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Physiotherapist Factors Associated With the Intention to Deliver Psychologically Informed Physiotherapy in Persistent Low Back Pain: An Online Cross-sectional Vignette Study
No full textBackground: Prior qualitative research has revealed several barriers to physiotherapists delivering psychologically informed physiotherapy (PIP). It is not known which factors are most relevant to PIP delivery.
Objectives: To determine the proportion of physiotherapists in Aotearoa/New Zealand who intend to deliver PIP to persons with non-specific low back pain (LBP), and to determine factors associated with the intention to deliver PIP.
Design: This study used a cross-sectional online vignette case survey design. Setting Aotearoa/New Zealand registered physiotherapists who regularly treat LBP were invited to participate.
Methods: Participants (n=224) outlined their intended assessment and treatment plan for two vignettes with persistent LBP. They then completed the Knowledge and Attitudes of Pain Questionnaire (KNAP), components of the Determinants of Implementation Behaviour Questionnaire (DIBQ) and demographic questions. The proportion of physiotherapists intending to deliver PIP was determined by scoring participants’ vignette plans as psychologically informed or non-psychologically informed. Binary regression was used to determine which questionnaire and demographic variables were associated with the intention to deliver PIP.
Results: One third of participants intended to deliver PIP in the management of LBP. Binary regression analysis showed that pain knowledge and attitudes were consistently associated with the intention to deliver PIP across vignettes (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.01 – 1.08; p=.015) (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.02 – 1.09, p=.005). Beliefs about the consequences of PIP was associated with the intention to deliver PIP in one vignette (OR=2.15, 95% CI=1.12 – 4.11, p=.021).
Conclusion: Findings suggest that physiotherapists’ knowledge and attitudes towards pain and their belief that PIP is effective are associated with PIP delivery. Improving pain knowledge and beliefs around PIP may improve the quality of LBP management
Responsive Learning in Practice: A Grounded Theory
No full textBACKGROUND: Teaching and learning are core components of occupational therapy practice, with therapists commonly positioned as 'educating' the client. Despite its acknowledged importance, however, little attention has been given to developing discipline-specific learning theories that reflect current practice.
AIM: This research aimed to construct a theory explicating the process of learning that occurs between therapists and clients.
METHODS: The study was conducted in the context of therapy provision to pre-school children requiring long-term intervention. Constructivist grounded theory methodology was used to analyse data generated through 23 interviews with 11 parents and eight occupational therapists who worked with them, five filmed routine therapy sessions, and nine photographs of instructional materials. A substantive theory of 'Responsive learning: Learning from and with each other' was constructed.
FINDINGS: The learning process is complex, dynamic, and bidirectional, with participants learning from and with each other in response to changing needs, situations, and context. It is deeply relational, where ongoing connection and partnership are crucial for mutual learning, moving forward together, and integrating learning into everyday life.
CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: These findings reveal the importance of therapists establishing collaborative relationships, being cognizant co-learners with clients, and responding to learning in practice
Human Contributions to Global Soundscapes Are Less Predictable Than the Acoustic Rhythms of Wildlife
No full textAcross the world, human (anthropophonic) sounds add to sounds of biological (biophonic) and geophysical (geophonic) origin, with human contributions including both speech and technophony (sounds of technological devices). To characterize society’s contribution to the global soundscapes, we used passive acoustic recorders at 139 sites across 6 continents, sampling both urban green spaces and nearby pristine sites continuously for 3 years in a paired design. Recordings were characterized by bird species richness and by 14 complementary acoustic indices. By relating each index to seasonal, diurnal, climatic and anthropogenic factors, we show here that latitude, time of day and day of year each predict a substantial proportion of variation in key metrics of biophony—whereas anthropophony (speech and traffic) show less predictable patterns. Compared to pristine sites, the soundscape of urban green spaces is more dominated by technophony and less diverse in terms of acoustic energy across frequencies and time steps, with less instances of quiet. We conclude that the global soundscape is formed from a highly predictable rhythm in biophony, with added noise from geophony and anthropophony. At urban sites, animals experience an increasingly noisy background of sound, which poses challenges to efficient communication
'Asi: A Practice-led Inquiry Led By an Oceanic Artistic Research Paradigm
