bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Impedance Amplifiers for Non-Contact Bio-Potential Sensing
Authors:   , Ryan Brett
Published: November 2021

This research develops a non-contact bio-potential sensor which can quickly respond to input transient events, is insensitive to mechanical disturbances, and operates with a bandwidth from 0.04Hz – 20kHz, with input voltage noise spectral density of 200nV / √Hz at 1kHz.  Initial investigations focused on the development of an active biasing scheme to control the sensors input impedance in response to input transient events. This scheme was found to significantly reduce the settling time of the sensor; however the input impedance was degraded, and the device was sensitive to distance fluctuations. Further research was undertaken, and a circuit developed to preserve fast settling times, whilst decreasing the sensitivity to distance fluctuations.  A novel amplifier biasing network was developed using a pair of junction field effect transistors (JFETs), which actively compensates for DC and low frequency interference, whilst maintaining high impedance at signal frequencies. This biasing network significantly reduces the settling time, allowing bio-potentials to be measured quickly after sensor application, and speeding up recovery when the sensor is in saturation.  Further work focused on reducing the sensitivity to mechanical disturbances even further. A positive feedback path with low phase error was introduced to reduce the effective input capacitance of the sensor. Tuning of the positive feedback loop gain was achieved with coarse and fine control potentiometers, allowing very precise gains to be achieved. The sensor was found to be insensitive to distance fluctuations of up to 0.5mm at 1Hz, and up to 2mm at 5kHz.  As a complement to the non-contact sensor, an amplifier to measure differential bio-potentials was developed. This differential amplifier achieved a CMRR of greater than 100dB up to 10kHz. Precise fixed gains of 20±0:02dB, 40±0:01dB, 60±0:03dB, and 80±0:3dB were achieved, with input voltage noise density of 15nV / √Hz at 1kHz.
A useful accessory: The use of lightweight replica ornament to manage the cultural heritage values of earthquake-prone buildings
Authors:   , Smith Moira
Published: November 2021

In NZ, some earthquake-prone heritage buildings have, historically, been restored with lightweight replica ornament to reconstruct decorative features that have been damaged or removed over time. But restoration has traditionally been a contested approach to conservation, particularly when heritage values and authenticity are considered to be intrinsic only to original or historic built fabric. This problem leads to the central research question addressed in this dissertation: ‘Can lightweight replica ornament be used to manage the heritage value of earthquake-prone heritage buildings?’ The research draws on Critical Heritage Studies which challenges the conventional stress on the intrinsic value of tangible heritage objects, and argues that heritage value is found in the intangible cultural processes that surround things. Consequently, authenticity is seen as pluralised and dependent on the cultural concerns, and aspirations, of local stakeholder communities.  Using the theoretical framework of critical heritage and material culture studies, this dissertation therefore examines a technical aspect of conservation practice by re-theorising the concept of 'restoration'. The research methodology employs an adapted model of Action Research to investigate current professional practice. After analysing the historical context of earthquake-prone heritage buildings in the first chapter, in chapter two qualitative interviews are conducted with professionals who have an interest in the management of earthquake-prone buildings. Through the analysis and discussion of this data, a new actor network model is developed which shows the wider context of the resolution of the earthquake-prone status of heritage buildings.  The findings suggest that professionals believe that heritage value is intrinsic to built fabric, and that the repair of existing built fabric is generally achievable. This means that replica ornament should only be considered for situations where reparability is unfeasible, and that lightweight substitute materials should only be used where traditional materials and technologies can longer be reproduced. Within these constraints it is possible to use lightweight replica ornament where it can be justified as a contributor to cultural heritage values. Furthermore, where professionals can reconcile the varying concerns of stakeholder communities in terms of safety and heritage value then lightweight replica ornament has the potential to add meaning to buildings and to become part of the narrative of place.
Pushing 'pause' on video evidence: An analysis of the proposed amendments to s 106 of the Evidence Act 2006
Authors:   , Bennett Zoe
Published: November 2021

This paper assesses the ramifications of the Cabinet Social Policy Committees proposals contained in the paper Amendments to the Evidence Act 2006. The Committee proposed a change to s 106 of the Evidence Act, which currently lies in favour of full disclosure of video evidence to the defence. The proposed amendments will reverse this presumption, ultimately restricting the defence’s access to the complainants video evidence. This paper will assess the validity and practicality of these proposed amendments, by assessing whether they are consistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, the equality of arms doctrine and international case law. Although the proposed amendments were made to protect vulnerable complainants, attrition rates in New Zealand show that vulnerable witnesses do not drop out of the criminal justice system just because they are fearful about their video evidence being disclosed. The attrition rates are more complex. However, this paper argues that there are still adequate safeguards in place to protect the defence’s right to a fair trial. Whilst these safeguards holdfast, any effort to protect vulnerable victims should be encouraged.
“Migration with Dignity”: Towards a New Zealand Response to Climate Change Displacement in the Pacific
Authors:   , Farquhar Harriet
Published: November 2021

