Masters Theses

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Theses submitted by Lincoln University masters students.

Students wishing to submit theses should see the Depositing theses and dissertations guide.

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 5 of 903
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    Identification and characterisation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from spontaneous fermentation of organic Pinot noir wines : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science at Lincoln University
    (Lincoln University, 2024) McKendrey, Jayanta Whitley
    This study characterised Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations from the spontaneous fermentation of organic Pinot noir wines produce in Waipara, Aotearoa New Zealand, using a DNA-based Interdelta typing method to evaluate their strain diversity and population dynamics. One hundred and sixty-one S. cerevisiae isolates from key fermentation stages were differentiated by interdelta typing into 106 different genotypes (profiles), of which 24 were observed more than once. One interdelta genotype was observed among each of the fermentation stages studied. The S. cerevisiae population showed a high level of strain diversity with evident dominant groupings of strains during and between fermentation stages. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain diversity increased towards the end of fermentation accompanied with late-stage dominance by the species. Spontaneous fermentation of organically produced wine may harbour a genetically diverse population of S. cerevisiae strains but appears to be dominated by few genotypes. The influence of each genotype on the organoleptic properties of the eventual product is unknown at this point. However, the use of interdelta typing to identify strains of special relevance with commercial potential is supported.
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    Newly-claimed seascapes: Options and potential applications : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science in Environmental Management at Lincoln University
    (Lincoln University, 2023) White, Faye Rose
    Worldwide, communities and natural ecosystems are challenged by rising seas. Understandably, much of the response has focused on hazard mitigation to protect human populations, investment and infrastructure. As communities are forced to retreat from coastal areas and as inundation occurs, our coastal margins will change. I term these newly inundated areas “newly-claimed seascapes” (NCSs). The available options for NCSs are currently unclear. For some places, where the social, political and environmental conditions permit, there may be opportunities to repurpose them. For example, for sheltered coastal areas, shallow estuaries and harbours, they could be repurposed for aquaculture, fisheries, wetlands, and/or blue carbon. To aid policy and community preparation, this research used a global systematic literature review to identify options for NSCs. Thirty-nine potential options were identified and categorised to aid policy reform and coastal adaptation. Using Aotearoa/New Zealand as a case study to explore whether repurposing is feasible under current legislative frameworks, I undertook a content analysis of applicable legislation and policy. Finally, to determine the current state of play for local planning in this context, I interviewed a representative of regional councils currently reviewing their regional coastal plans to ascertain whether they are considering repurposing NCSs. Whilst repurposing is implicitly enabled under the current legislation, it is not explicitly directed. As a result, the interviewed regional councils were not preparing to repurpose NCSs at the time of this research. Given that the time to find solutions for coastal areas is becoming increasingly constrained, I argue that the PARA (protect, accommodate, retreat, avoid) management framework currently being promoted as best practice in responding to sea-level rise could be extended to PARAR to include the term Repurpose. Repurposing could help to broaden perspectives on sea-level rise from a sense of fear and loss to positive solutions and opportunities.
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    Artificial neural network approaches for modelling complex biological network – Mammalian cell cycle : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science at Lincoln University
    (Lincoln University, 2023) Sorthiya, Komal
    An important process in the growth of any biological organism is its ability to proliferate, a tightly controlled process in which a cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells. This happens within a dynamic environment, where a cell responds to various internal and external signals through a well-ordered sequence of events called the cell cycle. Underlying these events is a complex and elegantly orchestrated web of interactions that function as an integrated system with various sub-systems that specialise in various tasks. Two such important tasks include cell cycle initiation in response to proliferative signals and the interaction of numerous elements for the completion of the cell cycle. This results in a highly complex system. Any malfunctioning during cell cycle division can cause diseases like Cancer. For gaining insights into biological reactions and their effects, cellular modelling approaches have contributed immensely. A few gaps are recognised in the field after reviewing the literature on mammalian cell cycle modelling. Most models are based on mathematical formulation representing the dynamic behaviour of the cell cycle which includes varied equations ranging from a few to tens of equations. They produce accurate systems dynamics, but the models are complex to solve and require the knowledge of many parameters. On the other hand, Discrete Models are simpler and use a qualitative approach but have numerous limitations to represent the continuous dynamics of the Mammalian Cell cycle. Therefore, there is a need for a modelling approach that is simplified but comprehensively represents the system. Mainly, the representation of a complex system in a robust way is a crucial demand. Our research mainly aims to introduce Artificial Neural Network approaches that mimic the mammalian cell cycle in an intuitive way. The goal is to explore the updated biological knowledge and develop ANN-based mathematical models to check their capabilities for mimicking cell signalling mechanisms.
