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Association between walking time and health-related quality of life, and sociodemographic characteristics among ageing populations in age-friendly cities in Japan
No full textIntroduction: Japan is a super-aged society with 30% of the population aged ≥65 years. Walking is the most common physical activity among older Japanese and may reduce risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and dementia. The purpose of this study was to characterise walking behaviour and explore potential associations between walking and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among middle-aged and older adults in World Health Organization (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities (AFCs) in Japan. Method: This study utilised an online survey methodology with data collected during October 2023 using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF-J) and the WHO Quality of Life Survey (WHOQOL-Bref). Quota samples of 175 middle-aged and older adults (N = 525) were obtained in three Japanese AFCs (Akita, Fujisawa, and Takarazuka City), which had been formal members of the AFC Network for at least five years. The main outcome was daily walking time. Independent variables included items from all four domains of the WHOQOL-Bref (physical, psychological, social, and environmental QOL) and selected sociodemographic information (e.g., age). Multiple linear regression was used to explore associations between walking time and independent variables. Results: The mean age of the sample was 67.8 years. Mean walking time was 61.8 minutes per day. The regression model was statistically significant (p = 0.005, adjusted R2 = 0.025) and the environmental domain (standardized β coefficient = 0.176, p = 0.007, +1.4% of variance in walking time) and age (β = -0.124, p = 0.013) were independently associated with walking time. The environmental domain was positively and significantly associated with walking time. Conclusions: This study identified that walking in Japanese AFCs is potentially associated with younger age (in the context of older cohorts) and environmental conditions, including living conditions, health services, and transportation. Implications are discussed with regards to AFC planning for walkability and healthy ageing
Detection of a second KAP22 family member in sheep and analysis of its genetic variation and associations with selected wool fibre traits
Get PDFThe keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) are a class of wool proteins. They form a matrix that cross-links the wool intermediate filament keratins. The KAPs are thought to affect wool fibre structure and properties and have been associated with variation in wool fibre traits. There are many KAP genes in sheep, but not all have been identified. Recently a second member of the KAP22 gene family, KRTAP22-2, was identified in goats, and variation in this caprine gene was associated with cashmere fibre traits. In this study, we identified ovine KRTAP22-2. To ascertain the extent of variation in KRTAP22-2, sheep from eight breeds were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. This revealed two unique banding patterns, which upon sequencing gave two novel DNA sequences. These differed by two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding region. Three genotypes of the novel KRTAP22-2 sequences were observed in the eight sheep breeds studied. The ovine KRTAP22-2 variant sequences were similar to a goat KRTAP22-2 variant, but a search of ovine expressed sequence tags revealed no matching mRNA sequences in the ovine databases. In a second part of the study, no association was found between the KRTAP22-2 genotypes and mean fibre diameter, fibre diameter standard deviation, coefficient of variation in fibre diameter, and mean fibre curvature, for either the fine wool or heterotypic hair fibres of 255 Chinese Tan lambs. These results suggests that sheep have a KRTAP22-2 gene, but that there may be species-specific differences in the gene’s expression or function. The gene may not affect wool traits in the way that it appears to in goats
A preliminary study of kea (Nestor notabilis) habitat use and diet in plantation forests of Nelson, New Zealand
Get PDFKea (Nestor notabilis) are nationally endangered, large endemic parrots in the South Island of New Zealand. In recent years, anecdotal evidence and sightings from forestry workers have confirmed that kea use exotic plantation forests in the Nelson/Tasman region. We documented kea habitat use and movements in Nelson plantation and neighbouring native forests. GPS-VHF units were used to track kea movements through the plantation-native forest matrix. All birds tracked in this study spent a notable proportion of their time in plantation forests, which included feeding, roosting and nesting. Feeding observations and faecal analysis were used to determine kea diet in plantation forests. In the summer, Pinus radiata seeds were commonly observed being eaten by kea, as was cambium tissue stripped off newly harvested Pseudotsuga menziesii logs. Of the items identified through faecal analysis, the most common group was invertebrates. This research was a preliminary study of kea activity in plantation forests and suggests the value of extending research to cover at least a full calendar year to record seasonal patterns in kea diet, habitat use and movements in and out of this habitat type
