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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    Investigating canine colour preference through a free choice preference test : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Animal Science at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Soanes, Jody
    Dogs are one of the most common pets worldwide, and promoting their welfare is a key concern for many owners. Numerous studies have been performed investigating dogs’ cognitive and sensory capabilities, from which we know that they have poorer vision than humans, including dichromatic vision and red–green colour blindness. Instead, they rely heavily on their other sensory modalities, such as olfaction and low-light detection. Little research has investigated whether dogs show preferences for less dominant sensory cues, such as colour vision, and how this may be integrated into their environment to enhance welfare. This study aimed to investigate whether dogs display a colour preference when presented with three different coloured stimuli in a free-choice preference test based on their visual spectrum. Sixteen domestic dogs were included in this study. Of these, two were used in the pilot study, one was excluded due to a lack of habituation prior to testing, and thirteen were included in the main study. Three coloured bowls containing food (red, blue, and yellow) were presented simultaneously in fixed locations (left, middle, right) over three testing days and a total of 18 trials. Behaviours measured included first bowl visited, number of visits, duration of visits, percentage of time spent interacting with each bowl, latency to approach each bowl, and the first bowl visited in each trial. Data were analysed using either chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests, ANOVA, or Poisson regression, with dogs as either a repeated measure or fixed effect, to assess both individual and population preferences. No significant effect of colour was observed at either the population or individual level. Some individuals showed a tendency to prefer red, and overall, dogs approached the red bowl faster than others. However, there was a strong preference for the right-sided location at both the individual and population levels. This location preference became more prominent over repeated trials, possibly overriding any potential colour preferences. The presence of some weak individual colour preferences indicates that colour may play a role in decision-making for some dogs, warranting further research, including more trials and a larger sample size. These findings highlight that while dogs are capable of discriminating colours, it may not be a primary driver of canine choice behaviour. Understanding these patterns has practical implications for promoting canine welfare. Colour alone may not be useful to enhance welfare, but it may still be incorporated alongside other sensory features to support positive experiences.
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    Patterns of nest attendance during the breeding season of the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Yap, Emily Juet Yen
    Understanding the breeding behaviour of Little Penguins is essential to gauge reproductive success. This study is the first to examine Little Penguins from Port Tarakohe in the Tasman District of New Zealand, focusing on colony attendance during the 2022 breeding season. Daily nestbox monitoring was utilised for the first time in New Zealand to investigate nest attendance and breeding stages of the Little Penguin. The first analytical chapter is a colony-level investigation, identifying patterns and cycles of nestbox attendance in various categories, including males and females, breeding pairs, and breeding and non-breeding birds. The lunar cycle is also examined as a potential influence on attendance behaviour. The second analytical chapter assesses the nestbox attendance of individual breeding pairs within the Port Tarakohe colony, as the breeding season progresses through its stages. Observations from the first chapter include that pairs of Little Penguins synchronised their colony attendance over multiple months of the breeding season, corresponding to the stages of courtship, incubation and guard. Courtship and egg-laying were found to occur approximately four weeks apart, in multiple distinct waves. Male and female members of separate breeding pairs were found to synchronise their nestbox attendance during the incubation and guard phases. The nestbox attendance of non-breeding birds was found to vary cyclically over a four-week period and appeared to increase close to the time of the full moon although this was not significant. The second chapter reveals that average incubation period and guard period lengths are consistent with those reported from other colonies. Mean nestbox attendance during the incubation periods of breeding pairs was observed to be equal between different sexes. Incubation spell length was observed to rise and fall predictably over the incubation periods of different breeding pairs. One-chick clutches were observed to be guarded for longer than two-chick clutches. These findings complement, contrast with, and extend previous observations on colony attendance made at other Little Penguin colonies, and serve as a base for future research on the Port Tarakohe colony.