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Cycling networks in urban areas: A longitudinal study of New Zealand's major cities
No full textAs cities grow, they increase in complexity, requiring the urban environment to adjust and respond in ways to effectively use land resources. In order to support city development, cycling is generally regarded as an alternative to motorised transportation that contributes to sustainable cities. In many cities worldwide, a common concern associated with investing in cycling infrastructure is the cost-use nexus. In other words, does the investment and economic cost associated with developing this infrastructure influence its use? This study considers the three largest cities within New Zealand namely Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington and use daily cycling counts that captures cycling volumes on designated cycling routes. New Zealand has historically had a high share of personal motor vehicle ownership and use, and the development of new cycling networks is often met with opposition from local businesses and property owners.
We use a Geographically Weighted Regression which includes a continuous longitudinal dataset stretching between January 2018 and June 2024 with daily cycling counts to assess bicycle volumes at a country and city level. In general, these results indicate that cycling volumes for utilitarian use (that is to get to work) have a lower sensitivity to changes in distance compared to variations in weather conditions. At a city level, there are notable intercity differences in weather sensitivity. The results suggest that, although distance and precipitation have general effects, local factors, such as infrastructure quality, topography, weather adaptation measures and cultural attitudes toward cycling, play a critical role in modulating these relationships. The findings highlight the importance of city size and localised factors when planning urban cycleways in cities which will influence the transition from motorised to non-motorised transpor
Advanced phenology due to climate change is projected to shift precipitation patterns for key cultivar-region combinations in New Zealand
No full textContext of the study. Shifts in grapevine phenology driven by temperature increase due to climate change may result in different rainfall profiles between phenological stages. This may lead to extremes of excess or reduced water input at different phenological stages of the grapevine.
Purpose of the study. To evaluate precipitation for phenological periods under future climate change scenarios for key region-cultivar pairings in New Zealand: Sauvignon blanc- Marlborough, Merlot-Hawke’s Bay, and Pinot noir-Central Otago in New Zealand.
Material and methods. Six global circulation models (GCMs) were used to generate daily temperature and rainfall data and averaged across the GCMs for three periods: baseline (1985-2005), mid- (2031-2050) and end-century (2081-2100) using IPPC climate change scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The temperature data was used in phenological models simulated budburst to flowering, flowering to veraison, and veraison to target sugar concentration of 200 g/L, and three weeks prior to flowering. Rainfall indices of total precipitation (mm), number of rain days, and rainfall intensity (average precipitation per rain day) were calculated for each phenological phase for each region-cultivar combination.
Results. Rainfall projections increased from budburst to flowering but decreased for the other periods for Sauvignon blanc-Marlborough, and at times was accompanied by increased rainfall intensity due to fewer rain days. However, the total rainfall for the growing season was unchanged.
Merlot in Hawke’s Bay exhibited similar trends for phenophase changes in rainfall, but with fewer rain days, rainfall intensity was unchanged.
For Pinot noir in Central Otago, up to 37 mm more rainfall was projected between budburst and flowering compared to baseline, but conversely deficits of up to –20 mm was projected from veraison to target sugar concentrations by the end of the century.
Significance of study. The projected trends have adaptation management implications such as canopy management to manage vine vigour and disease pressure to manage projected increase rainfall between budburst and flowering for Central Otago-Pinot noir or lower risk of escalating disease in Hawkes-Bay Merlot due to no change in rainfall intensity. The projected differences highlight the importance of combining phenological modelling by cultivar and region, demonstrating a diverse range of potential futures for NZ winegrowing
Horizontal portability: a proposal for representing place‐based relational values in research and policy
No full text1. Relational values feature prominently in recent international efforts to protect global biodiversity. In this article, we provide a conceptual approach for researchers, facilitators and policy‐makers to adequately represent place‐based relational values in assessments of nature's value that inform practice and policy.
2. We suggest employing horizontal portability as an alternative and complement to the dominant mode of assessing nature's value via vertical subsumption. Vertical subsumption is a process through which particular values are generalised into overarching categories to conform to more general value concepts and thereby stripped of their place‐specific meanings. In contrast, horizontal portability is introduced here as a conceptual approach that maintains the contextual rootedness of place‐based local expressions of value while also communicating them across places, knowledge systems, and communities. The movement (i.e. ‘porting’) is ‘horizontal’ because it allows relational values rooted in a particular biocultural context to speak to different contexts on equal terms.
