Journal Articles
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Item Harvesting optimization and Omega-3 recovery improvement from Schizochytrium DT3 using surfactant-aided dispersed air flotation: Response surface methodology(Elsevier B.V., 2024-06) Alhattab M; Puri MMicroalgae's potential to produce high value bioactives is contingent on the cost-effective harvesting of algal biomass. The use of CTAB (cetyl trimethylammonium bromide) assisted dispersed air flotation as a harvesting technique for Schizochytrium biomass, was optimized as a cost-effective means for recovery (R) and concentration factor (CF) using Response Surface Methodology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to employ surfactant assisted dispersed air flotation (SDAF) in the recovery of a heterotrophic thraustochytrid strain. A Box-Behnken design of experiment investigating the operating parameters of CTAB amount, air flow rate and volume on Schizochytrium was employed. Initially, both responses were analyzed individually and then used to simultaneously maximize both variables. The optimized conditions of CTAB (500 mg/L), air flow of 2 L/min and volume of 600 mL resulted in a R of 91 % and CF of 19 times. Although a secondary step is necessary for further concentration, this technique utilizes 70 times less energy as compared to conventional centrifugation techniques which are used to recover Schizochytrium sp. This is significant as this technique can be easily adapted to existing bioreactors, as they are already equipped with gas spargers. In addition, the presence of surfactant carried through demonstrated an improvement in the recovery of long chain poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) by 6 %, particularly in DHA and DPA which was not observed in washed biomass.Item Nutritive value of fodder beet for broilers chickens(Elsevier B V, 2026-01-15) Ganraj K; David LS; Morel PCHAn experiment was conducted to determine the apparent metabolisable energy (AME), nitrogen-corrected AME (AMEn) and the standardised ileal digestible content of amino acids in fodder beet (FB). Three maize-soybean-based diets were formulated, a basal diet (FB0), the basal diet supplemented with 12.5 % of FB (FB12.5), and the basal diet supplemented with 25 % of FB (FB25). Each diet was randomly allocated to six replicate cages with six birds per cage and fed from days 14–21. Titanium dioxide (4 g/kg) was included in all diets as an indigestible marker for the measurement of marker-based AME and ileal nutrient digestibility. The total collection (TC) method was also used for the measurement of AME. A regression method was used to determine the nutritive value of FB. The AME and AMEn of FB were determined to be 9.63 MJ/kg and 9.36 MJ/kg, respectively, using the TC method, and 7.97 MJ/kg, 7.79 MJ/kg, respectively, using the marker method. The apparent ileal crude protein (CP) and gross energy (GE) content of FB were 56.4 g/kg and 11.2 MJ/kg, respectively. Standardised ileal digestible amino acid content was higher for glutamic acid (21.1 g/kg) while it was lower for sulfur containing amino acids (-0.1 to −0.4 g/kg). In conclusion, nutritive value of FB was determined for 14–21 day old broilers using regression method. Further studies are needed to validate the current findings, and to determine the optimal inclusion level of FB in poultry diets.Item Modeling the role of institutional trust to improve vaccine confidence: The New Zealand case(Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-07-03) Diers-Lawson A; Ashwell D; Murray NThis study explores how institutional trust influences vaccine confidence during public health crises, using New Zealand’s COVID-19 response as a high-trust case study. Applying the Stakeholder Relationship Management (SRM) framework, the research investigates how demographic, value-based, health, institutional, and informational factors shape vaccine attitudes across varying levels of institutional trust. Results demonstrate that institutional trust is a critical predictor of both vaccine confidence and skepticism, with trust in science and reliance on official sources driving confidence, and social media reliance correlating with skepticism. Segmenting participants by trust levels revealed distinct patterns, highlighting the importance of tailoring communication strategies to trust-based subgroups. The findings reposition vaccine hesitancy as a crisis and risk communication challenge—rooted not solely in individual traits but in institutional relationships and the complex information environment. The study advocates for integrating strategic communication principles into public health risk communication, emphasizing long-term trust-building, credibility, and message alignment across platforms. This research offers a model for cross-contextual testing and underscores the need for governments and health authorities to engage low-trust communities more effectively, particularly through strategic use of social media during health emergencies.Item Testing and adapting dietary habits and food security questions for a national nutrition survey using cognitive interviews and expert consultation(Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society, 2025-10-06) Follong B; Haliburton C; Grey J; Maiquez M; Mackay S; Te Morenga L; Mhurchu CNObjective: To cognitively test questions for inclusion in a national nutrition survey, ensuring the questions are interpreted as intended and to inform further improvements. Design: A draft nutrition survey questionnaire was developed based on existing questionnaires and expert input. Twelve questions on dietary habits and food security were selected for cognitive testing as these were newly developed, amended from existing questions, or identified to no longer reflect the current food environment or concepts. Cognitive interviews were conducted using both think-aloud and probing techniques to capture respondents’ thought processes used to arrive at an answer. