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Effect of grain particle size of wholegrain foods on the postprandial glycaemic response
Full text linkWholegrain foods vary in the extent of their grain processing, but most use re- constituted wholegrain flour. Grain particle size can affect starch digestibility and therefore the glycaemic response. This thesis primarily examines whether grain particle size in wholegrain foods affects the postprandial glycaemic response, using a range of wholegrain foods produced under different food processing conditions.
People with normal glucose tolerance (n=15 to 20) and type 2 diabetes (n=15 to 20) participated in a series of randomised crossover studies in which acute postprandial capillary blood glucose response was examined following ingestion of three wholegrain wheat products (wheat porridges, breads, and crackers). Each product provided 50 grams of available carbohydrate, and the products within each food category were matched for energy and macronutrient composition but differed in grain particle size. Wheat porridge products differed in both grain particle size (flour vs kibbled wheat) and starch gelatinisation (ungelatinised and gelatinised). The composition of the breads from least to most intact was: 100% roller-milled wheat flour, 100% stoneground wheat flour, 50% kibbled wheat + 50% roller-milled wheat flour, and 30% intact wheat + 30% kibbled wheat + 40% roller-milled wheat flour. The grain particle size of the crackers matched those of the least intact and most intact breads. The postprandial appetite response to each test food was assessed via a questionnaire using Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) given every fifteen minutes for the first hour and every half hour thereafter. The palatability of each food was assessed via a VAS questionnaire.
Among people with type 2 diabetes, wholegrain foods comprising larger compared with smaller grain particle size generated a significantly lower blood glucose iAUC across all product categories. The mean difference in blood glucose iAUC between wheat porridges made from kibbled grain versus fine flour was: 187 mmol/min×L (95% CI: 54, 320), p=0.006 for gelatinised porridge and 237 mmol/min×L (95% CI: 143, 331), p=<0.001 for ungelatinised porridge. The bread including 30% intact kernels and 30% kibbled wheat generated a blood glucose iAUC significantly lower than all other breads with smaller grain particle size, and the stoneground flour bread generated a blood glucose iAUC significantly lower than the roller-milled flour bread (mean difference 137 mmol/min×L (95% CI: 21, 254), p=0.020). The cracker with 30% intact kernels and 30% kibbled wheat generated a significantly lower blood glucose iAUC than the 100% flour cracker (mean difference 159 mmol/min×L (95%CI: 40, 278)), p=0.009).
Among people with normal glucose tolerance, wholegrain crackers that included intact and kibbled grains generated a blood glucose iAUC that was 36% lower than crackers made from fine flour (95% CI: 15%, 52%), p=0.002. For wheat porridges, the effect of grain particle size on blood glucose iAUC was larger for gelatinised wheat porridges (mean difference 27 mmol/min×L (95% CI: -3, 57) than for ungelatinised wheat porridges (mean difference 0 mmol/min×L (95% CI: -22, 23), p=0.981). There was no evidence of differences in blood glucose iAUC among the breads.
Grain particle size did not significantly affect postprandial sensations of appetite for any of the test foods. For most food processing conditions, the inclusion of intact or kibbled grains in wholegrain foods did not reduce palatability scores. Older participants with type 2 diabetes rated the palatability of the test meals quite differently to the younger normoglycaemic participants. Among older participants the bread including intact and kibbled grain was considered more palatable than the other breads. However, the inclusion of intact grains reduced the palatability scores for crackers among younger normoglycaemic people and for ungelatinised wheat porridge among older people with type 2 diabetes.
In a separate randomised crossover study including people with known risk factors for type 2 diabetes (age 55 – 75, BMI ≥28 kg/m2, and physically inactive), the postprandial capillary blood glucose and venous insulin responses to three wholegrain breads were tested: (1) fine roller-milled flour, (2) fine stoneground flour, and (3) coarse stoneground flour. Each bread provided 50 grams available carbohydrate and was matched for energy and macronutrients. Flour particle size did not significantly affect either blood glucose or insulin iAUC.
