bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Structure Investigations of some Medium-Weight Isotopes
Authors:   , Wallace Gavin
Published: November 2021

This thesis describes the methods and results of investigations made to determine the decay schemes of three short-lived isotopes 112Ag, 114Ag and 116Ag. A total of 76 gamma-rays was observed with a Ge(Li) detector in the gamma-radiation which follows the Beta-decay of 112Ag to levels of 112Cd. gamma- gamma coincidence and angular correlation measurements were made with Ge(Li)-NaI(T1) and NaI(T1)-NaI(T1) systems. A decay scheme consistent with the present data is proposed. Cross sections for the reactions 112Cd(n,p)112Ag and 115In(n, alpha)112Ag were measured, and the half-life of the 112Ag decay was found to be 3.14 plus-minus 0.01 hr. The decay scheme of 114Ag was studied with Ge(Li) gamma-ray detectors and plastic Beta-ray detectors. 9 of the 11 gamma-rays observed in the decay were incorporated into 114Cd level structure previously determined by conversion electron measurements on the 113Cd(n,gamma)114Cd reaction. The endpoint energy of the Beta-decay was determined as 4.90 plus-minus 0.26 MeV; no branching was evident in the Beta-spectrum. A decay scheme is proposed for which the Beta-branching was deduced from the measured gamma-ray yield and a calculated cross section value for the 114Cd(n,p)114Ag reaction. The 114Ag half-life was determined as 4.52 plus-minus 0.03 sec; a search for a previously reported isomeric state of 114Ag was unsuccessful. Ge(Li) and NaI(T1) gamma-ray detectors were used to study the direct and coincidence spectra that result from the decay of 116Ag, the half-life of which was found to be 2.50 plus-minus 0.02 min. 53 gamma-rays were observed from this decay. The Beta-branching to the 17 excited states of 116Cd in the proposed decay scheme was derived from the measured gamma-ray yield and a calculated cross section value for the 116Cd(n,p)Ag reaction. Spin and parity assignments for ihe energy levels of 116Cd are made. An investigation of the applicability of two collective models to nuclear structure typical of the Cd nuclei studied demonstrated that one of the models was misleading when applied to vibrational nuclei. A potential function was developed in the other model to extend the investigation to include a study of the transition between extremes of collective motion. This was used to examine the correspondence between nuclear level schemes representative of rotational and vibrational excitations.
Some Physical Processes Involved in Deformation and Fracture
Authors:   , Cousins Walter James
Published: November 2021

The effects of strain rate, of moisture content, and of tracheid structure on the transverse fracture properties of Pinus Radiata have been studied. Small rectangular blocks were loaded to failure in transverse tension, with the conditions of fracture being varied as follows: (i) strain raite - at 2 x 10 caret-6 sec caret-1, and from 10 caret-5 to 10 caret 2 sec caret-1 in decade steps , (ii) moisture content - airdry (12.7%) and saturated, and (iii) structure - springwood and summerwood. Microscopical examination (both scanning electron and optical) of the surfaces produced by the facture showed that the cellular level, either of two types of failure could occur. These are called transwall and intrawall; transwall is the longitudinal splitting of a tracheid wall, and intrawall is a splitting between adjacent tracheids.
Economic Evaluation Applied to Health Policy in New Zealand
Authors:   , Scott William Guy
Published: November 2021

Data available in the public domain are frequently aggregated to preserve confidentiality and to reduce a database to a manageable size. Drawing conclusions from such data may lead to inappropriate policy advice. The aims of this paper are to show how the aggregation of data to form rates may obscure important information and lead to misinterpretation of results. Suggestions are offered on ways in which this problem may be addressed. We also highlight the need to seek additional information in order to clarify findings. We used a case study approach by drawing on illustrative examples to highlight some problems encountered when using aggregated data about population. The focus is on health policy. Two types of problem were discussed in the cases chosen, but a common resolution was appropriate. In the first case policies based on the assumption that hospital admissions equate with disease incidence would be different from policies framed on actual incidence data. In the second, incidence rates changed when they were disaggregated to gender and age-specific rates. Policies formulated from analysis of aggregated data would be different form those based on disaggregated data. In the cases studied, the variables of gender, age and ethnicity influence incidence rates and must not be ignored. Researchers are recommended to study the data-set in the most disaggregated form available, and to check how data have been defined, collected and recorded, before preparing summary tables and graphs. Additional research or data from another source may be needed to clarify findings.
The Thermopower and Resistivity of Nearly Magnetic Dilute Alloys
Authors:   , Wassilieff Constantin
Published: November 2021

