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Newborn Cardiovascular Digital Twins: Personalised Identifiable Computational Models of the Neonatal Circulation
No full textIntroduction: Preterm babies have an increased lifetime cardiovascular risk. We aimed to collect ultrasound data on the developing cardiovascular system in healthy late preterm and term newborn and to develop newborn cardiovascular digital twins: personalisable identifiable computational models of the neonatal cardiovascular system. Methods: Single-centre, prospective, observational cohort study recruited healthy term (≥37+0 weeks’ gestation) and late preterm (34+0–36+6 weeks’ gestation) babies. Ultrasound data were collected within 48 h of birth and 3 to 6 weeks later. These data inform personalised 0D closed-loop bond graph models that simulate blood pressure and flows in the newborn cardiovascular system, and model identifiability was demonstrated. Results: Fifteen term and 10 preterm babies were assessed at 2 days old, and 12 (80%) term and 7 (70%) preterm babies underwent a second assessment at median post-menstrual age 295 days. We found no evidence that late preterm birth is associated with structural cardiovascular changes in early life. Although our term and preterm models had similar lower body resistances at birth, by 3 to 6 weeks of age, the preterm group showed evidence of greater vascular resistance. Conclusion: These newborn cardiovascular digital twins suggest a possible mechanism of cardiovascular remodelling in late preterm neonates
Ka Mua, Ka Muri—Walking Backwards into the Future: Revitalizing Indigenous Economies and Economies of Well-Being
No full textThe concept of and desire for well-being economies are rising in prevalence as traditional business paradigms are questioned and alternative framings are being sought. Indigenous peoples, their economies, and their approach to business can provide a rich source of learning to enable and help facilitate a transition to economies of well-being. As Indigenous peoples are emerging from their colonial pasts, they are becoming more empowered to make investment choices, use business models, and form partnerships grounded in their worldviews, which are often well aligned with a well-being economy.
In this paper, we note some of the obstacles Indigenous economies have faced and outline success stories where Indigenous tribes/communities/peoples have created business opportunities that are underpinned by their worldviews and are thriving commercially. We then describe a conceptual framework for how Indigenous peoples could support a broader transition to economies of well-being. Indigenous worldviews can provide a way for ‘reimagining’ the economy. Growing the self-determination of Indigenous peoples provides greater opportunities to create ‘reimagined business models’ that align with a reimagined economy and Indigenous worldviews, and thus helps demonstrate ways to start a transition toward economies of well-being. The findings, insights, and conclusions outlined in this paper were drawn from a convened workshop and subsequent dialogue of 24 Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States of America
Shifting Shores: Investigating Shoreline and Dune Toe Movements at Pauanui in the Face of Climate Change
No full textThis research investigates the projected shoreline and dune toe retreat on Pauanui Beach, Coromandel, New Zealand, under climate change. Using the data-driven model of SPADS, shoreline movement is projected up to 2100. Dune toe retreat is estimated from these projections for three management scenarios: no management, conservative dune restoration, and moderate restoration. The latter two scenarios account for ongoing vegetation restoration efforts initiated in
2021 by reducing dune retreat rates by 20% and 40%, respectively. This study provides
quantitative insights into Pauanui’s coastal changes under various climate change scenarios,
particularly sea-level rise, and establishes an initial foundation for evaluating dune restoration as
a management strategy.
Projections indicate that Pauanui’s shoreline is expected to retreat by 21 m under SSP 4.5 and 28
m under SSP 8.5 by 2100, relative to the current position, with fluctuations of up to 13 m. Dune
toe retreat, without intervention, is projected to range from 20–25 m under SSP 4.5 and SSP 8.5,
while restoration efforts could reduce this by 4–10 m, depending on management intensity and the
climate scenario. These findings demonstrate that restoration slows dune toe retreat and delays
property encroachment until the late 21st century, providing about a decade of additional resilience
compared to unmanaged dune scenarios. However, current dune restoration efforts at Pauanui are
insufficient to prevent the inevitable retreat of the dunes into property boundaries by 2100. Thus,
complementary management strategies are recommended.
This study challenges the notion that dune restoration is merely a short-term management
approach, emphasising its role as an essential interim measure within a comprehensive strategy to
address climate change impacts. It underscores the need for more proactive interventions at
Pauanui Beach and presents an improved Shoreline Adaptation Management Pathway plan to
support future decision-making by the Thames-Coromandel District Council. Integrating current
restoration strategies with complementary measures will enhance Pauanui Beach’s capacity to
safeguard its coastal environment and mitigate risks to the community against future challenges
Literate Landscapes: Revitalising Icelandic Cultural Memory Through the Narratives of Place
No full textThis thesis advocates for the interrogation of landscapes through a linguistic lens, utilising 13th-century Icelandic literature and their poetic propositions to inform an interdisciplinary architectural design process concerning landscapes and literature. The investigation revolves around two categorical elements: assessing the surrounding condition of landscapes and the interpretive act of literature as a medium for creative output.
