But what about the men? : storying rural men's experiences and perspectives of the 2016 Kaikōura/Waiau Earthquake, Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Emergency Management at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Listed in 2020 Dean's List of Exceptional ThesesPages 195-198 were removed from the thesis for copyright reasons but the full article © 2020 Elsevier Ltd may be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101648Aotearoa, New Zealand is prone to environmental hazard events, and has experienced numerous significant disasters. While science research has focused on seismic and climate related risks, further research is needed to explore how social constructions of gender shape responses to, and coping strategies in the aftermath of disasters in New Zealand. Gender analyses of disasters also facilitate understanding the ways in which individuals and communities are adversely affected by natural hazard events. This thesis explores 19 rural men’s perspectives and experiences of the 2016 Kaikōura/Waiau earthquake, and critically examines their daily realities in the wake of the disaster. One research participant was Māori, and another was a British migrant, the other seventeen participants were Pākehā [European descent]. The qualitative research was underpinned by a feminist epistemology framed by social constructionism and an interpretivist approach to research. Feminist methodology informed data collection. Semi-structured interviewing was used to gather men’s earthquake stories and identify the subtleties and gendered elements of men’s experiences. Thematic analysis was employed to ascertain key elements embedded within, and across men’s earthquake narratives. Substantive themes identified included: sense of place, emotions, space-time and mobility. Sets of understandings about Antipodean, hegemonic masculinities, coupled with a bricolage of social theories, including the work of Moira Gatens, Pierre Bourdieu, Karen Davies and Doreen Massey provided the analytical framework for the thesis. Theoretical understandings of geographical space in the context of disaster are extended through incorporating Bourdieusian fields and metaphysical forms. An argument is advanced that metaphysical space(s), constituted through memories of, and feelings about the earthquake contribute to shaping participants’ disaster responses and recovery trajectories. The research chapters presented in this thesis explore the ways men’s ontological stories of the Kaikōura/Waiau earthquake were constructed in relation to emotion, sense of place and embedded in multiple mobile temporalities and metaphysical spaces. This doctoral research identifies that rural men’s realities in the aftermath of the Kaikōura/Waiau earthquake were fundamentally shaped by place, spaces and temporalities. Furthermore, place-specific hegemonic masculinity informed men’s behaviours and practices in response and recovery. Participants drew on meanings of, and attachment to place to navigate and cope with adversity and distress. Emotions related to the earthquake were evident throughout the interviews, inferring continuing trauma and anxieties. Nevertheless, men attempted to sustain representations of Antipodean, hegemonic masculinity by actively silencing distress and challenges. The study demonstrates that the research participants’ earthquake experiences were underpinned by multiple, intersecting metaphysical spaces and temporalities that in some cases, complicated and disrupted recovery. The research contributes to an understanding of complexities in relation to men’s personal experiences of disasters. Suggestions are provided for the inclusion of how localised sets of understandings about masculinities shape response and recovery in national and international disaster policies and practices

Enzymatic DNA modifications for genetic diagnostics

Techniques for genetic diagnostics are advancing at a rapid pace, with new technologies constantly emerging as we understand an increasing amount about the human genome. Methods of visualising DNA – such as fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) – have been used for decades, but novel approaches are now opening up new applications for the technique, such as rapid hybridisation times for faster results, or investigation of areas of the genome that have previously been inaccessible due limitations in the current technology. This thesis shows how methyltransferase (MTase) enzymes can be used as a means to explore different regions of the human genome for various clinical applications. Chapter three sees the optimisation of the expression of the MTase, M.TaqI. This protein is used throughout this thesis, alongside natural cofactor AdoMet and cofactor analogue AdoHcy-6-N3, to label DNA site specifically. This technology is used for various experiments in the following chapters. Chapter three also attempts to produce mutated versions of other MTases for similar labelling experiments. Chapter four uses the M.TaqI labelling technology to label oligoprobes, short sequences of DNA, for potential use in FISH diagnostics; specifically looking at aneuploidy, which can be indicative of certain cancers. Different conditions are tested to obtain the highest signal to noise ratio, to ensure confident detection of centromeres of the chromosome 17 in patients. These results are used to design a probe set that can simultaneously detect the loss of chromosomes 1, 7 or 17 – which is associated with poor prognosis in acute lymphocytic leukaemia – by labelling each probe with a different colour dye. As oligoprobes can detect highly homologous sequences, this chapter also explores the use of this technique in potentially detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human genome, which are associated with many diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy. In Chapter five, this MTase labelling technology is used to produce probes for single genes as opposed to centromeric regions. Focus is on the BCR gene, as it is associated with the BCR/ABL translocation, prevalent in most cases of chronic myeloid leukaemia. Finally, Chapter six explores DNA mapping as an approach to detect small DNA mutations, by investigating the pattern in fluorescence intensity of two highly similar sequences labelled with the MTase technology. This could enable certain carriers of spinal muscular atrophy to be identified

