Habitat use, seasonality and ecology of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in native forest remnants, North Island, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Ecology at Massey University

The Carabidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) is one of the largest insect families in New Zealand with an estimated 600 species, 90% of which are endemic. Carabids have received a considerable amount of attention in the Northern Hemisphere, but next to nothing is known about the biology of carabids in New Zealand. The aim of my research was to increase our knowledge about the ecology, population dynamics, and life history of carabids in New Zealand native forests. The morphology and biology of two species of endemic carabids, Mecodema oconnori Broun and Megadromus capito (White) was studied in detail. Mecodema oconnori was strongly sexually dimorphic, whereas M. capito males and females were very similar in size and weight. During the course of the study, I discovered several very small M. oconnori males with red legs, and these may belong to a separate species. The habitat use and movement of M. oconnori and M. capito in a native forest remnant was investigated using several different sampling techniques, including manual searches, live capture pitfall trapping, and harmonic radar tracking. Manual searches of carabid resting sites proved to be the most effective method for locating these beetles, as both species displayed a high degree of site fidelity, and were repeatedly found under the same sites. Harmonic radar tracking was not very successful, largely because I was unable to identify beetles when they were in underground burrows. The population dynamics and seasonality of several species of carabids were investigated in order to understand more about their life cycles. Manual searches of resting sites were used to estimate the seasonal abundance of M. oconnori and M. capito throughout the year, and removal pitfall trapping was also carried out for six months. The searches revealed that both M. oconnori and M. capito were present in all months of the year, in contrast to the results from previous pitfall trapping studies. Females of five species of carabids were dissected to investigate their reproductive phenology. Mecodema oconnori had extremely low fecundity, with a mean egg number of only 1.6 eggs per female. In contrast. M. capito had the highest fecundity, with up to 28 eggs per female. Both M. oconnori and M. capito females contained eggs in their ovaries from October to March, suggesting that these species have a long period of reproductive activity. Megadromus capito larvae were caught in all months of sampling (from October to March) and the three instars overlapped temporally, which implies a long period of larval emergence and development. Megadromus capito larvae were most abundant in January-February and tenerals were found in February and March, suggesting that this species is a spring breeder. Mecodema oconnori also appears to be a spring breeder, although its peak in reproductive activity was slightly later than M. capito, in late spring-summer. The effect of rodent control on carabid beetle assemblages was investigated at Lake Papaitonga Scenic Reserve using paired treatment (poisoned) and non-treatment (non-poisoned) areas. Controlling rodents did not have a significant effect on the carabid assemblages, or on the abundance of other invertebrate taxa, although some carabid species appeared to have benefited from the reduced rodent densities. The abundance of carabids in pitfall traps was significantly correlated with the numbers of amphipods and springtails, which suggests that carabids may aggregate in areas of high prey density. There was also a correlation between carabids and other beetles, but this was more likely to result from a similar response to the environmental characteristics at each trap. There are many questions still to be answered about the habitat use and ecology of carabids in New Zealand, as well as the effects of introduced predators and environmental factors on carabid population dynamics. Longer-term studies are needed to gather more information on the pre-adult stages and reproductive activity of adults, as this is essential to fully understand the life history of New Zealand carabids

An exploratory examination into the relationship between students’ perceptions of career decision-making self-efficacy and family members’ work experiences.

MA research report - Student Number : 0105436V - School of Human and Community Development - Faculty of ArtsThe present research study examines the possible relationship between students’ career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) and their perceptions of their family members’ job satisfaction and job insecurity. The present research uses a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional research design, on a sample of 148 subjects drawn from a sample of first year Psychology students from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. The Career Decision Self-Efficacy scale was used to measure career decision-making self-efficacy (Betz & Taylor, 2001), Warr, Cook and Wall’s (1979) Overall Job Satisfaction scale to measure job satisfaction (Short, 1996) and the Job Insecurity scale developed by Ashford, Lee and Bobko (1989) to measure job insecurity. The statistical procedures used to analyse the data, included correlations to test the first hypothesis, which proposed a relationship between students’ CDSME and their perceptions of their family members’ job satisfaction and the second hypothesis, assumed a relationship between students’ CDMSE and their family members’ job insecurity. A Stepwise Multiple Regression was performed to examine the above hypotheses. The results reported a significant relationship between students’ CDMSE and their perceptions of their family members’ job satisfaction. However, there was insufficient evidence to support the relationship between students’ CDMSE and their perceptions of their family members’ job insecurity

The development and characterization of a somatic cell line for feline nuclear transfer

