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Is the neighbourhood environment associated with indicators of health in children and adolescents? Developing and testing a new proof-of-concept Healthy Environments Index for Children in Taranaki, New Zealand
No full textBackgroundWe describe the development of a comprehensive proof-of-concept index of environmental exposures for children based on evidence-informed connections to health behaviours- the Healthy Environments Index for Children (HEIC) - with two sub-indices relating to the food environment (HEIC-FE) and physical activity environment (HEIC-PA) in Taranaki, New Zealand. Associations between this theory-informed index and health outcomes in a cohort of children and adolescents identified with overweight or obesity and enrolled in a community-based healthy lifestyle programme and randomised controlled trial were examined.MethodsThe HIEC was developed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and 15 variables selected from a series of systematic literature reviews identifying environmental factors associated with childhood obesity. Activity spaces around each participant's residential address, and the route to their nearest school were created and used to estimate environmental exposure. Health data from the Whānau Pakari randomised controlled trial (n = 179 at baseline, 121 at 12-months, 95 at 24-months) was integrated to test associations between HEIC and health outcomes. Statistical analyses included spearman rank correlations, multinomial linear regression, and geographically weighted regression.ResultsHigher HEIC scores (indicating health-promoting environments) tended to be clustered within the cities and towns, while rural areas had low HEIC scores. Strong and consistent associations were not identified between HEIC indices and health outcomes in our study population. However, higher HEIC food environments were associated with increased water intake and decreased sweet drink intake at 24-months.ConclusionsThe theory-informed HEIC and its two subindices may be useful tools for policy and practice aiming at improving child health outcomes. However, they require validation in larger studies in other areas of New Zealand
Asymptotic considerations in a Bayesian linear model with nonparametrically modelled time series innovations
No full textThis paper considers a semiparametric approach within the general Bayesian linear model where the innovations consist of a stationary, mean zero Gaussian time series. While a parametric prior is specified for the linear model coefficients, the autocovariance structure of the time series is modelled nonparametrically using a Bernstein-Gamma process prior for the spectral density function, the Fourier transform of the autocovariance function. When updating this joint prior with Whittle's likelihood, a Bernstein-von-Mises result is established for the linear model coefficients showing the asymptotic equivalence of the corresponding estimators to those obtained from frequentist pseudo-maximum-likelihood estimation under the Whittle likelihood. Local asymptotic normality of the likelihood is shown, demonstrating that the marginal posterior distribution of the linear model coefficients shrinks at parametric rate towards the true value, and that the conditional posterior distribution of the spectral density contracts in the sup-norm, even in the case of a partially misspecified linear model
Governing the Already Privatised Internet?
No full textThis chapter investigates how the Internet has been, and is currently, governed. It examines multistakeholderism as one of the dominant approaches to Internet governance: the concept of multilateral collaboration and decision-making as to the content and infrastructure of the Internet. It identifies pitfalls with this model, including the hegemonic impulses of participants and the creep of private sector power caused by large technology companies. It then interrogates whether the emerging concept of digital constitutionalism can remedy multistakeholderism's pitfalls in the age of the large technology company. The Chapter sets out areas of tension that proponents of digital constitutionalism will need to resolve if it is indeed to push back against the twin threats of private sector power and the emerging sovereigntist impulses of authoritarian states
Voluntary Contributions to a Public Good: When and How Much?
No full textABSTRACTWe analyze voluntary public good contributions with incomplete information. A fundraiser chooses whether to disclose or withhold contributions as they occur, and two contributors choose the size and (eventually) the order of their contributions. Contributions made without announcement—thus simultaneous—minimize free‐riding incentives of contributors with low valuations, whereas contributions with disclosure of past donations—thus sequential—minimize those of contributors with high valuations. To maximize aggregate contributions, a fundraiser permits sequential contributions when high valuations are prevalent or significantly exceed low valuations. Otherwise, simultaneous contributions are preferred.</jats:p
Exploring the Validity of an Instrument That Measures Final Year Medical Students’ Career Choice Preferences
No full textThe influences on medical graduates’ career choices and destinations are varied but not well quantified. This study aimed to explore the validity of an instrument that measures the factors that influence Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) medical students’ career choices. The Medical Schools Outcomes Database (MSOD) questionnaire containing 24 question items entitled “Factors Influencing Career Choice” (FICC) section was psychometrically analyzed. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed to identify underlying constructs associated within these question items. This was followed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), conducted on a subsequent cohort to confirm the validity of the identified factor structure. The EFA (n=300) identified four main factors: Placement Experiences, Work Flexibility, Vocational Characteristics, and Finances and Rewards. The CFA (n=343) confirmed the same factor structure. A parsimonious factor structure was achieved after modification of indices and removal of nine items that did not contribute to enhancing the model fit. Two of the four fit indices were within acceptable limits, indicating a reasonable fit of the factor structure. The four factors identified in this study are conceptually consistent with published literature on medical students’ career choices. The current FICC section of MSOD questionnaire is useful in identifying key factors influencing NZ students’ career choice. Items removed in the CFA model indicate possible issues underlying the current wording of the item stems, obscuring the effectiveness of the questionnaire. Future research to enhance the scope and sensitivity of the current FICC section can further improve the utility of this tool in informing curriculum developments and shaping the needs of the future medical workforce
