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Sensuous atmospheres of landscape and memory
No full textThe sensuous qualities of atmospheres are intimately tied to the landscape’s potency as a place of memory. More than any other design discipline, landscape architecture is bound to place, and the place-specificity of atmospheres is a critical component of the experiential landscape. In contrast to its close ally, architecture, landscape is spatially and temporally fluid. Landscape architecture is rooted to the ground, it is highly responsive to light, moisture, climate, and the intangibilities of memory.
Atmospheres have special potency in relation to the emotional experience of landscape, and this relates to how landscape might be inflected in ways which support reflections on memory. The connections between remembering, emotion, and atmospheres are illustrated in examples where affective spaces embrace the collective emotional experiences of grief and commemoration (Sumartojo 2015).
This paper steps through the relationships between atmospheres and each of the realms of sensuousness, memory, and landscape architecture, in turn. These three threads are then drawn together in the question of whether atmospheres can be designed, and how this could be done. Finally, two case studies of designed landscapes that manifest atmospheres in relation to sensory and emotional experiences of memory are presented
Collisions in junior rugby: Incidence, magnitude and the potential of headgear to reduce impact accelerations
No full textIntroduction: The safety and neurological health of rugby union athletes receiving concussive and sub-concussive impacts during the sport remains a public health concern. Rugby has been found to be the contact sport with the highest concussion incidence and a predictor of severe injury relative to other sports. While there has been growing rugby collision research, there is still relatively little research measuring head impacts forces and investigating their influence on cognition and brain structure and function with junior rugby players. Additionally, more research is required that examines novel headgear models' ability to attenuate impact forces. This study aimed to measure the incidence and magnitude of head accelerations from collisions in Year 8 players.
Methods: Nineteen Year 8 male rugby players and 12-13 years wore instrumented mouthguards during all games and contact trainings. The collisions were video verified and coded according to relevant rugby and biomechanical descriptors.
Results: 958 verified HAEs were recorded during the season. Of these, 85.2% involved direct head contact and 14.8% involved indirect contact elsewhere on the body. Backs experienced fewer HAEs than forwards. Incidence range per player was 7 to 246 HAEs across the season, with an average of 50.4. Average PLA was 17.54 g at trainings and 21.73 g at games. Average PRA was 1732.53 rads/s2 at training and 2247.83 rads/s2 at games. Backs experienced significantly higher PLA (p=.014, Cohen’s d=.168) and PRA was (p=.004, Cohen's d=.198) than forwards. PRA and PLA in HAEs were lower when wearing headgear with PRA being significantly lower (p=<.001, Cohens d=.287). Well anticipated impacts resulted in lower PLA and PRA than both poorly (PLA p=.009, Cohen's d=.151; PRA p=.052) and non-anticipated (PLA p=.033, Cohen's d=.295; PRA p=.021, Cohen's d=.304) impacts.
Conclusions: After the first season of data collection, we can report preliminary results. Headgear shows promise in this age-group in significantly reducing rotational acceleration to the head during rugby collisions and potential in reducing linear acceleration
Electrochemical oxidation of low-concentration methane on Pt/Pt and Pt/CP under ambient conditions
No full textMethane is a potent greenhouse gas, and its rapid conversion at low concentrations under ambient conditions is a challenging process where combustion is not an option. Herein, we report an electrochemical method to address this problem. It was achieved by applying an oxidation potential to electrochemically activate methane followed by conducting an anodic cyclic voltammogram to fully oxidize activated methane to carbon dioxide on platinized Pt mesh (Pt/Pt) and carbon paper (Pt/CP). This “dynamic potential” oxidation approach enabled methane conversion with low energy consumption, thanks to the low activation potential. Effects of various experimental conditions (applied potential, reaction time, and methane concentration) were investigated. Pure methane and methane/nitrogen gas mixtures containing a series of low concentrations of methane were tested. It was found that methane conversion is independent of its concentration on both Pt/Pt and Pt/CP. Compared to Pt/Pt electrocatalysis, Pt/CP displayed approximately 10 times higher catalytic activity, which can be attributed to the stronger binding of intermediate CO* to Pt, leading to easier CO* activation in the presence of a carbon substrate. Carbon dioxide was the only compound detected during the electro-oxidation phase for Pt/Pt, while for Pt/CP, carbon dioxide and a small amount of formic acid (after 15 h reaction) were observed. Electrocatalytic conversion of methane to carbon dioxide on Pt/CP using 0.5% methane was measured, giving a methane conversion rate of 7.5 × 10¯⁸ mol L¯¹ s¯¹ m¯², while the methane conversion rate on Pt/Pt with 1% methane was only 8.3 × 10¯⁹ mol L¯¹s¯¹ m¯²
‘A shared vision and a common enemy’: Reframing narratives of crisis and climate politics through Aotearoa's COVID-19 response and recovery