In some nearly magnetic dilute alloys, in which the host and impurity are transition metals of similar electronic structure, the thermopower is observed to form a "giant" peak at about the spin fluctuation temperature Tsf deduced from resistivity measurements. Two explanations for these peaks have been postulated: the first is that the peaks are a diffusion thermopower component involving scattering off localized spin fluctuations (LSF) at the impurity sites; the second is that they are an LSF drag effect. We examine the thermopower and resistively of two nearly magnetic alloy systems: Rh(Fe) and Pt(Ni). In the first part of this thesis we describe measurements of the low temperature thermopower and resistivity of several Rh(Fe) alloys to clarify discrepancies in previous measurements and we show, by using a modified Nordheim-Gorter analysis, that the observed thermopower peaks are a diffusion and not a drag effect. In the second part of the thesis we describe measurements of the low temperature thermopower and resistivity of Pt (Ni), for which no previous data had been available. The Pt(Ni) samples are manufactured as thin, evaporated films on glass substrates. However, due to the difficulty encountered in controlling the very high residual resistivity of these samples, we are not able to draw definite conclusions regarding either the thermopower or the resistivity.
Electron Microscopy of Bubbles and Dislocations in Helium Implanted Metals
Authors:   , Stevens Kevin John
Published: November 2021

The theoretical contrast in transmission electron microscope of a superlattice of helium gas bubbles in copper is computed using the two-beam and many-beam dynamical theories of electron diffraction with the aim the aim of measuring the density and size of dislocation loops associated with the bubble array. A wide range of parameters (foil thickness, diffraction vector, excitation error, defocus, and depth, radius, and strain-field of the bubble) is considered to considered to construct a library of theoretical images and intensity profiles for a single, isolated bubble. Various criteria are applied to obtain a measurement of the bubble radius from the simulations but the results are inaccurate because of the sensitive dependence of the intensity profile on the imaging parameters. A better measurement is profiles from a single stack of bubbles are modeled and electron diffraction from superlattices simulated. The results obtained suggest that the bubble ordering is of limited extent. A library is made of the theoretical contrast when imaging a system of dislocation loops punched out along the <110> directions by the growth of gas bubbles ordered on a superlattice aligned with the host fcc matrix. These image simulations use the displacement fields surrounding loops and bubbles predicted by isotropic elasticity theory. For a variety of structures involving loops and bubbles, the following imaging parameters were investigated: beam direction, foil normal, diffracting vector, excitation error, number of beams, and defocus, These simulations indicate that it should be possible to image the small dislocations at high density thought to be present in the bubble lattice, provided well focused micrographs taken under strong two-beam conditions can be obtained. In Practice it proved difficult to tilt specimens containing superlattices to strong two-beam conditions because of the deterioration in crystallinity resulting from the implantation. However, the lower concentrations by low dose implantations.
Optical Conductivity of Colossal Magnetoresistance Manganites
Authors:   , Mercier Ocean Ripeka
Published: November 2021

The colossal magnetoresistance manganites are a group of materials whose unusual physical properties are a symptom of strongly interacting electrons and phonons. In order to elucidate some of these electronic and vibrational properties, an infrared optical investigation of manganites with a broad range of physical characteristics has been performed. Temperature-dependent normal incidence reflectivity measurements have been made on two samples of manganites, in the energy range of 60 cm-1 - 50000 cm-1, 1 for La0.9 Ca0.1 MnO3, an insulating ferromagnet, and 2 La0.735 Ca0.265 MnO3, a metallic ferromagnet. Temperature-dependent ellipsometric reflection measurements were performed in the energy range of 50 cm-1 - 5000 cm-1, on four faces of two samples of structurally anisotropic manganite, probing the 3. ab plane and c-axis of La1.2 Sr1.8 Mn2O7, a metallic ferromagnet, and 4. the ab plane and c-axis of PrSr2 Mn2O7, an insulating antiferromagnet. The optical conductivity for each of the first two samples has been deduced by a careful Kramers-Kronig analyis of the normal incidence reflectivity. For samples 3. and 4. the optical conductivity has been deduced by inversion of the ellipsometric constants, and a careful subsequent fitting to account for their anisotropy. The transition temperatures and types of magnetic order for all samples have also been characterised by magnetisation measurements. Treatment of the surface is shown to be critical in reflectivity measurements by the observation of hugely contrasting spectra, measured from a polished sample of metallic-like La0.735 Ca0.256 MnO3, before and after annealing. Several features observed in the measurements, especially for the layered materials, are consistent with the idea that a polaron, or electron-lattice interaction, is hugely important in a description of the electron dynamics of these materials. The correlation between spectral features and the structural and magnetic properties of the materials is investigated, finding that the cause of charge transport modification seen in the metallic-like materials could be explained by either a polaron or localisation due to disorder.
Fitness Implications of the Mating System and Reproductive Ecology of Tuatara
Authors:   , Moore Jennifer Ann
Published: November 2021