The impacts of climate change threaten to cause the displacement of millions of people worldwide by the middle of this century. In spite of this looming crisis, international law provides insufficient protection to those who will be forced to migrate. In most cases, those who are displaced will fall outside of current protection frameworks. This paper examines why this protection deficit should be of particular concern to New Zealand, and it argues that there are significant incentives for New Zealand to develop a response to the issue of climate change displacement in the Pacific. The paper concludes that in order to ensure Pacific peoples are able to migrate with dignity, pre-emptive, voluntary migration schemes should be put in place to facilitate migration flows. These should build upon the current immigration framework, and include the extension of current permanent and temporary migration schemes, as well as the introduction of labour-training migration schemes.
La Représentation du local, de l’universel et de la réalité dans Rue la Poudrière, Le Voile de Draupadi et Le Sari vert d’Ananda Devi
Authors:   , Dausoa Mukta
Published: November 2021

This doctoral thesis, written in French and entitled « La Représentation du local, de l’universel et de la réalité dans Rue la Poudrière, Le Voile de Draupadi et Le Sari vert d’Ananda Devi », is an in-depth historico-sociological analysis of Mauritian writer Ananda Devi’s three novels published in 1988, 1993 and 2009 respectively. Having Mauritius as their background, these three novels introduce themes such as slavery, the trans-oceanic experience of Indian indentured labourers, prostitution, rape, domestic violence and homicide, through female protagonists in Rue la Poudrière and Le Voile de Draupadi, and a male protagonist in Le Sari vert.  Existing research on Devi’s work concentrates mostly on the plight of women, who are victims of a Mauritian patriarchal society. Moving away from this approach, my research focuses on the spatial, historical and sociological dimensions in order to closely analyse the surroundings of the characters. The first focus of this research is to see whether these three novels exclusively allude to Mauritian society or also deal with universal concepts. The second focus is to determine the degree of realism of these three fictional works. Thus, the overall focus of this research is to scrutinise the degree of particularism, universalisation and realism in the geographical, historical and social dimensions of the novels.  I begin with a brief presentation of Ananda Devi and her place in Mauritian literature. Then, I explain the objectives of the thesis and introduce my methodologies, which include the theories of Tzvetan Todorov and Jean-Marc Moura used to analyse the local and universal aspects, and the theories of Guy de Maupassant, Roland Barthes, Maureen Ramsden, Vincent Jouve, Michael Riffaterre, Mark Sainsbury, Névine El Nossery used to frame the examination of realism. Sociological theories of Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton are also elaborated, to support the analysis of the social dimension. In order to better scrutinise the historical dimension of the novels, I have used the work of Mauritian and international historians as well as Mauritian and international governmental reports. Khal Torabully’s notion of coolitude is also discussed to evaluate how different ethnic groups are represented in the novels. I have in addition coined the term “le rêve mauricien”, in relation to the social dimension of the novels. Finally, I conclude with issues of realism, the local, the universal and fiction.
The criminalisation of intentionally harmful digital communications - Encouraging the responsible use of cyberspace or an offence of unnecessarily limited application?
Authors:   , Laing Cameron James
Published: November 2021

The Harmful Digital Communications Bill has recently been reported back from the Justice and Electoral Select Committee. The Bill seeks to deter, prevent and mitigate the harm caused to individuals through digital communications and to provide victims of harmful digital communications with a quick and efficient means of redress. In addition to modernising existing legislation and establishing a new civil enforcement regime, the Bill controversially introduces a new criminal offence of posting a harmful communication with the intent that the communication causes harm to a victim. Surprisingly, the offence differs significantly from comparable legislation abroad where neither a mens rea standard of intent is present nor a requirement that a victim must suffer serious emotional distress in order for an offender to be liable. This paper critiques the likely application of the offence and ultimately concludes that in light of differing legislation abroad and cases which have arisen since the enactment of the Communications Act in the United Kingdom, that the mens rea standard should be modified to include subjective recklessness, and the requirement that an intended victim must suffer actual harm should be removed.
The history and development of the choice principle
Authors:   , Luxford Stephanie Lie
Published: November 2021

