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- ItemPolicy implications of time-differentiated climate change analysis in life cycle assessment of building elements in Aotearoa New Zealand(Springer-Verlag GmbH, 2025-03-21) McLaren SJ; Elliot T; Dowdell D; Wakelin S; Kouchaki-Penchah H; Levasseur A; Hoxha EPurpose: Climate change policies are increasingly including time-dependent carbon targets for different economic activities. However, current standards and guidelines for climate change assessment of buildings ignore these dynamic aspects and require use of static life cycle assessment (LCA). This research investigates how to better account for the timing of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals in LCAs of buildings and construction products, using a static and dynamic LCA case study of roofs, walls and floors in Aotearoa New Zealand residential dwellings. Methods: Static and dynamic LCA methods were used to assess the climate change impact of two assemblies each for external walls, ground floors and roofs used in stand-alone residential dwellings in Aotearoa New Zealand. Each assembly was modelled for a life cycle extending from material production, through to element construction, operational use, and final end-of-life treatment. Results were calculated as total GWP100 results for each life cycle stage, GWP100 results disaggregated into time periods, and as instantaneous and cumulative radiative forcing up to year 190. Sensitivity analysis was undertaken for the building reference service life, exposure zone, location, and end-of-life treatment. Results and discussion: Four time-related aspects were found to be particularly significant as regards their contribution to the final static LCA (sLCA) climate change results: -Inclusion versus exclusion of biogenic carbon storage in landfill -Modelling of end-of-life recycling activities using current versus future low or net zero carbon technologies (in module D) -Building reference service life (50 versus 90 years) -Choice of modelling parameters for landfilled timber and engineered wood products. Use of dynamic LCA (dLCA) enabled priorities to be identified for climate change mitigation actions in the shorter and longer term, and showed that half of the assemblies achieved net zero carbon by year 190 (timber wall, steel wall, timber floor). Conclusions: Timing of GHG emissions and removals should be included in LCAs to support decision-making in the context of achieving targets set in climate change policies. In particular, LCA results should show ongoing biogenic carbon storage in landfilled timber and engineered wood products. Carbon footprint standards, guidelines and calculation tools should be prescriptive about building and construction product reference service lives, the EofL fate for different materials/products, and modelling of forestry and landfill activities, to provide a level playing field for stakeholders.
- ItemEditorial: Advancements in cycling performance enhancement strategies for cyclists: from amateurs to elite(Frontiers Media S A, 2025-03-10) Polanco A; Macdermid PW; Berisha M; Girard O
- ItemDare to Sell! Impacts of “Make and/or Buy” Decision Strategies on Outbound Open Innovation(RADMA and John Wiley and Sons Ltd., 2025-03-10) Aliasghar O; Sadeghi A; Haar J; Jafari-Sadeghi VThis study adds to the previous literature on outbound open innovation (OI)—that is, external knowledge commercialization activities—by exploring the effects of “make and/or buy decisions” on outbound OI. Notwithstanding the critical role of outbound OI in shaping firms' competitive advantages, there has been a notable gap in research regarding the drivers of outbound OI. Drawing on the knowledge-based view, this empirical paper addresses this research gap by exploring an array of identified determinates of outbound OI. Through analyzing 468 New Zealand firms, we found that larger and more established firms show a stronger connection between research and development (R&D) investment and outbound OI, whereas smaller firms benefit more from external knowledge sourcing. Additionally, inbound OI positively affects outbound OI, yet the effect diminishes with more international collaborations. Interestingly, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) favor formal appropriation strategies, such as patents and contracts, while larger firms prioritize informal methods, such as secrecy.
