21436 research outputs found
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VLamax Correlates Strongly With Glycolytic Performance
No full textVLamax estimates an athlete’s maximal-glycolytic rate. This study aimed to determine the relationships between the VLamax and cycle ergometry efforts with a high-glycolytic energy contribution and the influence of VLamax and VO2max on respiratory compensation point. Eleven national-international endurance cyclists (VO2max = 70.7 ± 5.9 ml·kg−1·min−1) completed a 15-s isokinetic-test with pre- and postlactate measurements to determine VLamax, a 1-min maximal effort, and a ramp test to exhaustion in a single test session. The main findings showed strong relationships between VLamax and the mean absolute (r = 0.83, p =.002) and relative (r = 0.88, p =.0004) power during the lactic interval of the 15-s isokinetic-test. This relationship weakened when comparing VLamax with mean absolute (r = 0.52, p =.098) and relative (r = 0.29, p =.393) power during a 1-min maximal effort. Combining the VLamax and VO2max data through multiple regression resulted in a positive effect on the estimation of respiratory compensation point. It was concluded that the VLamax is a relevant indicator of maximal glycolytic rate. However, this metric currently lacks scientific validation as an accurate estimate of glycolytic rate and provides minimal extra information over using the power output from the isokinetic test alone. Practitioners may simply measure power over glycolytically demanding efforts to understand the maximal glycolytic rate of their athletes.fals
Effective Theory for Strongly Attractive One-Dimensional Fermions
No full textWe study a one-dimensional system of two-component fermions in the limit of strong attractive particle-particle interactions. First, we analyze scattering in the corresponding few-body problem, which is analytically solvable via Bethe ansatz. This allows us to engineer effective interactions between the system's effective degrees of freedom: fermions and bosonic dimers (tightly bound pairs of fermions). We argue that, although these interactions are strong, the resulting effective problem can be mapped onto a weakly interacting one, paving the way for the use of perturbation theory. This finding simplifies studies of many-fermion systems under confinement that are beyond reach of state-of-the-art numerical methods. We illustrate this statement by considering an impurity atom in a Fermi gas.fals
Household food insecurity, nutrient intakes and BMI in New Zealand infants
No full textObjective: The first year of life is a critical period when nutrient intakes can affect long-term health outcomes. Although household food insecurity may result in inadequate nutrient intakes or a higher risk of obesity, no studies have comprehensively assessed nutrient intakes of infants from food insecure households. This study aimed to investigate how infant nutrient intakes and body mass index (BMI) differ by household food security.
Design: Cross-sectional analysis of the First Foods New Zealand study of infants aged 7–10 months. Two 24-hour diet recalls assessed nutrient intakes. “Usual” intakes were calculated using the Multiple Source Method. BMI z-scores were calculated using World Health Organization Child Growth Standards.
Setting: Dunedin and Auckland, New Zealand.
Participants: Households with infants (n=604) classified as: severely food insecure, moderately food insecure, or food secure.
Results: Nutrient intakes of food insecure and food secure infants were similar, aside from slightly higher free and added sugars intakes in food insecure infants. Energy intakes were adequate, and intakes of most nutrients investigated were likely to be adequate. Severely food insecure infants had a higher mean BMI z-score than food secure infants, although no significant differences in weight categories (underweight; healthy weight; overweight) were observed between groups.
