title: Energetics of the freshwater mussel Hyridella Menziesi gray

authors: Nobes, Roderick George

abstract: Various aspects of the biology of Hyridella menziesi were studied to obtain an energy budget so that its role in the Waikato River could be elucidated.

Respiration rates were found to increase with both temperature and animal size. The Q₁₀ ranged from 1.1 to 8 °c to 2.6 at 27.5 °c. Weight dependent respiration increased exponentially with weight (in g. dry weight), the relationship being R = 417 W ⁰·⁴¹⁰ μg 0₂.hr⁻¹ at ambient temperatures (18.5 to 24.6 °c).

The water pumping rate (P) increased with animal size (P = 3.8 w⁰·²⁷ ℓ.hr⁻¹), but filtering rates were variable, being affected by the particle retention efficiency of the gill. Retention efficiencies decreased in larger animals, a result of increasing interfilament distances which were evident from electron micrographs.

Filtration rates using Chlorella showed no variation with animal size or food concentration (FC cells. ml⁻¹ ) , the mean being 1.02 ℓ.hr⁻¹, but the proportion of food ingested did depend on the amount available (ingestion ratio = 2.20 FC ⁻⁰·²²) and assimilation efficiencies (AE %), obtained by the dual isotope method of Calow and Fletcher, decreased as the feeding rate increased (AE 272 FR⁻⁰·¹²⁸, FR cells.hr⁻¹).

Calculated energy budgets were positive but cell numbers in the Waikato River fell below that required for maintenance by animals of 0.05 g dry weight and larger during the winter months of July through September. The expected energy fluxes derived from river-bed transect and budget data were higher than those for other bivalves, but similar to that of Potamopyrgus antipodarum which is also found in the Waikato River, and is indicative of the intermediary role played by Hyridella of providing detritus for the benthos and speeding nutrient cycling.

text: Energetics of the freshwater mussel Hyridella Menziesi gray Various aspects of the biology of Hyridella menziesi were studied to obtain an energy budget so that its role in the Waikato River could be elucidated.

Respiration rates were found to increase with both temperature and animal size. The Q₁₀ ranged from 1.1 to 8 °c to 2.6 at 27.5 °c. Weight dependent respiration increased exponentially with weight (in g. dry weight), the relationship being R = 417 W ⁰·⁴¹⁰ μg 0₂.hr⁻¹ at ambient temperatures (18.5 to 24.6 °c).

The water pumping rate (P) increased with animal size (P = 3.8 w⁰·²⁷ ℓ.hr⁻¹), but filtering rates were variable, being affected by the particle retention efficiency of the gill. Retention efficiencies decreased in larger animals, a result of increasing interfilament distances which were evident from electron micrographs.

Filtration rates using Chlorella showed no variation with animal size or food concentration (FC cells. ml⁻¹ ) , the mean being 1.02 ℓ.hr⁻¹, but the proportion of food ingested did depend on the amount available (ingestion ratio = 2.20 FC ⁻⁰·²²) and assimilation efficiencies (AE %), obtained by the dual isotope method of Calow and Fletcher, decreased as the feeding rate increased (AE 272 FR⁻⁰·¹²⁸, FR cells.hr⁻¹).

Calculated energy budgets were positive but cell numbers in the Waikato River fell below that required for maintenance by animals of 0.05 g dry weight and larger during the winter months of July through September. The expected energy fluxes derived from river-bed transect and budget data were higher than those for other bivalves, but similar to that of Potamopyrgus antipodarum which is also found in the Waikato River, and is indicative of the intermediary role played by Hyridella of providing detritus for the benthos and speeding nutrient cycling.

year: 1980

title: Get out of your mind and into your life: Using a self-help book to improve wellbeing in adolescents

authors: Lisle, Nicole

abstract: Mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety are becoming increasing prevalent in an adolescent population. In New Zealand, public mental health services have long waitlists to access support from a clinician and private clinicians are often costly. This creates a barrier for many adolescents to receive support, particularly those who are experiencing subclinical concerns. There is also some evidence to suggest that many people do not benefit from traditional therapy approaches. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an alternate to traditionally used treatment approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and uses techniques such as values, acceptance and mindfulness to help improve wellbeing. Using ACT in a self-help format helps to reduce barriers for adolescents to access support. 
The overall purpose of this study was to address the question “Does the self-help book Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens improve wellbeing in adolescents?”. In particular, the research sought to find out i) if the book was effective in improving well-being in adolescents, ii) if there were any gender differences in outcomes and iii) understanding if adolescents found the book useful by evaluating if it was easy to work through and relevant to them. Participants were between the ages of 16 and 18 years (N=16, average age= 16.6), with nine females and six males. A total of 14 participants completed the intervention. The study was conducted using a multiple baseline design. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires which focused on wellbeing and ACT techniques at 4 time points (before the baseline period, after a two week wait before they began the intervention, on completion of the intervention and at a two month follow up), specific areas assessed by the questionnaires were depression, anxiety, strengths and difficulties, thought control, acceptance and mindfulness. During the intervention period, participants worked through the book and engaged in weekly meetings. Participants also filled out a number of questionnaires specific to wellbeing and ACT at four time points. When the group data as well as individual change scores were analysed, statistically significant improvements were found for depression, thought control and acceptance. There were no gender differences in response to the intervention. The majority of participants felt that the intervention was relevant and useful. They also reported that they were able to use some of the skills from the intervention in their everyday lives. These findings indicate that this intervention was effective for improving general wellbeing with adolescents who are experiencing sub-clinical levels of distress. Furthermore, it demonstrates that adolescents were able to learn ACT based techniques from the self-help book and that they found the book useful and relevant. In conclusion, this study has shown that ACT based self-help interventions may be used as an alternative and cost-effective method of offering support to adolescents. It also shows that adolescents will engage in this type of intervention and can use the techniques they learn in their everyday lives. This information will hopefully be of use to professionals who work with adolescents who are experiencing mental health concerns.