Characterization and regeneration of low-cost adsorbents for heavy metal removal: Insights from contaminant transport in Sri Lankan agricultural soils
No full textChronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is a major public health concern in the NorthCentral Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka, where groundwater heavy metal contamination is suspectedas a key contributing factor. This study investigates the mobilization and transport of in-situ heavymetals in agricultural soils from Medawachchiya and Horowpathana and examines the movementof artificially introduced Cadmium and Lead through soil column experiments. Four locally avail-able, low-cost bio-adsorbents namely, Mahogany sawdust (MG-A), Jackfruit peels (JF-A), Rice husk (RH-A), and Coconut husk (CH-A) were evaluated for Cd²⁺ removal from synthetic groundwater.Among them, MG-A demonstrated the highest adsorption efficiency (73.12% for 80 mg/L and 92.2% for 10 mg/L), outperforming JF-A (60.07%), RH-A (36.73%), and CH-A (16.54%). Adsorbentcharacterization using FTIR, FE-SEM, and BET analyses revealed that surface functionality and por-osity played key roles in adsorption performance. Regeneration studies showed that acid (HCl) treatment restored the adsorption capacity of MG-A by 91.49%, indicating strong reusabilitypotential. The novelty of this research lies in integrating soil transport experiments with bio-waste-derived adsorbent development, providing a comprehensive understanding of heavy metal mobil-ity and remediation. These findings demonstrate a sustainable, community-adaptable approach formitigating Cd²⁺ contamination in groundwater, offering practical and scalable solutions to reduce CKDu risks in vulnerable region
Several initiatives but little results: A novel approach to offer an institutional explanation for food insecurity in Ghana
Get PDFA key strategy for achieving food security in Ghana is the implementation of food security projects. Unfortunately, one-third of these projects encounter failure, primarily due to institutional shortcomings. The study demonstrates that institutional weaknesses are significant barriers to attaining food security and examines how institutional arrangements influence project outcomes. The research aims to elucidate the institutional arrangements of food security projects, identify the underlying causes of project outcomes associated with these arrangements, and assess the impact of the institutional arrangements of the external environment on the sustainability of food security project outcomes. A root and tuber project was analyzed using the Rank-Form-Action-Function analytical framework. Data were collected through a mix of primary and secondary methods, employing purposive and snowball sampling techniques, alongside data triangulation and theoretical saturation through epoche. The findings reveal that the project has significantly impacted the community by achieving sustainable outcomes through strong institutional arrangements. The results underscore the need for policymakers to prioritize the institutional arrangements of the project's external environment before initiating new projects. It is crucial that both the internal and external environments are conducive to fostering robust institutional frameworks that support sustainable outcomes for food security projects
Overcoming or reinforcing linguicism through multilingual research?
No full textThis paper critically reflects on a multilingual research project that aimed to investigate and address the issue of disaster linguicism in New Zealand. The project, which involved a diverse team of linguistic minority researchers, sought to overcome linguicism by using culturally and linguistically responsive research methods. Through qualitative interviews conducted in participants’ preferred languages, the project aimed to provide a safe space for linguistic minority communities to share their experiences of multilingual disaster/health communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the research team encountered unexpected challenges. Despite the intention to elevate the voices of underrepresented linguistic minority communities, the project inadvertently reinforced linguicism at times. Researchers' cultural and linguistic competencies, while valuable, also led to power imbalances and reinforced English language ideology in subtle ways. The study’s critical collective self-reflection reveals that even well-intentioned efforts to overcome linguicism can reproduce it through research practices. The paper highlights the complexity of conducting inclusive research in linguistically diverse contexts and emphasizes the need for constant reflexivity when working with linguistic minorities. This collective self-reflection offers valuable insights into both the transformative potential and the challenges of conducting inclusive and multilingual research, particularly in the contexts of decolonizing research
Does wintering on diverse pastures or kale crop affect N loss risk? Findings from a commercial case study dairy farm near Methven