Sexual selection and reproductive strategies affect individual fitness and population genetic diversity. Long-standing paradigms in sexual selection and mating system theory have been overturned with the recent integration of behavioural and genetic techniques. Much of this theory is based on avian systems, where a distinction has now been made between social and genetic partners. Reptiles provide contrast to well-understood avian systems because they are ectothermic, and phylogenetic comparisons are not hindered by complicated patterns of parental care. I investigate the implications of the mating system and reproductive ecology on individual fitness and population genetic diversity of tuatara, the sole extant representative of the archaic reptilian order Sphenodontia. Long-term data on individual size of Stephens Island tuatara revealed a density-dependent decline in body condition driven by an apparently high population growth rate resulting from past habitat modification. Spatial, behavioural, and genetic data from Stephens Island tuatara were analysed to assess territory structure, the mating system, and variation in male fitness. Large male body size was the primary predictor of 1) physical access to females, 2) competitive ability, and 3) mating and paternity success. Seasonal monogamy predominates, with probable long-term polygyny and polyandry. Annually, male reproduction is highly skewed in the wild and in captivity. Over 80% of offspring from a captive population on Little Barrier Island were sired by one male and multiple paternity was found in approximately 18% of these clutches, although it was not detected in any wild clutch. The dominance structure has lead to reduced genetic variation in the recovering Little Barrier Island population. Stephens Island tuatara show fine-scale population genetic structuring that appears to be driven by past habitat modification and a sedentary lifestyle in the absence of sex-biased dispersal or migration. These results will improve conservation management of tuatara by providing guidelines for maximising genetic diversity of small and captive populations and will aid in selecting founders for translocated populations. Because of the archaic phylogenetic position of tuatara, this study provides a baseline for comparisons of mating system evolution in reptiles.
The Politics of Education: a Study of Attitudes Pressures and Relations in the New Zealand Education System
Authors:   , Ingle Stephen J.
Published: November 2021

Political science is a discipline which purports to study power as a process, a distinct but inseparable part of the social process. It is the general aim of this study to shed light on the inner workings and operating norms of a democratic system. More specifically, the study hopes to offer an empirical examination of the pressures, attitudes, and relationships which constitute one sector of democratic government in New Zealand, the administration of public education. The philosophic starting point for the study is in part pluralistic, in that education 'politics' is seen to be a 'system' of components which can be described and examined and which is itself a component of a more embracing 'system' called New Zealand politics. Briefly stated, it is believed that by studying one sector of governmental activity - that is, one 'system' - in some detail, one may arrive at conclusions which could be applied to wider settings. An alternative method of approach would have been to look at a particular facet of the governmental process - pressure group activity for example - over a wider area. Both methods have drawbacks, but for a complete picture to emerge eventually, both types of study will be needed.
Towards American Dependence: New Zealand's Developing Politico-Military Relations with the United States of America, 1919-1942
Authors:   , Luppi Richard Maximilian
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this study is to describe and explain a crucial transition in New Zealand's defence policy the outcome of which was that, instead of relying on the United Kingdom (and in particular the Royal Navy) for her Pacific security, New Zealand began to rely on the military and naval power of the United States in the Western Pacific. The study therefore focuses on New Zealand's developing politico-military relations with the United States in the context of the informal and then formal Anglo-American alliance between 1919 and 1942. There are three parts. The first investigates the events which led up to New Zealand's abrupt reorientation in 1940 from relying on Britain for her Pacific security to relying on the United States. In the course of this, British and American defence planning and co-operation for a possible war in the Pacific between 1919 and 1939 are examined in some detail. The second part deals with New Zealand's efforts to secure an American naval shield in the course of British and American negotiations to develop a combined British-Dutch-American defence against Japan between 1940 and 1942. The final part goes into the reasons for the change of defence policy and concludes that: 1. The fundamental cause was the British failure in 1919 and the immediately following years to challenge Japan for naval supremacy in the Western Pacific by establishing a Far Eastern Fleet. It was a consequence of this that in June 1940 Britain tried to get the United States to assume a major strategic responsibility in the Western Pacific by undertaking to dispatch an American fleet to Singapore if Japan joined in the war whch had already broken out with Germany and Italy. 2. Australia and New Zealand, accepting the British grand strategy, prepared their local defences between October 1940 and March 1941 on the assumption that America would keep in step and send a fleet to Singapore. 3. Despite the failure of Britain's grand strategy between June 1940 and March 1941, America did assume strategic responsibility, particularly for the naval defence of New Zealand, in March 1941. In turn New Zealand, unlike Britain and Australia, consistently tried to meet the American point of view regarding a combined British-Dutch-American Pacific defence plan. This was part of her continuing effort to secure an American naval shield in the event of war with Japan. 4. Britain and America were unable to agree on a combined British-Dutch-American defence plan before Japan entered the war in December 1941. This delayed the final realization of New Zealand's goal, pursued since October 1940, of gaining an American naval shield. The establishment of the ANZAC unified Pacific command area in February 1942 saw this goal at long last attained.
Some Aspects of Maori Urban Migration: a Psychological Study
Authors:   , Walkey Frank Henry
Published: November 2021