3. We discuss how research on the value of nature and people –nature relationships can support horizontal portability.
4. Finally, we provide recommendations for the application of horizontal portability that promotes more plurality and greater inclusion of place‐based relational values in research, policy and action
The potential of AI tools in shaping digital consumers’ behavior: Investigating e-commerce engagement of Chinese Generation Z
No full textPurpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential adoption of AI-powered tools by Chinese Generation Z (Gen Z) consumers in e-commerce. It aims to understand how factors, such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions, affect behavioral intention and user behavior towards AI-enhanced e-commerce platforms.
Design/methodology/approach - The study employed the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. A survey with 24 questions across six constructs was designed and distributed to Chinese Gen Z consumers aged 18–28. The research used convenience and quota sampling methods in four commercial complexes in a populous southwestern Chinese city, with 280 valid responses collected. The data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).
Findings - It is found that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions positively influence behavioral intention to use AI-powered e-commerce tools. Surprisingly, social influence shows a negative correlation with behavioral intention, suggesting that Chinese Gen Z consumers may not be swayed by others’ opinions in adopting these technologies. Facilitating conditions and behavioral intention both significantly affect user behavior. Gender differences can be observed, particularly in the impact of effort expectancy on behavioral intention.
Originality/value - This study extends the application of the UTAUT model to the rapidly evolving e-commerce sector, focusing on AI-powered tools and the unique characteristics of Chinese Gen Z consumers. By highlighting gender differences and the specific preferences of this generation, the research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of technology acceptance in e-commerce, guiding future marketing strategies and platform development
Monuments and feminist activism: Queen Isabel la Católica and Virgen Barbie in La Paz
No full textMonuments are significant sites of contestation where conflicting narratives are expressed through interventions such as graffiti, defacement, and destruction. This study investigates the Isabel la Católica monument and the Virgen (Virgin) Barbie in La Paz, Bolivia, focusing on how the anarcha-feminist collective Mujeres Creando uses creative interventions to challenge patriarchal and colonial narratives. Their actions, including graffiti, statue dressing, and performances, function as counter-memorials that critique European beauty standards and colonial principles while reimagining Indigenous feminine identity. We employed qualitative methods, including social media analysis and archival research, to examine the motivations behind and impacts of these interventions. Our findings reveal that these symbolic acts challenge colonial narratives, reshape public consciousness, and foster social change and healing. By introducing the concepts of resignification and recontextualisation, we offer insights into how such creative actions transform contested landscapes to reflect Indigenous values and contribute to broader social transformations
Exploring the synergistic effects of Grape seed tannin and psyllium husk fiber on the nutritional profile of starch : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Food Innovation at Lincoln University
No full textStarch is super versatile complex carbohydrate and a vital macronutrient providing energy to human body by breaking down into sugars. Starch structure and physicochemical properties vary from one source to another due to its interaction in food matrix. Interaction of starch with bioactive compounds such as tannins and fibre alter its textural and physicochemical properties by enhancing the overall nutritional profile. These interactions lead to production of functional foods having low glycaemic index. This study aimed to develop starch-fibre and starch-fibre-tannin complexes using corn starch (5%), grape seed tannins (0.5% by starch weight) and psyllium husk fibre (5% and 10%). The gels were prepared using Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA). Various analyses were conducted to capture the effect of fibre alone and fibre-tannin complex on starch properties. RVA studies showed an increase in the pasting viscosity of starch upon complexation with both fibres alone and the fibre-tannin complex. Starch-iodine binding studies were further conducted to unravel the mechanism of interaction between starch-fibre and starch-fibre-tannin with varied fibre concentrations. Decline in absorbance near 500-540 nm and 540-660 nm was observed in fibre only complex signifying that starch amylose helix was not available for iodine binding. Particle size distribution also showed variation in particle sizes of starch-fibre and starch-fibre-tannin complex in contrast to the control corn starch. Starch textural properties, including firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and index of viscosity, were significantly affected by the addition of fibre alone and the fibre-tannin complex. Addition of fibre at both 5% and 10 % concentrations increased the firmness and consistency in all treatments compared to corn starch sample. The 5% fibre-tannin complex exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, indicating that tannins had greater ability to reduce Fe3+ ions in the presence of 5% fibre compared to 10% fibre concentrations, both before and after incubation in the FRAP assay. A similar trend was observed in the ABTS assay. Therefore, highlighting the contribution of fibre-tannin complexes in improving the antioxidant ability of starch-based foods. A significant decrease in RDS content and an increase SDS and RS content was observed in all samples compared to control starch during in-vitro starch digestibility, which could be a contributing factor in improving overall nutritional properties of starchy foods
