bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical Insights into Gender Mainstreaming in Non-Governmental Organizations Based in Vietnam
Authors:   , Le Binh Thi
Published: November 2021

In Vietnam, Confucian doctrine has traditionally influenced gender issues. Although, the determination of Government has brought about considerable improvements in gender equality in society, there remains a need for interventions from a variety of stakeholders including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Recently, both International NGOs (INGOs) and Local NGOs (LNGOs) have increased in scope, size, and resources to address development issues in general and gender issues in particular in the specific context of Vietnam. They all play a pivotal role in delivering services and advocacy in an effort to enable Vietnamese people to live in a society of justice and well-being. However, there continues to be a gap between the rhetoric and practice of these organizations for both internal and external reasons. This research analyses the process of integrating gender into an INGO and an LNGO’s policies and development projects drawing on semi-structured interviews with staff in these organizations. The study explores the extent to which these NGOs use gender mainstreaming as a tool to achieve the goal of gender equality in their own organization and project sites. What challenges and opportunities for each organization exist? The findings indicate that in reference to gender mainstreaming, these NGOs, more or less, have encountered a series of common obstacles found in literature from other parts of the world. They also highlight the importance of the approach to gender work taken by NGOs. Each approach must be based on the specific conditions and characteristics of each organization and more importantly adaptable to the context, culture, and traditions of Vietnam. As a part of gender mainstreaming, NGOs are starting to pay attention to the work/home divides of their staff as a critically important element in organizational culture aiming to get the organization in order first before integrating gender into other dimensions of their development work. Both NGOs have the strong determination to have more male staff in office and involve more men in projects to address gender issues. Furthermore, the lack of openness and dialogue on implementing gender mainstreaming in the NGO community makes a part of the findings. These particular aspects of organisational practice were highlights of this thesis.
The Implementation of an Educational Re-Entry Policy for Girls after Teenage Pregnancy: A Case Study of Public Secondary Schools in the Kuria District, Kenya
Authors:   , Omwancha Kodek Mig
Published: November 2021

A new policy was introduced in Kenya in 1994 that enabled teenage mothers to continue schooling after delivery. The re-entry policy for girls who drop out of school after becoming pregnant while still at school is of international concern. The Kenyan government has already signed numerous international and regional declarations guaranteeing all children the right to education. However, it is not well known to what extent girls are taking advantage of the policy, how aware school mangers are of the policy, and what challenges they meet in its implementation. Little is known in the international literature about the girls‟ experiences in attempting or succeeding in being able to re-enter school. This study investigated the implementation of the re-entry policy for girls after school pregnancy. This study used critical theory in identifying the importance of the study which also aimed to sensitise stakeholders to the issues involved in teenage pregnancy by raising them for discussion. A qualitative method using a case study approach was chosen. Standard open-ended interviews were used to obtain in-depth information from the Ministry of Education (MOE) officials, head teachers, current students, teenage mothers and parents. Data were analysed thematically, using a social constructivist lens. Particular attention was given to the young girls‟ experiences by presenting them as narratives. The study revealed that there are conflicting views as to the value, nature and implementation of the policy. There was a concerning lack of awareness and understanding of both the policy and the guidelines. The findings further showed that many socio-cultural factors were important in preventing young mothers from returning to school. Hence there was a strong desire from the participants to be involved in any discussions about the policy. Findings from this study will help in creating awareness of the policy among all Kenyan stakeholders. The findings provide insights into inclusive policies, valuing and listening to voices not typically heard with an objective to enhancing the education of young mothers in Kenyan schools. They will also help in understanding the challenges in policy implementation in the context of limited resources, diverse viewpoints and expectations, and in studying the problems of pregnancy policy implementation in specific cultural settings. They will also contribute to the literature that calls for more understanding of the experiences of the young mothers.
Early Childhood Education Students' Experiences of Engaging with Academic Text
Authors:   , Blass Lacey
Published: November 2021