Following a discussion of some of the implications of urban migration and culture change, predictions were made about the comparative levels of the adjustment of Maori and European, urban and rural, migrant and non-migrant fourteen year old boys. Data for the study were gathered from 306 subjects in a survey of the Wellington and East Coast areas of New Zealand. Four objective measures were developed for the survey and these, together with a structured interview and data from school records were used to assess interpersonal adjustment, competence, and intrapersonal adjustment. Some additional measures related to Maoriness, migration contact and orientation, and educational attitudes. It was observed during detailed analysis of the data, that contact with migrants and an orientation towards migration are significantly more frequently reported by Maori and rural than by European and urban groups, that there were no significant differences in the adjustment of rural and urban samples (though it was noted that on every measure the scores favoured the urban Maori over the rural Maori group), and that on all the measures of adjustment the European group scored higher than the Maori group. A factor analysis provided some insights into the source and significance of "Maoriness" , and aided the interpretation of scores obtained by the Maori sample on a number of variables. Three major conclusions were drawn from the study. First that although differences between the separate groups were often small, there is a significant trend for urban Europeans to show the best adjustment, followed in order by the rural Europeans, urban Maoris and rural Maoris. Second, that the rural Maori group as potential migrants, obtained significantly lower scores than did the potential recipients, the urban European group, on all the measures of adjustment. Finally that rural-urban and inter-city migration appear to have no effect on the adjustment levels at fourteen years of age, of either Maori or European boys, a finding which raises questions about the specific effects of migration on the adjustment of individuals.
Encapsulation Enforcement with Dynamic Ownership
Authors:   , Gordon Donald James
Published: November 2021

Unrestricted aliasing is a problem endemic to object oriented programming. It allows notions of encapsulation fundamental to object oriented programming to be violated. This thesis describes ConstrainedJava, an implementation of a language that provides alias control via a much stronger encapsulation guarantees than traditional object-oriented programming languages, integrated with a constraint system. Unlike most existing aliasing control systems, this encapsulation system integrates well with untyped dynamic languages such as ConstrainedJava. This stronger form of encapsulation has been enhanced to make it easier to write practical programs while still providing useful encapsulation guarantees.
University Leadership for Sustainability: an Active Dendritic Framework for Enabling Connection and Collaboration
Authors:   , Williams Pamela Margaret
Published: November 2021

In a world with increasing environmental and social problems, education is widely accepted as being critical for meeting current and predicted sustainable development issues. This thesis explores possible reasons for the relatively low levels of education-for-sustainability programmes in universities in Aotearoa New Zealand, compared to selected international universities with coherent inter-disciplinary sustainability programmes of learning. The research involved qualitative in-depth interviews with two sub-sets of academic participants teaching in universities, twenty from selected international universities and ten from universities in Aotearoa New Zealand. A grounded theory methodology approach was chosen to analyse the extensive range of qualitative data. Analysis revealed generic essential themes underlying the experiences of the two sets of participants. Key themes included the importance of building connections between distributed sustainability leaders and the need for support from hierarchical university leadership for developing substantive sustainability learning initiatives. A theoretical model is proposed: an active dendritic framework for university leadership for sustainability, for improving collaborative learning within and across disciplinary areas, and building capacity for university-wide learning, leading to establishing coherent sustainability initiatives. Recommendations are offered for improving the uptake of education-forsustainability in universities in Aotearoa New Zealand, based on the research findings and the potential for using the dendritic framework for assisting connection and collaboration between transformational sustainability leaders within the university.
Woven Threads: A Case Study of Chemotherapy Nursing Practice in a Rural New Zealand Setting
Authors:   , James Glynnis Geraldine
Published: November 2021

