bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Procedural Gothic: Regenerating Wellington's 19th Century Timber Churches
Authors:   , McLennan Samuel 
Published: December 2021

<p>This research looks at using the technique of procedural modelling to investigate the characteristic rules present within a loosely defined architectural style. The 19th-century timber Gothic churches built in the city of Wellington, New Zealand are examples of a particular interpretation of the Gothic style. Although they all share common aspects, there are no prescribed rules regulating how these churches were designed. This research explores a methodology for creating a procedural 'timber Gothic church generator' that is generated from an understanding and interpretation of the design of the buildings examined. Once developed, the procedural generator can be used to extrapolate, and produce other church designs as well as create hybrid designs. These outputs can be further refined through the creation of parametric rules. A key result of this methodology is to explicate better otherwise ambiguous design philosophies that are shared between the similar buildings. It shows how a design can be reverse-engineered and converted into procedural logic. The research establishes the process and logic to enable the creation of further rules to be explored.</p>
How Local People Use Their Indigenous Knowledge to Respond to Floods and Droughts: A Case Study of Tonle Sap Lake Community, Cambodia
Authors:   , Seng Sopheak 
Published: December 2021

<p>This thesis investigates the impacts of floods and droughts in the Tonle Sap Lake region and examines to what extent the local communities’ indigenous knowledge (IK) is used to deal with floods and droughts. The thesis begins by exploring the Tonle Sap Lake communities’ perceptions of climate change, especially floods and droughts and their impacts on local livelihoods. It then examines how the communities have used their IK to develop livelihood adaptation methods to cope with floods and droughts. To conduct this study, a qualitative methodology was adopted using semi-structured interviews, and non-participant and unstructured observation as the main methods. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with local people and local authorities from two communities, and NGO staff. The study found that the intensity of floods and droughts in the Tonle Sap Lake region has increased in the last few years. Floods and droughts have threatened local livelihoods and food security. To mitigate the effects of floods and droughts, the local communities in this region have developed various livelihood adaptation strategies to adapt to the hazards. The communities appeared to use both IK and technologies for their adaptation strategies. IK is seen as an invaluable local community asset in developing livelihood adaptation methods. Although a mixture of IK and new knowledge has been used to develop various adaptation strategies, the sufficiency of the adaptation is still limited. The current severity of climate change is seen to limit the local communities’ response capacities. To strengthen the communities’ adaptation capacity, contribution and involvement from non-governmental organisations and the government in developing climate change adaptation policy at a local level are essential.</p>
The Pedestrian Workplace
Authors:   , Davenport Bronté 
Published: December 2021

<p>How can analysis of affective relationships enable the public street as a pedestrian workplace? When thinking of places we feel a bond to - an attachment to - home commonly comes to mind. In today’s world, where many of us spend just as much time at home as at work, do we feel a similar connection to our workplace? As mobility increases through technology, and we can work anywhere, anytime, do we take this affective bond with us… everywhere? Every place has an affect; a sense about it, a feeling. The street has a particular affect, as encounters between the place and the pedestrian continuously occur. In recent years, there has been an increase of awareness in urban design of public environments as places of work. People are able to perform working behaviours anywhere, at any time, thanks to technology - even as they walk down the street. In response to the new mobility of the contemporary workplace, this thesis aims to explore affective relationships that take place in the street - where the worker takes on the role of pedestrian. Previous research into this area has discovered a dichotomy in opinions – as our mobility increases, do we form stronger bonds to places, or does this mobility rob us of any place attachments? Do third places catering to mobile working conditions necessarily diminish social and recreational life? I am interested in firstly exploring what affects are occurring within the street, and later to explore how architectural design intervention can manipulate the affective response of a pedestrian. The research will employ analogue and digital media, alongside theoretical research, to explore the interactions and affective links that occur between work and street. The ability to design with affective encounters in mind will be the driving force. The implications will be an exploration of affect within the context of the street system, specifically when the street is considered as a place where working behaviours may occur alongside social and recreational behaviours. This will further the understanding of the connections people have with places, and how this manifests in daily life.</p>
Strategies and processes emergency department nurses consider important to safely manage during an influenza pandemic: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors:   , Lockett Jessica 
Published: December 2021