- ItemDecolonizing the Queer Project of Aotearoa New Zealand: Weaving Takatāpui Identity into Queer Spaces(USC Annenberg Press, 2025-02-11) Maydell EMost recent research in queer studies focuses on White queer cultures, with other representations of queer identities overlooked or excluded, leaving rich Indigenous knowledge outside of the queer framework. The current study applies queer humanism to analyze the narratives recorded during semistructured interviews with trans and nonbinary individuals in Aotearoa New Zealand, focusing on communication of meanings of takatāpui, the Indigenous Māori queer identity. The discourse analysis of their narratives suggests that queer Māori participants have embraced this identity and expanded its meaning from same-sex relationships to all gender- and sexually diverse people. The word takatāpui, as an umbrella term for all queer Māori identities, was also discussed by some Pākehā (non-Māori/European) participants, indicating the trend for weaving the Indigenous knowledge into wider queer spaces. This deeper understanding of the meaning and value of takatāpui identity in queer cultures provides valuable resources for decolonizing queer spaces in Aotearoa and other Indigenous contexts.
- ItemA Longitudinal Study on Breastfeeding Practice among Women Living in Western Saudi Arabia(Lifescience Global, 2019-11-24) Shahbar A; Bahijri S; Weber J; Eid NMSThis paper presents a longitudinal study of breastfeeding at two private hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Soliman Fakeeh (SF) follows the WHO's baby-friendly hospital initiative (BFHI), Saudi Germany Hospital (SGH) does not. Participants were 102 women in both hospitals (52 BFHI, 50 non-BFHI). Two semi-quantitative questionnaires, translated into Arabic, were used at baseline and one month postpartum. Results showed that most women in the study have initiated breastfeeding but turned to mixed feedings after one month. We also found that self-efficacy has the biggest influence on breastfeeding practice at one month, measured by the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES) and regardless of other variables. The BFHI made breast milk the first nutritive substance infants received and had a higher percentage of early initiation of breastfeeding than the non-BFHI. The BFHI hospital supported women to breastfeed practically and educationally. Support was provided by books, internet, and educational sessions. Yet, any effects no longer existed at one month postpartum, at which point most women had shifted to mixed feeding. There was no relationship between the BSES and BFHI status. Thus, we recommend developing breastfeeding promotion programs before delivery and at least a six-months follow-up after delivery, in addition to peer counselling approaches.
- ItemFunctional Significance of Probiotic Bacterial Interactions with Milk Fat Globules in a Human Host(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2025-02) Wasana WP; Waterland M; Everett DW; Thum C; Comi GDairy products often serve as matrices for delivering probiotic bacteria to humans through the diet; however, little is known about the impact of milk fat globules on the growth and survival of probiotic microorganisms. This review discusses current knowledge on the structure and functionality of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and the structural components contributing to the mechanisms of interactions with probiotic bacteria. We analyzed studies published between 2001 and 2025 with reference to earlier foundational research on probiotics and MFGM structure to explore the functional significance of MFGM–probiotic interactions. Recent research indicates that the effects of MFGM interaction with bacteria are species-specific and may influence probiotic activity in the host, including enhancing probiotic viability during intestinal transit and modulating probiotic colonization. In general, research findings suggest that the MFGM holds potential for use as a probiotic carrier to the gut with beneficial health consequences.
- ItemPotent inhibition of human monoamine oxidase A and B by phenolic compounds and polyunsaturated fatty acids in tobacco smoke(Elsevier B V, 2025-05-25) Hong SW; Heydari A; Watson PR; Teesdale-Spittle PH; Page R; Northcote PT; Keyzers RA; Vyssotski M; Truman PSmoking is a main cause of premature death and preventable disease in the world. Interestingly, animal studies indicate that inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO), key enzymes for the degradation of neurotransmitters, increased self-administration of nicotine. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the potential MAO inhibitors in tobacco smoke responsible for MAO inhibition in smokers. A bioassay-guided isolation from an extract of tobacco smoke showed that catechol, 4-methylcatechol, hydroquinone, α-linolenic acid, and linoleic acid all displayed potent human MAO inhibitory activity. Additionally, the tobacco catechols 4-ethylcatechol and 4-vinylcatechol were included to test their inhibitory potencies. Catechol, 4-methylcatechol, 4-ethylcatechol, and hydroquinone are potent and irreversible MAO inhibitors. Among the phenolic compounds tested, 4-methylcatechol and 4-ethylcatechol inhibited MAO A with IC50 values of 10.0 and 12.6 μM, respectively, reducing to 0.27 and 0.43 μM after 1 h preincubation. In addition, α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid competitively inhibited MAO A with Ki values of 10.50 and 6.95 μM, respectively. These results suggest that MAO inhibition by phenolics and polyunsaturated fatty acids in tobacco smoke may be important contributors to the MAO inhibition experienced by smokers and to the enhancement of nicotine dependence this MAO inhibition is believed to cause.
