bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Isolation and Identification of α-Glucosidase and Lipase Inhibitors from Samoan Plant Extracts
Authors:   , Wong Soon Julian 
Published: November 2021

<p>There is a growth in the problems relating to diabetes and obesity within the Pacific region. A recent study found that nearly 20% of the Samoan population suffer from type 2 diabetes. The same study found that rates of obesity are correspondingly high, at 53% of the male population and almost 77% of the female population. Healthcare costs are high, and so this study was initiated to focus specifically on an economical, available and socially acceptable way of introducing anti-diabetic and anti-obesity treatments. Inspired by ethnobotanical interests relating to the unknown potential of plants within the Pacific Island region, a set of five Samoan plants were selected for evaluation of their potential to provide leads for anti-diabetic or anti-obesity treatments. The work presented here was carried out in collaboration with the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) which collected plant samples and provided the extracts used for the present study. This study focused on the biological activity of the five selected Samoan plant extracts; Myristica fatua, Barringtonia samoensis, Barringtonia asiatica, Annona muricata and Neisosperma oppositifolia against pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase enzymes. The enzyme bioassays were optimised and used to validate and identify potential anti-diabetic and anti-obesity treatments from compounds isolated and identified from the samples using LC-MS/MS and NMR spectroscopy. Two main fractions were carried forward for further fractionation and in vitro bioassay screening; one against lipase and the other against α- glucosidase. The known compound threo-dihydroguaiaretic acid was identified and isolated from Myristica fatua having the most potent lipase inhibition whereas a mixture of compounds containing alkaloids and the compound nirathin was obtained from Neisosperma oppositifolia in a fraction that exhibited the highest α-glucosidase inhibition. The kinetic modelling of both fractions were used to identify threo-dihydroguaiaretic acid having a mixed inhibition and the compound mixture inhibiting α-glucosidase competitively.</p>
Rebuilding Sustainable Commuting in Christchurch? A mixed-methods study of the effects of workplace relocation on transport choice and emissions
Authors:   , Whitwell Kate 
Published: November 2021

<p>Tackling the challenge of climate change will require rapid emissions reductions across all sectors, including transport. This study adds to the literature by investigating factors that may encourage sustainable transport choices at a time of change and therefore reduce emissions. A mix of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to explore the impact of a relocation of employees from several dispersed work locations back to one office building in the central business district on transport choices and carbon emissions in Christchurch, New Zealand. This case study found that such a recentralisation of employment can result in employees making more sustainable transport choices and can contribute to decreases in transport emissions from commuting, even in a highly car-dependent city. The relocation led to a 12 percent rise in the proportion of employees commuting actively or by public transport and resulted in a significant drop in commuting emissions (16 percent). The primary contributing factor was the change in location of the office itself, reducing the average commuting distance and increasing accessibility to public transport and active travel. A further contributing factor was the perceived reduction in parking availability at the new location. Further results support the existing literature on barriers to sustainable transport, identifying any factor that impacts on the feasibility of the journey by alternative modes, such as commute time or safety, as a significant barrier to uptake. Overall findings suggest that relocating offices provides a good opportunity to encourage employees to consider changing to a more sustainable commute mode, and that significant numbers may make such a shift if commute time or distance are reduced. Realising substantial mode shift however will depend on cities providing feasible and efficient sustainable alternatives to driving a car to work.</p>
Secondhand Architecture: Finding value in the existing
Authors:   , Huynh Vi 
Published: November 2021

<p>Secondhand architecture explores the potential for significant high-density housing models to be revitalised and offered a second life. Much of the medium to high-density housing stock built in the mid to late twentieth century is tired, derelict and under threat of demolition. Buildings from this period, both here and internationally, are increasingly dismissed as outdated for not meeting a range of today’s housing needs. A combination of technical and functional obsolescence have contributed to their downfall along with numerous social and management issues, of which local authorities are failing to recognise and act on. Today the demand for housing is considerable. Governments and private developers seek ways to address this demand yet frequently overlook the upgrade potential that this current housing stock possesses. To some extent, this is due to failure by authorities and the public to value their intrinsic heritage and architectural significance. The impetuous decision to demolish risks compromising our living heritage and losing a portion of our significant built environment. In New Zealand and overseas, there is a general lack of recognition for the historical significance of our modern architecture. Amongst modern buildings, the post-war high-density public housing models is considered of lesser significance here due to the higher appreciation for detached suburban housing being entrenched as the desired norm. This thesis makes a case for adapting and reusing modern public housing to operate as living patrimony - exploring their inherent value through design and reviewing their potential to assist increasing density within our inner cities. The George Porter Tower, designed by prominent architect Ian Athfield in the 70s, faces demolition due to its perceived poor living conditions and susceptibility to earthquakes. Using the Tower as a case study, this thesis explores strategies to repair, improve and reform our significant public housing models. These strategies are explored through five layers, providing a methodology that identifies the successes and failures of the case study and guide the iterative design process. This thesis argues for the rehabilitation of a building to address the contemporary housing requirements. In acknowledging the value of these as a critical part of our built heritage, it demonstrates how history can exist within the present to maintain links to our past. In doing so, it celebrates the continual metamorphosis of the building, adding to its heritage values. Secondhand architecture considers that buildings should be constantly evolving, not something that is frozen as icons of the past.</p>
Isolation and Structural Elucidation of Secondary Metabolites from New Zealand Marine Sponge Aaptos confertus
Authors:   , Page Charlotte 
Published: November 2021

