Massey Research Online
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Health equity in a climate-altered world
(y Elsevier B V on behalf of Public Health Association of Australia, 2025-08-01) Murray L; Vyas A; Reweti A; Humphrey K; Murray L; Vyas A; Reweti A; Humphrey K
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Assessing fatigue in adult blood cancer patients : a 24-hour repeated cardiopulmonary exercise test in New Zealand (a pilot study) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of a Masters in Health Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2025) Fuller, Toby Christian
Purpose: Cancer-related fatigue is a persistent issue in long-term survival for cancer patients in remission. This study assessed the effects of cancer-related fatigue/post-exertional malaise in adult blood cancer patients aged 20-35 years of age. Methods: Five adult blood cancer (ABC) patients in remission and five healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Each participant completed a maximal incremental cycle exercise test on day one and again 24 hr later. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), oxygen consumption (VO 2), carbon dioxide production (VCO 2) and workload (WL) were recorded during the 24-hour repeated CPET. Data analysis investigated these responses at anaerobic threshold (AT) and peak work rate (PWR). Results: On day one, VO 2 at PWR were similar between both groups (ABC 38.62 +/- 16.21 ml.kg.min -1, HC 38.91 +/- 14.14 ml.kg.min -1), despite a difference in WL (ABC: 186 +/- 44.49 Watts; HC: 222 +/- 35.81 Watts). On day two, ABC saw a decrease in WL (165 +/- 45 Watts) alongside VO 2 (35.34 +/- 16.67 ml.kg.min-1) at PWR, despite no change in WL (D2: 222 +/- 38.83 Watts) and a slight increase in peak VO 2 for HC (40.19 +/- 14.61 ml.kg.min-1) at PWR. Across the two-day comparison, there was a significant decrease in VCO 2 (P=0.32), Time to completion of the test (P=0.17), WL (P=0.05), and HR (P=0.02) at PWR in ABL compared to no significant changes in HC. No significant changes were seen at AT in either group. On the second day, ABC could only increase HR to 87% +/- 6.84% of Max HR, compared to achieving 95.09% +/- 4.69% of Max HR on day one. Conclusion: These results highlight significant cancer-related fatigue/post-exertional malaise in adult blood cancer patients in remission. This fatigue will affect participants' emotional, social, and physical well-being and reduce their ability to lead everyday lives. This study forms an important stepping stone for how fatigue is assessed and exercise prescribed in cancer survivors.
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Evaluating consumer affective thresholds in high protein beverages using different approaches : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Food Technology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2025) Waddell, Elise
Understanding how sensory attributes influence consumer rejection is critical for guiding the development of functional foods, such as high-protein dairy beverages. This study compared three consumer affective threshold methodologies: paired preference, liking, and binary rejection to determine thresholds for three sensory attributes in protein beverages. Consumers (N=142) performed 2-AFC preference tests and evaluated four sample series: a control and four samples with decreasing sweetness (sucralose at 0–5% sugar equivalence), four with increasing thickness (50– 350 cP), and four with increasing powdery mouthfeel from added whey protein (0– 10%). Seven additional samples completed a central composite rotational design to examine sweetness and thickness thresholds simultaneously. Sensory panel descriptive analysis, instrumental characterisation, and ingredient composition were used as stimulus intensity measures. Thresholds varied significantly by methodology, with sweetness thresholds ranging from 1.7% to 4.2% sugar equivalence, thickness thresholds from 245 cP to beyond the tested range, and powderiness thresholds from 3.6% to 8.7% WPC. Consumer segmentation greatly influenced threshold positioning, highlighting individual differences. Sweetness was the strongest driver of rejection, both individually and in combination with thickness. Methodological comparisons demonstrated distinct strengths and limitations, reinforcing the need to tailor threshold methodology selection to research objectives. Paired preference was effective for detecting small changes relative to a control, whereas liking and binary rejection provided greater flexibility in assessing broader acceptability. Integrating consumer reasoning behind acceptability added insights; sensory properties were the primary drivers of acceptability, but factors such as ease of drinking, expected purchase satisfaction, and product expectations also influenced consumer decisions.
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A history of the development of table tennis (ping pong) in New Zealand c. 1890 – 1939 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History, Massey University, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 12th February 2027
(Massey University, 2024) Ngo, Song Ze (Amos)
This thesis is a study of the history of table tennis (ping pong) in New Zealand from c. 1890 to 1939. Table tennis has a long history in New Zealand and was one of many sports that thrived and established an enduring foothold in the country’s sporting world during the interwar period. Its history, however, has not been extensively recorded. Moreover, scholarly literature on the history of table tennis remains scarce. The period between c. 1890 and 1939 saw table tennis become a popular sport at both recreational and competitive level. This thesis investigates what factors helped and what factors hindered the development of table tennis in New Zealand. In doing so, it also provides insights into the place of so-called “minor sports” in New Zealand’s sporting history. Through a detailed examination of local newspapers and periodicals, this thesis examines the different perceptions of table tennis within society. Beyond its characterisation as a sport, this research explores other interpretations and expressions of table tennis, particularly its uptake as a social and recreational activity within New Zealand society. Through investigating recreational forms of participation and engagement with table tennis, this thesis identifies constituencies sometimes overlooked in the current historiography of sport in New Zealand. In doing so, it provides a more complete picture of New Zealanders’ relationship with sport and sporting activities.
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Not all angels : an ecofeminist reading of dualism, domination and rebellion within The Hunger Games : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Masters of Creative Writing at Massey University, Albany, Aotearoa New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 17th February 2027
(Massey University, 2025) Clark, Brittany
This thesis is comprised of two sections: a critical section analysing the young adult, speculative novel ‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins, through the lens of ecofeminist theory, and the initial 24’600 words of a 60,000 word novel of the same genre entitled: ‘Above Ground’. Both sections explore the young, female protagonist and her relationship with individualism, dualism, rebellion, nature, and the dominance that presents itself alongside these themes. In the critical portion of the thesis, I outline the concepts of speculative fiction, ecofeminist theory, western dualisms such as the Nature vs Reason dualism, and the Angel in the eco system construct. I utilise these concepts in my close reading and literary criticism of The Hun ger Games (2008) by Suzanne Collins by analysing where they are present or could be observed within the novel. I then continue this close reading through an examination of the novel through an ecofeminist lens. I draw from the work of theorists such as Val Plumwood, Greta Gaard, Carol J. Adams, and Patrick D. Murphy to support my argument that The Hunger Games protagonist Katniss Everdeen, challenges dualistic structures of dominance that link the oppression of women with the exploitation of nature, within the narrative. By rejecting the "Angel in the Ecosystem" trope, Katniss reveals how both dominance and environmental manipulation are interlinked. This highlights the interconnectedness of dualism, othering, ecological abuses, and societal control. In applying ecofeminist theory to a contemporary novel, I aim to develop my own understanding and implementation of ecofeminist themes within my creative work ‘Above Ground’.