Academic text is viewed in most university environments as a tool for supporting student learning which generates knowledge, skills and the capacity to critique ideas. Yet there is little research undertaken to understand early childhood education (ECE) students’ experiences and beliefs of engaging with academic text. Therefore, in order to understand this specific group of students’ text engagement practices and beliefs, this ethnographic research followed a group of ten third-year ECE students at Victoria University in Wellington New Zealand through one course of their undergraduate study. The researcher collected data using ethnographic methods (including a non-traditional visual participatory method of identity portfolio collages) to identify patterns which help understand students’ beliefs and experiences of engaging with academic text. Based on social learning theories, the research examined the influence of student identity and cultural context on their motivation and interest in engaging with academic text. The study found that while this group of ECE students reported valuing academic text for a number of reasons, they were most likely to engage with assigned text for assessment purposes. The prevalent use of a surface learning approach, skim reading, when reading academic text also left students feeling frustrated with the reading they completed during their programme. Group expectations of reading mainly for assessment and a lack of text engagement by practicing teachers they encountered also encouraged these students, who hold positive reader identities, to limit their engagement with academic text. The results from this study indicate that students and educators can examine ways to increase student motivation to engage deeply with academic text on a more regular basis for students to achieve deeper and more meaningful learning experiences.
Controlled Aggregation of Peptide Substituted Perylene-Bisimides
Authors:   , Gallaher Joseph Keith
Published: November 2021

In recent years there has been an intersection of supramolecular chemistry and materials science, with a particular focus on the controlled self-assembly of functional building blocks. The impetus for assembly of organised architectures is a requirement due to organic electronic device performance being sensitive to the geometric configuration of adjacent molecular semiconductors, interacting by means of overlapping π-orbitals to create electronic conduction. Inspired by the formation of elegant supramolecular structures in nature, this work employs perylene bisimides coupled to synthetic peptides which are able to control the assembly of chromophores in solution. Through examining the perturbations of optical absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic signatures, the presence of aggregates, and also the geometric configurations of adjacent chromophores are determined. By exploring these features as a function of peptide design, pH, solvent composition, and ionic strength, it is demonstrated that aggregation is strongly induced by the peptide and the aromatic core, with significant dependence on the electrostatic repulsion between peptide segments. By manipulating solvent compositions, we demonstrate the ability to induce controlled reorganisation of aggregates through the introduction of charge onto the peptide sequence in high water concentration solution. Furthermore, application of the exciton model to absorption spectra establishes the tuneability of aggregates by specific ion binding between neighbouring peptides. Our results demonstrate the capability of peptide sequences to drive aggregation of molecular semiconductor building blocks; moreover, the peptides allow fine tuning of the electronic overlap between neighbouring building blocks. The proof of concept paves the way for further investigation into utilising this assembly control for device fabrication, in particular, we see this work being applicable to biosensor devices.
'Connecting to Disasters": The Critical Success Factors of Mobile Phone Utilisation within Disaster Management Operations: The Case of Vanuatu
Authors:   , Donald Simon
Published: November 2021

This study was an endeavour to contribute to the understanding of mobile phone use in disaster management. The main purpose of the study is to identify the factors necessary for mobile phones to successfully facilitate communication and information dissemination in disaster management operations in Vanuatu, which is viewed as a region experiencing significant risks to natural disasters, as well as a rapidly expanding mobile phone industry. The research uses qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews from two months of fieldwork in Vanuatu. Interviews were conducted with participants sourced from mobile phone providers, civil society organisations, government departments, and Vanuatu communities. The research revealed a set of 16 critical success factors that affirmed a number of conclusions drawn from the literature but also revealed information unique to the Vanuatu context. The emerging factors necessary for mobile phone success were developed into a top-down framework with four categories. At the top, factors at the ‘Government Level’ highlighted the need for government leadership and ‘ownership’, particularly in ‘policy formulation’ and ‘sanctioning’ of disseminated information. Below this, key stakeholder groups involved in mobile phones and disaster management make up the ‘Stakeholder Level’, where there was a critical need for ‘communication’, ‘alignment’ and ‘collaboration’ between these groups. Stakeholder groups also need effective ‘staff training’, and a clear understanding of their ‘roles and responsibilities’ surrounding the mobile phone application. The means that enable stakeholders to operate this process make up the ‘Technology Level’, where critical factors include an ‘extensive network’ containing ‘resilient infrastructure’ with swift ‘maintenance and repair processes’. Finally, at the grassroots, community members make up the ‘User Level’. For users mobile phones must be both ‘affordable’ and ‘easy to use’, they also need ‘electricity access’ to meet phone charging needs, as well as knowledge of local areas with sufficient ‘network access’. These results reveal the importance of addressing ways to improve mobile phone use in disaster management. Mobile phones are now the most widely used information communication technology in Vanuatu, so improving their effectiveness in disaster management operations is important and could have significant implications for communities that are vulnerable to natural disaster hazards.
A Subconscious Ascent: Exploring the Architecture of the Metaphoric Staircase
Authors:   , Erickstad Samantha
Published: November 2021

