19366 research outputs found
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Walking the last mile: A longitudinal evaluation of Olympic legacy and public space transformation in Tokyo
No full textIntroduction: Sports mega-events including the Summer Olympic Games are often framed as opportunities to improve urban environments and promote physical activity in host cities. However, limited research has assessed the longitudinal transformation of public spaces near host venues. This study evaluates changes to the public space Olympic sites—the Olympic Stadium and the Athlete Village—across a six-year period, focusing on their potential to support active living. Methods: A longitudinal, mixed-methods design was employed. Walking audits were conducted by teams of researchers at each site in 2018 (pre-hosting) and 2022/24 (post-hosting), using GIS/GPS mapping, the validated Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) tool, street photography, and field notes. Audit routes followed the ‘last mile’ from the nearest mass transit point to and around each venue. PARA scores were calculated for overall environmental change and three constituent sub-scales: features, amenities, and incivilities. Observational and photographic data were reviewed thematically to contextualise quantitative findings. Results: Both sites demonstrated improvements in PARA scores (Olympic Stadium: +19%; Athlete Village: +15%), particularly in amenities (e.g., improved urban design) and reduced incivilities (e.g. summer overgrowth). New and remediated infrastructure was evident, including widened pavements, separated cycling lanes, new playgrounds, and public exercise prescriptive rules for open space use (e.g., prohibiting ball games and ride-on play), limited shade, and seasonal climate challenges were noted as barriers. Observational data highlighted discrepancies between infrastructure upgrades and user accessibility or comfort. Conclusion: The Tokyo Games generated measurable improvements in public space quality near marquee Olympic venues. Mixed methods walking audits provided nuanced insights into these changes and their relevance for urban activity. Nonetheless, legacy impacts may be constrained by under-addressed environmental
conditions and socio-cultural norms. This approach offers a replicable model for evaluating urban
health legacies of future mega-events
Bumps on the road to cycleway development: The challenges of public participation in planning, in Christchurch, New Zealand
Full text linkCycleways generate lively discussion, with responses to new proposals ranging from passionate opposition to support. There are many platforms today to express an opinion: formal consultation processes, social media, even the local news. With a multi-case study approach, this research focuses on three cycleway projects in Christchurch. Qualitative research methods are used to identify key themes across the cases, including the challenges and limits of public engagement, and common concerns regarding cycleway infrastructure. How does this commentary influence the realisation of cycleways? What can these Christchurch cycleway projects tell us about public engagement processes? This work highlights the evolving nature of public engagement and has implications for public consultation best practice
Capitalizing on “Country Calendar”: Using farming stories to elevate agribusiness marketing
No full textPresentation at NZARES 2025
Molecular characterization of root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus species, and their prevalence in New Zealand maize fields
No full textRoot-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are significant plant parasites, causing substantial crop damage worldwide. This study aimed to characterize Pratylenchus spp. in New Zealand maize fields using molecular techniques and map their prevalence. Soil sampling from 24 maize fields across the North and South Islands provided 381 composite samples. Root-lesion nematodes were extracted using the sieving-centrifugal-sugar flotation method and differentiated into five morphospecies. Molecular characterization involved direct partial sequencing of the D2/D3 28S rDNA, ITS rDNA, and COX1 mtDNA regions using Sanger technology from a single nematode. Five Pratylenchus species were identified: P. neglectus, P. crenatus, P. thornei, P. penetrans, and P. pratensis, confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Prevalence mapping showed P. neglectus and P. crenatus in all sampled fields, while P. thornei, P. penetrans, and P. pratensis were more localized. This study is the first to report these Pratylenchus species on maize in New Zealand and provides the first partial sequences of the D2/D3, COX1, and ITS regions for these species on maize in New Zealand. The findings highlight the diversity of Pratylenchus populations in New Zealand maize fields and emphasize the need for region-specific management strategies to mitigate crop damage
Generative AI and case teaching in horticultural education: Advantages, challenges and ethics
No full textI facilitate innovative case-based teaching in horticulture by strategically integrating generative AI to enhance student engagement with real-world scenarios. Through structured comparative analysis between AI-generated and scholarly outputs, students develop critical evaluation skills whilst gaining hands-on experience with data analysis and case memo writing. Our evidence-based approach demonstrates the importance of equitable AI access and thoughtful implementation, offering transferable insights for case teaching across disciplines
Polar tourism
No full textPolar tourism refers to visits, excluding those for scientific research or support, to the Arctic (typically comprised of the states, water bodies, and islands north of the tree-line) or the Antarctic (often described as the continent itself, ice shelves, water, and islands south of the Antarctic Convergence). The geographic remoteness associated with unique biota, landscapes, and climate forms the appeal of the polar regions
