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Types of employment and well-being of rural residents: A multinomial endogenous switching regression application
No full textThis study examines how participation in different types of employment affects rural residents' well-being, measured by household income and life satisfaction. Unlike previous studies that only consider binary employment status, we measure three employment types (pure farm work, mixed work, and pure non-farm work). Using the Chinese Social Survey data, we employ a multinomial endogenous switching regression model to address selection bias issues due to observed and unobserved heterogeneities and estimate the treatment effects simultaneously. The results suggest that relative to pure farm work, participation in pure non-farm work and mixed work significantly increases rural residents' well-being by increasing household income and life satisfaction. We also find that the income and life satisfaction enhancing effects of participation in pure non-farm work and mixed work (relative to participation in pure farm work) are generally larger for males (relative to females). These findings enrich our understanding of rural residents' employment choices. Rural development programs should consider helping pure farm workers (especially rural women) to participate in mixed and non-farm work to maximize rural residents’ well-being and boost sustainable rural development
Promoting sustainable agri-food production to achieve food and nutrition security: The role of soil conservation practices
No full textWe examine the role of soil conservation practices (SCPs) in promoting sustainable agri-food production to achieve food and nutrition security. To this end, we use the endogenous treatment regression model, as it allows us to address the selection bias associated with SCP adoption. Data sourced from the 2020 China Land Economic Survey, collected by Nanjing Agricultural University, China, are examined. First, we analyse the association between the adoption of SCPs and rice yield; we focus on rice as it is the most common staple food globally. Then, we examine the links between SCP adoption and dietary diversity and the consumption of seven specific foods (rice, potato, pork, poultry, egg, fruits and vegetable oil). This allows us to glean insights into how SCPs may affect the dietary patterns in rural communities. The findings show that adopting SCPs is associated with an 8.5% increase in rice yield. Rice yields increase with the intensification of SCP adoption. Disaggregated analysis suggests that low-income farmers receive the most rice yield promotion by adopting SCPs compared with wealthier ones. Meanwhile, among the three SCPs (i.e. soil remediation, commercial organic fertiliser application and formulated fertilisation) considered in our study, only formulated fertilisation increases rice yields. Furthermore, adopting SCPs is associated with higher consumption of protein-rich foods and lower dietary diversity
Variation in ovine KRTAP13-3 and its association with wool characteristics in Chinese Tan sheep
No full textUnderstanding the genetic factors that influence wool quality is essential for enhancing wool quality and uniformity. This study investigated the KRTAP13-3 gene in Chinese Tan sheep, a breed known for its unique wool characteristics. We analysed 232 sheep and revealed five previously identified sequence variants of KRTAP13-3 and then modelled to ascertain whether there was any association between the nucleotide sequence variation and variation in mean fibre diameter (MFD), fibre diameter standard deviation (FDSD), coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD), and mean fibre curvature (MFC). Twelve genotypes were observed, with the five variants having frequencies that ranged from 64.0% to 1.1%. Among the four variants with frequencies above 5%, nucleotide sequence variation was associated with heterotypic hair fibre diameter variation. The most common variant (A) was linked to increased FDSD and CVFD, while two other variants (B and D) revealed trends towards being associated with decreased CVFD. No associations were found with variation in the fine wool fibres from the Tan sheep. This suggests that KRTAP13-3 plays a role in regulating heterotypic hair fibre diameter variability and that it could possibly be a gene marker for improving wool traits
Who will serve the tourists of today, let alone tomorrow? A wake-up call for tourism, hospitality
No full textInternational tourism injected 44.4 billion, up nearly 15% from the previous year. The Government has responded with a $13.5 million global marketing boost, and business groups are celebrating. Yes, we want more tourists.
But before we pop the champagne, there is one not-so-small matter that we need to talk about: Who is going to serve all these visitors? Because despite the financial fireworks, there's a deep and growing issue at the core of our industry—the people. More specifically, the fast-disappearing pipeline of skilled, passionate people willing to work, grow, and lead in this sector. We struggle to get enough staff to serve the present tourist numbers, let alone grow tourism numbers
Doing academic conferences differently: Enhancing ecological and social sustainability
Full text linkAcademic conferences are important for career progression, serving as valued occasions for attendees to network, learn and establish or maintain collaborations. However, it is becoming more widely acknowledged that traditional centralised in-person conferences are both ecologically and socially unsustainable – attendees’ travel often carries a significant ecological cost, and the barriers to participation that historically under-represented groups still face mean the benefits of conference attendance are not equitably distributed. Addressing these challenges requires conferences to be ‘done differently’ – while some innovative practices were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a tendency to revert to the traditional model.
