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Evaluation of New Zealand's Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Medical Imaging Research Output: A Bibliometric-Based Approach
No full textINTRODUCTION: The use of medical imaging services has increased globally with a concurrent increase in radiology, nuclear medicine and medical imaging (RNMI) research. However, New Zealand's RNMI research output relative to global trends is under-examined. This project evaluates New Zealand's RNMI research output between 1996 and 2022 compared to selected countries while highlighting global RNMI research output trends. METHODS: A bibliometric-based performance analysis was conducted using publication data from the SCImago Journal, the Country Rank portal, Clarivate InCites Benchmarking, and the Analytics platform. Registration data of RNMI professionals by country was collected to evaluate the relationship between research output and the number of registered professionals. RESULTS: Among the seven selected countries (the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa), New Zealand's research output was low, even when adjusted for population size and the number of professionals. A significant positive correlation was found between the number of registered RNMI professionals and the number of RNMI publications. Despite this, New Zealand had the highest percentage of RNMI documents cited. CONCLUSION: Although New Zealand's RNMI publications follow the global upward trend, it does so at a proportionate loss. New Zealand ranked low in most bibliometric indicators apart from the percentage of documents cited, where it showed a notable citation impact. Emphasising research, increasing collaborative efforts, and undertaking further statistical analyses may enhance New Zealand's RNMI research output
Samoan adult males’ thoughts and perspectives on factors that support responsible alcohol use and abstinence
No full textPurpose:
The purpose of this study is to explore the perspectives of adult Samoan males in New Zealand on factors that support responsible alcohol use and abstinence, with the aim of identifying possible solutions to supporting them in their hazardous drinking recovery. The Fonofale model (Pulotu-Endemann, 2009) was used as the basis of the study, which defines Samoan well-being holistically in terms of physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects.
Design/methodology/approach:
Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 former service users, between the ages of 46 and 68 years, of a Pacific alcohol and drug treatment service, using a Talanoa approach (Vaioleti, 2016). A general inductive thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2021) was then used to identify themes.
Findings:
Five main broad themes emerged from the study. These included areas such as impacts of hazardous drinking, factors likely to increase risk of increased drinking or act as protective factors against it, as well as the benefits of abstinence or decreased drinking. Feedback was also given about the role played by the Pacific alcohol and other drug service.
Research limitations/implications:
Due to the relatively small sample size, the results of this exploratory study have limited generalisability. Results will likely be useful for consideration when working with collective indigenous cultures who experience addiction issues.
Originality/value:
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the only qualitative Talanoa study to gain in-depth knowledge about factors contributing to dangerous drinking for older Samoan men, and to gain insight into what enabled them to reduce or abstain from drinking
Beware of False Prophets: Cybersecurity Risk and Strategic Voluntary Disclosure
No full textThis study explores how cybersecurity risk influences voluntary disclosure, with a particular focus on management forecasts. We find that managers in firms with higher ex-ante cyber risk issue more financial forecasts. This positive effect is largely due to increased information demand from market participants when confronted with elevated cybersecurity concerns. Further analyses reveal that management forecasts in response to cyber risk, while conveying more positive and long-term information, exhibit lower precision and accuracy. Overall, we interpret these findings as managers strategically using optimistic disclosures, even if these disclosures’ quality is subpar, to enhance market valuation when their firm is exposed to cybersecurity risk
Understanding The Carotenoid Biosynthesis Pathway in Orange Actinidia Species
No full textCarotenoids belong to the tetraterpene family and are involved in diverse biological processes
in plants. Along with a primary role in photosynthesis, they also provide distinct colours (red,
yellow, and orange) to fruit, vegetables, and flowers to attract pollinators and facilitate
pollination and seed dispersal. Carotenoids provide novelty to fruits and vegetables and are
beneficial to human health primarily as provitamin A, therefore, they are essential for dietary
intake.
