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Members' perspectives of good governance practice of Thailand's credit union cooperatives
Get PDFPurpose: This study explores the awareness (AWN) levels of good governance amongst Thai credit union cooperatives' (CUCs) members and the factors hindering good governance practice in Thai CUCs.
Design/methodology/approach: This study used a survey questionnaire from 629 members of 36 selected CUCs in Thailand. This study analysed the determinants of governance AWN levels of Thai CUCs' members using the ordered probit model. The study also employs OLS estimation to investigate the factors hindering good governance practices.
Findings: The study shows that members of different CUC types and sizes have different levels of governance AWN. Members' characteristics, experiences, and perceptions significantly influence CUC members' AWN of governance issues. The findings also suggest that a lack of morality, transparency, participation, responsibility and accountability are key obstacles that hinder good governance practices of Thai CUCs.
Originality/value: This is the first study that attempts to assess the level of AWN amongst Thai CUCs' members in different CUC sizes and types. This is also the first research that identifies the factors that hinder good governance practice in Thai CUCs based on members' evaluations. The study's findings provide important reference and implications for Thai policy makers and CUCs' board of managers to enhance members' AWN and CUCs' governance performance, and thus increase income and living standard of CUCs' members in the long term
Electrospinning nanofiber insert for anterior ocular drug delivery for cataract treatment : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
Get PDFThe eye is a complex visual aid (for human and animals) which gathers visual information from the surrounding physical environment. The more common vision threatening diseases that affect both anterior/posterior segment (age related macular degeneration, cataract, keratitis, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinoblastoma, allergic conjunctivitis, and ocular trauma) is a massive social and economic burden especially for less developed countries. Drug delivery to any tissue is a challenge, eye is not an exception. Barriers to ocular drug delivery are both physiological, anatomical, static, and dynamic. The current cost-effective cataract treatment option involves surgical removal of opaque or cataractous lens and replicated with artificial intraocular lens followed with topical application of corticosteroid eye drops as post-operative management. Whilst current topical drugs are easy to apply their bioavailability is impeded due to various barriers prevailing in the eye which put a strain on the cost and the duration of recovery. This has led researchers to the path of finding alternative methods of ocular drug delivery which more recently has led to the use of nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology research that can transport and deliver active ingredient (AI) safely to site of action has gained importance in recent years. Ocular drug delivery with nanotechnology though can overcome some of the challenges but does have some limitations, like patient compliance and irritation. These limitations have been addressed by researchers across the globe by reducing drug particle size, using less irritable polymers and excipients, but with limited success.
The research presented in this thesis approached this problem using nanofiber technology to develop solid ocular insert that would allow sustained drug delivery. Caffeine, a model drug, was used to determine the kinetics of bioactive release. Nanofiber membranes fabricated as mono-, two- or three-layered using two polymers, poly (ethylene) oxide (PEO) and poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) and analysed for physical characteristics of fiber (mat thickness, water contact angle, tensile properties, SEM) and drug release.
Results from this study shows that the thickness of mat can be increased by having additional layer (average of 46% for two- and 54% for three-layered) compared to monolayer but it is not proportionate to the extra amount of polymer. For water contact angle the results achieved for various iterations were on par with the property of the polymer, hydrophobicity (>80°) and hydrophilicity (<50°). The tensile properties (only for mono- and three-layered formulation), puncture strength and elongation at break there was no differences between the formulations for elongation at break but for puncture strength, the force required was almost double for three-layered formulation compared to control monolayer. However, it was a challenge to measure the tensile property for monolayer formulation with PEO polymer. Mucoadhesion evaluated for only three-layered nanofiber formulations containing PEO and PCL polymer shows that the force required to detach the mat from mucin tablet (used as test material) was almost double compared to the monolayer control formulations. Surface morphology (SEM) of the nanofiber mat shows heterogenous fiber diameter distribution irrespective of the polymer and number of layers.
The caffeine release from monolayer was almost immediate (within 5 min) for the formulations with PEO polymer (>50%) compared to PCL polymer wherein the same release % was noticed 1h after the initiation of the experiment. The drug release from two-layered formulation was reduced by 50% when the drug was incorporated in the first layer and the second layer acted as a barrier. Unlike the two-layered formulation, same results could not be achieved from a three-layered formulation when the drug was incorporated in the third layer, there was average >70% drug released after 1h. Surface morphology of mono- and three-layered formulations exhibited the presence of caffeine crystalline structures on the surface of the fiber which probably has attributed to immediate burst release of the drug when in contact with the aqueous solution.