Here, we present the findings of a mixed methods study that aimed to provide a nuanced understanding of the ecological and social sustainability benefits of a real-world decentralised multi-hub conference held in 2023. This conference comprised local hubs hosted in different places around the world, each with its own programme tailored to the interests and needs of the local attendees, and structured around a shared core programme broadcast globally. We calculated transport-related carbon emissions for the decentralised multi-hub conference and compared them with those for a simulated traditional in-person conference and a fully online conference. We also interviewed 14 local hub organisers and attendees to gain their perspectives about the sustainability benefits of this innovative conference format.
In terms of ecological sustainability, the decentralised multi-hub conference had significantly lower emissions than a traditional in-person conference, but higher emissions than a fully online conference. Socially, the more accessible and inclusive format attracted a more diverse range of attendees: the benefits of conference attendance were thus accrued more equitably.
Despite the enthusiasm of those who have attended conferences such as this, the traditional in-person conference format remains deeply embedded. We have identified a serious disconnect between academic associations and the expectations of their membership regarding conference design practices. We argue it is time for change, and call for academics across all disciplines to push for more ecological and socially sustainable conferences. Let’s do conferences differently, making decentralised multi-hub conferences the norm rather than the exception
Exploring action bias in the pursuit of innovation
No full textInnovation and creative problem-solving are essential competencies in both academic and professional landscapes, serving as critical links between theoretical knowledge and practical application. However, these processes are often influenced by cognitive biases, with action bias, the predisposition toward taking action over inaction regardless of the action’s efficacy (Patt & Zeckhauser, 2000), emerging as a significant factor. This research investigates the ways in which action bias manifests in the context of innovation and problem-solving, particularly in learning environments, and assesses its impact on the quality of outcomes.
This study’s foundation stems from a classroom experiment at Lincoln University, where students were tasked with creating solutions to the everyday problem of reaching high supermarket shelves. This experiment exposed a prevalent tendency among participants to leap into ideation without a comprehensive understanding of the problem's nuances. Here, the psychological underpinnings of action bias come into sharp focus, illuminating how a premature rush to act can overshadow the necessity of problem comprehension, ultimately leading to suboptimal outcomes.
Human cognition inherently inclines individuals toward action as a mechanism to reduce discomfort and appear proactive. This inclination, however, often (Ariely, 2008; Patt & Zeckhauser, 2000; Bar-Eli et al., 2007). This study positions action bias within the framework of heuristics and biases, as described in Kahneman and Tversky’s (1979) seminal work, which elucidates how mental shortcuts can distort decision making. In the classroom setting, students’ rapid generation of ideas without critical evaluation exemplied a need for restructured pedagogical approaches - namely, those that prioritize innovation following a period of analytical engagement. The findings suggest that action bias is not merely a byproduct of impulsive behavior but a deeper psychological drive to demonstrate productivity and competence, often stemming from a fear of inaction’s perceived consequences (Patt & Zeckhauser, 2000; Bar-Eli et al., 2007).
Additionally, the study raises critical questions about educational practices in fostering problem-solving skills. The tendency to act swiftly may be reinforced by educational systems that value visible outputs over process-driven learning. This focus on immediate results rather than reflective thinking
cultivates a surface-level engagement with problems, where action serves more to meet external expectations than to address core issues effectively. By investigating action bias in a structured
academic setting, this research provides insights into how biases can compromise the quality of
innovative solutions and suggests the need for pedagogies that encourage critical analysis over
expedient solutions.
