title: Investigation of how body image focused social media posts and comments affect viewers’ thoughts, feelings and responses - A behavioural perspective: A qualitative study

authors: Chandrasekara Mudiyanselage , Ayodhya Udeshini Chandrasekara Panadare

subjects: body image

abstract: Previous research has focused on body image as an important research topic. This could be due to the fact that body image is linked with psychological outcomes such as body satisfaction that could affect one's emotions and quality of life,  as well as acting as a protective factor by improving self-esteem, maintaining social connections and affecting lifestyle choices. (Merino et al., 2024). On the other hand, a negative body image can also affect physical well-being through practising unhealthy dietary habits and reduced physical activity (Jiménez-Morcillo et al., 2024). Due to these factors, researchers have utilised both qualitative and quantitative research methods to study the impact of body image on an individual’s wellbeing.  However, qualitative research employing visual stimuli to explore the effect on individual body image remains limited, particularly within the context of Aotearoa. To address this research gap, I conducted a study utilising a simulated Instagram frame featuring an artificially generated image accompanied by comments as the stimulus material, presented to young women aged 18 to 28 years at the University of Waikato. A semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant to get an understanding of their perspective on social media and body image.  The findings indicated that participants' thoughts, feelings and actions related to their body image were affected more positively by viewing the body post and comments.  This study also aims to frame the research outcomes in a behaviour analytic perspective, to provide implications for future body image research in Aotearoa.

text: Investigation of how body image focused social media posts and comments affect viewers’ thoughts, feelings and responses - A behavioural perspective: A qualitative study Previous research has focused on body image as an important research topic. This could be due to the fact that body image is linked with psychological outcomes such as body satisfaction that could affect one's emotions and quality of life,  as well as acting as a protective factor by improving self-esteem, maintaining social connections and affecting lifestyle choices. (Merino et al., 2024). On the other hand, a negative body image can also affect physical well-being through practising unhealthy dietary habits and reduced physical activity (Jiménez-Morcillo et al., 2024). Due to these factors, researchers have utilised both qualitative and quantitative research methods to study the impact of body image on an individual’s wellbeing.  However, qualitative research employing visual stimuli to explore the effect on individual body image remains limited, particularly within the context of Aotearoa. To address this research gap, I conducted a study utilising a simulated Instagram frame featuring an artificially generated image accompanied by comments as the stimulus material, presented to young women aged 18 to 28 years at the University of Waikato. A semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant to get an understanding of their perspective on social media and body image.  The findings indicated that participants' thoughts, feelings and actions related to their body image were affected more positively by viewing the body post and comments.  This study also aims to frame the research outcomes in a behaviour analytic perspective, to provide implications for future body image research in Aotearoa.

year: 2025

title: Understanding allosteric enzyme regulation using macromolecular rate theory

authors: Hamill, Carlin James

subjects: Enzyme

abstract: Enzyme catalysed reaction rates produce a curved temperature dependence with a temperature optimum, Topt. Traditionally enzyme temperature dependence has been modelled by the Arrhenius and Eyring-Polanyi equations. Deviations from
these models at elevated temperatures have traditionally been attributed to enzyme denaturation. Increasing evidence shows that enzyme denaturation is insufficient to fully explain the curvature for enzyme catalysed rates with temperature.

Macromolecular rate theory (MMRT) accounts for these deviations from early models by introducing the concept of heat capacity (Cp). During an enzymatic reaction, the heat capacity is reduced as the transition state complex forms (due to enzyme rigidification), resulting in an overall negative change in heat capacity (ΔCp^‡) for the reaction. Heat capacity is a function of the number and energies of the vibrational modes for the individual molecules. Enzyme-ligand binding will influence the energies of the vibrational modes of the molecular complex
therefore affecting an enzymes’ heat capacity and its catalytic rate via ΔCp^‡. Notably, a form of enzyme regulation (called allostery) utilises ligand binding at a site other than the active site to effect changes in catalytic rate.

