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Ka puta! Ka ora! Exploring the healing potential of birth for whānau Māori
No full textThis thesis explores and examines the potential of birth as a means of healing for wāhine Māori and their whānau. The genesis of this topic lies within the author's Masters work, where the whānau experiences of trauma across the perinatal spectrum were observed. Adverse and inequitable birth outcomes that persist for whānau Māori were also key drivers for this mahi.
This thesis builds on previous mahi undertaken in the mātauranga ūkaipō area and further exposes the detrimental impact settler-colonial systems have had on wāhine and whānau Māori. It examines how the attempted erasure of wāhine from our lands has manifested in our birthing spaces. This thesis also examines the ideas of birth as resistance, recovery, reclamation, recreating and birth as ceremony.
This study will contribute to new knowledge in two key areas. Firstly, it will build on the extensive work undertaken by Māori and Indigenous scholars in the ongoing development of theoretical research frameworks that validate Māori and Indigenous world views. This mahi specifically contributes to the epistemic work in Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wāhine theoretical research, where e tū tūtamawāhine i te wā o te kore, a research framework grounded in Taranaki whenua and tikanga will be applied. Secondly, this study will build on and contribute to the growing body of work in Māori maternities and, more broadly, Māori sexual and reproductive scholarship. This study will add to the mātauranga wāhine and mātauranga ūkaipō fields, nuanced in Taranaki narratives.
In this thesis, I aim to seek answers to the following questions;
1. What does Indigenous/Māori birth look like?
2. What constitutes positive birth for wāhine Māori and their whānau?
3. Could birth be a site of healing?
4. How does historical trauma impact birth trauma?
5. Does historical trauma escalate birth trauma?
Because of the Kaupapa Māori framework of this mahi and the unique Māna Wāhine methodology that is grounded in tikanga Māori and Taranakitanga, pūrākau, wānanga whānau and tohu were engaged as the primary research methods. The underpinning cultural relevance they each hold enabled the deep exploration of the research questions. Both pūrākau and tohu provided foundations of cultural understandings and insights into birth.
Five wānanga whānau were undertaken, and the rich kōrero was thematically analysed. Whānau described their engagements with the health sector, the places where they found support, and their stories were testimony to the power of tikanga Māori to enable positive birthing experiences. The findings align with the hapūtanga journey and fall under the four key themes listed below.
• Becoming hapū and hapūtanga
• Engaging with care and accessing information
• Whānautanga me te whakawhānau
• After birth: kua puta, kua ea?
Within this thesis, the conditions that support a healing birth are outlined, and the critical key points that demonstrate how birth can be a site of healing are; whānau experiences of the health system, whānau agency and control, and (re)turning to ourselves. Whānau Māori have spoken our truths. Settler-colonialism has violently disrupted our birthing process and practices. The words ka puta, and ka ora reflect the idea that where there is birth, there is life, and where there is life, there is the capacity to heal. Positive engagements with the health sector and whānau maintaining mana motuhake and tino rangatiratanga facilitate pathways to healing. However, it is the (re)turning to ourselves, the (re)turning to our ways of knowing, being, and doing in the birthing space and beyond, where our liberation happens
Seismic Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete (RC) Diaphragms with Carbon Fibre Materials (CFRP): FRP Ties and Anchors
No full textThis poster presents the outcomes of a four-year PhD research program on the use of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems for strengthening reinforced concrete structures. A total of 123 large-scale tests were conducted, covering FRP bond lengths up to 1.5 m, laminate thicknesses up to 6 mm, and anchor lengths up to 410 mm with dowel diameters of up to 25 mm. Concrete blocks measuring 1520 × 450 × 150 mm were tested to simulate realistic construction conditions. The investigation identified critical failure modes, particularly debonding, and evaluated the effectiveness of FRP ties and anchors. Based on the results, practical and scalable design models were developed to support reliable implementation in structural rehabilitation and seismic retrofitting
Negotiating Spaces: Designing Autism Friendly Learning Environments
No full textAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that leads to challenges in social communication, repetitive, stereotyped behaviours and sensory sensitivities. Despite global advocacy for inclusive education and learning environments across all levels to support smooth transitions into adulthood, the current educational system and environment in New Zealand have not provided adequate learning environments that address the complex needs of students with autism. This issue is particularly evident in secondary education, where there is little literature and design precedent around the implementation of autism-friendly design and inclusive education pedagogies.
Hence, this thesis seeks to investigate how therapeutic design principles, autism strategies, and educational pedagogies can be implemented architecturally for developing autism-friendly secondary schools in New Zealand. A single design case study, situated in the suburban centre of Glen Innes, is chosen to support an in-depth exploration of the research inquiry. The project draws on theoretical understandings from autism friendly guidelines, to atmospheric and salutogenic principles to form a critical approach to designing supportive and equally meaningful learning environments. Furthermore, it reflects on the ethics and stigma in architectural space, regarding the dichotomies of societal integration-segregation, familiarity-alienation, and the conflicts between mainstream and autism specific design.