Get PDFThis case study describes farmer-led research comparing the practicalities and nitrogen (N) leaching risks from dairy winter grazing on kale or diverse pasture. Two herds of dairy cows grazed either a kale (n=360) or diverse pasture (n=60) paddock on a commercial dairy farm in Methven during June and July 2023. A perennial pasture mix was sown in August following winter grazing on kale. Soil cores were sampled to 15, 30, 60 and 90 cm depth increments in July and November 2023. Herbage yield and N content were measured in November. Following winter grazing in July, soil inorganic N in the 0-90 cm depth under the kale crop areas was two times greater than under pasture (138 vs 67 kg N/ha), and five times greater in November following re-growth of pastures (152 vs 29 kg N/ha). The lower soil inorganic N under pasture could be attributed, at least in part, to a lower stocking density and increased herbage N uptake (98 and 35 kg N/ha under respective pasture and kale paddocks). Pasture wintering demonstrated practical and environmental benefits over kale wintering, but further efforts are likely required to explore cost benefits
Instrumented mouthguards and how we can use them to make rugby safer
No full textRugby union is a popular fast paced collision sport, which exposes players to repeated head acceleration events (HAE). Despite the popularity of the game there is growing concern for rugby union player safety and ongoing medical problems following a concussion or long-term participation in the game. While research on male players in this area is mounting, research on females and adolescent rugby players is sparse, yet they are a growing cohort wanting to play the game. This presentation aims to discuss what instrumented mouthguards are, what metrics these instrumented mouthguards can collect and how we might use this information to make rugby safer. In particular, I will use research regarding HAE exposure in adolescent female rugby players which was collected over 2 seasons from instrumented mouthguards to illustrate what data can be collected and how we might use this data to inform better practice
Long-term management strategies to optimize phosphorus utilization in a tropical maize and soybean succession
No full textContext or problem: The efficiency of phosphorus (P) input utilization in Brazilian agricultural systems is low (50 %) but can be improved by adopting appropriate management strategies. Objective or research question: The objective of this study was to assess and quantify the combined long-term effects of soil tillage and rates and forms of P fertilizer inputs on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and maize (Zea mays L.) yield, P use efficiency and soil P availability in a high P-fixing tropical soil. Methods: A comprehensive 22-year field experiment was undertaken in a Brazilian Cerrado soil with two soil tillage systems (conventional-CT and no-tillage-NT) combined with five P fertilizer management, being two sources of P [triple superphosphate (TSP) and Gafsa reactive phosphate rock (RPR)], under two annual rates of P (22 and 44 kg ha¯¹), and one control (no P application). Measurements included crop yield, removed P, partial P balance, and soil P [total P, legacy P, and labile P (Mehlich-3)]. Results: The NT and CT systems were equally productive. Plant yield responses were similar for TSP and RPR when 44 kg ha¯¹ of P was applied annually, although maize grain yield was 6 % higher for TSP compared with RPR at the lower rate of P application (22 kg ha¯¹ yr¯¹ of P). The low P input rate was not enough to meet crop demand since the partial P balance was 131 % compared with 80 % for the high P input rate, both under TSP application. The same behavior was verified under RPR application, being 115 % compared with 74 % for the low and high rate of P, respectively. In the soil, CT system showed narrower differences between treatments, with a homogeneous distribution of P in depth compared with NT, while the NT system resulted in enhanced P accumulation in the topsoil, especially at the high rate of P fertilizer input. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the use of an intermediate rate between 22 and 44 kg ha¯¹ yr¯¹ of P by RPR or TSP, especially under NT, is a recommended management strategy to optimize P utilization by maize and soybean while increase soil P bioavailability in a high P fixing tropical soil. Implications or significance: This study confirms that improving phosphate fertilization and soil management practices is key to ensuring the sustainable and efficient utilization of P in tropical agricultural system
The impact of public officials’ corruption on the insolvency risk and financial policies of Thai private SMEs
No full textThis study investigates how corruption affects Thai private SMEs’ insolvency risk and financial policies for the period 2017 to 2021. Our findings support the ‘sanding the wheels’ hypothesis, revealing that corruption significantly raises the insolvency risk for Thai SMEs. In response, firms raise their cash holdings. The negative impact of corruption is more pronounced for mature firms and domestically owned Thai firms than for new firms and foreign-owned counterparts. While mature and domestic Thai-owned firms increase both cash reserves and leverage to manage corruption, foreign-owned firms rely more on cash holdings but do not resort to additional leverage as a financial policy. Our results are robust across various methodologies, including OLS, instrumental variable analysis, channel analysis, propensity score matching, and alternative corruption measure. Our findings highlight how firms’ characteristics shape different financial policies to navigate corrupt environments