Metacognition in Language Learning
No full textMetacognition is learners’ “cognition about cognition” (Flavell, 1979, p. 906). It is widely accepted as a theoretical framework for deepening the understanding of language learning and teaching. This framework is particularly useful in examining learning processes in second/foreign language education. Consequently, pedagogical practices have been promoted in light of this framework. This chapter aims to clarify the concept of “metacognition.” It also seeks to strengthen the connection between research and practice, with an ultimate goal of enhancing learners’ language proficiency
Clozapine-associated perturbation of arachidonic acid metabolism: A future direction for clozapine-induced cardiotoxicity
No full textClozapine is an effective antipsychotic medication utilised for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, clinical use of clozapine is limited due to the risk of cardiotoxicities, including clozapine-induced myocarditis. Oxidation of clozapine and reduction of clozapine-N-oxide can be catalysed by the cardio-selective cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms CYP2J2, CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, which are also reported to metabolise arachidonic acid. Any interaction with CYP-catalysed arachidonic acid metabolism may perturb the balance of pro-inflammatory hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids and anti-inflammatory epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, priming the heart to an inflammatory state. Thereby making it more susceptible to the damage that may induce clozapine-induced myocarditis. The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate whether an interaction between arachidonic acid and clozapine or clozapine-N-oxide occurs at CYP2J2, CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, in comparison to the hepatic isoform CYP2C19. Our results demonstrated a clear perturbation of CYP1B1 catalysed arachidonic acid metabolism, with a concentration-dependent decrease in metabolite formation in the presence of clozapine and clozapine-N-oxide. Each isoform also had decreased N-desmethylclozapine formation relative to incubations with clozapine alone and impaired clozapine and clozapine-N-oxide REDOX cycling capacity. Although limited by analytical sensitivity, these data provide clear evidence of a metabolic interaction between arachidonic acid and clozapine. This offers a novel hypothesis to explain patient susceptibility and a feasible mechanism for the cardiac-selective inflammation observed in clozapine-induced myocarditis
Exploring how family offices and high-net-worth individuals make the decision to invest in venture capital funds
No full textVenture capital (VC) funds are critical drivers of innovation globally, fostering economic growth through job creation and increased GDP. To carry out their function of financing and supporting startups, VC funds must first raise capital from limited partners (LPs) who invest with the intention of reaping financial returns.
In New Zealand, government initiatives have promoted the formation of multiple new VC funds. As investment activity from their initial funds concludes, these emerging VC funds must now look towards preparing for the fundraising of subsequent funds. At this stage, it is critical to understand how family offices (FOs) and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) – the predominant sources of capital for NZ VC funds – make the decision to invest in VC funds, particularly when evaluating emerging funds. Despite the importance of this area, the extant literature lacks insight into how FOs and HNWIs assess VC investment opportunities or how they navigate the potential challenge of evaluating newer, less-established funds.
This thesis employs a qualitative research approach grounded in critical realism to explore the perspectives of FOs and HNWIs. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven FO representatives and HNWIs to investigate the factors shaping their decision-making processes.
The findings indicate that track record, investment team expertise, alignment with LP objectives, and credibility and reputation are the primary signals influencing investment decisions. However, approaches to evaluating these signals vary. While some FOs and HNWIs rely on objective, data-driven approaches, others rely on heuristic, emotionally-driven assessments. When assessing emerging VC funds, where historical performance data is often absent, FOs and HNWIs focus on alternative indicators of fund quality and trust-based judgements.
This study contributes to the academic literature by providing insight into how FOs and HNWIs process signals of VC fund quality and by applying a novel theoretical lens centred on signalling theory and Drover et al.’s conceptualisation of the heuristic-systematic model. Beyond academic implications, these insights have practical implications for NZ’s VC funds, who may find these insights valuable in preparation for subsequent fundraising rounds
Exploring teacher written feedback in EFL writing classrooms: Beliefs and practices in interaction
No full text As an important instructional affordance, teacher written feedback is widely used in second language (L2) writing contexts. While copious evidence has shown that such a pedagogical practice can facilitate L2 learners’ writing performance, especially their writing accuracy, little is known about how novice writing teachers conceptualize and enact written feedback in contexts of English as a foreign language (EFL). To fill this gap, we examined four novice writing teachers’ espoused written feedback beliefs and their actual practices in Chinese tertiary EFL writing classrooms. Based on data from semi-structured interviews and students’ writing samples, we found that they adopted a comprehensive approach to feedback provision, and were most concerned with errors in language, particularly grammar when providing feedback. These teachers almost reached a consensus in their beliefs about feedback scope and feedback focus, but they held varying beliefs about feedback strategies. Additionally, this study revealed the complexity of belief-practice relationships, in terms of the coexistence of consistencies and inconsistencies. Specifically, these teachers’ beliefs paralleled their practices in feedback scope, but their beliefs and practices mismatched with regard to feedback focus and feedback strategies. This article concludes with a discussion of the important pedagogical implications. </jats:p