16168 research outputs found
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Self-decolonisation in Aotearoa: Pushing through programmatic Pākehā paralysis
No full textTe reo, tīkanga, mātauranga, te Ao, and kaupapa Māori are finally seeing a resurgence in Aotearoa. This revitalisation is occurring in the tertiary education sector, but staff and skill deficits are holding back many academic disciplines. This chapter documents the challenges facing a traditionally colonial tertiary programme—philosophy— attempting to de-colonise itself. The overlapping nature of the challenges can make decolonising appear to be so difficult that some programmes may feel paralysed. This chapter argues that the importance of decolonisation requires that programmes push through any paralysis they may be experiencing by prioritising decolonisation above other goals
Examining the legacy of the ‘old boys club’ in high performance coaching
No full textSport is a breeding ground for exclusionary gendered discourses and this trend is evident within the coaching cultures of numerous national sports organisations in New Zealand. Drawing on an organisational case study of a New Zealand national sports organisation (NSO) data were collected through thirteen semi-structured interviews and observations with coaches and staff in the NSO. Engaging in a critical feminist approach, this paper explores the various ways in which women’s exclusion from high-performance coaching roles was maintained, reflecting critically on the extent to which hegemonic masculinity was reproduced within the organisation’s coaching history and culture. Specifically, we illustrate the ‘felt’ dimensions of gender exclusion, highlighting how women’s absence from coaching is not through choice but is reflective of the gendered power dynamics of coaching. Together, the analysis demonstrates the institutionalisation of hegemonic masculinity and the mechanisms through which this is maintained, solidified and undermined. This study, while focusing on a particular NSO, offers insights that extend to male-dominated sporting systems across New Zealand, bringing to light the challenges encountered by women coaches within high-performance sport
Locating technology education in STEM teaching and learning: So, what does the T mean in STEM?
No full textThe vision for this book is to explore and clearly define technology (T) when embedded in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). It grew from a concern that prevailing perceptions of technology when embedded in STEM is merely the use of technological tools to serve the learning needs of science and mathematics. Those who have a clear and deep understanding of technology education know that this is not the case. Interdisciplinary integration is key to this understanding. Burke (Technol Teacher 73:14, 2014) states that an integrative STEM approach recognizes that technology and engineering provide opportunities for students to develop deeper knowledge about science. We would argue that an integrative STEM approach recognizes that technology and engineering provide opportunities for students to develop deeper knowledge about the world and how to intervene in it, drawing on design, science and mathematics knowledge to assist this process
Monogenean Parasites of Non-Native Freshwater Fish in New Zealand: Ecology and New Distributional Records
No full textMonogeneans are common aquatic ectoparasites within the phylum Platyhelminthes. Freshwater monogeneans have been little studied in New Zealand, with only three taxa having been recognised in the country until recently, including only two to species level. Twenty-one non-native freshwater fish species have established populations in New Zealand, yet only one of these has been reported with monogenean infestations. Based on the diversity of monogenean species known from these fish species globally, it is likely that many monogenean species will have established populations in New Zealand that remain unreported. The prevalence and intensity of parasite infection and infestation are known to vary with season and in relation to host factors such as size and sex, but little is known of their ecology in New Zealand freshwater fish species.
I report for the first time the presence of eleven monogenean species infesting non-native freshwater fish in New Zealand. Two of these species belong to the family Ancyrocephalidae, a family new to New Zealand. A seasonal study of two species infesting Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard, 1853) in two interconnected ponds in Hamilton, Salsuginus seculus (Mizelle & Arcadi, 1945) and Gyrodactylus gambusiae Rogers and Wellborn, 1965, represents the first ecological study of monogeneans undertaken in New Zealand, a country with a mild climate and narrow annual temperature range relative to better studied northern temperate populations. The prevalence of S. seculus changed significantly over the course of a year, reaching a peak during the summer. However, no significant correlation with temperature was found for either the prevalence or mean intensity of S. seculus. Prevalence was instead correlated with the concentration of chlorophyll a and pH. However, it is likely these correlations were simply due to chlorophyll a concentrations similarly increasing over summer affecting the pH, rather than either variable being causative. As G. affinis is known to experience large increases and decreases in population density annually, with individuals coming into physical contact during breeding, this was likely the cause of the increase in monogenean prevalence. A greater number of hosts would provide more habitat for monogeneans and their increased density would facilitate transmission of the parasites. The sex of fish was found to be a significant predictor of prevalence and intensity of monogeneans S. seculus, but this was on the basis of size. Longer and heavier fish had higher prevalence and mean intensity of S. seculus, and as female G. affinis are typically larger than males, this led to the difference in infestation between the sexes. Larger individuals represent larger habitat patches and for this may be the reason that prevalence and intensity of monogeneans was higher on these individuals. A similar test was conducted on Carassius auratus (L.), where two size classes were observed, representing juveniles and adults. The juvenile fish had significantly higher prevalence and intensities of Dactylogyrus spp., indicating a parasite vulnerability in juveniles. This thesis contributes to the knowledge of the species diversity and ecology of freshwater monogeneans in New Zealand
Medicinal cannabis for neuropathic pain
No full textNeuropathic pain is caused by a dysfunction of the nervous system. It differs from normal pain sensations as it is no longer protective and can be present in the absence of a stimulus. It affects eight percent of the population worldwide and has several causes. Diabetes is the most prevalent cause, with about half of those diagnosed developing diabetic neuropathy. Other causes are genetic diseases (e.g. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), immune disorders or medications (e.g. chemotherapy drugs) or injury. Neuropathic pain, regardless of its cause, is often poorly managed leading to poor quality of life for those patients. The currently available analgesic options show little efficacy and are often dose-limiting due to adverse effects. Treatments that improve efficacy or offer lower adverse effects need to be investigated; one such potential treatment is medicinal cannabis. To this end, cannabis isolates and a high CBD whole extract were tested to determine efficacy to relieve neuropathic pain symptoms in a pre-clinical mouse model of neuropathy.