Icelandic oral and written narratives are deeply ingrained as a component of their cultural identity. These same narratives are invisible to the unfamiliar, in which landscapes are considered purely from an aesthetic position and misinform the viewer of the significance of these places by concealing the stories. The intention of this thesis proposes how narrative can provide context to a landscape, enhancing the understanding of the site through referencing the past, present and future.
The second part concerns Icelandic literature, in which narratives are understood and engaged with through fragments of thematic and literal stories. The portrayal of the land and characters within critical narratives, The Poetic Edda, The Prose Edda and Íslendingasögur (The Sagas of Icelanders), provide performative references in how the land can provide the stage for narrative, in which architecture can be implemented as signifiers of stories. These are precedents for crafting a contemporary 'saga' through a multi sensorial experience of 'reading' the site and the narratives accompanying the landscapes. Traditional language study and methods are translated to reveal the parallel realms of architecture and literature.
These two components inform the design process towards creating a culturally resonant journey across three spatial moments, threaded together in the land by a collective narrative whose roots are deeply interwoven with the linguistic ideals so pertinent to the original literature of Iceland. The architecture engages with the history of their literate pasts and landscapes by offering a sequential chapter between moments of narrative passage
Modelling Fire Hazard from Lava Flows in the Auckland Volcanic Field
No full textFire following volcanic activity (FFVA) is a recognised but understudied hazard capable of causing severe damage to infrastructure and communities. Despite evidence from past eruptions demonstrating its destructive potential, there is a relatively limited understanding of FFVA to effectively inform emergency planning and decision-making. FFVA could pose a significant risk in Aotearoa New Zealand, with Auckland especially vulnerable since the Auckland Volcanic Field lies beneath a dense urban environment home to over 1.6 million people. My research examines how FFVA could amplify the impacts of a lava-forming eruption on Auckland’s built environment. I applied an FFVA framework to two lava flow footprints from a hypothetical eruption scenario centred on the suburb of Mt. Eden to model lava-induced ignitions and subsequent fire spread under varying environmental and fuel bed conditions. I then conducted a sensitivity analysis to examine the influence of vegetation heterogeneity and seasonal conditions on burn zone formation. A GIS-based impact assessment quantified the direct building losses associated with lava flows and the additional losses from fire spread. My results show that lava-induced fire warrants consideration by emergency management and planning, particularly under conditions where wind speed and direction enable fire spread (e.g., moderate to severe fire weather), during dry periods that prime fuels for ignition, and where lava interacts with ignition-susceptible assets such as residential dwellings in urban environments like Auckland. Although fire hazard remained within Auckland’s likely evacuation zone in the event of a future eruption (9 km radius around the vent), lava-triggered fires could increase building-related losses by up to NZ$11 billion, which is of particular concern for insurers. Ultimately, my findings demonstrate the compounding effects of FFVA and highlight the need to consider it in volcanic risk assessments to reduce our vulnerability to future eruptions and their cascading consequences
Bridging Planning and Practice: Achieving Transport Decarbonization through Governance Restructuring in the Global South
No full textDecarbonizing the transport sector is one of the low-hanging fruits of addressing climate change. Transportation is a major contributor to global energy-related GHG emissions and is responsible for significant CO2 emissions. Acknowledging its importance and as a response, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has included the transport sector in its regular Assessment Reports and various Special Reports. Other international and multilateral organizations have also facilitated the conceptualization and implementation of policies and programs relative to the decarbonization of the transport sector. Suffice to say that there is enough knowledge and information that public and private organizations can utilize to address transport emission problems. We already know what to do, and the apparent remaining step is to translate existing knowledge into practice – into relevant and appropriate policies, programs, projects, and activities.
However, knowledge in the transport sector is not easily translated into actions because of governance and institutional barriers. The highly political nature of transport governance coupled with the typical setup of overly relying on a country’s national government are among the key issues. While existing literature comprehensively identifies and presents these planning and governance challenges in the sector, there is a lack of an available framework to help transport authorities address such challenges.
As a response to this critical gap, this study assessed and analyzed which governance model and arrangement can effectively plan, manage, and address transportation-related GHG emissions. The framework of multi-level governance (MLG), within the theoretical lens of Evolutionary Governance Theory (EGT), underpins the study, which spatially focuses on Pasig City, Metro Manila, in the Philippines, a city in the Global South, as a case study.
Institutional mapping and analysis, planning and governance assessment, and governance/ institutional restructuring were facilitated using MLG and EGT. The purpose is to produce a vision capable of being applied in practice. Such a vision includes acknowledging path–, goal–, and interdependencies surrounding the transport sector and recognizing that all elements and actors of transport governance continuously evolve. This means that the recommended governance model and arrangement are still capable of adapting and further evolving throughout the governance process.