Site-selective and rewritable labeling of DNA through enzymatic, reversible, and click chemistries

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Programs and practices that support pregnant people who use drugs’ access to sexual and reproductive health care in Canada: a scoping review

Abstract Background Pregnant people who use unregulated drugs (PPWUD) are at high risk of health complications yet experience a range of barriers to sexual and reproductive health care. Given that improving maternal health and access to reproductive health care are key targets underpinning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), there is an urgent need to improve access to appropriate supports and services for this population. Little is known about what programs and practices exist to support PPWUD’s access to sexual and reproductive health care. This scoping review aimed to identify the available literature on these programs and practices in Canada. Methods A scoping review was conducted using JBI methodology and reported using PRISMA guidelines. Scholarly databases and grey literature sources were searched to identify literature published between 2016–2023 in English or French that discussed, defined, conceptualised, or evaluated programs and practices that support PPWUD’s access to sexual and reproductive health care in Canada. Identified literature was screened using Covidence. Data were extracted from included texts, then analysed descriptively. Frequencies and key concepts were reported. Results A total of 71 articles were included, most of which were grey literature. Of the total, 46 unique programs were identified, as well as several useful practices. Most programs were in urban centres in Western Canada, and most programs offered holistic ‘wrap-around services.’ Several programs delivered these services on-site or as ‘drop-in’ programs with the support of staff with lived/living experience of substance use. Most frequent program outcomes included keeping parents and children together, improving connection to other services, and reducing substance use harms. Noted helpful practices included non-judgmental care and the use of harm-reduction strategies. Conclusions Several programs and practices that support PPWUD exist in Canada, though few focus exclusively on sexual and reproductive health. There remain opportunities to improve access to programs, including expanding geographic availability and range of services. The review has clinical application by providing an overview of available programs that may support clinicians in identifying services for PPWUD. Future research should consider client perspectives and experiences of these programs. Review registration number Open Science Framework https://osf.io/5y64j

"Puck it up and do your role" Men and the Kaikōura Earthquake

The purpose of this research is to investigate men’s experiences of the 2016 7.8 magnitude Kaikōura earthquake and Tsunami. While, research into the impacts of the earthquake has been conducted, few studies have examined how gender shaped people’s experiences of this natural hazard event. Analysing disasters through a gender lens has significantly contributed to disaster scholarship in identifying the resilience and vulnerabilities of individuals and communities pre- and post-disaster (Fordham, 2012; Bradshaw, 2013). This research employs understandings of masculinities (Connell, 2005), to examine men’s strengths and challenges in responding, recovering, and coping following the earthquake. Qualitative inquiry was carried out in Northern Canterbury and Marlborough involving 18 face-to-face interviews with men who were impacted by the Kaikōura earthquake and its aftermath. Interview material is being analysed using thematic and narrative analysis. Some of the preliminary findings have shown that men took on voluntary roles in addition to their fulltime paid work resulting in long hours, poor sleep and little time spent with family. Some men assisted wives and children to high ground then drove into the tsunami zone to check on relatives or to help evacuate people. Although analysis of the findings is currently ongoing, preliminary findings have identified that the men who participated in the study have been negatively impacted by the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. A theme identified amongst participants was an avoidance to seek support with the challenges they were experiencing due to the earthquake. The research findings align with key characteristics of masculinity, including demonstrating risky behaviours and neglecting self or professional care. This study suggests that these behaviours affect men’s overall resilience, and thus the resilience of the wider community

Site-selective and Re-writable Labeling of DNA through Enzymatic, Reversible and Click Chemistries

Current methods for bioconjugation rely on the introduction of stable linkers that lack the required versatility to perform sequential functionalizations. However, sequential manipulations are an increasing requirement in chemical biology because they can underpin multiple analyses of the same sample to provide a wider understanding of cell behavior. Here, we present a new method to site-selectively write, remove and re-write chemical functionality to a biomolecule, DNA in this case. Our method combines the precision and robustness of methyltransferase-directed labeling with the reversibility of acyl hydrazones and the efficiency of click chemistry. Underpinning the method is a new S-adenosyl-l-methionine derivative to site-selectively label DNA with a bifunctional chemical handle containing an acyl hydrazone-linker and a terminal azide. Functional tags are conjugated via the azide, and can be removed (i.e. un-tagged) when needed at the acyl hydrazone via exchange with hydroxyl amine. The formed hydrazide-labeled DNA is a versatile intermediate that can be either re-written to reset the original chemical handle, or covalently reacted with a permanent tag. This ability to write, tag, un-tag and permanently tag DNA is exploited to sequentially introduce two fluorescent dyes on DNA. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of the method by developing a protocol to sort labeled DNA using magnetic beads, with subsequent amplification of the sorted DNA sample for further analysis. The presented method opens new avenues for site-selective bioconjugation and should underpin integrative approaches in chemical biology where sequential functionalizations of the same sample are required.</p