A dose-response trial using gene expression biomarkers was completed in wildtype mice. This was to determine what doses of orally administered CBD (25 - 150 mg/kg) in an olive oil vehicle had a biological effect in the dorsal root ganglia of peripheral nerves of mice. CBD (6.25 - 100 mg/kg), a high CBD whole extract (containing CBD 12.5 mg/kg and THC 0.867 mg/kg) and a pure CBD:THC mix (at the same concentrations) were then used to determine efficacy in ameliorating neuropathic pain in a CMT2A mouse model. Finally, a single high-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy mouse model was characterised to determine the parameters of peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain symptoms in male wildtype B6:D2 mice.
A pure isolate of 12.5 mg/kg CBD showed the greatest efficacy in treating thermal hyperalgesia symptoms in CMT2A mice. This paralleled a clinically relevant dose of gabapentin (40mg/kg) in efficacy for improving thermal hyperalgesia, both as a single dose and in multiple doses across eight hours. Of the cannabinoids tested, high CBD whole extract showed greater efficacy in improving thermal hyperalgesia symptoms in CMT2A mice, with a wider therapeutic window than either CBD alone or CBD:THC. This indicates that in addition to THC, other components in cannabis may contribute to efficacy, or be the result of an entourage effect.
Characterisation of the diabetic neuropathy model was completed, with two-thirds of the mice developing high blood glucose (≥ 17 mmol/L) within two weeks of a single high dose of streptozotocin. All diabetic mice showed thermal hyperalgesia symptoms and 40% of those also developed mechanical allodynia; with symptoms evident from as early as week four post- streptozotocin. There was no loss of motor function seen across the trial period of 13 weeks. Sciatic nerve tissue taken from these mice showed a marked loss of acetylated alpha-tubulin in both proximal and distal sciatic nerves when compared to the wildtype control group
Understanding contemporary Māori demographic fertility patterns and trends in Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textThis thesis re-examines demographic studies of contemporary Māori fertility patterns and trends. Analysing fertility is a core undertaking in demography, and in studies that include Māori fertility, most have been undertaken by non-Māori demographers who instinctively draw on Western-based frameworks to analyse and interpret these trends. Consequently, Māori perspectives are virtually invisible. Incorporating Māori perspectives are needed because despite a convergence of fertility similar to Pākehā, important fertility patterns persist. Notably, Māori women bear their babies earlier and over a longer period. Fertility studies of other Indigenous peoples in settler-colonial states share striking similarities. While demographic and economic factors are important in fertility outcomes, this thesis primarily explores the potential influence of culture, which has received little attention. Hence, this doctoral study asks: To what extent does culture influence contemporary Māori fertility patterns?