This descriptive case study was undertaken to provide an account of chemotherapy practice in a nurse-led clinic located within a rural New Zealand area. The researcher, an oncology nurse specialist, worked along side colleagues for thirteen months to enable practice development. This clinic developed out of a need to have services closer to rural patients in order to address issues of equity, access, care integration and the fiscal and social constraints associated with the cancer burden of care. The research provides a vehicle for the voice of the nurses to be heard who provide treatment to these patients. It is also an opportunity for me as the researcher to use the case study to articulate my own narrative and experiences of working and living in this area. Capturing the range of data applicable to this case; the ability to conceptualise it as a service within its context was possible using case study research methods. Four nurses involved in the chemotherapy clinic were participants in this study. The findings of this study reveal that what could be perceived as barriers to outcomes and practice can in essence be turned into opportunities to develop new ways of caring for the patient and supporting nursing practice. These nurses view their practice as safe within the clinic despite resource constraints. They work in many ways to support each other and to cushion the patient from the impact of situational and contextual influences. Nursing practice was shown to evolve as a direct result of internal and external influences which were the impetus for nurses taking responsibility for their own competency. This study also explored what it meant to be an experienced nurse but novice in a speciality practice. It challenges previously held assumptions that, to deliver chemotherapy successfully, a nurse needs to be operating from a previously held body of oncology nursing knowledge. Many challenges are faced on a day to day basis in a rural practice environment to just maintain consistent care and promote good patient outcomes. The nurses are well aware of their role in contributing to patients' quality of life and the roles they take to meet the growing needs of the patient as a consumer. This study delves into the multifarious nature of this nurse-led clinic and discusses the processes and relationships that are forged to deliver care.
In This World: Baptist and Methodist Churches in New Zealand 1948 to 1988
Authors:   , Bolitho Elaine Elizabeth
Published: November 2021

New Zealand Baptist and Methodist Churches' growth and decline between 1948 and 1988 was caused by the manner of their involvement in this world, in their roles of experiencing and telling about God in word and action. These roles link with the three factors - secularisation, evangelical theology and practice and the Charismatic movement. The roles and factors are encompassed within the context of change and discontinuity. 1. The impact of secularisation showed in declining religious profession and membership, yet also in greater involvement in this world through experiencing God immanent within it. 2. Commitment to evangelical theology and practice led to short term Baptist success, but in the long term triggered membership losses. Methodists without this emphasis showed even greater membership decline. 3. The Charismatic movement which was initially divisive holds within it potential for experiencing God in this world, and for dynamic continuity to make sense of the changing world scene. The relationship of the context of change to the three major factors was that the greater the degree of responding to discontinuity with creative dynamic continuity, the greater the growth of the churches. Increasing the degree of static continuity induced decline. The absence of any form of continuity resulted in even greater decline. The Baptist Churches successfully increased membership through relating well to the post-war generation. Through social service and outreach ministries they became more involved in this world. Evangelism, through a variety of methods, provided continuity in sharing the God news. The Charismatic movement as catalyst for church change in times of societal change brought the potential, through emphases of servant theology, to channel God experience into relational outreach. This led to its meshing with the positive effects of secularisation and evangelism. Methodist church growth was restricted by suspicion of the Charismatic movement, loss of evangelical focuses and recruitment programmes. Social action continued to be the Methodist way of being involved in this world. Profiles completed by 200 Baptist and 168 Methodist churches demonstrated the interplay of these factors. These were complemented by surveys completed by 106 resigned ministers, over 170 interviews, 6 case studies, 46 church visits and extensive reading. Analysis of profiles and membership statistics showed that Baptist churches did not do better because of short term ministries, Pastoral terms, membership and evangelical theology. But without evangelical theology and practice Methodist membership declined more. For every 12 members welcomed Baptists would lose 8 and Methodists 15. This indicated that churches not retaining members and clergy needed a balance of evangelism and whole-of-life theology with longer term focuses to provide dynamic continuity in the discontinuity of life.
Ecological Studies on Marine Algal-Dwelling Copepoda (Harpacticoida) from Wellington, New Zealand
Authors:   , Hicks Geoffrey Richard Frederick
Published: November 2021