This research explores the significance of the stair as a spatial and symbolic architectural experience. The stepped form integrated with architecture. The stair is an integral feature of architecture which has the potential to be specifically designed to enhance space and create particular experiences. A stair is not only a functional object, but a medium for design. Metaphorical staircases are absent in contemporary architecture as a loss of meaning has resulted in monotonous designs devoid of figurative or poetic significance. The staircase has been a fundamental component of architecture since Neolithic times, however has recently been neglected. The stepped form has represented many themes including hierarchy, transcendence, or authority. In contrast, the contemporary staircase has embraced pragmatics. Safety restrictions, efficiency, and budget constraints, result in disregard for aesthetics and meaning. Film provides a behavioural setting in which to analyse how people move, behave, interact, and experience staircases. A range of films will be analysed to identify techniques for meaningful stair design. The influence of surreal qualities will also be determined to enhance an experience. Surreal imagery offers the opportunity to create dreamlike space, activating the subconscious. The metaphoric connotations of staircases will be explored through six research categories; the stair as Symbolic, Illusive, Transitional, Kinetic, Psychological, and Iconic. Design case studies will then investigate the intersection of the staircase as architecture, filmic representation, and surreal experience. The stepped building Casa Malaparte in Italy acts as a reference model for the successful integration of these concepts. With influence of these themes, the staircase can once again become widely acknowledged as architecture.
Synthesis of 2-C-Branched Sugars
Authors:   , Moore Peter William
Published: November 2021

A range of unnatural carbohydrates (sugars) with an unusual 2-C-bromomethylene branch have been synthesised by reaction of the 1,2-cyclopropanated carbohydrate 52 with different nucleophiles. Initial work to optimise the cyclopropane ring opening in the presence of sodium allyloxide/allyl alcohol provided anomers 140 and 141 in up to 75% yield. Use of sodium thiophenolate/thiophenol provided anomeric thioglycosides 181 and 182 (76% yield, 7:2 ratio), while sodium diethylamide/ diethylamine provided anomeric glycosylamines 183 and 184 (50% yield, 1:1 ratio). Further functionalisation of the 2-C-branch of 141 was performed using various palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reactions, providing a series of products. Reaction of 140 and 141 under acidic conditions caused E-Z isomerisation of the bromoalkene forming a single anomer, 194. Efforts to obtain mechanistic information about the cyclopropane ring opening were made through attempted trapping of a cyclopropene intermediate, deuterium labelling experiments, synthesis of possible stable intermediates and reactions with internal nucleophiles.
Fisheries in the Ngāti Kahungunu Rohe, New Zealand
Authors:   , Maxwell Kylie
Published: November 2021

To ensure sustainability of fisheries resources, commercial fisheries in New Zealand are monitored by direct control of harvest levels using the Quota Management System. However, there is currently no overall harvest amount for any fishery in New Zealand, which includes harvest amounts across all sectors of fishing: commercial, recreational, customary and other sources of fishing mortality. Having reliable information and data is important when setting and varying harvest levels for each species in each geographical area to ensure the sustainable use of that fishery. This research focuses on the fisheries harvest within Ngāti Kahungnu rohe, between the 2007-2010 fishing years, of 10 key species in New Zealand waters. A variety of different data sources from all sectors, including; commercial, recreational, customary and illegal fishing were used in this research to estimate overall harvest amounts. These estimates are also displayed geographically using heat maps. In order for more reliable estimates of overall harvest to be made there is a need for more consistent data collection between the different fishing sectors, as well as a higher quality of data collection relating to the harvest of fisheries in New Zealand for all sectors of fishing. This research highlights the difficulty of making such estimates and provides an initial template for similar research in other areas around New Zealand. This research also highlights the difficulties faced by Iwi/Māori when attempting to participate in fisheries management. This is not only due to the complexity of fisheries management in New Zealand, with current management and traditional Māori concepts not always aligning, but also the lack of high quality data across all fishing sectors available.
Temporary Migration as Development Tool? The Potential of Pacific Seasonal Workers to Meet New Zealand and Australia's Development Goals for the Pacific Islands
Authors:   , Kwant Stacey
Published: November 2021

