21436 research outputs found
Sort by
Prejudice toward Chinese Indonesians and the Xinyimin in Indonesia : an integrated threat approach : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Communication at Massey University, Wellington Campus, New Zealand
Get PDFListed in 2025 Dean's List of Exceptional ThesesChapter 4 was removed from the thesis for copyright reasons, but the abstract and references are available at https://doi.org/10.4337/9781802209662.00039Latent tension has long defined the relationship between Chinese Indonesians and the Pribumi (native Indonesians). Political violence against Chinese Indonesians has occurred from time to time, from pre-independence Indonesia to the Suharto era. Rooted in Dutch colonial legacies that framed the ethnic Chinese in Indonesia as perpetual outsiders, prejudice toward them has persisted for centuries and even continues under the current administration. Furthermore, China’s rising influence in Southeast Asia has brought an influx of new Chinese migrants (Xinyimin) to the region, including Indonesia, intensifying perceptions of threats and prejudice.
This study uses Stephan & Stephan’s integrated threat theory to explore how perceived threats relate to prejudice toward Chinese Indonesians and the Xinyimin working in Indonesia. Using multiple regression analyses, this study found negative stereotypes, realistic threat, history of intergroup conflict, and age act as significant predictors of prejudice toward Chinese Indonesians, and that history of intergroup conflict and contact influence the perception of economic threats toward the Xinyimin in Indonesia. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications for integrated threat and prejudice are discussed
Perspectives on pasture establishment in New Zealand dairy systems: challenges, innovations, and agroecological implications
No full textThe productivity and persistence of pasture species in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) are crucial for pastoral systems including the dairy, sheep, and beef industries and are predominantly based on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Increasingly, farmers are exploring other simple grass/legume mixtures and also incorporating mixed species swards. This perspective paper critically examines the methods and challenges associated with pasture establishment, focusing on seed germination, sowing techniques, and post-establishment management. It discusses the influence of environmental factors including soil type, moisture, and temperature on seed germination and seedling persistence, alongside the impact of grazing practices on pasture longevity. Economic considerations and environmental impacts of various establishment methods, including overgrazing, chemical termination, and direct drilling, are examined. This perspective paper also covers the integration of new technologies such as precision agriculture, robotics, and advanced seed genetics, noting barriers to their adoption. From an agroecological perspective, we argue for a systems-based approach that integrates biodiversity, farmer knowledge, and long-term resilience into pasture renewal strategies. We also identify research gaps related to species persistence, climate adaptation, and policy support, and call for collaborative innovation to ensure the future productivity and ecological integrity of NZ pastoral system. Lastly, the paper highlights the need for further research into long-term pasture performance, species persistence, and the effectiveness of emerging technologies to optimise pasture management in NZ changing climate.fals
DNA Mismatch Repair Gene Mosaicism Is Rare in People With Mismatch Repair-Deficient Cancers
No full textLynch syndrome, the most common hereditary cancer syndrome (∼1 in 280 people), is caused by germline pathogenic variants in one of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2.1,2 People with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), endometrial cancer (EC), and other cancers,3 including sebaceous skin tumors (SST).4 Identifying Lynch syndrome is important for clinical management and cancer prevention, but despite advances in next-generation sequencing, the detection of all pathogenic MMR gene variants remains challenging. Postzygotic mosaicism in the MMR genes is uncommon,5,6 but whether MMR mosaicism is truly rare or underdiagnosed due to the absence of systematic investigations is unclear.
