Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 7454
  • Item
    How does a teacher sustain collective mathematizing among non-dominant students?
    (East China Normal University Press and World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd, 2024-10-01) Tupouniua JG; Hunter J
    In this paper, we describe a teacher’s attempt to sustain collective mathematizing among non- dominant students in a classroom that emphasizes collective success. Taking a collectivist stance, we conceptualize the featured classroom as one in which the students function as a single learning organism. We analyze three roles that the teacher played within a lesson focused on students’ engagement with repeating patterns. Specifically, we discuss the affordances of the three roles with respect to sustaining three characteristics of a classroom that functions as a single learning organism.
  • Item
    Fecal excretion of Campylobacter jejuni by young dairy calves and the relationship with neonatal immunity and personality traits
    (Oxford University Press on behalf of Applied Microbiology International, 2023-04-29) Rapp D; Schütz KE; Ross C; Sutherland MA; Hempstead MN; Hannaford R; Cave VM; Brightwell G
    Aims Zoonotic pathogens in bovine herds are major concerns for human and animal health, but their monitoring in animals can be challenging in the absence of clinical signs. Our objective was to determine the association between fecal excretion of Campylobacter jejuni, neonatal immunity, and personality traits of calves. Methods and results Forty-eight dairy calves were reared in three indoor pens from birth to 4 weeks of life. Microbial analyses of the fecal samples collected weekly revealed that the proportion of calves naturally contaminated with C. jejuni in each pen reached 70% after 3 weeks of life. High (>16 g l−1) levels of IgG levels in the serum of neonatal calves were negatively (P = .04) associated with fecal detection of C. jejuni over the trial period. Calves that spent more time interacting with a novel object tended to be positive (P = .058) for C. jejuni. Conclusions Overall, the findings indicate that the immunity of neonatal dairy animals and possibly the animal’s behavior may contribute to the fecal shedding of C. jejuni.
  • Item
    Dental Ageing Offers New Insights Into the First Epigenetic Clock for Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis)
    (British Ecological Society, and John Wiley and Sons Limited, 2025-11) Hanninger E-MF; Peters KJ; Gerber L; Barratclough A; Betty EL; Palmer EI; Horvath S; Stockin KA
    Determining exact age in wild odontocetes is essential for understanding population dynamics, survival, and reproduction, yet remains logistically challenging. Although epigenetic ageing is emerging as a valuable approach, only nine species-specific clocks currently exist. Most have been calibrated using known-age animals in human care or well-studied wild populations. Only three previous studies have used dental ages from stranded or bycaught individuals. This is due to concerns that dental age inaccuracies, especially in older animals, may affect epigenetic clock performance. To explore this, we developed the first species-specific epigenetic clock for common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), analysing DNA methylation at 37,492 cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites in skin samples from stranded and bycaught dolphins with estimated dental ages. Elastic net models with Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation were applied to three subsets: the ‘relaxed’ subset (all individuals; n = 75, median absolute error (MAE) = 2.02, r = 0.81, R2 = 0.66), the ‘strict’ subset (excluding individuals with minimum dental age estimates only; n = 73, MAE = 2.29, r = 0.81, R2 = 0.66), and the ‘restricted’ subset (excluding outliers with prediction errors > 6 years; n = 63, MAE = 1.80, r = 0.91, R2 = 0.82) to compare performance. Our models consistently underestimated the age of dolphins > 16 years, even when minimum dental ages were applied, suggesting that absolute errors between dental and epigenetic estimates are unlikely to reflect the dental ageing error. Additionally, post-mortem decomposition condition code (DCC 1 to 3) did not affect age prediction, signalling promise for future epigenetic clocks calibrated with strandings and bycaught individuals.
