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Effects of Residency Duration and Race on Face Perception: An Event-Related Potential (ERP) Study
No full textFace perception is a fundamental cognitive process involving the recognition, interpretation, and evaluation of facial stimuli. This study examined whether the duration of residency in a multicultural environment influences two key aspects of face perception: competition for representation (indexed by the N170 component of the event-related brain potential) and face familiarity (indexed by the P200 and N250 components). Sixteen Asian participants residing in New Zealand were divided into two groups based on the duration of residency (longer than five years or less than five years). They were presented with Asian and European face stimuli in same-race and different-race contexts. Using electroencephalography (EEG), the study recorded five event-related potentials (ERP) components (P100, N170, P200, N250, and Late Positivity [LP]) to capture different stages of face processing, including early visual encoding, structural face encoding, attentional allocation, identity recognition, and higher-order cognitive evaluation. Although there were no significant main effects of the race condition, residency duration, or central face stimulus type across most ERP components, an interaction between residency duration and central face stimulus type was found in the N250 component. This result suggests increased exposure to diverse racial faces enhances identity-related processing and reduces race-dependent neural differentiation. In contrast, no robust evidence of visual competition effects was observed in N170, and P200 did not show significant familiarity-related modulations. Exploratory observations of P100 indicated minor amplitude variations, while LP demonstrated no clear group-level effects but exhibited individual variability potentially linked to higher-order social evaluative processes. These observations suggest that greater exposure to racial diversity may lead to more integrated and less race-dependent neural processing of faces. The study contributes to the broader understanding of race perception and highlights the role of cultural exposure in shaping face-processing strategies.
Keywords:Face perception, event-related potentials (ERPs), electroencephalography (EEG), P100, N170, P200, N250, late positivity (LP), race perception, residency duration, other-race effect (ORE
Synergistic Effects of Plant Essential Oils and Extracts: Impact on Foodborne Pathogens and Gut Microbiome
No full textThesis embargoed until 07/2026
Identification and Quantification of Modes of Bank Failure using LiDAR, along Waiapu River, Gisborne
No full textStreambank erosion, in addition to gullies, generates high levels of sediment in the Waiapu River; however, the volumetric contribution of these processes is ambiguous. Cyclone Gabrielle and Cyclone Hale, like any other recurrent weather phenomenon, initiated mass movements in the catchment. Quantification of sediment eroded from the riverbank during the storm is the subject of the study, and the distribution of sediment volume varies for individual modes of failure (Translational, Rotational, and Cantilever failures). Textural analysis and a shear test identified the soil as rich in sand and moderately cohesive, which makes the soil prone to sliding triggered by high-intensity storm activity, such as a cyclone. The LiDAR DEM differencing technique is the primary method used to quantify the volume of 10 million m³ generated during storm events, out of 243 erosional features identified along the banks of the Mata and Tapuaeroa tributaries and the Waiapu River. Two-thirds of the total gullies in the study area generated eleven million m3 of sediment in the selected period. The maximum sediment output was from newly formed erosional bodies and reactivated sites, distributed in reforested land use settings. The translational mode of failure is the predominant failure type of the catchment, demonstrating an underlying stratified lithology. Remediation of the increased erosion and gully activity requires a revised revegetation plan. Slope engineering work is the immediate action to address imminent safety concerns along sensitive slopes; therefore, slopes susceptible to failure should be located with the help of a LiDAR survey covering the entire catchment
Domain Adaptation Using Temporal Relation Knowledge in Cross-user Sensor-based Human Activity Recognition
No full textSensor-based human activity recognition (HAR) is a crucial part of ubiquitous computing, aiming to recognise and analyse human behaviours from multi-dimensional observations and contextual information. It contributes to numerous applications, including ambient assisted living, health monitoring, fitness and sports, rehabilitation, and security surveillance. Despite significant research efforts over the past decades, many challenges persist in activity recognition. Most state-of-the-art sensor-based HAR methods assume data homogeneity, meaning all data are considered independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.). However, practical sensor data of human activity are often heterogeneous or out-of-distribution (o.o.d.),
violating this assumption.
Addressing data heterogeneity in sensor-based HAR is highly beneficial for improving performance with less computational cost and aids in constructing personalised, adaptive, and robust models with reduced annotation effort. Domain adaptation is a promising approach to tackle data heterogeneity, but existing works often assume that samples in each domain are i.i.d. and do not consider the temporal relation knowledge hidden in time-series data, such as the sequential dependencies between activities, for aligning data distributions.