The concept of temporary migration is commanding increasing attention. As the global community searches for new ways of promoting development in the developing world, and economically-advanced countries continue to experience labour shortages, labour mobility and temporary migration have arisen as potential ‘triple-win’ solutions. This thesis explores the concept of temporary migration as a development tool, using New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme and Australia’s Pacific Seasonal Worker Employer Scheme as models. It examines the extent to which these two recently-adopted temporary migration schemes have the potential to meet the development goals and objectives of New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific region. This thesis argues that in fact, temporary migration can potentially provide a development ‘triple-win’ situation – for the countries that receive the workers, for workers who migrate, and for countries that send the workers in the first instance. However, in the case of New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific, the extent of that triple win depends on a number of factors. Some factors relate to the lessons derived from countries with past temporary migration experiences, about how to manage schemes effectively. Others are specific to the Pacific Island context, the development priorities present in the region, and the unique relationships that exist between New Zealand, Australia and the island states. Therefore, this thesis explores how two temporary migration schemes can be formulated, designed and implemented, in a particular context, to potentially address pressing concerns about development. This thesis does not attempt to analyse whether development objectives have actually been achieved through the schemes but rather assess their potential, as a step towards increasing what we know about how to achieve development in the Pacific, and how other regions of the world can adapt this knowledge in the future.
The Benefits and Challenges for Cambodian Teachers Implementing Peer Coaching
Authors:   , Mom Pheng
Published: November 2021

In Cambodia, the professional development of teachers is a priority. Although many training programmes and workshops are provided for teachers to learn new skills and improve practice, the rate of their transferring these learned skills into the classroom is still low. According to the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports (2005) one explanation for this low rate of skills transfer is the lack of collaboration between peers. To address this issue, this thesis explores the benefits and challenges for Cambodian teachers implementing coaching as a way to improve peer collaboration. It seeks to discover their perceptions and experiences in undertaking peer coaching and to find out the strategies that could work for Cambodian teachers when they engage in peer coaching. To address the study’s research questions, action research and a qualitative, interpretive design were used. Six Cambodian teachers teaching English in one school volunteered to participate in this study. Data were collected through reflective notes, seminars, individual interviews, and a focus group. The interview data were transcribed and coded using the inductive content analysis in order to categorise them and draw conclusions. The findings indicate that the implementation of peer coaching was influential in shaping participants’ understanding of current practice and improving their teaching, such as teaching methods, reflections and collaborations. This study found that administrative support, constructive feedback and a change in the peer coaching process could inspire Cambodian teachers to collaborate. It also found that there are some major challenges impacting on peer coaching, including lack of time for undertaking peer observations, lack of teaching resources, big class size, and nervousness of the teachers and students. The study, however, suggests that the success of undertaking peer coaching requires both administrative support and individual teachers’ self-efficacy. Further research into the effectiveness of providing feedback on teachers’ practice needs to occur to see if this phenomenon is widespread.
Experiencing Cultural Institutions as National Artefacts: Exploring the use of Black in New Zealand Museum Architecture to Convey National Identity
Authors:   , Pierce Hannah
Published: November 2021

The demand in New Zealand for cultural institutions to promote artefacts of national significance was identified by the Wellington City Council as part of an initiative to further acknowledge cultural identities within the capital. This thesis investigates opportunities for New Zealand’s cultural institutions, particularly its museums, to be experienced themselves as national artefacts, promoting national identity not just through the display of New Zealand’s national collections, but also through the identity and experience of the architecture that contains those collections. This research aims to develop a museum that integrates the theories of new museology and narrative based design as an experiential understanding of national collections with sociologist Dr Prudence Stone’s theory regarding the significance of black to New Zealand. Stone’s theory highlights the significance of black through four central themes - creation, death transgression and race. Each of these themes will therefore be applied to New Zealand artists Ralph Hotere, Bill Culbert and Colin McCahon to test how black as an expression of cultural identity within New Zealand can be applied to New Zealand architecture. These three New Zealand artists were selected as they all relate to Stone’s analysis of the significance of black to New Zealand, analysing how black has been applied to express a national identity within New Zealand. Black as an expression of cultural identity within New Zealand was chosen to develop as research highlighted the significant number of artefacts representing black as an expression of cultural identity within the archives of the National Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. This design case study proposes a museum within the alleyway Farmers Lane, Wellington. This site provides a spatial investigation from darkness up to the light while further thematically creating constraints to extend the outcome of the design. The museum therefore creates a vertical gallery that spatially explores themes from artists Ralph Hotere, Bill Culbert and Colin McCahon, three distinct New Zealand artists who symbolically employ black to convey a national identity. The design is therefore divided into three datums, each representing a distinct characteristic of the thematic understanding of black within New Zealand as identified by each of the three artists. Overall this research suggests the architectural experience of a discrete collection of acclaimed national artists working within a common national theme can be exhibited so that there is no longer the need for an anonymous, context free white walled approach within museum design. Instead the architectural experience has the opportunity to become one of the exhibitions of black’s symbolic national identity.
Analysing the Brazilian Sugarcane Agroecological Zoning: Is This Government Policy Capable of Avoiding Adverse Effects from Land-Use Change?
Authors:   , Almeida Mateus
Published: November 2021

