Massey University

Digital immersive environments (DIEs) are increasingly employed in sensory studies to create more ecologically valid settings for product testing. However, individual differences appear to influence participant level of engagement within product-(in)congruent DIEs. This investigation studied how environmental congruency and personality traits affect consumer engagement in DIEs compared to a traditional controlled environment. Data from two studies conducted in the Feast Lab (New Zealand) were analysed. Both studies included three contexts: congruent, incongruent (both DIEs), and a traditional central location test. Engagement scores were assessed alongside Big Five personality traits, technophilia levels, and Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) scores. Findings revealed that engagement levels were consistently higher in DIEs than in the traditional controlled environment across both studies. Interestingly, participants reported lower distraction in DIEs compared to the controlled context in both the studies. In study 1, personality traits such as agreeableness and neuroticism significantly influenced engagement dimensions. Participants with higher scores in agreeableness and neuroticism demonstrated greater involvement and sensory awareness. Additionally, those with high conscientiousness scores exhibited heightened sensory awareness specifically in congruent environments in both studies. In Study 2, participants with higher conscientiousness scores also reported greater environmental aesthetics, involvement, and perceived realism. Technophilia showed a negative association with immersion and perceived realism in Study 1, but no such effect was observed in Study 2. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual personality traits when designing and interpreting sensory studies using immersive technologies, to ensure more accurate and inclusive consumer insights. • Product-context congruency and certain personality traits significantly influenced consumer engagement. • Engagement was consistently higher in DIEs than in traditional environments. • Individual differences are critical for designing immersive sensory studies. • Agreeableness and neuroticism increase involvement and sensory awareness. • Conscientiousness enhanced sensory awareness and realism in congruent DIEs.

• The application of data mining based on artificial intelligence technology in the field of food flavor has been extensively discussed • The diverse types of data related to food flavors have been systematically organized, and their principal data processing methods have been thoroughly summarized • The data preprocessing steps are discussed in detail, and the impact of data augmentation techniques on enhancing the analytical capabilities of flavor omics is explored • Large models and deep learning are discussed as new data analysis methods for flavor prediction and recipe development In the field of food flavor, there exists a substantial amount of structured and unstructured data originating from flavoromics, databases, and social media. To effectively extract valuable information from these diverse data sources and promote rational application, extensive data mining efforts have been undertaken. This review provides a systematic overview of data mining in the context of food flavor and summarizes various multivariate data processing strategies. This review examines a wide array of current research in flavoromics and discuss pre-processing methods designed to address challenges such as small dataset sizes and complex manual data preparation. Furthermore, this review summarizes innovative approaches based on artificial intelligence and large language models, elucidating their prospective applications in flavor molecules prediction and recipes development. Lastly, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of applying data mining on flavor research.

Improving our understanding of how demographic and drug use factors shape social media drug market engagement is integral to targeting harm reduction and prevention responses to high-risk drug use and digital harm. To identify demographics and drug use patterns that correlate with using specific social media platforms to purchase drugs. An anonymous online survey of New Zealanders who use drugs (N = 10,781) was used to explore social media drug purchasing. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify demographic and drug use correlates of using Facebook/Messenger, Snapchat, Instagram or high security apps (Telegram, Signal, Wickr) to purchase drugs. Sixteen percent reported purchasing drugs via social media (n = 1731). Facebook/Messenger was most used (54.2 %), followed by Snapchat (47.5), Instagram (24.7) and high security apps (17.6). Respondents aged under 30 were more likely to report using Snapchat and less likely to report using Facebook/Messenger or high security apps. Snapchat purchasers were more likely to be Asian, students, use MDMA/ecstasy and cocaine, and purchase via "friends/family". High security app purchasers were more likely to identify as male, reside in urban areas, use methamphetamine, psychedelics and cocaine, and purchase from a "drug dealer". Facebook/Messenger purchasers were more likely to report a low income, reside in small town/rural area; and purchase from "gang members", "drug dealers" and "friends/family". Instagram purchasers were more likely to report cocaine use and purchasing from "friends/family". Use of social media apps for drug buying are influenced by demographics (mainly age), drug market contexts, and drug type used.

