title: Mathematical investigations: A primary teacher educator's narrative journey of professional awareness

authors: Bailey, Judy

subjects: education

abstract: As a teacher educator, I used narrative inquiry to investigate my professional practice in working alongside pre-service primary teachers in mathematics education. One theme that emerged from this research was the exploration of narrative as a powerful means with which to pursue professional development. In this process I encountered, and subsequently changed, previously unknown personal beliefs about learning mathematics. A second theme focused on the value of mathematical investigations, for myself as a mathematical learner and for supporting pre-service teachers to develop their understandings of what it means to learn and teach mathematics.

text: Mathematical investigations: A primary teacher educator's narrative journey of professional awareness As a teacher educator, I used narrative inquiry to investigate my professional practice in working alongside pre-service primary teachers in mathematics education. One theme that emerged from this research was the exploration of narrative as a powerful means with which to pursue professional development. In this process I encountered, and subsequently changed, previously unknown personal beliefs about learning mathematics. A second theme focused on the value of mathematical investigations, for myself as a mathematical learner and for supporting pre-service teachers to develop their understandings of what it means to learn and teach mathematics.

year: 2007

title: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Stress and Burnout: Evaluating the effect of the online training, PsyFlex6 for Behavioural Therapists

authors: Walker, Carly Anna

subjects: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

abstract: The present research used a randomized controlled design to evaluate the effects of ‘PsyFlex6,’ an online Acceptance and Commitment Training paradigm, for behavioural therapists. Twelve participants completed the six-week ACT training protocol, while another twelve waited. All participants completed measures of psychological flexibility, psychological distress, and burnout at baseline, during training, and post training, and at one and two month follow up measures for trained participants. Later, nine control group participants accepted training, as well as an additional four new participants. In total, 21 individuals completed all training and measures; results from all participants were pooled to observe any effect of the training over all time periods. As hypothesized, initial group comparisons revealed significant benefit for trained participants over controls in areas of psychological flexibility and psychological distress. Further hypotheses that burnout components (total burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment) would be improved, were not supported, but trained participants did exhibit positive change for each of these dimensions. When data were pooled, significant positive changes were observed for psychological flexibility, distress, emotional exhaustion and total burnout, after training and maintained at follow up periods. Personal accomplishment and depersonalization were also improved from baseline, but not significantly so.  In general, social validity data indicate that training content was well comprehended, useful, and that strategies were often used outside of training. Therefore, these findings support the use of PsyFlex6 as a training tool for improving the psychological wellbeing of behavioural therapists.

text: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Stress and Burnout: Evaluating the effect of the online training, PsyFlex6 for Behavioural Therapists The present research used a randomized controlled design to evaluate the effects of ‘PsyFlex6,’ an online Acceptance and Commitment Training paradigm, for behavioural therapists. Twelve participants completed the six-week ACT training protocol, while another twelve waited. All participants completed measures of psychological flexibility, psychological distress, and burnout at baseline, during training, and post training, and at one and two month follow up measures for trained participants. Later, nine control group participants accepted training, as well as an additional four new participants. In total, 21 individuals completed all training and measures; results from all participants were pooled to observe any effect of the training over all time periods. As hypothesized, initial group comparisons revealed significant benefit for trained participants over controls in areas of psychological flexibility and psychological distress. Further hypotheses that burnout components (total burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment) would be improved, were not supported, but trained participants did exhibit positive change for each of these dimensions. When data were pooled, significant positive changes were observed for psychological flexibility, distress, emotional exhaustion and total burnout, after training and maintained at follow up periods. Personal accomplishment and depersonalization were also improved from baseline, but not significantly so.  In general, social validity data indicate that training content was well comprehended, useful, and that strategies were often used outside of training. Therefore, these findings support the use of PsyFlex6 as a training tool for improving the psychological wellbeing of behavioural therapists.