There are doubts about the reliability of so-called biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and conserve biodiversity. Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane ethanol in the world. This thesis analyses the extent to which the Brazilian Sugarcane Agroecological Zoning (ZAE Cana), a federal policy developed in 2009, can contribute to reducing, or avoiding, adverse environmental impacts in terms of GHG emissions and biodiversity degradation. It takes into account both direct and indirect effects of land-use change (LUC) caused by the expansion of sugarcane in Brazil. Because sugarcane expansion has primarily displaced areas of pasture, most of the literature reviewed, and information from the participants, are optimistic in regard to GHG emissions due to direct LUC. But the expansion of sugarcane has caused biodiversity impacts and it may be aggravated in the near future. Despite increase in agricultural productivity, studies contend that indirect LUC caused by the increase in sugarcane ethanol production in Brazil is expected to take place. Qualitative face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with experts representing private institutions, the Brazilian government, the sugarcane industry association and the NGO WWF-Brazil. The key stakeholders were chosen to elicit knowledge from a range of respondents with experience of the production of Brazilian sugarcane ethanol. The interviews were also used to investigate the importance of, and motivations to create, ZAE Cana. ZAE Cana has shortcomings and there is significant impact on LUC caused by other agricultural activities. Monitoring and enforcement of specific legal frameworks are important. Agroecological zonings for other activities such as pasture, soybeans and corn should also be developed to control detrimental indirect LUC.
Effects of Environmental Stressors on the Early Development of Intertidal and Subtidal Gastropod Embryos
Authors:   , Fischer Jeannine
Published: November 2021

Salinity, temperature and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation are common environmental stressors in coastal habitats. These stressors are likely to increase in intensity due to the effects of climate change and can have important impacts on population and community dynamics for early development in gastropods that deposit egg masses on rocky shores. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of single and multiple stressors on the development of intertidal and shallow subtidal gastropods with encapsulated embryos. In manipulative experiments I exposed egg masses of the gastropod species Siphonaria australis, Ercolania felina, Pleurobranchaea maculata, Aplysia juliana and Doris wellingtonensis to realistic levels of either salinity, temperature or UV-B radiation, or to a combination of stressors, for different lengths of time. Embryos were then subjected to the most stressful levels of each stressor at either early or late stages of development and at different days of embryonic development. Further, egg masses were exposed to sublethal salinity, temperature and UV-B radiation stress simultaneously, simulating tide pool conditions on a warm sunny summer day. Larvae hatching from stressed and unstressed egg masses were subsequently periodically subjected to increased temperature and UV-B radiation and examined over 10 days to detect possible carry-over effects of exposure to stress in the egg mass. The results revealed that for individual stressors, low salinity (20‰), high temperature (25°C) and high UV-B (1.7 W m ⁻ ² s ⁻ ¹, i.e. a level similar to a sunny NZ summer day) all caused the highest embryonic mortality. The response to stressors was species-specific but overall the intertidal species had lower embryonic mortality than the subtidal species. Generally, chronic exposure had higher impacts on the development of embryos than periodic exposure and early embryonic development stages were most vulnerable to stress. UV-B radiation had particularly damaging effects on embryonic and larval stages for the intertidal pulmonate limpet Siphonaria australis. Further, multiple stressors had synergistic effects and caused high embryonic mortality in the egg mass as well as impacting on the vulnerability of larvae to stressors. This study revealed that stress experienced during embryonic stages can result in sub-lethal damage that increases vulnerability to temperature and decreases vulnerability to UV-B radiation experienced in the larval stage. In total, my results suggest that (1) the effects of different environmental stressors on early development of intertidal and subtidal gastropods are complex and depend on the intensity, duration and time of stress, and are generally species-specific; (2) multiple stressors can act synergistically to affect early development and (3) sublethal exposure to stress in the egg mass can have negative carry-over effects on later larval stages.
Commuting without Polluting: The Economic Geography of Active Transport in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors:   , McKim Laura
Published: November 2021