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analysed for recurring patterns and unique discoveries across the survey questions. Setting: New Zealand. Participants: Sixty-eight participants aged 11 years and older representing diverse sociodemographics including gender, ethnicity, and education level. Results: Three main cognitive challenges were identified: 1) interpreting ambiguous terms, 2) understanding of dietary or technical terms, and 3) following complex or unclear instructions. Questions were refined based on the study findings and further advice from experts in nutrition and survey design to enhance participant understanding and accuracy. Conclusion: The cognitive testing findings and expert input led to the refinement and potential improvement of selected questions for inclusion in a national nutrition survey. Changes included simplified terminology, clearer instructions, improved examples, and better question order. Our methodological approach and findings may be valuable for those designing similar questions for dietary surveys.Item Data-driven progress prediction in construction: a multi-project portfolio management approach(Frontiers Media S A, 2025-12-16) Tagharobi M; Babaeian Jelodar M; Susnjak T; Mahdiyar AIntroduction: Construction projects often experience delays and cost overruns, particularly in regions like New Zealand, where natural hazards and climate change exacerbate these risks. Despite extensive research on forecasting overall construction timelines, limited attention has been given to stage-wise progress across the project lifecycle, constraining project managers’ ability to monitor performance and respond to risks. Methods: To address this gap, the study develops a stage-based forecasting model using Multinomial Logistic Regression, which was identified as the most suitable method after comparison with selected machine learning approaches within the study’s scope and assumptions. A stepwise comparative framework was employed to assess combinations of duration, value, type, and contractor involvement, measuring accuracy, log-loss, and Cohen’s kappa using 10 years of New Zealand construction data. Model reliability was further examined using confusion matrices to derive sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and balanced accuracy. Validation was conducted through cross-validation, ROC/AUC, and temporal hold-out testing. Results: The results show that while all models performed reasonably well, the model using only project duration and value achieved the highest accuracy. The validation procedures confirmed the framework’s robustness and generalisability. Visualisations further illustrated milestone-specific progress predictions (5%–100%), making stage-wise forecasts easy to interpret. Discussion: The model provides project managers with practical insights for planning, monitoring, risk management, and resource allocation. By offering a transparent and interpretable approach, it bridges statistical forecasting with real-world practice, supporting timely delivery and data-driven infrastructure development. Future research could incorporate additional factors, extend the model locally and internationally, and explore integration with digital twins or real-time adaptive systems.Item Organ and tissue accumulation of titanium dioxide after acute, subacute, subchronic, and chronic oral exposure in mice and rats: a systematic review(BioMed Central Ltd, 2026-12-01) Mohammadparast V; Khan J; Truman P; Kim ND; Kruger MC; Bromhead C; Mallard BLBackground Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a compound that is often used as a white pigment. Commercial TiO2, such as the food additive E171, contains a mix of particle sizes, including a fraction in the nanoscale range (< 100 nm). It is an ingredient in everyday products such as toothpaste, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals. Although the oral and gastrointestinal (GIT) tracts are the initial sites of exposure, in vivo studies have shown that TiO2 can cross the intestinal epithelium, enter systemic circulation, and accumulate in vital organs, where elimination is slow. This accumulation has been associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, cytotoxicity, and altered cellular function. Main body This systematic review assesses titanium (Ti) accumulation in vital organs of rats and mice following oral TiO2 exposure, focusing on dose- and time-dependent patterns across acute, subacute, subchronic, and chronic durations. Following PRISMA guidelines, 3,012 records were identified and screened by title and abstract, with 54 studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria. The findings reveal that acute oral exposure to TiO2 