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The health-related properties and potential applications of yacon concentrate NZFOS+
No full textYacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), a sustainable foodstuff, is perceived as a functional food because it contains biologically active components e.g. fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, and phenolic compounds that may provide physiological benefits beyond basic nutrition to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. There is a growing public interest in why and how to use yacon. Yacon, originally from South America, has been grown in New Zealand since 1980’s. NZ-produced yacon concentrate NZFOS+ contains the purest natural prebiotic FOS. Our study aimed to examine the phytochemical contents of NZFOS+ and its health-related properties. The glycemic index of yacon concentrate was measured by ISO 26642:2010(E) (n=10). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured by spectrometric method. The chlorogenic acid content and phenolic profiling were measured using the liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The antioxidant activity of the yacon concentrate and Manuka honey were compared using the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), Ferric-ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The results indicated that compared to Manuka honey, yacon concentrate has a lower glycemic index (40 vs 52); a higher content of total phenolic (5430mg vs 744mg GAE/100g), total flavonoid (329mg vs 22mg QE/100g), and chlorogenic acid (11.88μg vs 0.08μg CA/g); across all assays observed, a significantly higher antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC assay, 892mg vs 52.6mg TE/100g; FRAP assay, 633mg vs 47mg TE/100g; DPPH assay, 383mg vs 22mg TE/100g, respectively). The study proved that yacon concentrate is low in glycemic impact and high in antioxidant capacity, which are associated with the maintenance of health and wellbeing and prevention of chronic diseases. Further investigations are needed for human studies and new applications of yacon concentrate. Yacon concentrate (NZFOS+) has potential markets in the development of new food products and new dietotherapy applications, e.g. in the form of syrup, and functional prebiotic drinks
Orientation/education package for internationally qualified nurses (IQNS) at clinical placement in aged residential care facilities
No full textLearning objectives
Background
Current issues
Positive characteristics
Knowledge gaps
Developing an education package
Findings from informal conversation
Methods of qualitative research
Simple random sample collection & thematic analysis
Themes and subthemes
Quality too; PDCA
Orientation/Education package
Conclusion
Recommendations
Reference
Segregation of foraging areas by breeding tākapu/ Australasian Gannets Morus serrator in the Hauraki Gulf
No full textRESEARCH QUESTIONS
How do tākapu partition the gulf resource?
Topgraphically constrained
Are there favoured forgaing areas?
How persistent are these?
Do individual tākpau show patterns to foraging?
Do foraging patterns provide indication of important foraging rules (cues to finding ephemeral prey
Rapid transition to emergency teaching online: The experience of tertiary teachers and implications for vocational education
No full textOperational definitions:
Emergency Transition to Remote Learning which is different to e-Learning or Online learning
Participant characteristics
Years of teaching
How familiar were you with online teaching?
Challenges faced by lecturers
Teacher perceived student issues
The effects of emergency remote teaching (1) ("‘Missing the light bulb moments’ (Participant 2))
The effects of emergency remote teaching (2) ("We saw each other’s homes and met family members and recognised we were all in it together” (Participant 26))
Implications for vocational education
Reflection
Visualising a shift in thinking: Designing a value object to support perpetrators of domestic violence
No full textThis research focused on a group of people that don’t generally have a voice in everyday discourse – perpetrators of domestic violence. Stopping Violence Dunedin (SVD) is run by experienced facilitators who instead of placing blame on their clients, work to empower them with a sense of community and positive self-worth. These men, who often come from violent backgrounds themselves, are taught to build on their own sense of worth and work towards a positive life without violence. The strong sense of community that develops in group sessions at SVD plays a large part in their positive journey of change.
I developed a design inquiry by engaging in qualitative methods, led by the Double Diamond design methodology to discover and define a research problem. To understand the context and the people involved, this included research about perpetrators of domestic violence (DV), inquiry through practice (expert interviews and focus groups) as well as iterative design methods (sketching, word association, ideation, reflection, and feedback). Contextual research was combined with an inquiry of perpetrator stories in order to understand meaning and identity within this particular community. This was guided by the principles of the Double Diamond method, a non-linear design method exploring needs, ideas and opportunities of a project by using a Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver approach. The two-diamond approach first developed by IDEO works through a process of deep discovery using divergent thinking, followed by focused action. A critical viewpoint provided an understanding that cultural groups display varying degrees of complexities and communication design can work with communities to reframe possibilities towards achieving new goals.