year: 2017

title: An investigation into the commercial feasibility of Jasus edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand

authors: Ruru, Ian Hector

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: In 1996 New Zealand introduced legislation to allow Jasus edwardsii pueruli to be collected as "seedstock" and ongrown in a commercial aquaculture trial. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the commercial feasibility of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand by working with an organisation involved in the trial.
The methodology involved a combination of experiments in the field, in laboratories, and within an ongrowing facility. This thesis examined five key areas and found the following:
1. Data obtained in the research indicates that New Zealand will continue to rely on harvesting pueruli from the wild since significant technical obstacles remain in the development of commercial scale pueruli hatcheries. Forecast data, obtained using the delphi technique and information about current research on larval rearing, indicates that commercial scale supply of pueruli from hatcheries may occur between 2017 and 2021.
2. Harvesting trials collected a low number of pueruli with the lowest unit cost for collection being $1.80. A greater collection rate could be achieved with a better understanding of seasonal and local settlement patterns.
3. Survival rates in pueruli transporting experiments were significantly affected by stocking density, time and temperature. The safest transit conditions were achieved with 15 pueruli per litre for less than 6 hours at 14°C.
4. A range of stocking densities, from 3 lobsters per tank to 12 per tank, were tested for their effect on growth of six-month old lobsters. The lobsters were reared in a total recirculation seawater system at a constant 16°C, and fed fresh mussels (Perna canaliculus). For the 121 day trial, no statistically significant effect was detected. However, there was a trend for growth rates to be highest at 3 and 6 lobsters per tank and for growth rates at stocking densities of 9 and 12 lobsters per tank to decrease after Day 50. Lobsters showed increased mortality at the highest stocking rate.
5. A bioeconomic model of a hypothetical farm was developed to assess economic benefits and risks and to determine overall profitability. The model showed an annual net cash position of $287,100 and cumulative cash position of $859,200 by the 10th year of operation based on annual sales of 10,837 kg at $65 per kg. The model indicates that the highest cost components in the first 10 years are processing and transport, and labour. Based on the model and the scenarios examined, profitability is very sensitive to factors such as the farm size, processing and transport costs, and sale price. Biological factors such as growth rates, survival, and feed requirements also influence overall profitability. Good returns will depend upon consistent exports of high quality lobsters.
The study concludes that commercial feasibility will be affected by these key areas. The potential of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand will continue to benefit from further research.

text: An investigation into the commercial feasibility of Jasus edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand In 1996 New Zealand introduced legislation to allow Jasus edwardsii pueruli to be collected as "seedstock" and ongrown in a commercial aquaculture trial. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the commercial feasibility of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand by working with an organisation involved in the trial.
The methodology involved a combination of experiments in the field, in laboratories, and within an ongrowing facility. This thesis examined five key areas and found the following:
1. Data obtained in the research indicates that New Zealand will continue to rely on harvesting pueruli from the wild since significant technical obstacles remain in the development of commercial scale pueruli hatcheries. Forecast data, obtained using the delphi technique and information about current research on larval rearing, indicates that commercial scale supply of pueruli from hatcheries may occur between 2017 and 2021.
2. Harvesting trials collected a low number of pueruli with the lowest unit cost for collection being $1.80. A greater collection rate could be achieved with a better understanding of seasonal and local settlement patterns.
3. Survival rates in pueruli transporting experiments were significantly affected by stocking density, time and temperature. The safest transit conditions were achieved with 15 pueruli per litre for less than 6 hours at 14°C.
4. A range of stocking densities, from 3 lobsters per tank to 12 per tank, were tested for their effect on growth of six-month old lobsters. The lobsters were reared in a total recirculation seawater system at a constant 16°C, and fed fresh mussels (Perna canaliculus). For the 121 day trial, no statistically significant effect was detected. However, there was a trend for growth rates to be highest at 3 and 6 lobsters per tank and for growth rates at stocking densities of 9 and 12 lobsters per tank to decrease after Day 50. Lobsters showed increased mortality at the highest stocking rate.
5. A bioeconomic model of a hypothetical farm was developed to assess economic benefits and risks and to determine overall profitability. The model showed an annual net cash position of $287,100 and cumulative cash position of $859,200 by the 10th year of operation based on annual sales of 10,837 kg at $65 per kg. The model indicates that the highest cost components in the first 10 years are processing and transport, and labour. Based on the model and the scenarios examined, profitability is very sensitive to factors such as the farm size, processing and transport costs, and sale price. Biological factors such as growth rates, survival, and feed requirements also influence overall profitability. Good returns will depend upon consistent exports of high quality lobsters.
The study concludes that commercial feasibility will be affected by these key areas. The potential of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand will continue to benefit from further research.

year: 2000