Brown teal (Pateke) diet and its consequences for releases : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Ecology at Massey University

This thesis addresses three research needs central to the conservation of the Brown Teal (Anas chlorotis): diet, release and post-release techniques for captive-bred teal, and identifying cause of death. The diet of wild Brown Teal was studied using gut and faecal analysis, and feeding observations. Teal had a very diverse diet for a dabbling duck: 78 taxa were recorded, including terrestrial, freshwater and marine invertebrates, fungi, and terrestrial and freshwater vegetation. Despite having the bill morphology of a typical dabbling duck, wild Brown Teal were observed prising open the shells of cockles to extract the flesh. Oystercatchers (Haematopus spp.) are the only other birds known to use this feeding method. Wild Brown Teal had a more varied and higher fibre diet than captive teal. The digestive tract is morphologically flexible, and differences between captive and wild diets can cause differences in birds' gut morphology. The size and mass of the digestive organs (proventriculus, gizzard, small intestine, caeca, rectum and liver) of 57 wild, 7 captive and 4 captive-bred released teal were compared. Captive Brown Teal had much shorter and lighter small intestines and caeca than wild teal. These differences could reduce the ability of captive-bred teal to efficiently digest a wild diet. Increased fibre and diversity in the captive diet, plus supplementary feeding post-release, are recommended. Little is known of the causes of mortality in captive-bred Brown Teal released to the wild. A method to detect starvation using the wing fat content of Brown Teal was developed. Lipids were extracted from four outer wing components of 17 intact teal carcasses. The lipid content of each component reflected the birds' nutritional condition (based on body mass and size, and visible fat). Lipids were also extracted from the outer wing components of seven partial Brown Teal carcasses, six of which were from captive-bred released birds. All of the released teal were found to have been in very poor nutritional condition, identifying starvation as the cause of death. Starvation was also identified as the cause of death for six wild juvenile teal from Great Barrier Island. Human-induced changes to the landscape may limit food availability for wild teal, particularly during droughts

Suzanne Morton in a Sophomore Recital

This is the program for the sophomore piano recital of Suzanne Morton, held on January 30, 1998, in the McBeth Recital Hall, Mabee Fine Arts Center

Identifying well-connected opinion leaders for informal health promotion: the example of the ASSIST smoking prevention program

Methods used to select opinion leaders for informal behavior change interventions vary, affecting the role they adopt and the outcomes of interventions. The development of successful identification methods requires evidence that these methods achieve their aims. This study explored whether the “whole community” nomination process used in the ASSIST smoking prevention program successfully identified “peer supporters” who were well placed within their school social networks to diffuse an antismoking message to their peers. Data were collected in the United Kingdom during A Stop Smoking in Schools Trial. Behavioral data were provided at baseline and post intervention by all students. Social network data were provided post intervention by students in four control and six intervention schools. Centrality measures calculated using UCINET demonstrate that the ASSIST nomination process successfully identified peer supporters who were more socially connected than others in their year and who had social connections across the entire year group including the program’s target group. The results indicate that three simple questions can identify individuals who are held in high esteem by their year group and who also have the interpersonal networks required of opinion leaders to successfully disseminate smoke-free messages through their social networks. This approach could be used in other informal health promotion initiatives

How valuable are e-textbooks to the student experience? An analysis of e-textbook provision at the University of Sussex

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Effect of aerobic capacity on Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) tolerance in females

This investigation determined whether a relationship exists in females between: (1) aerobic capacity and Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP); and (2) aerobic capacity and change in LBNP tolerance induced by bed rest. Nine females, age 27-47 (34.6 plus or minus 6.0 (Mean plus or minus SD)), completed a treadmill-graded exercise test to establish aerobic capacity. A presyncopal-limited LBNP test was performed prior to and after 13 days of bed rest at a 6 deg head-down tilt. LBNP tolerance was quantified as: (1) the absolute level of negative pressure (NP) tolerated for greater than or equal to 60 sec; and (2) Luft's Cumulative Stress Index (CSI). Aerobic capacity was 33.3 plus or minus 5.0 mL/kg/min and ranged from 25.7 to 38.7. Bed rest was associated with a decrease in NP tolerance (-9.04 1.6 kPa(-67.8 plus or minus 12.0 mmHg) versus -7.7 1.1 kPa(-57.8 plus or minus 8.33 mmHg); p = 0.028) and in CSI (99.4 27.4 kPa min(745.7 plus or minus 205.4 mmHg min) versus 77.0 16.9 kPa min (577.3 plus or minus mmHg min); p = 0.008). The correlation between aerobic capacity and absolute NP or CSI pre-bed rest did not differ significantly from zero (r = -0.56, p = 0.11 for NP; and r = -0.52, p = 0.16 for CSI). Also, no significant correlation was observed between aerobic and pre- to post-rest change for absolute NP tolerance (r = -0.35, p = 0.35) or CSI (r = -0.32, p = 0.40). Therefore, a significant relationship does not exist between aerobic capacity and orthostatic function or change in orthostatic function induced by bed rest