The aim of this thesis is to understand and characterize carotenogenesis in kiwifruit (Actinidia
species) and its regulation in the orange Actinidia species. Metabolic analysis of orange
Actinidia valvata (OF), yellow A. polygama (YF), and green A. arguta (GF) revealed high
accumulation of β-carotene (provitamin A) in orange and yellow fruits, whereas green fruit
accumulated xanthophylls (primarily lutein).
Transcriptomic analysis between OF and GF revealed upregulation of carotenoid pathway
genes (DXS, PSY2, GGPPS, PDS, Z-ISO, and ZDS) in OF fruit during ripening (a contrast from
GF). Increased expression of chlorophyll degradation genes (SGR, RCCR, and NYC1) in OF
species explains increased chlorophyll turnover in the early ripening stages. Transient overexpression of Actinidia PSY2 (a rate-limiting step in most plant species) and SGRs in Nicotiana
tabacum leaves resulted in a significant increase in carotenoids and de-greening, respectively.
The rapid de-greening accompanied by β-carotene accumulation can also depend on the
transcriptional regulation of the pathway and plastid diversity (for carotenoid sequestration).
Key genes that encode pathway enzymes were differentially regulated, therefore, candidate
transcription factors based on differential expression analysis were selected and functionally
characterized in heterologous plant systems. New candidates that regulate carotenogenesis
(MYB1R, DIVARICATA, bHLH154, and bHLH137) and de-greening (bZIP53, bZIP44, and
WRKY53) were identified.
Sequestration of carotenoids in plastids determines their concentration in diverse tissues.
Microscopic analysis revealed distinct differences in plastid type, number, and ultrastructure in
the flesh of the three Actinidia species with chloroplast-to-chromoplast development in orange
and yellow fruits. Furthermore, over-expression of FIBRILLIN1B, a plastid-lipid associated
protein, increased total carotenoid accumulation suggesting the highly expressed
FIBRILLIN1B in orange kiwifruit facilitates high carotenoid sequestration. This study provides
knowledge on the complex molecular mechanisms regulating carotenogenesis and de-greening
in diverse kiwifruit species
Development of a Universal Multi-Drug Detection Method for 23 Analytes in Hair
No full textThe ability to detect a human’s possible exposure to drugs is an essential function of forensic toxicology. Testing hair for the presence of drugs has been proposed as an alternative matrix to blood and urine, as it can provide advantages where conventional matrices lack. There is no existing validated method for hair analysis in New Zealand’s primary forensic laboratory, despite the increasing demand for toxicological hair testing requested by police. Hair testing requests are sent to an international lab for analysis, which is expensive and time-consuming. Previously employed hair-testing methods were limited by poor sensitivity, having to perform separate analyses for different drug classes, and the exclusion of GHB from their methods. This research aims to develop and validate a rapid and universal multi-drug method to detect 23 analytes in hair at concentrations relevant to drug-facilitated crimes.
GHB is the target drug herein. It has similar effects to alcohol and has the reputation of being used to spike drinks with the intention of stupefying and sexual assault. This drug is rapidly eliminated from the body within a couple of hours following ingestion. GHB is also a naturally occurring molecule circulating in the human body, so it will always be present at low levels. GHB is detectable in hair months following ingestion. Further, performing a segmental analysis can aid in the differentiation between physiological levels and possible external exposure.