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of car ownership in the world
and as such contributes disproportionately to global climate change,
cardiovascular disease and obesity. This need not be the case for, among
other things, New Zealand cities have the potential to increase the use
of walking and cycling. There is substantial evidence that modifying
the urban form and design of neighbourhoods can influence the use of
active transport. However factors such as those related to employment
and income have so far received far less attention as possible
influences. This thesis explores the impact of income on the use of
active modes of transport for commuting. Modal choice is sensitive to
both income and relative costs. While historically the car has replaced
walking and cycling as wage rates have risen, in cross section the
relationship between income and active commuting takes quite a different
form. While higher incomes do allow people to purchase motorised
transport, they also allow workers to purchase shorter commutes and to
integrate active modes into more complex trip chains. As a result, the
probability of active commuting rises with income. As such, raising
urban density can help stem some of the negative environmental and
health effects of rising affluence.
What Does a Foot Path Do?
Authors:   , Lowe Michael
Published: November 2021

In New Zealand pedestrian infrastructure is not a robust area of transport planning. As a funding class it receives minimal monetary allocation. This thesis argues design interventions in the pedestrian environment need to be both responsive to the surrounding context and effective in promoting walking patronage. To achieve this goal this thesis argues that the current process used by central authorities and local authorities for researching, designing, and implementing pedestrian infrastructure, needs to change. As a solution this thesis develops a new methodology for researching, designing and implementing pedestrian infrastructure. The methodology is developed through a series of design experiments using Central Wellington as a site. The methodology uses a multi paradigm framework adopted from landscape perception research, which allows it to successfully alternate between ‘top down’ expert orientated approaches. For example, on one hand the methodology uses standardized typological solutions as a cost and time efficient approach to resolving pedestrian barriers to walking; as well as a ‘top down’ macro scale urban analysis in order to ensure any resources being spent at a micro scale street level are also improving larger urban scale problems in the pedestrian network. While on the other hand uses a ‘bottom up’ qualitative approach through a newly developed ‘cognitive survey and interview technique’, to research from the perspective of the public where pedestrian accessibility barriers to walking are located in the built environment. The research is significant as it reveals new insight into the practical application of a standardized typological approach to pedestrian design. In particular it reveals how a new hybrid methodology combining a ‘top down expert’ and utilitarian approach, with a ‘bottom up qualitative’ and contextual approach, makes for efficient employment of design resources when implementing pedestrian infrastructure.
Embodied Architecture
Authors:   , Cameron Beth
Published: November 2021

The human body is what we come to know the world by. Everything is relative. Using a body centred approach, the relationships held between the Body, Clothing and Architecture are explored through the identification of Skin, Intimacy and Boundary. Beginning with the layers and skins closest to the body, a process of building around and working out is used to establish an understanding of the relationships held between the three subjects. This methodological approach is used throughout the thesis, both theoretically and by design. The body is approached from a phenomenological perspective where experiential design methodologies are employed with the intent of altering the body’s understanding of itself; its lived experience, embodied cognition and sensory perception. Photographic images capture experiential design moments, translating and expressing the theories being discussed throughout. The architectural conditions studied are contained within the parameters of the domestic. This environment represents the most intimate architectural expression of the self, grounding the body in context. A 1:1 scale structural model identifies the potentials of what contemporary architecture can be and how it can act on and with the body to alter the lived experience. It generates dynamic spatial conditions, demonstrating architectures ability to engage with the body. The interactive spatial changes experienced stimulate both physical and psychological shifts and as a result generate new embodied experiences. As the body is used to ground the generative design processes, clothing and architecture are bought together through the amalgamation of skin, intimacy and boundary, resulting in the production of the Embodied Architecture structure. The theoretical basis for the production of this architectural intervention seeks to be pushed further, challenging contemporary architecture to engage the body and enrich the lived experience.
Using Learning Stories in Secondary Social Studies: Gathering, Analysing and Using Evidence to Support Learners' Conceptual Understandings.
Authors:   , Picken Amanda Josephine
Published: November 2021

