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Discusses strategies for teaching problem-solving techniques during an engineering design course in the third year of a four-year degree program. Describes the content of six problem-solving curricular modules, course organization, evaluation and assessment, and results. (Contains 28 references.) (WRM)

Kidneys from very small donors have the potential to significantly expand the donor pool. We describe the collective experience of transplantation using kidneys from donors aged ≤1 year in Australian and New Zealand. The ANZDATA registry was analysed on all deceased donor kidney transplants from donors aged ≤1 year. We compared recipient characteristics and outcomes between 1963-1999 and 2000-2018. From 1963 to 1999, 16 transplants were performed [9 (56%) adults, 7 (44%) children]. Death-censored graft survival was 50% and 43% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. Patient survival was 90% and 87% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. From 2000 to 2018, 26 transplants were performed [25 (96%) adults, 1 (4%) children]. Mean creatinine was 73 µmol/l ±49.1 at 5 years. Death-censored graft survival was 85% at 1 and 5 years. Patient survival was 100% at 1 and 5 years. Thrombosis was the cause of graft loss in 12% of recipients in the first era from 1963 to 1999, and 8% of recipients in the second era from 2000 to 2018. We advocate the judicious use of these small paediatric grafts from donors ≤1 year old. Optimal selection of donor and recipients may lead to greater acceptance and success of transplantation from very young donors., (© 2020 Steunstichting ESOT. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

For patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who progress to the point of requiring renal replacement therapy, the relative benefits of simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) and deceased donor kidney transplantation across different age categories compared to dialysis are uncertain. Using Australian and New Zealand registry data from 2006 to 2016, a probabilistic Markov model (n = 10 000) was built comparing patient survival between SPK and deceased donor kidney transplantation with dialysis. Compared to dialysis, the average life years saved (LYS) and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) for SPK and deceased donor kidney transplantation were 5.48 [95% CI 5.47, 5.49] LYS and 6.48 [6.47, 6.49] QALY, and 3.38 [3.36, 3.40] LYS and 2.46 [2.45, 2.47] QALY, respectively. For recipients aged 50 years or younger, receiving a deceased donor kidney, the average incremental gains compared to dialysis were 4.13 [4.10, 4.16] LYS and 2.99 [2.97, 3.01] QALY, and for recipients older than 50 years, 3.05 [3.02, 3.08] LYS and 2.25 [2.23, 2.27] QALY. Compared to dialysis, SPK transplantation incurs the greatest benefits in LYS and QALY for patients with type 1 diabetes requiring renal replacement therapy. Patients older than 50 years still experience survival benefits from deceased donor kidney transplantation compared to dialysis., (© 2020 Steunstichting ESOT. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Bacterioplankton play a critical role in primary production, carbon cycling, and nutrient cycling in the oligotrophic ocean. To investigate the effect of elevated CO 2 and warming on the composition and function of bacterioplankton communities in oligotrophic waters, we performed two trace-metal clean deck board incubation experiments during the New Zealand GEOTRACES transect of the South Pacific gyre (SPG). High-throughput amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that bacterioplankton community composition was distinct between the fringe and ultra-oligotrophic centre of the SPG and changed consistently in response to elevated CO 2 at the ultra-oligotrophic centre but not at the mesotrophic fringe of the SPG. The combined effects of elevated CO 2 and warming resulted in a high degree of heterogeneity between replicate communities. Community-level protein synthesis rates ( 3 H-Leucine incorporation) and bacterioplankton abundance were not affected by elevated CO 2 alone or in combination with warming at the fringe or ultra-oligotrophic centre of the SPG. These data suggest bacterioplankton community responses to elevated CO 2 may be modulated by nutrient regimes in open ocean ecosystems and highlight the need for further investigation in expanding oligotrophic subtropical gyres., (© 2020 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Diverse drivers such as climate, soil fertility, neighborhood competition, and functional traits all contribute to variation in tree stem demographic rates. However, these demographic drivers operate at different scales, making it difficult to compare the relative importance of each driver on tree demography. Using c. 20,000 stem records from New Zealand's temperate rain forests, we analyzed the growth, recruitment, and mortality rates of 48 tree species and determined the relative importance of demographic drivers in a multilevel modeling approach. Tree species' maximum height emerged as the one most strongly associated with all demographic rates, with a positive association with growth rate and negative associations with recruitment and mortality rates. Climate, soil properties, neighborhood competition, stem size, and other functional traits also played significant roles in shaping demographic rates. Forest structure and functional composition were linked to climate and soil, with warm, dry climates and fertile soil associated with higher growth and recruitment rates. Neighborhood competition affected demographic rates depending on stem size, with smaller stems experiencing stronger negative effects, suggesting asymmetric competition where larger trees exert greater competitive effects on smaller trees. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering multiple drivers of demographic rates to better understand forest tree dynamics., (© 2024 The Ecological Society of America.)

