title: Vertical variation in flight activity of the lesser short-tailed bat in podocarp and beech forests, Central North Island, New Zealand

authors: Scrimgeour, Jessica

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Designing robust monitoring programmes for cryptic species is particularly difficult. Not detecting a species does not necessarily mean that it is absent from the sampling area. A conclusion of absence made in error can lead to misguided inferences about distribution, colonisation and local extinction estimates, which in turn affects where and how conservation actions are undertaken. It is therefore important to investigate monitoring techniques that reduce the non-detection rate of cryptic species. As habitat complexity plays an important role in the activity of bats within a forest, it was hypothesised that the amount of vegetative ‘clutter’ present at different heights within two different forest types affected the flight activity of lesser short-tailed bats (Mystacina tuberculata). This could affect detection of the species within different forest structures. To compare bat activity at three heights – top (22.0–25.0 m), middle (10.0–12.0 m) and bottom (1.5–2.0 m) – within a podocarp and a beech forest we used automatic bat monitors during January to March 2005. The number of bat passes was recorded at each height at two study areas within each forest and compared between forest types. The forest structure was described using the Recce method and vegetative cover estimated within the three height tiers sampled for bat activity. Within both forest types, the middle-level bat detectors logged the greatest amount of activity. However, differences between the forest types were most pronounced closer to the ground, where a high amount of activity was detected within the beech forest, and very little within the podocarp forest. This suggests that flight activity of lesser short-tailed bats may be affected by the level of vegetative clutter found at different heights within a forest. When designing monitoring programmes for lesser short-tailed bats, it is recommended that consideration be given to the forest structure and how this may affect detection of bat activity.

text: Vertical variation in flight activity of the lesser short-tailed bat in podocarp and beech forests, Central North Island, New Zealand Designing robust monitoring programmes for cryptic species is particularly difficult. Not detecting a species does not necessarily mean that it is absent from the sampling area. A conclusion of absence made in error can lead to misguided inferences about distribution, colonisation and local extinction estimates, which in turn affects where and how conservation actions are undertaken. It is therefore important to investigate monitoring techniques that reduce the non-detection rate of cryptic species. As habitat complexity plays an important role in the activity of bats within a forest, it was hypothesised that the amount of vegetative ‘clutter’ present at different heights within two different forest types affected the flight activity of lesser short-tailed bats (Mystacina tuberculata). This could affect detection of the species within different forest structures. To compare bat activity at three heights – top (22.0–25.0 m), middle (10.0–12.0 m) and bottom (1.5–2.0 m) – within a podocarp and a beech forest we used automatic bat monitors during January to March 2005. The number of bat passes was recorded at each height at two study areas within each forest and compared between forest types. The forest structure was described using the Recce method and vegetative cover estimated within the three height tiers sampled for bat activity. Within both forest types, the middle-level bat detectors logged the greatest amount of activity. However, differences between the forest types were most pronounced closer to the ground, where a high amount of activity was detected within the beech forest, and very little within the podocarp forest. This suggests that flight activity of lesser short-tailed bats may be affected by the level of vegetative clutter found at different heights within a forest. When designing monitoring programmes for lesser short-tailed bats, it is recommended that consideration be given to the forest structure and how this may affect detection of bat activity.

year: 2013

title: When appearances are misleading: Psychosocial consequences of facial masking in Parkinson’s disease

authors: Wootton, Adrienne

subjects: Parkinson's disease

abstract: Facial masking, the loss of expressive facial mobility in Parkinson’s disease, has the potential to impact communication, emotion perception, subjective wellbeing, and social relationship functioning. This unique symptom has been studied in the context of the healthcare and casual interactions, but little is known about how it affects people who have Parkinson’s in their family interactions. Since no cure for Parkinson’s disease presently exists, lessening the impact of the condition is an important aspect of Parkinson’s management.  However, research has been missing the voices of those who experience facial masking. This gap underscores the need to deepen our understanding of this symptom and the difficulties it may create. Thus, this research project sought to understand experiences and challenges related to facial masking in Parkinson’s, to transform those insights to targeted clinical tools, and to investigate the significance of masking in the psychosocial wellbeing of both people with Parkinson’s and their partners or family members. 
	In Study 1, in-depth personal accounts were collected of nine people who had Parkinson’s and their spouses or partners were separately interviewed about their experiences of facial masking. The study aimed to explore the common experiences and challenges related to facial masking, on an individual level and within close relationships.  Facial masking was often falsely perceived by partners as a negative affect and wrongly interpreted to mean a lack of care or interest. The loss of expression and its misinterpretation was described as a barrier to emotional connection by some participants. Loss of the ability to physically embody one’s thoughts and feelings was unsettling and distressing for both people with Parkinson’s and their partners. The interviews revealed most participants had low awareness that this symptom was an aspect of Parkinson’s, with nearly all indicating a wish for greater education and support around this symptom. 
	Study 2 involved the development and validation of two separate questionnaires that evaluated the socioemotional consequences of facial masking, one for individuals who have Parkinson’s and the other for their partner, spouse, or other family member. Questionnaire items were derived from the findings of Study 1 and a review of relevant concepts in existing literature. Psychometric properties of the questionnaires were statistically evaluated among a community sample of 80 people who had Parkinson’s and 58 of their significant others. This included an item-level assessment, an exploratory investigation of the factor structure, an evaluation of the internal and test-retest reliability, and evaluation of the construct validity of the questionnaires. Results indicated the questionnaires had good reliability and initial evidence of validity. Modified (revised) versions of the questionnaires were produced based on the psychometric findings of Study 2. 	
	Study 3 described the functioning of the participants in the psychometric study above. This study investigated the relationship between perceptions of facial masking and various psychosocial outcomes, and a study-specific measure of the impact of facial masking in Parkinson’s (developed in Study 2). Ratings of facial masking were made by self-report and significant other reports, along with healthcare professional and researcher ratings based on a videotaped conversation. Healthcare professional ratings of FM were not found to be significantly related to self/significant other ratings of facial masking severity. Overall, having more negative consequences of FM was linked to poorer psychosocial outcomes, but suggested people with Parkinson’s and their significant others may be affected in different ways. 
	Findings of this programme of research add to what is known about the consequences of facial masking in casual and healthcare provider social interactions, by examining this symptom from the perspective of those living with facial masking in Parkinson’s. The results build upon and are generally consistent with the small amount of existing evidence showing that facial masking can have a detrimental impact on subjective wellbeing. The main implication of this research is that facial masking is a topic that warrants greater clinical attention and communication. The findings also call attention to the fact that facial masking is a common feature of Parkinson’s, yet in New Zealand, people with the condition and their families seem to lack knowledge about this symptom and desire greater education and support.