“The History and Development of the Choice Principle” is split into different categories of Australian and New Zealand cases in relation to the choice principle: dividend stripping, tax loss grouping provisions, inflated deductions, and income splitting. It considers the official position of the Inland Revenue Department on the choice principle, and sets out arguments for and against the advantages of adopting the principle in New Zealand.
Urban Form and Passive Design for High Performance Buildings in the Christchurch Rebuild
Authors:   , Creswell-Wells Tavis
Published: November 2021

“One of the most basic and fundamental questions in urban master planning and building regulations is ‘how to secure common access to sun, light and fresh air?” (Stromann-Andersen & Sattrup, 2011).  Daylighting and natural ventilation can have significant benefits in office buildings. Both of these ‘passive’ strategies have been found to reduce artificial lighting and air-conditioning energy consumption by as much as 80% (Ministry for the Environment, 2008); (Brager, et al., 2007). Access to daylight and fresh air can also be credited with improved occupant comfort and health, which can lead to a reduction of employee absenteeism and an increase of productivity (Sustainability Victoria, 2008).  In the rebuild of Christchurch central city, following the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, Cantabrians have expressed a desire for a low-rise, sustainable city, with open spaces and high performance buildings (Christchurch City Council, 2011). With over 80% of the central city being demolished, a unique opportunity to readdress urban form and create a city that provides all buildings with access to daylight and fresh air exists.  But a major barrier to wide-spread adoption of passive buildings in New Zealand is their dependence on void space to deliver daylight and fresh air – void space which could otherwise be valuable built floor space. Currently, urban planning regulations in Christchurch prioritize density, allowing and even encouraging low performance compact buildings.  Considering this issue of density, this thesis aimed to determine which urban form and building design changes would have the greatest effect on building performance in Central City Christchurch.  The research proposed and parametrically tested modifications of the current compact urban form model, as well as passive building design elements. Proposed changes were assessed in three areas: energy consumption, indoor comfort and density. Three computer programs were used: EnergyPlus was the primary tool, simulating energy consumption and thermal comfort. Radiance/Daysim was used to provide robust daylighting calculations and analysis. UrbaWind enabled detailed consideration of the urban wind environment for reliable natural ventilation predictions.  Results found that, through a porous urban form and utilization of daylight and fresh air via simple windows, energy consumption could be reduced as much as 50% in buildings. With automatic modulation of windows and lighting, thermal and visual comfort could be maintained naturally for the majority of the occupied year. Separation of buildings by as little as 2m enabled significant energy improvements while having only minimal impact on individual property and city densities.  Findings indicated that with minor alterations to current urban planning laws, all buildings could have common access to daylight and fresh air, enabling them to operate naturally, increasing energy efficiency and resilience.
The Discretionary Remedial Constructive Trust: "[A] debate as cogent as a discussion of the merits of English versus American unicorns"¹
Authors:   , Meagher Jacob Joseph
Published: November 2021

Those who seek settled property rights in Equity will find little comfort in this paper. With legal realism in mind the author asks what are the courts of Equity doing to property when recognising an institutional constructive trust? The author concludes that there is little distinction between a remedial and an institutional constructive trust; they are the same remedial equitable mechanisms for transferring property from A to B in equity. That is, an ICT, like the RCT is are awarded/imposed/recognised by the courts based on the underlying concepts of fairness and justice (or the equitable term of art; 'unconscionability'). The ICT is seen as legitimate because it hides behind the mask of language of 'institution'. Finally if jurisdictions continue to recognise and impose the ICT, then there is no logic in rejecting the RCT as an any less legitimate tool in the Equities armory.  ¹ William Swadling "The Fiction of the Constructive Trust" (2011) 64 Current Legal Problems 399 at 432.
All smoke and mirrors? The Taylor litigation and issues surrounding the smoking ban in New Zealand prisons
Authors:   , Olsen Caitlin
Published: November 2021

