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.

Modelling carbon sources and sinks in terrestrial vegetation

Abstract: Contents Summary 652 I. Introduction 652 II. Discrepancy in predicting the effects of rising [CO2 ] on the terrestrial C sink 655 III. Carbon and nutrient storage in plants and its modelling 656 IV. Modelling the source and the sink: a plant perspective 657 V. Plant-scale water and Carbon flux models 660 VI. Challenges for the future 662 Acknowledgements 663 Authors contributions 663 References 663 SUMMARY: The increase in atmospheric CO2 in the future is one of the most certain projections in environmental sciences. Understanding whether vegetation carbon assimilation, growth, and changes in vegetation carbon stocks are affected by higher atmospheric CO2 and translating this understanding in mechanistic vegetation models is of utmost importance. This is highlighted by inconsistencies between global-scale studies that attribute terrestrial carbon sinks to CO2 stimulation of gross and net primary production on the one hand, and forest inventories, tree-scale studies, and plant physiological evidence showing a much less pronounced CO2 fertilization effect on the other hand. Here, we review how plant carbon sources and sinks are currently described in terrestrial biosphere models. We highlight an uneven representation of complexity between the modelling of photosynthesis and other processes, such as plant respiration, direct carbon sinks, and carbon allocation, largely driven by available observations. Despite a general lack of data on carbon sink dynamics to drive model improvements, ways forward toward a mechanistic representation of plant carbon sinks are discussed, leveraging on results obtained from plant-scale models and on observations geared toward model developments.

Blood group terminology 2004: from the International Society of Blood Transfusion committee on terminology for red cell surface antigens.

Abstract: 1 Bristol Institute for Transfusion Sciences, Bristol, UK 2 Growing your Knowledge, Spit Junction, NSW, Australia 3 American Red Cross Blood Services, Los Angeles-Orange Counties Region, Los Angeles, CA, USA 4 Biotechnology Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand 5 Regional Blood Transfusion Center, Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Arhus N, Denmark 6 Department of Pathology, University Hospitals UH-2G332, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA 7 Reference Laboratory for Immunohematology and Blood Groups, National Blood Services Centre, Tel Hashomer, Israel 8 New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA 9 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, USA 10 Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA 11 Gamma Biologicals Inc (subsidiary of Immunocor Inc), Houston, TX, USA 12 Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam, the Netherlands 13 Centre national de Reference pour les Groupes sanguines (CNTS), Paris, France 14 International Blood Group Reference Laboratory, Bristol, UK 15 Finnish Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Helsinki, Finland 16 South African National Blood Service, East Coast Region, Pinetown, South Africa 17 Osaka Red Cross Blood Center, Osaka, Japan 18 Blood Bank, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, Brazil 19 Rh Laboratory, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Blockchain-based life cycle assessment: An implementation framework and system architecture

Abstract: Life cycle assessment (LCA) is widely used for assessing the environmental impacts of a product or service. Collecting reliable data is a major challenge in LCA due to the complexities involved in the tracking and quantifying inputs and outputs at multiple supply chain stages. Blockchain technology offers an ideal solution to overcome the challenge in sustainable supply chain management. Its use in combination with internet-of-things (IoT) and big data analytics and visualization can help organizations achieve operational excellence in conducting LCA for improving supply chain sustainability. This research develops a framework to guide the implementation of Blockchain-based LCA. It proposes a system architecture that integrates the use of Blockchain, IoT, and big data analytics and visualization. The proposed implementation framework and system architecture were validated by practitioners who were experienced with Blockchain applications. The research also analyzes system implementation costs and discusses potential issues and solutions, as well as managerial and policy implications.

Effect of Telephone Counseling on Physical Activity for Low‐Active Older People in Primary Care: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term effectiveness of a telephone counseling intervention on physical activity and health-related quality of life in low-active older adults recruited through their primary care physician. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Three primary care practices from different socioeconomic regions of Auckland, New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and eighty-six low-active adults (aged 65) recruited from their primary care physicians' patient databases. INTERVENTION: Eight telephone counseling sessions over 12 weeks based on increasing physical activity. Control patients received usual care. MEASUREMENTS: Change in physical activity (as measured using the Auckland Heart Study Physical Activity Questionnaire) and quality of life (as measured using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)) over a 12-month period. RESULTS: Moderate leisure physical activity increased by 86.8 min/wk more in the intervention group than in the control group (P=.007). More participants in the intervention group reached 2.5 hours of moderate or vigorous leisure physical activity per week after 12 months (42% vs 23%, odds ratio=2.9, 95% confidence interval=1.33–6.32, P=.007). No differences on SF-36 measures were observed between the groups at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Telephone-based physical activity counseling is effective at increasing physical activity over 12 months in previously low-active older adults.

Exploring the advantages and challenges of double-skin façades (DSFs)

Abstract: With the global target to promote energy saving in buildings, various studies draw attention to the role of environmentally benign building envelopes. In this regard, double-skin facades (DSFs) have been proposed as a promising passive building technology to enhance the energy efficiency and improve the indoor thermal comfort at the same time. A comprehensive analysis of the current design of DSFs, and their technical aspects is presented in this paper. Construction characteristics of DSFs are also reported. The impacts of DSFs on the energy efficiency and thermal performance are discussed by looking at measured and simulated performances. Findings confirm that significant benefits result from using DSFs. Finally, research opportunities are outlined for further investigation.