text: When appearances are misleading: Psychosocial consequences of facial masking in Parkinson’s disease Facial masking, the loss of expressive facial mobility in Parkinson’s disease, has the potential to impact communication, emotion perception, subjective wellbeing, and social relationship functioning. This unique symptom has been studied in the context of the healthcare and casual interactions, but little is known about how it affects people who have Parkinson’s in their family interactions. Since no cure for Parkinson’s disease presently exists, lessening the impact of the condition is an important aspect of Parkinson’s management.  However, research has been missing the voices of those who experience facial masking. This gap underscores the need to deepen our understanding of this symptom and the difficulties it may create. Thus, this research project sought to understand experiences and challenges related to facial masking in Parkinson’s, to transform those insights to targeted clinical tools, and to investigate the significance of masking in the psychosocial wellbeing of both people with Parkinson’s and their partners or family members. 
	In Study 1, in-depth personal accounts were collected of nine people who had Parkinson’s and their spouses or partners were separately interviewed about their experiences of facial masking. The study aimed to explore the common experiences and challenges related to facial masking, on an individual level and within close relationships.  Facial masking was often falsely perceived by partners as a negative affect and wrongly interpreted to mean a lack of care or interest. The loss of expression and its misinterpretation was described as a barrier to emotional connection by some participants. Loss of the ability to physically embody one’s thoughts and feelings was unsettling and distressing for both people with Parkinson’s and their partners. The interviews revealed most participants had low awareness that this symptom was an aspect of Parkinson’s, with nearly all indicating a wish for greater education and support around this symptom. 
	Study 2 involved the development and validation of two separate questionnaires that evaluated the socioemotional consequences of facial masking, one for individuals who have Parkinson’s and the other for their partner, spouse, or other family member. Questionnaire items were derived from the findings of Study 1 and a review of relevant concepts in existing literature. Psychometric properties of the questionnaires were statistically evaluated among a community sample of 80 people who had Parkinson’s and 58 of their significant others. This included an item-level assessment, an exploratory investigation of the factor structure, an evaluation of the internal and test-retest reliability, and evaluation of the construct validity of the questionnaires. Results indicated the questionnaires had good reliability and initial evidence of validity. Modified (revised) versions of the questionnaires were produced based on the psychometric findings of Study 2. 	
	Study 3 described the functioning of the participants in the psychometric study above. This study investigated the relationship between perceptions of facial masking and various psychosocial outcomes, and a study-specific measure of the impact of facial masking in Parkinson’s (developed in Study 2). Ratings of facial masking were made by self-report and significant other reports, along with healthcare professional and researcher ratings based on a videotaped conversation. Healthcare professional ratings of FM were not found to be significantly related to self/significant other ratings of facial masking severity. Overall, having more negative consequences of FM was linked to poorer psychosocial outcomes, but suggested people with Parkinson’s and their significant others may be affected in different ways. 
	Findings of this programme of research add to what is known about the consequences of facial masking in casual and healthcare provider social interactions, by examining this symptom from the perspective of those living with facial masking in Parkinson’s. The results build upon and are generally consistent with the small amount of existing evidence showing that facial masking can have a detrimental impact on subjective wellbeing. The main implication of this research is that facial masking is a topic that warrants greater clinical attention and communication. The findings also call attention to the fact that facial masking is a common feature of Parkinson’s, yet in New Zealand, people with the condition and their families seem to lack knowledge about this symptom and desire greater education and support.

year: 2021

title: Te Ira Atua: The spiritual spark of the child

authors: Rameka, Lesley Kay

abstract: “E ai ki tā te Māori he atua tonu kei roto i te mokopuna ina whānau mai ana ia ki tēnei ao” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 35). This quote is from the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum policy statement, Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Matauranga mo ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa/Early Childhood Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 1996). It speaks of the godliness or spiritual essence each child inherits from their ancestors when they are born (Early Childhood Development, 1999; Reedy, 2003). From a traditional Māori perspective, not only is the child endowed with spiritual potential or a divine spirit, but the world the child is born into is also endowed with spiritual influences.

text: Te Ira Atua: The spiritual spark of the child “E ai ki tā te Māori he atua tonu kei roto i te mokopuna ina whānau mai ana ia ki tēnei ao” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 35). This quote is from the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum policy statement, Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Matauranga mo ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa/Early Childhood Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 1996). It speaks of the godliness or spiritual essence each child inherits from their ancestors when they are born (Early Childhood Development, 1999; Reedy, 2003). From a traditional Māori perspective, not only is the child endowed with spiritual potential or a divine spirit, but the world the child is born into is also endowed with spiritual influences.

year: 2015