UC Research Repository
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The UC Research Repository collects, stores and makes available original research from postgraduate students, researchers and academics based at the University of Canterbury.
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Recent Submissions
To the RescEU? Disaster Risk Management as a Driver for European Integration
(2024) Hopkins, W. John; Faulkner , Holly; Clausing , Silke
The European Union has incrementally expanded its role in the field of disaster risk management (DRM) since the late 1980s. This expansion has often been very slow as states have regularly challenged the EU’s growing role in an area traditionally seen as core member-state business. Nevertheless, the increasing inability of individual Member States to respond effectively to disasters led to the establishment of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) in 2001. The mechanism was significantly strengthened in 2019 with the establishment of the rescEU operational reserve and again in 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article assesses the development of EU responsibilities in the field the DRM in the context of EU integration. In particular, it asks whether increased risk from natural hazards is creating a new driver towards European co-operation and integration. Will disasters, ironically, play a significant role in ‘rescEU’ing the Union?
Does the "Nae Umeed" group intervention improve mental health and social participation? A pre–post study in Uttarakhand, India
(Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2023) Bailie , Christopher R.; Pillai , Pooja S; Goodwin Singh , Atul; Leishman , Jed; Grills, Nathan J.; Mathias, Kaaren
Abstract
There are few evidence-based interventions to support caregiver mental health developed for low- and middle-income countries. Nae Umeed is a community-based group intervention developed with collaboratively with local community health workers in Uttarakhand, India primarily to promote mental wellbeing for caregivers and others. This pre–post study aimed to evaluate whether Nae Umeed improved mental health and social participation for people with mental distress, including caregivers. The intervention consisted of 14 structured group sessions facilitated by community health workers. Among 115 adult participants, 20% were caregivers and 80% were people with disability and other vulnerable community members; 62% had no formal education and 92% were female. Substantial and statistically significant improvements occurred in validated psychometric measures for mental health (12-Item General Health Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and social participation (Participation Scale). Improvements occurred regardless of caregiver status. This intervention addressed mental health and social participation for marginalised groups that are typically without access to formal mental health care and findings suggest Nae Umeed improved mental health and social participation; however, a controlled community trial would be required to prove causation. Community-based group interventions are a promising approach to improving the mental health of vulnerable groups in South Asia.
The effects of temperature and emersion on the respiratory physiology of the New Zealand lobster Jasus edwardsii in air and water
(1999) Pritchard, Michelle M.
The New Zealand lobster Jasus edwardsii is the basis of a major seafood industry, where the majority of lobsters caught are exported alive. There is a lack of physiological information regarding the design, management, transport and holding of live lobsters. The main aim of this study is to understand the effect of temperature and emersion on the respiratory physiology of the New Zealand lobster.
Resting oxygen consumption increased with acute temperature change. When Jasus edwardsii was exposed to 5°C lobsters experienced a cold coma. Diurnal rhythm had no effect on the resting oxygen consumption. Lobsters did not show metabolic temperature compensation, actually showed reverse or paradoxical compensation i.e. lowered M0 2 after 2 weeks in a cooler environment.
There was an initial decrease in oxygen consumption at 5°C, 12°C and 18°C following aerial exposure, this was followed by a partial recovery at 12°C and 18°C. Resting aerial oxygen consumption increased with temperature. L-Lactate and ammonia had accumulated in the haemolymph of lobsters at the end of each emersion period. Hence lobsters still rely on anaerobic metabolism even at temperatures as low as 5°C in air.
There was a initial decrease in Pa0 2 and the oxygen content of the haemolymph when lobsters were emersed. pH initially decreased at all three temperatures and then tended to stabilize. Lactate steadily accumulated in the haemolymph at the three temperatures.
The haemocyanin oxygen affinity increased during prolonged emersion (measured in vitro at a constant pH). This increase was probably due to a rise in lactate concentration of the haemolymph.
Oxygen coductance of the gills decreased on emersion at 12°C but was partially restored between 4 and 24 hours. However, the rate oxygen consumption of lobsters
during emersion was not affected by the quantity of water in the branchial chamber. Thus it is concluded that the major factor leading to restoration of MO2 in air is lactate-induced increase in the affinity of haemocyanin for oxygen.
This study developed the understanding of the effects of temperature on the metabolism of the New Zealand lobster Jasus edwardsii in air and water. The information in this study is useful to the design and management of future lobster holding facilities.
Teaching dance with mixed reality mirrors : comparing virtual instructors to other forms of visual feedback.
(2024) Treffer, Anna
This research aimed to assess whether a virtual instructor and visual feedback combination
displayed on a Mixed Reality (MR) mirror can be used to teach a beginner a simple
dance routine, replacing the traditional instructor and mirror methods. A prototype was
developed using a camera and projector that displayed a digital mirror image of the participant
as they learned dances, with the system able to overlay computer graphics onto
the image. The camera used to capture the image and motion of the participants was a
Microsoft Azure Kinect camera.
Three visual feedback types were developed and used as randomized conditions in the
user study based on input from expert interviews and an online survey. These were
Spheres, Rubber Bands, and Arrows. Three simple dance routines were developed, motion
captured, and presented in random order in the user study. During the user study
participants learned the dances by following a virtual instructor in the MR mirror (present
for each condition), with the MR mirror providing a different form of visual feedback for
each dance. After practicing a dance three times with the feedback, participants then performed
the dance in front of the MR mirror following the virtual instructor without any
feedback, and the system measured the accuracy of their performance by comparing the
amount of time that the user’s joints, such as shoulders and elbows, were within desired
bounds for each pose.
Participants filled out an AttrakDiff Questionnaire describing their experience for each
form of feedback, and gave comparative opinions of the different forms of visual feedback
in a final interview.
The results showed that participants performed best with the Arrows feedback variant
which were a directional feedback showing their depth difference, however they ranked
this variant the lowest based on their own preference. The most preferred form of feedback
was Spheres, which were the simplest feedback, not providing any guidance into the
correct pose, but participants performed poorest with them.
Tax justice and Indigenous sovereignty
(2023) Scobie, Matthew; Willson, Holly; Evans, Rachel; Williams, Madi
This study investigates Māori taxation or tax-like practices to explore the relationship
between taxation and Indigenous self-determination in Aotearoa New Zealand. We find
historical examples of customary distribution practices, harbour dues, tollways, stock
grazing fees and fines and joint stock subscriptions, all practiced by Māori leadership to
raise revenues and assert authority. These findings contribute to tax research by advancing
an argument for tax justice that takes Indigenous sovereignty seriously.