This research aims to provide detailed insights into how temporal relation knowledge can contribute to solving data heterogeneity issues in sensor-based HAR. Focusing on Subject Data Heterogeneity (i.e., cross-user HAR), we introduce four innovative methods structured progressively to address and improve upon the limitations of the previous one. Empirical validations conducted on three public sensor-based HAR datasets corroborate the efficacy of incorporating temporal relation knowledge, demonstrating a significant improvement over existing methods. These methods not only handle Subject Data Heterogeneity but also have the potential to extend and adapt to other forms of data heterogeneity in sensor-based HAR. Additionally, this research offers deep insights for future studies in time-series domain adaptation, specifically emphasising the use of temporal relation information
A Quest for Sustainability in Higher Education: A Systematic Review of the Factors and Interventions Associated with Resilience
No full textThe workforce in higher education is experiencing a staff shortage, heavy workload, burnout, and stress. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this situation, dramatically impairing staff well-being. Resilience could help mitigate the negative impacts of workforce shortages in higher education; however, the factors associated with resilience and intervention effectiveness are underexplored in higher education staff. This systematic review provides new, comprehensive evidence on this research gap in this high-need population. Thirty-three studies were collated from CINAHL Ultimate, Cochrane, Medline (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID), Embase (OVID), and Scopus between March and April 2024. They were included if participants, including administrators, worked in higher education and reported resilience, the associated factors, or resilience interventions. Studies were peer-reviewed quantitative journal articles with a full text in English and published between the inception and April 2024. Thirty studies were utilised to analyse the associated factors with resilience, while three were used to identify the effectiveness of resilience interventions. From the included 30 studies, 56 factors were identified as associated factors with resilience, categorised as demographics (n = 10) (e.g., age, gender), job demands (n = 17) (e.g., burnout, cynicism, ill-health, job insecurity, strain), and job resources (n = 29) (e.g., individual attributes and psychological factors, social and environmental support). A mean resilience level in the collated studies could not be meta-analysed due to heterogeneous measures. Resilience interventions in the three studies were not effective. This review offers critical and comprehensive insights to inform policies and institutional strategies for enhancing psychological well-being and sustainability in higher education
Revealing the ester bond machinery in Gram-positive bacterial adhesins
No full textGram-positive bacterial adhesins are essential surface proteins used in bacterial colonization. These adhesins typically exhibit a multidomain structure, comprising an N-terminal signal peptide, a “sticky” adhesin domain, central repeat domains, and a C-terminal LPXTG motif for cell surface anchoring. The repeat domains typically have immunoglobulin-like (Ig-like) structures and play a critical role in maintaining adhesin structural integrity. They achieve this through intramolecular covalent crosslinking, including combinations of isopeptide, ester, thioester, and disulfide bonds, that enhance resistance to mechanical stress. Previous studies have proposed that ester bond formation follows a catalytic mechanism similar to that of serine proteases, involving a catalytic triad composed of a nucleophilic threonine, a basic histidine, and an acidic aspartate. The electrophile substrate is a glutamine residue, which is stabilized by two buried acids that are the equivalent of the oxyanion hole in a serine protease.
This MSc project primarily investigates the ester bond crosslinking mechanism in bacterial adhesins with molecular dynamics simulations successfully reproducing the first step of crosslinking, proton abstraction by the catalytic base histidine from the nucleophile threonine. Additionally, through bioinformatics analysis, over 400 proteins containing possible ester bond domains were identified, including two natural adhesins with unusual catalytic site compositions that were then expressed in the laboratory. The two proteins did not show crosslinking, but one was stabilized by calcium binding. This protein then had two targeted mutations introduced that successfully induced ester bond crosslinking that was definitively proved by mass spectrometry. The calcium binding and mutation studies suggest a possible evolutionary pathway of crosslink formation in these adhesins.
Finally, molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to model the potential of disrupting native ester bond formation with a short peptide as an antimicrobial strategy. By integrating computational and experimental approaches, this research identified novel crosslinking domains, and contributes to the understanding of bacterial adhesion and potential therapeutic interventions
Exploring UAV Configurations: Agility-Driven Optimisation of UAV Airframes
No full textThe increasing complexity of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) tasks has driven the development of several different fully-actuated configurations to improve their abilities. While effective for basic applications, traditional underactuated multirotor UAVs struggle with tasks requiring precise interactions with the environment, particularly in dynamic or constrained conditions. This research aims to develop methods for evaluating, optimising, and comparing fully-actuated UAV configurations, focusing on agility as a key performance metric and exploring how heterogeneous configurations can be utilised in flight.
The research explores UAV characteristics from a modelling perspective, developing generalisable models for propulsion systems and UAV dynamics with high fit metrics. A heterogeneous, fully-actuated UAV prototype with two rotor sets is designed to create a configuration hypothesised to maintain its agility with increased payload. A generalised optimisation framework is proposed to optimise various fixed-tilt configurations, allowing comparison between them. The method reduces the computational cost by 82% compared to traditional discrete methods while handling both continuous variables, such as geometry, and discrete variables, such as off-the-shelf components. The optimisation is utilised to conduct a parametric analysis to identify how different design modifications influence UAV characteristics across different design requirements. As a result, the choice of modifications within the prototype, such as two rotor sets and overlapping rotors, were validated.