Our aim in this study was to identify mosaic MMR pathogenic variants in people with MMR-deficient CRCs, ECs, or SSTs.fals
Who goes there? : an analysis of North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) vocal anatomy, vocalisations, and associated behaviours : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
No full textThis thesis explores individual variations in the vocal tract, vocalisations, and calling behaviour of the North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli). Kiwi are cryptic, nocturnal birds and are commonly monitored using acoustic methods – either manual call counts, or automated field recordings. Kiwi are loud callers with males and females producing very different calls. The number of times an individual bird calls per night varies, therefore turning call rates into estimates of population abundance is challenging and thus call counts fall short of estimating population numbers. This thesis aims to improve the knowledge we have of kiwi vocal behaviour using two approaches: (i) examining and describing for the first time the complete vocal tract of kiwi looking for differences between the sexes that could explain the different sounds they produce, and (ii) attempting to identify individuals through call variables obtained through multiple manual and automated call recordings. I also utilised calls shared between multiple recorders in an area to triangulate their location and identify a trend in call location selection. I investigated this to link calling behaviour to calling purpose, as the close proximity of kiwi nests on Ponui Island may influence calling for nest defence. Anatomical analysis of six brown kiwi (male = 3, female = 3) revealed a considerable difference in lateral labium area between the sexes (male = 2.43 mm2 ± 1.1, female = 1.19 mm2 ± 0.95), though this was not statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U test: n = 6; p = 0.3827), likely influenced by a small sample size. The syrinx was of the tracheobronchial type, which was larger in females (length = 8.98mm ± 2.78; width = 9.24mm ± 0.96), than in males (length = 6.13mm ± 0.8; width = 8.51mm ± 0.47). The tongue was spoon-like with a cartilaginous tip, and the oropharyngeal cavity contained two pairs of pharyngeal folds posterior to the glottis and choana. Call recordings, collected passively from 29 recorders near nine nests on Ponui Island and manually from six males, were analysed using k-means clustering to assess individual call distinctiveness. Results indicated that individual calls could not be reliably classified (percentage of correct identifications = 9%) using the selected call variables. Choice of calling location was examined using a three-tiered call quality ranking system. I evaluated call quality based on the number of harmonics visible in the call recording, which correlates with distance between calling bird and the recorder. Using a negative binomial GLM I found that altitude was not a predictive factor in site selection; however, high elevation sites functioned as good listening vantage points for the acoustic recorders, with higher ranked calls significantly correlated with increasing altitude. These findings highlight important considerations for future research. The differences in the sound generation source between the sexes highlights a potential source of the brown kiwi's sexually dimorphic calls, however, the degree of neuromuscular control of call production must be investigated. Additionally, utilising syllable (a distinct segment of harmonics in a bird’s call) variables for individual identification is paramount as they seem to be more informative than using call (the full vocalisation) variables alone, thus potentially providing more evidence for vocal individuality in kiwi. More time is needed for both studies to provide informative results to account for limitations in sample sizes and to account for seasonal variability of kiwi calls. Addressing these challenges could improve passive acoustic monitoring techniques for kiwi and other cryptic nocturnal species
Communicating work culture adaptation techniques of Filipino migrants in New Zealand : Kampanteng Kiwinoys : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Journalism at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
No full textFilipinos are the third-largest Asian ethnic group and the second-fastest-growing population of migrants in New Zealand (Asia New Zealand Foundation, 2020; Statistics New Zealand, 2024a). With the continuous influx of migrant workers from the Philippines for the last 19 years, New Zealand has been home to several migrants working in the health, construction, dairy, and information technology industries. Through the lens of cultural fusion theory, this study provides insights into the cultural adaptation of Kiwinoys in the workplace. Specifically, this study: (1) describes the cultural adaptation experiences of people in New Zealand; (2) identifies to what extent Filipino migrants choose acculturation over cultural maintenance; and (3) determines the extent receptivity and conformity pressure from the dominant culture in New Zealand affect intercultural transformation among Filipino migrants. The first article reveals that the cultural adaptation of immigrants in New Zealand can be traced along the acculturation, cultural adaptation, and cultural fusion of Berry (1970, 2003, 2005, 2006), Aycan and Berry (1996), and Sam and Berry (2010) on acculturation, Kim (2001, 2017) on cross-cultural cultural adaptation, Kraidy (2005) on cultural hybridity, and Croucher and Kramer (2016) on cultural fusion theory. The results of the second article reveal that ecological adaptability, language use, media language, and community engagement positively relate to acculturation. The results of the third article suggest that both host receptivity and host conformity pressure are positively related to intercultural transformation. The results of this study enrich existing theories on cultural adaptation and intercultural communication and provide deeper and wider perspectives on how Filipinos thrive as an ethnocultural group in New Zealand