A quantitative seasonal study has been made on aspects of the ecology of marine algal-dwelling harpacticoid copepods at Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand. Results are based on 154 samples collected from six species of macro-algae between April 1973 and March 1974 and is the first integrated research programme into the population dynamics of members of the phytal meiobenthos. Harpacticoid species collected are listed and brief taxonomic and zoogeographic notes on selected species is given. An analysis is made of the southern hemisphere zoogeographic relationships of the N. Z. marine harpacticoid fauna and this suggests distinct affinities with the Magellanic region of South America. The numerical contribution of harpacticoids to the total phytal meiofauna shows them to be the dominant taxon. Density comparisons are made with parallel studies on the sediment meiobenthos; in general the phytal is comparable with those from sandy bottoms. Species occurrence on each algal substrate, their specific association between each seaweed and within the rocky shore algal biotope as a whole is assessed. Seasonal periodicity in population .density is variable and is dependent on the reproductive activity of individual species. Breeding data are analysed for twenty species and reveal continuous or protracted breeding seasons, providing useful comparisons with interstitial and epibenthic representatives. Substrate preference for particular algae by truly phytal-dwelling harpacticoids is demonstrated for the first time.
Aphrodite:The Goddess at Work in Archaic Greek Poetry
Authors:   , Brilmayer Eva D.
Published: November 2021

Greek literature frequently associates female beauty with clothing and jewellery. In addition, the concept of female beauty and allure is closely connected with the goddess Aphrodite. The fact that her beauty is repeatedly singled out as an object of comparison for mortal women suggests that beauty, to a certain extent, bridges the gap between mortal and immortal. Pandora and Helen best exemplify this connection because, like Aphrodite, they are known for their beauty and also enjoy semi-divine status. Moreover, these three women are notorious for their ability to deceive and it is mostly then that their beauty is emphasised. This has led to an association between beauty and deception which climaxes in the famous seduction scenes of Greek literature. Not only are these seduction scenes closely related to Aphrodite but they also rely heavily on nonverbal communication, in particular so-called significant objects and objects adaptors such as clothing and jewellery. Consequently, female beauty comes to be misrepresented as artificial and relying on external decorations. However, in contrast to the traditional texts of Homer and Hesiod, Sappho offers a different perspective. Combining Homeric and Hesiodic elements with her own ideas, she alters the way female beauty is viewed. For example, the Homeric war chariot - a symbol of male, military prowess - comes to symbolise the totality of Aphrodite's power uniting in itself male and female qualities. Having addressed the concept of beauty directly, Sappho then concludes that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. With the help of Helen of Troy and her beloved Anaktoria, Sappho sets out to reinvent the concept of female beauty as a godlike, subjective quality that may be expressed in many ways, yet remains inspired by Aphrodite.
The Development of a Low Cost Inertial Navigation System for a Remotely Operated Vehicle
Authors:   , Edwards Jason Dean
Published: November 2021

Modern robotic vehicles use a large and varied set of sensors to navigate and localise their position in the environment and determine where they should be heading to accomplish their tasks. These sensors include GPS, infrared and ultrasonic range finders, laser scanners and sonar. However, the underwater environment presents challengers for modern robotic vehicles because most sensors that are typically used for navigation and localisation have reduced or no functionality underwater. This thesis details the design and construction of a low cost Inertial Navigation System use on the Victoria University of Wellington's (VUW) Mechatronics group Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The major electronic systems, comprising of the onboard computer and microcontroller, of the ROV have been upgraded to allow for the increased computational power that the Inertial Navigation System needs and to allow further upgrading and installation of electrical and electronic systems in the vehicle as they are required. Modifications to the chassis allow quick and simple disassembly of the ROV to repair or replace major components if the need arises.
Integrated Land Transport and Land Use Planning Opportunities for Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Urban New Zealand: A Case Study of the Wellington Region
Authors:   , Waayer Leonie
Published: November 2021

The New Zealand Government has the desire to be the first carbon neutral country in the world. Climate change policy has identified transport as a key contributor resulting in the goal to halve per capita domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. In order to reduce CO2 emissions whilst achieving core land transport outcomes, this study focuses on the Wellington region and explores the available frameworks for integrated planning in land transport and transport-related land use. Legislation and regional policy is reviewed and international best practice in integrated planning is identified. Perspectives from practitioners in land transport and land use planning in New Zealand are given. Integrated planning in urban transport and design is well established in many developed countries but is not prevalent in New Zealand. Recent and proposed legislation and policy in land transport management and climate change aim to rectify this but the policy and planning landscape remains complex. Transit oriented development aligns well with regional policy outcomes and could contribute to CO2 emissions reductions in the long term. A reprioritisation of land transport investment away from fossil fuel dependency to support low carbon transport via active travel modes and freight movement by rail and sea is recommended.
Mental Disorder, Learning and Psychotherapy
Authors:   , Adcock Ngaire V
Published: November 2021