There is lack of consensus in the literature regarding the comparative efficacy of in situ aortic-only compared with dual (aortic and portal venous) perfusion for retrieval and transplantation of the liver. Recipient outcomes from the Australia/New Zealand Liver Transplant Registry (2007-2016), including patient and graft survival and causes of graft loss, were stratified by perfusion route. Subgroup analyses were conducted for higher-risk donors. A total of 1382 liver transplantation recipients were analyzed (957 aortic-only; 425 dual perfusion). There were no significant differences in 5-year graft and patient survivals between the aortic-only and dual cohorts (80.1% versus 84.6% and 82.6% versus 87.8%, respectively) or in the odds ratios of primary nonfunction, thrombotic graft loss, or graft loss secondary to biliary complications or acute rejection. When analyzing only higher-risk donors (n = 369), multivariate graft survival was significantly less in the aortic-only cohort (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.92). Overall, there was a trend toward improved outcomes when dual perfusion was used, which became significant when considering higher-risk donors alone. Inferences into the ideal perfusion technique in multiorgan procurement will require further investigation by way of a randomized controlled trial, and outcomes after the transplantation of other organs will also need to be considered., (© 2018 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

Karlodinium veneficum (D. Ballant.) J. Larsen strains, 16 from the U.S. Atlantic eastern seaboard and two from New Zealand (CAWD66 and CAWD83), were used to characterize toxin profiles during batch culture. All 18 strains were determined as the same species based on ITS sequence analyses, a positive signal in a chloroplast real-time PCR assay and pigment composition. Five karlotoxin 1 (KmTx 1) containing strains were analyzed from the Chesapeake Bay, and 10 karlotoxin 2 (KmTx 2) strains were analyzed from Florida to North Carolina. One strain (MD5) from the Chesapeake Bay produced no detectable toxin. The two cultures from New Zealand contained both novel karlotoxins with lower masses and earlier elution times. Toxin type did not change during batch culture, although the KmTx phenotype did change in some strains under extensive (months) phototrophic growth in replete media. KmTx cell quota did not change during batch culture for most strains. The mass spectrum for every KmTx examined showed a pattern of multiple coeluting congeners within each HPLC peak, with masses typically differing by 16 amu. KmTx congeners tested showed nearly a 500-fold range in specific hemolytic activity, with KmTx 1 (typically occurring at lower cellular levels) most hemolytic and CAWD66 toxin least hemolytic, while KmTx 2 and the CAWD83 toxin had similar intermediate specific activity. Despite morphological, genetic, and photopigment indicators consistent with species homogeneity among the 18 strains of K. veneficum, the high degree of toxin variability suggests different functional roles among strains that likely coexist in situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been significant attention paid in recent years to the economic costs of health service provision for people with palliative care needs. However, little is known about the costs incurred by family caregivers who typically provide the bulk of care for people at the end of life., Aim: To explore the nature and range of financial costs incurred by family caregiving within a palliative care context., Design: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 family/whānau caregivers who were currently caring for someone with a life-limiting illness or had done so within the preceding year. Narrative analysis was used to identify impacts and costs at the personal, interpersonal, sociocultural and structural levels., Setting: Auckland, New Zealand., Findings: Costs of caregiving were significant and, for participants, resulted in debt or even bankruptcy. A range of direct (transport, food and medication) and indirect costs (related to employment, cultural needs and own health) were reported. A multi-level qualitative analysis revealed how costs operated at a number of levels (personal, interpersonal, sociocultural and structural). The palliative care context increased costs, as meeting needs were prioritised over cost. In addition, support from statutory service providers to access sources of financial support was limited., Conclusion: Families incur significant financial costs when caring for someone at the end of life. Research is now needed to quantify the financial contribution of family and whānau caregiving within a palliative care context, particularly given attempts in many countries to shift more palliative care provision into community settings., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Community transmission of influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 was followed by high rates of hospital admissions in the Wellington region of New Zealand, particularly among Maori and Pacific Islanders. These findings may help health authorities anticipate the effects of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in other communities.

'Older people need support.' What sense do older people themselves make of this apparently simple statement? Comments drawn from qualitative research underway with older New Zealanders highlight the gulf between the language of older people and the well-meaning assumptions of primary health care professionals about support needs. These thought-provoking vignettes show it is crucial to delicately negotiate the ways that support is offered and delivered to people who have long achieved the autonomy and self-sufficiency prized in Western societies.

New Zealand data from the International Adult Literacy Survey were analysed to examine the incidence and correlates of self-reported specific reading learning disability (SRLD). The results showed that 7.7% of New Zealand adults reported having had a learning disability. The ratio of males to females with SRLD was 3:2. Between 40% and 50% of New Zealand adults performed below the minimum level of proficiency required for meeting the complex demands of everyday life in knowledge-based societies. For adults with SRLD, around 80% performed below the minimum level, and the literacy proficiency of adults with SRLD in younger age bands appears to have declined since the early 1960s. Almost 100% of adults with SRLD in the 16-20 years age range performed below the minimum level for document and quantitative literacy and 92% for prose literacy. Compared to non-SRLD adults, those with SRLD were found to leave school earlier, engage more often in manual occupations, are more frequently unemployed, and rely on more state assistance to bring their income levels closer to the levels enjoyed by non-SRLD adults. The results are discussed in terms of SRLD not being officially recognised or provided for in New Zealand, the lack of appropriate remedial provisions for children who experience difficulties with reading, and the effects of a strong whole language orientated approach to literacy instruction in schools that has been in place since 1963.

Aims: The Myrtaceae is a woody family that plays an important role in forest ecosystems globally. The recent spread of myrtle rust, caused by a fungal pathogen (Austropuccinia psidii), from its native South America into New Zealand (NZ), highlights the need to quantify the ecological importance of Myrtaceae in NZ woody ecosystems. Location: New Zealand. Methods: Using NZ nationwide forest and shrubland inventory data, collected from 2009 to 2014, we quantified the ecological importance of Myrtaceae based on its richness and abundance relative to co-occurring woody families. We then explored how climate and forest stand structure affect Myrtaceae importance in general and by tribe and growth form. Finally, we compared functional traits associated with plant growth and reproductive strategies with other dominant woody families and determined Myrtaceae's contributions to community-weighted mean (CWM) trait values. Results: Myrtaceae occurred in 74% of the study plots and its importance value was the second highest across the woody families. It was the only one in which climbers substantially contributed to the importance value (17%). Greater Myrtaceae importance values were associated with warmer and more mesic climates and early forest successional stages. Climate associations were similar within tribes and growth forms, whereas forest structure effects varied. Myrtaceae was functionally distinct from most co-occurring woody families. Contributions to CWM wood density, maximum height, and specific leaf area values were significantly greater than expected from its importance value. Conclusions: Myrtaceae is the second most ecologically important woody family in NZ woody ecosystems. The family has a distinctive functional trait spectrum associated with high wood density and tall stature, ensuring large and enduring carbon stocks. There will potentially be large and deleterious outcomes in forest ecosystems if taxon-specific pathogens, such as Austropuccinia psidii, spread and significantly reduce Myrtaceae importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The metatarsophalangeal joints (MTPJs) are the most common location for synovitis