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Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) in International Contexts
Get PDFThe Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) is a tool used by psychologists to measure negative emotions like depression, anxiety, and stress. It provides individual scores for each emotion and an overall score for general mental health. The DASS is used worldwide in both general and clinical populations. In this chapter, the background of depression, anxiety, and stress is discussed along with the history of the scale’s development and validation. The DASS has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of these negative emotions. This tool has been translated into several languages and has been tested across different cultures. The importance of measuring negative emotions is significant because it helps clinicians identify and treat mental health problems. The DASS is a useful tool for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring treatment progress for those experiencing such negative emotions
Locked into legitimacy: a study of the place of values in politics & society
No full textThe object of this thesis is the analysis of the nature, extent and origins of political beliefs and their particular role in legitimising state authority in New Zealand. In the first part two general approaches to the problem of legitimacy are considered. The first, associated with Western ‘social science’, assumes that democracy is representative of all interest groups, and is characterised by shared norms and procedures termed the ‘civic culture’. The author examines the evidence and shows that there are no valid empirical grounds in support of this assumption. The second approach, associated with Marxism, makes the reverse assumption, that the working-class in liberal democracies continues to be exploited, and that allegiance to the state in the working-class is less the consequence of ‘free choice’ than of system constraint.
In the second part the author attempts to develop a model of the causal influences which shaped the political beliefs of the working-class in New Zealand history. An assessment of the historical and contemporary evidence shows that the ‘loyalty’ of the majority of the working-class to the state was as much the product of physical, legal and symbolic constraints, as that of social mobility, rising, living standards, and welfare provisions. The author concludes that the forces which shape political consciousness in New Zealand society have been centralised and consolidated by the state as a hegemonic culture pre-empting freedom of political choice
Exploring the dynamic behaviour of commodity market tail risk connectedness during the negative WTI pricing event
Get PDFUsing a TVP-VAR analytical framework, this study explores the change and persistence of the dynamic connectedness of international energy and carbon credit markets. The overall destabilising effects generated by recent political and epidemiological events, and the subsequent consequences of shocks such as the negative WTI pricing event, have the potential to be disruptive to the continued growth and development of several regional oil markets. Results are presented via a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of extreme risk spillovers for particular commodity pairs. In particular, WTI and Brent crude oil are found to have transmitted significant tail uncertainty shocks to other energy markets. However, Shanghai crude oil and carbon credit markets typically function as shock absorbers. The remaining energy-related commodities primarily function as tail uncertainty receivers. Further, by incorporating EGARCH-based robustness procedures, tests for significant market connectedness within international energy markets adds further validity to the results. Specifically, results relating to the substantial rebalancing of information to Shanghai crude oil futures and EUA carbon futures merit special consideration, as dynamic interactions strengthen evidence supporting their continued maturation into significant international markets. These findings are particularly interesting to policymakers and market participants who use such products to hedge against and diversify regional oil market fluctuations
Operation early-bird: Investigating altered light exposure in military barracks on sleep and performance-a placebo-controlled study.
No full textThe manipulation of light exposure in the evening has been shown to modulate sleep, and may be beneficial in a military setting where sleep is reported to be problematic. This study investigated the efficacy of low-temperature lighting on objective sleep measures and physical performance in military trainees. Sixty-four officer-trainees (52 male/12 female, mean ± SD age: 25 ± 5 years) wore wrist-actigraphs for 6 weeks during military training to quantify sleep metrics. Trainee 2.4-km run time and upper-body muscular-endurance were assessed before and after the training course. Participants were randomly assigned to either: low-temperature lighting (LOW, n = 19), standard-temperature lighting with a placebo "sleep-enhancing" device (PLA, n = 17), or standard-temperature lighting (CON, n = 28) groups in their military barracks for the duration of the course. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were run to identify significant differences with post hoc analyses and effect size calculations performed where indicated. No significant interaction effect was observed for the sleep metrics; however, there was a significant effect of time for average sleep duration, and small benefits of LOW when compared with CON (d = 0.41-0.44). A significant interaction was observed for the 2.4-km run, with the improvement in LOW (Δ92.3 s) associated with a large improvement when compared with CON (Δ35.9 s; p = 0.003; d = 0.95 ± 0.60), but not PLA (Δ68.6 s). Similarly, curl-up improvement resulted in a moderate effect in favour of LOW (Δ14 repetitions) compared with CON (Δ6; p = 0.063; d = 0.68 ± 0.72). Chronic exposure to low-temperature lighting was associated with benefits to aerobic fitness across a 6-week training period, with minimal effects on sleep measures
Aspects of the surface chemistry of proteins at the hydroxyapatite/aqueous solution interface
No full textMissing page 67An investigation into some aspects of the surface chemistry of proteins at the hydroxyapatite/aqueous solution interface has been undertaken. A stoichiometric hydroxyapatite, fluoride and carbonate substituted hydroxyapatites and an amorphous calcium phosphate were prepared and characterised for use as adsorbents.
