title: On the gas exchange and isofluxes of New Zealand mosses

authors: Ng, Tania Zi Xin

subjects: Moss

abstract: The stable isotopic composition of plant tissue reflects the biophysical and biochemical processes that occur during water uptake and cellulose synthesis. Stable isotope techniques in plant science have primarily focused on vascular plants; however, there is a growing interest in the stable isotopic composition of nonvascular plants, especially for paleoclimate reconstruction. The stable carbon isotopic composition of plant organic matter provides information of when a plant was photosynthetically active, while the stable oxygen isotopic composition can infer the environmental conditions that favoured photosynthesis. Presently, little is known about the relationship between the stable oxygen isotopic composition of moss tissue and the environment due to the complexity of the isotopic fractionation processes involved. This thesis offers insight on the oxygen isotopic composition of moss tissue and phyllid water through three separate studies and addresses the possible isotopic fractionation processes that may influence the stable isotopic composition observed.

The first study investigated the oxygen isotopic composition of evaporated water from two species of moss: Ptychomnion aciculare and Dawsonia superba. Measurements of on-line gas exchange and the isotopic composition of vapour water from the mosses were taken. Two oxygen isotope theories were applied to explain the observed oxygen isotopic composition of evaporated water. The first isotope theory was Rayleigh’s distillation theory, often used to describe the oxygen isotope variation observed in the global hydrological cycle. The second theory was the modified Craig–Gordon model, often applied to isotopic enrichment in vascular leaves. The results highlighted how the anatomical differences of the phyllid structure influences the isotopic composition of evaporated and transpired water.

The second study interpreted the stable carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of D. superba stems. This involved taking 10 mm transverse sections along the stem and analyzing the isotopic composition of each section. The results from the carbon isotope analysis indicated that the carbon isotopic composition was more depleted at the base of stem compared to the tip, suggesting soil respiration, rather than atmospheric CO₂, was the primary factor influencing the isotopic composition of the stem. Additionally, analyses of the stable oxygen isotopic composition of D. superba stem indicated seasonal variations that coincided with the seasonal shifts in the oxygen stable isotopic composition of precipitation.

The final study investigated the relationship between the isotopic composition of Sphagnum cuspidatum bulk tissue and the oxygen isotopic composition of source water was investigated under laboratory settings. The oxygen isotopic composition of moss tissue is theorized to reflect the oxygen isotopic composition of source water, offset by the biochemical fractionation constant. Four sealed growth chambers were set up and the mosses were watered with different isotopically labelled water for 6 months. S. cuspidatum was harvested, dried, and analyzed for the stable isotopic composition. The results indicated that oxygen isotopic composition of moss tissue increased by 0.17‰ for every 1‰ increase in source water, a relationship much lower than predicted by the theory. This suggested that the isotopic composition of moss tissue reflects an equilibrium process between source water and the vapour from atmospheric air.

These studies contribute theoretical and practical advancements in understanding the relationship between moss stable isotopes and the environment. The research here demonstrated the relationship between the oxygen isotopic composition of moss bulk tissue to the oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation and water sources, in both field and laboratory settings. They also provide insight into how the physiology and anatomy of moss phyllids influence the observed isotopic composition fixed in organic material.

text: On the gas exchange and isofluxes of New Zealand mosses The stable isotopic composition of plant tissue reflects the biophysical and biochemical processes that occur during water uptake and cellulose synthesis. Stable isotope techniques in plant science have primarily focused on vascular plants; however, there is a growing interest in the stable isotopic composition of nonvascular plants, especially for paleoclimate reconstruction. The stable carbon isotopic composition of plant organic matter provides information of when a plant was photosynthetically active, while the stable oxygen isotopic composition can infer the environmental conditions that favoured photosynthesis. Presently, little is known about the relationship between the stable oxygen isotopic composition of moss tissue and the environment due to the complexity of the isotopic fractionation processes involved. This thesis offers insight on the oxygen isotopic composition of moss tissue and phyllid water through three separate studies and addresses the possible isotopic fractionation processes that may influence the stable isotopic composition observed.

The first study investigated the oxygen isotopic composition of evaporated water from two species of moss: Ptychomnion aciculare and Dawsonia superba. Measurements of on-line gas exchange and the isotopic composition of vapour water from the mosses were taken. Two oxygen isotope theories were applied to explain the observed oxygen isotopic composition of evaporated water. The first isotope theory was Rayleigh’s distillation theory, often used to describe the oxygen isotope variation observed in the global hydrological cycle. The second theory was the modified Craig–Gordon model, often applied to isotopic enrichment in vascular leaves. The results highlighted how the anatomical differences of the phyllid structure influences the isotopic composition of evaporated and transpired water.