in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), yet their association with plantar foot pressures has received very little attention. This study aimed to determine whether plantar pressures differed based on sonographic evidence of MTPJ synovitis in people with RA. Method: Ultrasound was used to assess synovitis (grey scale synovial hypertrophy and power Doppler signal) in MTPJs 1 to 5 using the combined EULAR/Outcome Measures in Rheumatology scoring system. Peak pressure (PP) and pressure time integrals (PTIs) were assessed during barefoot walking for seven plantar foot regions (heel, midfoot, first metatarsal, second metatarsal, third to fifth metatarsals, hallux, lesser toes). Mixed‐effects linear regression was used to determine the difference in PP and PTI between MTPJs with none/minimal synovitis and MTPJs with moderate/severe synovitis. Results: Thirty‐five participants with RA were included. Mean age was 66.3 years and mean disease duration was 22.2 years. Participants with sonographic evidence of moderate/severe synovitis at the first MTPJ had reduced PTI at the hallux compared with those with none/minimal synovitis at this joint (P = 0.039). Participants with moderate/severe synovitis at the second MTPJ and fourth MTPJ had reduced PP and reduced PTI at lesser toes compared with those with none/minimal synovitis in these joints (all P ≤ 0.048). No significant differences were observed for synovitis in other joints. Conclusion: These findings may be suggestive of an inverse relationship between plantar pressure and soft tissue pathology, which is consistent with an offloading strategy and reduced use of the toes during propulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predator Free 2050 (PF2050) is a government initiative aiming to eradicate selected invasive mammals (mustelids, rats, and possums) from New Zealand (NZ) by 2050. Selecting which of 32 introduced mammal species to include has received little evaluation, yet targeting a few species often results in perverse ecological outcomes given interactions within the invasive guild. We explore how PF2050 could be improved strategically by focusing on biodiversity outcomes instead of selectively targeting invasives, using rodents as an example. Current PF2050 targets include all rat species (Rattus exulans, R. norvegicus, and R. rattus), but not the house mouse (Mus musculus). Mice can be as damaging as rats when competition and predation are removed, negating benefits of rat removal. Multirodent eradications are more cost‐effective and prevent mesopredator release. Using a case study, we show adding mice to a rat eradication would raise costs modestly, comparing favorably to independent mouse eradication later, which would be riskier and more socially and economically costly than the preceding rat eradication. Missing the opportunity to tackle all rodents simultaneously, leaving mice to multiply in numbers and impacts, could have serious environmental and socioeconomic consequences. Naïve eradication strategies neglecting ecological expertise risk biodiversity outcomes and NZ's eradication science reputation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological roles of non‐native species can vary over space and time due to abiotic factors and characteristics of the invaded communities. For instance, nutrient availability, temperature, and flow regime can influence invasion outcomes in freshwaters. This variability makes it challenging to predict non‐native species' effects in newly introduced areas.New Zealand mud snails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum; NZMS) are among the most widespread aquatic invasive species globally and have recently been detected in highly productive, spring‐fed streams in the upper mid‐west U.S.A. that are important trout fisheries. We hypothesised that the nutrient‐rich, thermally stable groundwater‐fed streams would provide favourable conditions for NZMS populations, potentially amplifying their effects on native communities. We surveyed benthic macroinvertebrate community structure at 10 streams representing a gradient of NZMS densities in the Driftless Area of southern Wisconsin. At five of the streams, we quantified temporal variation in NZMS and other benthic macroinvertebrates over three seasons.NZMS populations varied considerably across sites and over time, ranging from a few hundred to over 70,000 snails/m2. NZMS numerically represented as much as 97% of the invertebrate community at the highest density sites. At two sites, NZMS increased in population density by 50‐fold and 22‐fold over the survey duration, while at other sites their densities were relatively constant. Based on a principal components analysis summarising stream environmental variables, NZMS densities were negatively associated with stream discharge and positively associated with nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations.The total density and biomass of all benthic invertebrates, and Ephemeroptera and Amphipoda in particular, were negatively associated with NZMS density and biomass. Based on multivariate analyses, overall benthic community composition differed based on NZMS invasion status, as well as across seasons.These results suggest that the environments of southern Wisconsin spring‐fed streams provide favourable conditions for NZMS populations, allowing them to dominate some benthic communities. NZMS effects are likely to vary strongly across streams and over time within streams, highlighting the importance of future work to mechanistically test biotic and abiotic factors influencing their abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High densities of native and introduced deer hamper the regeneration of temperate forests worldwide. Sport hunting is often the sole means of deer control, but whether it can restore forest regeneration remains uncertain.We assessed the potential to restore forest regeneration using unrestricted sport hunting alongside commercial harvesting and government‐funded culling of introduced sika deer (Cervus nippon) across a 594 km2 landscape in North Island, New Zealand. We used six decades of repeated measurements of forest regeneration and deer presence, alongside monitoring of tagged stems in a 20‐year paired exclosure experiment, to determine whether deer control restored regeneration.In our exclosure experiment, mountain beech (Fuscospora cliffortioides) seedling and sapling density, growth and survival were variable but consistently higher when deer were excluded by fencing. Sapling counts in unfenced plots were ≈3–10 times lower after 60 years of deer control compared with unfenced plots, before sika colonisation and other mountain beech forests without sika deer. This result suggests canopy replacement remains at risk despite government‐funded culling and encouragement of sport hunting.Individual‐based demographic models show that mountain beech is unlikely to regenerate following canopy gap formation in our study landscape unless deer impacts are reduced from current levels. These demographic models predicted present‐day forest regeneration far better than two widely used proxies of deer impact: plot‐based counts of saplings and estimates of deer densities from faecal pellet counts.Synthesis and applications. Here, we show that intensive culling beyond that achievable by sport hunting is needed to reduce deer densities enough to assure canopy regeneration. These interventions will be necessary in the many places worldwide where sport hunting is being relied upon to protect forests but appears to be failing. Given the controversy associated with deer culling, and the need for clear evidence to justify its implementation, we suggest managers could strengthen the evidence base for their interventions by collecting data to build demographic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive fine sediment (particles <2 mm) deposition in freshwater systems is a pervasive stressor worldwide. However, understanding of ecological response to excess fine sediment in river systems at the global scale is limited. Here, we aim to address whether there is a consistent response to increasing levels of deposited fine sediment by freshwater invertebrates across multiple geographic regions (Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and the UK). Results indicate ecological responses are not globally consistent and are instead dependent on both the region and the facet of invertebrate diversity considered, that is, taxonomic or functional trait structure. Invertebrate communities of Australia were most sensitive to deposited fine sediment, with the greatest rate of change in communities occurring when fine sediment cover was low (below 25% of the reach). Communities in the UK displayed a greater tolerance with most compositional change occurring between 30% and 60% cover. In both New Zealand and Brazil, which included the most heavily sedimented sampled streams, the communities were more tolerant or demonstrated ambiguous responses, likely due to historic environmental filtering of invertebrate communities. We conclude that ecological responses to fine sediment are not generalisable globally and are dependent on landscape filters with regional context and historic land management playing important roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting phase arrivals and pinpointing the arrival times of seismic phases in seismograms is crucial for