This research examined the use of learning stories as a way to gather, analyse and use evidence to support the development of social studies conceptual understandings. This is important because there is limited research in New Zealand related to social studies assessment in secondary school environments, or in the monitoring of conceptual changes in understanding. The limited research that can be drawn upon highlights the challenges social studies teachers face teaching and assessing conceptually.  Sociocultural theory featured strongly throughout the research, through the decision to investigate learning stories as an assessment approach, as well as the lens with which to approach the methodology. In order to investigate the Learning Story Framework, as an intervention, a qualitative design-based methodology was utilised involving one in-depth case study. The research composed of three iterative phases, gathering evidence using semi-structured interviews, participant observation and documentation analysis, including reflective journals.  The findings suggested that learning stories can be used to support the development of conceptual understandings in conjunction with a reflective class culture, strong community relationships, clarity of planning for and sharing conceptual understandings, and support for students to critically reflect.
Difficult Conversations: The Dynamics Surrounding New Zealand Women's Disclosure of Intimate Partner Violence to Family and Friends
Authors:   , Walton Jared Reid
Published: November 2021

One in three New Zealand women has experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) at some stage in their lives, with the vast majority of these women disclosing to a family member or friend at some stage during or after the relationship. Therefore, it is important to understand the dynamics involved with this disclosure. This study draws on feminist perspectives and a grounded theory methodology to examine six women’s experiences with these dynamics. These women reported being very careful about when they disclosed, often going to great lengths to hide the abuse, and who they disclosed to. Furthermore, they explained that they felt a number of barriers to disclosure, both of a personal and social nature. They also described a number of different reactions they received, both negative and positive. In reflecting on their situations these women had come to a number of realisations, while during the interviews a number of observations were made, particularly regarding the strength they showed. In bringing their experiences together, it was clear that upon disclosure women require their family and friends to listen non-judgementally; help them to understand IPV; support the woman’s decisions; and offer tangible support if necessary. However, negative experiences were not uncommon, and it was hypothesised that there are two forms of this: passive, which comes about through a lack of understanding; and active, which comes about through a conscious decision to be unsupportive. In concluding, it was suggested that widespread education be introduced, and public awareness campaigns be widened, to increase public understanding of IPV.
Inside the First Light House: Interior Design for New Zealand’s Entry into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2011
Authors:   , Farrow Anna
Published: November 2021

This thesis documents a two year journey to design and build a most unconventional kiwi bach. It reports on the applied research undertaken in order to meet the specific requirements of a particular construction project: the development of a transportable, modular, demountable, entirely solar-powered house built in New Zealand to compete in the US Department of Energy’s 2011 Solar Decathlon, held in Washington DC. This challenge was initially taken on by a small team of undergraduate students with very little previous experience in the construction process. The team faced a set of technical and logistical hurdles that would have been daunting for even the most experienced practitioner to negotiate, let alone a group for whom an architectural career was just beginning. Such challenges included: - Creating a house design that would comply with two sets of building codes, endure 18,000 kilometres of transport over two months, expedite assembly by a team of unskilled labourers, and enable comfortable inhabitation after seven days; - Optimising the thermal performance and liveability of one building for two climates in two hemispheres; - Using architecture, landscape and interior design to explain New Zealand and its lifestyle to an American audience of 200,000; - Realising an entire and complex project that required 100% external funding and in-kind support from as-yet unknown parties. By predisposition, then, the project was not going to be simple: very little of the process and very few of the construction details were going to be standard in any way. This thesis focuses on the critical design developments of the house interior, from a hypothetical design to the full-scale assembly of a ‘kiwi bach’ in the heart of Washington DC. The research and outcomes presented here are not necessarily all precedents for future building projects, but rather ‘best-fit’ solutions for the highly particular and constrained design situation brought about by the interaction of the range of logistical, legislative and economic controls, the dynamics of the wider team, and the demands of the Solar Decathlon competition. The project as a whole can, and should, act as a valid precedent for future architectural projects with regard to research into modular construction, prefabrication, and the collaborative building process. The students that were involved will embark on their professional careers with the Solar Decathlon experience as a foundation for their future contribution to the construction industry.
Chemical and Biological Aspects of Secondary Metabolites from Tongan Marine Sponges
Authors:   , Barber Jacqueline Mary Elizabeth Kane
Published: November 2021