The practical implications of this study are substantial, extending beyond academia to sectors where innovation is essential yet pressured by market demands. Understanding the nuances of action bias within innovation contexts can help educators, business leaders, and professionals develop more effective strategies for fostering critical thinking. This includes a balanced emphasis on both the pace and substance of solution development, encouraging individuals to approach problem-solving with patience and precision, recognizing that action alone does not equate to innovation (Sternberg, 2002)
Dietary phospholipids and their impact on crustacean physiology: growth, metabolism, immunity, and beyond
No full textPhospholipids (PL) are widely used as aquafeed to enhance aquaculture production, particularly in crustaceans. The most commonsource of PL for aquaculture is lecithin, which is derived from both animals (e.g., eggs) and plants (e.g., soybeans). Includingoptimal levels of PL in crustacean diets enhances growth performance, survivability, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism.PL is especially critical for early juveniles, as it supports osmoregulation by elevating Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) activity. Further-more, PL-enriched diets trigger energy metabolism, enhancing their physiological performance. In reproduction, PL providesenergy for lipids mobilization and steroid transformation, improving the process of vitellogenesis in females. However, excessivePL can negatively affect the survival rate (SR), molting frequency (MF), condition factor (CF), and hepatosomatic index (HSI). Thiscomprehensive review explores recent findings on how PL-enriched diets affect crustacean growth, metabolism, immunity, reproduction, gut microbiota, and osmoregulation. It also addresses gaps in our understanding of specific PL dietary needs foroptimal crustacean health and productivity, offering evidence-based guidelines for effective PL supplementation in aquaculture
The effect of treating farm dairy effluent with varying rates of poly-ferric sulphate on reducing phosphate leaching through agricultural subsurface drains : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science at Lincoln University
Full text linkThe application of farm dairy effluent (FDE) to land is a significant source of phosphate entering
waterways. Studies have shown that treating FDE with 250 mg Fe/L of poly-ferric sulphate (PFS)
solution can significantly reduce phosphate leaching, however it remains unknown if this can be
achieved at lower rates of PFS treatment. A lower treatment rate would reduce cost, which could
increase farmer use, and thus potentially help to reduce overall phosphate loss to water. The
objectives of this study were therefore to: 1) determine the effect of different poly-ferric sulphate
treatment rates on the reduction of phosphorus leaching from subsurface tile drainage systems; and
2) determine the effect of land application of treated effluent on GHG emissions, by quantifying
nitrous oxide (N 2 O), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and methane (CH 4 ) emissions from the soil lysimeters
receiving effluent treated with a range of rates of poly-ferric sulphate.
A field trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of different PFS treatment rates on the
concentrations of dissolved reactive phosphate (DRP), total dissolved phosphate (TDP), and total
phosphate (TP) in drainage water. This water was collected from soil drainage units that underwent
two effluent applications over a one-year period. The study investigated the efficacy of three PFS
rates (250 mg Fe/L, 167 mg Fe/L, and 83 mg Fe/L) and compared the results with those of untreated
FDE, relative to background (control) leaching losses. Treatment rates of 250 mg Fe/L and 167 mg
Fe/L proved equally effective, reducing the DRP leaching loss factor by 111.13% and 107.77%,
respectively. The P250 mg Fe/L and 167 mg Fe/L treatment rates reduced the TDP leaching loss
factor by 115.47% and 112.85%, respectively, and the TP leaching loss factor was reduced by 85.02%
and 90.72%, respectively. Reductions greater than 100% indicated that the treatment reduced
leaching losses to levels below those of the control (no effluent applied). The 83 mg Fe/L rate
reduced the DRP and TDP leaching loss factors by 80.56% and 80.17%, respectively, and did not
cause a significant reduction in the TP leaching loss factor. This suggests that P leaching can be
significantly reduced using a lower rate of PFS than previously reported.
The results were attributed to the reactions which occur between the phosphate in effluent and the
ferric hydroxides formed in the PFS-treated effluent. These reactions reduce the concentration of
DRP in the treated effluent and reduce the mobility of phosphate within the soil matrix when PFS-
treated effluent is applied to land.