- ItemGenerative AI, Large Language Models, and ChatGPT in Construction Education, Training, and Practice(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2025-03-15) Jelodar MB; Senouci AThe rapid advancement of generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and ChatGPT presents transformative opportunities for the construction industry. This study investigates their integration across education, training, and professional practice to address skill gaps and inefficiencies. While AI’s potential in construction has been highlighted, limited attention has been given to synchronising academic curricula, workforce development, and industry practices. This research seeks to fill that gap by evaluating AI adoption through a mixed and multi-stage methodology, including theoretical conceptualisation, case studies, content analysis and application of strategic frameworks such as scenario planning, SWOT analysis, and PESTEL frameworks. The findings show AI tools enhance foundational learning and critical thinking in education but often fail to develop job-ready skills. Training programmes improve task-specific competencies with immersive simulations and predictive analytics but neglect strategic leadership skills. Professional practice benefits from AI-driven resource optimisation and collaboration tools but faces barriers like regulatory and interoperability challenges. By aligning theoretical education with practical training and strategic professional development, this research highlights the potential to create a future-ready workforce. The study provides actionable recommendations for integrating AI across domains. These findings contribute to understanding AI’s transformative role in construction, offering a baseline for effective and responsible adoption.
- ItemGenetic regulation of antibody responsiveness to immunization in substrains of BALB/c mice.(John Wiley and Sons Inc., 2019-01-01) Poyntz HC; Jones A; Jauregui R; Young W; Gestin A; Mooney A; Lamiable O; Altermann E; Schmidt A; Gasser O; Weyrich L; Jolly CJ; Linterman MA; Gros GL; Hawkins ED; Forbes-Blom EAntibody-mediated immunity is highly protective against disease. The majority of current vaccines confer protection through humoral immunity, but there is high variability in responsiveness across populations. Identifying immune mechanisms that mediate low antibody responsiveness may provide potential strategies to boost vaccine efficacy. Here, we report diverse antibody responsiveness to unadjuvanted as well as adjuvanted immunization in substrains of BALB/c mice, resulting in high and low antibody response phenotypes. Furthermore, these antibody phenotypes were not affected by changes in environmental factors such as the gut microbiota composition. Antigen-specific B cells following immunization had a marked difference in capability to class switch, resulting in perturbed IgG isotype antibody production. In vitro, a B-cell intrinsic defect in the regulation of class-switch recombination was identified in mice with low IgG antibody production. Whole genome sequencing identified polymorphisms associated with the magnitude of antibody produced, and we propose candidate genes that may regulate isotype class-switching capability. This study highlights that mice sourced from different vendors can have significantly altered humoral immune response profiles, and provides a resource to interrogate genetic regulators of antibody responsiveness. Together these results further our understanding of immune heterogeneity and suggest additional research on the genetic influences of adjuvanted vaccine strategies is warranted for enhancing vaccine efficacy.
- ItemA LAMP at the end of the tunnel: a rapid, field deployable assay for the kauri dieback pathogen, Phytophthora agathidicida(2019-10-04) Winkworth RC; Nelson BCW; Bellgard SE; Probst CM; McLenachan PA; Lockhart PJ