No full textThis article presents a practice-led PhD project investigating how Oceanic values and ways of knowing inform faiva (creative practice/performance) to engage, create māfana (warmth) and mālie (harmony), and manifest ‘asi (the presence of the unseen) in artistic expression among Oceanic youth. Wolfgramm (1993) identified ‘asi as a vital element in the climax of faiva, reflecting an energising spirit that gives agency to artistic work. This research examines how young Oceanic individuals collaborate creatively, drawing on cultural heritage values to create meaningful faiva, and how this process may activate ‘asi throughout performance. The study is structured around two key components. The first, Lila (2019), is a co-created project involving research participants who developed and presented a contemporary faiva. This case study is enriched by interviews with Oceanic youth leaders, providing insights into the role of ‘asi in artistic practice. The second component, FAIVA | FAI VĀ, is the researcher’s personal artistic synthesis, integrating spoken word poetry, sound, drawing, video design, and performance. This body of work reflects on ‘asi through autobiographical themes and poetic expressions. By interweaving these elements, the study explores the nature and agency of ‘asi, its significance in contemporary faiva, and its potential to resource creativity and foster belonging among Oceanic youth
The in Vitro Bioactive Properties of Fermented Brewer's Spent Grain With Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: Aerobic vs Anaerobic Processes
No full textIntroduction
Fermentation offers a sustainable method to convert food by-products into valuable resources. This study explored the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) fermentation of brewer’s spent grain (BSG), a major by-product from blonde wheat (WB) and stout beer (SB) production. This study compared aerobic and anaerobic fermentation conditions to enhance BSG’s bioactive properties.
Methods
BSG from WB and SB was fermented with L. plantarum under aerobic and anaerobic conditions for 10 days, with non-fermented BSG as a control. Extracts, collected every two days, were evaluated for in vitro bioactivities: antioxidant capacity (ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and DPPH assays), antimicrobial effects (against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus), anti-obesity potential (anti-lipase activity), and cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 macrophages. Ex vivo antibacterial activity was assessed on wheat- and milk-based food products.
Results
Fermentation significantly enhanced BSG bioactivities compared to non-fermented controls, with distinct outcomes varying by condition. Anaerobic fermentation doubled antioxidant activity in WB and SB extracts by Day 6 compared to aerobic conditions. Aerobic fermentation showed superior antimicrobial activity, fully inhibiting Bacillus cereus at 83.3 mg/mL (vs. 166.6 mg/mL under anaerobic conditions, Day 6), and stronger anti-obesity effects, with IC₅₀ values of 8.6 mg orlistat equivalents (OE)/g (WB) and 6.6 mg OE/g (SB) on Day 8. Ex vivo assays confirmed antimicrobial effects, with wheat-based media requiring lower concentrations (0.042 mg/mL) than milk-based media (333.3 mg/mL). Cytotoxicity assays indicated no toxicity, with both conditions promoting macrophage proliferation.
Conclusions
Fermentation with L. plantarum significantly enhances BSG’s bioactivity. Anaerobic conditions optimise antioxidant properties, while aerobic conditions favour antimicrobial and anti-obesity effects. These findings suggest fermented BSG’s potential for food preservation and health-promoting applications
Leveraging Digital Twins to Improve Wellbeing Aspects in Smart Cities via the Living Standards Framework in New Zealand
No full textBackground: Urbanization presents significant global challenges, including environmental degradation, strained infrastructure, and rising socio-economic inequalities. New Zealand, with its dispersed urban centres and low population density, faces distinctive planning issues that demand innovative solutions. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11, emphasize the importance of creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. Digital Twin Technology (DTT) has emerged as a promising tool in urban planning by offering real-time data integration and predictive analytics. However, its current applications remain largely focused on infrastructure and environmental monitoring, often neglecting socio-economic dimensions. This research evolved through three critical phases: a detailed exploration of DTT's role in advancing SDG 11 in New Zealand, a qualitative investigation through expert interviews, and the development of an integrated framework combining open-source DT platforms with New Zealand's Living Standards Framework (LSF) for comprehensive urban well-being assessment.
Originality: The first phase of this research provided a critical review of DTT’s potential to support SDG 11 in New Zealand, identifying critical gaps in its socio-economic applications and alignment with well-being frameworks. The second phase deepened this understanding through expert interviews with urban planners, policymakers, and technologists, uncovering practical challenges, opportunities, and governance issues in integrating socio-economic dimensions into DTT platforms and shortlisting relevant LSF indicators. Building on these findings, the research developed a novel Python-based dashboard to operationalize the integration of LSF with DTT. This dashboard extends the scope of DTT beyond infrastructure management, enabling comprehensive well-being assessments through advanced features such as ARIMA modelling, correlation analysis, and predictive assessment. Furthermore, in a first-of-its-kind evaluation, open-source DTT platforms, including Eclipse Ditto and FIWARE, were assessed for their ability to integrate socio-economic data. This evaluation highlighted critical technical barriers, such as schema matching, scalability, and data privacy, while also identifying innovative pathways for overcoming these challenges. This progression underscores the originality of this research, offering a unique, multidimensional approach to urban planning that bridges the gap between static socio-economic assessments and dynamic real-time analytics.
Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the potential that DTT has for achieving SDG 11, gain deep insights from experts, and develop a dynamic framework that contributes toward an integrated socio-economic and environmental improvement in urban planning. The resulting framework bridges traditional well-being assessment tools with state-of-the-art digital technologies and provides actionable insights for policymakers and urban planners.
Methodology: The research adopted a phased, mixed-methods approach. The first phase conducted a systematic review to assess DTT’s role in supporting SDG 11, focusing on its applications in sustainable urban development. The second phase used qualitative analysis of expert interviews with stakeholders, including urban planners and technologists, to identify practical challenges and contextual factors affecting DTT implementation. Key themes included data interoperability, governance, and stakeholder engagement. In the final phase, quantitative analyses of historical and current data (2017–2023) were performed using statistical tools, geospatial mapping, and ARIMA-based time-series forecasting. Insights from the earlier phases informed the development of a Python-based dashboard that integrates socio-economic well-being indicators into DTT platforms. Feasibility testing on open-source platforms such as Eclipse Ditto and FIWARE addressed challenges such as schema matching, scalability, and secure data protocols.
Results: The SDG-focused analysis revealed the untapped potential of DTT in addressing urban challenges in New Zealand, with significant gaps in its socio-economic applications. Expert interviews highlighted critical barriers, including fragmented data systems, limited stakeholder alignment, and governance challenges, while also identifying opportunities for integrating well-being metrics into DTT platforms. The framework developed in the final phase demonstrated the feasibility of bridging these gaps. The Python-based dashboard visualized regional disparities in well-being metrics, such as air quality and commuting times, and revealed interdependencies among indicators, such as the link between internet access and education outcomes. Benchmarking features identified underperforming regions and set measurable targets for improvement.
Findings: This research demonstrates the transformative potential of integrating socio-economic well-being metrics into DTT platforms to enhance urban planning and address SDG 11. The findings emphasize the importance of stakeholder engagement and governance frameworks, as identified in the expert interviews, in overcoming barriers to integration. The framework and its dashboard represent a replicable model from the integration of well-being metrics in real-time urban planning tools, offering policymakers actionable and strategic insights for informed decision-making. While there were interoperability, data privacy, or scalability issues, it highlights the adaptability of the proposed integrated framework to the specific urban context of New Zealand. Based on the global trend, qualitative interviews, and deeper quantitative analysis, the research makes a holistic and significant contribution to the ongoing discourse on urban development, particularly in the areas of urban resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability
Rethinking the Relationship Between Dating Services and the Hospitality Industry Through Speed Dating Events: A Partner Ecosystem Strategy
No full textThis study aims to develop a conceptual framework for the relationship between the hospitality and dating services industries, theorising this relationship by focusing on the role of speed dating events as a connecting intersection. Several theoretical foundations, including value (co)creation, service ecosystems, cue utilisation theory, and criteria for feasible and sustainable partnerships, were adopted to conceptualise this relationship. The new conceptual framework of relational value (co)creation introduces a novel joint concept that integrates the cues of both industries while allowing each to retain its unique identity. This study contributes to the understanding of relationships between organisations from different but intersecting industries, highlighting that ‘control’ is a key agent influencing the level of trust between organisations operating in intersecting industries, whilst the development of new avenues for collaboration enhances mutual returns from partnerships within the service ecosystem and creates opportunities for ‘unsaturated’ business partnerships
Application of Building Information Modeling for Energy Efficiency: A Systematic Review
No full textAs global warming worsens, reducing energy use is becoming increasingly crucial. In recent years, 34% of the world’s energy use has been consumed by buildings. Therefore, improving building energy efficiency is essential for halting climate change and promoting sustainability. In this regard, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is steadily emerging as a valuable tool for promoting energy efficiency. This research adopts a systematic review approach, and 87 articles were included for review. This research identified seven areas in which BIM plays a role in energy efficiency. For each area, workflows for the adoption of BIM were explored. Meanwhile, the advantages and disadvantages of each adoption of BIM were critically examined. In conclusion, visualization is the most helpful feature of BIM and is beneficial for almost all applications. In addition, software compatibility issues and high initial setup costs are the most common drawbacks of adopting BIM. This research makes several contributions to the literature. First, the results of this study help provide a better understanding of the importance of BIM in energy efficiency improvement. Secondly, our research supplements the energy field that identifies seven BIM use categories. Thirdly, this article critically examines the use of BIM in the building energy field
Screening and Assessment of Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors Among Pacific Youth Attending Community Health Events in Auckland
No full textAims: The primary objective of this study was to explore type 2 diabetes (T2D) awareness, knowledge, attitudes and risk factors among youth in Auckland.