Conclusions: Household food insecurity, in the short term, does not appear to adversely impact the nutrient intakes and weight status of infants. However, mothers may be protecting their infants from potential nutritional impacts of food insecurity. Future research should investigate how food insecurity affects nutrient intakes of the entire household.fals
Identifying Key Factors Influencing the Selection of Sustainable Building Materials in New Zealand
No full textThe construction sector is a major contributor to climate change, with embodied carbon emissions from building materials representing a critical share of its environmental footprint. Selecting zero-carbon materials is therefore essential for reducing life-cycle emissions while advancing global climate goals. This study investigates six decision-making factors, including cost-effectiveness, durability, buildability, embodied carbon, availability, and aesthetics, and evaluates four alternative materials (wood, hemp, rammed earth, and straw bale) in the New Zealand context. A survey of 203 industry professionals was analysed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, and structural equation modelling (SEM). Using a 5-point Likert scale, the survey assessed six factors affecting material choice: cost-effectiveness, durability, buildability, embodied carbon, aesthetics, and material availability. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SEM via Partial Least Squares analysis. The results revealed that embodied carbon and material availability were the most influential factors shaping zero-carbon material selection. Among the available alternatives, hemp emerged as the most preferred material, while cost-effectiveness and wood showed moderate impacts, and aesthetic considerations had the least influence. These findings highlight that environmental performance and practical accessibility are central drivers of decision-making when adopting zero-carbon materials. This study contributes to developing effective strategies for promoting the widespread adoption of zero-carbon materials, thereby supporting New Zealand’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.fals
Phantom : disrupting consumer spectacle through interactive gaming : an exegesis presented partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
No full textInteractive digital games can serve as effective tools for fostering critical awareness of consumer culture and encouraging reflection on consumption habits. This is particularly relevant for younger audiences who heavily exposed to brand massaging and digital marketing in their daily lives. This project was prompted by concern about community fragmentation, and the role of corporate branding in shaping spatial environments and social relationships. The research explores how interactive gaming mechanics can be applied to disrupt consumer spectacle and promote critical examination of the relationship between brands, local businesses, and community spaces. The research leads to the development of Phantom, an interactive game that enables players to photograph imagery from local mom-and-pop shops and use the image to replace corporate brand logo in commercial environments. Within this paradigm of critical design, the project creates a digital space that explores consumer culture critique through the lens of detournement and spatial resistance. This game concept aims to foster critical consumer awareness among young demographic and encourage reflection on alternatives to corporate-dominated commercial spaces
Validation of a Relative Centrifugal Force method for the enumeration and detection of Campylobacter from chicken carcass rinsates
No full textCampylobacteriosis is the most frequently notified foodborne disease in New Zealand and poultry is the predominant infection source. New Zealand monitors Campylobacter present in poultry carcass rinsates under the National Microbiological Database (NMD) programme. To better monitor Campylobacter control improvements, a more sensitive method is required that can enumerate rinsates with lower Campylobacter numbers. This study developed a modification of the current NMD method involving adding a relative centrifugal force (RCF) step for concentrating Campylobacter from poultry carcass rinsates. Centrifugation for 30 min significantly improved Campylobacter recovery compared with 15 min (p < 0.001), but there were no differences between RCFs of 3500, 4000 and 4430 x g (p = 0.992). RCF and NMD method performances were compared in a single laboratory validation study that used different inoculation levels of twelve Campylobacter strains, including poultry isolates. Campylobacter was detected from more samples (p < 0.001) using the RCF method (93 of 126; 73.8 %) than the NMD method (65 of 126; 51.6 %). The RCF method had a seven-fold lower detection limit (28 colony forming units (CFU)/400 ml) than the NMD method (200 CFU/400 ml). The detection limit accounted for an observed 70.3 % of the inoculated CFU captured within the centrifuged pellet. Campylobacter was also detected from significantly more (p < 0.001) commercial chicken rinsate samples tested by poultry industry laboratories using the RCF method (257 of 863; 29.8 %) than the NMD method (114 of 863; 13.2 %). Taken together, results support the RCF method as a modification of the NMD method to enumerate lower numbers of Campylobacter in rinsates.fals