  • Item
    Hyperspectral mapping of density, porosity, stiffness, and strength in hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks
    (Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union, 2025-11-03) Thiele ST; Kereszturi G; Heap MJ; de Lima Ribeiro A; Kamath AV; Kidd M; Tramontini M; Rosas-Carbajal M; Gloaguen R
    Heterogeneous structures and diverse volcanic, hydrothermal, and geomorphological processes hinder characterisation of the mechanical properties of volcanic rock masses. Laboratory experiments can provide accurate rock property measurements, but are limited by sample scale and labor-intensive procedures. In this contribution, we expand on previous research linking the hyperspectral fingerprints of rocks to their physical and mechanical properties. We acquired a unique dataset characterising the visible-near (VNIR), shortwave (SWIR), midwave (MWIR), and longwave (LWIR) infrared reflectance of samples from eight basaltic to andesitic volcanoes. Several machine learning models were then trained to predict density, porosity, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and Young’s modulus (E) from these spectral data. Significantly, nonlinear techniques such as multilayer perceptron (MLP) models were able to explain up to 80 % of the variance in density and porosity, and 65 %–70 % of the variance in UCS and E. Shapley value analysis, a tool from explainable AI, highlights the dominant contribution of VNIR-SWIR absorptions that can be attributed to hydrothermal alteration, and MWIR-LWIR features sensitive to volcanic glass content, fabric, and/or surface roughness. These results demonstrate that hyperspectral imaging can serve as a robust proxy for rock physical and mechanical properties, potentially offering an efficient, scalable method for characterising large areas of exposed volcanic rock. The integration of these data with geomechanical models could enhance hazard assessment, infrastructure development, and resource utilisation in volcanic regions.
  • Item
    Protective factors in potential trauma for adolescent surf lifesavers
    (Elsevier Limited, United Kingdom, 2025-12) Lawes JC; Fien S; Ledger J; Drummond M; Simon P; Joseph N; Daw S; Best T; Stanton R; de Terte I
    Introduction: Surf lifesavers form a key part of Australia's first responder workforce. Patrolling members can start from 13 years old, with potential exposure to traumatic incidents. Protective factors may mitigate the trauma exposure. This study investigated protective factors associated with mental health outcomes among adolescent surf lifesavers (13–17 years), including in response to exposure to potentially traumatic events. Methods: An online survey was developed to collect data from Australian surf lifesavers (13–17 years). Measures included demographic factors, stressful life events, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), self-efficacy, social support, and attitudes toward mental health problems. Hierarchical regressions and moderation analyses explored the relationships between variables. Results: There were 118 responses collected with overall mean age 15.4 years (SD = 1.3). PTSS was moderately to strongly positively correlated with all trauma domains. Higher self-efficacy and social support scores were correlated with lower PTSS. Hierarchical regression showed that Trauma within SLS, social support, self-efficacy and attitudes toward mental health were significantly associated with the outcome in the final regression model (F(5,110) = 17.87, p < 0.001), with the protective factors collectively explaining 28% of the variance in PTSS. Negative attitudes were positively associated with PTSS, while social support and self-efficacy scores were both negatively associated with PTSS. Conclusions: This study highlights the critical and protective interplay between social support, self-efficacy, mental health attitudes and trauma exposure among adolescent surf lifesavers. The findings will guide the development of targeted interventions to support younger patrolling members with an emphasis on supportive interventions to improve resilience and wellbeing in young emergency service personnel exposed to trauma. Practical applications: This study highlights the importance of encouraging protective factors with young individuals in emergency service roles, with practical implications for mental health professionals, emergency service agencies, surf lifesaving organizations, and policymakers interested in promoting the wellbeing of adolescent emergency service personnel.