Mating behaviour influences the direction and geographic extent of introgression in New Zealand fishing spiders (Dolomedes)
No full textIntrogression is a highly influential process in evolution, where genes flow between species that are not fully reproductively isolated. Studies on introgression often focus on describing gene transfer and environmental changes that facilitate the meeting of species. However, the impact of mating systems and behaviour that facilitate gene transfer is less well-known. Dolomedes aquaticus and D. minor are sister species of fishing spiders undergoing one-way, geographically limited mitochondrial introgression, making them an excellent case study for the factors that promote and limit introgression. We used a combination of field observations and crossing experiments to systematically investigate potential prefertilization barriers that could limit introgression and explain the one-way and geographic barriers to introgression in these species. We found that habitat overlap and timing of reproductive maturity were not likely to be important limiting factors to introgression. However, behaviour was an important factor, with male mate choice being implicated in the geographic limitation, and female mate choice being implicated in the one-way limitation. Our results show the importance of using behavioural approaches in the investigation of introgression
Proximate composition, peptide characterization and bioactive properties of faba bean blanching water
No full textFaba bean (Vicia faba L.) offers a rich nutritional profile with high protein content and abundant vitamins and minerals. Processing of faba beans for freezing requires blanching, yielding liluva (legume processing water), possibly containing leached macronutrients, with potential for upcycling. Past evidence has shown that legume processing water may be high in protein. Peptides generated from faba bean proteins during processing have been shown to have bioactivity and can, for example, inhibit HMG-CoA reductase. HMG-CoA reductase is rate-limiting in the biosynthesis of cholesterols and high cholesterol increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, this study examined the composition of legume blanching water, analysed the peptides resulting from in vitro digestion and assayed HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity of liluva from faba beans sourced from two farms in Canterbury, New Zealand. Results showed that the blanching water contained around 1.7 g/100 mL solid content. These solids were approximately 30 % protein, 12 % water-soluble carbohydrates, 4 % dietary fibre, and 0.17 % ash. Mineral analysis showed high levels of potassium in macro minerals and zinc in trace minerals. Free amino acid analysis revealed high levels of arginine, alanine, asparagine, and glutamic acid, and low levels of methionine and tryptophan. Mass spectrometry analysis identified 111 and 72 endogenous peptides in farm 1 and 2 raw samples, respectively. Most of these peptides were derived from tripeptidyl-peptidase II and subtilisin-like protease. To understand potential bioactivity of these peptides, peptides were also analyzed after in vitro digestion. The resulting identified peptides indicated in silico predicted bioactivities such as anti-thrombotic, antioxidative, ACE dipeptidyl peptidase −III and −IV inhibition and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition activities. Further validation of the faba bean blanching water after in vitro digestion demonstrated approximately 67 % inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity, suggesting potential hypocholesterolemic properties. These findings suggest that faba bean blanching water may serve as a sustainable and functional ingredient with potential cholesterol-lowering effects in food production
Feasibility of using a negative-refractive-index lens to scan reinforced concrete
No full textAn experiment has shown that a negative-refractive-index lens-based imaging system operating at 2.95 GHz can individually resolve 10 mm diameter steel rods submerged in concrete. An analytic model was developed to predict the fields at the surface of concrete as a function of reinforcement rod diameter and depth which was verified using finite-element-method simulations. The model demonstrated phenomena consistent with the experiment and showed that an NRI lens is required to image surface fields. Since the analytic model is computationally efficient compared to simulation, it offers a pathway to extract rod diameter and depth from the imagery
Exposure of Proso millet starch to superheated steam: Effect on physicochemical, techno-functional, rheological behavior, digestibility, and related mechanism
No full textIn the present study, proso millet starch (PMS) was treated with SHS (120–160 °C for 1–5 min) to investigate the molecular interactions and techno-functional, rheological, and digestible properties. Exposure to SHS induced the degradation of helical structure, and longer chains, reducing amylose, blue value, optical density, and relative crystallinity. Meanwhile, SHS treatment might have introduced hydro‑carbonyl groups, eventually increasing water absorption capacity, swelling power, and transparency. As per SEM images, SHS-treated PMS had rough and irregular polygon surfaces with small pinholes. Compared to control, SHS treatment slightly improved the elastic nature of PMS samples. Furthermore, SHS treatment at 140 and 160 °C for 3 and 5 min increased the slowly digestible and resistant starch content. Multivariate analysis suggests that SHS treatment could be performed at 140 °C for 3 min to modify the PMS