The findings in people with type 2 diabetes confirm and extend previous evidence demonstrating the extent to which wholegrain foods including cracked and intact grains or coarsely milled flour generate lower postprandial responses compared with extensively milled wholegrains. This applies to breads, low moisture products such as crackers, and wheat porridges. The studies involving wheat porridges demonstrate the potential importance of considering other aspects of food processing, such as gelatinisation, in addition to particle size. The extent to which the product is gelatinised also has a striking effect on glycaemic response. Amongst normoglycaemic individuals, the effect of increasing particle size on lower glycaemic response was only apparent in crackers, as well as the effect of gelatinisation on higher glycaemic response in the preparation of wheat porridge. Given the high prevalence of prediabetes and the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, these findings support more nuanced nutrition recommendations relating to the consumption of wholegrain foods than currently provided. In addition to advising people to choose wholegrain carbohydrate foods, advice should also include guidance for consuming wholegrain products with more intact grain structures and less gelatinised starch content
Health and wellbeing of under-25 year olds in the South Island 2019
Full text linkIn this report the New Zealand Child and Youth Epidemiology Service (NZCYES) presents information to assist in the planning and funding of services that can collectively improve, promote and protect the health and wellbeing of children and young people aged under-25 years. This is the final of three age-based reports: indicators presented in 2017 had a focus on the first five years of life, and the 2018 report had a focus on the health and wellbeing of under-15 year olds.
Data for the indicators presented in this report were extracted in 2019 from a range of routinely collected national datasets. The report provides an analysis of the most recent data available for each indicator at the time of writing. Unadjusted rates should be interpreted in light of the differing patterns in age structure, ethnic composition, social and material deprivation in each DHB and in Aotearoa overall. Evidence for good practice is presented for each section, compiled from published scholarly literature and from publicly available guidelines, policies, and reports. Where possible, the evidence for good practice includes discussion of equity issues relevant to each indicator, to inform service planning and delivery.
The two review topics included in this report were selected by DHB representatives: Alcohol use in young people by Lee Smith and Promoting mental wellbeing in schools by Judith Adams and Georgia Richardson. These two sections of the report can inform strategies to promote health and wellbeing for all young people. Intervention and treatment services, supportive environments, and healthy cultural norms around drinking are some key components to addressing hazardous alcohol consumption in Aotearoa’s youngest generations. Through school-based initiatives, services can support the mental wellbeing of children and adolescents and thus invest in their long-term flourishing.
Navigating sexual and reproductive health is important to the lives of many young people. Information on reproductive planning and pregnancy rates can provide an indication about the accessibility of services and provide an indication about the future social and economic participation of this generation of young people and the sustainability of the overall population and economy.1 These indicators are presented in the section on Reproductive health.
The section on Mental Health presents information on the prevalence of selected mental health diagnoses in young people, the mental health services utilised by young people and the hospitalisations of young people that are associated with mental health issues.
Selected indicators about substance use and smoking, alcohol and drug service utilisation, and alcohol and drug hospitalisations are presented in the Substance use section. These indicators are important for overall wellbeing, growth, and long-term health of children and young people and inextricably linked to other wellbeing measures presented in the 2019 report.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child establishes that every child is deserving of a state-level commitment towards the promotion of their social, spiritual and mental wellbeing, as well as towards their protection from all forms of violence and harm.2 The section on Safety and Security provides an overview of indicators relating to the protection of children and young people in Aotearoa, including information about assault and self-harm.
Supporting and adding value to the lives of children and young people with cancer is an important part of planning and funding decisions and is presented in the section on Cancer.
The report appendices describe the processes used in compiling information for these reports, including the methods used to develop evidence for good practice, and the statistical methods used in the data analyses. The appendices give further information about the data sources used for the indicators in the report, explanation about classification of ethnicity and social and material deprivation, and a list of the clinical codes relevant to each indicator.