Methods: We undertook convenience sampling of participants aged 16–25 years of Pacific and Māori descent recruited from South, Central and East Auckland through multiple community outreach events organised by the Tongan Health Society from 25 May to 31 July 2024. An additional three participants aged 26–31 years were assessed opportunistically to enhance our study power. Data were collected through a structured survey, an HbA1c point-of-care test, body composition assessments (using the TANITA RD-545 InnerScan PRO body composition scale) and height measurements.
Results: In a sample of 138 participants (aged 16–31 years; 58% female; 62% Tongan, 18% Samoan and 3% Māori), 51.9% were classified as obese, and one new case of diabetes was identified. Approximately 60.1% of participants reported awareness of T2D. Of these, 40% were made aware primarily through familial sources. High consumption of sugary drinks was common. Non-dietary risk factors included a first-degree family history of T2D (36%), smoking (39%) and alcohol consumption (45%). Most participants reportedly engaged in regular physical activity (41% males and 59% females). Participants suggested a multifaceted, youth-focussed care model, primarily lifestyle management for T2D prevention and management.
Conclusions: A significant proportion of young people aged 16–31 years were identified as obese and had a higher proportion of dietary and non-dietary risks for T2D. The results underscore the necessity for tailored prevention strategies, mainly aimed at Pacific and Māori youth, to mitigate the risk of future T2D development
Automated PAM Fluorometry as a Tool to Evaluate the Photosynthetic Response of Undaria pinnatifida to Experimental Warming
No full textOcean heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity, posing threats to coastal ecosystems. One potentially affected group is seaweeds, whose photosynthetic performance may be disrupted by elevated temperatures. Pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry is a non-invasive technique commonly used to assess species’ photosynthetic performance. However, its suitability for unattended and automated in situ monitoring of seaweed photosynthesis under heatwave conditions remains untested. To investigate this, three laboratory experiments were conducted using the invasive kelp species Undaria pinnatifida.
In each experiment, one blade from each of three specimens (Experiment 1) or six specimens (Experiments 2 and 3) of U. pinnatifida, acclimated in the laboratory under constant temperature and a diel light cycle, was mounted in front of a PAM fluorometer. The blades were held in fixed positions while the fluorometers automatically conducted saturation pulse (SP) analyses at 30-minute intervals—initially during an acclimation period, and subsequently throughout a warming phase. The measuring lights of the PAM fluorometer remained off between analyses, although the blades remained in place for at least 10 days.
SP analyses conducted during the first five hours after light onset each day were used to plot the relative electron transport rate (rETR) and photosynthetically active radiation(PAR) curves, with the slope (alpha) serving as a proxy for the efficiency of U. pinnatifida’s photosystem II (PSII). Inspection of the multi-day time series of alpha revealed a significant decline in PSII efficiency under constant temperature, suggesting that the experimental setup was unable to maintain stable PSII performance. Therefore, the second hypothesis remains inconclusive regarding the response of U. pinnatifida’s PSII efficiency to warming. Nevertheless, Experiment 1 indicated the possibility of a positive response to moderate warming from 14 to 19 °C, and a negative response to further warming to 23 °C. This was also evident in Experiments 2 and 3, despite an overall decline in PSII performance including blade discoloration.
Our experiments highlight a critical measurement artefact that must be addressed before attempting to monitor PSII performance in the field. Seaweed blades should not remain fixed in position during unattended automated fluorometry. Instead, they should be mounted on the fluorometer only for the duration of an SP analysis. Although more labour-intensive, this approach enables adequate replication when the number of available PAM fluorometers is limited, and reduces confounding effects associated with prolonged blade immobilisation