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A thesis on green finance
No full textIn recent years, green finance has received considerable attention as a key tool for addressing climate change and achieving global sustainable development. It plays a critical role in driving the global transition to a green economy, achieving carbon neutrality targets and advancing environmental governance. This thesis provides an in-depth exploration of the dynamic connectedness of green financial markets and their complex interactions with various types of risks, aiming to comprehensively understand their characteristics and behaviors under different market conditions. First, using advanced econometric techniques such as the Time-Varying Parameter Vector Autoregressive (TVP-VAR) model and wavelet analysis, the study reveals the relationships between green financial markets and key driving risks, including financial and climate risks, in the time and frequency domain. Second, the thesis investigates the connectedness mechanisms between green bond markets in the United States and China and other financial markets. The analyses also reveal the intrinsic nature of the two major green bond markets. Finally, the thesis examines the dynamic relationships between key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) markets and other sources of uncertainty.
The findings reveal that financial risks are the primary drivers of connectedness in green financial markets, with significant impacts on long-term return connectedness, whereas climate risks, particularly physical climate risks, have pronounced short-term effects on volatility connectedness. Furthermore, this thesis highlights the different roles of US and Chinese green bonds in responding to financial crises and geopolitical conflicts (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict). Green bonds in the US have demonstrated stable hedging capabilities, while Chinese green bonds have shown strong market resilience, driven by economic transition and policy support. The analysis of ESG investment markets shows that European markets dominate the global green financial system, characterized by high returns and strong risk mitigation capabilities, while ESG assets in emerging markets are more constrained by regional economic and policy environments. In addition, this thesis explores the potential of optimal portfolio strategies of green financial assets in risk diversification and asset allocation, with green bonds and ESG assets being particularly important in times of crisis.
This work not only contributes to the theoretical understanding of the dynamic characteristics of green financial markets, but also provides practical insights for policymakers in designing effective green financial policies and for investors in optimizing asset allocation. By revealing the dynamic linkages of green financial markets, this study provides crucial empirical evidence and decision-making support for the sustainable development of global green financial markets. The findings of the thesis lay a solid foundation for future research on green finance and suggest novel solutions to address global climate change challenges and promote sustainable economic development
Developing principles of corporate human rights due diligence for outer space use and exploration: A critical evaluation
No full textCorporations are predicted to dominate outer space use and exploration for the foreseeable future. With tentative plans in development for humans to live and work permanently on celestial bodies, what responsibilities will corporations have to observe human rights? It is thought that reform of outer space law is needed to embrace non-state actors to not only delineate their precise legal status but also their rights and responsibilities in outer space. Not only would this pronouncement of rights and responsibilities provide transparency and certainty for corporations, but also for ‘humankind’ as business enterprises such as SpaceX, Blue Origin and the Sierra Nevada Corporation endeavour to make the first leap to establish human communities on celestial bodies. This article will consider the extent to which corporations will need to embed human rights due diligence in their activities on celestial bodies and what measures they will need to adopt to assess, mitigate and remediate human rights violations
An overview of nano-crystalline cellulose nanofibers and their applications in drug delivery
No full textMade from a variety of natural sources, Nano Crystalline Cellulose (NCC) is a unique renewable nanomaterial with a wide range of applications due to its high stiffness and strength, low weight, biodegradability, and environmental benefits. Because of its special inherent qualities, NCC is one of the most renewable materials to be addressed by nanomaterials. The origins, manufacture, characteristics, and applications of nanomaterials, including NCC and nanofibers, have been extensively studied by a large number of researchers throughout the years. Strong chemical reactivity, crystallinity, strength and stiffness, biocompatibility, biodegradability, shape, and nanoscale dimensions are just a few of the remarkable properties that these nanomaterials have been shown to possess in countless investigations. These characteristics enable the application of these nanoparticles in a number of fields, including medicine. Among the most traditional and popular techniques. Electrospinning is one of the earliest and most popular techniques for producing nanofibers. This method works well and can be modified to produce continuous nanofibers. NCC-based nanofibers are novel materials in the biomaterials industry. Recent studies demonstrated that electrospun nanofibers could be efficiently loaded with a wide range of drugs, such as proteins, chemotherapeutic agents, antibiotics, and analgesics with anti-inflammatory qualities. One application of NCC and nanofibers in the medical field is drug delivery. This review highlights a number of issues related to NCC nanofibers and their use in drug delivery applications, beginning with discussing the various natural polymer types used in drug delivery applications, the physicochemical and biological properties of NCC, its various applications, its significance, and its preparation techniques
A comparative study of functional monomer and crosslinker ratios in the synthesis of catechin-selective MIPs via suspension polymerisation
No full textCatechin contamination in food and environmental samples presents challenges for selective extraction and analysis, requiring advanced polymeric materials with high specificity and capacity. This study investigates the synthesis of catechin-selective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) using suspension polymerisation, with a systematic evaluation of crosslinker-to-monomer (CL:M) and template-to-monomer (T:M) ratios. Polymers were prepared with CL:M ratios ranging from 1:1 to 4:1 and T:M ratios from 0 to 0.5, and characterised by particle size analysis, BET surface area and pore measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Adsorption experiments were conducted at initial catechin concentrations of 2.5–10 mg/L, and binding isotherm models were applied to interpret the adsorption mechanisms.
