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- ItemEnvironmental drivers of antimicrobial resistance – cadmium contamination & antibiotic resistance in soil samples from a rural airstrip.(2023-12-05) Heydari A; Kim N; Biggs P; Horswell J; Gielen G; Siggins A; Bromhead C; Palmer BEnvironmental contamination with both inorganic and organic compounds is a growing problem globally. In this study we investigated links between heavy metal contamination of soil and selection for antibiotic resistance in soil bacteria. Soil samples taken at 10 m intervals along the length of a 70 m transect of a rural airstrip used for aerial topdressing located in Belmont Regional Park near Wellington were analysed for heavy metal content and resistance profiles of heterotrophic bacteria cultured were characterised. A gradient of cadmium contamination (a known contaminant of superphosphate fertiliser) ranging from 1.14 to 7.20 mg kg-1 of dry soil was detected in the samples. Total bacterial counts were significantly reduced at the most heavily contaminated subsites, with >60% of isolates resistant to 0.01 mM CdCl2. The ratio of antibiotic resistant isolates to total CFU was significantly higher at the most contaminated compared to the least contaminated subsite for five common antibiotics. Metagenomic analysis of total DNA from three subsites showed significantly different profiles at all taxonomic levels. This suggests environmental contamination with heavy metals may be a significant and under-appreciated driver of selection for antimicrobial resistance.
- ItemPrevalence of liver fluke on West Coast farms of the South Island of New Zealand sampled in the autumn and spring of consecutive lactations(2021-07-19) Dowling A; Pomroy W; Howe L; Scott I; Lawrence KThe aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of Fasciola hepatica infection in dairy cows in this West Coast of the South Island using an ELISA of bulk milk samples (n=430) collected on one of two occasions during March (autumn) 2017 and again in October (spring). All samples were analysed using the IDEXX Fasciolosis Verification kit which estimates the infection level in the herd in 4 categories; >50% infestation (strong); 20-50% infestation (medium); <20% infestation (low); no infection. A subset (n=99) were tested twice with a one week interval to determine repeatability. A short survey was also posted to each supplier with 157 completed. Of the 430 farms tested 133 (31%) were negative, 49 (11%) had a low infestation, 62 (14%) had a medium infestation and 186 (43%) had a strong infestation. GIS mapping of the farm locations indicated geographic grouping of farms with more severe fluke infestations. The 99 samples tested twice substantially agreed (Kappa = 0.7). Farms tested in both autumn and spring (n= 369) moderately agreed (Kappa 0.43) with an overall decrease in the spring. From the survey 85% of farmers were aware of liver fluke on their farm during the last 5 years and 70% treated their cows with a flukicide during the dry period (winter) including 92% of the farms that tested negative. This study indicates fasciolosis is common in this region with a disturbing number with a high prevalence in their herds. It also showed a decrease from autumn to following spring levels.
- ItemAcceptability of LGBTQ-Affirmative Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy for Youth: Results from a Pilot Study(2023-04-01) Seager van Dyk I; Layland EK; Soulliard ZA; Pachankis JE
- ItemExploring consumer and wine expert views towards verjuice: a grape-based product made from a viticultural waste(20/09/2022) Dupas de Matos A; Maggs R; Hort J
- ItemEvaluating service user-led teaching in clinical psychology training(13/01/2023) Taylor J; Gordon SE
- ItemA genetic approach to identify amino acids in Gcn1 required for Gcn2 activation (poster)(8/09/2022) Schiemann A; Gottfried S; Sattlegger EThe General Amino Acid Control stress signalling pathway allows cells to sense and overcome starvation. One of the major players in this pathway is the protein kinase Gcn2 found in all eukaryotic cells. Activation of Gcn2 leads to phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF2α), which then leads to the re-programming of the cell’s gene transcription and translation profile, and ultimately allowing cells to cope with and overcome starvation. For sensing starvation, Gcn2 must directly bind to its effector protein Gcn1. This interaction is mediated via a region in Gcn1 called the RWD binding domain (RWDBD). Overexpression of the RWDBD alone impairs Gcn2 activation through disrupting endogenous Gcn1-Gcn2 interaction, hampering eIF2α phosphorylation, and consequently cells cannot overcome starvation and fail to grow. This dominant negative phenotype is dependent on Arg-2259 in RWDBD. Taking advantage of this phenotype in yeast, we here found that the dominant negative phenotype was reverted by each of four amino acid substitutions, K2270A, R2289A, R2297A, and K2301A. This correlated with increased eIF2α phosphorylation levels, suggesting their relevance for Gcn2 activation. All but Lys-2270 are fully surface exposed, suggesting that these amino acids may directly contact Gcn2. We also found amino acid substitutions that enhanced the dominant negative phenotype of the overexpressed RWDBD, and correlated with further reduction in eIF2α-P levels. Our findings suggest that two helices in Gcn1 constitute at least one Gcn2 contact point.