consistently results in minimal titanium accumulation across all major organs, indicating limited gastrointestinal absorption and rapid excretion. In contrast, subacute and subchronic exposures lead to significant, dose-dependent titanium accumulation, especially in the liver, spleen, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and brain. Chronic exposure studies, though fewer, indicate persistent Ti presence, especially in the liver, kidneys, and colon. Ti was also found in the brain, pancreas, and reproductive tissues, with histopathological changes indicating broader systemic effects. A few studies reported negligible accumulation even at high doses. Conclusion This review highlights the organ-specific and exposure-dependent biodistribution of titanium following oral TiO2 intake in rodents. The evidence emphasizes the need for standardized reporting and experimental methodologies to improve data comparability across studies. Importantly, it underscores significant gaps in our understanding of chronic and low-dose exposures, conditions more reflective of real-world human scenarios, warranting further investigation to better assess long-term health risks.Item Perspectives on pasture establishment in New Zealand dairy systems: challenges, innovations, and agroecological implications(Frontiers Media S A, 2025-12-05) Cartmill AD; Rivero MJ; Cartmill DL; Donaghy DJ; Ye LThe productivity and persistence of pasture species in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) are crucial for pastoral systems including the dairy, sheep, and beef industries and are predominantly based on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Increasingly, farmers are exploring other simple grass/legume mixtures and also incorporating mixed species swards. This perspective paper critically examines the methods and challenges associated with pasture establishment, focusing on seed germination, sowing techniques, and post-establishment management. It discusses the influence of environmental factors including soil type, moisture, and temperature on seed germination and seedling persistence, alongside the impact of grazing practices on pasture longevity. Economic considerations and environmental impacts of various establishment methods, including overgrazing, chemical termination, and direct drilling, are examined. This perspective paper also covers the integration of new technologies such as precision agriculture, robotics, and advanced seed genetics, noting barriers to their adoption. From an agroecological perspective, we argue for a systems-based approach that integrates biodiversity, farmer knowledge, and long-term resilience into pasture renewal strategies. We also identify research gaps related to species persistence, climate adaptation, and policy support, and call for collaborative innovation to ensure the future productivity and ecological integrity of NZ pastoral system. Lastly, the paper highlights the need for further research into long-term pasture performance, species persistence, and the effectiveness of emerging technologies to optimise pasture management in NZ changing climate.Item Exploring geographic differences in IgE response through network and manifold analyses(Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2026-01-01) Cucco A; Pearce N; Simpson A; Pembrey L; Mpairwe H; Figueiredo CA; Cooper PJ; Douwes J; Brooks C; Adcock IM; Kermani NZ; Roberts GDM; Murray CS; Custovic A; Fontanella S; WASP Study Group; STELAR/UNICORN Consortium; U-BIOPRED ConsortiumBackground: Component-resolved diagnostics allow detailed assessment of IgE sensitization to multiple allergenic molecules (component-specific IgEs, or c-sIgEs) and may be useful for asthma diagnosis. However, to effectively use component-resolved diagnostics across diverse settings, it is crucial to account for geographic differences. Objective: We investigated spatial determinants of c-sIgE networks to facilitate development of diagnostic algorithms applicable globally. Methods: We used multiplex component-resolved diagnostics array to measure c-sIgE to 112 proteins in an international collaboration of several studies: WASP (World Asthma Phenotypes; United Kingdom, New Zealand, Brazil, Ecuador, and Uganda), U-BIOPRED (Unbiased Biomarkers for the Prediction of Respiratory Disease Outcomes; 7 European countries), and MAAS (Manchester Asthma and Allergy Study, a UK population-based birth cohort). Hierarchical clustering on low-dimensional representation of co-occurrence networks ascertained sensitization and c-sigE clusters across populations. Cross-country comparisons focused on a common subset of 18 c-sIgEs. We investigated sensitization networks across regions in relation to asthma severity. Results: Sensitization profiles shared similarities across regions. For 18 c-sIgEs shared across study populations, the response structure enabled differentiation between different geographic areas and study designs, revealing 3 clusters: (1) Uganda, Ecuador, and Brazil, (2) U-BIOPRED children and adults, and (3) New Zealand, United Kingdom, and MAAS. Spectral clustering identified differences between clusters. We observed constant, almost parallel shifts between severe and nonsevere asthma in each country. Conclusions: Patterns of c-sIgE response reflect geographic location and study design. However, despite geographic differences