This thesis adopts a “research-through-design” methodology to support the development of design systems and ideas. Cycles of design and reflection are implemented as the main vehicle for generating insights on spatial orientation and cognitive load, by assembling the designer's embodied knowledge of educational practices and spatial exploration. Specific user-centric techniques, such as sensory collaging, persona development, empathy and user journey mapping, have been adopted to gain deeper user experience.
Through this design-based inquiry, the case study generates a thorough design framework on therapeutic, autism friendly secondary school environments within a New Zealand context. It asserts a critical departure from the existing Modern Learning Environments that predominantly envelop the existing educational landscape. Overall, these insights have implications on the future implementation of broader holistic autism design strategies and the implementation of evaluatory elements in architectural practice
Urban morphology and transit-oriented development (TOD): Planning and managing urban change in New Zealand
No full textDespite transit-oriented development (TOD) being widely recognised as essential for sustainable urban growth, planning for TOD is slow to achieve successful outcomes. The theoretical and practical bases for place-specific and form-based TOD development plans remain to be clarified. In connection with an investigation of a railway transit node in Auckland, New Zealand, this paper combines geographical morphological and morphometric analyses for TOD planning and management plans. Based on the understanding of the spatial characteristics and development processes of a TOD area, morphological units are identified to articulate the geographical organisation of TOD activities. The subsequent morphometric analysis augments the understanding of the individual morphological units and specifies issues in the Auckland Unitary Plan and opportunities for improvement. The integration of traditional morphological approach and quantitative morphometrics has provided a more valid foundation for the achievement of both high-performing urban form and urban spatial continuity and integrity. Alongside international morphological and TOD studies, this research contributes to innovative sustainable development and enhances the practicality of morphological methods in New Zealand and beyond
Influence of Dietary Patterns on Indicators of Excess Adiposity Among Children at Age 54 Months: Results from the Growing Up in New Zealand cohort
No full textBackground: New Zealand ranks among the highest globally for childhood obesity. One of the main platforms to maximize the prevention of child excess adiposity is the establishment of healthy diets in early life. Despite this recommendation, Aotearoa has limited information on children’s whole diet quality and its associations with child healthy weight.
Objective: This study examined the associations between children’s scores in pre-identified dietary patterns and indicators of excess adiposity among New Zealand preschoolers.
Methods: This study involved preschoolers from the Growing up in New Zealand birth cohort study who participated in the 54-month data collection wave (n= 6,048, 98.2% of children who participated). At this time–point, two dietary patterns were previously derived and described: “Refined, high in sugar, sodium and fat” and “Fruit and vegetables”. Children's scores in both dietary patterns were ranked in tertiles. Two indicators of excess adiposity were examined at 54 months: body mass index-for-age (BMI/A) >+2 z-score per World Health Organization Growth Standards and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) >90th percentile of the WtHR distribution within the cohort at 54-months. Child and mother sociodemographic and health behaviours were sourced from the antenatal and 54-month interviews. Multiple Poisson regressions with robust variance were performed to examine the associations between the dependent (BMI/A z-score >+2 and WtHR >90th percentile) and independent (dietary patterns) variables, adjusted by child and mother characteristics (IBM SPSS software). Sensitivity analyses excluding children with outliers for BMI/A (+5 z-score) were also performed. Findings were reported as adjusted risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results: Children in the highest tertile of the “Refined high in sugar, salt, and fat” dietary pattern were more likely to be overweight/obese (BMI/A) compared to children in the lowest tertile (RR:1.51; 95% CI: 1.20-1.90; p 90th percentile nor between the “Fruit and vegetables” dietary pattern and the indicators of excess adiposity.
Conclusion: This study provided nationally generalisable information that a dietary pattern characterised by a high intake of refined food high in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats is associated with overweight/obesity among preschoolers. These findings reinforce the need for an integrated public health approach to child obesity prevention in early life. This includes government-led mandatory interventions to protect children by reducing the availability and limiting the marketing of such foods to children
Making healthcare SWEET2er: reframing clinical governance to support its operationalisation in Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textDespite national initiatives and resources, the clinical governance movement appears to have stalled both in Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad. Notwithstanding capacity challenges, an important known barrier to operationalising clinical governance is that healthcare staff do not understand what it is about. In this paper, we propose a reframing of clinical governance using the SWEET2 (Safe, Whānau-centred, Effective, Equitable, Te Tiriti- and Tikanga-based) framework. Applied in practice, we propose that clinical governance can be conceptualised as simply as 1) knowing how SWEET2 is care and 2) making it SWEET2er. As part of this reframing, we propose building on and modifying the dimensions of quality dimensions so that it specifically articulates and brings to attention the importance of giving effect to Te Tiriti and tikanga as part of high-quality care. The SWEET2 framework represents a practical step forward in making clinical governance more accessible, culturally appropriate and actionable in the Aotearoa New Zealand context, and contributes to the global discourse on the operationalisation of effective clinical governance
Author Correction: Anti-immigration conspiracy beliefs are associated with endorsement of conventional and violent actions opposing immigration and attitudes towards democracy across 21 countries.