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the development of therapeutic concepts directly derived from learning theory. The aim of this thesis is to examine concepts of mental disorder and psychotherapy in relation to learning principles. This involves, after some preliminary definitions, a survey of theory and practice in regard to mental disorder and therapy from early times to the present day, in order to get some indication of the broad trends of development and some account of the major theories now competing for recognition. Some discussion of relevant learning theories and principles follows, but no attempt is made to give any comprehensive coverage of the entire field, which in itself, would be an ambitious task for a thesis.
An Integrated Approach to Redistribution: Issues of Policy, Economics and Information
Authors:   , Prebble Mark
Published: November 2021

This thesis considers how best to administer redistribution policies. It focuses particularly on the information needed to assess relative circumstances, the implications of the government collecting such information, and processes by which the appropriate information may be assembled and assessed. In New Zealand, as with many other OECD nations, the Government's redistribution policies are administered through a range of different agencies, with duplication in some areas and gaps in others. An integrated approach to redistribution systems may offer a means to improve equity and efficiency. Part One discusses the assessment of relative well-being, and adopts the choice set as the intellectual device for this purpose. The time period for the assessment of income is examined in detail, with the conclusion that a long period should be used except where the individual is constrained to operate under a short time horizon. A new concept of "bankability" is developed as a means of identifying those operating under such constraints. Part Two uses the philosophical foundations of the value of privacy to develop a new statement of the right to privacy, such that everyone should be protected against the requirement to divulge information, unless that information is the "business" of another party. A view on the business of the state depends on one's ideology of the state. Since it is generally accepted in New Zealand in the late twentieth century that the state has a role in redistribution, the state has some right to collect information for that purpose. However, the rights of the state are moderated by the existence of a common law tradition of respect for individuals. A set of criteria for evaluating redistribution systems is devised in Part Three. These criteria, which include consideration of the information to be collected, individual control over personal information, and administrative simplicity, are then used to identify significant weaknesses in the systems currently used in New Zealand. The main problems identified are the collection of inadequate information, duplication, and complex institutional structures; the main virtue of the current systems is that information provided is only used for the purpose for which it was provided. An alternative approach is outlined which would address the problems while retaining the current protection of privacy interests. This thesis is a mix of inter-disciplinary academic enquiry and policy development. Part One is an amalgam of economic and philosophical approaches, Part Two involves philosophy and politics, and Part Three applies the theoretical considerations to issues of public administration.
Nursing as an Aesthetic Praxis
Authors:   , Tucakovic Marina
Published: November 2021

This Thesis focuses on the experience of being human as process in order to reveal being. Illness and health are seen as reflections of this process of revelation. This work argues that health and illness are physical expressions of consciousness and therefore an outcome of what a human being has thought. In this way, this work shows how thought/intent serves to create life in the moment. In this understanding lies the potential to change reality, to change life. The Thesis identifies self-responsibility as the key to changing consciousness. Taking responsibility for the creation of one's reality eliminates the human tendency to blame another for what is experienced in life. To that end, this work argues, we are each free to choose what is felt in response to life. In so doing, we can become conscious that life is a choice approached from either the position of perfection, or excellence. This work argues that as human beings we have grounded thinking in perfection. In this playing out of rights and wrongs, an independent form of surrender, the outcome is the reification of the thought that we are separate from God. I think, therefore I Am. Such thinking it is argued, is the basis of disease and thus illness is an outcome of thought that as experience has been judged. The thesis develops the position that human beings approach life from the position of perfection thereby creating an appraisal from the outcome of life's experiences. Excellence as a state of being creates the appraisal from the effort of an outcome. Thus excellence, is to experience life as an Isness, and then make a conscious choice to feel love. Perfection makes a judgement about life, and so pronounce life and therefore thinking as good and bad, or right and wrong. In the understanding that human beings are the creators of their reality, it is possible to conceive of care in nursing that is directed at changing thinking/thought. Such change would be to focus on the excellence of life, and in that way enact care in nursing that is an enabling through a process of being that is an emotional allowance in response to life. To this end, this work is titled Nursing as an Aesthetic Praxis. The aesthetic is emotion and feeling. Praxis, is presented in its dialectical relationship of thought and action that is then bound to emotion and feeling in such a way that it illuminates the nature of thinking. This way of thinking, this work shows, is transformatory. Where transformation is a process of being that as a state of excellence is one of incremental human freedom accompanied by incremental responsibility.
Beaches in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica
Authors:   , Butler Edward R T
Published: November 2021