in c-sIgE networks, there is a remarkably consistent shift between networks of subjects with nonsevere and severe asthma.Item Transgender healthcare, telehealth, venture capital and community(Intellect, 2023-07-31) Easterbrook-Smith GAccessing reliable and competent gender-affirming medical care is often difficult for transgender people. FOLX is a telehealth and pharmaceutical delivery start-up which launched in late 2020, primarily offering gender-affirming hormone therapy for a monthly fee. FOLX’s marketing makes extensive use of social media and online influencers, and the company frequently highlights a goal of being created ‘by and for’ transgender people. This article examines FOLX’s deployment of narratives of community, collectivity, unmet need and commercial opportunity, examining the company’s website, social media posts and media coverage and interviews with the founder. Ultimately, it argues that while the core business offering of FOLX meets a need for a marginalized and underserved population, their deployment of narratives about community support should be regarded with some scepticism. These narratives appear in some cases to co-opt community values of collectivity, mutual aid and support for the benefit of venture capital firms.Item Vulnerability of marine megafauna to global at-sea anthropogenic threats(Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology, 2025-11-14) VanCompernolle M; Morris J; Calich HJ; Rodríguez JP; Marley SA; Pearce JR; Abrahms B; Abrantes K; Afonso AS; Aguilar A; Agyekumhene A; Akamatsu T; Åkesson S; Alawa NG; Alfaro-Shigueto J; Anderson RC; Anker-Nilssen T; Arata JA; Araujo G; Arostegui MC; Arrizabalaga H; Arrowsmith LM; Auger-Méthé M; Avila IC; Bailleul F; Barker J; Barlow DR; Barnett A; Barrios-Garrido H; Baylis AMM; Bearzi G; Bejder L; Belda EJ; Benson SR; Berumen ML; Bestley S; Bezerra NPA; Blaison AV; Boehme L; Bograd SJ; Abimbola BD; Bond ME; Borrell A; Bouchet PJ; Boveng P; Braulik G; Braun CD; Brodie S; Bugoni L; Bustamante C; Campana SE; Cárdenas-Alayza S; Carmichael RH; Carroll G; Carter MID; Ceia FR; Cerchio S; Ferreira LC; Chambault P; Chapple TK; Charvet P; Chavez EJ; Chevallier D; Chiaradia A; Chilvers BL; Cimino MA; Clark BL; Clarke CR; Clay TA; Cloyed CS; Cochran JEM; Collins T; Cortes E; Cuevas E; Curnick DJ; Dann P; de Bruyn PJN; de Vos A; Derville S; Dias MP; Diaz-Lopez B; Dodge KL; Dove ADM; Doyle TK; Drymon JM; Dudgeon CL; Dutton PH; Ellenberg U; Elwen SH; Emmerson L; Eniang EA; Espinoza M; Esteban N; Mul E; Fadely BS; Fayet AL; Feare C; Ferguson SH; Feyrer LJ; Finucci B; Florko KRN; Fontes J; Fortuna CM; Fossette S; Fouda L; Frere E; Fuentes MMPB; Gallagher AJ; Borboroglu PG; Garrigue C; Gauffier P; Gennari E; Genov T; Germanov ES; Giménez J; Godfrey MH; Godley BJ; Goldsworthy SD; Gollock M; González Carman V; Gownaris NJ; Grecian WJ; Guzman HM; Hamann M; Hammerschlag N; Hansen ES; Harris MP; Hastie G; Haulsee DE; Hazen EL; Heide-Jørgensen MP; Hieb EE; Higdon JW; Hindell MA; Hinke JT; Hoenner X; Hofmeyr GJG; Holmes BJ; Hoyt E; Huckstadt LA; Hussey NE; Huveneers C; Irvine LG; Jabado RW; Jacoby DMP; Jaeger A; Jagielski PM; Jessopp M; Jewell OJD; Jiménez Alvarado D; Jordan LKB; Jorgensen SJ; Kahn B; Karamanlidis AA; Kato A; Keith-Diagne LW; Kiani MS; Kiszka JJ; Kock AA; Kopf RK; Kuhn C; Kyne PM; Laidre KL; Lana FO; Lander ME; Le Corre M; Lee OA; Leeney RH; Levengood AL; Levenson JJ; Libertelli M; Liu K-M; Lopez Mendilaharsu M; Loveridge A; Lowe CG; Lynch HJ; Macena BCL; Mackay AIMarine megafauna species are affected by a wide range of anthropogenic threats. To evaluate the risk of such threats, species’ vulnerability to each threat must first be determined. We build on the existing threats classification scheme and ranking system of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species by assessing the vulnerability of 256 marine megafauna species to 23 at-sea threats. The threats we considered included individual fishing gear types, climate-change-related subthreats not previously assessed, and threats associated with coastal impacts and maritime disturbances. Our ratings resulted in 70 species having high vulnerability (v > 0.778 out of 1) to at least 1 threat, primarily drifting longlines, temperature extremes, or fixed gear. These 3 threats were also considered to have the most severe effects (i.e., steepest population declines). Overall, temperature extremes and plastics and other solid waste were rated as affecting the largest proportion of populations. Penguins, pinnipeds, and polar bears had the highest vulnerability to temperature extremes. Bony fishes had the highest vulnerability to drifting longlines and plastics and other solid waste; pelagic cetaceans to 4 maritime disturbance threats; elasmobranchs to 5 fishing threats; and flying birds to drifting longlines and 2 maritime disturbance threats. Sirenians and turtles had the highest vulnerability to at least one threat from all 4 categories. Despite not necessarily having severe effects for most taxonomic groups, temperature extremes were rated among the top threats for all taxa except bony fishes. The vulnerability scores we provide are an important first step in estimating the risk of threats to marine megafauna. Importantly, they help differentiate scope from severity, which is key to identifying threats that should be prioritized for mitigation.