The results from this study elucidate that mucoadhesion onto the cornea surface can be enhanced by incorporating a hydrophilic polymer into the formulation which would probably help in the retention and increase the bioavailability of the drug to the target site in the eye. The results also shows that burst release can be mitigated and sustained release achieved when there is a barrier layer to the drug as shown in the two-layered formulation where the drug release was reduced by 50% by having a barrier layer with only the hydrophobic polymer. This formulation show promise for bioactive delivery but will require further exploration and refining
Environmental influences on microbial community development during organic pinot noir wine production in outdoor and indoor fermentation conditions
Get PDFThe role of microbial diversity in influencing the organoleptic properties of wine and other fermented products is well est ablished, and understanding microbial dynamics within fermentation processes can be critical for quality assurance and product innovation. This is especially true for winemakers using spontaneous fermentation techniques, where environmental factors may play an important role in consistency of product. Here, we use a metabarcoding approach to investigate the influence of two environmental systems used by an organic winemaker to produce wines; vineyard (outdoors) and winery (indoors) to the bacterial and fungal communities throughout the duration of a spontaneous fermentation of the same batch of Pinot Noir grapes. Bacterial (RANOSIM = 0.5814, p = 0.0001) and fungal (RANOSIM = 0.603, p = 0.0001) diversity differed significantly across the fermentation stages in both systems. Members of the Hyphomicrobium genus were found in winemaking for the first time, as a bacterial genus that can survive alcoholic fermentation. Our results also indicate that Torulaspora delbrueckii and Fructobacillus species might be sensitive to environmental systems. These results clearly reflect the substantial influence that environmental conditions exert on microbial populations at every point in the process of transforming grape juice to wine via fermentation, and offer new insights into the challenges and opportunities for wine production in an ever-changing global climate
The commodification of Tibetan dance: The experience of ‘Ecological Migrants’ in the Three-River Headwater region of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
Get PDFCultural tourism is increasing in China, partly because of the government’s vigorous promotion of this tourism form, and the emergence of a prosperous middle class with time, money and the inclination to travel. In the Three-River Headwater Region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau cultural tourism products have emerged strongly since 2000, when the Chinese government implemented an Ecological Resettlement Programme involving the relocation of over 55,000 mainly Tibetan people from their original residence – an area of high ecological value – to newly created villages. In this process of rural change and transition, cultural tourism has been viewed as an industry that can provide the region’s ‘ecological migrants’ with business and employment opportunities, particularly through their ethnic dances, which provide an attractive spectacle for the growing numbers of visiting tourists.
This study explores the experiences of a group of ‘ecological migrants’ who are participating in dance performances to identify their perceptions of the impact of the commodification of their dance culture for touristic purposes, both on themselves and their community. Special attention has been given to the process of authenticating dance performance from the perspective of the ‘ecological migrants’. Given the exploratory nature of this study, qualitative social research methods and inductive analytical techniques have been applied. This qualitative study used a combination of in depth interviews (n=34) and field observations to interpret the cultural tourism/Tibetan dance phenomenon in the Three-River Headwater Region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China, an area known as the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The study identified three groups of ‘ecological migrants’: village performers from ‘ecological migrant’ villages, profession dancers from two public dance troupes, and community leaders from villages and the dance troupes.
The results indicate that the commodification of Tibetan dance in this setting is perceived to generate beneficial outcomes for locals, including employment opportunities and, by extension, a much-needed source of household income, although few had full-time work as dancers. Many rested their hopes on future opportunities in cultural tourism, and specifically dance, supported by local government. Secondly, many participants perceived that cultural tourism, by way of dance performance, was helping to galvanise the community through social interaction and the active creation of new friendships, and a shared sense of identity and belonging. Thirdly, participants were aware that through the process of cultural commodification, a new ‘version’ of Yushu Tibetan dance performance has emerged that meets tourists’ expectations. While this was not viewed negatively, participants differed in their assessment of the authenticity of the dances.
Drawing on the theories of “hot” and “cool” authentication (Cohen & Cohen, 2012a), a model of dance commodification has been proposed on the basis of the study’s key findings, with the intention to depict the empirical relationship between two theoretical constructs: authentication and (dis)empowerment. The process of authenticating dance performance is presented in the model from the perspective of the three groups of ‘ecological migrants’. The findings reveal that under the strong political domination (i.e., political disempowerment) in the study region, the authenticity of the ‘ecological migrant’ perfomers’ experience of cultural commodification can be expressed in how they are involved with the dance performance psychologically, socially and economically.