Adsorption studies were performed using, mainly, systems of suspended adsorbent particles and radiochemical methods. Bovine and Human Serum Albumin, β-Casein, and a salivary glycoprotein, isolated from whole saliva, were radioiodinated to high specific activity but low degrees of labelling using modifications of the Chloramine-T or Iodo-Gen methods of iodination that minimised damage to the protein during labelling. The adsorption of Haemoglobin and Myoglobin was monitored by spectrophotometric methods.
Care was taken to characterise the labelled and unlabelled preparations to ensure that the labelled protein behaved identically to unlabelled protein in adsorption experiments. Similarly, the necessary preliminary experiments were performed to adequately characterise the experimental system in use and so avoid the spurious results and interpretations that have characterised some earlier work. Special attention was paid to the adsorbent surface area under various experimental conditions, the effect of polymers and polymerisation behaviour of the protein on its adsorption and the effect of time, particularly at low protein concentrations. Care was taken to ensure that sufficient protein was available to achieve maximal adsorption.
All the proteins studied showed a high affinity for the hydroxyapatite adsorbents i.e. the concentration adsorption isotherms were always parallel to the concentration axis at low concentrations and adsorption proceeded to saturation even at the lowest concentrations. Dilution studies showed that the concentration required to maintain saturation adsorption was negligibly small but desorption and exchange studies indicated that proteins can have different affinities for hydroxyapatite. Two types of adsorption behaviour were observed at higher concentrations. The majority of the proteins studies displayed an isotherm that remained parallel to the concentration axis with increasing concentration but β-Casein displayed a stepped isotherm which led to higher plateau level of adsorption. The incorporation of fluoride or carbonate in the hydroxyapatite lattice had no effect on the saturation levels of adsorption of any of the proteins at any concentration.
The saturation amounts of adsorption of BSA corresponded to monolayer coverage of the adsorbent surface by molecules close packed in a side-on configuration with little, if any, structural alteration upon adsorption. The effect of the variables of pH, ionic strength and temperature were consistent with the known effects of these variables on the size of the BSA molecule. The saturation amounts of adsorption of β-Casein could similarly be accounted for in terms of monolayer coverage of the adsorbent surface. The low plateau level of adsorption corresponded to coverage by molecules lying prone on the surface in a close-packed configuration but the high plateau corresponded to molecules packed in a more vertical configuration. The stepping effect appeared to be related to the micellisation of this protein in solution. The effects of temperature and calcium ion concentration on adsorption were consistent with the effects of these variables on the solution micellisation.
Although it is generally accepted that ionic forces are responsible for the binding of proteins by hydroxyapatites, the present work has indicated that non-ionic and entropic effects can also operate and contribute to the driving force for adsorption. In addition, protein carboxyl or phospho group exchange with species in the hydroxyapatite surface cannot be precluded.
The effect of some multivalent metal ions on adsorption was studied. Mercury enhanced the adsorption of a second layer of protein with properties different from the layer initially adsorbed. Although calcium enhanced the levels of adsorption of BSA and β-Casein, the increased amounts adsorbed and the non-reversibility of the adsorption did not provide evidence of a second layer and were more consistent with denser packing in the original monolayer.
Multilayer adsorption of β-Casein was promoted by the use of colloidal hydroxyapatite and amorphous calcium phosphate particulate species. Stable multilayers were formed, with consequent accretion formation, when the protein could bridge directly between the particulates i.e. at degrees of surface coverage less than saturation. BSA did not display such behaviour. The phenomenon appears to be related to the protein induced stabilisation/destabilisation of suspensions of colloidal species.
