title: Executive Functions and Risk Propensity in Adolescent and Adult Male Drivers: A Comparison

authors: Moleni, James

subjects: Executive Functions and Risk Propensity

abstract: Young drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are over-represented in motor-vehicle accident statistics worldwide. Several studies suggest that age could be a major crash risk factor in young drivers because their frontal lobes are not yet fully developed. The frontal lobes help inhibit impulsive behaviour and control executive functions which could otherwise result in higher risk taking propensity, impulsivity and reduced cognitive function which may lead to risky driving behaviours resulting in traffic accidents. This study examined the differences between 45 young (ages 16-18 years) and 32 adult (ages 25 years and over) male drivers in relation to cognitive ability, executive functioning, driving and risk attitudes, and impulsivity using cognitive tests and self-report questionnaires. The results showed that young drivers displayed attitudes significantly more approving of risk taking and risky driving, had significantly higher impulsivity, and were much more inclined to committing future driving violations. The adult drivers generally demonstrated higher cognitive ability and better executive functioning. A strong link was found between high risk propensity and riskier driving attitudes, which were both associated with better cognitive ability especially for young drivers. For the young drivers specifically, higher impulsivity and higher risk taking attitudes were linked with higher intentions to commit future driving violations. Also, for young drivers, poor fluency and switching were linked with a riskier driving attitude, and a safer attitude was linked to better inhibition. For the adult drivers, poor complex information processing was linked to higher risk taking attitudes. Further studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the young driver problem, particularly related to actual on road driving behaviour rather than self reported intentions.

text: Executive Functions and Risk Propensity in Adolescent and Adult Male Drivers: A Comparison Young drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are over-represented in motor-vehicle accident statistics worldwide. Several studies suggest that age could be a major crash risk factor in young drivers because their frontal lobes are not yet fully developed. The frontal lobes help inhibit impulsive behaviour and control executive functions which could otherwise result in higher risk taking propensity, impulsivity and reduced cognitive function which may lead to risky driving behaviours resulting in traffic accidents. This study examined the differences between 45 young (ages 16-18 years) and 32 adult (ages 25 years and over) male drivers in relation to cognitive ability, executive functioning, driving and risk attitudes, and impulsivity using cognitive tests and self-report questionnaires. The results showed that young drivers displayed attitudes significantly more approving of risk taking and risky driving, had significantly higher impulsivity, and were much more inclined to committing future driving violations. The adult drivers generally demonstrated higher cognitive ability and better executive functioning. A strong link was found between high risk propensity and riskier driving attitudes, which were both associated with better cognitive ability especially for young drivers. For the young drivers specifically, higher impulsivity and higher risk taking attitudes were linked with higher intentions to commit future driving violations. Also, for young drivers, poor fluency and switching were linked with a riskier driving attitude, and a safer attitude was linked to better inhibition. For the adult drivers, poor complex information processing was linked to higher risk taking attitudes. Further studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the young driver problem, particularly related to actual on road driving behaviour rather than self reported intentions.

year: 2010

title: Investigating the anti-methanogenic properties of select species of seaweed in New Zealand.

authors: Mihaila, Alisa Andrea

abstract: Enteric methane emissions from ruminants constitute a large proportion of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in New Zealand. The recent increase in enteric methane emissions has driven the development of innovative strategies for mitigating these emissions. Red seaweed from the genus Asparagopsis has demonstrated elimination of enteric methane due to the presence of the active anti-methanogenic component, bromoform.

Spatial variation in bromoform content for Asparagopsis armata throughout the North Island, New Zealand, was quantified to determine the region that produces the highest concentration of bromoform. Alongside Asparagopsis, the New Zealand red seaweed species Bonnemaisonia hamifera, Delisea compressa, Plocamium sp., Vidalia colensoi, and identified aquaculture-target seaweed species, Ecklonia radiata, and Ulva sp. B, were investigated as ruminant feed additives to reduce enteric methane emissions. Polyphenol quantification and compositional analyses were carried out for these seaweed species to provide a baseline for interpreting anti-methanogenic effects. Seaweed species were included at 0 %, 2 %, 6 %, and 10 % of feed organic matter (ryegrass hay) during in vitro fermentation assays using rumen inoculant from non-lactating cows. Total gas, methane, hydrogen, volatile fatty acid (VFA), and ammonia production were measured during the incubations.

Bromoform concentration was highest in A. armata sampled from Matheson’s Bay at 1 % of the biomass dry weight. Species of red seaweed had a high halogen content, while E. radiata and Ulva. sp. B had a high iodine and crude protein content, respectively. Inclusions of A. armata and B. hamifera demonstrated near elimination of enteric methane production at doses of 2 and 6 % organic matter, respectively, while the remaining species (except for Ulva sp. B) caused moderate reductions at doses of 6 and 10 % organic matter in comparison to these two species. The anti-methanogenic effects of A. armata and B. hamifera resulted in a 22 % reduction in total VFA production, accompanied by changes in the relative proportions of individual VFAs, and had little or no effect on organic matter degradation.