Hydrothermal alteration is known to enhance conduit sealing and modulate phreatic eruptions. However, the timescales of alteration are poorly understood and difficult to constrain. Here, we use new field- and laboratory-based observations and analyses of fresh and altered lavas from Tongariro, New Zealand, to reconstruct the timescales, fluid composition, and impacts of alteration at this volcano. We focus on Tongariro as it hosts a moderate-sized hydrothermal system across a distributed vent complex. Importantly, it is the site of recent phreatic eruptions in 2012. Fresh Tongariro lavas ( ∼ 500 years old) contain variable plagioclase and pyroxene phenocrysts in an aphanitic groundmass with trace titanomagnetite. Respective altered equivalents are characterized by secondary phyllosilicate minerals, including kaolin-group minerals, and other phases such as pyrite and alunite, reflecting (advanced) argillic alteration caused by acidic fluid flow and/or acidic steam percolation at shallow depths at ∼ 150-200 ° C. Notable, albeit rare, hydrothermal carbonates are present (e.g., dolomite). The rates of alteration of the primary lavas (e.g., using stratigraphy and/or radiometric dating) indicate that hydrothermal alteration can occur within years to thousands of years. Our detailed analysis of secondary mineral assemblages indicates complex and temporally evolving hydrothermal fluid chemistry (including pH) and temperature. The analyzed secondary minerals represent alteration processes associated with the 2012 eruptions, which may have involved deep magmatic fluid discharge followed by neutral meteoric water. Understanding these processes provides insights into hydrothermal fluid circulation, alteration history, and potential volcanic hazards including flank collapse and phreatic eruptions. • Approximate timescales of alteration at Te Maari, Tongariro. • Identified alteration style and conditions. • Mass balance calculations applied to hydrothermal alteration reactions.

Pseudomonads are psychrotrophic spoilage bacteria that can form biofilms at the air-liquid interface. Food processing utensils and equipment often facilitate the air-liquid interface biofilm formation. Pseudomonads produce thermostable enzymes and pigments that affect the organoleptic quality of perishable food products. In this study, Pseudomonas lundensis , Pseudomonas cedrina were allowed to form biofilms at 4°C under continuous flow of nutrients in a CDC reactor (CBR 90; Biosurface Technologies, USA). The mature biofilms were treated with commercial enzyme cleaners, EnduroZyme(protease), DualZyme (protease and lipase), and TriZyme (protease, amylase, and cellulase). The dispersion with EnduroZyme was significantly ( p < 0.05) higher than the other enzyme cleaners. Then the biofilms were treated with hot water and sodium hydroxide, and enzyme cleaners (sequential treatment). The cell counts after sodium hydroxide + Enzyme cleaners were below the detection limit. The microscopic observations with epifluorescence microscopy showed that the coupons had less fluorescence after the sequential treatment. FTIR observations showed that the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) isolated after sodium hydroxide + enzyme cleaners differed from the untreated and sodium hydroxide-only-treated EPS. Biofilm regrowth was significantly ( p < 0.05) lower in the biofilms treated with sodium hydroxide +EnduroZyme compared to acid-treated control coupons. The sequential treatment with sodium hydroxide and enzyme cleaners reduced the biofilm footprints, representing a better clean than enzyme treatment alone or sodium hydroxide-only cleaning. • Air-liquid interface encouraged higher EPS producing genes. • The enzyme cleaners in this study did not disperse the biofilms completely. • The sequential application of NaOH and enzyme cleaners reduced the footprints. • The sequential application resulted in fewer biofilm cells.

ABSTRACT Our paper challenges current understanding of the importance of relational leadership by demonstrating how the relational energy of leaders influences employee job satisfaction, career satisfaction, and OCBs across three countries. Our overall sample was n = 1277 and comprised employees from New Zealand ( n = 427), Australia ( n = 401), and the United States ( n = 449). We found that leaders' relational energy across three countries (the United States, New Zealand, and Australia) was positively related to followers' work‐life balance, job and career satisfaction, and OCBs. Overall, the moderated mediation model highlighted that the work‐life balance of employees mediated the relationship between their outcomes and their leaders' relational energy at least partially. Ultimately, we suggest that when leaders create positive relationships with followers by engaging in emotionally energetic and uplifting interactions, positive outcomes for employee wellbeing ensue and we provide empirical evidence of this relationship.