This thesis draws on Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine frameworks, along with the tools of demography, to deploy a mixed methods design of statistical techniques – using secondary data from the 2013 Aotearoa NZ Census and the 1995 New Zealand Women: Family, Employment, and Education Survey – and thematic analysis of interviews with nine Māori women. While acknowledging the limitations of the analyses, the empirical results suggest that ‘cultural identity’ is an important factor in Māori fertility, and that ‘whakapapa’ and ‘whānau’ are at the heart of fertility decisions. These findings broadly imply that taken-for-granted demographic theories and analytical practices need to incorporate Indigenous-centred frameworks and perspectives for a better understanding of Indigenous fertility and population change
Rapid time-domain simulation of fractional capacitors with SPICE
No full textFractional capacitors, commonly called constant-phase elements or CPEs, are used in modeling and control applications, for example, for rechargeable batteries. Unfortunately, they are not natively supported in the well-used circuit simulator SPICE. This manuscript presents and demonstrates a modeling approach that allows users to incorporate these elements in circuits and model the response in the time domain. The novelty is that we implement for the first time a particular configuration of RC elements in parallel in a Foster-type network with SPICE in order to simulate a constant-phase element across a defined frequency range. We demonstrate that the circuit produces the required impedance spectrum in the frequency domain, and shows a power-law voltage response to a step change in current in the time domain, consistent with theory, and is able to reproduce the experimental voltage response to a complicated current profile in the time domain. The error depends on the chosen frequency limits and the number of RC branches, in addition to very small SPICE numerical errors. We are able to define an optimum circuit description that minimizes error while maintaining a short computation time. The scientific value is that the work permits rapid and accurate evaluation of the response of CPEs in the time domain, faster than other methods, using open source tools
Measurements and modelling of the tidal salt intrusion along the Waihou River
No full textSalt intrusions can exist within rivers and are influenced by shape of an estuary and tidal and river flows. Incoming tidal water moves into a region of freshwater influence which can have a strong influence on biological and geochemical properties in the water column. These features constitute a transition zone with spatially and temporally varying dynamics. As such, it is challenging to correctly represent these features in numerical hydrodynamic and sediment transport models. We report field observations of the salt intrusion processes in the Waihou River estuary in New Zealand. Most of the research that has been conducted thus far on the Waihou River has centred around sediment transport, gold mining impacts, water quality and fish populations and there is a lack of systematic collection of vertical water property data. Measurements of water column properties (salinity, temperature and turbidity) were taken at different tidal stages and river flows and used to track the movement and characteristics of the salt intrusion. In-situ water samples were collected and used to form a calibration for suspended sediment concentrations. The salinity intrusion was observed to intrude to 7.2-11.8 km (at 1 PSU) upstream from the mouth of the river. The estuary exhibited both mixed and stratified conditions, with a clear salt wedge shape observed for only one out of five surveys. The salinity intrusion length appeared to be primarily controlled by the by river flow, with a shorter intrusion length and stronger stratification occurring for higher river flows. Greater turbidity was observed within the marine water compared to fluvial waters, and turbidity was greater near the bed implying that the primary delivery mechanism of sediment to the lower reaches of the river is import from the offshore or intertidal marine regions. Numerical hydrodynamic modelling using Delft 3D was undertaken and was compared to the field data. While the model had previously been calibrated for water levels and velocity in two-dimensions, the adapted 3D version of the model did not accurately predict the structure or extent of the salinity intrusion. Model results under-estimated the salinity intrusion, which was attributed to over-mixing of the water column, however, the performance improved when a lower value for horizontal eddy diffusivity was used. This work emphasises the need to obtain vertically resolved data sets to allow for robust calibration of numerical models, which are commonly used in environmental management decisions
E hoki mai nei ki te ūkaipō | Return to your place of nourishment [Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts]
No full textE hoki mai nei ki te ūkaipō | Return to your Place of Nourishment brings together works by four wāhine Māori artists which explore narratives of pakanga|conflict through toi|art. This exhibition aims to create a dialogic space in which the artworks reflect and challenge the current troubled economic and political landscape. In this show, the four artists weave together their unique practices and stories to present a cohesive yet diverse examination of conflicts, with a particular focus on the artists’ own whānau and hapū narratives.
Ultimately, this collection of works interrogates political strategies that have exploited division and discord through carefully curated histories. This collection is also a reclamation of those narratives and histories by descendants who live in the aftermath of their ancestors’ mamae | pain
International faculty in Japanese university contexts: Understanding their belonging experiences through art
No full textBelonging has long been recognized as a fundamental human motivation characterized by the need for emotional attachment, interpersonal connection, and feelings of safety. Over time, belonging has come to be taken for granted as a uniformly positive experience to be sought after and achieved. This generalization has prompted debate amongst theorists. One of the most prominent arguments is that belonging is vaguely defined in the literature and that it lacks the conceptual depth and nuance of other key constructs. In the university context, research has primarily focused on belonging’s impact on student achievement and well-being. At the same time, academic mobility and diversity in higher education institutions have increased the world over. This invites further investigation of how belonging is experienced not only by students but by members from across entire campus communities. This thesis seeks to understand how four international faculty members experience belonging in their Japanese higher education institutions. Data was gathered through a combination of semi-structured interviews and arts-based unstructured drawing elicitation. These methods resulted in eight transcripts and four participant-produced drawings. Reflexive thematic analysis of the data carried out through a fully qualitative interpretivist constructionist lens led to the generation of four themes. These themes explore belonging as not only a dynamic and relational process, but one that is deeply felt yet risky, uniquely spatial and material, and indicative of the desire for meaning and purpose. Recurring threads of power, identity, and agency were identified throughout these themes. These not only highlight the distinct nature of the Japanese university context but also echo wider debates in higher education literature at large. This analysis aligns with recent research problematizing dominant understandings of belonging as fixed, linear, or readily attainable. By rejecting such oversimplistic views, this study embraces complexity and draws attention to the multiple, messy, and nuanced ways belonging is experienced by international faculty in Japan. Additionally, this study demonstrates that arts-based research methods like drawing elicitation can be used to garner rich understandings of belonging together with participants. This thesis hopes not only to contribute to the literature on international faculty and the Japanese university context. It also seeks to encourage novel approaches to making sense of belonging. Most of all, this thesis hopes to underscore the importance of attending to belonging as an evolving construct critically and with care in higher education contexts