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    The role of information in land-use decision-making : The perspective of farmers in New Zealand :
    (Lincoln University, 2023) Blake, Aimee
    Agri-food systems are facing increasing pressure to transition toward more sustainable alternatives, which are information-intensive and may require different forms of knowledge. Therefore, optimal and sustainable land-use decision-making requires effective information provision. However, digital technologies and the information age have changed the ways in which farmers interact with information. This necessitates different approaches and raises questions regarding how and why farmers gather information and whom they trust. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the role of information in land-use decision-making from the perspective of farmers in New Zealand. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews with commercial pastoral farmers and a focus group with emerging young farmers were conducted. The results evidence that information is important for decision-making and that gathering processes are personal and contextual. The farmer participants sourced information from a variety of sources across digital and physical formats. Traditional institutions (i.e., industry groups) were recognised; however, digital and informal sources (i.e., the internet and interpersonal networks) were the most utilised. The farmer participants engaged as researchers and information curators online and within networks, to share learnings in communities of practice. The young farmer participants particularly interacted digitally, following farmer influencers and utilising artificial intelligence (AI). Audio formats were acknowledged as useful, and information about consumers was important, signalling market orientation. Combining formal and informal elements, the farmer participants valued how catchment groups are community-led and outcomes-focused. Additionally, knowledge brokering through intermediaries at the catchment level assisted with information exchanges. The most trusted sources of information were other high-achieving farmers and interpersonal networks; however, there were mixed experiences with peers. Validation of information occurred through a triangulation and cross-referencing process. Attempts to determine what is trustworthy were challenging due to misinformation and information overload, which hindered effective decision-making. Farmers largely felt that strategic land-use information was challenging to source, especially in relation to regional contexts. Overall, the results signal the need to combine the best of informal and formal sources and that farmers should be recognised as co-creators of information. This research contributes to the literature on information and farmer decision-making in the information age. Potential actions that emerge from the findings include improving digital literacy, hybrid approaches to information provision, adopting listening rather than telling approaches, and supporting intermediaries. These insights could be of interest to inform effective approaches to information provision. Future research into digital literacy, the perspectives of information providers, and the influence of evolving sources (i.e., AI) would be useful. Additionally, the implications of misinformation and information disorders on trust and decision-making should be considered. It is concluded that as technologies evolve, an ongoing conceptualisation of information and farmer habits will be required.
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    How can the design of wineries support wellbeing? A study of wineries in Waipara, Aotearoa New Zealand : A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University
    (Lincoln University, 2023) Goh, Jiang Han Jeremy
    Wine and food share important connections to the landscape, and these connections are increasingly being recognised as important to wellbeing. Farmers’ markets and locally focused food menus, alongside the heightened awareness of the value of being in landscape settings, exemplify the significance of opportunities to enjoy the fruits of the earth within the landscape that produced them. However, while there is an established understanding of the connections between nature and wellbeing, and a growing number of studies of gastronomical aspects of the food-landscape relationship, there is little research on how wineries might also offer wellbeing benefits. Locating and identifying patterns of how wineries are designed can offer insight into the place-specific experiences that are encouraged within wineries, the activities provided and how future wineries may be designed to support wellbeing. The goal of this research is to determine how wineries as places - including their location, design, and activities - support wellbeing. A two-phase process was used to identify potential winery cases across Aotearoa New Zealand, followed by a detailed selection based on their landscape, spatial settings, and location. Then from the samples identified, wineries with similar activities were selected and compared based on their landscape and spatial settings. Using a Mash-Up approach, categories and qualities were extracted from parallel studies of institutions known to support wellbeing such as hospitals, schools, and universities. The categories of Vegetation and Nature; Social; Environmental Control; Inclusivity; Spatial; and Multi-Sensory were identified from the parallel studies. Two additional categories were identified at the case study sites, they are: Animals and Time. Field work involved on-site inventorying at the four sites, using the categories derived from the parallel studies. Lastly, a normative critique of the case study sites was conducted that identified a wide range of landscape elements that echo those from the parallel studies, and indicate that wineries - like schools, hospitals, and universities - have a role to play in supporting wellbeing. This research identifies valuable insights into how wineries offer restorative environments and this in turn can inform other settings, such as those from the parallel studies.