The final method employed a micro-pulverised extraction in methanol to extract drugs from hair, with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry utilised to separate and detect compounds. The newly developed method was taken through validation and applicability experiments. The limit of detection of all analytes ranged between 0.8-100 pg/mg of hair (median: 3 pg/mg), proving to be sensitive enough to detect most compounds after a single intake of drug. Additionally, GHB was successfully included in the multi-drug method. It is intended that the method described herein will be implemented in routine casework, addressing a current gap in the current toxicological testing landscape in New Zealand
Comparing Durations of Different Countermeasure Efficacies Against Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Cornfields of Hunchun, Jilin Province, China
No full textWildlife behavior can be influenced by the deployment of sensory cues in a landscape, but different cues vary in the strength and duration of their effectiveness. We aimed to identify the most effective and cost-efficient countermeasures (sensory cues) to deter wild boar (Sus scrofa) entry and damage to cornfields in Hunchun, Jilin Province, China. These cornfields have experienced severe damage by wild boars during the critical 30-day period when this crop was ripening. From 2016 to 2021, different countermeasures were applied sequentially seeking to control this damage by using either (1) visual deterrents, i.e., solar blinkers of different colors; (2) auditory deterrents, i.e., playbacks of Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) calls, wild boar calls, or wolf (Canis lupus) calls; (3) tactile deterrents, i.e., electric fencing; (4) olfactory deterrents, i.e., Adult Amur tiger feces; or (5) various combined deterrents. We first evaluated the effectiveness of these broad categories, then performed a detailed analysis of the individual countermeasures to assess their specific deterrence effectiveness and duration. A cost-effective analysis was subsequently performed on the most effective countermeasures to evaluate the best option for practical applications. Across the broad categories of deterrents, the tactile group proved the most effective overall. For individual deterrents, the seven countermeasures showing significantly higher effectiveness than the others tested included the following: (1) 1000 mA red solar blinker (32.25 ± 4.22 days), (2) 1000 mA yellow solar blinker (29.67 ± 4.58 days), (3) 1000 mA green solar blinker (29.58 ± 5.60 days), (4) electric fencing with three wires (29.67 ± 0.58 days), (5) electric fencing with two wires (28.00 ± 2.00 days), (6) Adult Amur tiger calls for 15 s and wild boar calls for 15 s plus a combined 30 s plus a blank recording for 5 min (26.50 ± 2.38 days), and (7) Adult Amur tiger feces and calls (27.34 ± 2.94 days). Except for the Adult Amur tiger feces and calls, each countermeasure would cover most of the period over which control is necessary (30 days). The 1000 mA red solar blinker of achieved the highest repellency per cost ratio (0.31) at 30.29 IUS/hm2. The 1000 mA red solar blinker offers a highly cost-effective short-term deterrent, while the electric fencing with three wires provides durable, long-term protection despite its higher costs. Balancing cost and duration can optimize wild boar deterrence strategies across different management needs
A cross-disciplinary genre analysis of conference presentations by novice and expert presenters
No full textThe academic conference presentation is a specialised form of public speaking and a challenging task due to its real-time delivery to an expert audience (Heino, Tervonen & Tommola, 2002). According to Seliman (1996) academic conference presentations are of great significance because they offer more up-to-date information than written versions; they are considered an important component of the research cycle and constitute a key academic genre (Hyland, 2009).
To date, the extensive and rapidly growing body of literature on the language of research reporting has been mainly concentrated on reporting on the written form (e.g., research articles, theses, essays, or proposals) and the spoken form of research reporting, such as academic conference presentations, has received little attention.
This study provides a macro-level description (i.e., the rhetorical Move structure) and a micro-level description (i.e., the use of Metadiscourse) of conference presentations in two disciplines: Applied Linguistics and Computing. It also explores differences in the delivery of conference presentations with respect to the aforementioned macro and micro-level features by novices (postgraduate students) and experts (faculty members) in the two disciplines.
The analysis is informed by the theory of genre analysis as developed by Swales (1990). Accordingly, a Move is defined as a rhetorical unit that performs a communicative function. The study adopts the Move model developed by Seliman (1996) to investigate academic conference presentations, and Hyland’s (2005) Metadiscourse model is used to investigate the use of Metadiscourse.
The study employs a self-built corpus comprising 30 conference presentations (Applied Linguistics n=15; Computing n=15) collected from international conferences through audio and video recordings. Within each discipline, eight presentations were delivered by novices and seven by experts. The presentations were transcribed and analysed with NVivo 12 (Moves and Steps), and AntConc 4.0.7 (Metadiscourse markers).