The second study interpreted the stable carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of D. superba stems. This involved taking 10 mm transverse sections along the stem and analyzing the isotopic composition of each section. The results from the carbon isotope analysis indicated that the carbon isotopic composition was more depleted at the base of stem compared to the tip, suggesting soil respiration, rather than atmospheric CO₂, was the primary factor influencing the isotopic composition of the stem. Additionally, analyses of the stable oxygen isotopic composition of D. superba stem indicated seasonal variations that coincided with the seasonal shifts in the oxygen stable isotopic composition of precipitation.

The final study investigated the relationship between the isotopic composition of Sphagnum cuspidatum bulk tissue and the oxygen isotopic composition of source water was investigated under laboratory settings. The oxygen isotopic composition of moss tissue is theorized to reflect the oxygen isotopic composition of source water, offset by the biochemical fractionation constant. Four sealed growth chambers were set up and the mosses were watered with different isotopically labelled water for 6 months. S. cuspidatum was harvested, dried, and analyzed for the stable isotopic composition. The results indicated that oxygen isotopic composition of moss tissue increased by 0.17‰ for every 1‰ increase in source water, a relationship much lower than predicted by the theory. This suggested that the isotopic composition of moss tissue reflects an equilibrium process between source water and the vapour from atmospheric air.

These studies contribute theoretical and practical advancements in understanding the relationship between moss stable isotopes and the environment. The research here demonstrated the relationship between the oxygen isotopic composition of moss bulk tissue to the oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation and water sources, in both field and laboratory settings. They also provide insight into how the physiology and anatomy of moss phyllids influence the observed isotopic composition fixed in organic material.

year: 2023

title: Exploring the nature of psychological wellness of renal patients on dialysis under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Centre

authors: Pepperell, Cherie Susan

subjects: renal

abstract: In New Zealand, there has been limited enquiry into the experiences of dialysis patients and the health professionals who work with these patients. The number of people requiring dialysis is increasing every year and the support they require to manage end stage kidney disease is complex. It involves the invasive physical intervention of dialysis, as well as psychological support to cope with the significant life changes and social support to help patients to manage this disease.
The purpose of this research is to explore the nature of psychological well-being of patients under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Unit. The level of psychological support that the patients have access to is investigated and suggested improvements rationalised against prior research findings are presented. The intent of this research is to create an awareness of the psychological needs of dialysis patients. It aims to give insight into the participants’ lived experience as they openly describe their lives as dialysis patients, and endeavours to open up discussion for change.
Two data gathering approaches were used to engage with patients and health professional. I completed interviews with 11 renal patients and 14 health professionals, and administered a mail out questionnaire to 197 patient respondents. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified the following themes; the impacts of end stage kidney disease on the psychological well-being of renal patients, the need for psychological support for patients with end stage kidney disease, and the need for improved communication between and across all parties; the support people, the health professionals and the renal patient.

text: Exploring the nature of psychological wellness of renal patients on dialysis under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Centre In New Zealand, there has been limited enquiry into the experiences of dialysis patients and the health professionals who work with these patients. The number of people requiring dialysis is increasing every year and the support they require to manage end stage kidney disease is complex. It involves the invasive physical intervention of dialysis, as well as psychological support to cope with the significant life changes and social support to help patients to manage this disease.
The purpose of this research is to explore the nature of psychological well-being of patients under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Unit. The level of psychological support that the patients have access to is investigated and suggested improvements rationalised against prior research findings are presented. The intent of this research is to create an awareness of the psychological needs of dialysis patients. It aims to give insight into the participants’ lived experience as they openly describe their lives as dialysis patients, and endeavours to open up discussion for change.
Two data gathering approaches were used to engage with patients and health professional. I completed interviews with 11 renal patients and 14 health professionals, and administered a mail out questionnaire to 197 patient respondents. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified the following themes; the impacts of end stage kidney disease on the psychological well-being of renal patients, the need for psychological support for patients with end stage kidney disease, and the need for improved communication between and across all parties; the support people, the health professionals and the renal patient.

year: 2017

title: “You’re not coming out – you’ve been there all along and just no one’s looked”: Māori LGBT+ youth and identity exploration