Commodification as a process-based concept offers a useful approach to examining the interrelation of authentication and (dis)empowerment, as well as the interaction between “hot” and “cool” authentication within a unique political context. With the identification of the empirical relationship between (dis)empowerment and authentication, this study enables a better understanding of the dynamics of various community groups’ support for tourism, and how various interpretations of authenticity reflect perfomers’ differing levels of empowerment and disempowerment. In short, this study has added to a growing body of literature on cultural commodification, authentication and (dis)empowerment. It contributes new knowledge on dance commodification, and its impact on the ‘ecological migrant’ perfomers in the Three-River Headwater Region of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau
Incidence and magnitude of head impacts experienced by male adolescent rugby players: A two-season comparison
No full textIntroduction. In recent years there has been an increase in public and media awareness regarding the safety and brain health of players either after a concussion or after long-term participation in rugby union. Because of the nature of rugby, players are exposed to repeated collisions which may or may not result in a concussion. These impacts involve both linear and rotational acceleration. At present there is sparse research investigating the role of collisions in rugby on the brain health of junior rugby players. Methods. Forty U16 male rugby players aged 14-16 years completed pre-season and post-season assessment which included: (i) advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, (ii) neurocognitive testing, (iii) health history questionnaire, (iv) motor control questionnaire. Participants wore instrumented mouthguards during their club and school season (recording collisions 8g and above) for all games and contact trainings. The collisions were video verified and coded according to relevant descriptors. Results. Magnitude and incidence data for the male cohort, across two seasons, can be presented at this time. Average total incidence per team was 14.19-16.25 impacts at training and 71.95-105.4 impacts at games. Incidence range per player was 12 to 496 impacts experienced per season, with an average of 107.61. Average peak linear acceleration (PLA) was 18.15-19.17 at training and 20.08-20.63 at games.
Magnitude range per player was 13.8-28.2 g, with an average of 19.48. Player loading influenced incidence rate and maximum PLA, but not average PLA. Wider study results, expected in early 2024, will incorporate results from neuro-cognitive testing, motor control questionnaires, and MRI scans. Conclusions. The study highlights the need for objective data to measure head impact exposure in rugby union, especially at the junior level. Monitoring head impact loading is crucial for rugby safety and may help to establish a distinction between kinematics of concussive and non-concussive injury
Farmers’ organizations and sustainable development: An introduction
Get PDFThis special issue features 14 new research papers investigating the role of farmers’ organizations (e.g., collective action, self-help groups, producer companies/organizations, and cooperatives) in supporting sustainable development. The key findings include: (1) farmer groups and cooperatives promote farmers’ adoption of good farm management practices, new agricultural technologies and sustainable farming practices, although not substantially improving farm yield; (2) outsourcing services provided by agricultural cooperatives help to increase the technical efficiency of crop production; (3) cooperative membership enhances members’ bargaining power and enables them to sell their products at higher prices; (4) cooperatives motivate rural laborers to work in off-farm sectors, while self-help groups empower rural women in decision-making; (5) internet use improves agricultural cooperatives’ economic, social, and innovative performances; (6) direct administrative intervention supporting cooperative development may lead to the emergence of shell cooperatives; (7) participation in forest farmer organizations enables wood value chain upgrading; (8) increasing the cooperative size in terms of income, equity, and assets increases the profitability of savings and credit cooperatives; and (9) creating cross-border cooperation between cooperatives generates benefits for all parties involved. These findings can inspire the design of policies aimed to support farmers’ organizations in achieving sustainable development goals
Can combining organic soil amendments with chemical fertilizers improve yield: Evidence from banana farmers
No full textThis study analyzes the effects of different combinations of organic soil amendments (OSAs) and chemical fertilizers (i.e., the OSA-CF ratio) on banana yield. We segmented farmers along two dimensions. First, we considered four groups of farmers along the OSA-CF ratio continuum. The first group comprised farmers not using any OSAs; their OSA-CF ratio was zero. Farmers using low, medium, and high OSA-CF ratios constituted groups two, three, and four; the groups were delineated based on the OSA-CF tertiles. Second, we disaggregated the data into quintiles based on chemical fertilizer expenditure and analyzed the association between OSA-CF ratios and banana yield within each quintile—this is because farmers using small amounts of chemical fertilizers and those using them generously may have similar OSA-CF ratios. Data from 616 farm households in three major banana-producing provinces (Guangdong, Hainan, and Yunnan) of China were analyzed. The effects of OSA-CF ratios on banana yield varied across different quintiles. For the first and second quintiles, low, medium, and high OSA-CF ratios improved banana yield relative to not using OSAs. However, a low OSA-CF ratio was associated with maximum gains. Should farmers in the first quintile not using OSAs switch to applying a low OSA-CF ratio, they may improve yield by 744 kilograms/mu; their counterparts in the second quintile would increase yield by 633 kilograms/mu with the same transition. For the fifth quintile (farmers spending more than 320 yuan/mu on chemical fertilizers), applying a high OSA-CF ratio instead of using only chemical fertilizers may reduce yield by 365 kilograms/mu; even so, for this group, transitioning from not applying OSAs to using low and medium OSA-CF ratios would not affect banana yield. As overuse of chemical fertilizers leads to soil degradation and crop failure, some farmers apply OSAs such as organic fertilizers and farmyard manure to adjust and remedy soil nutrition to maintain or improve farm productivity. Although combining OSAs with chemical fertilizers at different ratios would generate different outcomes in crop preproduction, little is known about how farmers’ decisions on fertilizer use trade-offs affect crop yield. This study provides the first attempt to explore the associations between OSA-CF ratios and crop yield, using banana production as an example. Banana farmers using only chemical fertilizers can improve yield by combining them with OSAs if their chemical fertilizer expenditure is less than 66.67 yuan/mu. Farmers applying a low OSA-CF ratio could double the OSA-CF ratio while maintaining yield and alleviating environmental stress. Policymakers should design educational and awareness programs to inform farmers of these benefits and accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture. Combining OSAs with chemical fertilizers can improve yield while attenuating the ill effects of chemical fertilizers
Urban agriculture and post-earthquake urban resilience in Christchurch
No full textPresentation to Lincoln University researchers 29 November, 2023
Can citrus farmers earn more from selling online?