A 2005 prisoner health survey found that almost three quarters of the New Zealand prison population identified as smokers. Tobacco was deeply engrained in prison culture and smoking was viewed as an aid for managing the stress and boredom associated with prison life. The Department of Corrections implemented a policy on 1 July 2011, banning smoking in all areas of all prisons in New Zealand. The policy aimed to improve the long-term health of prisoners, and create a healthier workplace environment. Arthur Taylor, a notorious and litigious criminal, successfully challenged the delegated legislation implementing the policy by way of judicial review. This paper argues that the judicial reasoning was flawed, as it was based on erroneous assumptions without a thorough assessment and interpretation of the legislative history. Despite Taylor’s successful claims, the smoking ban was then incorporated into primary legislation. This paper examines the method of implementation, finding issues with retrospective and privative clauses introduced by a late stage supplementary order paper. Prisoners are a group especially vulnerable to curtailment of rights and freedoms, and this paper concludes that removal of the freedom to smoke in prison cells and outside in prison yards was a step too far.
Compelling Choices: Tensions in the Practice and Experience of Prenatal Screening in New Zealand
Authors:   , Donovan Sarah Ellen
Published: November 2021

Recently there has been a shift in health policy in New Zealand, as internationally, away from prenatal screening for fetal abnormalities targeting specific 'high risk' groups of pregnant women, towards the implementation of population-based screening programmes. As a result, for the majority of pregnant women in Western countries, prenatal screening is now undertaken as part of the standard 'package' of maternity care. This thesis explores the constitution of prenatal screening as a now taken-for-granted aspect of contemporary pregnancy care. It considers tensions between popular and medical understandings of the value and purpose of this practice, in particular examining the contradictory nature of discourses which, on one hand, construct acceptance of prenatal screening as an empowering 'choice' available to pregnant women, and on the other hand, as an institutionally-endorsed, morally appropriate practice of risk management. Recent developments within the New Zealand context are presented as a 'case study' of the representational politics of prenatal screening within contemporary public health policy.  The question of informed consent for prenatal screening is a key focus within the research. It examines the extent to which the scope of women's choices and the degree of consent possible are materially shaped and constrained within the context of current clinical practice, and the broader climate of contemporary pregnancy care. Empirically, the research investigates key themes in women's experience of prenatal screening decisions within this climate, and explores the private 'moral work' undertaken by pregnant women as they navigate the contradictory imperatives which circulate in mainstream screening discourse. The findings of the research suggest a need for clinicians and policy makers to recognise prenatal screening as an ethically complex 'special case', qualitatively distinct from other projects of population-based health screening. It is argued that ethical practice in prenatal screening requires an approach which acknowledges the discursive and material factors which problematise liberal conceptions of prenatal screening as an authentic, deliberative 'choice' available to pregnant women.
“This journey has definitely changed me”: An ethnographic narrative exploring disabled peoples’ lives through embodied experiences and identity negotiation
Authors:   , Sait Callan
Published: November 2021

Following calls from both disability studies and anthropology to provide ethnographic accounts of disability, this thesis presents the narratives of nine people living with disability, focusing on what disability means to them, how it is incorporated into their identities, and how it shapes their lived experiences. While accounts of disability from disability studies often focus on the social model of disability (Shakespeare 2006) and emphasise social stigma and oppression (Goffman 1967, Susman 1994), anthropological accounts often emphasise the suffering and search for cures (Rapp and Ginsburg 2012) that is assumed to accompany disability. Both approaches have their benefits, but neither pay particularly close attention to the personal experiences of individuals, on their own terms.  By taking elements from both disciplines, this thesis aims to present a balanced view that emphasises the lived experiences of individuals with disability, and uses these experiences as a starting point for wider social analysis. The primary focus of this thesis is understanding how disability shapes an individual’s identity: what physical, emotional, and social factors influence how these people are perceived – by themselves and others? Through my participants’ narratives I explore how understandings of normal bodies and normal lives influence their sense of personhood, and investigate the role of stigma in mediating social encounters and self-concepts. Furthermore, I undertake a novel study of the role of technology in the lives of people living with disability. My work explores how both assistive and non-assistive (‘general’) technologies are perceived and utilised by my participants in ways that effect not just the physical experience of disability, but also social perceptions and personal understandings of the body/self.  I argue that although the social model of disability is an excellent analytical tool, and one which has provided tangible benefits for disabled people, its political nature can sometimes lead to a homogenisation of disabled experiences; something which this thesis is intended to remedy by providing ethnographic narratives of disability, grounded in the embodied experiences of individuals.
Legendary Obscurity: the Working Life of Malcolm Ross
Authors:   , Plummer Matthew Robert
Published: November 2021