many seismological analysis workflows. For land station data, machine learning methods have already found widespread adoption. However, deep learning approaches are not yet commonly applied to ocean bottom data due to a lack of appropriate training data and models. Here, we compiled an extensive and labeled ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) data set from 15 deployments in different tectonic settings, comprising ∼90,000 P and ∼63,000 S manual picks from 13,190 events and 355 stations. We propose PickBlue, an adaptation of the two popular deep learning networks EQTransformer and PhaseNet. PickBlue joint processes three seismometer recordings in conjunction with a hydrophone component and is trained with the waveforms in the new database. The performance is enhanced by employing transfer learning, where initial weights are derived from models trained with land earthquake data. PickBlue significantly outperforms neural networks trained with land stations and models trained without hydrophone data. The model achieves a mean absolute deviation of 0.05 s for P‐waves and 0.12 s for S‐waves, and we apply the picker on the Hikurangi Ocean Bottom Tremor and Slow Slip OBS deployment offshore New Zealand. We integrate our data set and trained models into SeisBench to enable an easy and direct application in future deployments. Plain Language Summary: Ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) are seismic stations on the seafloor. Just like their counterparts on land, they record many earthquakes on three component sensors but are additionally equipped with underwater hydrophones. To determine the location of an earthquake, seismologists must precisely measure the arrival times of seismic waves. For onshore data, machine learning (ML) has been highly successful in determining earthquake arrival times. However, the noise and the signal are different in the ocean environment. For example, the recordings can contain whale songs and water layer reverberations and are disturbed by ocean bottom currents. We have assembled an extensive database of ocean bottom recordings and trained artificial neural networks to use the underwater hydrophone information and cope with the ocean noise environment. We demonstrate that the resulting ML picker picks are similar to those of human experts and outperform phase pickers based on land data only. We compare earthquake catalogs based on different pickers created from an OBS deployment offshore New Zealand and demonstrate that PICKBLUE outperforms previous pickers. We make the database and ML picker available with a standard interface so that it is easy for other scientists to apply them in their studies. Key Points: We assembled a database of ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) waveforms and manual P and S picks, on which we train PickBlue, a deep learning pickerOur picker significantly outperforms pickers trained with land‐based data with confidence values reflecting the likelihood of outlier picksThe picker and database are available in the SeisBench platform, allowing easy and direct application to OBS traces and hydrophone records [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological invasions of plants have profound effects on ecosystem functioning by directly and indirectly altering soil microbiota, especially when invasive plants co‐invade with their associated microbiomes. Ecosystem functions may recover slowly following invader removal, with implications for restoration.We investigated the recovery of soil ecosystem function (measured as soil enzymes) following the removal, at different densities and times, of invasive Pinus spp. in New Zealand, and how different enzymatic activities responded to pine legacies.Enzymatic activities were driven by pine legacies via both abiotic (soil nutrients) and biotic (fungi and bacteria) soil properties, with different enzymes showing distinct patterns. The activity of the enzymes cellobiohydrolase (cellulose degrading), β‐glucosidase (cellulose degrading), N‐acetyl‐glucosaminidase (chitin degrading), laccase (lignin oxidising) and acid phosphatase (organic phosphate hydrolysing) were influenced by time since pine removal and by pine density at removal via effects on biotic communities. In comparison, Mn‐peroxidase (lignin oxidising) was positively correlated with density of pines at removal and was negatively correlated with time since removal and was only influenced by fungal communities.Synthesis. The recovery of soil enzymatic function following invasive species removal is slow and dependent on pine legacies through the gradual changes in fungal and bacterial communities. The cascading effects of these changes suggest potential implications for the success of future plant establishment and restoration of co‐invaded ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe disease burden in individuals with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and compare it with other geographic regions., Methods: This multicentre, cross-sectional, observational study (MEASURE-AD) recruited consecutive adolescent and adult patients attending dermatology clinics in 28 countries. Data collected included scores of pruritus, disease severity, sleep, pain, disease control, work and quality of life., Results: This study included 112 ANZ participants (Australia n = 72; New Zealand n = 40) from December 2019 to December 2020. Treatments included topicals (85.7% of patients), non-biologic systemic therapy (28.6%), phototherapy (9.8%) and dupilumab (4.5%). Mean Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score was 22.3 (95% CI 19.6-25.0) and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measurement (POEM) score was 18.4 (95% CI 16.8-20.0). Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was 6.0 (95% CI 5.5-6.6) (50% had severe pruritus) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 14.3 (95% CI 12.8-15.8). ADerm-Impact sleep domain score was 15.1 (95% CI 13.2-16.9). ADerm-Symptom Scale worst skin pain domain score was 5.0 (95% CI 4.3-5.6). Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) percentages indicated work and productivity impairment. Inadequately controlled AD was self-reported by 41%, with 9.7 flares in the past 6 months. Scores of pruritus, disease severity, sleep, pain, disease control and quality of life in ANZ were often the highest of all the geographic regions studied., Conclusion: ANZ patients with AD have a high disease burden, which extends across multiple facets of daily life. Many are inadequately controlled with existing therapies., (© 2024 Australasian College of Dermatologists.)

Patterns of mortality, recruitment, and forest turnover were investigated using permanent plot data from temperate forests in 14 localities throughout New Zealand. Tree mortality and recruitment rates were calculated from tagged trees =/> 10 cm diameter at 1.4 m on individual 400 m2 plots, and turnover rates were calculated as the mean of mortality and recruitment rates. Turnover rates (1.4% per year) were very similar to those recorded for tropical forests (i.e. 1.5% per year). As was shown in tropical forests, we also found significant relationships between forest turnover and species richness. In New Zealand forests there was also a decrease in species richness and turnover rates with increasing latitude. Although species richness is well known to decline with latitude, our study provides support for apossible link between seasonality and disturbance with tree turnoverand species diversity. While tree mortality and recruitment rates were approximately in balance at some localities, in others there were imbalances between mortality and recruitment rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Both macroecology and disturbance ecology have long been used to characterize population‐ and community‐level patterns across scales, but the integration of both approaches in characterizing disturbed ecosystems is rare. Here, we use the maximum entropy theory of ecology (METE) to model the individual size distribution (ISD) of trees in pre‐ and post‐disturbance tree populations and estimate the corresponding metabolic scaling exponents. Location: New Zealand. Time Period: 1987–1999. Major Taxa Studied: Mountain beech (Fuscospora cliffortioides Nothofagaceae). Methods: METE uses information entropy and empirical macro‐state variables to constrain predictions of ecological distributions related to biodiversity. METE has successfully predicted a range of biodiversity metrics in static or relatively undisturbed conditions. However, METE can fail to accurately model ecological patterns in disturbed ecosystems. We extend existing theoretical predictions to a highly disturbed ecosystem by treating the metabolic scaling exponent and Lagrange multipliers as free parameters in METE. Results: We showed that the fully parameterized METE (FP‐METE) model reasonably predicted the ISD of mountain beech populations in a monodominant forest after a strong earthquake, which restructured the forest. Furthermore, the FP‐METE model revealed that decreasing metabolic scaling exponent drove the substantial decline of total metabolic rate energy and the redistribution of energy towards smaller trees after the earthquake. Increased number of small trees was not sufficient to capture the full impact of disturbance on forest energy use. Main Conclusions: Our FP‐METE model applies an informatics