<p>The influenza virus is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide each year, with influenza pandemics occurring every 10 to 50 years and responsible for millions of deaths and substantial economic impact. Increasing globalisation through travel and trade means New Zealand is vulnerable to the risks of pandemic influenza, placing a strain on the healthcare system, putting lives at risk and posing a significant cost to the country. Emergency Departments are at the frontline of New Zealand’s healthcare system and are a crucial component in the response to an influenza pandemic, however little research has been done on the impact such an event would have on the nursing staff who work in this area and the care they provide to influenza patients. This study aims to explore what New Zealand Emergency Department nurses perceive as the biggest challenges to nursing care and staff safety during an influenza pandemic, in order to provide information on how to ensure the engagement of these nurses at the frontline of the pandemic response. With a lack of evidence-based research available, a qualitative descriptive design was used to allow an exploration of the first-hand perspectives of Emergency Department nurses, gaining meaningful insights into a phenomena which has been little explored. Sixteen nurses from two Emergency Departments participated in face-to-face interviews conducted using semi-structured questions. Raw data was transcribed, and an inductive approach was taken to data analysis, guided by the principles of both content and thematic analysis. The findings demonstrate that Emergency Department nurses work in an environment that poses risk to patient and staff safety every day, and an understanding of these safety problems is provided in the theme ‘the everyday reality for Emergency Department nurses’. Working within this context shapes the fears that Emergency Department nurses hold about what could happen if an influenza pandemic were to affect New Zealand in the future, and are summarised within the theme ‘fears for a pandemic’. The final theme, ‘strategy and planning for pandemics’ provides insight into how Emergency Department nurses feel these issues could be managed within future pandemic planning at Emergency Department, District Health Board and government level. This thesis identifies both existing and potential future safety concerns in relation to the management of influenza in New Zealand Emergency Departments, affecting the safety of patients and staff. It also provides specific multi-level and multi-agency recommendations for future pandemic plans that could help to mitigate the significant risks highlighted by those who work within the system every day.</p>
Transport Properties of Rare Earth Nitrides
Authors:   , Holmes-Hewett William 
Published: December 2021

<p>In this thesis we investigate the transport properties of SmN, NdN and GdN, members of the rare earth nitride series of intrinsic ferromagnetic semiconductors. GdN is the central member of the series with seven occupied majority spin 4f states and seven empty minority spin 4f states. Both the filled and unfilled 4f states are some few eV away from the conduction and valence band extrema, resulting in transport properties which are dominated by the extended Gd 5d band. The half filled 4f shell, with zero net orbital angular momentum, furthermore simplifies calculations and as such GdN is the most studied both experimentally and in theory. As one moves to lighter members, the filled 4f states become unfilled states in the conduction band and the 4f shell now has a net orbital angular momentum. Calculations concerning these members are now significantly more complicated, and as such there exists a wide range of predictions concerning the conduction band minima in the lighter rare earth nitrides. To inform the current theoretical and experimental literature we report on three studies concerning the transport properties of SmN, NdN and GdN. To begin we report on the anomalous Hall effect in SmN, NdN and GdN. Under the symmetry of the rock-salt rare earth nitrides the magnitude of the anomalous Hall effect can imply the wave function of the conduction electron (i.e. d or f band). Measurements of the anomalous Hall effect in moderately doped samples are used to show the conduction channel in SmN and NdN is an f band or hybridised f/d band. Furthermore the sign of the anomalous Hall effect can be used to determine the orientation of the spin magnetic moment of the conduction electrons. Optical measurements of SmN, NdN and GdN films are then reported. Optical measurements provide a probe of the band structure of a material via direct transitions between the valence and conduction bands. Measurements of reflectivity and transmission on undoped SmN and NdN films were used to locate the unfilled majority spin 4f bands which form the conduction band minima in each material. Finally a preliminary study of heavily doped SmN, NdN and GdN is discussed. Structural measurements show a reduced lattice parameter while transport results find a significantly enhanced conductivity in heavily doped films. The Curie temperature is found to be enhanced and optical measurements show an increased absorption and red-shifted optical edge in doped films. The superconducting state of SmN is discussed and it is shown only to be present in moderately doped films, i.e. superconductivity is not present in undoped or degenerately doped SmN, within our measurement limits.</p>
Joint Decisions in Residential Choice
Authors:   , Johnsen Edward 
Published: December 2021

<p>Economic agents frequently make joint decisions, which often require a compromise by some or all of the participants. We propose an econometric model in which groups of agents make a joint decision; each agent has preferences modelled using a combination of multi-nominal logit and conditional logit parts. We combine these marginal preferences to create a joint set of probabilities of the group making a particular choice, which enables parameter estimation by maximum likelihood. We can also make the weight applied to an individual agents preferences depend on characteristics of the agent or group. To demonstrate the use of the model, data is obtained from the New Zealand Household Travel Survey. We estimate our model to show how households might make the joint decision of where to live, given that different household members have different work locations.</p>
Verismo opera: how bel canto technique protected the voices of its singers
Authors:   , Chen Zeyu 
Published: December 2021