This thesis describes the isolation and structural elucidation of 17 new secondary metabolites from Tongan marine sponges including examples of alkaloids, polyketides and terpenoids. In the process of this work, 19 sponge specimens were subjected to preliminary NMR-guided investigation. Nine organisms were selected for further analysis on the basis of the structural novelty perceived within the HMBC spectrum of crude fractions generated by the first chromatographic purification of their crude extracts, and the apparent rarity of the specimen. Investigation of two different demosponge specimens afforded the γ-hydroxybutenolide sesterterpenes (23 and 24), and small quantities of the potently cytotoxic alkaloid 14-bromohomofascaplysin (29). The analysis of two samples of a dictyoceratid sponge yielded the new labdane diterpenes luakuliides A–C (33–36), characterised by a bridging hemi-acetal function on the B-ring of the labdane bicycle. Luakuliide A (33) and its methyl acetal derivative 34 were found to display interesting immunomodulatory activity. Seven new α-pyrone polyketides, lehualides E–K (69–75), were isolated from a Plakortis sp. Lehualides H–K (72–75) display a range of sulfur functionalities, the natures of which were determined by spectroscopic comparison with synthesised model compounds. Another plakinid sponge specimen contained four new polyketides (95–98), all of which possess different cyclic peroxide moieties. Cyclic peroxides 95, 97 and 98 displayed potent cytoxicity against human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL- 60). Chemical genetic and phenoytypic profiling studies of 95 were undertaken in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast using the homozygous diploid and heterozygous diploid deletion libraries. These studies indicate that 95 acts to disrupt Ca2+ homeostasis, leading to elevation of intracellular Ca2 levels.
Exploiting Latent Information in Recommender Systems
Authors:   , Zhang Yun
Published: November 2021

This thesis exploits latent information in personalised recommendation, and investigates how this information can be used to improve recommender systems. The investigations span three directions: scalar rating-based collaborative filtering, distributional rating-based collaborative filtering, and distributional ratingbased hybrid filtering. In the first investigation, the thesis discovers through data analysis three problems in nearest neighbour collaborative filtering — item irrelevance, preference imbalance, and biased average — and identifies a solution: incorporating “target awareness” in the computation of user similarity and rating deviation. Two new algorithms are subsequently proposed. Quantitative experiments show that the new algorithms, especially the first one, are able to significantly improve the performance under normal situations. They do not however excel in cold-start situations due to greater demand of data. The second investigation builds upon the experimental analysis of the first investigation, and examines the use of discrete probabilistic distributional modelling throughout the recommendation process. It encompasses four ideas: 1) distributional input rating, which enables the explicit representation of noise patterns in user inputs; 2) distributional voting profile, which enables the preservation of not only shift but also spread and peaks in user’s rating habits; 3) distributional similarity, which enables the untangled and separated similarity computation of the likes and the dislikes; and 4) distributional prediction, which enables the communication of the uncertainty, granularity, and ambivalence in the recommendation results. Quantitative experiments show that this model is able to improve the effectiveness of recommendation compared to the scalar model and other published discrete probabilistic models, especially in terms of binary and list recommendation accuracy. The third investigation is based on an analysis regarding the relationship between rating, item content, item quality, and “intangibles”, and is enabled by the discrete probabilistic model proposed in the second investigation. Based on the analysis, a fundamentally different hybrid filtering structure is proposed, where the hybridisation strategy is neither linear nor sequential, but of a divide-and-conquer shape backed by probabilistic derivation. Experimental results show that it is able to outperform the standard linear and sequential hybridisation structures.
Towards a Social Cloud Framework for Collaborative eResearch
Authors:   , Thaufeeg Ashfag M.
Published: November 2021

Collaboration has always been an important aspect of scientific research. The coming of internet opened the doors for greater levels of collaboration for the research community, first enabled by email and then by web 2.0 based online portals called VREs. A new force, social networks, are bringing a paradigm shift to online research communities. Social networks could foster a more vibrant research environment powered by social activities such as sharing, community creation, tagging and community groups. This thesis explores the idea of using the power of social networks to create a social cloud to contribute and share computing resources. The prototype implementation, called the Social Collaborative Cloud (SoCC), uses facebook as the underlying social network. The prototype was evaluated using simulations of both real and synthetic datasets, as well as real world tests.