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic catalysed a time of significant upheaval and change at multiple levels of politics and society. Early on, connections were made with the climate crisis. This featured strongly in global calls for a green recovery and the opportunities for pandemic stimulus to spur co-benefits with climate action. Highlighting the global and cascading nature of crises in the Anthropocene, the pandemic provided an opportunity to shed light on the political and societal determinants of multiple crises and the often temporary hopes for transformation that arise in their wake. While there is much literature on how crises provide these ‘windows of opportunity’ for attention and resources, there is much less attention on how the experience of, and discourses associated with, an emergent crisis reframe the politics of more chronic ones. This paper uses an analysis of media articles released during the pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand to analyse the ways that COVID-19 reframed narratives relating to climate change politics in four key ways: the possibilities for collective action, the need for greater ambition, threats to progress and premonitions of future crises. We argue that these new narratives offer insights into how the place-specific experience and response to one crisis can reframe another, and which narratives may become elevated or obscured. In doing so, we demonstrate how the pandemic acted as more than a window of opportunity, becoming a temporary catalyst for new framings of the climate crisis and crisis-driven political change more generally
Residential construction and disruptive events in the Greater Christchurch region: A study of the factors affecting the interplay between timber framing and steel framing
No full textThis study focuses on two disruptive events that have occurred within the residential construction industry in the Greater Christchurch region of New Zealand. The first event that this study examines is the Canterbury earthquake sequence of 2010-2011. The estimated $NZD 45 billion in damage that resulted from this earthquake has made it the second highest insurance payout for a natural disaster in history globally (Omera, 2016). This caused changes to regulations in not only the insurance sector, but also prompted the New Zealand building industry to reassess the suitability of various building materials for seismic conditions. The second disruptive event that this study examines is the Covid-19 pandemic and the issues that this has caused in terms of supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and price rises, further emphasising the need for resilient, cost-effective, and sustainable construction solutions. In response to these challenges, steel framing has been put forward as an alternative to conventional timber framing to provide a potential solution to the aforementioned challenges caused by these two disruptive events. The purpose of this research is to examine whether these two disruptive events influenced the choice of steel framing over timber framing as a building material for homes. It evaluates the factors influencing the adoption of steel framing in terms of resilience and long-term value over timber framing in New Zealand residential construction. Disaster Capitalism Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour are integrated into a conceptual framework that provides the foundation for this research. Random and purposive sampling techniques are utilised, with questionnaires administered amongst both the constructors and the buyers of residential properties in the Greater Christchurch region, while Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) will use in the study to evaluate the hypotheses. This study aims to empower managers to respond quickly to market changes, improve the resilience of their buildings, and communicate effectively with policymakers. This will help to ensure the overall sustainability and success of both current and future projects within the New Zealand construction industry
Horizon Europe-REDESIGN project
No full textIntroduction to Horizon Europe Project "REDESIGN"
(HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-01-1). Food consumption in urban areas depends often on long and distant supply chains. Poor integration of the urban food system with the built environment is a cause of food insecurity
Embedding cultural aspects in engineering and construction education
No full textCONTEXT
One of the common graduate attributes of tertiary students involve appreciation of the societal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities. In New Zealand and some other commonwealth countries, cultural considerations would include two dimensions of bi-culturalisms and multiculturalism concepts.
PURPOSE OR GOAL
In recent years, university class compositions usually consist of students who come from significantly diverse cultural groups. Review of literature shows that even though there are some studies on integration of cultural concepts in teaching, but there are still limited works on practical methods for incorporating cultural concepts in the context of engineering and construction. In this paper, a case study of integrating the cultural aspects in a particular engineering course is discussed.
APPROACH OR METHODOLOGY/METHODS
The integration of cultural aspects in teaching can be approached through several methods. In this case study, the focus is to incorporate discussions and examples from diverse cultural contexts relevant to engineering and construction practices. The cultural concepts were incorporated in the teaching contents, class activities and within a course assignment/project.
ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
The outcomes and lessons learned from this experience are discussed through the authors’ autoethnographic reflection. The students generally engaged well in the class and in the project. They investigated various traditional buildings or historical engineering/construction techniques from different cultures and communities including Māori case studies. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/SUMMARY The practical examples of cultural/traditional engineering and construction cases discussed here can be used by educators and can be potentially integrated in teaching relevant engineering or construction courses. The students' projects and their findings and reflections highlighted the fact that engineering and construction, like many other fields, have always been a collective human endeavour shaped by diverse cultural contributions. This realization would not only enhance the students’ cultural awareness, motivation and sense of connection with engineering but also highlights how sustainability and cultural significance can inspire innovative practices in engineering and construction
Quality enhancement of Barramundi kamaboko using vortex fluidic device modified starch and fish gelatin
No full textIntroduction: Prime quality kamaboko (cooked surimi) is produced from Alaska pollock. The main challenge of using cheaper fish fillets, including Barramundi, is achieving similar textures.
Methods: Combined with fish gelatin, modified starch by vortex fluidic device was used to enhance the quality of kamaboko made from Barramundi.
Results: Modification by a continuous flow vortex fluidic device (VFD) significantly reduces the size of particles of starch relative to conventional homogenization. Blending this VFD-modified starch with fish gelatin resulted in a well-organized cross-linked matrix compared to products manufactured from homogenization modified starch. This led to higher gel strength of the former (1,708.32 g/cm² ) relative to the latter (832.56 g/cm² ). Mixing different proportions of fish gelatin and VFD-processed starch to make Barramundi kamaboko (5, 10, and 15%), yielded a product with greater chewiness relative to Alaska pollock kamaboko. Sensory evaluation indicated that the 5% product was optimal and the 15% product with the highest chewiness (56.10 N) was the least favorable.
Discussion: These results clearly indicate the potential of VFD processed starch, blended with fish gelatin to enhances the quality of kamaboko
Networks of risk: International tourists as a biosecurity pathway into national parks
No full textInternational tourists are recognised as vectors of alien microbes, plants, and animals into protected areas worldwide, either by introducing species from overseas or redistributing alien species within a region. Quantitative estimates of the risk from this introduction pathway have relied on surveys of invasive alien species associated with tourist clothing or transport vectors. In contrast, the large-scale movement of tourists across multiple protected areas within a region has rarely been examined. The New Zealand International Visitor Survey was used to estimate the frequency with which several thousand international travellers visited the nation’s 13 national parks. Trends in international visitor movements were compared immediately prior to the closure of international borders due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and again once the border had reopened. Approximately one-third of international visitors only visited a single national park but over 20% visited five or more. The long tail in the frequency of national parks visited highlights that a small number of tourists pose a greater risk of introducing or moving invasive alien species among different protected areas. European tourists visited more national parks and were more likely to camp or stay in mountain huts while in New Zealand, potentially posing a greater biosecurity risk than other nationalities. The largely montane nature of most national parks imposes a strong bioclimatic filter on alien species establishment and combined with border controls, suggests international tourists pose a greater risk by disseminating already established alien species more widely among and within national parks. Network analyses highlighted geographic clustering of national parks based on tourist movements that might facilitate regional spread of alien species. Greater investment in the education of international tourists about the biosecurity risks they pose through spreading alien species into national parks is needed to address Target 6 of the Global Biodiversity Framework
Inherent and adaptive resilience of logistics operations in food supply chains
No full textThis study aims to investigate the sources of resilience for logistics operations as it relates to food supply chains and their responses during natural disasters and other disruptions. The literature tends to treat inherent and adaptive resilience as somewhat separate constructs. Thus, this study also aims to provide some insights into the relatively underexamined area of how inherent resilience synergistically works with adaptive resilience to maintain flows for food supply chains in a developing economy context. To address the research aim, two supply chain wide case studies were used to investigate the contribution of logistic activities toward the resilience of foods supply chains in two different South Asian regions. This context was selected as these regions are prone to frequent natural disruptions and other disruptions, and these food supply chains also play a crucial role in economy and providing relief supplies to their communities. Logistics operations play a key role in achieving overall supply chain resilience. The sources of inherent resilience are the network structure, buffer capacity, and strong social connections among the actors. Adaptive resilience is derived from transportation flows, storage, information sharing, and demand management processes. Surprisingly, resilience in this context is achieved despite the relatively low level of integration, an unsophisticated technological landscape and compromised logistics infrastructure. Still, resilience can be enhanced further. This study contributes to the sparse literature that examines logistics activities that influence the resilience of food supply chains in the context of natural disasters and other disruptions. Furthermore, uncovering the substructure of logistics resilience activities, and surprisingly, the synergies between inherent and adaptive resilience, adds to the emerging body of literature