The effectiveness of A. armata and B. hamifera demonstrates the potential of these species for mitigating ruminant methane emissions at low inclusion rates, dependent on the concentration of their active components, while E. radiata and Ulva sp. B could be used as feed additives for nutritional benefit. The undertaking of larger scale sampling of A. armata throughout New Zealand, the identification of the active component(s) in B. hamifera, and the development of methods and infrastructure required for successful large-scale aquaculture and application of these seaweed species to livestock management systems are key areas of future research highlighted by this thesis.

text: Investigating the anti-methanogenic properties of select species of seaweed in New Zealand. Enteric methane emissions from ruminants constitute a large proportion of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in New Zealand. The recent increase in enteric methane emissions has driven the development of innovative strategies for mitigating these emissions. Red seaweed from the genus Asparagopsis has demonstrated elimination of enteric methane due to the presence of the active anti-methanogenic component, bromoform.

Spatial variation in bromoform content for Asparagopsis armata throughout the North Island, New Zealand, was quantified to determine the region that produces the highest concentration of bromoform. Alongside Asparagopsis, the New Zealand red seaweed species Bonnemaisonia hamifera, Delisea compressa, Plocamium sp., Vidalia colensoi, and identified aquaculture-target seaweed species, Ecklonia radiata, and Ulva sp. B, were investigated as ruminant feed additives to reduce enteric methane emissions. Polyphenol quantification and compositional analyses were carried out for these seaweed species to provide a baseline for interpreting anti-methanogenic effects. Seaweed species were included at 0 %, 2 %, 6 %, and 10 % of feed organic matter (ryegrass hay) during in vitro fermentation assays using rumen inoculant from non-lactating cows. Total gas, methane, hydrogen, volatile fatty acid (VFA), and ammonia production were measured during the incubations.

Bromoform concentration was highest in A. armata sampled from Matheson’s Bay at 1 % of the biomass dry weight. Species of red seaweed had a high halogen content, while E. radiata and Ulva. sp. B had a high iodine and crude protein content, respectively. Inclusions of A. armata and B. hamifera demonstrated near elimination of enteric methane production at doses of 2 and 6 % organic matter, respectively, while the remaining species (except for Ulva sp. B) caused moderate reductions at doses of 6 and 10 % organic matter in comparison to these two species. The anti-methanogenic effects of A. armata and B. hamifera resulted in a 22 % reduction in total VFA production, accompanied by changes in the relative proportions of individual VFAs, and had little or no effect on organic matter degradation.

The effectiveness of A. armata and B. hamifera demonstrates the potential of these species for mitigating ruminant methane emissions at low inclusion rates, dependent on the concentration of their active components, while E. radiata and Ulva sp. B could be used as feed additives for nutritional benefit. The undertaking of larger scale sampling of A. armata throughout New Zealand, the identification of the active component(s) in B. hamifera, and the development of methods and infrastructure required for successful large-scale aquaculture and application of these seaweed species to livestock management systems are key areas of future research highlighted by this thesis.

year: 2020

title: Opening address

authors: Levy, Michelle Patricia

subjects: Maori

abstract: In 2002, the Māori and Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato made a valuable contribution to the teaching and practice of psychology in Aotearoa, via the Māori Graduates of Psychology Symposium. The symposium in 2002, with its theme of “Making a Difference” was designed to: provide an opportunity for exposure to role models; bring together Māori graduates of psychology to network and share information; and through the publication and dissemination of the Symposium proceedings provide a resource for teaching and practice in psychology. With over 100 delegates and 30 presentations, the 2002 symposium was widely acknowledged as a success. It resulted in the compilation of proceedings which have become a valuable resource in psychology. 
While there have been informal gatherings and ongoing networking over the past five years, there have been no formal gatherings since that time. We at the Māori and Psychology Research Unit consider it timely in 2007, five years on, to convene another Symposium. Our conversations with Pacific psychologists and recognition of the ties which exist between us as Pacific nations, saw our focus expand to include Pacific psychologists and psychologies.

text: Opening address In 2002, the Māori and Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato made a valuable contribution to the teaching and practice of psychology in Aotearoa, via the Māori Graduates of Psychology Symposium. The symposium in 2002, with its theme of “Making a Difference” was designed to: provide an opportunity for exposure to role models; bring together Māori graduates of psychology to network and share information; and through the publication and dissemination of the Symposium proceedings provide a resource for teaching and practice in psychology. With over 100 delegates and 30 presentations, the 2002 symposium was widely acknowledged as a success. It resulted in the compilation of proceedings which have become a valuable resource in psychology. 
While there have been informal gatherings and ongoing networking over the past five years, there have been no formal gatherings since that time. We at the Māori and Psychology Research Unit consider it timely in 2007, five years on, to convene another Symposium. Our conversations with Pacific psychologists and recognition of the ties which exist between us as Pacific nations, saw our focus expand to include Pacific psychologists and psychologies.

year: 2008