Greenhouse gas emissions of N 2 O, CO 2 , and CH 4 showed no significant difference between the
untreated FDE treatment, PFS treatments, and the control
Inter-regional characterization of New Zealand pinot noir wines: assessing geographical origin through mid-FTIR and phenolic profile analysis
No full textPinot Noir wines from New Zealand, celebrated for their high-quality and regional distinctiveness, are ideal for origin differentiation studies due to their sensitivity to environmental variations. This study aims to identify the characteristics of wine origins and establish a model for tracing these origins, with the goal of protecting the economic position of New Zealand Pinot Noir wine. Exploratory and multivariate analyses were conducted on phenolic and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic data using 116 Pinot Noir wine samples from three regions. The Mid-FTIR spectra, particularly between 3050 and 1950 cm−1 wavelengths, were successfully correlated with the major phenolic compounds in wines through Partial Least Squares Discriminant Regression (PLSR), achieving R2Pre values ranging from 0.75 to 0.99. Multivariate analyses, including Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Random Forest (RF) based on either phenolic data alone, spectral data alone, or a fusion of both, achieved high classification acccuracy. Among these methods, the LDA and ANN models demonstrated superior classification performance compared to PLS-DA and RF. The phenolic profile provides detailed information on key compositional markers, while FTIR spectra offer a holistic chemical representation. This fusion enables a more comprehensive differentiation of wine origins, reducing potential misclassification caused by the limitations of individual datasets. In conclusion, exploratory and multivariate analyses proved to be rapid and efficient methods for tracing the origin of pinot noir wines produced in New Zealand
Waitatari/Harts Creek Bird Hide: Exploring visitor book data (2017-2019)
Full text linkThe sustainability of natural features often depends on how humans manage their use and this requires knowledge of where and when people most engage with a natural feature. Support for management often depends on the values attached to the feature. The number of visits to a feature, or a discrete site that is part of the feature can be indicative of the potential for the impact of visitors, the value of that feature, or as a wellbeing measure.
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is a large natural feature with many uncontrolled public access points, which makes monitoring recreational use problematic. Prior research which investigated a recreation monitoring framework for Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere identified data collected through visitor book entries in the Waitatari/Harts Creek Bird Hide is a valid way of monitoring recreational use at a key location on the lake.
The Waitatari/Harts Creek Bird hide is located on the west side of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, approximately 54 km south of Christchurch in the Selwyn District. It is reached by a short walk over private land and a Wildlife Management Reserve, managed by the Department of Conservation. Between January 2017 to December 2019 a visitors book was located in this hide and visitors were invited to enter the date of their visit, where they have travelled from, and short comments about their experience.
This report analyses entries from the Waitatari/Harts Creek Bird Hide Visitor Book collected from 2017 to 2019. The data was investigated for a number of reasons. Firstly, to determine if it could be used as a reliable monitoring measure which could inform potential indicators for recreational use of the lake. Secondly the data was analysed to detect any trends in numbers of visitors by month, origin of visitors and possible themes for qualitative comments.
Field observations estimate that only a third of visitors sign the book. The reliability of the data generated by visitor entries can therefore be regarded as a general estimate only, and is not adequate as a reliable “enough” measure over a long period of time. A more accurate measurement of the number of pedestrians using the track and/or the bird hide is required to count the actual total number of visitors over time and is strongly recommended. This could be achieved by installing a standard pedestrian counter on an appropriate part of the track.
Collecting reliable information about the numbers of visitors to the hide has the potential to be used as a measure for a range of indicators which are broadly relevant to recreational monitoring. Further research is also required to determine which indicators the visitor data is most appropriate for, along with exploring the notion of the experience of well-being associated with walking the track and visiting the hide. Once confirmed, upgraded pedestrian count monitoring is relatively simple and has the potential to have high value. A pedestrian count could be used to inform indicators for a wide range of plans and strategies developed by a range of stakeholders including Rūnanga, Department of Conservation, Te Waihora Co-Governance Group, Selwyn District Council, Lincoln University and Environment Canterbury.
The Waitatari/Harts Creek visitor book recorded between 900 and 1500 visitors a year. Despite the limitations regarding reliabilty of data collected through the book, January across all years is likely to be the busiest time of the year at the bird hide which correlates with school holidays in New Zealand and Australia, plus peak domestic and international tourism. Easter and December have higher levels of visitors, which also coincides with New Zealand school holidays.
Of the visitors who indicated where they originated from, the majority are from New Zealand/Aotearoa, with less than 10% identifying their origin as being global. Whilst tourists from the UK and Australia comprise the majority of international visitors, visitors from 24 other countries were recorded. A significant majority of visitors from New Zealand across all three years are from Canterbury and of those, most are from the Selwyn district (72% overall), or Christchurch (24%). High numbers of people from Selwyn are from communities located relatively close to the lake. The most common origin of visitors from Selwyn are Leeston at 43%, Rolleston 15%, and Southbridge 13% overall. Finally, based on a review of comments entered into the book, it is recommended that quality interpretation material which provides good information about the lake is installed in the hide