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    Dimorfismo sexual críptico en Sicalis flaveola (Aves: Thraupidae) en el trópico
    (Universidad de Caldas, 2021-01-01) Espinosa C; Castro I; Cruz-Bernate L
    The morphometric differences between the sexes in Sicalis flaveola from Valle del Cauca, southwest Colombia were evaluated. Sex was determined using molecular methods, reproductive behavior and morphological characters. A discriminant function analysis was carried out on 12 body measurements from individuals with mature plumage. Body measurements were very similar between the sexes in line with what was expected from monogamous passerines. Males were significantly larger than females in wings, rectrices, and distance between primary and secondary wing feathers while females had significantly wider beaks than males. An equation was found that that allows the identification of sex with an accuracy of 77.8 %. The morphometric method is proposed as an alternative of lower physiological and economic cost compared to molecular methods for determining the sex of individuals of the species. Se evaluaron las diferencias morfométricas entre sexos en individuos de Sicalis flaveola en el Valle del Cauca, suroccidente de Colombia. El sexo se determinó a partir de métodos moleculares, comportamiento reproductivo y caracteres morfológicos. Se realizó un análisis de función discriminante a partir de 12 medidas corporales de individuos adultos con plumaje maduro. Las medidas corporales fueron muy similares entre los sexos, acorde a lo esperado en paserinos monógamos. Los machos fueron significativamente más grandes que las hembras en alas, rectrices y distancia entre primarias y secundarias; mientras que las hembras tuvieron picos significativamente más anchos que los machos. Se encontró una ecuación que permite identificar el sexo con una exactitud del 77,8 %. Se propone el método morfométrico como una alternativa de menor costo fisiológico y económico en comparación con métodos moleculares para la determinación del sexo de individuos de la especie.
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    Shape on shape on shape
    (Massey University, 2017) Hope, Amelia
    This practice based design research questions the inf luence of body ideals and body categorisation methods on women’s body shape, individual dress expression and wellbeing. Historical and current body type categorisation methods are conventions prevalent within the fashion industry. This research project questions whether these conventions of categorising women’s bodies into simplified shapes and assumed fit and aesthetic preferences is problematic and even redundant in terms of women’s wellbeing in light of changing attitudes towards dress, body ideals and gender. New understandings of wellbeing and identity, self-awareness and body confidence for the individual impacts fashion expression now and in the future. It is highly relevant for designers to understand body shape and the importance of fit preferences in all respects, both physical and psychological throughout the design process. For this practice based research project two experimental design pieces are created that consider the diversity of women’s body shapes and self-ref lection of dress. In addition to relevant literature, this research includes design analysis of inf luential designers who explore the boundaries of the body and garment. My own investigation analyses responses from a small group of ten diverse women to gain insight to the relevance of defined body types and their own perceptions and choices of garment shape and design for personal fit satisfaction. This project informs a reiterative and integrative design process of mindful ref lection, drawing, draping, cutting and construction to create new volume, shapes and silhouette to ref lect the subjective perceptions of body and dress. This innovative design practice looks to new ways of design and pattern development processes to create new expressions of apparel outside of expected norms. This research challenges preconceived ideas about body ideals and dress, in an attempt to open minds to the diversity and uniqueness of body shape and external projection of self.
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    Effects of body size on food conversion efficiency in dairy cows : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Animal Science at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1993) Sharma, Bhuvaneshwar
    The present experiment was designed with the broad objective of examining the importance of differences in body size amongst high producing cows, on their efficiency (FE) of producing milk. For the purpose, a total of 30 multiparous cows (22 Friesians and 8 Jerseys) with similar milkfat (MF) yields were selected from the Dairy Cattle Research Unit at Massey University. Body weight (BW) of the cows ranged between 310 and 565 kg and they were 4-7 years old. Whilst no account of the calving dates was taken, most of the cows were in early to mid lactation. The experiment was divided into two parts- a 25 day grazing period and an 18 day indoor feeding period. During the grazing trial, cows were divided into three "size" groups-large, medium and small, 10 cows in each group (8 Jerseys in the "small" group), but during indoor feeding 11 Friesians and 5 Jerseys were used. The three groups of cows were offered a generous daily herbage allowance and grazed side by side in separate parts of a paddock. The herbage fed during the grazing and indoor feeding periods consisted of a mixture of high quality perennial ryegrass and white clover and representative samples were taken for in vitro digestibility determination. The daily faecal outputs, and then dry matter (DM) intakes, were estimated using gelatin pills and controlled release capsules (CRC) containing chromic oxide (Cr203). Milk yield and composition, BW and condition score change were measured during both experiments. The effects of body size (BW, wither height and chest depth) and breed (and Friesians and Jerseys combined) on intake, production and FE were studied. Energy in milk (NE milk) was estimated from milk composition and FE was then calculated as milk energy produced divided by total ME consumed. Finally using the General Linear Models procedure of the SAS statistical packet, analysis of variance, correlations, and multiple regression analyses were carried out. Intakes during the outdoor experiment were estimated from faecal outputs. Their accuracy, however, may have been reduced by insufficient sampling over the day in the case of the period during which gelatin capsules were administered, and because of the loss of capsules from some cows or underestimation of intakes during the CRC feeding period. The difference in the mean BW between large- medium and medium-small size groups was 80 kg in both cases. The medium group (Friesians) ate 3.9% less DM, produced 2.8% less NE milk and were 2.6% more feed efficient than the large group (Friesians); the small group (mainly Jerseys) ate 13.4% less DM, produced 8.7% less NE milk than the medium ones and were 5.1% more efficient. Friesian cows were 114-127 kg heavier than Jerseys and ate 13.5-20.5% more DM, produced 5.7-8.4% more NE milk but were 5-15% less feed efficient than the Jerseys (outdoors and indoors). Cows which were taller or had greater chest depths had higher levels of intake, and only height was related to production (except MF-in combined data). Further details and the statistical significance of these relationships are summarized below. 