In summary, the 2019 report on health and wellbeing of under-25 year olds presents data and interpretation on a set of relevant indicators extracted from national health datasets. The data used were the most recent available at the time of writing, and provide a snapshot of achievements and challenges in these areas. This report cannot address questions that require outpatient data, as these are not yet available at a national level. Developing systems that can provide a fuller picture of outpatient and primary health care data is important to inform child health service planning at national and DHB levels. The NZCYES is liaising with the Ministry of Health as they develop and roll out a patient flow system that will include primary care and outpatient data
The heterogeneity of women entrepreneurial spirit and the influence on strategy making
No full textAs one of the important driving forces of innovation, entrepreneurship is of vital significance to enterprises' development and strategic decision-making. However, the current research has been focusing on the broad concept of entrepreneurship or directly comparing the differences between male and female entrepreneurs, and few attentions have been paid to the heterogeneity within female entrepreneurship. Based on upper echelons theory, this study focuses on the heterogeneity of female entrepreneurship, and explores the antecedents on the development of female entrepreneurship and also the influence of different aspects of female entrepreneurship on important strategic decisions of enterprises. Based on the survey data analysis of 116 Chinese female entrepreneurs, this study finds that a harmonious family background, diversified work experience and higher educational background are conducive to the female entrepreneurship development in the aspects of humanistic care, expression and communication skills and self-control ability accordingly. The results also show that the more women entrepreneurs pay attention to humanistic care, the more likely their companies engage in corporate social responsibility activities. Female entrepreneurs with strong self-control ability tend to be more likely to promote the international diversification development of enterprises. These findings provide implications for the development of female entrepreneurship and its influence on the strategic decision-making of enterprise development
Fibrous intervention for dissipation and absorption of low force impact
Full text linkMaterials designed to absorb and dissipate energy play a crucial role in daily activities. An important step in the development of new energy-absorbing materials is measuring their ability to mitigate energy from an impact. The drop-weight impact rig is one such device, which facilitates testing and measuring of energy absorption.
In collaboration with AgResearch yarn lengths were produced, and then tufted to create two different sets of cut-pile fabric. The fabric then underwent drop-weight impact testing to measure its effectiveness at reducing the peak impact force, and peak deceleration. Fabric samples were tested twice in order to detect if deterioration of the structure had occurred after the first impact.
During testing significant reductions in peak force and deceleration were measured. Certain combinations of variables caused more force to be absorbed or dissipated than others. No statistically significant difference in the amount of force absorbed during the repeated impact was detected during the first set of fabrics. This indicates that no deterioration of the structure had occurred. A very slight reduction in the amount of force absorbed during the repeated impact was detected in the second set of fabrics. However, this was attributed to the consistency of the testing procedure, resulting in low standard deviations throughout. Results of the impact testing regime indicated the fabric samples performed at a comparable level to impact attenuating devices such as hip protectors
Māori women leading local sustainable food systems
Full text linkThe article explores how Māori women in Aotearoa (New Zealand) are defining their own food system and the values of the women at the heart of their community food initiatives. Using a blend of participatory and kaupapa Māori (Māori principles) research methodologies, the study took place over the course of 3years, involving four women or case studies who manage community food initiatives, with three located in the North Island and one in the South Island of New Zealand. The article discusses the benefits of community gardens and farms, noting how they are counteracting food poverty through promoting access to local food while bringing more attention to the essential role that Indigenous women play in addressing food security issues. The case studies exemplify how Māori women are leading the way within their own whānau (families) and communities, promoting local solutions to global food issues, solutions based on their own knowledge and Māori cultural values
A Modern Reinvestigation of the 1987 Moutere Depression Seismic Survey
Full text linkThe quality of seismic processing and interpretation in the past has always been shackled to the limitations of the acquisition equipment and analysis systems used. The variability of seismic processing between different projects has been due to the geophysicists own personal subjective preferences and interpretations. With the rapid development in computer processing power and technology, this project aims to refine the data processing of a regional data set collected in 1987 with modern methods, in a bid to better the geological understanding of the area and present it in a novel way.
The original 1987 Vibroseis seismic survey involved eight seismic lines encompassing the entire Moutere Depression in Nelson, New Zealand. The target area is an elongated, NNE trending sedimentary basin that is infilled with primarily mid-Miocene to Pleistocene sediments. The age and depositional environment is similar to that of the neighbouring, hydrocarbon bearing Taranaki Basin in the north; it was this similarity that prompted the initial study.