text: Get out of your mind and into your life: Using a self-help book to improve wellbeing in adolescents Mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety are becoming increasing prevalent in an adolescent population. In New Zealand, public mental health services have long waitlists to access support from a clinician and private clinicians are often costly. This creates a barrier for many adolescents to receive support, particularly those who are experiencing subclinical concerns. There is also some evidence to suggest that many people do not benefit from traditional therapy approaches. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an alternate to traditionally used treatment approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and uses techniques such as values, acceptance and mindfulness to help improve wellbeing. Using ACT in a self-help format helps to reduce barriers for adolescents to access support. 
The overall purpose of this study was to address the question “Does the self-help book Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens improve wellbeing in adolescents?”. In particular, the research sought to find out i) if the book was effective in improving well-being in adolescents, ii) if there were any gender differences in outcomes and iii) understanding if adolescents found the book useful by evaluating if it was easy to work through and relevant to them. Participants were between the ages of 16 and 18 years (N=16, average age= 16.6), with nine females and six males. A total of 14 participants completed the intervention. The study was conducted using a multiple baseline design. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires which focused on wellbeing and ACT techniques at 4 time points (before the baseline period, after a two week wait before they began the intervention, on completion of the intervention and at a two month follow up), specific areas assessed by the questionnaires were depression, anxiety, strengths and difficulties, thought control, acceptance and mindfulness. During the intervention period, participants worked through the book and engaged in weekly meetings. Participants also filled out a number of questionnaires specific to wellbeing and ACT at four time points. When the group data as well as individual change scores were analysed, statistically significant improvements were found for depression, thought control and acceptance. There were no gender differences in response to the intervention. The majority of participants felt that the intervention was relevant and useful. They also reported that they were able to use some of the skills from the intervention in their everyday lives. These findings indicate that this intervention was effective for improving general wellbeing with adolescents who are experiencing sub-clinical levels of distress. Furthermore, it demonstrates that adolescents were able to learn ACT based techniques from the self-help book and that they found the book useful and relevant. In conclusion, this study has shown that ACT based self-help interventions may be used as an alternative and cost-effective method of offering support to adolescents. It also shows that adolescents will engage in this type of intervention and can use the techniques they learn in their everyday lives. This information will hopefully be of use to professionals who work with adolescents who are experiencing mental health concerns.

year: 2019

title: Examining the effects of Ki-o-Rahi on the development of fundamental movement skills by children in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Daveta, Wiliame

subjects: fundamental movement skills

abstract: Children with poor fundamental movement skills might have challenges when engaging in activities that require specific skills to help them perform effectively. Development of those skills through targeted training has the potential to build the foundation for fundamental movement skills. This study examined whether Ki-o-Rahi can enhance learning fundamental movement skills (FMS) and cognitive and social skills in Aotearoa New Zealand children. A quasi-experimental pre-post design was conducted over 8 weeks with 86 primary school children from five separate classes that were allocated to treatment conditions via cluster sampling: two classes to the intervention group, two to the control group, and one to the legend-only control group. The intervention group learned the legend and played Ki-o-Rahi over 8 sessions, whereas the control groups continued with their regular physical activities, but only one of the control groups learned the legend. FMS were measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development—Third Edition (TGMD-3) and the Motor Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2). Cognitive skills were measured using the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders test (HTKS), forward and backward digit span, and forward and backward corsi block. Researchers measured social skills using the Early Childhood Social Relationship with Peers (ECSRP) teacher-proxy questionnaire. The results demonstrated that the intervention and control group gained improvements in the FMS and social skills but not cognitive skills. The legend-only group showed no significant changes. The findings suggest that Ki-o-rahi can contribute to developing FMS, cognitive, and social skills in Aotearoa New Zealand children. Future research should consider extending the duration of the study to assess long-term effects and include a larger cohort of Pacific or Māori children to explore potential benefits of Ki-o-Rahi in greater depth.

text: Examining the effects of Ki-o-Rahi on the development of fundamental movement skills by children in Aotearoa New Zealand Children with poor fundamental movement skills might have challenges when engaging in activities that require specific skills to help them perform effectively. Development of those skills through targeted training has the potential to build the foundation for fundamental movement skills. This study examined whether Ki-o-Rahi can enhance learning fundamental movement skills (FMS) and cognitive and social skills in Aotearoa New Zealand children. A quasi-experimental pre-post design was conducted over 8 weeks with 86 primary school children from five separate classes that were allocated to treatment conditions via cluster sampling: two classes to the intervention group, two to the control group, and one to the legend-only control group. The intervention group learned the legend and played Ki-o-Rahi over 8 sessions, whereas the control groups continued with their regular physical activities, but only one of the control groups learned the legend. FMS were measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development—Third Edition (TGMD-3) and the Motor Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2). Cognitive skills were measured using the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders test (HTKS), forward and backward digit span, and forward and backward corsi block. Researchers measured social skills using the Early Childhood Social Relationship with Peers (ECSRP) teacher-proxy questionnaire. The results demonstrated that the intervention and control group gained improvements in the FMS and social skills but not cognitive skills. The legend-only group showed no significant changes. The findings suggest that Ki-o-rahi can contribute to developing FMS, cognitive, and social skills in Aotearoa New Zealand children. Future research should consider extending the duration of the study to assess long-term effects and include a larger cohort of Pacific or Māori children to explore potential benefits of Ki-o-Rahi in greater depth.

year: 2024