Assessing Occurrence Patterns of Shallow Hikurangi Slow Slip Events Using Renewal Processes
No full textWe investigate the occurrence patterns of SSEs along the shallow (<15 km) portion of the Hikurangi subduction zone. First, we build a manual catalog constraining timing and length of 92 SSEs between 2006 and 2024. Then, we investigate SSE occurrence patterns by fitting a renewal process, using Bayesian inference to obtain the posterior distribution of model parameters. Our results show that SSE recurrence intervals vary along the Hikurangi margin; less frequent SSEs occur in the southern part of the margin. The periodicity of SSEs also changes along strike. SSEs in the northern part of the margin occur more regularly than those at the central part. Finally, we do not find conclusive evidence that 2016 Mw 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake had a lasting effect on SSE occurrence patterns.fals
Colloidal properties of milk and plant-based milk alternatives: A structural perspective
No full textPlant-based milk alternatives (PMAs) are less nutritious and more difficult to standardise than dairy milk. Their low colloidal stability is one of the major challenges hindering efforts to enhance their nutritional value by increasing components such as protein and lipids. This property often leads to undesirable phenomena such as phase separation, sedimentation, and creaming, all of which affect product acceptability, manufacturing processes, and even digestibility. This article outlines the colloidal properties and structural characteristics of protein particles and fat globules/oil droplets in both cow milk and PMAs, highlighting the differences in their behaviours during processing and digestion. It also presents strategies to formulate PMAs with colloidal properties that more closely resemble those of cow milk, particularly in terms of stability under processing conditions. Finally, it proposes the use of hybrid protein particles containing a combination of plant and milk proteins, which exhibit unique structural features, improved functional properties, and distinct digestion behaviours, to improve PMA characteristics.fals
Healthcare avoidance and stress risks in the New Zealand population of pilots and air traffic controllers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Aviation at Massey University, Manawatū School of Aviation, New Zealand
No full textMaster of Aviation thesisThis study was initiated to understand if the population of pilots and ATCOs in New Zealand engage in healthcare avoidance behaviours due to a fear of the impact upon their aviation medical certificate. For this question, this study has, in part, sought to make a comparison to the Healthcare Avoidance study (HCA) by Hoffman et al (2022). However, since this study’s overall objective is to discover to what degree the aviation system in New Zealand is exposed to this behaviour, it is the first study which includes ATCOs into the survey population. The reasoning is that because ATCOs are also required to hold an aviation medical certificate and are also integral to aviation system safety. As an extension to the HCA study outcomes, a question to do with avoidance behaviours directly associated with mental health was included to gain insight specifically around this highly safety sensitive topic. Since the avoidance of healthcare may be associated with concerns regarding a declining health issue, a study objective was to find if the population is exposed to cumulative stressors which may predict poor health outcomes
Impacts of Food Fortification on Micronutrient Intake and Nutritional Status of Women of Reproductive Age in Africa—A Narrative Review
No full textMore than two-thirds of women of reproductive age (WRA) in Africa are estimated to be micronutrient deficient. This is largely due to the widespread poor dietary quality and inadequate intakes of nutrient-dense foods to meet the heightened requirements for WRA. Food fortification is a cost-effective and highly recommended food-based approach for addressing these micronutrient deficiencies in low-income settings like Africa. The strategy has been implemented at different scales within the region for over 3 decades. We conducted a review to find evidence of the impact of food fortification implemented at various scales and across different population circumstances in Africa. We also sought to understand what factors may limit the impact of ongoing fortification programs on micronutrient status. We also explored findings regarding the knowledge and acceptability of fortified foods within the African population as a further barrier to the impact of food fortification on nutritional status. We found that fortification with iron and vitamin A was associated with the most variable impact from targeted and large-scale fortification programs. However, significant positive effects on nutritional status and serum biomarkers were found for food fortification with folate, iodine, and zinc among African women. Generally, fortified foods are acceptable to consumers; however, surveys assessing knowledge and preference for fortified foods found that WRA know little about food fortification and its benefits. Poor coverage of fortification, lower levels of fortificants than are recommended, and use of non-World Health Organization recommended fortificants limit the impact of food fortification on micronutrient intakes and status among WRA in Africa.fals