approach to estimate the metabolic scaling relationship. We find that instead of maintaining a fixed value, the metabolic scaling exponent is variable among populations, and declines significantly after an earthquake disturbance. This leads to major shifts in the total population metabolic energy and energy distribution. With this approach, we now have the opportunity to advance beyond categorizing forms of mathematical distributions that describe biodiversity patterns and move into a predictive framework where the true constraints on ecosystems and their dynamics emerge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Studies investigating the determinants of plant invasions rarely examine multiple factors and often only focus on the role played by native plant species richness. By contrast, we explored how vegetation structure, landscape features and climate shape non‐native plant invasions across New Zealand in mānuka and kānuka shrublands. Location: New Zealand. Method: We based our analysis on 247 permanent 20 × 20‐m plots distributed across New Zealand surveyed between 2009 and 2014. We calculated native plant species richness and cumulative cover at ground, understorey and canopy tiers. We examined non‐native species richness and mean species ground cover in relation to vegetation structure (native richness and cumulative cover), landscape features (proportion of adjacent anthropogenic land cover, distance to nearest road or river) and climate. We used generalized additive models (GAM) to assess which variables had greatest importance in determining non‐native richness and mean ground cover and whether these variables had a similar effect on native species in the ground tier. Results: A positive relationship between native and non‐native plant species richness was not due to their similar responses to the variables examined in this study. Higher native canopy richness resulted in lower non‐native richness and mean ground cover, whereas higher native ground richness was associated with higher native canopy richness. Non‐native richness and mean ground cover increased with the proportion of adjacent anthropogenic land cover, whereas for native richness and mean ground cover, this relationship was negative. Non‐native richness increased in drier areas, while native richness was more influenced by temperature. Main Conclusions: Adjacent anthropogenic land cover seems to not only facilitate non‐native species arrival by being a source of propagules but also aids their establishment as a result of fragmentation. Our results highlight the importance of examining both cover and richness in different vegetation tiers to better understand non‐native plant invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forestry management worldwide has become increasingly effective at obtaining high timber yields from productive forests. In New Zealand, a focus on improving an increasingly successful and largely Pinus radiata plantation forestry model over the last 150 years has resulted in some of the most productive timber forests in the temperate zone. In contrast to this success, the full range of forested landscapes across New Zealand, including native forests, are impacted by an array of pressures from introduced pests, diseases, and a changing climate, presenting a collective risk of losses in biological, social and economic value. As the national government policies incentivise reforestation and afforestation, the social acceptability of some forms of newly planted forests is also being challenged. Here, we review relevant literature in the area of integrated forest landscape management to optimise forests as nature‐based solutions, presenting 'transitional forestry' as a model design and management paradigm appropriate to a range of forest types, where forest purpose is placed at the heart of decision making. We use New Zealand as a case study region, describing how this purpose‐led transitional forestry model can benefit a cross section of forest types, from industrialised forest plantations to dedicated conservation forests and a range of multiple‐purpose forests in between. Transitional forestry is an ongoing multi‐decade process of change from current 'business‐as‐usual' forest management to future systems of forest management, embedded across a continuum of forest types. This holistic framework incorporates elements to enhance efficiencies of timber production, improve overall forest landscape resilience, and reduce some potential negative environmental impacts of commercial plantation forestry, while allowing the ecosystem functioning of commercial and non‐commercial forests to be maximised, with increased public and biodiversity conservation value. Implementation of transitional forestry addresses tensions that arise between meeting climate mitigation targets and improving biodiversity criteria through afforestation, alongside increasing demand for forest biomass feedstocks to meet the demands of near‐term bioenergy and bioeconomy goals. As ambitious government international targets are set for reforestation and afforestation using both native and exotic species, there is an increasing opportunity to make such transitions via integrated thinking that optimises forest values across a continuum of forest types, while embracing the diversity of ways in which such targets can be reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study integrated field‐level sensor data into the FAO‐56 Penman–Monteith algorithm to provide a site‐specific estimate of crop evapotranspiration. This was carried out at two contrasting sites for pea and bean (Manawatū) and barley (Hawke's Bay) crops managed within two irrigation management zones, at each site, under variable‐rate irrigation systems in New Zealand. Daily crop evapotranspiration estimates were calculated using data from a weather station situated at the field site combined with in‐field crop sensing data (spectral reflectance, canopy temperature, and canopy height). In addition, calibrated soil moisture data were used with a soil water balance model to compare estimations of daily crop evapotranspiration with those estimated using the crop sensing method. The results indicated that variable crop responses to different irrigation strategies and soil types provided a good opportunity to quantify different levels of spectral reflectance, canopy temperature, and consequently the estimation of crop water use. The statistical comparisons revealed that the modified FAO‐56 Penman–Monteith using crop sensor data compared well with the more conventional soil water balance approach using soil moisture data (R2 = 0.70, 0.83, 0.91 for barley, pea, and bean, respectively). Overall, the results from this study indicated that crop sensing approaches combined with the FAO‐56 Penman–Monteith model have potential to provide a more easily determined site‐specific field estimation of crop evapotranspiration than other methods, and it can take into consideration the spatiotemporal variability of crop growth in a field. Core Ideas: Field‐level sensor method was used for water use estimates.The method gave accurate estimates of crop evapotranspiration.The method detected spatial variations in the crop response to irrigation.The method successfully modeled crop coefficients and crop evapotranspiration.The method simulated the benefits of variable rate irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests are major carbon (C) sinks, but their ability to sequester C and thus mitigate climate change, varies with the environment, disturbance regime, and biotic interactions. Herbivory by invasive, nonnative ungulates can have profound ecosystem effects, yet its consequences for forest C stocks remain poorly understood. We determined the impact of invasive ungulates on C pools, both above‐ and belowground (to 30 cm), and on forest structure and diversity using 26 paired long‐term (>20 years) ungulate exclosures and adjacent unfenced control plots located in native temperate rainforests across New Zealand, spanning 36–41° S. Total ecosystem C was similar between ungulate exclosure (299.93 ± 25.94 Mg C ha−1) and unfenced control (324.60 ± 38.39 Mg C ha−1) plots. Most (60%) variation in total ecosystem C was explained by the biomass of the largest tree (mean diameter at breast height [dbh]: 88 cm) within each plot. Ungulate exclusion increased the abundance and diversity of saplings and small trees (dbh ≥2.5, <10 cm) compared with unfenced controls, but these accounted for ~5% of total ecosystem C, demonstrating that a few, large trees dominate the total forest ecosystem C but are unaffected by invasive ungulates at a timescale of 20–50 years. However, changes in understory C pools, species composition, and functional diversity did occur following long‐term ungulate exclusion. Our findings suggest that, although the removal of invasive herbivores may not affect total forest C at the decadal scale, major shifts in the diversity and composition of regenerating species will have longer term consequences for ecosystem processes and forest C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are access, treatment and morbidity inequities for Māori (Indigenous people of New Zealand) with cancer in Aotearoa (New Zealand). This includes inequities in quality of life and experiences of the palliative care setting for Māori. This review included 20 papers that were identified through a combination of