No full textMitochondrial inflexibility ignites tumor immunogenicity in postoperative glioblastoma
No full textCellular and molecular heterogeneity contributes to the insufficient immunogenicity of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a lethal malignancy characterized by post-resection relapse, ultimately leading to limited immune cell infiltration. Here, we report a strategy to boost tumor immunity by activating the endogenous cGAS-STING signaling pathway through in-situ manipulation of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), thereby augmenting the immune responsiveness of GBM. Under white light irradiation, the synthetic butterfly-shaped photosensitizer B-TTPy disrupts the mitochondrial ETC by producing excessive reactive oxygen species. Synergistically, inhibition of checkpoint kinase 1 amplifies ETC dysfunction, thus enhancing the cytotoxicity of B-TTPy against tumor cells. Our results demonstrate that the in-house-customized Mitochondrial Electron Alteration Nanoparticles in Glioblastoma (MEANING) efficiently activate innate and adaptive immune response by recruiting antigen-presenting cells and cytotoxic T cells to the surgical margin. Moreover, biodegradable hydrogel-medicated surgical cavity treatment with MEANING can reshape the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and eliminate residual GBM cells. In sum, our findings establish a local immune activation approach for GBM, to prevent postoperative tumor recurrence and identify ETC blockade as a promising therapeutic strategy for low-immunogenic tumors
Effects of fungicides on the beneficial seed-borne microbiome and seedling development of a long-lived myrtaceae tree species
No full textAbstract
Seeds are often treated with fungicides and antibiotics to eliminate pathogens during propagation. However, seeds harbour complex microbial communities, including beneficial endophytes that could also be affected by seed treatments. Metrosideros excelsa (Myrtaceae) is a New Zealand endemic tree widely planted within the country and overseas. Seedlings of M. excelsa display wide variation in susceptibility to a fungal pathogen Austropuccinia psidii, which causes myrtle rust disease suggesting that seed-borne microbial composition may play a role in seedling protection and growth. We investigated the effects of fungicides on the beneficial seed-borne bacterial isolates, the effects of antimicrobial treatment on seedling development, the plant growth-promoting properties of the seed microbiome, and the ability of bacterial isolates to suppress pathogenic fungi. Our results show that seed-borne bacteria Bacillus and Priestia suppressed seed-borne fungi, both pathogenic and endophytic, with average inhibition rates of 74%, and several bacterial isolates reduced A. psidii spore germination in vitro. In contrast, endophytic Methylobacterium and Mycolicibacterium facilitated fungal growth. Fungicide applications are considered the most effective method to control myrtle rust disease; however, we found that fungicides may adversely impact beneficial seed-borne bacteria. Antimicrobial seed treatment also suppressed the growth of corresponding seedlings. Our experiments demonstrate that treated seeds can be further inoculated with beneficial seed-borne endophytes, increasing seedling shoot biomass up to three times. Additionally, the bacterium Kocuria and the fungus Penicillium significantly enhanced root development. These results suggest that employing seed-borne microbial isolates with growth-promoting potential may improve outcomes in nursery conditions.</jats:p
Evaluation of Multi-Category Human-Like Actions in VR Game Videos Using Embodied Artificial Intelligence Models Across Diverse Frameworks
No full textWith the rapid advancement of Virtual Reality (VR) technology and the growing demand for conventional multimedia, one significant drawback that remains unresolved is motion sickness experienced by certain user groups. In current research practices, human participants are commonly employed to test VR products. However, this approach incurs high costs and may pose potential health risks to the participants. To effectively address this issue, we propose an automated testing solution for VR systems, utilizing built-in autonomous agents to generate and evaluate human-like actions on any input VR product video, thereby replacing the need for human involvement in the testing process.
To evaluate the universality and effectiveness of this approach, we conduct a series of experiments under both supervised learning and imitation learning paradigms, exploring a variety of model configurations on the large-scale VR.net dataset. These experiments reveal several limitations of the current study and inform the development of diverse evaluation strategies tailored to different task scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that transfer learning models significantly outperform other approaches in feature extraction and action prediction, particularly under conditions of severe data imbalance, constrained time efficiency, and limited agent access to the game environment. Among the tested models, the combination of pre-trained transformer architectures and recurrent neural networks delivers the best overall performance. Furthermore, our findings highlight the promising potential of imitation learning in the context of VR action prediction and automated product testing