<p>This study reports on the spectroscopy-guided isolation and structural elucidation of secondary metabolites from the New Zealand marine sponge Aaptos confertus. An extraction of the sponge material, followed by several purification steps, led to the isolation of potential new compounds CJP02 20A, CJP02 20C and CJP02 04CB, a known 2,5-diketopiperzine cyclo(L-Phe-L-Pro), and a previously reported 3-((13-methylhexadecyl)oxy)propane-1,2-diol. Corrections to the ¹H NMR data reported for 3-((13-methylhexadecyl)oxy)propane-1,2-diol were also recorded. The relationship between the oceanic climate where a marine organism habituates and its production of secondary metabolites is discussed. The isolation of a diverse range of compounds, either novel or new to the genus, suggests that organisms originating in temperate climates are similar in value to those from tropical climates, where higher rates of predation (and therefore, selective pressure) are thought to produce superior diversity in their secondary metabolic distribution. In addition to the new compounds isolated, the diketopiperazine described is the first reported molecule of that class from the genus Aaptos. The significance of the isolated compounds is discussed, in the context of drug discovery and development. The potential of the branched-chain mono-glycerol ether 3-((13-methylhexadecyl)oxy)propane-1,2-diol as a lipid biomarker for the genus Aaptos was examined, as this compound has only been reported from species of that genera. In addition, it’s potential as an immunomodulatory drug is discussed, including the significance of the ether linkage in contrast to the more common ester linkage. The isolation of the 2,5-diketopiperazine cyclo(L-Phe-L-Pro) new to the genus was shown to support the potential in diversity of climate and geographical distribution. This class of molecule is generated through the shikimate biosynthetic pathway; a metabolic route used by bacteria, fungi and algae. A proposed symbiotic relationship between the sponge Aaptos confertus and a proximal bacteria, fungi or algae exemplifies the value of New Zealand’s diverse and unique marine organisms.</p>
Hamilton's Kirikiriroa Gully: Engaging with waterway social life from the ground up
Authors:   , MacIntyre May Jan 
Published: November 2021

<p>The social value of waterways and gullies in new suburban development is something that is often overlooked and given limited resources to be developed. They have the potential to be intense centres of neighbourhoods and provide much needed social relief in the age of rapid urban expansion. This thesis explores the social potential of Kirikiriroa gully in Hamilton where suburban development has occurred at an alarming rate. The research extends the traditional top down masterplan design methodology used for large project sites by investigating the reverse of this, a study of life on the ground to inform the design. Using on-site analytical and design methods, the design attempts to reveal the workings of the landscape in a way that a masterplan cannot. Key to this was the identification of three important social experiential typologies within the gully system. The understanding and documentation of the relations and forces that produced these types facilitated adjustments to strategically identified sites, with the intention of intensifying the relevant social ecology of the gully at that site. This intensification is intended to influence the wider neighbourhoods and the gully system more broadly.</p>
Bamboo Fale: Climate of Change
Authors:   , Cayford Emily 
Published: November 2021