Malcolm Ross (1948-2003) was a sculptor, painter, photographer, cartoonist and historian who operated at one remove from the art world for the entirety of his career. As a consequence, almost no analysis, criticism or writing on his work exists, and his place within this country's history of art has subsequently been overlooked. This thesis seeks to give art historical and analytical attention to Ross's oeuvre, arguing for his status as one of New Zealand's key conceptual practitioners. It traces the thematic threads which recur throughout his work and argues that the diverse range of artistic and historic investigations he undertook are ultimately unified within his archive at the E.H. McCormick Research Library, Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tamaki.
Improving the effectiveness of the special and differential treatment of the World Trade Organization
Authors:   , Wibowo Fitria Anindhita H.
Published: November 2021

This paper deals with the subject of Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), a special right that allows developing countries preferential treatment by other member countries, particularly developed countries. The paper more specifically discusses the ineffectiveness of the SDT owing to its structure and formulation, and explores the factors that have caused such ineffectiveness. It touches upon the provisions and the ways in which they are formulated and implemented, which deemed to have lead to the ineffectiveness. An observation of the way that negotiations are conducted and the underlying interests that direct those negotiations also contribute to the slow progress of introducing changes to the provisions. Furthermore, this paper analyses and identifies steps that may be taken to improve the concept, formulation, and implementation of SDT, inter alia through amendments of the provisions and conduct of negotiations. The paper also looks at several dispute cases which highlight the ineffectiveness of the existing provisions in advancing the interests of developing countries in particular and in fulfilling its purpose in general.
Good times and bad: Client and vendor insights on ITO relationship quality
Authors:   , Callaghan Claire
Published: November 2021

The success of Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) today is intrinsically linked to the quality of the relationship formed between client and vendor. The academic literature has already defined the key characteristics of a quality relationship - one which will weather the test of time. Researchers have also portrayed how an ITO relationship should mature and that the focus should move over time from cost and transactional drivers to an outcomes-based alliance. While these studies answer the questions of why relationships are central to ITO success, what form they take, and when they evolve, they do not answer the question of how to create a quality relationship. This research complements this existing body of research by tapping in to the best practices client and vendor practitioners use every day to make their ITO relationships successful. For those seeking to establish a new relationship, invigorate an existing one or mitigate the risk of failure this report provides a valuable resource of validated and prioritised best practices along with descriptions and recommendations on how and when to apply them.
An exploratory case study on child sex tourism in a Pacific country: Samoa
Authors:   , Christiansen Lurlene Virginia
Published: November 2021

In 2006, The Committee of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, expressed concern about rising tourism in Samoa, and the possibility of associated sexual exploitation of local children. The Committee had recommended that the Government of Samoa devote further research to the sexual exploitation of children, including identifying its scope, and root causes. This thesis became a response to The Committee’s recommendation to Samoa. I carried this study out in Apia, Samoa (2009). It presented three research objectives as follows, 1) To report the scope of child sex tourism in Samoa, 2) To identify, and report on the root causes that contributed to child sex tourism in Samoa, and 3) To present a set of recommendations as a baseline foundation for policy, advocacy, and research. Methodology was a qualitative, single embedded case study. Data sources were mixed-method and multi-perspective, aimed at triangulation to enhance trustworthy results. Data analysis was inductive. Anecdotal evidence revealed child sex tourism is a serious problem in Samoa. Victims were girls and boys (including straight and transgendered ones), perpetrators were all male; preferential and opportunistic. The data revealed 10 root causes facilitating CST in Samoa, as follows: 1) Poverty, 2) Hospitality, 3) Philanthropic exploitation, 4) Marginalisation of boys, 5) Family under pressure, and family dysfunction, 6) Unsafe schools, 7) Ifoga, or the culture of shame, 8) Sex tourism, 9) Tourism was excused of any action, and 10) Lack of awareness about child sex tourism. Additionally, four substantial root causes were identified, as follows: 1) Complacency, 2) Attitudes toward data collection, 3) Child sex tourism had to be ‘proven’ by statistics, and 4) Perpetrators beaten and deported leading to under reporting. This was a first study in Samoa. The baseline results this study presents, are important for policy development, advocacy, and for the academic research community, offer a platform to build on, both quantitative and qualitative.
Autonomous Weapon Systems In International Humanitarian Law – Simply Just Another Weapon System
Authors:   , Jooste Philippus Jacobus
Published: November 2021