The interfacial behaviour of the salivary glycoprotein at the hydroxyapatite/aqueous solution interface is similar to that observed for β-Casein. Many other salivary components also destabilised suspensions of colloidal calcium phosphate species and it is postulated that pellicle formation in the oral environment may be related to the phenomenon
Developing sustainable seaweed aquaculture of the native kelp Ecklonia radiata in New Zealand
Get PDFThe native kelp Ecklonia radiata is a target species for seaweed aquaculture in New Zealand because of its broad distribution and desirable biomass profile (e.g., alginate, fucoidan, and phlorotannins). However, commercial farming practices for E. radiata are not yet developed. The objective of this thesis was therefore to create foundations for sustainable seaweed aquaculture of E. radiata in New Zealand by filling key knowledge gaps regarding patterns of genetic structure (Chapter 2), spatial and temporal variation in biomass composition (Chapter 3), the development of high-throughput methods for biomass grading (Chapter 4), and marine farm design (Chapter 5).
The development of specialised cultivars is central for optimising key commercial traits for seaweed aquaculture; however, the introduction of genotypes from significantly different genetic sub-populations can reduce genetic diversity and genetic structure of wild populations. Analysis of molecular variance in populations of E. radiata in the North Island of New Zealand revealed significant differences at all three hierarchical levels of genetic structure that were analysed. The highest regional differentiation occurred between Wellington and other regions and was supported by Bayesian and redundancy models showing a high degree of genetic clustering among regions. Furthermore, pairwise Fₛₜ (genetic differentiation) revealed significant differences between most sites showing strong genetic structure and low connectivity also at a local level. These findings indicate that cultivars of E. radiata should not be translocated outside their area of origin, to prevent introducing genotypes from significantly different genetic sub-populations to wild sub-populations.
Most analysed biomass components of E. radiata showed high spatial variation between sites, including alginate, glucose, and phlorotannins. However, there was no clear pattern in biomass composition among regions, indicating that these differences in biomass content are unlikely to be caused by genetic differences (i.e., Wellington samples did not stand out). Conversely, a strong seasonal pattern was detected with significant temporal variation detected for half of the quantified components. These results indicate that environmental variation is a key driver for the biomass composition of E. radiata and that the high spatial variation was due to do site-specific environmental conditions. In general, the biomass composition of E. radiata was comparable to that of commercially grown northern hemisphere species and could be a suitable southern hemisphere alternative for a wide range of commercial applications.
The large spatial and temporal variation in biomass composition creates a need for high-throughput grading of raw biomass. Highly accurate models were built for estimating biomass concentration of glucose, alginate, phlorotannins, and carbon using mid-infrared (MIR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. NIR models generally demonstrated higher accuracy and lower sensitivity to outliers than MIR models. Furthermore, samples from the Wellington region could consistently be identified based on the NIR data, demonstrating strong phenotypic differences between regions. These results show that NIR and MIR are valuable tools for high-throughput grading of raw seaweed biomass samples and can be used to establish provenance.
Finally, farming trials quantified the effect of vertical and horizontal line configurations and farming depth on survival and growth of E. radiata at a commercial New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) marine farm. Only seaweed growing on vertical lines survived four months after deployment, and juvenile growth by elongation and maximum average individual weight was markedly higher on vertical lines compared to horizontal lines. Survival rates on vertical lines decreased at shallow depths, likely influenced by a combination of light and temperature stress. Similarly, the overall high mortality observed during the experiment was likely correlated to the prolonged marine heatwave of the summer of 2021/22 at the farm location. Conclusively, these results support vertical lines rather than horizontal line for farming of E. radiata.
