Auckland University of Technology

About: Auckland University of Technology is a education organization based out in Auckland, New Zealand. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 4116 authors who have published 13461 publications receiving 353076 citations. The organization is also known as: AUT & AUT University.

Associations between children’s independent mobility and physical activity

Abstract: Independent mobility describes the freedom of children to travel and play in public spaces without adult supervision. The potential benefits for children are significant such as social interactions with peers, spatial and traffic safety skills and increased physical activity. Yet, the health benefits of independent mobility, particularly on physical activity accumulation, are largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate associations of children’s independent mobility with light, moderate-to-vigorous, and total physical activity accumulation. In 2011 - 2012, 375 Australian children aged 8-13 years (62% girls) were recruited into a cross-sectional study. Children’s independent mobility (i.e. independent travel to school and non-school destinations, independent outdoor play) and socio-demographics were assessed through child and parent surveys. Physical activity intensity was measured objectively through an Actiheart monitor worn on four consecutive days. Associations between independent mobility and physical activity variables were analysed using generalized linear models, accounting for clustered sampling, Actiheart wear time, socio-demographics, and assessing interactions by sex. Independent travel (walking, cycling, public transport) to school and non-school destinations were not associated with light, moderate-to-vigorous and total physical activity. However, sub-analyses revealed a positive association between independent walking and cycling (excluding public transport) to school and total physical but only in boys (b = 36.03, p < 0.05). Frequent independent outdoor play (three or more days per week) was positively associated with light and total physical activity (b = 29.76, p < 0.01 and b = 32.43, p = 0.03, respectively). No significant associations were found between independent outdoor play and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. When assessing differences by sex, the observed significant associations of independent outdoor play with light and total physical activity remained in girls but not in boys. All other associations showed no significant differences by sex. Independent outdoor play may boost children’s daily physical activity levels, predominantly at light intensity. Hence, facilitating independent outdoor play could be a viable intervention strategy to enhance physical activity in children, particularly in girls. Associations between independent travel and physical activity are inconsistent overall and require further investigation.

Online spatio-temporal pattern recognition with evolving spiking neural networks utilising address event representation, rank order, and temporal spike learning

Abstract: Evolving spiking neural networks (eSNN) are computational models that evolve new spiking neurons and new connections from incoming data to learn patterns from them in an on-line mode. With the development of new techniques to capture spatio- and spectro-temporal data in a fast on-line mode, using for example address event representation (AER) such as the implemented one in the artificial retina and the artificial cochlea chips, and with the available SNN hardware technologies, new and more efficient methods for spatio-temporal pattern recognition (STPR) are needed. The paper introduces a new eSNN model dynamic eSNN (deSNN), that utilises both rank-order spike coding (ROSC), also known as time to first spike, and temporal spike coding (TSC). Each of these representations are implemented through different learning mechanisms - RO learning, and temporal spike learning - spike driven synaptic plasticity (SDSP) rule. The deSNN model is demonstrated on a small scale moving object classification problem when AER data is collected with the use of an artificial retina camera. The new model is superior in terms of learning time and accuracy for learning. It makes use of the order of spikes input information which is explicitly present in the AER data, while a temporal spike learning rule accounts for any consecutive spikes arriving on the same synapse that represent temporal components in the learned spatio-temporal pattern.

Extreme Magnification Microlensing Event OGLE-2008-BLG-279: Strong Limits on Planetary Companions to the Lens Star

Abstract: We analyze the extreme high-magnification microlensing event OGLE-2008-BLG-279, which peaked at a maximum magnification of A ~ 1600 on 2008 May 30. The peak of this event exhibits both finite-source effects and terrestrial parallax, from which we determine the mass of the lens, Ml = 0.64 ? 0.10 M ?, and its distance, Dl = 4.0 ? 0.6 kpc. We rule out Jupiter-mass planetary companions to the lens star for projected separations in the range 0.5-20 AU. More generally, we find that this event was sensitive to planets with masses as small as with projected separations near the Einstein ring (~3 AU).

Use of scent in a naturally odourless store

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to introduce the concept of associated scents for retail stores that are normally odourless, and provide an understanding of how associated scent can be used by these non‐scented retailers to influence shopper behaviour and the appeal of the store.Design/methodology/approach – The study involves both an experiment and a field study. The experiment is design to see if scents that have been identify as associated with different store types differed in their influence on behaviour and affect from scents that are not associated with the store. The field study involves an actual store where scent is manipulated, with an associated scent during one period, and a non‐associated yet pleasant scent present during another period. Customer perceptions of the store are measured, their purchase behaviour is measured, and actual year‐on‐year weekly sales are compared.Findings – Previous studies have suggested that simply having a pleasant scent present can enhance liking for the st...