How land-use intensity (LUI) affects soil structure-dependent functions and organic matter (OM) quality in Patagonian wetland soils (Vegas) of southern Chile is an intriguing question. These wetland soils, which store large amounts OM and regulate water and nutrient fluxes, are increasingly exposed to intensification. While degradation of peatlands under drainage and conversion to agricultural activities is well documented, the long-term effects of contrasting LUI under intensification of livestock systems and peat extraction in southern Patagonia remain poorly understood. Research was conducted along a west–east climatic and aridity gradient in the Magallanes Region Chile. Four pairs of Vegas with contrasting LUI, low-and-high-intensity use of livestock and peat extraction sites were selected, spanning Histosols and Gleysols, including sedge meadows and Sphagnum peatlands. At each site, environmental conditions, vegetation inventory, and livestock management (stocking rate and density) were characterized. Soil structure-dependent functions were quantified from undisturbed cores collected at the surface horizon (5 cm) and the last horizon (~ 70 cm) before the appearance of glacial material or the water table. The water retention and shrinkage curves were measured, and from this, the bulk density (BD), air capacity (AC), plant available water (PAW), coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE), air permeability (Ka) were derived. The saturated hydraulic conductivity (ks), and anisotropy of air and water flows were quantified. The total and dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (TC, TOC, IC, DOC, TN, TIN and TON), stable isotopes (¹³C, ¹⁵N), and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Most Vegas showed high OC (3,69-44%) with very high porosity (&gt;80%), high shrinkage capacity, and strong deformation due to soil drying (COLE&gt; 0.09), particularly in Histosols. and ks decrease with depth, especially in Sphagnum peatlands due to the OM decomposition and pore-size reduction. A soil structural shrinkage phase normally is presence, being often a residual and zero-shrinkage phases absent under low LIU. Anisotropy in fluid conduction was sporadic and more pronounced in the Gleysolic sites. OM quality varied strongly in the top and depth soils across sites. Sphagnum peatlands had the highest C:N ratios and high FTIR signatures of recalcitrant organic compounds, whereas sedge-dominated Vegas showed more similar spectral patterns. Depth profile declines in C:N and shifts in ¹³C and ¹⁵N abundances showing progressive OM decomposition and N enrichment. Unexpectedly, we found that high LUI did not deteriorate the structure-dependent functions. In several cases, more intensive but better managed systems displayed higher porosity, greater ks and Ka, and well-developed structural shrinkage phases. However, peat extraction in Sphagnum systems clearly damaged structural integrity. Results indicate that LUI effects are context dependent and that both low-intensity and over grazing for livestock production can be detrimental. A high LUI did not result in a marked deterioration of structure dependent soil functions, instead, it revealed a continuum of responses across the study sites. Recovery in structure-dependent soil functions were primarily associated with increased organic matter content, accompanied by a relative enhancement in organic matter quality. This implies that low land use intensity can be just as harmful without proper utilization and controlled use of natural resources.

Recent revisions to the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) Education Standards2026 mark a significant shift in social work education in Aotearoa New Zealand, removing time-based requirements and enabling shortened qualifying pathways, including the potential compression of postgraduate routes to registration. Drawing on the SWRB’s Official Information Act response and sector scholarship, this paper examines the implications of this shift for professional preparation, equity, and workforce sustainability. While the SWRB frames flexibility and compressed timeframes as a response to student financial hardship, declining enrolments and, most notably, workforce shortages, we argue that accelerated qualification pathways risk misdiagnosing the workforce crisis and positioning educational design as the primary lever for resolving what are fundamentally structural and political challenges. In doing so, costs and risks are displaced across the profession and sector, signalling concerns for workforce capability, organisational capacity, student learning and progression, and public safety. The paper contends that equity is not served if shortened pathways become diminished pathways and calls for coordinated system-level responses that preserve rigorous and coherent professional education.

The participatory rights of children in consenting to receive services, and for including children in feedback processes on the services that they receive, are well established in international standards and laws. However, children with disability often experience barriers to participating in these processes. Tools and strategies have been developed to facilitate accessible processes, however these approaches typically assume that the person is able to provide direct and unambiguous responses. Drawing on qualitative interview methodologies, with insights from intellectual disability literature and the authors’ experiences as speech-language pathologists, a combined methodological approach to conducting a single interview with two children with intellectual disability was explored to capture the children's feedback on a speech-language pathology service. Using situated discourse analysis, the results demonstrate the dynamic and responsive journey towards shared co-construction of meaning and voice between each child, their parent and the interviewer. Further, a continuum of ambiguity was evident in the children's messages, and communication partners were observed to use a range of strategies to explore this ambiguity and co-construct meaning. This study has implications for the realisation of children's participatory and health-related rights, qualitative interview methodologies, and speech-language pathology practice with children and adults with intellectual disability or communication differences.