In summary, this thesis has significant scientific implications for regulatory (i.e., cultivar translocation), commercial (i.e., harvesting timing, biomass grading, and source tracing), and practical farming aspects (i.e., line configuration and a first proof on concept) of aquaculture of E. radiata in New Zealand and provides directions for future research and development
Indigenous-washing and colonial amnesia: how New Zealand’s nation brand depoliticizes climate change
No full textNew Zealand’s nation brand has drawn ever louder accusations of “greenwashing” the country’s image in recent years. Through a visual discourse analysis of Air New Zealand’s Tiaki & The Guardians safety briefing video, this article shows that brand managers have responded with a strategy of “Indigenous-washing,” appropriating the Māori worldview to deflect attention from intensive farming’s carbon footprint and other environmentally unfriendly activities. More broadly, this article makes an important contribution to the growing critical-cultural literature on nation branding by revealing how New Zealand’s latest marketing initiative contributes to the depoliticization of climate change. The “Tiaki” campaign not only positions New Zealand as an “untouched land,” but also closes the space for democratic debate about climate change by obscuring the role of colonialism in causing the planet’s ecological crisis and by silencing alternative socioecological futures proposed by Indigenous peoples
Teacher understanding and management of students with anxiety in New Zealand primary schools
No full textNew Zealand has increasing rates of anxiety with 1 in 5 young people meeting the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder by the age of 19 (Ministry of Health, 2018). As of June 2023, over 666,000 children aged between 5 and 14 years old were diagnosed with anxiety, equating to 12.8% of the total population of New Zealand (Stats NZ, 2022). As these children are likely to be engaged in formal education, this study investigated teachers understanding and management of students with anxiety in New Zealand primary schools. Twenty-three teachers from three primary schools completed a questionnaire exploring their definitions of anxiety, the training and support they received, and their identification of the manifestations of anxiety in primary school students. Teachers were also asked about their perceptions of the impacts of COVID-19 on student anxiety. Results revealed that while teachers had a general understanding of anxiety and could identify mild and severe anxiety symptoms, they reported a lack of training and confidence in the area and could not consistently distinguish normal anxiety from excessive anxiety, often defining all anxiety to be a generally negative experience. This study provides a first look into teachers understanding of anxiety in New Zealand primary school students
Initial consultation report for the redesign of the early childhood degree at the University of Waikato
No full textIn mid-2023 a redesigned early childhood education (ECE) Bachelor of Teaching degree was proposed. An extensive consultation with the ECE sector, and related special interest groups, was undertaken to support the redesign proposal. The initial consultation period, undertaken with ECE settings, primary schools, and stakeholder organisations took place between June 2023 – October 2023
Inu kava anga-mahení, ʻatamaí mo ʻene fakakaukaú mo e tuʻunga taau ke fakaʻuli saliote mīsiní (Traditional kava-drinking, cognition and driver fitness [Tongan])
No full textKava, ʻiloa ko e ngoue ʻa e ngāhi ʻotuá, kuo mafola he ngāhi motu fakatalopiki ʻi he Pasifikí. Kuo ngaue ʻaki ʻi he ngāhi faitoʻo tuʻufonuá, ʻaia ʻoku tuki hono aká ʻo palu3 mo fakatatau ko e vai fakanonga. Ko hono tala he anga fakafonuá ko e meʻa mahuʻinga lahi, ka koeʻuhí ko hono maʻu lahi mo tō-tuʻa ʻo lau houá, ʻoku tupu ai e hohaʻa heʻene uesia tamaki e tuʻunga malu ʻo e fakaʻuli saliote mīsiní. Ko Dr Apo Aporosa, ko e tangata fakatotolo fakaako ʻi he ʻUnivēsiti ʻo Waikató (Niu Sila), ʻaia naʻa ne fekumi ai ki he uesia ʻe he inu kava anga-mahení e fakahoko fatongia ʻa e ʻatamaí mo ʻene ueʻi e tuʻunga malu ʻo e fakaʻuli saliote misiní. Ko e fekumi ne fai ʻe Dr Apo Aporosa ki he uesia ʻe he inu kava anga-mahení e fai fatongia ʻa e ʻatamaí mo ʻene ueʻi e tuʻunga malu ʻo e fakaʻuli saliote mīsiní. (Kava, or ‘the plant of the gods’, grows widely across tropical Moananuiākea (the Pacific). Used in traditional medicine, its roots are also pounded and strained through water to make a drink with relaxant effects. Kava has deep cultural significance, but because it is drunk in large quantities over several hours, concerns have been raised about its effects on driver safety. Dr ‘Apo’ Aporosa, a Research Fellow at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, has studied the impact of traditional kava use on cognition and its implications for driver fitness. The findings of that research are presented here in the Tongan language.