By considering the system of interactions and experiences at Stopping Violence Dunedin, I identified a series of themes and milestones for the men which led to the development of a designed value object. A value object can refer to that which creates value for the user. In this case, the object created a value proposition, working to celebrate the milestones that these men reach in their journey of change supporting the possibility of an alternative future for the men – a future without violenc
Innovative food packaging, food quality and safety, and consumer perspectives
No full textPackaging is an integral part of the food industry associated with food quality and safety including food shelf life, and communications from the marketing perspective. Traditional food packaging provides the protection of food from damage and storage of food products until being consumed. Packaging also presents branding and nutritional information and promotes marketing. Over the past decades, plastic films were employed as a barrier to keep food stuffs safe from heat, moisture, microorganisms, dust, and dirt particles. Recent advancements have incorporated additional functionalities in barrier films to enhance the shelf life of food, such as active packaging and intelligent packaging. In addition, consumer perception has influences on packaging materials and designs. The current trend of consumers pursuing environmental-friendly packaging is increased. With the progress of applied technologies in the food sector, sustainable packaging has been emerging in response to consumer preferences and environmental obligations. This paper reviews the importance of food packaging in relation to food quality and safety; the development and applications of advanced smart, active, and intelligent packaging systems, and the properties of an oxygen barrier. The advantages and disadvantages of these packaging are discussed. Consumer perceptions regarding environmental-friendly packaging that could be applied in the food industry are also discussed
Tamaki Makaurau ECE Teacher Education Providers Network Partnership in ITE
No full textCommittee Members come together from the following tertiary providers
The Tamaki Makaurau ECE Teacher Education Providers Network
Key aspects of the Associate Teacher Symposium
A typical day at the AT Symposium: Partnership in action
In 2008 ATs shared the following expectations of students need to be able to
Key areas that AT’s wanted ITE providers to conside
The effects of strength and balance training using a Rock-it Board in an ageing population
Get PDFBACKGROUND
Strength and balance programs are a well-established training method in preventing falls in people over the age of 65 years. However, there is limited research investigating the effects of strength and balance training using a stability training device, and no research to date using a Rock-it Board.
AIM
The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether the use of a Rock-it Board stability training device could improve strength and balance in older people, which could potentially reduce the risk of a fall.
METHOD
This study used a randomised parallel-group design trial with an experimental and control group. The experimental group consisted of five females (mean ± SD, age 77 ± 3.4 years, 70.9 ± 9.7 kg and 160.2 ± 4.6 cm) and two males (mean ± SD, age 75.5 ± 3.5 years, 78.9 ± 7.9kg, 167.8 ± 0.4 cm). The control group consisted of seven females (mean ± SD, age 64.3 ± 4.7 years, 68.0 ± 6.2 kg and 161.86 ± 4.4 cm). The experimental and control groups completed pre-intervention exercise testing consistent with the OEP. The tests used were the Romberg Test, Timed Up and Go Test, Functional Reach Test, Sit to Stand Test, Left and Right Knee Extension Force Test and a Stair Climb Test. The experimental group exercise sessions' training comprised one session twice a week of 50 minutes for four weeks. Due to a nationwide lockdown, training was continued for two additional weeks before post-testing could commence. The training, designed to improve strength and balance, consisted of a warm-up and then seven dynamic balance exercises based on movements from the OEP adapted to be used with a Rock-it Board stability training device. The control group participants were asked to maintain their habitual exercise routines but refrain from additional organised training during the six weeks.
RESULTS
The results showed significant improvements for the experimental group in the Romberg Test (p=0.023) and the Timed Up and Go Test (p=0.03). The Romberg Test showed a magnitude of improvement in the experimental group of 36.7 %, with a large effect size (d) of 1.05. The Timed Up and Go Test showed a magnitude of improvement in the experimental group of –6.3 % with a moderate effect size (d) of 0.68. Other measures suggested that the invention improved the performance of the participants; however, none of these measures achieved significance.
CONCLUSION
The major finding of this study is that six weeks of dynamic balance training using a Rock-it Board improved several measures of balance and stability in older individuals. The improvements in test performance may be associated with improvements in strength and potentially neuro-muscular function. Since falls rarely commence from a static position, this study recommends that older individuals would benefit from more active and dynamic training interventions over static strength-based training programmes
A scoping review: What is known about the reasoning behind using paper versus screen resources and its impact on engagement and comprehension?
No full textThis project identifies factors and examines the use of screens or paper to assist health professionals’ reasoning when developing and providing educational resources for clients who have had a concussion. Many educational resources are now provided in traditional formats as well as more contemporary formats such as webpages and apps. The development of contextually relevant evidence-based multimedia client resources is inherently challenging, due to the fast-paced changes in technology that are now an integral part of how we live and learn.
This study employed a scoping review methodology and reviewed the current research and knowledge on the use of screen versus paper to inform occupational therapy practice. The search strategy of two research databases narrowed the analysed research down to 13 articles published within the last five years. The key themes were extracted from the articles and displayed in mind map format, with the results presented as a visual map.
The three key areas which emerged from this research were cognitive maps, comprehension, and preferences. Although there needs to be an awareness of cognitive maps and comprehension, the findings show no significant difference between reading from screen or paper resources. Therefore, consideration of an individual’s preferences is relevant and prioritised. A visual map was used to summarise the ideas from the findings and could potentially guide a therapist’s client-centred practice by demonstrating the complex factors which impact the client’s preference for screen or paper resources. Health professionals can utilise both screen and paper resources for clients’ education; however, clients’ concussion symptoms and preferences need consideration
A first New Zealand study looked at the role of lutetium-177-P SMA I &T in the progression of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer
No full textProstate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland and is resistant to castration is a deadly disease that poses a threat to men's health. The current standard of care for metastatic prostate cancer is hormonal manipulation. However, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) remains a significant treatment and management challenge. Recently, the use of lutetium-177 (Lu177) labelled ligands against PSMA was found to be compelling and resulted in an increase in overall patient survival