title: Thermus filiformis sp. nov., a Filamentous Caldoactive Bacterium

authors: Hudson, J. Andrew

subjects: biology

abstract: In a preliminary investigation the isolation of a caldoactive filamentous microorganism from a New Zealand hot spring was reported. This organism is described here as a new species belonging to the genus Thermus, namely, Thermus filiformis, based on ultrastructural, phenotypic, and anomalous Gram type characteristics. The cell wall of T. filiformis resembles that of Thermus aquaticus apart from the presence of an extra layer. The Thermus species tested, including T. filiformis, are negative for the aminopeptidase test, which is unusual for a gram-negative genus. T. filiformis is nonproteolytic, unlike most other Thermus strains, and also differs radically from other strains in morphology when it is observed by using phase-contrast microscopy. The single strain of the species has been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection as strain ATCC 43280T (T = type strain).

text: Thermus filiformis sp. nov., a Filamentous Caldoactive Bacterium In a preliminary investigation the isolation of a caldoactive filamentous microorganism from a New Zealand hot spring was reported. This organism is described here as a new species belonging to the genus Thermus, namely, Thermus filiformis, based on ultrastructural, phenotypic, and anomalous Gram type characteristics. The cell wall of T. filiformis resembles that of Thermus aquaticus apart from the presence of an extra layer. The Thermus species tested, including T. filiformis, are negative for the aminopeptidase test, which is unusual for a gram-negative genus. T. filiformis is nonproteolytic, unlike most other Thermus strains, and also differs radically from other strains in morphology when it is observed by using phase-contrast microscopy. The single strain of the species has been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection as strain ATCC 43280T (T = type strain).

year: 1987

title: Travel and  commuting before and after COVID-19

authors: Thomas, Francene Maree Feraband

subjects: Pandemic

abstract: Major life events such as COVID-19 have the potential to change how people think about their transport choices. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a threat to health and created an extended period of disruption in people’s lives which could result in long-term changes towards travel attitudes and use of transport services. Research on changes towards travel attitudes and use of domestic travel modes as a result of previous pandemics was very limited with most studies focused on international travel. This study aimed to investigate how COVID-19 has influenced attitudes towards travel and intention to use transport modes in New Zealand and Australia. A survey was created and completed by 787 respondents (New Zealand n = 506, Australia n = 281). The results showed attitudes towards travel were negatively affected, particularly towards air travel and public transport and showed decreases in intentions to use these modes of transport. These changes in attitudes and intentions were more prominent in the Australian sample which reported less positive attitudes and larger decreases in intentions to use domestic transport modes. Further, international air travel attitudes and intentions were similar between the New Zealand and Australian sample. Age, gender, and perceived risk scores were also examined, with some significant but small effects. This information is useful to understand how the demand for transport services might change, particularly as New Zealand and Australia are ahead of many other countries in the pandemic cycle.

text: Travel and  commuting before and after COVID-19 Major life events such as COVID-19 have the potential to change how people think about their transport choices. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a threat to health and created an extended period of disruption in people’s lives which could result in long-term changes towards travel attitudes and use of transport services. Research on changes towards travel attitudes and use of domestic travel modes as a result of previous pandemics was very limited with most studies focused on international travel. This study aimed to investigate how COVID-19 has influenced attitudes towards travel and intention to use transport modes in New Zealand and Australia. A survey was created and completed by 787 respondents (New Zealand n = 506, Australia n = 281). The results showed attitudes towards travel were negatively affected, particularly towards air travel and public transport and showed decreases in intentions to use these modes of transport. These changes in attitudes and intentions were more prominent in the Australian sample which reported less positive attitudes and larger decreases in intentions to use domestic transport modes. Further, international air travel attitudes and intentions were similar between the New Zealand and Australian sample. Age, gender, and perceived risk scores were also examined, with some significant but small effects. This information is useful to understand how the demand for transport services might change, particularly as New Zealand and Australia are ahead of many other countries in the pandemic cycle.

year: 2021

title: Whanau Whakapakari: a Māori-centred approach to child rearing and Parent-training programmes