The underlying mechanisms of allostery are poorly understood. Here, the mechanisms of allostery are explored using a model isomaltase enzyme and MMRT to investigate changes in heat capacity. Several mutants of the model MalL enzyme were designed, produced and purified. These mutations aimed to either
alter the structural integrity or mimic ligand binding in the C-terminal domain. Using a Stopped-Flow apparatus, these mutants were characterised kinetically and using crystallographic techniques, two structures were solved at high resolution.

Targeted mutations approximately 30 Å from the active site showed significant changes in enzyme rate. Overall, the two new structures of MalL were very similar to the apo-enzyme showing only very minor structural deviations. Changes to the rate can thus be attributed to changes in enzyme dynamics and heat capacity.
These results are a promising first step in linking changes in enzymatic activity with changes to enzyme dynamics and heat capacity, using MMRT as a model.

text: Understanding allosteric enzyme regulation using macromolecular rate theory Enzyme catalysed reaction rates produce a curved temperature dependence with a temperature optimum, Topt. Traditionally enzyme temperature dependence has been modelled by the Arrhenius and Eyring-Polanyi equations. Deviations from
these models at elevated temperatures have traditionally been attributed to enzyme denaturation. Increasing evidence shows that enzyme denaturation is insufficient to fully explain the curvature for enzyme catalysed rates with temperature.

Macromolecular rate theory (MMRT) accounts for these deviations from early models by introducing the concept of heat capacity (Cp). During an enzymatic reaction, the heat capacity is reduced as the transition state complex forms (due to enzyme rigidification), resulting in an overall negative change in heat capacity (ΔCp^‡) for the reaction. Heat capacity is a function of the number and energies of the vibrational modes for the individual molecules. Enzyme-ligand binding will influence the energies of the vibrational modes of the molecular complex
therefore affecting an enzymes’ heat capacity and its catalytic rate via ΔCp^‡. Notably, a form of enzyme regulation (called allostery) utilises ligand binding at a site other than the active site to effect changes in catalytic rate.

The underlying mechanisms of allostery are poorly understood. Here, the mechanisms of allostery are explored using a model isomaltase enzyme and MMRT to investigate changes in heat capacity. Several mutants of the model MalL enzyme were designed, produced and purified. These mutations aimed to either
alter the structural integrity or mimic ligand binding in the C-terminal domain. Using a Stopped-Flow apparatus, these mutants were characterised kinetically and using crystallographic techniques, two structures were solved at high resolution.

Targeted mutations approximately 30 Å from the active site showed significant changes in enzyme rate. Overall, the two new structures of MalL were very similar to the apo-enzyme showing only very minor structural deviations. Changes to the rate can thus be attributed to changes in enzyme dynamics and heat capacity.
These results are a promising first step in linking changes in enzymatic activity with changes to enzyme dynamics and heat capacity, using MMRT as a model.

year: 2020

title: Takitoru: creative practice toward the development of a trilingual dramaturgical kaupapa

authors: Lodge, Alexandra Rose Pittaway

subjects: theatre

abstract: I have focused on writing a play in the three languages of Aotearoa: New Zealand Sign Language, te reo Māori, and NZ English. Through the development of this script with three actors I have found techniques for performance and workshopping to encourage multilingual creative practice for a playwright. Through case studies of playwrights doing similar work at an international level, I have synthesised analytical and creative research into a final script and summary of my dramaturgical findings.
Through creative practice in scriptwriting and developmental workshops, this research explores what story-telling modes, devices or styles seem particularly apt for conveying an inclusive and engaging trilingual narrative on stage.
This specifically involves developing a dramaturgical set of insights for others who may want to do cross-language performance in Aotearoa.

text: Takitoru: creative practice toward the development of a trilingual dramaturgical kaupapa I have focused on writing a play in the three languages of Aotearoa: New Zealand Sign Language, te reo Māori, and NZ English. Through the development of this script with three actors I have found techniques for performance and workshopping to encourage multilingual creative practice for a playwright. Through case studies of playwrights doing similar work at an international level, I have synthesised analytical and creative research into a final script and summary of my dramaturgical findings.
Through creative practice in scriptwriting and developmental workshops, this research explores what story-telling modes, devices or styles seem particularly apt for conveying an inclusive and engaging trilingual narrative on stage.
This specifically involves developing a dramaturgical set of insights for others who may want to do cross-language performance in Aotearoa.

year: 2020