The findings reveal some cross-disciplinary differences in the use of rhetorical Moves and Steps in the different sections of the presentations and differences according to the level of expertise (novices/experts). The study has pedagogical implications for teaching the structure, organisation, and delivery of conference presentations
An exploratory study on the Heteroduplex Mobility Assay as a preliminary tool for microbial alpha and beta diversity estimation
No full textMicrobial diversity is fundamental to ecosystem functions, and its accurate assessment is crucial for understanding microbial community structures. One widely used approach to measure microbial diversity relies on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which enables the estimation of both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. While sequencing remains the gold standard, it involves labour-intensive and costly processes, including library preparation and in silico post-processing.
The Heteroduplex Mobility Assay (HMA) is a technique designed to detect small differences in base pairs, providing an approximate measure of genetic distance between heteroduplexed sequences. This study explores whether HMA could serve as a rapid, preliminary tool for microbial diversity assessment before applying sequencing methods. Specifically, (1) in silico simulations were conducted to assess the correlation between HMA-derived diversity metrics and established phylogenetic diversity indices. HMA-based alpha diversity was compared with fully abundance-weighted phylogenetic diversity, while HMA-derived beta diversity was evaluated against Rao’s dissimilarity coefficient and weighted UniFrac. (2) The practical applicability of HMA-based diversity metrics was tested using real microbial samples analysed via the LabChip GX II system, with results compared against diversity metrics derived from sequencing data of the same samples.
Computational validation demonstrated that HMA-derived metrics effectively represented standard diversity indices. However, empirical validation with real microbial communities revealed that HMA could not reliably estimate microbial diversity due to limitations in quantifying heteroduplex frequencies using microchip electrophoresis. These findings suggest that, under current methodologies, HMA with LabChip microchip electrophoresis is not a viable approach for microbial diversity estimation. Nevertheless, future advancements in heteroduplex quantification techniques may enhance its applicability
Conductive-Polymer-based Double-Network Hydrogels for Wearable Supercapacitors
No full textIn the field of contemporary epidermal bioelectronics, there is an urgent need for energy storage devices that are safe, lightweight, flexible, and robust to meet the demands of wearable and flexible electronics. In this study, a high-performance double-network polymer hydrogel was developed by chemical polymerizing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) into a double-network hydrogel matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PVA/PEGDA) . Through systematic optimization of component ratios, control of the number of gel freeze-thaw cycles and immersion pretreatment in Deep eutectic solvents (DES), a detailed investigation was conducted into the structure, mechanical properties, thermal properties and electrochemical performance of the PEDOT-PVA/PEGDA hydrogel to assess its potential as an advanced energy storage material. The resulting PEDOT-PVA/PEGDA hydrogel demonstrated exceptional multifunctionality. Mechanically, it achieved a strain tolerance of up to 498%, indicating excellent flexibility and durability. Electrically, the hydrogel exhibited a high conductivity of 5 S m⁻¹ and an impressive specific capacitance of 84.1 ± 3.6 mF cm⁻². When used as electrodes in a supercapacitor configuration, paired with a freestanding boron cross-linked PVA/KCl hydrogel electrolyte, the assembled device displayed a specific capacitance of 54.5 mF cm⁻² at 10 mV s⁻¹ and an energy density of 4.7 μWh cm⁻². The supercapacitor also exhibited remarkable stability, retaining 97.6% of its initial capacitance after 3000 charge-discharge cycles, highlighting its reliability for long-term use. At the same time, when the device was bent and folded several times, it can still work normally and stably, with almost no loss of performance, which fully meets the requirements of the daily use of smart wearable devices. Beyond energy storage, the PEDOT-PVA/PEGDA hydrogel displayed excellent strain sensitivity, hydrophilicity and antifouling properties, maintaining a sensitive electrical signal response under both small and large deformations. This makes it particularly suitable for use as a flexible sensor, capable of detecting a wide range of mechanical stimuli. The unique combination of mechanical robustness, superior electrochemical performance, and antifouling characteristics positions the PEDOT-PVA/PEGDA hydrogel-based supercapacitor as a promising power storage solution for next-generation wearable electronics and epidermal devices