  • Item
    Sequential treatment of psychrotrophic pseudomonad biofilms with sodium hydroxide and commercial enzyme cleaners
    (Elsevier Ltd, United Kingdom, 2026-04) Muthuraman S; Palmer J; Flint S
    Pseudomonads are psychrotrophic spoilage bacteria that can form biofilms at the air-liquid interface. Food processing utensils and equipment often facilitate the air-liquid interface biofilm formation. Pseudomonads produce thermostable enzymes and pigments that affect the organoleptic quality of perishable food products. In this study, Pseudomonas lundensis, Pseudomonas cedrina were allowed to form biofilms at 4 °C under continuous flow of nutrients in a CDC reactor (CBR 90; Biosurface Technologies, USA). The mature biofilms were treated with commercial enzyme cleaners, EnduroZyme (protease), DualZyme (protease and lipase), and TriZyme (protease, amylase, and cellulase). The dispersion with EnduroZyme was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the other enzyme cleaners. Then the biofilms were treated with hot water and sodium hydroxide, and enzyme cleaners (sequential treatment). The cell counts after sodium hydroxide + Enzyme cleaners were below the detection limit. The microscopic observations with epifluorescence microscopy showed that the coupons had less fluorescence after the sequential treatment. FTIR observations showed that the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) isolated after sodium hydroxide + enzyme cleaners differed from the untreated and sodium hydroxide-only-treated EPS. Biofilm regrowth was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the biofilms treated with sodium hydroxide + EnduroZyme compared to acid-treated control coupons. The sequential treatment with sodium hydroxide and enzyme cleaners reduced the biofilm footprints, representing a better clean than enzyme treatment alone or sodium hydroxide-only cleaning.
  • Item
    Isolation and characterisation of cell wall polysaccharides from taewa (Māori potatoes; Solanum tuberosum L.)
    (Elsevier B.V., 2026-02) Luiten CA; Hinkley SFR; Roskruge NR; Semese SA; Heath A-LM; Perry TL; Rehrer NJ; Sims IM
    Taewa are varieties of potato introduced to New Zealand by European explorers in the late 18th century. The aim of this research was to extract and characterise cell wall polysaccharides from three varieties of taewa (Huakaroro, Tutaekuri, Moemoe) and compare their composition and structure with a modern potato variety (Agria). The yield of cell walls ranged from 22.8 mg to 42 mg per gram fresh weight potato and was higher for Tutaekuri than other taewa varieties and Agria. Cell walls of Tutaekuri also contained the highest amounts of galactose and the highest level of pectic polysaccharides compared with other varieties. Sequential fractionation of the cell walls gave two pectic polysaccharides fractions (imidazole + Na2CO3 and residue wash), and a hemicellulose fraction (4 M KOH). The residue wash fractions contained higher proportions of rhamnogalacturonan-I than the imidazole + Na2CO3 fraction. Constituent sugar and glycosyl linkage compositions indicated that there were differences in the detailed structural features of the pectic polysaccharides among the taewa varieties and Agria. The imidazole + Na2CO3 fraction from Moemoe had a lower rhamnogalacturonan-I/homogalacturonan ratio and a lower side-chain/rhamnose ratio than the other varieties. Glycosyl linkage analysis indicated that Moemoe had shorter galactan side-chains than the other varieties. Constituent sugar and glycosyl linkage analysis of the 4 M KOH fractions gave linkages that were typical of solanaceous xyloglucans. This knowledge provides added value to taewa suggesting that as well as their important role as a taonga species for Māori, they could contribute to human health outcomes.
  • Item
    Political polarization and wellbeing: Investigating potential intrapersonal harm From affective polarization
    (Ubiquity Press, 2025-12-01) McMurtrie B; Roemer A; Philipp M; Hebden R; Williams M
    Affective polarization—antipathy towards members of one’s political out-group—may pose challenges to social cohesion and personal wellbeing. Prior studies have suggested that one’s affective polarization may cause intrapersonal harm as well as interpersonal harm. It has been associated with reduced social support, increased stress, and worse physical health. This pre-registered study investigated the intrapersonal harm of affective polarization using a six-wave longitudinal survey (N = 470). Affective polarization, social support, perceived stress, and self-rated health were measured fortnightly for three months preceding the 2024 US presidential election. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models were employed to investigate the within-person effects of affective polarization on these indicators of wellbeing. Contrary to hypotheses, none of the hypothesized cross-lagged effects were significant, suggesting that changes in affective polarization did not predict changes in social support, stress, or health. However, cross-sectional analyses did reflect past findings, showing that higher levels of affective polarization were associated with lower social support, greater stress, and worse health. We additionally found evidence for perceived stress causing moderate increases in affective polarization. Stable differences by political orientation were also observed in our sample, with liberals reporting higher affective polarization and stress, lower social support, and worse health. Despite the lack of significant effects, potentially due to limitations such as sample size and measurement constraints, our findings underscore the importance of further investigations with appropriate robust designs to clarify the relationship between affective polarization and wellbeing. These results challenge the assumption that affective polarization directly drives declines in wellbeing.