Due to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to [email protected], referencing the URI of the item.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 24-27).Nuclear transfer is fast becoming an alternative method for reproduction, and it is useful in producing genetically identical animals. This study was designed to develop and characterize a cell line which may be possible to use in nuclear transfer in felines. Cells which are useful for nuclear transfer must be synchronized with the oocyte being fused in order to prevent possible aneuploidy due to high MPF in oocytes arrested in metaphase II. Granulosa cells were collected from cat ovaries and grown in culture. After a few passages, cells were analyzed by using flow cytometry (FACS) to evaluate their stage in the cell cycle and their ploidy. Cells from passages up to passage 2 were analyzed as well as freshly collected granulosa cells. Also, serum-starved cells and regularly fed cells from passage 1 were compared. It was found that the freshly collected cells had the highest percentage of cells in G0/G1 (89%), suggesting they may be useful for nuclear transfer. However, cells in culture exhibited the highest number of cells in G0/G1 at passage 2. Also, serum starved cells were significantly more synchronized in G0/G1 than regularly fed cells, as expected (85% compared to 70%). It appears as though cells in passage 2, which have been synchronized using serum-starvation, are the best candidates for nuclear transfer. Serum-starved cells from passage 2 are currently being used in nuclear transfer, but so far only pathenodes (up to 28 "cells") have resulted

Optimal black spruce seed sources for anticipated future climates

Climate change is occurring at an increasingly rapid pace. Many tree species, even those with wide seed dispersal and high genetic variability, are long-lived and unable to “keep pace” with these shifting climates. The combination of the longevity of trees and human-caused fragmentation of habitat makes it unlikely that these species will adapt on their own. Therefore, local seed sources, though once adapted to local conditions, will no longer be the optimal seed source and will decline in health and rate of growth. Instead, seeds adapted to areas with temperature and precipitation conditions typically seen in more southern sources and lower latitudes will be the best solution. This thesis explores the importance of considering climate shift when selecting seed sources for regeneration. A study of data from provenance tests with various Ontario seed sources was conducted to identify the optimal growing conditions for each seed source. It was found that, in most cases, optimal growth occurred for sources originating from lower latitude. This growth implies to replant harvested forests that are ideally suited for climatic variables present at that site, seeds should be sourced from these “more suitable” locations

Exclusive Enteral Nutrition and Corticosteroids: Two Effective Methods of Induction Treatment in Crohn’s Disease

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of corticosteroids (CS) versus exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN), as induction therapy of Crohn’s disease to induce remission. Design: Systematic literature review. Methods: Searches were done in PubMed utilizing the terms: enteral nutrition therapy, exclusive enteral nutrition, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, corticosteroids, pediatric, nutrition, and steroids. Articles were excluded with patients \u3e 18 years of age, confounding variables, inclusion of other treatment options, or physician discretion bias in selecting a treatment option. Results: Ultimately, three articles were included in our review. Two of three studies examined showed a statistically significant improvement in remission rates in patients receiving EEN with one study showing similar rates. Patients receiving EEN were also noted to have improved intestinal healing, improved growth, and decreased need for biologic agents compared to patients receiving CS treatment. Conclusion: EEN appears to be an effective and possibly more beneficial treatment option as it is associated with fewer adverse reactions, promotes intestinal healing, and has similar remission and relapse rates as CS. It cannot be confirmed that EEN will be the preferred induction therapy as the treatment choice must be individualized. Further studies must be done to expand knowledge on the topic. Cost effectiveness and patient compliance are drawbacks to EEN therapy

Determinants and strategies for physical activity maintenance in chronic health conditions: a qualitative study

Background: Physical activity is promoted to help adults manage chronic health conditions, but evidence suggests that individuals relapse after intervention cessation. The objective of this study was to explore the determinants and strategies for successful and unsuccessful physical activity maintenance. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with 32 participants. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 20 successful and 12 unsuccessful maintainers. Adults with chronic health conditions were recruited having completed a physical activity referral scheme six months before study commencement. The IPAQ and SPAQ were used to categorize participants according to physical activity status. Data were analyzed using framework analysis. Results: Eleven main themes emerged: 1) outcome expectations, 2) experiences, 3) core values, 4) trial and error, 5) social and practical support, 6) attitudes towards physical activity, 7) environmental barriers, 8) psychological barriers, 9) physical barriers, 10) Cognitive-behavioral strategies for physical activity self-management (e.g., self-monitoring), and, 11) condition management (e.g., pacing). Conclusions: The findings identified determinants and strategies for successful maintenance and highlighted the processes involved in physical activity disengagement. Such findings can guide the development of physical activity maintenance interventions and increase activity engagement over the long-term in adults with chronic health conditions

Characteristics and outcomes of doctors in a substance dependence monitoring programme in Canada: prospective descriptive study

Objective To describe the characteristics at enrolment and outcomes of doctors in a substance dependence monitoring programme in Canada

Biomechanical Foot Factors, Social Participation, and Self-Participation in Sedentary Versus Non-Sedentary Adults (Poster)

Purpose: Compare biomechanical foot factors, activity level, satisfaction with participation in social roles, and self-related level of activity between sedentary and non-sedentary adults Hypotheses: 1. Step count will positively correlate with: Medial longitudinal arch (MLA) recoil, intrinsic and extrinsic muscle strength, muscle CSA, neutral foot posture, satisfaction with participation in social roles, and self-efficacy 2. Step count will negatively correlate with: Plantar fascia thickness. self-reported pain interference, and BMI