our literature review and key informant surveys. In this review, we consider the context of palliative care and cancer quality of care for Māori, draw on evidence regarding access and challenges for Māori with cancer in the palliative setting and discuss how to achieve palliative care equity for Māori with cancer. In Aotearoa, palliative care has fundamental underpinnings based on westernised understandings of health with a focus on addressing physical health aspects. Our findings highlight the misalignment of this approach with regard to Māori with cancer in the palliative care setting and to being able to fulfil their right to good health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aimed to inform a deeper understanding of the varied experiences of ageing in place for older adults in Australia and New Zealand. Ageing in place involves older adults remaining in their own home or community as they age rather than moving into residential care. Our focus was on how ageing in place relates to older adults' mental health, life satisfaction, wellbeing, and overall ability to adapt well to ageing. This paper followed PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Of the initial 210 papers identified, 20 met inclusion criteria and were retained. Four key themes related to experiences of ageing in place and the skills and strategies utilised to age in place were extracted from these studies. Themes encompassed older adults' individual characteristics and strategies, their connections to community, their home environment, and the appropriateness of support and services. We conclude that ageing in place should not be considered a "one size fits all" approach to ageing. Policymakers, researchers, and governments should acknowledge that older adults are a diverse group. Future ageing policy should strive to accommodate all older adults regardless of their circumstances or ageing preferences and researchers should include older adults from diverse populations and circumstances. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 250 20 m x 20 m permanent plots in the Craigieburn Range, Canterbury, New Zealand, 1970 stem density wa 2,191/ha, basal area was 52.4 m2/ha, and stem biomass was 179.1 Mg/ha. Net production ofstemwood (1974--1987) was 2.0 Mg/ha/yr; mortality was 3.5 Mg/ha/yr. By 1987 density had decreased by 30%, basal area by 12%, and stem biomass by 13%. Stands with many short trees of small mean dbh were common at high elevation, whereas stands with fewer, taller trees with large mean dbh were common at low elevation. Stemwood production and mortality rate were higher in tall stands. Mortality was well distributed among plots, indicating small, frequent canopy openings; stand turnover calculations were 66 year (based on 2.2% annual biomass loss) to 83 year (based on 1.2% annual stemwood production). Larger canopy openings were also evident, but were more infrequent, so stand turnover times due to 'catastrophic' disturbances were in the range of 350- -4000 yr. Consequently, the small, high-frequency disturbances blurred effects of larger disturbances on stand structure and also constrained the fluctuation in forest biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the diversity patterns of plant pathogens and how they change with land use at a broad scale. We employed DNA metabarcoding to describe the diversity and composition of putative plant pathogen communities in three substrates (soil, roots, and leaves) across five major land uses at a national scale. Almost all plant pathogen communities (fungi, oomycetes, and bacteria) showed strong responses to land use and substrate type. Land use category could explain up to 24% of the variance in composition between communities. Alpha-diversity (richness) of plant pathogens was consistently lower in natural forests than in agricultural systems. In planted forests, there was also generally low pathogen alpha-diversity in soil and roots, but alpha-diversity in leaves was high compared with most other land uses. In contrast to alpha-diversity, differences in within-land use beta-diversity of plant pathogens (the predictability of plant pathogen communities within land use) were subtle. Our results show that large-scale patterns and distributions of putative plant pathogens can be determined using metabarcoding, allowing some of the first landscape level insights into these critically important communities., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Governments around the world have responded to the COVID-19 outbreak with a mix of policies. The strictest responses of the New Zealand government are notable, given their abilities to contain and limit the spread of the virus. However, their impacts on stock returns remain unclear. This paper investigates the impact of three policies, namely lockdown, the stimulus package, and the travel ban, on the returns of 14 New Zealand industry stock indices. Using daily data from 1 January 2019 to 25 August 2020, evidence points to a heightened level of integration among the various industry stock indices during the early stages of the pandemic. Only lockdown has had a positive impact on aggregate stock returns, suggesting its ability to raise investors' confidence in the overall stock market. At the industry level, the impact of the three response policies is generally positive but heterogeneous across industry stock indices. Notably, none of the three adopted policies significantly impact technology, healthcare, and real estate returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how "the elderly" is constructed in New Zealand online news media. By employing a critical framing analysis to challenge ageist practices, conceptually, the study adds to our knowledge of research methodologies in the field of adult development. Online news media articles were collected and analyzed to understand constructions of older adults as "elderly" over an 18-month period before, during, and since the COVID pandemic. Results demonstrated that the term "elderly" was framed powerlessly, in predominantly negative (74%) stereotypical messages about older adults. Positive stereotypes (26% of data) used human impact framing. Associations of "elderly" with being vulnerable, declining, and an individual or societal burden have serious implications, notably for the media in their role of both constructing and reflecting societal attitudes and actions towards older adults. Suggestions are offered to encourage reframing societal attitudes and promoting healthy adult development through age-equality messages that do away with the term "elderly." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand restiad bogs have histories of natural fire, which is reflected in the presence of plant species with adaptations such as serotiny and fire‐stimulated flowering. The possibility of fire‐cued germination has not been investigated in restiad bogs, despite its widespread occurrence in other fire‐prone environments, globally. We performed a glasshouse experiment to assess the role of peat seed banks in post‐fire regeneration at Kopuatai Bog in northern New Zealand. Peat samples collected were either (a) heated until they reached 70 °C, (b) exposed to wood smoke for 30 min, (c) heated and smoked consecutively, or (d) left untreated. The emergence of vascular plants was then monitored for 105 days in a glasshouse. Mean seedling density was highest in the control treatment (7228 ± SE 1040 m−2); it was lowest in the heated samples, suggesting that the heat treatment may have been excessive. Smoke did not significantly increase emergence. Epacris pauciflora accounted for 76.7% of total seedlings, consistent with our hypothesis based on vegetation surveys that this species relies on synchronous post‐fire seed bank germination. E. pauciflora was most abundant in the control, suggesting that emergence is in response to some disturbance‐related cue other than heat or smoke. The restiad Sporadanthus ferrugineus was abundant in the control and smoke treatments. Its emergence following heating was reduced, but still considerable enough to cast doubt on its classification as a fire‐sensitive species. In contrast, the dominant peat‐forming restiad Empodisma robustum showed low levels of emergence. Our overall findings demonstrate that substantial quantities of viable seed are stored in the upper peat layers of a restiad bog and are capable of germinating in response to disturbance‐related environmental changes. These findings contribute to our understanding of restiad peatland plant community dynamics, particularly explaining the mechanism behind increased E. pauciflora dominance post‐fire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Edwardian era, the British Dominions adopted policies of imperial preference amid a period of rising imports from the United States and industrial continental Europe. Hitherto, there has been no econometric assessment of whether these policies diverted the Dominions' imports towards the Empire, as was intended. This article focuses on New Zealand's initial policy of imperial preference, codified in the Preferential and Reciprocal Trade Act of 1903. New Zealand's policy was unique insofar as it extended preference to only certain commodities and not others. Using propensity score matching, this study exploits the cross‐commodity variation in the extension of preference and finds that, on the whole, the Preferential