  • Item
    Matariki : a monograph (Vol 1 No 8)
    (Te Mata o Te Tau, Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Māori, Massey University, 2025-08) Te Mata o Te Tau, The Academy for Māori Research and Scholarship; Cunningham, Chris; Te Momo, Fiona
    This monograph – the eighth in the Matariki Series – presents the remarkable achievements of Māori doctoral graduates from Massey University, each exemplifying the breadth and depth of Māori scholarship across diverse disciplines. It celebrates the Māori doctoral graduates from the 2024 and 2022 academic years. Our intention as each Matariki season arrives is to review the previous year’s doctoral graduates together with a year from the previous two decades that Te Mata o te Tau has been operating. He tohu tēnei o te kaha, te māia, me te mātauranga o ngā uri Māori e whai ana i te ara o te mātauranga tiketike, e whakakotahi ana i ngā ao e rua—te ao Māori me te ao whānui—i roto i ā rātou rangahau.
  • Item
    ‘Through hybrid eyes : empathetic entanglement as a lens for human to animal metamorphosis in Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation’ and ‘Becoming Amphibian’ : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Creative Writing at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 10th November 2027
    (Massey University, 2025) Smith, Ryan
    This thesis comprises two sections: a 13,000-word critical exegesis of Annihilation (2014), a novel by Jeff VanderMeer, and a 27,000-word creative excerpt from an original speculative horror novella, Becoming Amphibian. In the critical portion of this thesis, I conduct a close reading of Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation in which I ask, how does empathetic entanglement provide a lens through which to look at human to animal metamorphosis in fiction? I investigate the human-animal metamorphosis of the unnamed biologist protagonist in Annihilation, particularly considering how her metamorphosis transforms the biologist’s perception of the nonhuman world, her relationships with nonhuman animals, and the benefits and challenges of expressing her new nonhuman abilities and agency. I argue that the biologist’s metamorphosis is an embodiment of philosopher Lori Gruen’s concept of ‘empathetic entanglement’ – a form of human-nonhuman cohabitation where human and nonhuman agency are valued more equally. I assert that the biologist’s unique Nagelian hybrid view of the world can be used as a lens to envision this empathetic entanglement. I also draw on ecocritical researcher Jack Dudley’s idea that actively embracing the trauma of transformation towards ecocentric relationships with animals is ultimately beneficial, and preferable to passively enduring Earth’s slow apocalypse. I further argue that VanderMeer’s fictional pristine ecosystem Area X – in which the bulk of Annihilation is set – could be read as a representation of ecofeminist theorist Donna Haraway’s Chthulucene, her suggested alternative to the current human-centred Anthropocene era. The creative portion of my thesis is an excerpt of an original speculative horror fiction novella called Becoming Amphibian. The narrative is centred around a human protagonist’s metamorphosis into an amphibian, and the metamorphosis of a mid-range clothes shop in the Wellington central business district into a swampland. My story picks up on similar contemporary animal studies research that is present in Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation – in particular, a push back against the human gaze; the value of nonhuman animal agency and behaviours in fictional depictions; and human-nonhuman entanglement. Becoming Amphibian also explores interspecies cooperation, as outlined in research by Donna Haraway, and Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari.