, a thriving veterinary career can be considered an odyssey — a long, transformative journey shaped by challenges, growth, and continuous learning. It reflects an evolving sense of purpose, making the role of a clinical veterinarian far more than just a job. Based on these findings, a practical framework of evidence-based recommendations was designed to foster thriving throughout a veterinarian’s career. These recommendations target three levels of influence: the individual, the clinic, and the broader veterinary profession, and may help address the ongoing issues of recruitment and retention in veterinary practice.
This research provides valuable insights into the benefits of pursuing a clinical career, contributing to the growing body of literature on positive well-being in the veterinary field. It highlights the importance of leadership and psychological safety — topics that have received relatively little attention in veterinary contexts — and shows how they enable veterinarians to find purpose and meaning in their work. Importantly, the research highlights that fostering thriving is a collective responsibility, shared between veterinary businesses, individual veterinarians, and the profession as a whole
Plantain-mixed pasture collected in different climatic seasons produced less methane and ammonia than ryegrass–white clover pasture in vitro
No full textContext
Plantain (PL) is recognised for reducing nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions in pastoral systems. Evidence has shown that cows fed pure PL produced less methane (CH4) than cows fed ryegrass. However, it is unclear if the CH4 reduction can be achieved with PL in mixed pasture.
Aim
The study evaluated the in vitro rumen fermentation profiles of ryegrass–white clover (RWC) and medium-level PL (PLM, containing ~40% PL) pasture collected during different climatic seasons, to determine whether this inclusion level influences CH4 and rumen ammonia (NH3) production.
Methods
Substrates were selected from samples with various proportions of PL. Samples were categorised into three climatic seasons (i.e. spring, summer and autumn) and two pasture types (PLM and RWC). Representative samples for these scenarios were tested in an automated in vitro rumen batch culture system for gas, CH4 (mL/g DM) and NH3 (mM/g DM) production.
Key results
In summer samples, PLM produced approximately 8%, 14% and 19% less CH4 at 12 h, 24 h and potential CH4 production (PCH4), respectively. Although gas production (GP) was similar at 12 and 24 h, PLM had 13% lower potential GP than RWC (P 0.05). Net NH3 production from PLM substrates was significantly lower in spring (27%) and autumn (17%) samples, with no differences in summer, despite higher crude protein levels in the selected PLM.
Conclusions
Compared with RWC, PLM changed rumen fermentation parameters that could translate to potential environmental benefits: PLM produced less net NH3 in spring and autumn samples (27% and 17%, respectively), and up to 19% less CH4 production in summer samples.
Implications
Incorporating ~40% PL into RWC pasture showed a promising reduction of CH4 emissions and nitrogen losses in vitro. If the in vitro results translate to cows grazing pasture, this could offer greater environmental benefits with minimal input costs. In vitro results suggest that PLM’s potential to mitigate CH4 emissions can be influenced by seasonal variations in pasture quality compared with RWC. However, further animal studies are needed to fully comprehend the CH4 mitigation potential of this forage.fals
Evidence of the effects of ethnic diversity, years of residence, and location on migrant bridging, bonding, and linking, social capital: a New Zealand synthesis
No full textNew Zealand has one of the highest immigration rates in the developed world, resulting in a high share of foreign-born residents. Its population is highly urbanized, spatially uneven, ethnically diverse, and includes a significant indigenous Māori population. This paper synthesizes two decades of research on migrant social capital in New Zealand, drawing on data from multiple waves of the New Zealand General Social Survey and the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey. These datasets provide insights into community participation, volunteering, perceptions of safety and inclusion, and electoral engagement. We draw two main conclusions from our synthesis. First, although migrants arrive with limited local social capital, they gradually build bonding, bridging, and linking, social capital over time. In addition, reported experiences of discrimination decline with longer residence. However, pooled survey data reveal variation in these patterns across time. Second, social capital investment is shaped by the spatial distribution of ethnic groups. Migrants are more likely to engage in bridging social capital in regions where their group is underrepresented, and in bonding social capital in communities where ethnic clustering occurs.fals
Does truth pay? : investigating the effectiveness of the Bayesian truth serum with an interim payment : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
No full textSelf-report data is vital in psychological research, but biases like careless and socially desirable responding (SDR) can compromise its validity. SDR is particularly problematic for sensitive questions, which are common in psychological studies and prone to distortion (Krumpal, 2013). While various methods have been developed to mitigate response biases, they each have limitations. Many proactive approaches rely on intrinsic motivation, which may be insufficient when questions are sensitive, cognitively demanding or socially undesirable (Crowne & Marlowe, 1964). The Bayesian Truth Serum (BTS; Prelec, 2004) offers an incentive-compatible alternative, aligning extrinsic motivation with truthfulness. It encourages considered and honest responses to subjective questions by scoring the truthfulness of responses and rewarding higher scores with a bonus payment. This approach leverages a Bayesian interpretation of population distributions and ties incentives to how ‘surprisingly common’ participants’ responses are. However, prior research has yielded mixed results, highlighting challenges such as participant scepticism and uncertainty about incentives. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the BTS in mitigating SDR in sensitive questions. It tested whether an interim payment could enhance the efficacy of the BTS by increasing trust. In a between-subject experimental survey, 877 participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: BTS, BTS with Interim Payment (BTS+IP) and Regular Incentive (RI). Contrary to the hypotheses, participants in the BTS conditions displayed lower agreement with socially undesirable statements compared to the RI condition. The interim payment did not significantly enhance the BTS’s effectiveness. Instead, response patterns diverged from the mechanism’s intended effects, raising concerns about its robustness. As the second registered report to challenge its efficacy, this study casts serious doubt on the BTS as a reliable tool for mitigating SDR and improving the validity of self-report data in psychological research. Beyond its empirical contributions, this thesis also reflects on the challenges and benefits of adopting the registered report format. Situated within meta-psychology, the reflection explores key moments of academic and personal growth. It may serve as a resource for students and supervisors considering the registered report approach in postgraduate research