and Reciprocal Trade Act did not divert New Zealand's imports towards the Empire. However, for those few commodities receiving very high absolute margins of preference (20 per cent ad valorem), a statistically significant effect of the preferential policy is found. Altogether, this case study of New Zealand reveals a contrast between the Edwardian system of imperial preference and the trade‐diverting system of imperial preference that resulted from the Ottawa Agreements of the interwar era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) refers to damage to the optic nerve resulting from direct and indirect trauma to the head and face. One of the important pathological processes in TON is the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), but the cause of RGCs death remains unclear. We aimed to explore the mechanisms of RGCs death in an experimental TON model. Methods. Optic nerve crush injury was induced in ten New Zealand white rabbits. On the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 28th days after the operation, the retinal tissues of the rabbits were observed pathologically by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression of POU-homeodomain transcription factor Brn3a and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was measured by immunofluorescence to evaluate the number of RGCs and astrocytes, respectively. miRNA expression and protein levels were assessed by RT-qPCR and western blot methods, respectively. Finally, the malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase activity, and proinflammatory factor levels were measured by ELISA. Western blot and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to elucidate the relationship between miR-181d-5p and nuclear factor I-A (NFIA). Results. Blunt ocular trauma increased oxidative stress and apoptosis and reduced ganglion cell layer (GCL) density. The expression of miR-181d-5p was decreased in retinal tissues, and its overexpression relieved RGCs death, astrocyte development, oxidative stress, and inflammation of the retina, which were reversed by NFIA overexpression. Conclusion. miR-181d-5p can protect against the deterioration of TON by inhibiting RGCs death, astrocyte development, oxidative stress, and inflammation by targeting NFIA. This study provides new insight into early medical intervention in patients with TON. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions: (1) What can be learned by extending a national classification into unsampled forest types? (2) Are both remotely sensed and environmental predictors needed to model and map associations? (3) For mapping, are LiDAR-generated canopy structure parameters or reflectance from spectral imagery more useful? (4) How can we assess uncertainty of a final map? Location: Warawara Forest, Northland, New Zealand. Methods: We sampled 205 vegetation plots and assigned them to an existing national classification using the fuzzy classification framework of noise clustering. Plots too distinct to be assigned were used to define new associations. We produced spatial models of each association using boosted regression trees. Predictors included 11 environmental, 11 canopy reflectance, and 17 canopy structure variables. We created a composite map by assigning each map pixel to the association with the highest occurrence probability. We evaluated uncertainty by examining locations where no class was predicted with probability above 0.2 and by creating a confusion map based on entropy. Results: Forty-five plots were assigned to six of 79 existing national associations and 147 plots were used to define two new forest associations. Three shrubland types are widespread nationally, whereas two young forest types are northern. Three mature forest types are narrowly distributed nationally, with the new "High-elevation hardwood forest" largely restricted to Warawara Forest. Three associations were mapped using remotely sensed predictors alone, whereas two also required environmental predictors. Overall, canopy reflectance predictors explained more deviance than canopy structure. Examining locations where no association was predicted well and where multiple associations were predicted equally showed areas mapped as younger forests to have greatest uncertainty. Conclusions: In answering our questions, we present a vegetation classification and map for Warawara Forest that provides a framework to guide the indigenous people's management responses to threats to valued communities and their species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines older people's experiences of intergenerational interaction during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Aotearoa, New Zealand (NZ). This paper presents an analysis of a letter-writing study with older people (mean = 77 years) living in NZ. A total of 760 letters were received from 870 participants. A sub-sample of 412 letters focused on intergenerational interaction were analyzed thematically. This analysis presents a mostly positive picture of intergenerational interaction particularly on the family and neighborhood level. Letters highlighted narratives of mutual concern and positive interactions between generations while also hinting at some underlying age-related tension on a societal level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the impact of providing care and conditions of care on psychological wellbeing among older informal caregivers following the initial period of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Aotearoa New Zealand. Methods: Data were from population-based cohorts of older adults participating in the 2020 Health, Work and Retirement longitudinal survey (n = 3839, 17.4% informal caregivers). Changes in symptoms of depression and anxiety over 2018–2020 surveys associated with sociodemographic factors, caregiving, cohabitation with the care recipient, assistance provided with activities of daily living, support in providing care, and opportunity cost of care were assessed. Results: Increased depression, but not anxiety, was associated with providing informal care. Among caregivers, lower living standards and cohabitation were associated with increased depression. Lower living standards, unemployment, and lower help from friend/family networks were associated with increased anxiety. Discussion: Economic hardship and social capital provide targets for supporting psychological wellbeing of older caregivers during periods of pandemic restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowledge of the challenges unpaid caregivers faced providing care to older people during the COVID-19 pandemic is limited. Challenges may be especially pronounced for those experiencing inequitable access to health and social care. This participatory action research study, located in New Zealand, has four main objectives, (i) to understand the challenges and rewards associated with caregiving to older care recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions; (ii) to map and collate resources developed (or mobilised) by organisations during the pandemic; (iii) to co-produce policy recommendations, identify useful caregiver resources and practices, prioritise unmet needs (challenges); and, (iv) to use project results in knowledge translation, in order to improve caregivers access to resources, and raise the profile and recognition of caregivers contribution to society. Methods and analysis: Māori, Pacific and rural-dwelling caregivers to 30 older care-recipients, and 30 representatives from organisations supporting caregivers in New Zealand will be interviewed. Combining data from the interviews and caregivers letters (from an archive of older people's pandemic experiences), framework analysis will be used to examine the interrelated systems of the human ecological model and the impact on caregiving experiences during the pandemic. Resources that service providers had created or used for caregivers and older people will be collated and categorised. Through co-production with caregivers and community partners we will produce three short films describing caregivers' pandemic experiences; identify a suite of resources for caregivers to use in future events requiring self-isolation, and in everyday life; and generate ideas to address unresolved issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family caregivers provide the majority of palliative care. The impact of family caregiving on employment and finances has received little research attention in the field of palliative care. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore perspectives and experiences of combining paid employment with palliative care family caregiving, and to assess the availability and suitability of employment support across three countries – the United Kingdom (UK), Aotearoa New Zealand and Canada. Design: A qualitative descriptive study design was used. Semi-structured interviews were held with 30 key informants with professional or personal experience in palliative care from the UK (n = 15), Aotearoa New Zealand (n = 6) and Canada (n = 9). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using the principles of thematic analysis. Results: Four main themes were identified: (1) significant changes to working practices are required to enable end of life family carers to remain in work; (2) the negative consequences of combining caregiving and employment are significant, for both patient and carer; (3) employer support for working end of life caregivers is crucial but variable and; (4) national, federal and government benefits for working end of life family carers are necessary. Conclusion: Supporting carers to retain employment whilst providing care has potential benefits for the patient at end of life, the caregiver, and the wider economy and labour market. Employers, policymakers and governments have a role to play in developing and implementing policies to support working carers to remain in employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: A small number of national studies have explored the barriers to older people accessing dental care; however, to date none have investigated older people's recommendations for overcoming these barriers.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 dentate older people (65 years and over) who resided in New Zealand's Otago region and received home-support. A joint inductive thematic analysis was undertaken, based on the constant comparative method.Results: Recommendations for boosting community-dwelling older people's access to dental care included publicly funding or subsiding the cost of dental care for older people, aligning the pension with the real cost of living, and making the environment at Work and Income less hostile and the emergency dental grant more readily available, making dental clinics more accessible, initiating domiciliary dental care, having mobile dental clinics visit neighbourhoods with high proportions of older people, as well as subsidised transport to the dental clinic. Other suggestions were having GPs, pharmacists and social workers emphasise oral health during appointments, along with dental education campaigns.Conclusion: In order to boost the rates of dental care access among older New Zealanders who receive home support, multiple structural changes are necessary, but these should primarily focus on reducing the cost and increasing accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The introduction of complementary foods and changes in milk feeding result in modifications to gastrointestinal function. The interplay between indigestible carbohydrates, host physiology, and microbiome, and immune system development are areas of intense research relevant to early and later-life health. Methods: This 6-month prospective non-randomised feasibility study was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand (NZ), in January 2018. Forty parents/caregivers and their infants were enrolled, with 30 infants allocated to receive a prebiotic NZ kūmara (flesh and skin; a type of sweet potato) prepared as a freeze-dried powder, and ten infants allocated to receive a commercially available probiotic control known to show relevant immune benefits (109 CFU Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12®). The primary outcome was the study feasibility measures which are reported here. Results: Recruitment, participant retention, and data collection met feasibility targets. Some limitations to biological sample collection were encountered, with difficulties in obtaining sufficient plasma sample volumes for the proposed immune parameter analyses. Acceptability of the kūmara powder was met with no reported adverse events. Conclusion: This study indicates that recruiting infants before introducing complementary foods is feasible, with acceptable adherence to the food-based intervention. These results will inform the protocol of a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) with adjustments to the collection of biological samples to examine the effect of a prebiotic food on the prevalence of respiratory tract infections during infancy. Trial registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000157279. Prospectively registered on 02/01/2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The biotic resistance hypothesis posits that greater native species richness limits invasions of exotic species. However, negative native‐exotic richness relationships (NERRs) may reverse with increasing spatial scale, seemingly refuting the hypothesis. Here, we explore the effects of species competitive interactions, environmental factors, habitat heterogeneity and vertical vegetation tiers on the NERRs across spatial scales in native forests. Location: New Zealand. Methods: We combined vegetation, land cover and climate data to predict exotic richness from native richness at different vertical tiers (ground to canopy), land cover, plant competition (tree basal area, native ground cover), mean annual temperature and total rainfall. We considered four spatial scales, from single 20 × 20 m plots on an 8‐km grid to groups of plots across grids up to 128 km. Habitat heterogeneity was measured using the variance of climatic conditions among plots within a group. Results: A negative native tree‐exotic richness relationship (NTERR) was observed at plot level but reversed with increasing spatial scale. Species competitive interactions showed a negative relationship with exotic richness at small/intermediate scales (≤32 km). Rainfall and temperature heterogeneity contributed to the positive NTERR at the largest scale. Adjacent exotic grassland cover had a positive relationship with exotic richness across all scales but did not prevent the NTERR from reversing. Main conclusions: Our analysis shows the importance of considering vegetation structure and adjacent land covers, along with spatial heterogeneity and climatic factors, when testing the biotic resistance hypothesis in forest ecosystems. There is a clear indication that biotic resistance is primarily driven by native trees in the overstorey, probably by limiting resources available to ground tier plants. The results support the notion that the NERR is driven by competitive interspecific interactions at small spatial scales and by habitat heterogeneity at larger scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predator satiation (PS) hypothesis of masting holds that seeding periodicity among plant populations enhances seed survival by starving granivores during low‐output periods and satiating reduced consumer populations during mast (high‐output) years. Although well‐studied in the northern hemisphere and in New Zealand, the PS hypothesis has received scant research attention in Australia. This is despite vegetation communities across nearly half the continent being dominated by masting species subject to high levels of seed predation (e.g. mulga [Acacia aneura] shrublands and spinifex [Triodia spp.] grasslands). Here, phenological monitoring and experimental testing of the PS hypothesis in the desert masting grass Triodia pungens (soft spinifex) occurred over 10 years at Deep Well station, central Australia. Field evidence supported the hypothesis that masting enhances seed escape from predators, as mean proportion seed survival at experimental bait stations was significantly greater during mast years (0.38 in 2012 and 0.33 in 2017) than during inter‐mast years (0.01 in 2016 and 2018). The possibility that seed decay as opposed to consumption affected results was controlled for by a deterioration experiment that indicated no significant loss of seed viability after 6‐months burial. The results support the hypothesis that masting in T. pungens is an adaptive trait related to the satiation of seed predators. However, whether masting enhances seed escape because predators are satiated at higher seed densities (i.e. masting causes a predator functional response) and/or because frequent low‐output periods reduce predator populations and make satiation more likely (i.e. a numerical predator masting response), remains unresolved. Aside from T. pungens, there are numerous other plants of the Australian arid zone that experience high levels of granivory and display masting. Seed predation may be a more important selective force acting on arid Australian plant reproduction than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural systems have entered a period of significant disruption due to impacts from change drivers, increasingly stringent environmental regulations and the need to reduce unwanted discharges, and emerging technologies and biotechnologies. Governments and industries are developing strategies to respond to the risks and opportunities associated with these disruptors. Modelling is a useful tool for system conceptualisation, understanding, and scenario testing. Today, New Zealand and other nations need integrated modelling tools at the national scale to help industries and stakeholders plan for future disruptive changes. In this paper, following a scoping review process, we analyse modelling approaches and available agricultural systems' model examples per thematic applications at the regional to national scale to define the best options for the national policy development. Each modelling approach has specificities, such as stakeholder engagement capacity, complex systems reproduction, predictive or prospective scenario testing, and users should consider coupling approaches for greater added value. The efficiency of spatial decision support tools working with a system dynamics approach can help holistically in stakeholders' participation and understanding, and for improving land planning and policy. This model combination appears to be the most appropriate for the New Zealand national context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]