Service-Learning and Civic Outcomes: From Suggestive Research to Program Models

Service-learning has been identified as an intervention that may address low levels of youth civic engagement. Service-learning is compared to two other interventions that have been associated with civic outcomes: community service and civic education curricula. Studies of these three types of interventions are systematically reviewed and compared, taking into account rigor of designs and methods. Across a range of civic indicators, no clear pattern was found regarding the impact of each intervention. This review highlights the need for increased rigor and sensitivity of measurement in future research on civic development among school-age students

Interpellating recovery: The politics of 'identity' in recovery-focused treatment

Much research tends to treat alcohol and other drug 'recovery' as a process of positive identity change and development. In this article, we depart from this dominant approach by examining how the social and material practices of alcohol and other drug treatment are themselves active in the constitution of 'recovery identity'. Using Judith Butler's theorisation of interpellation, we examine the accounts of treatment experiences and practices provided in interviews with people who inject drugs. In contrast to the existing literature, we argue that the 'recovering addict' is a socially produced category rather than a coherent psychological identity. We consider the production of this category in relation to three dynamics identified in the data: (1) the tendency to materialise treatment subjects as both disordered and as 'in control' of these disorders; (2) the production of treatment subjects as enmeshed in suspect social relationships and therefore requiring surveillance as well as social support; and (3) treatment's particular enactment of social context such that it erases stigmatisation and marginalisation and paradoxically performs subjects as entirely individually responsible for relinquishing drug use. These dynamics produce capacities and attributes often ascribed to identity but which are better understood as articulations of epistemological disorder in the state of knowledge about addiction, and its expression in treatment. By way of conclusion, we question the utility of 'recovery identity', conventionally defined, in providing a rationale for treatment

Learning to Vote: Informing Political Participation Among College Students

To inform universities’ capacity to encourage student political participation, we examine associations between four civic influences — civic instruction, deliberative course-based discussion, community service, and service learning — and youth participation during the 2008 presidential election. These four influences were selected because they are commonly integrated into higher education environments. Using an original survey we employ a broad definition of political behavior to explore ways college students express themselves politically and to examine potential influences on their participation. We hypothesize that students exposed to civic influences are more likely to vote and engage in other participatory activities than those who lack such exposure. Findings reveal that educationally-based civic influences that specifically address political content are more strongly associated with political behavior than is service-based activity. This supports an on-going reform discourse that targets civic education as a promising avenue for increasing youth participation in American elections and suggests a key role that universities can play during election years

What is the impact of interventions targeted at health literacy on patient outcomes, medication adherence and health related quality of life? : a systematic review.

Aim: To explore the impact of interventions targeted at health literacy on patient outcomes, medication adherence and health related quality of life. Method: Systematic Review Background: Health literacy has been identified as an essential competency for the maintenance of health and quality of life. Health literacy is an essential component of the skill base required of patients when they become ill and require professional intervention. Additionally, research suggests that an overwhelming 50% of patients do not take their medications as prescribed and that medication adherence or lack thereof, will have a greater impact on our future health than any specific medical treatment Findings: Following a systematic search of the literature, seven studies were identified for inclusion in this review. Examination of the overall results identified that low health literacy levels do in fact negatively impact on a patients’ ability to adhere to medication instructions. Results also established a link between lack of medication adherence and reduced health related quality of life. Conclusion: Patient’s with lower levels of health literacy have lower medication adherence and subsequently poorer heath related quality of life prospects