<p>Verismo is a style of opera composition that was influenced by a significant movement in Italian literature from the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century. It is characterised by the true-to-life portrayal of rural or urban poverty, often showing a robust regional lifestyle as well as serving as the introduction to the region's representative songs and dances. Historically, the singing of verismo opera posed some problems for singers in regards to their stamina and the longevity of their career. As a student, I attempted to sing this type of music, but I felt unable to sing it well; my difficulties and the problems associated with the performance of verismo, therefore, fascinated me. Rationalising that proper vocal technique was the answer to these problems, I then concentrated on long-term systematic bel canto training in China and New Zealand. In most cases, the study of bel canto technique is a fundamental part of the process of learning vocal music for classical singers. In addition to laying out the background of verismo and bel canto, my exegesis demonstrates how singers can learn to sing verismo opera well without damaging their voices, which will help them extend their stamina and the length of their career. I especially investigate the differing use of the body needed for singing each type of music. Researching bel canto, I have listened to different singers' recordings and have written short critiques of their voices, focusing on how they developed bel canto to sing verismo. I have focused on bel canto and verismo works for my repertoire and can apply the techniques safely based on bel canto training. To articulate this knowledge, I take three different arias (one bel canto aria, two verismo arias) as case studies to analyse, to demonstrate the points I want to make. In addition, as a native Mandarin Chinese speaker, I focus on how Mandarin native speakers deal with singing Italian, and I articulate techniques to help other Mandarin speakers learn bel canto. Overall, my research will have practical and artistic value for younger students in helping them to understand the challenges of singing verismo opera.</p>
The Effect of Ionising Radiation on the Luminescence Properties of Fluoroperovskites
Authors:   , Schuyt Joseph 
Published: December 2021

<p>The luminescence of crystalline compounds can be used to monitor many physical phenomena, including doses of ionising radiation. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), thermoluminescence (TL), and radiophotoluminescence (RPL) have been successfully employed in dosimetry. However, few materials possess both the structural and luminescence properties required for medical dosimetry. This thesis aimed to investigate the luminescence features of the class of compounds known as fluoroperovskites. Emphasis was placed on studying the effects of irradiation on the luminescence properties, such that the compounds could be evaluated regarding potential applications in clinical dosimetry. Samples were primarily characterised using photoluminescence (PL), radioluminescence (RL), OSL, RPL, TL, and transmittance spectroscopy. OSL was observed in the majority of samples due to the existence of electron trapping F-type centres. F-centre/Mn complexes were observed in all AMgF3:Mn compounds after irradiation and the energy levels of the complexes in each compound were experimentally determined. The most promising potential dosimeter host material was the near tissue-equivalent NaMgF3. When doped with Mn2+, the compound exhibited RPL via the formation of F-centre/Mn complexes and OSL via several trapping centres. The RPL could be probed independently to the OSL such that the compound could function as a hybrid OSL/RPL dosimeter. In the NaMgF3:Ln compounds, RPL occurred via the radiation-induced reduction Ln3+ → Ln2+ for Ln = Sm, Dy, and Yb. The reduction Sm3+ → Sm2+ was highly stable and could be non-destructively probed independently to the OSL. The Sm doped compound also exhibited radiation-induced conductivity that could be coupled with the RL, such that the compound could function as a real-time hybrid optical/electrical dosimeter. Charge kinetics, thermal quenching, and binding energy models were developed and applied to the compounds. Finally, a two-dimensional readout system was designed and constructed. The capabilities of the system were evaluated using the OSL of NaMgF3:Eu and NaMgF3:Mn. Sensitivities to doses from < 10 mGy to > 1 Gy were obtained along with sub-millimetre spatial resolutions.</p>
Discovery and Biosynthesis of Natural Products from New Zealand Soil Metagenome Libraries
Authors:   , Stevenson Luke 
Published: December 2021