<p>The world is currently sitting on the brink of a massive upheaval as Climate Change continues to intensify. At this stage, there is no apparent turning back: the only remaining option is to adapt. While many countries are already feeling the effects, the most vulnerable lie within the Pacific Islands. With 70% of the Samoan population living along their coastline (The World Bank, 2016), the country is identified as one of the most vulnerable Pacific Islands. It is prone to high waves and storm surges, along with tropical cyclones, which destroy livelihoods and housing, as well as claiming lives. The traditional architecture of Samoa was originally built to withstand such weather events, but has not been adapting to resist the increased cyclone intensity and rising sea levels. The materials and building practices currently used within Samoa do not have the properties to resist these extreme weather events. Western building practises have been introduced and into the Samoan construction industry, but has not yet successfully been integrated. Combinations of traditional and Western building practises are, instead, resulting in buildings more vulnerable than ever. This issue remains unresolved, with unsuitable housing remaining one of the largest dilemmas currently faced by Samoa’s inhabitants. Samoa recently graduated from the classification: Least Developed Country, to be classified as a Developing Country (Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience). This places Samoa as one of the more developed nations of the Pacific, therefore encouraging Samoa to take the lead in resilience to the ever imposing effects of Climate Change. Samoa has a close relationship with both New Zealand and Australia and therefore has access to building expertise, education and materials. Why, then, is Samoa so lacking in architectural resilience to the effects of Climate Change? This paper endeavours to investigate this gap and, in turn provide a potential resolution. These solutions could aid other Pacific countries as well as encouraging further architectural resilience that can then be mirrored by the remaining, vulnerable countries of the Pacific. This thesis first investigates the question: “Why has Samoan culture not developed stronger architectural resilience against Climate Change?” This thesis then evolves to question: “How can Samoan architecture be hybridised to influence increased architectural resilience against Climate Change?”</p>
Punching Above Our Weight: How a small island nation navigates the world of global strategy
Authors:   , Ibbetson Oliver 
Published: November 2021

<p>This thesis evaluates three of New Zealand’s foreign strategy documents, the China Strategy, the India Strategy, and the ASEAN Strategy. It assesses New Zealand’s performance against these strategies in order to elucidate the interplay between diplomatic, economic, and security strategies, and how this impacts on New Zealand’s approach to these partners. The different elements of policy exist in a complex environment of interdependent flows. In ASEAN strategy, security policy is linked to trade policy; in Indian strategy, international sport is linked with domestic tourism; and with China strategy, global reputation is linked with lowering barriers to trade. To date, New Zealand’s China Strategy has been successful, as New Zealand has performed well against the goals its set for itself. While it may be tempting to suggest emulating the China Strategy in other markets, this thesis argues that the success of the strategy is due to the unique set of circumstances of the two countries. When we look at New Zealand’s approach to India the importance of customisation is evident. Strategies exist in a complex environment where multiple attempts and methods may be required in order to best elucidate the most successful approaches. This work argues that country strategy should be sufficiently adaptive to take into account the complex environment of each nation, while holding New Zealand’s trade interests as a premier function.</p>
Randomness in classes of matroids
Authors:   , Critchlow William 
Published: November 2021

<p>This thesis is inspired by the observation that we have no good random model for matroids. That stands in contrast to graphs, which admit a number of elegant random models. As a result we have relatively little understanding of the properties of a "typical" matroid. Acknowledging the difficulty of the general case, we attempt to gain a grasp on randomness in some chosen classes of matroids. Firstly, we consider sparse paving matroids, which are conjectured to dominate the class of matroids (that is to say, asymptotically almost all matroids would be sparse paving). If this conjecture were true, then many results on properties of the random sparse paving matroid would also hold for the random matroid. Sparse paving matroids have limited richness of structure, making counting arguments in particular more feasible than for general matroids. This enables us to prove a number of asymptotic results, particularly with regards to minors. Secondly, we look at Graham-Sloane matroids, a special subset of sparse paving matroids with even more limited structure - in fact Graham-Sloane matroids on a labelled groundset can be randomly generated by a process as simple as independently including certain bases with probability 0.5. Notably, counting Graham-Sloane matroids has provided the best known lower bound on the total number of matroids, to log-log level. Despite the vast size of the class we are able to prove severe restrictions on what minors of Graham-Sloane matroids can look like. Finally we consider transversal matroids, which arise naturally in the context of other mathematical objects - in particular partial transversals of set systems and partial matchings in bipartite graphs. Although transversal matroids are not in one-to-one correspondence with bipartite graphs, we shall link the two closely enough to gain some useful results through exploiting the properties of random bipartite graphs. Returning to the theme of matroid minors, we prove that the class of transversal matroids of given rank is defined by finitely many excluded series-minors. Lastly we consider some other topics, including the axiomatisability of transversal matroids and related classes.</p>
Collaboration in the process of legislative lobbying: A study of a disabled peoples organisation lobbying for change in New Zealand 1989-1993
Authors:   , Ruane Nicholas 
Published: November 2021