Genetic diversity of microbes and its impacts on host switching : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
No full textLand use around forests, leading to habitat overlap, increases the risk of anthroponotic and zoonotic pathogen/microorganism transmission between humans, livestock, and wildlife. This scenario is exemplified by Buhoma, a village where most residents are primarily subsistence farmers who raise livestock and cultivate crops near the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) in Southwestern Uganda, creating an ideal interface for understanding these dynamics. Given the significance of this geographic location and the underrepresentation of African populations in global microbiome research, this project aims to characterise the gut microbiome diversity and potential novel bacterial species, as well as microorganism sharing within a multi-host system in a rural area with documented interactions between humans, livestock, and wildlife. For microbial detection, DNA extracted from 553 faecal samples collected from humans, gorillas, and livestock was processed and sequenced to analyse microbial species communities in different hosts using shotgun high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics tools. The analysis of 2,411 bacterial metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) confirmed the presence of numerous putative novel bacterial species in the gut microbiomes of the Ugandan hosts studied in this project. While many species were host-specific, others were detected across multiple host gut microbiomes from Buhoma and BINP, and in different host samples from other geographic locations (by comparing the MAGs generated in this thesis with other publicly available genomes). Among the bacterial MAGs assembled in this project, genera such as Prevotella and Treponema—considered markers of the gut microbiome in individuals with traditional agricultural lifestyles—and Campylobacter—which comprises species that are leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis globally—were further investigated. These genera were found to contain numerous putative novel species, contributing to our knowledge of the human and animal gut microbiomes and enhancing our understanding of the species associated with them. The results of this study reveal a high diversity of previously unknown microbes recovered from human, gorilla, and livestock gut microbiomes collected simultaneously at the same wild rural interface.
The Treponema genus includes species that inhabit a wide range of hosts and types of microbiotas. In the Ugandan host samples, 75 Treponema MAGs were reconstructed, enabling the identification of sixteen intestinal species, including thirteen putative novel species. Three of the detected species were found in human samples from this study, as well as in publicly available Treponema genomes recovered from animals such as pigs, cattle, wild boars, roe deer, and goats. This detection underscores the potential for interspecies transmission and the establishment of these bacteria in different hosts. Overall, these findings highlight the complex interplay between humans, animals, and their gut microbiomes, emphasising the need for further research to elucidate the implications for public health.
Prevotella species are prevalent and abundant components of microbial communities associated with mammals. This bacterial genus influences individual clinical and metabolic responses to dietary changes and overall health conditions. In humans, Prevotella species have been identified in various body sites such as the skin, oral cavity, vagina, and gastrointestinal tract. In the gut microbiome, they are commonly linked with diets abundant in plant-based foods and are particularly prevalent among agriculturalist populations, where they tend to dominate the microbiota. In the investigation of this genus, 37 MAGs were assembled, all belonging to yet-to-be-described species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that they represented fifteen putative novel intestinal Prevotella species. The nimJ gene, which confers resistance to metronidazole (a nitroimidazole-class drug), was detected in one of the human intestinal Prevotella species. Given the widespread use of antibiotics like metronidazole for treating both humans and animals in regions of Uganda, including Buhoma, the presence of this gene provides evidence that Prevotella species can acquire resistance to commonly used nitroimidazole-class drugs in areas where their use is prevalent. Of the seven putative novel species identified in human gut microbiomes, two were also present in publicly available genomes in the gut microbiomes from pigs and rhesus macaques living in different geographic locations, providing evidence that the same Prevotella intestinal species can inhabit multiple hosts. Overall, these findings expand knowledge of intestinal Prevotella by introducing numerous previously unknown species, offering a species-level perspective for future studies on Prevotella’s impact on health.
Campylobacter species are leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, yet their diversity and transmission dynamics at wildlife–livestock–human interfaces remain poorly characterised. I investigated Campylobacter diversity among sympatric mountain gorillas, livestock, and humans in Uganda, assembling 44 Campylobacter MAGs representing seven species—including five putative novel taxa. Three novel species were found in mountain gorillas, livestock harboured C. vicugnae (goats) and C. sp017646085 (cattle), while human gut microbiomes revealed Candidatus Campylobacter infans (not associated with disease) and C. sp900539255, which was significantly enriched in clinical samples (p=0.001) and displayed unique sulfur and nitrogen metabolic pathways. Antimicrobial resistance genes, including blaOXA-471_1, were detected in Ca. C. infans MAGs. Overall, our findings demonstrate high Campylobacter diversity at the human–animal interface in Buhoma and highlight the importance of expanding reference databases for accurate surveillance and effective public health interventions.