<p>Antibiotic discovery rates dramatically declined following the “golden age” of the 1940’s to the 1960’s. The platforms that underpinned that age of discovery rested upon laboratory cultivation of a small clade of bacteria, the actinomycetes, primarily isolated from soil environments. Fermentation extracts of these isolated bacteria have provided the majority of antibiotics and anticancer small molecules still used today. By applying modern genetic analysis techniques to these same environmental sources that have previously yielded such success, we can uncover new biosynthetic pathways, and bioactive compounds. The work described in this thesis investigated New Zealand soil metagenomes for this purpose. Four large metagenome libraries were constructed from the microbiomes of diverse soil environments. These were then interrogated by a functional screening approach in a knockout Escherichia coli strain, to recover a large collection of the biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for bacterial secondary metabolite production. Using different modes of bioinformatic analysis, these gene clusters were demonstrated to have both phylogenetic divergence, and functional difference from bacterial biosynthesis pathways previously discovered from culture based studies. Two additional biosynthetic pathways were recovered from one of these metagenome libraries, and in each case found to have novel genetic features. These gene clusters were further studied by heterologous expression within Streptomyces albus production hosts. One of these gene clusters produced small aromatic polyketide compounds, the structure of one of which was solved by chemical analytic techniques, and found to be a new chemical entity. The second gene cluster was demonstrated to have similarity to known aureolic acid biosynthesis gene clusters – a class of potent anticancer natural products. Heterologous expression resulted in the production of many metabolites, two of which were characterised and found to be new members of this chemical class. The research in this thesis both validates the use of metagenomic analysis for future natural product discovery efforts, and adds to a growing body of evidence that understudied clades of bacteria have an untapped biosynthetic potential that can be accessed by metagenomic methods.</p>
Effects of BMP15 and GDF9 on Ovine Oocytes in an In Vitro Maturation System
Authors:   , Singh Aanchal 
Published: December 2021

<p>Oocyte developmental competency is the intrinsic measure of oocyte quality and the capacity for a mature oocyte to support the early stages of embryo development and implantation. Oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs), such as growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), play a pivotal role in regulating the synchrony of various complex maturation events within the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) through the induction of paracrine and endocrine signalling. These proteins act synergistically to influence the proliferation and differentiation of granulosa cells (GCs), cumulus cell (CC) expansion, promote survival, ovulation, the attainment of developmental competency and fertility. Species-specific ratios suggest that poly-ovulatory mammals have increased fecundity due to high ratios of GDF9:BMP15, which is directly reflected in their large litter size. Interestingly, it has also been found that higher ratios of GDF9:BMP15 also increased blastocyst rate in sheep implying that these embryos develop from oocytes that are more developmentally competent. In this study, I investigated the hypothesis that supplementing a commercial in vitro maturation (IVM) system with a high ratio of GDF9:BMP15 would increase the developmental competency sheep oocytes; a species with low-moderate litter size. To test this hypothesis, ovine oocytes were matured in a biphasic IVM system containing GDF9 and BMP15 at three divergent ratios (1:6, 1:1, 6:1). The results herein show that the 6:1 ratio resulted in higher levels of reagent transfer to the ovine oocyte through gap junctions (GJs) after 24 hours of incubation. Similarly, it was also observed that at the higher ratio, glutathione (GSH) levels were higher at 7.5 hours of incubation. The high GDF9:BMP15 ratio also facilitated the increased consumption of pyruvate by the COC consistently throughout the culture period. Importantly, the high GDF9:BMP15 ratio showed higher expression of the gene that encodes GJ (CX43) at 24 hours relative to the control. It was also demonstrated through decreased apoptotic factor (BAX:BCL2) ratios, that the addition of OSFs, regardless of ratio, protected against cell death. In summary, this study provides novel results that support the notion that a high GDF9:BMP15 ratio improves oocyte quality by delaying the timing of meiotic resumption. This subsequently improves the transport of key metabolites and antioxidants to protect against oxidative stress and cell death and aid in the completion of maturation, ultimately resulting in the increased developmental competency observed in high fecundity poly-ovulatory species.</p>
Next Generation Architect
Authors:   , Le Compte Terian 
Published: December 2021

<p>The stereotype of an architect is expensive, with minimal consideration and awareness towards cost and budget. This is damaging the reputation of the profession. This thesis will look at the Next Generation Architect who combines both design and construction to understand the cost implications from the start to the completion of the project. A Next Generation Architect works with an innovative approach that is more affordable to how they currently practice. They design houses that are both economical and retain a strong design quality, through the value of the aesthetics, materials, and living conditions. An effective architect should be able to design, mindful of costs, along with the implications involved and actively manage the costs, based on design decisions made. This research will commence by exploring tactics of affordability, housing economics, and costing and design tactics, to portray exemplars of affordable housing. Elements will be costed with data from QV costbuilder implemented through the use of Building information modelling (BIM) through Revit. The architectural value will explore the use of materials, living conditions, economics, and lifecycle to optimise the design. A series of precedents will be analysed to gain an understanding of the techniques of affordable methods used within New Zealand’s construction industry. This thesis aims to provide architecturally designed and preliminarily costed affordable architectural products. Through a series of architecturally designed standalone houses that explore affordability, and tested through the use of architecture as a product across four sites, displaying different site conditions of the Wellington region. This thesis will portray efficient, economic building and design techniques and cost monitoring while retaining a strong architectural quality. The aim is to convey the contemporary role of a Next Generation Architect who works accurately with value. Who is mindful of costs and designs economically, without compromising the quality of an architecturally designed product.</p>