title: Biological Olfactory Repellents and their Potential to Deter Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) from Anticoagulant Rodenticides

authors: Collins, Melissa Anne

abstract: The rapid decline in New Zealand’s terrestrial biodiversity from the impacts of exotic mammalian predators has prompted the nationwide application of anticoagulant rodenticides. However, this application has increased the occurrence of accidental poisonings in non-target species, particularly the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Odour excretions from predators can induce long-term feeding avoidance in prey species, however, predator odours and their potential as a dog repellent have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for biologically-derived olfactory repellents to deter dogs from consuming toxic baits, in particular, rat poison. To complete this aim two experiments were conducted where dogs and rats were presented repellent-treated kibble and rat chow via a series of two-choice preference tests. The first experiment examined the repellent effects of African lion (Panthera leo), tiger (Pantera tigris), baboon (Papio hamadryas), domestic dog (Canis familiaris) faeces, and a commercial repellent, on dogs’ feeding behaviour (N = 21). The second experiment examined if the repellents deterred rats (N = 10), the poison’s target species. The results revealed that (1) the dogs ate significantly less when presented with lion or dog faeces; (2) baboon faeces, tiger faeces, and the commercial repellent had virtually no repellent effect on the dogs; and (3) overall food consumption by the rats did not differ between repellent types. In summary, this study demonstrates the potential use of animal faeces as a repellent, deterring dogs, but not rats, from poison.

text: Biological Olfactory Repellents and their Potential to Deter Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) from Anticoagulant Rodenticides The rapid decline in New Zealand’s terrestrial biodiversity from the impacts of exotic mammalian predators has prompted the nationwide application of anticoagulant rodenticides. However, this application has increased the occurrence of accidental poisonings in non-target species, particularly the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Odour excretions from predators can induce long-term feeding avoidance in prey species, however, predator odours and their potential as a dog repellent have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for biologically-derived olfactory repellents to deter dogs from consuming toxic baits, in particular, rat poison. To complete this aim two experiments were conducted where dogs and rats were presented repellent-treated kibble and rat chow via a series of two-choice preference tests. The first experiment examined the repellent effects of African lion (Panthera leo), tiger (Pantera tigris), baboon (Papio hamadryas), domestic dog (Canis familiaris) faeces, and a commercial repellent, on dogs’ feeding behaviour (N = 21). The second experiment examined if the repellents deterred rats (N = 10), the poison’s target species. The results revealed that (1) the dogs ate significantly less when presented with lion or dog faeces; (2) baboon faeces, tiger faeces, and the commercial repellent had virtually no repellent effect on the dogs; and (3) overall food consumption by the rats did not differ between repellent types. In summary, this study demonstrates the potential use of animal faeces as a repellent, deterring dogs, but not rats, from poison.

year: 2019

title: The Physical Work Environment in relation to the Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome

authors: Meikle, Sarah Marie

subjects: Sick Building Syndrome

abstract: This study investigated the relationship between perceptions of a poor physical work environment (PWE) and sick building syndrome (SBS), and with various psychological variables that impact organizational productivity. 164 employees working in medium to large office buildings in New Zealand completed an online questionnaire. Overall, the results supported the relationships that were predicted. Ratings of a poor PWE were strongly and positively related to SBS symptoms. Both ratings of a poor PWE and SBS symptoms were positively related to absenteeism, turnover intentions, and continuance commitment; and were negatively related to affective commitment, perceived organizational support, and job satisfaction. SBS mediated the relationship between PWE and most of these variables, except for continuance commitment. Contrary to prior research self-rated job performance was not found to be related to PWE or SBS. The major implications of this research are that it is important for researchers and managers alike to consider the physical aspects of the work environment as well as managerial and interpersonal aspects. This research also showed that New Zealand employees are experiencing SBS symptoms, indicating SBS is just as important for New Zealand organizations as it is for organizations overseas. Further implications of this study, and directions for future research are discussed in the final chapter.

text: The Physical Work Environment in relation to the Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome This study investigated the relationship between perceptions of a poor physical work environment (PWE) and sick building syndrome (SBS), and with various psychological variables that impact organizational productivity. 164 employees working in medium to large office buildings in New Zealand completed an online questionnaire. Overall, the results supported the relationships that were predicted. Ratings of a poor PWE were strongly and positively related to SBS symptoms. Both ratings of a poor PWE and SBS symptoms were positively related to absenteeism, turnover intentions, and continuance commitment; and were negatively related to affective commitment, perceived organizational support, and job satisfaction. SBS mediated the relationship between PWE and most of these variables, except for continuance commitment. Contrary to prior research self-rated job performance was not found to be related to PWE or SBS. The major implications of this research are that it is important for researchers and managers alike to consider the physical aspects of the work environment as well as managerial and interpersonal aspects. This research also showed that New Zealand employees are experiencing SBS symptoms, indicating SBS is just as important for New Zealand organizations as it is for organizations overseas. Further implications of this study, and directions for future research are discussed in the final chapter.

year: 2011

title: The gown and the korowai: Maori doctoral students and the spatial organization of academic knowledge

authors: Middleton, Sue

subjects: culture

abstract: This paper draws on 38 student interviews carried out in the course of the team research project Teaching and Learning in the Supervision of Māori Doctoral Students. Māori doctoral thesis work takes place in the intersections between the Māori (tribal) world of identifications and obligations, the organisational and epistemological configurations of academia, and the bureaucratic requirements of funding or employing bureaucracies. To explore how students accommodate cultural, academic and bureaucratic demands, we develop analytical tools combining three intellectual traditions: Māori educational theory, Bernstein’s sociology of the academy, and Lefebvre’s conceptual trilogy of perceived, conceived, and lived space.

text: The gown and the korowai: Maori doctoral students and the spatial organization of academic knowledge This paper draws on 38 student interviews carried out in the course of the team research project Teaching and Learning in the Supervision of Māori Doctoral Students. Māori doctoral thesis work takes place in the intersections between the Māori (tribal) world of identifications and obligations, the organisational and epistemological configurations of academia, and the bureaucratic requirements of funding or employing bureaucracies. To explore how students accommodate cultural, academic and bureaucratic demands, we develop analytical tools combining three intellectual traditions: Māori educational theory, Bernstein’s sociology of the academy, and Lefebvre’s conceptual trilogy of perceived, conceived, and lived space.

year: 2009