authors: Herbert, Averil May Lloyd

subjects: Whanau Whakapakari

abstract: The goal of this Whanau Whakapakari (Strengthening Families) research was to define critical aspects of Māori experiences and views on child-rearing practices, and to describe whanau (extended family) values and expectations for tamariki (children) and mokopuna (grandchildren).  Furthermore, these Māori views were included in culturally adapted parent-training programmes.  The overall aim was to devise an approach to emphasise client strengths and provide best outcomes for research participants.  Qualitative aspects included discussing the research processes in the Māori community by acknowledging the roles of whanau, hapu (sub-tribal), and iwi (tribal) structures.  I also identified the importance of pan-tribal and urban Māori groups in the current research.  As the project developed, an ongoing consultation and feedback protocol was established to ensure that Māori views on the research and the written outcomes were recognised.  In-depth interviews with kaumatua (elders), and focus groups with Māori service providers and Māori parents were analysed qualitatively to establish Māori values in child rearing and parenting, and the knowledge and skills that contribute to effective parenting and family functioning.  Values identified from these participants confirmed the central role of whanaungatanga (family connections), whakapapa (genealogy), and awhinatanga (support) for Māori. Two culturally adapted parent-training programmes, the Matuatanga (Parenting) Relationships Model and the Matuatanga Values Model programmes, were developed and compared with a Standard Parent Training programme.  The Matuatanga Relationships Model programme emphasised the importance of child, parent and whanau relationships and interactions.  The Matuatanga Values Model programme emphasised Māori values derived from the qualitative data - whanaungatanga, whakapapa and awhinatanga.  A range of pre- and post-training measures were undertaken to identify acceptable and appropriate measures for quantifying parent-training outcomes.  These included questions on support networks, parent expectations of children, parental self-efficacy, parental self-rating, critical-incident scenarios, and programme evaluation.  While 78 participants attended at least one of the research sessions 22 participants provided pre- and post-training measures for the Whanau Whakapakari programmes.  Results showed that there was a medium effect size improvement across all Standard Parent Training and Matuatanga Model programmes and a statistically significant improvement in the Standard Parent Training and Matuatanga Relationship Model programmes.  There were no statistically significant differences between the outcomes of the different programmes but qualitative differences from evaluation and feedback data were considered in identifying specific skills acquisition, general understanding and enjoyment components in the programmes.  Results from the different measures indicated that parent expectations and critical-incident scenario measures provided the most information on post-training changes.  Analysis of the outcome data with the attendance patterns confirmed the value of parent-training programmes per se and indicated that at least in the short term, parent effectiveness scores continued to improve for participants who continued to attend for more than one programme.  Programme follow-ups considered natural whanau supports in the Māori community and issues of social and cultural validity.  Integration of standard parent-training concepts and cultural concepts suggest a multi-dimensional approach which recognises parenting skills acquisition and cultural validation of whanau concepts relevant to parenting for Māori.

text: Whanau Whakapakari: a Māori-centred approach to child rearing and Parent-training programmes The goal of this Whanau Whakapakari (Strengthening Families) research was to define critical aspects of Māori experiences and views on child-rearing practices, and to describe whanau (extended family) values and expectations for tamariki (children) and mokopuna (grandchildren).  Furthermore, these Māori views were included in culturally adapted parent-training programmes.  The overall aim was to devise an approach to emphasise client strengths and provide best outcomes for research participants.  Qualitative aspects included discussing the research processes in the Māori community by acknowledging the roles of whanau, hapu (sub-tribal), and iwi (tribal) structures.  I also identified the importance of pan-tribal and urban Māori groups in the current research.  As the project developed, an ongoing consultation and feedback protocol was established to ensure that Māori views on the research and the written outcomes were recognised.  In-depth interviews with kaumatua (elders), and focus groups with Māori service providers and Māori parents were analysed qualitatively to establish Māori values in child rearing and parenting, and the knowledge and skills that contribute to effective parenting and family functioning.  Values identified from these participants confirmed the central role of whanaungatanga (family connections), whakapapa (genealogy), and awhinatanga (support) for Māori. Two culturally adapted parent-training programmes, the Matuatanga (Parenting) Relationships Model and the Matuatanga Values Model programmes, were developed and compared with a Standard Parent Training programme.  The Matuatanga Relationships Model programme emphasised the importance of child, parent and whanau relationships and interactions.  The Matuatanga Values Model programme emphasised Māori values derived from the qualitative data - whanaungatanga, whakapapa and awhinatanga.  A range of pre- and post-training measures were undertaken to identify acceptable and appropriate measures for quantifying parent-training outcomes.  These included questions on support networks, parent expectations of children, parental self-efficacy, parental self-rating, critical-incident scenarios, and programme evaluation.  While 78 participants attended at least one of the research sessions 22 participants provided pre- and post-training measures for the Whanau Whakapakari programmes.  Results showed that there was a medium effect size improvement across all Standard Parent Training and Matuatanga Model programmes and a statistically significant improvement in the Standard Parent Training and Matuatanga Relationship Model programmes.  There were no statistically significant differences between the outcomes of the different programmes but qualitative differences from evaluation and feedback data were considered in identifying specific skills acquisition, general understanding and enjoyment components in the programmes.  Results from the different measures indicated that parent expectations and critical-incident scenario measures provided the most information on post-training changes.  Analysis of the outcome data with the attendance patterns confirmed the value of parent-training programmes per se and indicated that at least in the short term, parent effectiveness scores continued to improve for participants who continued to attend for more than one programme.  Programme follow-ups considered natural whanau supports in the Māori community and issues of social and cultural validity.  Integration of standard parent-training concepts and cultural concepts suggest a multi-dimensional approach which recognises parenting skills acquisition and cultural validation of whanau concepts relevant to parenting for Māori.

year: 2001