Polymers synthesised at CL:M ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 with T:M = 0.125 exhibited the highest adsorption capacities, consistently achieving values above 0.080 mg/g at 10 mg/L catechin. These optimal conditions also produced polymers with yields up to 94.7%, median particle diameters between 1100–1500 μm, and average pore radii approaching 10 Å. In addition, SEM analysis revealed that optimal samples displayed uniform, spherical morphology with well-developed surface porosity, whereas non-optimal samples showed increased aggregation and denser, less accessible surfaces. Notably, the Temkin isotherm provided the best fit for the adsorption data (R² = 0.9807), indicating heterogeneous binding sites and significant adsorbate–adsorbate interactions. In contrast, higher crosslinker (CL:M= 4:1 and 3:1) or template ratios (T:M= 0.375 and 0.5) led to reduced adsorption capacity and, in some cases, persistent template leaching. These results indicate that extraction conditions must be carefully optimised, such as by increasing Soxhlet extraction time or adjusting solvent parameters, to ensure complete template removal and improve polymer performance in practical applications. Overall, these findings establish suspension polymerisation, combined with carefully optimised synthesis and extraction conditions, as an effective strategy for producing catechin-selective MIPs with enhanced selectivity, capacity, and reproducibility
Modifying hydrological regime and catchment land use to improve water quality in Lake Waikare: Modelled insights
No full textEffective management of eutrophication in large, shallow, lakes is particularly challenging, especially in catchments dominated by agricultural activities. These challenges are further exacerbated in lakes that have undergone significant hydrological and biogeochemical modification. In these systems, effective hydrological management strategies may involve increasing discharge rates to promote flushing and modifying lake depth to reduce the effects of wind-induced sediment resuspension, while effective biogeochemical modification may involve improving catchment management practices to reduce external nutrient loading. In this study, we present a modelling investigation of Lake Waikare, Waikato, New Zealand; a large (surface area: 34 km²), shallow (mean depth: 1.2 m), hypereutrophic lake that has experienced significant hydrological modification and water quality deterioration since the early 1900s
Reduction in drying time of taro using pretreatments or posttreatment with hot air drying
No full textTaro is a widely cultivated crop, primarily grown for its corm, which serves as a staple food
worldwide. However, due to its high moisture content, taro is highly perishable, with an
unprocessed shelf life of only 15 to 20 days. Drying has been employed as a method for
extending shelf life by reducing moisture content to levels that inhibit microbial growth and
prevent moisture-induced deteriorative biochemical reactions.
Convective hot air drying (HAD) is the most commonly used method for food drying, but it is
associated with prolonged drying times and high energy consumption. This research aimed to
reduce the drying time of taro by using pretreatments and posttreatments with hot air drying.
HAD without pre- or posttreatments was used as a control, and drying times were compared
across four pretreatment methods (microwave, blanching, ultrasonication, and osmotic
dehydration) and one posttreatment method (microwave).
The results indicated that microwave post-treatment after 1 hour of hot air drying at 50°C
reduced total drying time by 85% compared to the control. Similarly, microwave post-treatment
after 1 hour of hot air drying at 70°C reduced drying time by 75% when moisture content
decreased from 2.4 (dry basis) to 1.3 (dry basis). In contrast, blanching and osmotic
dehydration pretreatments at 50°C worsened drying efficiency, increasing drying time relative
to the control. Microwave pretreatments at 50°C resulted in slight reductions in drying time
compared to the control.
Additionally, peeling the skin before drying reduced total drying time by approximately 36%
compared to skin-on samples. However, slicing was necessary, as whole peeled samples
required longer drying times than sliced ones.
Taro, sliced to 8 mm thickness, dried with hot air at 70°C for 1 hour, followed by 20 minutes
of microwave post-treatment, reaches 0.10 (dry basis), which is the required final moisture
content for taro flour production, and is suitable for industrial scale implementation.
Further research is required to assess the energy consumption of microwave post-treatment and
hot air drying to determine their economic and sustainable feasibility. Quantifying energy
requirements is essential for balancing efficiency with cost-effectiveness
Breaking barriers and empowering perspectives: Centering women's voices in the mongrel mob wāhine toa
No full textGang communities in Aotearoa New Zealand have traditionally been sites of masculinity where specific forms of 'maleness' - including resistance to authority, antisocial behaviour, and expressions of violence - are embraced, expressed, and enforced through various internal cultural norms and reactions to the outside world. The dominant narrative that informs public perceptions of New Zealand gangs is often centered on crime, poverty, and Indigeneity. Much less is known about the role of women in these communities, particularly as their voices have only recently emerged from one of the largest gang chapters in the country. This research, conducted in close collaboration with wāhine within the Mongrel Mob Kingdom's first female-only chapter, Mongrel Mob Wāhine Toa, uses a participatory action research approach with photovoice methodology. Drawing on the personal narratives of six wāhine, this study aims to better understand their perspectives and experiences of contributing to a fledgling movement that privileges women within a predominantly male-centered gang environment. Photovoice is used alongside semi-structured interviews to provide depth and breadth to the data, allowing the wāhine to visually and verbally express their experiences and perspectives. Themes include navigating marginality, empowerment, and resistance. The long-range goal of this work is to inform context-sensitive policies and interventions for wāhine in gangs in Aotearoa. By foregrounding the perspective of wāhine, this study contributes to breaking down barriers and reshaping discourses around women in gangs, with implications for well-being and empowerment
Ascending the Poutama: Culturally responsive diabetes care for Māori communities
No full textIntroduction
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) significantly impacts Māori populations in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) who experience health disparities including suboptimal disease management.