Chemical and Biochemical Properties of Verjuice Obtained from Vitis labrusca Grapes by Using Different Extraction Methods
No full textVerjuice, a green grape juice traditionally produced from grapes obtained through thinning, represents a sustainable alternative for the utilization of viticulture by-products. No standardized methods of production are utilized to make verjuice, highlighting the need for further research. This study evaluated three extraction methods—pressing extraction (PE), steam extraction (SE), and centrifuge juicer extraction (CJE)—to produce verjuice from three Vitis labrusca varietals (Bordô, Concord, and White Niágara). Physicochemical parameters, volatile compounds (VOC), total polyphenol content, antioxidant and anti-hypertensive activities were analyzed. Extraction method and grape varietal influenced physicochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and VOC. The SE method resulted in higher yields but lower polyphenolic content, while the CJE was more efficient in extracting phenolic compounds and preserving antioxidant properties. Higher concentrations of malic acid were observed in verjuice extracted by PE and CJE methods from Bordô and Concord grapes, while higher tartaric acid content was found in Bordô and Niágara grapes extracted by CJE. Within grapes, verjuices presented wider volatile profile than those described in the literature, and CJE and PE methods yielded higher amounts of VOC. Thus, V. labrusca presents great potential to produce verjuices and CJE shows to be an efficient alternative to the pressing method.fals
Vulnerability of marine megafauna to global at-sea anthropogenic threats
No full textMarine megafauna species are affected by a wide range of anthropogenic threats. To evaluate the risk of such threats, species’ vulnerability to each threat must first be determined. We build on the existing threats classification scheme and ranking system of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species by assessing the vulnerability of 256 marine megafauna species to 23 at-sea threats. The threats we considered included individual fishing gear types, climate-change-related subthreats not previously assessed, and threats associated with coastal impacts and maritime disturbances. Our ratings resulted in 70 species having high vulnerability (v > 0.778 out of 1) to at least 1 threat, primarily drifting longlines, temperature extremes, or fixed gear. These 3 threats were also considered to have the most severe effects (i.e., steepest population declines). Overall, temperature extremes and plastics and other solid waste were rated as affecting the largest proportion of populations. Penguins, pinnipeds, and polar bears had the highest vulnerability to temperature extremes. Bony fishes had the highest vulnerability to drifting longlines and plastics and other solid waste; pelagic cetaceans to 4 maritime disturbance threats; elasmobranchs to 5 fishing threats; and flying birds to drifting longlines and 2 maritime disturbance threats. Sirenians and turtles had the highest vulnerability to at least one threat from all 4 categories. Despite not necessarily having severe effects for most taxonomic groups, temperature extremes were rated among the top threats for all taxa except bony fishes. The vulnerability scores we provide are an important first step in estimating the risk of threats to marine megafauna. Importantly, they help differentiate scope from severity, which is key to identifying threats that should be prioritized for mitigation.fals
Sex-dependent metabolic and behavioural alterations in a rat model of forced exertion-induced myopathy
No full textBackground: Mass boma capture (MBC) of ungulates may trigger a metabolic condition known as capture myopathy (CM), resulting in myoglobinuria and hyperthermia (rhabdomyolysis). Its pathobiology is poorly understood, especially the role of contextual reminders; a preclinical model system could thus be useful. Sixty (60) adult Sprague Dawley rats (30 rats per sex), divided into three experimental series (n = 12—24), were exposed to MBC-like exertion, viz., forced treadmill running (FTR) at 75% of VO2MAX (30 m/min) with and without aversive noise (context) until physical exhaustion. Rectal and surface temperatures were measured before and after reaching exhaustion. Urine myoglobin, plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lactate, and creatine kinase (CK) were measured immediately and 15 days after MBC. Anxiety was assessed in the light-dark and social interaction tests.
Results: Male and female MBC rats presented with significant hyperthermia, with females showing significantly increased urine myoglobin immediately after MBC, although this was not sustained until day 15 post MBC. LDH was significantly elevated in female rats at baseline but not day 15 post-MBC. Contextual re-exposure prior to testing on day 15 resulted in significant sex-dependent differences in myoglobin and CK concentrations, with female rats being significantly more affected. Only female rats trended towards increased anxiety-like behaviour immediately post-MBC exposure, which was not sustained until day 15 post MBC.
Conclusions: This work builds on previous research using a rodent model of capture myopathy (CM) that confirmed the running protocol to effectively elicite the necessary muscular response. The MBC protocol emphasizes hyperthermia and increased urine myoglobin, sensitivity to contextual reminder (noise), and a trend towards anxiety, particularly in females, highlighting sex-specific physiological responses. By incorporating behavioural and biochemical assessments, acute versus delayed response and environmental triggers, the study enhances model validity and deepens insights into CM-related responses.fals