In summary, this thesis introduces a substantial amount of new information on gut microbiome bacterial species in gorillas, livestock, and humans living at a wild-livestock-human interface. It also provides detailed insights into three bacterial genera present in the gut microbiomes of human populations, as well as other mammals such as gorillas, cattle, and goats
Determinants of smallholder horticultural farmers’ participation in the Impact Accelerator Subsidy (IAS) programme in Botswana : case study from Kweneng District : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agribusiness at Massey University, New Zealand
No full textThis study examines the determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in the Impact Accelerator Subsidy (IAS) programme, a horticulture subsidy initiative in Botswana, with a focus on market dynamics and co-financing barriers to smallholder farmer engagement. Despite the IAS programme being ambitious in stimulating horticultural production and improving livelihoods through partial input subsidies and technical support, the participation of smallholder farmers has been uneven and constrained. The study employed a qualitative case study design, engaging smallholder farmers in three categories: participants, intended participants, and non-participants across Kweneng District in Botswana, through semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, document reviews, and field observations. The data were analysed guided by Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic data analysis framework, where the themes are inductively derived from the data. The findings of this study show that while some farmers participated, enabled by ownership of land, access to adequate borehole water and external funding sources, broader systemic barriers dominated. Chief among these barriers were a high co financing threshold, which excluded resource-poor farmers and the prevailing unregulated market conditions that subjected farmers to exploitative pricing and inconsistent demand. Other challenges included weak extension service delivery, policy ambiguity, and logistical infrastructure challenges. These challenges undermined the uptake and participation in the IAS programme. The study argues that without adequately addressing the underlying market dysfunctions and offering more inclusive financing models, the transformative goals of the IAS programme remain limited. This study concludes by calling for revisions that prioritise market formalisation, strengthen farmers' bargaining power, and provide more equitable cost-sharing arrangements. These insights offer insights on designing subsidy models that are accessible and sustainable in the context of Botswana’s horticulture sector
Do stress, depression and anxiety lead to beliefs in conspiracy theories over time? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
No full textPrior research has found positive correlations between various indicators of psychological distress such as anxiety, depression and stress, and belief in conspiracy theories. However, whether these relationships reflect causal effects remains unclear. In this preregistered longitudinal study, we tested whether anxiety, depression, and stress affect – and are affected by – belief in unwarranted conspiracy theories. Participants (N = 970) from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom completed seven monthly online surveys between October 2022 and March 2023. Using a multiple indicator random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM), we found support for only one of 15 preregistered hypotheses: a small within-person cross-lagged effect of anxiety increasing belief in conspiracy theories. Conversely, we found no evidence that belief in conspiracy theories increases psychological distress over time. These findings align with other longitudinal studies, suggesting that any reciprocal relationship between psychological distress and conspiracy beliefs is relatively small. This raises questions about the role of distress and existential threat as primary contributors to belief in conspiracy theories
Thermo-economic investigation and multi objective optimization of cascade high temperature heat pump using low global warming refrigerants
No full textHigh temperature heat pumping (HTHP) is a key technology for decarbonizing industrial process heat. This paper describes an investigation into the thermodynamic and economic performance of a cascade HTHP configured with internal heat exchangers (IHXs), using low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in both the top cycle and the bottom cycle. The proposed system was applied to a spray dryer case study with supply air temperature over 200 °C. A differential evolution (DE) method was used to optimize operating parameters to obtain the maximum COP. The simulation results indicated that of the cycles and refrigerants considered, the maximum COP can be obtained when using acetone or ethanol in the top cycle (TC) and butane or neopentane in the bottom cycle (BC). The use of acetone/neopentane and ethanol/neopentane achieved a highest COP of 2.42; however, better economic performance was achieved when using butane as the BC refrigerant rather than neopentane, while the economic and thermodynamic performance of the heat pumps were similar when acetone and ethanol were used as TC refrigerants. The performance of the most promising refrigerants was analyzed under off-design conditions, with minimum and maximum COP being 2.19 and 2.82, respectively obtained with the sink inlet/outlet temperature of 50 °C/230 °C and 15 °C/200 °C.fals