The data processing in this thesis was performed using the Globe ClaritasTM software package with the ultimate outputs being post-stack time migration. The project followed standard seismic practices and used conventional noise reduction methods such as frequency domain (FDFILT) and frequency-offset deconvolution (FXDECON) filters. New frequency-wavenumber and deconvolution filters native to Claritas such as QFK were also tested. Despite a range of filters being trialled, only one type of migration and gain compensator was applied, these were the Finite-Difference Migration and Automatic Gain Control respectively. After processing, the data was then imported into IHS KingdomTM to produce a 3D model of the basin. The six seismic horizons captured during interpretation were defined by their seismic facies. The upper layers were difficult to image due to ground roll and narrow frequency bandwidth sweeps. However, the lower horizons positioned between 500 ms – 2500 ms time depths were interpreted with higher confidence. The strongest reflection occurred with horizon three. The modelling showed a heavily folded and fractured formation with extensive reverse faulting and their corresponding antithetic splays, indicative of a compressive stress environment.
The seismic processing goals of the project was moderately successful. Minor improvements in noise reduction were made using a combination of post- and pre- migration noise filtering. However, due to the poor resolution in the data itself blended with a lack of borehole data in the area, it was difficult to constrain the horizons and interpret the shallow sections accurately. This was a similar issue experienced in the two previous studies of the area. Regardless, my project was able to successfully recreate a 3D interpolated model of the Moutere Depression capturing its significant geological structures such as the Ruby Bay-Moutere and Waimea-Flaxmore faults and as a result, provide a unique perspective of the basin
Electronic Identification of Patients at High Risk for Readmission to Hospital: The EIPHRRH study
No full textHospital readmissions have a significant impact on the healthcare system and it has been estimated that the readmission rate in frail elderly can range from 20 to 40%, with at least 50% of these readmissions being preventable. There is also considerable expenditure on potentially avoidable readmissions and with these statistics, there is a significant focus on reducing readmission rates.
The overall purpose of this study was to develop a tool that could be used to identify patients at high risk for hospital readmission and then utilise this tool to undertake a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT). The RCT involved a more robust Clinical Pharmacist intervention on discharge from hospital to determine if this additional pharmacist support could reduce readmission rates and increase quality of life. This study consisted of two phases.
Phase one was the development of an electronic tool that would identify patients at high risk of readmission to hospital by using data already held within electronic patient health record. This development occurred in multiple stages and was constructed in conjunction with Senior Medical Officers from several areas of the hospital including from the Internal Medicine, Care of the Elderly and the Emergency Departments. The development included identifying, prioritising and weighting the various risk factors for readmission.
The tool was then tested and validated to ensure that it was drawing the appropriate information and identifying appropriate patients. The validation process showed the tool to have a high predictive rate for identifying patients at high risk for readmission and allowed for the identification of patients to recruit into phase two of the project (the RCT).
Phase two, the RCT, was initiated in May 2017 using the above tool. The trial ran for 12 months with the overall aim to investigate whether a more robust Clinical Pharmacist intervention on discharge had any impact on readmission rates, Emergency Department (ED) presentation rates and the patient’s overall Quality of Life. The intent of the RCT was to measure any improvement on the effectiveness of the transition of care from hospital care to primary care and determine if there was a positive impact on outcomes.
The efficiency of the tool in identifying patients at high risk for readmission had the unexpected effect of identifying a considerable number of individuals who were unable to participate due to a level of cognitive impairment (which was one of the exclusion criteria of the RCT). This resulted in 43% of potential participants being ineligible to participate. A total population of identified patients was 392, and of this, 90 patients were recruited and randomised into the study.
The average age of the identified participants was 80.6 years, indicating that many of the high risk and high use patients in this ward are elderly with an increased rate of co-morbidities and medication use.
Comparing readmission rates between the control and the intervention arm of the study indicated that the intervention group were readmitted to the hospital slightly more often than the control group. However, numbers in each arm were too small to have any statistical significance and no statistical evaluation was undertaken on the data.
Comparing ED presentation rates between the control and the intervention arm of the study indicated that the intervention group may have had higher ED presentation rates at 28 days than the control group. However, numbers in each are were too small to have any statistical significant and no statistical evaluation was undertaken on the data.