<p>This thesis examines lobbying from the disabled people’s organisation Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) NZ from 1989 until 1993. It explores how the organisation conducted lobbying activities with respect to two pieces of New Zealand legislation with constitutional significance: The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Human Rights Act 1993. This thesis places the plight of minority groups within the political process squarely under the research microscope and asks: what factors explain the different outcomes to the DPA’s lobbying efforts to the Bill of Rights in 1990 and the Human Rights Act in 1993? More specifically it examines the DPA’s decision to collaborate with the New Zealand Aids Foundation (AF) during the 1993 Human Rights Act campaign. Collaboration with the AF was a controversial decision that resulted in heated discussions within DPA. Some members were concerned about the political risks of aligning with the AF. DPA leadership however saw a possibility for broad human rights legislation, and took the decision to collaborate. They were convinced that collaboration would bring benefits in the form of greater resources, access to Parliament and better relationships with the media which would all lead to an enhanced capacity to make the case to the public. The thesis argues that by working with the AF, DPA was able to change its lobbying narrative from one solely focussed upon disability rights to one that broadened out to broader human rights protections. DPA was not positioning itself as a minority group arguing for narrow exceptions to existing legislation, a tactic it had pursued in previous campaigns. The campaign proved successful, gaining support from MP’s, as the Human Rights Act was perceived to have public support. The thesis also shows that to understand DPA’s successful strategy it needs to be seen in the context of a failed effort from a previous campaign. DPA’s campaign to lobby for the 1993 Human Rights Act began from the point of an unsuccessful fight to have disability rights included in the 1990 Bill of Rights. DPA was, in effect, ‘locked in’ to fighting the 1993 campaign from that point.</p>
Healthcare in the Digital Age - The Future of Health Records
Authors:   , Slevin Eliot 
Published: November 2021

<p>Electronic Health Record software (EHR), is used by medical professionals regularly to interact with patient records. The functionality of this software is key to public health, however the quality of this software does not match it's importance, or its cost. Developing innovative healthcare software is a difficult due to the inherent challenges of complexity, risk, and distribution faced by healthcare software. In response these challenges, this thesis proposes Barnett: a novel system to store, share, and interact with health records across institutions. Notably, this system moves control from the vendor to the user - through iterative, crowd based improvement, and ownership. This allows the system to fit unique, and varied user needs. Barnett was developed through an interdisciplinary qualitative research process, grounded in perspectives from design, software engineering, healthcare; and interviews with healthcare professionals. The survey of current EHRs, healthcare models, and the design process indicates that developing systems which enable a faster iterative cycle of design, development, and distribution is potentially a more sustainable approach to electronic health records.</p>
Private Sector and Corporate Social Responsibility: Understandings and Perspectives of Different Stakeholders. Case study of a Mining Company in Laos
Authors:   , Souvansay Pisay 
Published: November 2021

<p>Corporations play a significant role in social and economical development globally. They play a significant role in supporting and boosting economic growth and local development as they provide job opportunities, contribute to infrastructure development, and generate income and wealth in societies. However, corporations also bring some negative impacts. Corporations, in particular those in extractive industries, can create a wide range of harmful effects and hazards to human health and livelihoods as well as to the environment. The negative impacts have attracted significant attention from related parties and prompted corporations to take a great deal of care in managing their impacts. As a result, companies are trying to improve their business strategies and corporate social responsibility (CSR) is one of these strategies by which companies try to differentiate themselves from others and to mitigate their negative impacts. CSR has gradually emerged over many decades and recently became a focus of discussion among businesses and other stakeholders. However, the consensus on the definition of CSR is still limited. Various definitions of CSR have been created based on the interests, perspectives and expectations of different organisations. This research explores the different understandings and perspectives of different groups of people around the way private sector is implementing CSR in Lao PDR, focusing on a foreign mining company as the case study. The research will also identify how these perspectives and expectations impact the strategies of CSR, especially regarding to rural development and poverty reduction in Laos. The results of this thesis show that CSR is relatively a new concept in Laos but it is increasingly significant with the government and businesses themselves both paying more attention to CSR concerns. There is still unclear and common understanding among key stakeholders namely, government, business and other related stakeholders such as communities and other organisations. Fulfilling the legal obligations seems to be sufficient for the business and the government to claim that they are CSR companies while the community and other organisations expect corporations to do more than what only in the contract. In order to promote and encourage CSR to be effective and efficient, mutual understanding needs to be created, negotiated and agreed among keys stakeholders.</p>