1) Although all the cows produced relatively similar amounts of daily MF, NE milk was influenced by BW. This relationship was also affected by breed effects in that the larger cows were Friesians and they tended to produce more protein and lactose than the Jerseys. 2) During the outdoor period, DM intake was positively related to LW0.75 in Friesians, and in the combined data all measures of size were significantly correlated with DM intake (and the highest correlation was obtained with LW0.75). Similar significant relationships between DM intake and LW0.75 were apparent in the multiple regression analyses. During indoor feeding, DM intake was again related significantly to LW0.75 although the relationship was not apparent amongst the smaller number of Friesians used. 3) DM intake and NE milk production were strongly related during the indoor experiment but not during the outdoor experiment. DM intake was also significantly associated with liveweight gain (LWG) in the outdoor experiment (from the multiple regression analyses) but not in the indoor experiment. 4) FE was significantly higher for Jerseys than Friesians in the indoor experiment and during period 2 of the outdoor experiment. FE was highly correlated (positively) with NE milk within breeds and overall (0.2-0.4% MJ from regression coefficients), especially during the outdoor experiment (0.3-0.4%/MJ). Increasing LW0.75 reduced FE significantly (0.2-0.3%/kg LW0.75) in both outdoor and indoor experiments. 5) The grazing cows gained weight during the experiment and this significantly reduced the FE of the cows (6.1-7.3%/kg LWG from the regression analyses). 6) The multiple regression relationships between ME intake and LW0.75 (maintenance), production and LWG provided partial regression coefficients as follows: Maintenance : 0.89 (indoors)-1.40 (outdoors) MJME/kg0.75 Production : 0.80 (outdoors)-1.76 (indoors) MJME/MJ NE milk LWG : 33-40 (outdoors) MJME/kg LWG These values showed variation when alternative analytical procedures were used. Estimated coefficients differed from published data mainly in respect to the higher values for maintenance requirements (MEm). The significance of these results are discussed and it was concluded that dairy cows in New Zealand should be chosen on the basis of an index which allows for differences in body weight as well as production.
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    A feminist appraisal of the experience of embodied largeness : a challenge for nursing : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1997) Carryer, Jennifer B.; Carryer, Jennifer B.
    To be a fat woman is to experience a prolonged, personal battle with the body. The battle is enacted in a social context which is the site of remarkable consensus about the personal culpability of fat people for their bodily largeness; for women in particular the sanctions are especially powerful. In this research nine large women have engaged in a prolonged dialogue about the experience of being 'obese'. In the course of a feminist research endeavour, with a researcher who is similarly positioned, they have both contributed to and gained from a project which illuminates the experience of largeness alongside a critical examination of the discourses which shape body size. This dissertation critiques a dominant medical discourse which ignores conflicting research and supports a narrow view of health by simplistically linking increased body weight with poor health outcomes. Such is the hegemonic power of medicine that an examination of both nursing and popular literature in the area of study, reveals widespread acceptance of the notion that to be thin is to be healthy and virtuous, and to be fat is to be unhealthy and morally deficient. For nursing, the unquestioning obedience to medical teaching, raises serious questions about nursing's autonomy and separateness from medicine. Nurses have perpetuated an unhelpful and reductionist approach to their care of large women , in direct contradiction to nursing's supposed allegiance to a holistic approach to health care. Current strictures on women's body size and continued support for reduction dieting leave large women with the choice between two binary opposites; to diet or not to diet. Either choice has consequences which are traumatic and not health promoting. The experience of largeness emerges as a socially constructed disability in which many women are denied the opportunity to be fully healthy.
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    Understanding the relationship between activity and neighbourhoods (URBAN) study: research design and methodology
    (Badland, 2009) Badland H; Schofield GM; Witten KL; Schluter P; Mavoa S; Kearns RA; Hinckson E; Oliver M; Kaiwai HM; Jensen VG; Ergler C; McGrath L; McPhee J
    Built environment attributes are recognized as being important contributors to physical activity (PA) engagement and body size in adults and children. However, much of the existing research in this emergent public health field is hindered by methodological limitations, including: population and site homogeneity, reliance on self-report measures, aggregated measures of PA, and inadequate statistical modeling. As an integral component of multi-country collaborative research, the Understanding the Relationship between Activity and Neighbourhoods (URBAN) Study seeks to overcome these limitations by determining the strengths of association between detailed measures of the neighborhood built environment with PA levels across multiple domains and body size measures in adults and children. This article outlines the research protocol developed for the URBAN Study.