This paper reviews the arguments made by the opponents of the utilization at all of so called autonomous weapons (killer robots), on the basis of alleged inherent non compliance with certain cardinal principles of IHL, against the argument that said weapons or systems, and their use, can be satisfactorily accommodated under existing IHL. It gives an overview of the issues identified by the opponents and the main arguments made in favour of banning autonomous weapons. The author looks at the characteristics of two weapon systems and concludes there are already fully autonomous weapon systems in non contentious use. The author submits that the concerns of the banning authors are not rational, the purported distinctions made between certain weapon systems cannot factually and consistently be maintained and are based on the averred existence of categories of weapons that do not exist. Finally, the author argues that the opponents’ concerns and arguments are in the main and based on the normal uncertainties, inherent in all factually to be determined situations and also on slippery slope reasoning. The author emphasises the established rules of IHL and opines that the same are adequate to regulate the so called autonomous weapons and weapon systems and any liability arising from their use.
Mechanisms in Carbon Nanotube Growth: Modelling and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors:   , Schebarchov Dmitri
Published: November 2021

A selection of nanoscale processes is studied theoretically, with the aim of identifying themechanisms that could lead to selective carbon nanotube (CNT) growth. Only mechanisms relevant to catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CVD) are considered. The selected processes are analysed with classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and continuum modelling.

The melting and pre-melting behaviour of supported nickel catalyst particles is investigated. Favourable epitaxy between a nanoparticle and the substrate is shown to significantly raise themelting point of the particle. It is also demonstrated that substrate binding can induce solid-solid transformations, whilst the epitaxy may even determine the orientation of individual crystal planes in supported catalysts. These findings suggest that the substrate crystal structure alone can potentially be used to manipulate the properties of catalyst particles and, hence, influence the structure of CNTs.

The first attempt at modelling catalyst dewetting, a process where the catalyst unbinds from the inner walls of a nucleating nanotube, is presented. It is argued that understanding this process and gaining control over itmay lead to better selectivity in CNT growth. Two mutually exclusive dewetting mechanisms, namely cap lift-off and capillary withdrawal, are identified and then modelled as elastocapillary phenomena. The modelling yields an upper bound on the diameter of CNTs that can stem from a catalyst particle of a given size. It is also demonstrated that cap lift-off is sensitive to cap topology, suggesting that it may be possible to link catalyst characteristics to the structural properties of nucleating CNTs. However, a clear link to the chiral vector remains elusive.

It is shown that particle size, as well as binding affinity, plays a critical role in capillary absorption and withdrawal of catalyst nanoparticles. This size dependence is explored in detail, revealing interesting ramifications to the statics and dynamics of capillary-driven flows at the nanoscale. The findings bear significant implications for our understanding of CNT growth from catalyst particles, whilst also suggesting new nanofluidic applications and methods for fabricating composite metal-CNT materials.
CD4 T Cell Responses in Lung Tissue and Their Role in Th2 Protective Immunity
Authors:   , Harvie Marina Catherine Goudie
Published: November 2021

The acquisition of protective immunity is a critical feature of the immune system. It is the unique ability of the adaptive immune response to generate and maintain long-lived antigen specific memory cells, which is the key to preventing reinfection and achieving the goal of protective immunity. The importance of secondary lymphoid tissue (such as lymph nodes) as a site of effector CD4 T cell responses and the generation, dissemination and maintenance of memory CD4 T cells is well accepted. However, a key research area needing investigation is the basic biology of the CD4 T cell, particularly the recirculation, distribution and maintenance of CD4 T cells at sites throughout the body. To address these issues we used Nippostrongylus brasiliensis as a model of CD4 mediated protective immunity, combined with G4/IL-4 reporter mice. We show that the lung environment is critical for the priming of CD4 T cells and conferring protective immunity. In contrast to others we find no protective role for the CD4 T cell population of the skin and only a minor role for the population within the gut. In a separate study we used the drug fingolimod (FTY720) to block the cellular trafficking between lymph node and lung tissue during immune responses. Interestingly, our findings show that protection against N. brasiliensis infection is maintained when CD4 T cell recirculation between the lung and lymph node is blocked. Furthermore, we reveal that peripheral lung residing CD4 T cells are sufficient for conferring protective immunity in the N. brasiliensis model, generating support for the model of effector lymphoid tissue. When N. brasiliensis experienced CD4 T cells were localised to the lung by intranasal adoptive transfer they were able to confer protection against infection in otherwise naive animals, as early as 48 hours post infection. The most striking finding of this work is the discovery that memory CD4 T cells residing in the lung that are sufficient to confer protection against reinfection. Identifying the factors in the lung and lymph node that induce and support this CD4 T cell subset will be an important area of future research given its high relevance to the design of vaccines against parasite infections.
DUPLICATE DO NOT PUBLISH - Impact of Macro and Micro Governance Structures on Earnings Management
Authors:   , Houqe Muhammad Nurul
Published: November 2021

This study examines the macro and micro level determinants of the quality of reported earnings. The prior literature suggests that both micro and macro variables impact on discretionary accruals choice in managing earnings. However, most of the studies on earnings management have been single country studies that have focussed only on micro variables as all firms within the samples examined have been subject to the same interplay of macro economic, legal, cultural and institutional frameworks. This study addresses this gap in the literature by using a sample of 156,906 firm year observations from 63 countries over the period 1998-2007 to examine the role of thirteen micro and macro variables in determining earnings quality.