The food fight - overcoming the challenges of food fraud
No full textThis article discusses food fraud in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector. It outlines common types of food fraud, means of detection, challenges, suggestions to deal with it, matters of legality and regulatory oversight, and information on how to report it
Revisiting the base in evidence-based policy
No full textEvidence-based policy (EBP) has become widely embraced for its commitment to greater
uptake of scientific knowledge in policymaking. But what legitimizes EBP and in what respect are
evidence-based policymaking practices better than other policymaking practices? In this article,
we distinguish and refine three potential legitimizers of EBP. We suggest that evidence-based
policymaking practices are better because they “follow the science,” because they focus on “what
works,” or because they “follow the rules.” We discuss some consequences, for advocates of
EBP, of consciously adopting one or other of these legitimizers. Finally, we examine whether it is
appropriate to switch from advocating for EBP to advocating for evidence-informed policy
Characterising the sensory profile of walnut kernels using a Napping method combined with free text description
No full textNew Zealand's walnut sector has been rapidly growing since 1970. Exciting opportunities have been identified in cultivar development, export market perspectives, premium products and low carbon emissions related to growing. The walnut kernel is the main product of the sector. Growers would like to see the sensory uniqueness of their products using a convenient assessment.
This study aimed to develop a rapid sensory method to profile walnut kernel products. 9 walnut kernel products were sensorily evaluated with 20 semi-trained participants during a 2-hour session. A modified Napping was performed where participants were asked to group the samples based on their overall similarity, and then exhaust the sensory attributes and hedonic terms they perceived from each sample in a free text form. The free text was cleaned, destemmed and converted into a term-frequency table. The Napping coordinate and term-frequency table were analysed by a Procrustean Multiple Factor Analysis (PMFA) to generate a compromised product-attribute map. The results show that the walnuts were clearly differentiated in the map based on several key sensory attributes including visual brownness, rancidity smell, nutty flavour, roasted flavour, bitter taste, astringency texture and oiliness texture. It is concluded that Napping method can differentiate the walnut kernels efficiently while providing insights into the direction of difference in attributes. The walnut industry can easily adopt this method for in-house profiling. The next step will be linking physicochemical measurement to the sensory results and finding out the key drivers of their distinct sensory characteristics
Optimising texture-modified foods for dysphagia: An instrumental assessment for the effects of hydrocolloids and particle size in a chickpea model : A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Food innovation
No full textThis study investigated the rheological and textural properties of a chickpea-based model system for dysphagia management. Chickpeas (cooked) were selected for their nutritional profile and soft texture, processed into distinct particle sizes (150 µm–2.36 mm), and combined with Xanthan gum (XG) or carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC at concentrations (0.36–2%). Rheological measurements focused on yield stress, shear viscosity, and oscillatory frequency sweep tests, while hardness was assessed by texture profile analysis. Results revealed XG imparted significantly higher yield stress (73.55 vs. 18.79 Pa for CMC) and consistency coefficients (p G'') across all samples, essential for bolus integrity. Particle size exerted a notable effect: larger particles increased yield stress and viscosity, likely by creating a more rigid, cohesive matrix. Texture analysis demonstrated that low-viscosity CMC formulations with coarse particles unexpectedly increased hardness, highlighting the interplay between gum type, gum concentration, and particle size in tailoring food consistency.
The findings underscore the potential of modulating particle size and hydrocolloid selection to design dysphagia-friendly foods. Researchers and food developers can achieve specific textural targets—such as yield stress levels conducive to bolus formation—aligned with International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) recommendations. Although the focus was on 100 s⁻¹ shear conditions relevant to swallowing, further investigations should explore the full shear rate range encountered during oral processing and validate outcomes with direct IDDSI tests and Sensory and clinical assessments. Overall, this work provides a framework for developing nutrient-dense, texture-modified foods through synergistic control of particle size and hydrocolloid functionality, potentially improving both the safety and sensory acceptability of dysphagia diets