Comparing quality of life scores between the control and intervention group, demonstrated similar quality of life scores on admission and post discharge, however, again, numbers in each arm were too small to have any statistical significance and no statistical evaluation was undertaken on the data.
While the study was not able to demonstrate a statistical significance in reduction of readmission rates, many lessons and areas for opportunity to improve transition of care and the discharge service were identified
Characterising the subtropical front and associated water masses offshore Otago using seismic oceanography
Full text linkThe Subtropical Front is a global ocean boundary separating warm, salty Subtropical Water from relatively cool, fresh Subantarctic Water. Near Dunedin, on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, the front is located in the vicinity of the continental shelf break, just 20–40 km offshore. At this boundary, mixing processes are important in the transfer of heat, salt, and nutrients between the two water masses. Seismic oceanography involves the acquisition of marine seismic reflection data normally used for subseafloor imaging, repurposed to image the water column. Seismic reflections come from temperature and salinity contrasts within the ocean.
Four different applications of the seismic oceanography method were examined in this study, including the first dedicated seismic oceanographic cruises in Australasia. First, seismic data acquired over decades of petroleum exploration were reprocessed, revealing significant seismic reflectivity associated with Subtropical, Subantarctic, and Antarctic Intermediate Waters. The reflectivity patterns were interpreted based on synthetic seismograms calculated from historical oceanographic data, and the location of the Subtropical Front was confirmed using satellite sea-surface temperatures as well as near-surface temperatures calculated from the seismic data themselves.
High-frequency electro-acoustic seismic data were acquired along with conductivity-temperature-depth profiles (CTDs) on four cruises along the historically well-studied Munida Transect. While the seismic data did not produce discernible water-column reflections above the background noise field, synthetic seismograms produced from the CTDs contributed to a better understanding of the water masses in the region, including an examination of temporal variability in reflectivity.
A larger-scale cruise was also carried out, where high-frequency generator-injector air gun seismic data were acquired, accompanied by expendable temperature-depth probes. These data produced seismic images with reflections clearly associated with the temperature gradients at the Subtropical Front. Repeat acquisition over a period of days showed the dynamic nature of the boundary.
Finally, CTD data were collected by a chase boat during the acquisition of a petroleum industry 3D seismic survey. These data definitively connect strong seismic reflections in the seismic image to offshore waters with high temperatures and salinities, and particularly allow for the interpretation of a lens-like reflective feature as an eddy. The swath seismic data also allow the three-dimensionality of reflections to be examined.
This study demonstrates the feasibility of investigating oceanographic features in this region using seismic oceanography and provides a methodological comparison to guide future projects. Legacy seismic data are a vast data source, well-suited for mapping water mass boundaries throughout the water column, helping to determine the regional distribution and variability of oceanographic features. High-resolution seismic acquisition produces cross-sectional subsurface images of the Subtropical Front at scales typically unachievable using conventional oceanographic methods. These images reveal characteristic differences in the expression of the front at the surface compared to the subsurface. Combining seismic images with in-situ oceanographic data corroborates the identification of high-temperature, high-salinity waters found well offshore of the Subtropical Front, masked by the presence of a surface mixed layer. These waters appear in features resembling meanders and eddies that could represent a significant mechanism for the mixing of water masses
The Passionate Puritan
Full text linkSet in 1912, The Passionate Puritan follows young teacher Sidney Carey to an isolated kauri-milling community in the far north. She discovers romance there, but will she be able to seize it, or will puritanical conventions spoil her life? Social progress and conservatism battle for supremacy in the vivid setting off the Puhipuhi in the days of the old timber industry
Or, The Triumph of the Trust
Full text linkMorganeering is a satire on capitalism in the era of the "Robber Barons" like John Rockefeller, Henry Ford and John Pierpont Morgan. Their success at consolidating industries is taken to extremes by the novel's capitalist villain, Jonathan Wondergilt. Most of the novel depicts how Wondergilt came to own the entire world, how he maintained and supported his powers, and how such greed brought misery to people everywhere