Overall, this thesis makes a timely contribution to planning practice and discipline by responding to the need to recognize and critically consider governance systems and structures within which planning is embedded. This includes acknowledging that planning outputs need to be adaptive and flexible to be effective. The project also highlights the pressing challenge for planners and other development sector practitioners to understand better the institutional and governance contexts within which they operate
Digital agency and daily life challenges: Older Chinese migrants’ differentiated use of digital tools
No full textThis study examined the use of technology for daily life challenges by older Chinese migrants (n = 18) with very limited English proficiency in Auckland, New Zealand. The aim of this study was to build on the theory of digital agency to understand how older migrants’ use technological tools to combat daily challenges and enhance their well-being. Employing a combination of questionnaires, interviews, and go-alongs, we identified language barriers and limited social mobility as central challenges in older migrants’ daily life, and we identified three types of digital technology that the older migrants engaged with as their daily life digital choices: digital translators for language challenges, digital navigators for social mobility, and digital media platforms for individual leisure to alleviate loneliness and gather information. The older Chinese migrants developed their digital agency to cope with challenges and respond to their daily needs, which also enhanced their social and psychological well-being. We also identified digital disengagement, which can lead to social isolation and impact social well-being. We discuss the difficulties they experienced in using these technological tools and provide recommendations for supporting older migrants to develop the skills needed to use technology in their daily lives
Long COVID clinical evaluation, research and impact on society: a global expert consensus
No full textBackground:
Long COVID is a complex, heterogeneous syndrome affecting over four hundred million people globally. There are few recommendations, and no formal training exists for medical professionals to assist with clinical evaluation and management of patients with Long COVID. More research into the pathology, cellular, and molecular mechanisms of Long COVID, and treatments is needed. The goal of this work is to disseminate essential information about Long COVID and recommendations about definition, diagnosis, treatment, research and social issues to physicians, researchers, and policy makers to address this escalating global health crisis.
Methods:
A 3-round modified Delphi consensus methodology was distributed internationally to 179 healthcare professionals, researchers, and persons with lived experience of Long COVID in 28 countries. Statements were combined into specific areas: definition, diagnosis, treatment, research, and society.
Results:
The survey resulted in 187 comprehensive statements reaching consensus with the strongest areas being diagnosis and clinical assessment, and general research. We establish conditions for diagnosis of different subgroups within the Long COVID umbrella. Clear consensus was reached that the impacts of COVID-19 infection on children should be a research priority, and additionally on the need to determine the effects of Long COVID on societies and economies. The consensus on COVID and Long COVID is that it affects the nervous system and other organs and is not likely to be observed with initial symptoms. We note, biomarkers are critically needed to address these issues.
Conclusions:
This work forms initial guidance to address the spectrum of Long COVID as a disease and reinforces the need for translational research and large-scale treatment trials for treatment protocols
Research to Reality: Stakeholder Perspectives on Implementing the Whitu for Schools Wellbeing App in Aotearoa
No full textBackground: Adolescent mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand is deteriorating, yet schools remain under-resourced and overstretched in meeting students’ mental health needs. Digital mental health interventions (DMHI) offer scalable, low-barrier solutions, but their implementation within school settings remains poorly understood.
Aim: This study explored school staff perspectives on the potential implementation of Whitu for Schools (WFS), a self-guided digital wellbeing app designed for high school students in Aotearoa. The research aimed to identify perceived benefits, barriers, facilitators, and real-world considerations for integrating WFS into diverse school contexts.
Method: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 high school staff members from a range of high schools across the North Island to explore their views of the WFS app. Participants included teachers, counsellors, and school leadership team members. Directed content analysis was used, guided by the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) implementation framework. Deductive coding was used to map data onto the four EPIS domains, while inductive coding generated themes and subthemes that captured participant experiences and contextual nuances.
Findings: Staff viewed WFS as an innovative, valuable, and culturally responsive resource with strong preventative potential, particularly in the context of rising student distress and overstretched support systems. However, successful implementation was seen to depend on strong school leadership support, equitable access to devices, and flexible delivery models and staff training. Participants emphasised that WFS must align and integrate with school systems and remain adaptive to student needs. Sustainability was linked to ongoing feedback and evaluation and fostering meaningful engagement. Suggestions for achieving this included expanding the module content to include more developmentally relevant and culturally nuanced topics, embedding WFS into structured class time, and maintaining dynamic content through storytelling, student voice, and social media.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that while digital tools like WFS hold promise for supporting adolescent mental health and wellbeing promotion in school settings, implementation must be contextually grounded, co-designed with stakeholders, and supported by infrastructure, training, and long-term adaptability. These findings contribute to the implementation science literature on DMHI in high schools and offer practical recommendations for supporting uptake, engagement, and sustainability of digital tools like WFS in Aotearoa New Zealand
Exploratory analysis of violence against older people as recorded in He Koiora Matapopore | the 2019 New Zealand Family Violence Study
No full textThe purpose of this report is to improve our understanding of the abuse of older people (AOP) in Aotearoa New Zealand by re-analysing the dataset from He Koiora Matapopore. Many findings from the study have already been published.
The objectives of the analyses are to:
• Contribute to the knowledge base and our understanding of AOP in Aotearoa New Zealand
• Provide further insights into the intersections, overlaps and differences between intimate partner violence (IPV), other forms of family violence and AOP in Aotearoa New Zealand
• Explore factors that are positively and negatively associated with violence experience