title: Crossover of distress due to work and family demands in dual-earner couples: A dyadic analysis

authors: ten Brummelhuis, Lieke L.

subjects: distress

abstract: Distress resulting from work and family overload is likely to be interdependent between partners, as both men and women increasingly participate in work and family tasks. We attempted to explain distress of both partners by looking at their work and family demands and the resulting time and energy deficits experienced by each partner. Furthermore, we investigated how time deficit, energy deficit and distress due to such demands crossover between partners. The study, which used a precise measurement of family demands, was based on a sample of both partners from 828 dual-earner couples in The Netherlands. The results showed that for both partners work and family demands increase time deficit and energy deficit. Energy deficit due to heavy demands resulted in more feelings of distress, whereas time deficit did not contribute significantly to distress. We found different patterns of crossover between male and female partners. Feelings of time deficit and energy deficit crossed over from the man to the woman, whereas feelings of distress crossed over from the woman to the man. These results indicate that the demands on each partner contribute to their own distress, as well as to their partner's distress, either through the crossover of energy deficit or through the crossover of distress.

text: Crossover of distress due to work and family demands in dual-earner couples: A dyadic analysis Distress resulting from work and family overload is likely to be interdependent between partners, as both men and women increasingly participate in work and family tasks. We attempted to explain distress of both partners by looking at their work and family demands and the resulting time and energy deficits experienced by each partner. Furthermore, we investigated how time deficit, energy deficit and distress due to such demands crossover between partners. The study, which used a precise measurement of family demands, was based on a sample of both partners from 828 dual-earner couples in The Netherlands. The results showed that for both partners work and family demands increase time deficit and energy deficit. Energy deficit due to heavy demands resulted in more feelings of distress, whereas time deficit did not contribute significantly to distress. We found different patterns of crossover between male and female partners. Feelings of time deficit and energy deficit crossed over from the man to the woman, whereas feelings of distress crossed over from the woman to the man. These results indicate that the demands on each partner contribute to their own distress, as well as to their partner's distress, either through the crossover of energy deficit or through the crossover of distress.

year: 2010-10

title: Evolution of Bacillus subtilis: A Novel Phenotype and its Challenges

authors: Murray, Mitchell John

subjects: Evolution

abstract: The enzyme LeuB from the last common ancestor of the firmicutes has been statistically recreated using several different methods. This project deals with two versions, Rec/LG and Rec/EX. To better understand these resurrected enzymes, the proteins were crystallised. Despite extensive efforts to produce crystals of diffraction quality, none of the crystals developed during this project were large enough to be of any use in X-Ray crystallography. Strains of Bacillus subtilis were genetically modified to each have one of either Rec/LG or Rec/Rec/EX in place of the native leuB gene, and then were allowed to evolve alongside an unmodified strain for 500 generations. Attempts were made to extract DNA from the evolved strains at different points throughout the evolution experiment for whole genome sequencing, and to amplify the leuB gene via PCR for direct comparisons of changes that may have occurred to the leuB gene over the course of the evolution experiment. These attempts were ultimately unsuccessful. In lieu of this genetic data, phenotypic changes to the evolved strains were characterised. A new phenotype appeared extremely early on in the experiment (by generation 54), and in less than 300 generations had swept to fixation in 9 independent strains. In all cases, this phenotype included poor growth on LB agar plates, small colonies, and small cells. Similar changes have been observed before in laboratory experiments of B. subtilis, but none occurred so quickly or so uniformly across independent samples.

text: Evolution of Bacillus subtilis: A Novel Phenotype and its Challenges The enzyme LeuB from the last common ancestor of the firmicutes has been statistically recreated using several different methods. This project deals with two versions, Rec/LG and Rec/EX. To better understand these resurrected enzymes, the proteins were crystallised. Despite extensive efforts to produce crystals of diffraction quality, none of the crystals developed during this project were large enough to be of any use in X-Ray crystallography. Strains of Bacillus subtilis were genetically modified to each have one of either Rec/LG or Rec/Rec/EX in place of the native leuB gene, and then were allowed to evolve alongside an unmodified strain for 500 generations. Attempts were made to extract DNA from the evolved strains at different points throughout the evolution experiment for whole genome sequencing, and to amplify the leuB gene via PCR for direct comparisons of changes that may have occurred to the leuB gene over the course of the evolution experiment. These attempts were ultimately unsuccessful. In lieu of this genetic data, phenotypic changes to the evolved strains were characterised. A new phenotype appeared extremely early on in the experiment (by generation 54), and in less than 300 generations had swept to fixation in 9 independent strains. In all cases, this phenotype included poor growth on LB agar plates, small colonies, and small cells. Similar changes have been observed before in laboratory experiments of B. subtilis, but none occurred so quickly or so uniformly across independent samples.

year: 2018

title: Creating an environment to inform, build, and sustain a Māori health research workforce

authors: Barrett, Nikki Maree

subjects: Kaupapa Māori

abstract: Ensuring the growth and development of the Māori health research workforce is key to achieving health equity for Māori and enabling positive change for all New Zealanders. The purpose of this study was to identify enablers and barriers to research for Māori staff in a large health organisation, and to understand how research is developed and undertaken. A Kaupapa Māori mixed-methods study was undertaken, using an electronic survey comprised of quantitative data and open-ended responses delivered to all Māori staff at the Waikato District Health Board. Following the survey were 10 one on one interviews. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and open-ended responses summarised. A descriptive thematic analysis was undertaken of the interview data. Each of the interview responses was coded and five themes emerged. Frontline Māori staff affirmed their desire to conduct, design, and undertake health research. Challenges to staff included a lack of information on research opportunities, unclear processes for initiating research, and lack of support and resource. The evidence from participants provides insights into Māori health research priorities, considerations for those wanting to undertake research, and solutions for informing, building, and sustaining the Māori health research workforce.

text: Creating an environment to inform, build, and sustain a Māori health research workforce Ensuring the growth and development of the Māori health research workforce is key to achieving health equity for Māori and enabling positive change for all New Zealanders. The purpose of this study was to identify enablers and barriers to research for Māori staff in a large health organisation, and to understand how research is developed and undertaken. A Kaupapa Māori mixed-methods study was undertaken, using an electronic survey comprised of quantitative data and open-ended responses delivered to all Māori staff at the Waikato District Health Board. Following the survey were 10 one on one interviews. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and open-ended responses summarised. A descriptive thematic analysis was undertaken of the interview data. Each of the interview responses was coded and five themes emerged. Frontline Māori staff affirmed their desire to conduct, design, and undertake health research. Challenges to staff included a lack of information on research opportunities, unclear processes for initiating research, and lack of support and resource. The evidence from participants provides insights into Māori health research priorities, considerations for those wanting to undertake research, and solutions for informing, building, and sustaining the Māori health research workforce.

year: 2023