Modern beaches in McMurdo Sound can be divided into 3 process regimes. Beaches on Ross Island (eastern McMurdo Sound) are characterised by marine processes with little ice modification. On ice-bound western McMurdo Sound, coastal orientation is of paramount importance. Ice thrust features are prominent on south facing beaches, which are open to the predominant wind direction and receive relatively small waves from the fetch restricted south. A greater degree of marine dominance is exhibited by beaches on north facing coasts where sea ice is blown offshore and the beaches are open to the larger storm waves from the eastern Ross Sea. The single most useful indicator of the relative importance of marine and ice processes on the beaches is the roundness of the beach material. Unlike the modern beaches, raised beach ridges at all sites comprise poorly sorted cobbles in a mixed sand and gravel matrix. These are inferred to be storm ridges. In contrast with the raised beaches, the modern beaches on the western side of the Sound have evidence of ice processes on them. This suggests that the modem beach has not experienced the same magnitude storms that produced the raised beaches. The size and frequency of the ridges is a product of the local wave climate. The number of raised beaches at any site is a useful indicator of the paleo-wave climate. More ridges occur in sheltered south facing locations, because they are more protected from open marine conditions, than on beaches in ice-free or north facing locations. When determining the marine limit of a site the most useful features are, low energy marine bedding features (such as flaser bedding) and boulder pavements. Based on inferred process information at the time of deposition, revised estimates of marine limits in McMurdo Sound and a new marine limit at Cape Barne are presented. Because the nature of the raised beaches has not been fully considered by previous authors sea level curves are inaccurate. The reconstruction of the retreat of the Ross Ice Shelf from marine limits in McMurdo Sound shows a three stage stepwise southward retreat of the Ross Ice Shelf. A breakout from somewhere north of Cape Roberts and south of Cape Ross back to Marble Point (on the western side of the Sound) while remaining north of Cape Bird (on the eastern side of the Sound), occurred sometime around 8,000 years ago. Another breakout cleared ice from Cape Bird to somewhere south of Cape Barne and south of Cape Bernacchi around 5,000 years ago. This differs with other authors work (Hall and Denton, 1999, Kellogg et al., 1996, Stuiver et al., 1981) by suggesting a considerably older date for the Ross Ice Sheet retreating from McMurdo Sound. The data presented here suggests that much of McMurdo Sound was ice free about 1,500 years before earlier estimates at about 6,500 years. The effect of the change in deglaciation timing is to reduce isostatic rebound rates. This suggests that there was less ice in McMurdo Sound during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Modification of the Disease Progression in Mice with Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Using Anti-Mitotic Compounds
Authors:   , Crume Kevin Patrick
Published: November 2021

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multi-faceted disease, and is believed to be caused by an autoimmune response to myelin antigens in the central nervous system. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for MS. manifests itself in various forms that parallel many aspects of MS, including the appearance of symptoms, initiation events, and pathophysiology. The hallmark of any immune response is the antigen-specific proliferation of immune cells, and during the initiation events of EAE, proliferating CD4+ T cells are the primary mediators of disease. This thesis explores if targeting these proliferating cells with the anti-mitotic compounds paclitaxel and peloruside A can delay or prevent the unset of EAE, thus providing a novel therapeutic avenue for MS research. The anti-cancer compound, paclitaxel, is an anti-mitotic drug that prevents microtubule depolymerisation. Although paclitaxel has been used in the clinical setting to treat cancer for over a decade, it has been determined that paclitaxel stimulates murine toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) complex, which is the major LPS receptor. A novel microtubule-stabilising compound, peloruside, is currently subject to intensive investigations due to its functional similarity to paclitaxel. The results from this project found that peloruside and paclitaxel inhibited the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated splenocytes with IC50 values of 83 nM and 30 nM, respectively, but did not affect the viability of non-proliferating cells In contrast to paclitaxel, peloruside did not cause the TLR4-mediated production of the inflammatory mediators. TNF-epsilon, IL-12, and nitric oxide, when cultured with IFN-epsilon stimulated murine macrophages. Interestingly, when LPS was included with either paclitaxel or peloruside A, both drugs decreased the production of TNF-e and nitric oxide from macrophages, suggesting that microtubule-stabilising compounds may have anti-inflammatory effects. To identify any immunomodifying effects of paclitaxel in vivo, paclitaxel was administered to mice that were immunised with the myelin protein MOG in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to induce EAE. When Taxol was administered to mice for 5 consecutive days immediately following CFA/MOG immunisation, the onset of EAE was delayed by approximately I week. Moreover, the administration of peloruside following the same treatment regime also resulted in a similar delay of disease onset. Taxol treatments, however, lead to significant mortality in immunised, but not unimmunised mice. Interestingly, although Taxol is an anti-mitotic drug, the proliferation of antigen-specific T cells was not inhibited in vivo by the Taxol treatment. The findings revealed in this thesis present an opportunity to pursue a new avenue of research for the therapeutic treatment of MS sufferers, and possibly other inflammatory autoimmune disorders.