The impact of control allocation changes on the station-keeping performance of the heterogeneous, fully-actuated UAV prototype is investigated. These changes are performed by adjusting the operating point of each rotor set at hover. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the importance of selecting an appropriate control allocation strategy to maximise energy efficiency, improve positional accuracy, or balance both objectives. In addition, the disturbance profile (mean and variance) affects the choice of the control allocation.
Overall, the findings contribute to the field of UAV design by providing a structured methodology for UAV optimisation, facilitating the comparison of different configurations while maintaining a low computational cost. This research also highlights how heterogeneous UAVs can leverage adaptive control to enhance accuracy without compromising stability and efficiency through strategic control allocation adjustments
Embracing the tension: managing short-term horizons in long-term transitions
No full textThe future of hospitality management necessitates achieving economic, environmental and social sustainability simultaneously, leading to inherent tensions in sustainability. Guided by paradox theory, this article explores how accommodation providers can embrace intertemporal tensions to fulfil short-term operational demands while advancing long-term sustainable transitions. The conceptual model presented in this article highlights the iterative and non-linear nature of sustainable transitions, outlining five key steps for implementation: measuring and reporting sustainability metrics; embedding sustainable practices within the firm; collaborating with partners; advocating for industry and social change; and re-evaluating progress. This article refines these steps using five in-depth case studies on accommodation providers in New Zealand. The data, consisting of semi-structured interviews and observations, is then analysed using applied thematic analysis, revealing actionable strategies for managing the intertemporal tensions that arise during sustainable transitions. This study highlights the centrality of intertemporal tensions in sustainable transitions and provides practical guidance to help managers to embrace intertemporal tensions while implementing sustainable transitions. By implementing these strategies, accommodation providers can embrace intertemporal tensions, effectively balancing immediate objectives with long-term commitments, driving meaningful change towards a more sustainable future in hospitality management
Capturing the complete clinical spectrum and incidence of severe acute Group A Streptococcus (GAS) disease: a population-based study in Auckland, New Zealand
No full textBackground:
The global health burden of Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) disease has led the World Health Organization to declare GAS vaccine development an international priority. Severe acute GAS disease comprises hospitalised infections, toxin-mediated disease (scarlet fever and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome) and immune-mediated disease (acute rheumatic fever [ARF] and acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis). This study aimed to characterize the burden and spectrum of severe acute GAS disease in Auckland, New Zealand, to inform future GAS vaccine studies in this setting.
Methods:
This prospective population-based multicentre cross-sectional observational study utilized laboratory data and ARF notifications to capture all hospitalised GAS infections and toxin- and immune-mediated disease cases associated with hospitalisation in Auckland during 2023. The epidemiology, clinical features, incidence and hospitalisation costs of these cases are described.
Findings:
The complete clinical spectrum of severe acute GAS disease was observed, with 606 cases captured corresponding to 1:2000 people affected each year (52 cases/100,000 population/year). The burden is inequitably distributed across the population, greatest at the intersection of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation. In the most deprived areas, approximately 1:400 Pacific children <10-years and 1:200 Pacific adults ≥80-years are affected annually (261 and 483 cases/100,000 population/year, respectively). Direct hospitalisation costs exceeded $13·2 million New Zealand dollars.
Interpretation:
This study demonstrates that the complete clinical spectrum of severe acute GAS disease occurs in Auckland and is associated with a substantial health and economic burden. The high incidence and entire range of severe acute GAS disease present make Auckland an ideal location for future vaccine studies.
Funding:
Ministry of Health New Zealand, Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC-NZ), Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) Foundation
Investigating the anti-inflammatory properties of Parabacteroides goldsteinii-derived EVs as a potential treatment option for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
No full textChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a significant global health burden, and emerging evidence suggests that the gut–lung axis plays an important role in modulating pulmonary inflammation. Recent studies have identified bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) as key mediators of gut microbiota–host communication, capable of delivering bioactive molecules across epithelial barriers to distant organs. Parabacteroides goldsteinii, a gut commensal bacterium, has shown potential anti-inflammatory properties, yet the role of its EVs in gut–lung immune signalling remains unexplored. This study aimed to characterise P. goldsteinii-derived EVs and assess their immunomodulatory activity in vitro. EVs were isolated and characterised for size, concentration, and LPS content using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis with Silver Staining. Caco-2 intestinal epithelial monolayers were used to assess EV interaction and potential translocation, while THP1-Dual monocytes and differentiated macrophages were used to evaluate NF-κB and IRF pathway activation. P. goldsteinii EVs selectively induced NF-κB activation without triggering IRF signalling, whereas EV- and cell-derived LPS alone failed to activate either pathway. Co-treatment of THP1 macrophages with P. goldsteinii EV- or cell-derived LPS and E. coli O111:B4 LPS revealed anti-inflammatory effects. Confocal microscopy confirmed EV uptake by THP1 macrophages, while no significant basolateral translocation across Caco-2 monolayers was observed. These findings suggest that P. goldsteinii LPS, delivered as part of an EV-cargo, may act as a modulator of gut–lung axis communication and have therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases such as COPD