The macro variables studied include legal enforcement, political system, and control of corruption, culture and adoption of IFRS. Earnings management is estimated using the modified Jones model (Dechow et al. 1995) in a cross section (DeFond and Jiambalvo 1994; Francis et al. 1998).

The results of the study indicate that macro and micro level variables have a strong impact on earnings management behaviour and thus earnings quality. The limits imposed by a country's legal, cultural and institutional setting on managerial discretionary accruals choices, strongly impact the quality of reported earnings. Future research on earnings management should therefore control both micro and macro level variables.
Chinese Immigrant Children in New Zealand Early Childhood Centres
Authors:   , Guo Karen Liang
Published: November 2021

This research investigated the learning experiences of Chinese immigrant children in New Zealand early childhood centres with the aim of describing educational implications for early childhood professionals. A qualitative research approach was adopted using a multiple case study design. Eight Chinese immigrant children aged three to five years, their parents and their teachers participated in the study; the children were enrolled in six early childhood centres in a large urban area. Procedures of data gathering included child observations, and child, parent and teacher interviews. Data were analysed from phenomenological and sociocultural perspectives.

The children's learning experiences, particularly languages and interpersonal relationships, were discussed from the perspectives of sociocultural theories. The concept of a learning community contributed to the analysis which was also influenced by the notions of cultural diversity and multiculturalism.

A major theme of this research was the value of the culture of Chinese immigrant families to mediate the learning experiences of Chinese immigrant children in New Zealand early childhood centres. Familiar cultural tools and mediators provided important support for the children who were able to access them in their centres. The children's intention to drive their own learning experiences was also a salient feature. Evidence was documented that illustrated how learning and development were mediated by fulfilment of feelings of belonging, as well as the children's commitment to cross cultural boundaries. The Chinese immigrant children were active drivers of their own learning and capably negotiated and created the relationships between their family culture and that of their early childhood centre. Specific strategies they adopted to construct their own learning experiences were found to be significant in explaining the emergence of hybrid cultural tools which mediated the children's evolving development of appropriate repertoires of practice in their early childhood centres. This thesis contributes to the body of sociocultural research via the examination of children's creation of intercultural learning possibilities. It provides early childhood teachers with insights regarding how to enhance pedagogical policies, values and practices to more closely align with sociocultural frameworks, concepts of learning communities and cultural diversity. It is important that diverse cultural relations are appropriately established in the early childhood centres so that immigrant children can move between different cultures in order to generate a useful intercultural way of being for themselves.
The Application of Geographic Information Systems Cellular Automata Based Models to Land Use Change Modelling of Lagos, Nigeria
Authors:   , Okwuashi Onuwa Honey Stephen
Published: November 2021

The urban expansion of Lagos continues unabated and calls for urgent concern. This thesis explored the use of both the conventional and unconventional techniques for modelling land use change. Two conventional methods (ordinary least squares and geographically weighted regression) were based on geographic information systems, while four unconventional methods (logistic regression, artificial neural networks, and two proposed types of support vector machine) were based on cellular automata. These techniques were evaluated using three land use epochs: 1963-1978, 1978-1984, and 1984-2000.

The conventional methods make quite strong statistical assumptions, some of which are shown not to be met by the land use data at hand. Despite this, these methods do exhibit substantial agreement between observed and the predicted maps. The non cellular automata and cellular automata modelling were then implemented with the logistic regression, artificial neural network, support vector machine, and fuzzy support vector machine models, with model parameters set by k-fold cross-validation. The cellular automata predicted maps were more accurate than those of the non cellular automata.

