title: Leaf-level coordination principles propagate to the ecosystem scale.

authors: Gomarasca, Ulisse

subjects: Ecosystem

abstract: Fundamental axes of variation in plant traits result from trade-offs between costs and benefits of resource-use strategies at the leaf scale. However, it is unclear whether similar trade-offs propagate to the ecosystem level. Here, we test whether trait correlation patterns predicted by three well-known leaf- and plant-level coordination theories - the leaf economics spectrum, the global spectrum of plant form and function, and the least-cost hypothesis - are also observed between community mean traits and ecosystem processes. We combined ecosystem functional properties from FLUXNET sites, vegetation properties, and community mean plant traits into three corresponding principal component analyses. We find that the leaf economics spectrum (90 sites), the global spectrum of plant form and function (89 sites), and the least-cost hypothesis (82 sites) all propagate at the ecosystem level. However, we also find evidence of additional scale-emergent properties. Evaluating the coordination of ecosystem functional properties may aid the development of more realistic global dynamic vegetation models with critical empirical data, reducing the uncertainty of climate change projections.

text: Leaf-level coordination principles propagate to the ecosystem scale. Fundamental axes of variation in plant traits result from trade-offs between costs and benefits of resource-use strategies at the leaf scale. However, it is unclear whether similar trade-offs propagate to the ecosystem level. Here, we test whether trait correlation patterns predicted by three well-known leaf- and plant-level coordination theories - the leaf economics spectrum, the global spectrum of plant form and function, and the least-cost hypothesis - are also observed between community mean traits and ecosystem processes. We combined ecosystem functional properties from FLUXNET sites, vegetation properties, and community mean plant traits into three corresponding principal component analyses. We find that the leaf economics spectrum (90 sites), the global spectrum of plant form and function (89 sites), and the least-cost hypothesis (82 sites) all propagate at the ecosystem level. However, we also find evidence of additional scale-emergent properties. Evaluating the coordination of ecosystem functional properties may aid the development of more realistic global dynamic vegetation models with critical empirical data, reducing the uncertainty of climate change projections.

year: 2023-07-04

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: Mōteatea: He pātaka whakairinga kōrero nō Ngāti Rangiwewehi

authors: Paterson, Awatea

subjects: Ngāti Rangiwewehi

abstract: Mai rā anō a Ngāi Tāua, te iwi Māori, e tuku iho ai i ngā mātauranga mā te ārero tupuna mai i tētehi whakatupuranga, ki tētehi whakatupuranga. Ko ngā mātauranga ka tukua iho ko ngā pūrākau, ko ngā karakia, ko ngā whakataukī, ā, ko ngā waiata hoki. Ko te pūtake o te rangahau nei he titiro pū ki te āhua o te noho o ngā mōteatea hei pātaka whakairinga kōrero mō Ngāti Rangiwewehi ake, nō reira ka āta tirohia ngā momo puna mōhiohio, ngā momo kura aweko ka whakairia ki te pakitara o te pātaka kōrero o Ngāti Rangiwewehi. Nā ngā mōteatea i tohu te wā, i kōrero mō te wāhi, i whakapūkete ngā mahi a ngā tūpuna o te wā i titoa ai te mōteatea. Nā, ko ngā waiata, ko ngā mōteatea koirā te ara whakapūkete kōrero ka wānangahia e te tuhinga nei. Mā te āta wetewete i tētehi mōteatea pū o Ngāti Rangiwewehi, ka hora i ngā kura āuki, i ngā māpihi pounamu, i ngā puna mātauranga o te iwi kua whakaemi mai ki roto i te mōteatea hei kōrero tuku iho mō te iwi o Ngāti Rangiwewehi, hei whakatauira ake hoki i te āhua o te noho o ngā mōteatea hei ara whakapūkete mātauranga.

text: Mōteatea: He pātaka whakairinga kōrero nō Ngāti Rangiwewehi Mai rā anō a Ngāi Tāua, te iwi Māori, e tuku iho ai i ngā mātauranga mā te ārero tupuna mai i tētehi whakatupuranga, ki tētehi whakatupuranga. Ko ngā mātauranga ka tukua iho ko ngā pūrākau, ko ngā karakia, ko ngā whakataukī, ā, ko ngā waiata hoki. Ko te pūtake o te rangahau nei he titiro pū ki te āhua o te noho o ngā mōteatea hei pātaka whakairinga kōrero mō Ngāti Rangiwewehi ake, nō reira ka āta tirohia ngā momo puna mōhiohio, ngā momo kura aweko ka whakairia ki te pakitara o te pātaka kōrero o Ngāti Rangiwewehi. Nā ngā mōteatea i tohu te wā, i kōrero mō te wāhi, i whakapūkete ngā mahi a ngā tūpuna o te wā i titoa ai te mōteatea. Nā, ko ngā waiata, ko ngā mōteatea koirā te ara whakapūkete kōrero ka wānangahia e te tuhinga nei. Mā te āta wetewete i tētehi mōteatea pū o Ngāti Rangiwewehi, ka hora i ngā kura āuki, i ngā māpihi pounamu, i ngā puna mātauranga o te iwi kua whakaemi mai ki roto i te mōteatea hei kōrero tuku iho mō te iwi o Ngāti Rangiwewehi, hei whakatauira ake hoki i te āhua o te noho o ngā mōteatea hei ara whakapūkete mātauranga.

year: 2013