authors: Laurence, Rebekah

subjects: Māori

abstract: This research is a Masters-level project on Māori LGBT-plus (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other) youths’ experience of exploring their gender and sexual identities, highlighting how whānau (loosely, ‘extended family’) can provide mana (authority, power) such that youth can exercise mana rangatiratanga (a Maniapoto description of ‘autonomy, self-determination’) regarding their identities. This is a novel, exploratory study.
Adapted elements from a Mana Wāhine (Māori feminist) perspective of Kaupapa Māori theory comprised the theoretical framework for this project. These elements were Mana rangatiratanga (adapted from Tino rangatiratanga), Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga (Māori language and its culture), and Whanaungatanga (relationships). The three elements were adapted to fit a Ngāti Maniapoto worldview. 
Qualitative research methods were used for this study. There were five participants aged between 17 and 24 years, who were Māori and had diverse gender or sexual identities. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants, which allowed them to share their experiences of exploring their gender and sexual identities and of whānau support. Interviews were analysed using a process of inductive thematic analysis, which identified and analysed patterns across the dataset.
Eight themes were derived from participants’ experiences. These themes were Ko Tūhura, which described the process of discovery that participants have experienced; Ko Matatapu, which described participants’ experience of authenticity and concealment of their gender and sexual identities; Ko Tautoko, which described how whānau have empowered participants to explore their identities, and how participants have been denied empowerment; Ko Mata-ngaro, which described participants’ early lack of exposure to diverse identities, and their having their identities unseen by others; Ko te Ahunga-ki-te-aunoa, which described how diverse identities have been accepted within participants’ whānau; Ko Tauawhi, which described how participants have been embraced for their diverse identities; Ko Mata-pū-take, which describes participants’ experience of finding somewhere to belong; and Ko Kiritau, which describes participants’ becoming settled in their expression of their gender and sexual identities.
The findings of the thesis describe roles that whānau play in participants’ exploration of their gender and sexual identities and some of the effects that colonisation has had within participants’ whānau regarding their gender and sexual identities. Nonetheless, participants actively resisted these aspects of colonisations and found ways to give voice to their gender and sexual identities.
Given that participants shared that there was a dearth of information regarding gender and sexual identities available to them within their whānau and school environments, organisations within psychology and related fields may work to proactively provide all young Māori people and their whānau with information regarding diverse gender and sexual identities. Moreover, to address the dearth of resources designed for Māori LGBT-plus youth, New Zealand-based researchers may collate information specifically regarding Māori LGBT-plus youth experience of identity exploration and Māori knowledges regarding gender and sexual identities. This information may be collated in community-based resources that are designed specifically for members of this group and their whānau, and professionals who work for them.

text: “You’re not coming out – you’ve been there all along and just no one’s looked”: Māori LGBT+ youth and identity exploration This research is a Masters-level project on Māori LGBT-plus (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other) youths’ experience of exploring their gender and sexual identities, highlighting how whānau (loosely, ‘extended family’) can provide mana (authority, power) such that youth can exercise mana rangatiratanga (a Maniapoto description of ‘autonomy, self-determination’) regarding their identities. This is a novel, exploratory study.
Adapted elements from a Mana Wāhine (Māori feminist) perspective of Kaupapa Māori theory comprised the theoretical framework for this project. These elements were Mana rangatiratanga (adapted from Tino rangatiratanga), Te reo Māori me ōna tikanga (Māori language and its culture), and Whanaungatanga (relationships). The three elements were adapted to fit a Ngāti Maniapoto worldview. 
Qualitative research methods were used for this study. There were five participants aged between 17 and 24 years, who were Māori and had diverse gender or sexual identities. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants, which allowed them to share their experiences of exploring their gender and sexual identities and of whānau support. Interviews were analysed using a process of inductive thematic analysis, which identified and analysed patterns across the dataset.
Eight themes were derived from participants’ experiences. These themes were Ko Tūhura, which described the process of discovery that participants have experienced; Ko Matatapu, which described participants’ experience of authenticity and concealment of their gender and sexual identities; Ko Tautoko, which described how whānau have empowered participants to explore their identities, and how participants have been denied empowerment; Ko Mata-ngaro, which described participants’ early lack of exposure to diverse identities, and their having their identities unseen by others; Ko te Ahunga-ki-te-aunoa, which described how diverse identities have been accepted within participants’ whānau; Ko Tauawhi, which described how participants have been embraced for their diverse identities; Ko Mata-pū-take, which describes participants’ experience of finding somewhere to belong; and Ko Kiritau, which describes participants’ becoming settled in their expression of their gender and sexual identities.
The findings of the thesis describe roles that whānau play in participants’ exploration of their gender and sexual identities and some of the effects that colonisation has had within participants’ whānau regarding their gender and sexual identities. Nonetheless, participants actively resisted these aspects of colonisations and found ways to give voice to their gender and sexual identities.
Given that participants shared that there was a dearth of information regarding gender and sexual identities available to them within their whānau and school environments, organisations within psychology and related fields may work to proactively provide all young Māori people and their whānau with information regarding diverse gender and sexual identities. Moreover, to address the dearth of resources designed for Māori LGBT-plus youth, New Zealand-based researchers may collate information specifically regarding Māori LGBT-plus youth experience of identity exploration and Māori knowledges regarding gender and sexual identities. This information may be collated in community-based resources that are designed specifically for members of this group and their whānau, and professionals who work for them.

year: 2020