- ItemWhy so unfit?: Assessing potential barriers to exercise adoption in middle-aged men(The Author(s), 10/02/2005) Towers AJ; Flett RA; Seebeck RF; Towers, AJ; Flett, RA; Seebeck, RFCompared to women, men: have a higher mortality rate consistently die younger are more susceptible to sedentary-lifestyle related diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease) are more likely to engage in behaviours that increase risk of injury, disease, or death are less likely to seek help with physical health. Despite these statistics, the amount of literature devoted to women’s health in the past two decades still greatly exceeds that devoted to men’s health. The result is that we actually know very little about what influences men’s health behaviours. Introduction We utilised the transtheoretical model of exercise behaviour change to determine the pattern of exercise adoption in middle-aged men. We also analysed whether this pattern was influenced by three potential barriers to exercise: poor self-rated health, low levels of internal health locus of control, and high perceived stress levels. Hypotheses Compared to participants in the last stage of change (maintenance), it was hypothesised that participants in the first stage of exercise change (precontemplation) would have: lower self-efficacy less concern over the pros of exercise more concern over the cons of exercise poorer self-rated health higher levels of perceived stress lower levels of internal health locus of control [From Introduction]
- ItemModelling alcohol-consumption in New Zealand: A Bayesian conditional copula-based regression approach.(25/11/2019) Romeo Nunez J; Huckle T; Casswell S
- ItemBecoming a distance student: Identifying and managing the key challenges(2018-04) Kahu EApproximately 25% of first year, distance students are unsuccessful – they withdraw, fail or just give up on their study. They pay the fees but they don’t get the benefit. And they go away discouraged and disheartened. This poster, using data from a PhD project following 19 first year mature-aged distance students, offers ideas for managing key challenges these students face. - My lifeload: Taking too many courses is common. Students overestimate the time they have available. Be realistic and start small: you can speed things up later. - My family and friends: Other people can be a support and a barrier. Communicate clearly what you need. And remember, this is a big change for the whole family not just you. - My time and space: Students choose distance study because it is more flexible. But you still have to find time and space to do the work. Be flexible and creative in your approach. It takes time to figure out what works for you, for your family, and for your studies. - My headspace: The first year is an emotional rollercoaster including negative feelings of anxiety or frustration. Manage the negative by talking things over and celebrate and focus on the positive. - My university: Returning to study is harder than you expect with a lot of new skills to be learned. Be patient with yourself, use the resources available and be willing to seek help.
- ItemVariations in heading ratings characterized by scale polarity scale types and attributes(26/06/2012) Jirangrat W; Ordonez K; Wang J; Corredor JAH; Sriwattana S; Prinyawiwatkul WThe negative side of the 9-point hedonic scale is not fully understood. When used to evaluate negative attributes (for example, bitterness), this hedonic scale may yield poor results. We evaluated hedonic ratings as affected by scale types [9-point-categorical (CAT), line (LIN) and labeled-affective-magnitude (LAM)] and polarity (uni- compared to bi-polar), and attributes (positive compared to negative). We compared sensitivity and confounding effects [contrast+panelist effects=CP] of positive- and negative-attribute ratings among 3 scales, and compared effects of uni- (negative-side only) compared to bi-polar scales on negative-attribute ratings. Grape juices (classified as A=Liked, B=Moderate, C=Disliked) arranged in 4 sets (AB-AC, BA-CA, AC-AB, or CA-BA; the left sample served first) were evaluated (N=60 consumers) for overall-liking using 3 scales. Low-sodium chicken broths (classified as M=Mild- and S=Strong-bitterness) arranged in 2 sets (MS or SM) were evaluated (N=216) for bitterness using 3 scales. Balanced/randomized presentation was practiced. With bi-polar scales: 1) consumers better differentiated negative-attribute ratings; 2) CP was higher for positive- than negative-attribute ratings [5.47 compared to 0.11, 12.41 compared to 0.09, and 82.66 compared to 0.23, respectively, for CAT, LIN, and LAM; 3) LAM was more affected by CP. With negative-attribute ratings, CP of LAM was higher for uni- than for bi-polar scales. CP was more pronounced for liked- than disliked-samples, resulting in higher score fluctuation. CAT was more affected by contrast effects whereas LIN and LAM were more affected by panelist effects. Polarity effects were obvious for the mild-bitterness sample, showing significantly different results between uni- compared to bi-polar scales [3.91 compared to 6.39, 4.28 compared to 6.49, and 41.05 compared to 63.24, respectively, for CAT, LIN, and LAM]; all ratings from bi-polar scales were not on the negative-side. For the strong-bitterness sample, uni- and bi-polar ratings were on the negative side, with LAM having more consistent pattern. This study revealed some drawbacks of hedonic scales induced by scale polarity/types and attributes.