The cellular automata modelling results from the proposed support vector machine and fuzzy support vector machine were compared with those from the geographic information systems based geographically weighted regression, logistic regression, and artificial neural network. The results from the geographic information systems based geographically weighted regression were the best, followed by those from the support vector machine and fuzzy support vector machine, followed by the artificial neural network, and logistic regression. This research demonstrated that the proposed support vector machine and fuzzy support vector machine based cellular automata models are promising tools for land use change modelling.
Earnings Quality, Family Influence and Corporate Governance: Empirical Evidence from Malaysia
Authors:   , Wan Ismail Wan Adibah Binti
Published: November 2021

This study investigates whether family ownership and control, and corporate governance are associated with earnings quality, and whether family influence in firms weakens the association between corporate governance and earnings quality. This study uses a panel sample of 527 publicly traded firms over the period 2003-2008 from the Malaysia Stock Exchange (Bursa Malaysia). Identifying family firms as firms in which family members hold a significant portion of shares and possess control over the board of directors, this study finds that family firms have significantly higher earnings quality. The results remain unchanged, even after using alternative measures of earnings quality and family influence. This study also finds that the earnings quality of firms in Malaysia is positively associated with the size and independence of the audit committee and negatively associated with the size of the board of directors. However, these relationships exist only for nonfamily firms. These results on the corporate governance variables suggest that the effectiveness of corporate governance could be mediated by family influence. Using multivariate regressions that include interaction variables for corporate governance and family firms, the study finds that the relationship between corporate governance and earnings quality is mediated by family ownership and control. The result is consistent with the argument that the monitoring role of corporate governance reduces when there is substantial control by family owners in a firm. Overall, this study concludes that family ownership and control drives higher quality earnings for firms regardless of their corporate governance structure.
Xikang: Han Chinese in Sichuan's Western Frontier, 1905-1949
Authors:   , Lawson Joe
Published: November 2021

This thesis is about Han Chinese engagement with the ethnically diverse highlands west and south-west of the Sichuan basin in the first half of the twentieth century. This territory, which includes much of the Tibetan Kham region as well as the mostly Yi- and Han-settled Liangshan, constituted Xikang province between 1939 and 1955. The thesis begins with an analysis of the settlement policy of the late Qing governor Zhao Erfeng, as well as the key sources of influence on it. Han authority suffered setbacks in the late 1910s, but recovered from the mid-1920s under the leadership of General Liu Wenhui, and the thesis highlights areas of similarity and difference between the Zhao and Liu periods. Although contemporaries and later historians have often dismissed the attempts to build Han Chinese dominated local governments in the highlands as failures, this endeavour was relatively successful in a limited number of places. Such success, however, did not entail the incorporation of territory into an undifferentiated Chinese whole. Throughout the highlands, pre-twentieth century local institutions, such as the wula corvée labour tax in Kham, continued to exercise a powerful influence on the development and nature of local and regional government. The thesis also considers the long-term life (and death) of ideas regarding social transformation as developed by leaders and historians of the highlands.
Sponsor Partnerships - It's a lot like dating
Authors:   , Panizza Janina
Published: November 2021

This research is an investigation into the scope and evaluation of corporate sponsorship relationships with performing arts organisations (PAOs). Based primarily on Relationship Theory, the aim of this research is to develop a framework for investigating strategic business-to-business marketing and development opportunities. The idea is to find a simple lens to explore ways to enrich the current sponsorship relationship beyond the dollars for tickets experience.  This investigation is based on behavioural observations that are the result of a complex mix of variables from business and artistic environments. The phenomenological approach focuses on interpreting behaviours from each participants’ point of view and the interaction of those behaviours (Bryman & Bell, 2011, pp16-19). The method adopted was one of comparative case studies built on the experiences of multiple expert informants. Data was primarily collected through a series of semi-structured interviews covering both sides of the sponsorship relationship.  In searching for existing best practice materials in current literature, it became evident that many of the approaches suggested by the studies strongly resembled dating. From this the Dating Analogy Model was developed (Appendix A). The findings of the interviews strongly correlate with the framework of the dating analogy following many of the same behaviours one would expect to find in any successful partnership. The key repeated themes were:  • Research • Values congruence • Communication • Partnership • Investment of time • Regular evaluation  This report finds that the Dating Analogy Model provides an opportunity to examine the interaction of each perspective. While transactional sponsorship arrangements appear to dominate, they also have elements that create deeper, enduring, high value engagements that strongly align with partnering relationship theory. How those relationships look varies according to the nature of the business of the sponsor, the nature of the interaction (in kind, cash or a combination), and the reasons for sponsoring that particular PAO. This report also shows that the high time component of relationship management needs to be balanced against the expected value of the gains.  This report also acknowledges that the analysis conducted has limitations. Cost and time comparisons with other trust funding sources were not included in this study. It is also acknowledged that the validity of the Dating Analogy Model would benefit from practical application or a workshop exercise.