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.

Biofilms in the food industry: problems and potential solutions

Abstract: Summary Contamination of food by spoilage and pathogenic micro-organisms costs the food industry millions of dollars annually. Much of this contamination may be attributed to the presence of biofilms in the processing plant. In this review, we examine the properties of micro-organisms and the surfaces of processing equipment that influence the formation of biofilms. Of particular concern is the increased resistance of biofilms to cleaning and disinfection processes. Alternative means of controlling biofilm development are described and some aspects where more information is required are identified.

Perceived Risk, the Internet Shopping Experience and Online Purchasing Behavior: A New Zealand Perspective

Abstract: This paper develops a research model of the importance of consumers’ perceived risk and the Internet shopping experience in the online purchasing behavior of Internet users. The model was tested using a survey of some 700 New Zealand Internet users. Both the perceived risk and perceived benefits of Internet shopping were found to be significantly associated with the amount and frequency of online purchases made. Loss of social interaction in Internet shopping was associated with reduced online spending. The results of the study suggest that Internet retailing Web sites should include features that enhance customer service and reduce perceived risk.

Body perception disturbance: a contribution to pain in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

Abstract: In spite of pain in the CRPS limb, clinical observations show patients pay little attention to, and fail to care for, their affected limb as if it were not part of their body. Literature describes this phenomenon in terms of neurological neglect-like symptoms. This qualitative study sought to explore the nature of the phenomenon with a view to providing insights into central mechanisms and the relationship with pain. Twenty-seven participants who met the IASP CRPS classification were interviewed using qualitative methods to explore feelings and perceptions about their affected body parts. These semi-structured interviews were analysed utilising principles of grounded theory. Participants revealed bizarre perceptions about a part of their body and expressed a desperate desire to amputate this part despite the prospect of further pain and functional loss. A mismatch was experienced between the sensation of the limb and how it looked. Anatomical parts of the CRPS limb were erased in mental representations of the affected area. Pain generated a raised consciousness of the limb yet there was a lack of awareness as to its position. These feelings were about the CRPS limb only as the remaining unaffected body was felt to be normal. Findings suggest that there is a complex interaction between pain, disturbances in body perception and central remapping. Clinically, findings support the use of treatments that target cortical areas, which may reduce body perception disturbance and pain. We propose that body perception disturbance is a more appropriate term than 'neglect-like' symptoms to describe this phenomenon.

Measuring flourishing: The impact of operational definitions on the prevalence of high levels of wellbeing

Abstract: A number of studies find that religious people are happier than non-religious ones. Yet a number of fundamental questions about that relationship remain unanswered. A critical one is the direction of causality: does religion make people happier or are happier people more likely to have faith in something that is beyond their control? We posit that the relationship between religion and wellbeing is mediated by factors ranging from intrinsic purpose, to its social aspects, to its role as an insurance mechanism for people who face great adversity. We explore a number of related questions, using world-wide data from the Gallup World Poll. As these data are cross- section data, we cannot establish causality; we do, however, explore: how or if the relationship between religion and wellbeing varies across the two distinct wellbeing dimensions (hedonic and evaluative); how social externalities mediate the relationship; how the relationship changes as countries and people within them become more prosperous and acquire greater means and agency; and how the relationship between religion and wellbeing varies depending on where respondents are in the wellbeing distribution. We find that the positive relation between religion and evaluative wellbeing is more important for respondents with lower levels of agency, while the positive relation with hedonic wellbeing holds across the board. The social dimension of religion is most important for the least social respondents, while the religiosity component of religion is most important for the happiest respondents, regardless of religious affiliation or service attendance. As such, it seems that the happiest are most likely to seek social purpose in religion, the poorest are most likely to seek social insurance in religion, and the least social are the most likely to seek social time in religion.