Get PDFOnline sales are essential for linking smallholder farmers to a wide range of markets. In essence, online sales not only influence the income received from selling a specific product but also generate spillover effects on total farm income and household income because they promote the sales of other agricultural products and generate regional off-farm work opportunities (e.g. product sorting, packaging, and delivery). Taking citrus as an example, this study explores the income effects of online sales with a focus on net returns from citrus production, net farm income, and household income. We used an endogenous treatment regression model to address the self-selection bias issues of online sales and estimated data collected from 926 citrus-producing households in Jiangxi Province, China. The results show that online citrus sales boost income growth in rural China. Specifically, online sales significantly increased net returns from citrus production, net farm income, and household income by 5,000 Yuan/capita, 8,580 Yuan/capita, and 17,830 Yuan/capita, respectively. The income-enhancing effects of online sales are greater for female household heads than they are for their male counterparts. Our findings emphasise the importance of promoting online sales to improve rural household welfare
Measuring the flammability of common agricultural plant species across the year and understanding the perceptions of rural landholders towards fire risk in Canterbury, New Zealand : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Agriculture Science (Honours) at Lincoln University
Get PDFAnthropogenic drivers of climate change are altering the nature of fires globally. Hotter, drier and windier weather conditions are contributing to lengthening of fire seasons and making ignitions easier in many parts of the world, including Canterbury, New Zealand. The looming threat of increasingly destructive wildfire events highlights the need for further research into wildfire management.
One tool that has the potential to reduce or stop the spread of wildfire is green firebreaks. To understand which plant species are good candidates for green firebreaks, we empirically test their flammability, i.e. their capacity to ignite and sustain a fire. However, there is generally a lack of information of flammability on plant species found in agricultural landscapes. Additionally, flammability is potentially affected by plant physiology and phenology changes throughout the year, though again research on this is scarce. Filling these research gaps will benefit rural landholders, iwi, governments and ultimately assist with reconfiguring rural landscapes. While it is vital to produce such information it is also important to ensure such information is reaching those who need it. Hence, it is necessary to understand the perceived fire risk of rural landholders in Canterbury. This will help in indicating whether plant flammability research will be taken up and how to create science communication strategies which are effective and efficient. This dissertation intends to address both of these knowledge gaps by testing the shoot flammability of common agricultural pasture, crop and weed species that are found in agricultural landscapes in Canterbury, New Zealand across different times
of the year and also investigate the perceptions that Canterbury rural landholders have towards fire risk on their properties.
The results showed that lucerne (Medicago sativa) was consistently the least flammable species, whereas wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) were consistently the most flammable species. Half of the species tested did vary in flammability across sampling periods throughout the year, while the other half did not. This suggests that species- specific plant flammability research is critical when assessing the suitability of species for green firebreaks. The species identified as being low in flammability year round were: lucerne (Medicago sativa), white clover (Trifolium repens), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium); these would be good candidates for green firebreaks in agricultural landscapes.
The survey found that the mean annual fire risk rating of rural landholders did not change across system type (dairy, cropping, or sheep and beef) or land type (flat, rolling-moderate hill country, steep). Furthermore, the mean annual fire rating was similar across all rural landholders, most consistently being scored as moderate risk. Of the sheep and beef farmers, the seasonal annual fire risk rating did not change across land type and showed consistent trends across each season with fire risk perceived to be highest in summer and lowest in winter. This suggests that as fire risk is perceived similarly across system and land type of the surveyed farmers, plant flammability research can be communicated in a streamlined approach to stakeholders, with relevant changes made where necessary (e.g. certain plant species will be grown in some systems more commonly than others).
My study has identified species that are good candidates for green firebreaks and that rural landholders are aware of fire risk on their properties, with the seasonal risk rating of sheep and beef farmers coinciding with the fire season in New Zealand. Overall, this will help to redesign agricultural landscapes and take appropriate precaution at times of the year where fire risk is higher than others, depending on the system type