title: Maintenance of cyanotoxin production by cryopreserved cyanobacteria in the New Zealand culture collection

authors: Wood, Susanna A.

subjects: dimethyl sulfoxide

abstract: A culture collection of freshwater planktonic and benthic cyanobacteria collected from sites across New Zealand has been established at the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand. Limited resources led to uncertainty regarding the long-term maintenance of this collection. The present study demonstrates cryopreservation to be a viable method for long-term storage of cyanobacteria. Seventeen of 20 strains evaluated were successfully cryopreserved using the permeating cryopreservation agent dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2 SO), at a final concentration of 15% (v/v). Cyanotoxin analysis was undertaken on selected strains known to produce microcystins, nodularin, anatoxin-a, and saxitoxins. All strains retained their ability to produce these toxins following cryopreservation.

text: Maintenance of cyanotoxin production by cryopreserved cyanobacteria in the New Zealand culture collection A culture collection of freshwater planktonic and benthic cyanobacteria collected from sites across New Zealand has been established at the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand. Limited resources led to uncertainty regarding the long-term maintenance of this collection. The present study demonstrates cryopreservation to be a viable method for long-term storage of cyanobacteria. Seventeen of 20 strains evaluated were successfully cryopreserved using the permeating cryopreservation agent dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2 SO), at a final concentration of 15% (v/v). Cyanotoxin analysis was undertaken on selected strains known to produce microcystins, nodularin, anatoxin-a, and saxitoxins. All strains retained their ability to produce these toxins following cryopreservation.

year: 2008

title: Testing the efficacy of a motor analogy designed to promote safe landing by older adults who fall accidentally: a study protocol for a randomised control study

authors: Oladi, Sana

abstract: Introduction: Falling is associated with adverse effects on the health of older people. The majority of research into falls among older people has focused on prevention, with less attention to ‘how to fall safely’. Previous research suggests that motor analogies can be used to promote safe landing by young adults; however, the efficacy of this technique for older people remains unknown. This study aims to determine whether a motor analogy is useful for promoting safe falling in the older adult population. Methods and analysis: The study adopts a randomised, controlled, single- blinded study design. People 65 years and older will be randomly allocated to a control condition or a motor analogy condition. They will receive a nudge in a forward, backward or sideways direction (randomised order), which will initiate a fall. The nudge will occur at variable (randomised) time points, so participants will not be aware of when they will fall. Participants in the motor analogy condition will be instructed to ‘land like a feather’, whereas participants in the control condition will be instructed to ‘land safely’. The primary outcome parameters are maximum impact force (normalised by mass) applied to different body segments during impact and fracture risk ratio of wrists and hips. A two- way multivariate analysis of variance will be conducted to examine differences between the motor analogy and control conditions as a function of the different variables.

text: Testing the efficacy of a motor analogy designed to promote safe landing by older adults who fall accidentally: a study protocol for a randomised control study Introduction: Falling is associated with adverse effects on the health of older people. The majority of research into falls among older people has focused on prevention, with less attention to ‘how to fall safely’. Previous research suggests that motor analogies can be used to promote safe landing by young adults; however, the efficacy of this technique for older people remains unknown. This study aims to determine whether a motor analogy is useful for promoting safe falling in the older adult population. Methods and analysis: The study adopts a randomised, controlled, single- blinded study design. People 65 years and older will be randomly allocated to a control condition or a motor analogy condition. They will receive a nudge in a forward, backward or sideways direction (randomised order), which will initiate a fall. The nudge will occur at variable (randomised) time points, so participants will not be aware of when they will fall. Participants in the motor analogy condition will be instructed to ‘land like a feather’, whereas participants in the control condition will be instructed to ‘land safely’. The primary outcome parameters are maximum impact force (normalised by mass) applied to different body segments during impact and fracture risk ratio of wrists and hips. A two- way multivariate analysis of variance will be conducted to examine differences between the motor analogy and control conditions as a function of the different variables.

year: 2022

title: What (actually) matters in literacy education: Contributions from community psychology

authors: Furness, Jane Amanda

subjects: Family literacy

abstract: This paper describes the critical role community psychology theories played in reframing literacy research involving mainly Māori and Pacific peoples’ extended families and communities. Within a critical social constructionist paradigm, ecological systems theory and holistic, integrative theories of wellbeing brought much-needed new thinking to how family-focused adult literacy education might be theorised and practiced. This reframing marks a challenge to and movement away from still-dominant Western individualistic, behavioural orientated, skills-based and formal economy-focused ways of thinking about people’s literacy abilities. It highlights the important role of community psychology in developing theory, informing policy and enhancing practices in culturally diverse education settings to achieve both educational and quality of life aims. Improving quality of life is not possible through literacy education in and of itself, but rather through the inculcation in programme design and delivery of those things which are fundamental and critical to the participants’ overall wellbeing and welfare.

text: What (actually) matters in literacy education: Contributions from community psychology This paper describes the critical role community psychology theories played in reframing literacy research involving mainly Māori and Pacific peoples’ extended families and communities. Within a critical social constructionist paradigm, ecological systems theory and holistic, integrative theories of wellbeing brought much-needed new thinking to how family-focused adult literacy education might be theorised and practiced. This reframing marks a challenge to and movement away from still-dominant Western individualistic, behavioural orientated, skills-based and formal economy-focused ways of thinking about people’s literacy abilities. It highlights the important role of community psychology in developing theory, informing policy and enhancing practices in culturally diverse education settings to achieve both educational and quality of life aims. Improving quality of life is not possible through literacy education in and of itself, but rather through the inculcation in programme design and delivery of those things which are fundamental and critical to the participants’ overall wellbeing and welfare.

year: 2013