Aim
To explore culturally responsive approaches to supporting Māori living with T2D from the perspective of healthcare providers.
Methods
Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinicians from various disciplines (general practitioner, podiatrist, exercise physiologist, three kaiāwhina, dietitian, two pharmacists); five clinicians identify as Māori, four as non-Māori. Kaupapa Māori inductive thematic analysis was used.
Results
Four key themes emerged: empowering patient-centred communication, whānau involvement, interprofessional collaboration, and culturally appropriate analogies.
Discussion
The findings underscore the need for holistic, culturally responsive T2D care that prioritises culturally appropriate communication to improve patient engagement, health outcomes and address Māori health disparities
Protecting hapū data privacy: A Ngāti Tiipa case study of technology considerations
No full textThis brief is a part of a series, produced for the Tikanga in Technology (TiNT) research programme, that provides a hapū perspective on data sovereignty, data governance, and data privacy. In this brief we focus on the Ngāti Tiipa ‘layer cake’ technology approach and assess it against the values of the TiNT Māori Data Privacy Framework. This brief should be read in conjunction with TiNT Brief #3 The Māori Data Privacy Framework: How useful is it for hapū
An efficient process to designing robotic end effectors for high value crops: Application on robotic apple fruitlet thinning
No full textHigh value crops continue to rely extensively on manual labour for labour intensive and expensive tasks like harvesting and thinning. Robotics is increasingly being investigated as a solution to combat labour shortages which threaten the sustainability and growth of the horticultural sector. However, the seasonal nature of high value crops offers only a short window of a few weeks to field tests one robotic end effector per season using the conventional process. This hinders the research and development timeline of robotic end effectors. This thesis presents an efficient design process, modified from existing design methods, to overcome this limitation by capitalising the remainder of the off-season window within a year, and thus reduces the robotic end effector development time.
The efficient design process starts with co-design workshops involving growers and field visits to gather requirements, understand crop physiology, and determine the specific needs for identified crop management tasks. This information guides the development of several end effector concepts. Concepts with feasible potential are selected to progress to the prototype stage, which then undergo laboratory testing and comparative evaluations during off-season. The off-season investigation can only be possible by creation of an artificial crop structure that replicates the crop's physiology and is capable of testing the prototype's core mechanism principles repetitively. This structure is also optimised with enhancements and design optimisation of the end effectors, such that field testing time can be maximised to address issue unique to field conditions. This process then allows for extensive testing of various end effectors within a single year, significantly reducing the development duration. The process prioritises the generation of multiple viable end effector concepts while integrating feedback from growers.
The efficient design process was implemented to develop robotic end effectors for apple fruitlet thinning. The design requirements for thinning fruitlets to 1 or 2 fruitlets from a cluster were identified after consultation with growers and a visit to the apple orchard. Nine concepts were generated and preliminarily tested in the field and consulted with growers. Four distinct concepts were then selected: 1) cutting that cuts the stalk, 2) suction based on grasping and rotating, 3) paraboloid based on grasping and rolling, and 4) piercing end effector based on spear piercing and rotate. These concepts were further developed into fully functional end effectors for laboratory evaluation, enabled by the development of an artificial structure that allows interchangeable fruitlets of all sizes and accommodating repetitive testing of the end effectors core mechanism principles. After an iterative process of testing, optimisation, and modifications of end effectors and artificial fruitlet structures, a comparative evaluation was performed to benchmark and quantify the capability of each end effector was conducted.
A computer vision system and path planning systems were developed and integrated with the end effectors to facilitate this evaluation. This shows that the vacuum suction end effector consistently reached a 100\% success rate from 90° pitch angle on single fruitlets, and also maintained this success rate at a 90° pitch angle in a fruitlet cluster in all positions, followed by cutting and paraboloid with 80\% success rate on a single fruitlet. In contrast, the spear piercing mechanism consistently under performed and was excluded from the field testing. The field test in apple orchards under real world conditions indicated that the suction end effector achieved the highest success rate, reaching 70\%, followed by cutting end effector with 44\% and paraboloid with 26\%, showing trends consistent with lab evaluations. The primary causes of failure are positioning errors and occlusion. Thus, the efficient design process developed the suitable suction end effector to be integrated with the overall robotic platform for further development within a single year, compared to a minimum of two years using a conventional process