title: Real interest parity: A note on Asian countries using panel stationarity tests

authors: Holmes, Mark J.

subjects: heterogeneous dynamic panels

abstract: Existing panel data studies of real interest parity are either unable to identify which panel members are characterised by stationary real interest differentials, or are subject to size distortion resulting from the presence of structural breaks and cross-sectional dependencies. Using a panel stationarity testing procedure recently advocated by Hadri and Rao (2008) that allows for structural breaks and cross-sectional dependency, we are unable to reject the stationarity of Asian real interest rate differentials.

text: Real interest parity: A note on Asian countries using panel stationarity tests Existing panel data studies of real interest parity are either unable to identify which panel members are characterised by stationary real interest differentials, or are subject to size distortion resulting from the presence of structural breaks and cross-sectional dependencies. Using a panel stationarity testing procedure recently advocated by Hadri and Rao (2008) that allows for structural breaks and cross-sectional dependency, we are unable to reject the stationarity of Asian real interest rate differentials.

year: 2011

title: An investigation of factors that influence running footwear selection and subjective perceptions

authors: Fife, Andrew

subjects: run

abstract: Background: Many runners consider shoes important to sport participation. Selecting running shoes requires runners to navigate marketing claims and anecdotal evidence to find shoes that meet their needs. Salespeople in running stores often guide runners in their footwear selection, with runners often selecting shoes based on their subjective perceptions of comfort, performance, and injury risk reduction. The validity of this approach is questionable as the advice from salespeople can lack evidence base and runners’ footwear perceptions may be biased. Although previous research identifies the importance of salespeople in shoe selection, little is known regarding how runners choose their shoes in store. Furthermore, it may be possible to influence runner behaviour through education-based interventions and salespeople recommendations, although the effects of education and recommendation on shoe choice are largely unknown. 

Aim: To explore the in-store running shoe selection process and the influence of education and expert recommendation on runners’ shoe selection and subjective perceptions. 

Methods: This Thesis is comprised of seven Chapters, five of which are formatted as academic papers suitable for peer-reviewed publication. First, a systematic review was conducted on factors that influence road running shoe selection. Secondly, 101 runners visiting specialty running stores were surveyed on their running shoe choice, running history, conscious behaviour, and perceived influence of salespeople on their shoe selection. Thirdly, a thematic analysis was used to evaluate how 38 salespeople perceived the salesperson-to-runner interactions. Fourthly, in a double-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT), 56 runners were randomly assigned to a control or educational video prior to purchasing new running shoes. Runners reported shoe selection behaviours, running history, consciousness during purchase, injuries, and subjective perceptions over three months using online surveys. Lastly, in a single-blind crossover RCT, 21 female runners underwent a clinical gait analysis process and ran on a treadmill at a self-selected pace using their own shoes and two experimental shoes with different product descriptions. One shoe was described as a basic running shoe, whereas the other as a shoe gait-matched to their running style. Subjective perceptions including comfort, performance, and injury risk were reported using visual analogue scales (VAS), and spatiotemporal parameters and resultant tibial acceleration were monitored during running trials. 

Results: Forty factors reported to influence running shoe selection were sourced from the seven studies included in the systematic review. These factors were thematically sub-grouped in five categories: subjective, shoe-specific characteristics, market features, peer evaluation, and runner characteristics. From the 101 runners surveyed in specialty running stores, over 43% of them primarily sought advice from running shoe stores (salespeople) and 25% sought advice from other runners (i.e., family, friends, and running clubs). Runners consistently prioritised fit, comfort, familiarity, and gait analysis during shoe selection. These priorities were aimed at reducing injury risk, with over 20% of surveyed runners in-store reporting sustaining a running-related injury in the previous six months. Based on the 38 interviews conducted, salespeople aimed to build relationships through demonstrating expertise to drive business by making a sale and creating future business. In the RCT providing evidence-based education to runners on shoes, runners that thought less about which shoes to buy were more satisfied at three months post-purchase (89.7 ± 11.2 mm versus 79.8 ± 25.7 mm, p = 0.023) and all runners reported increased subjective performance in new shoes compared to old ones (p = 0.006) based on VAS scores. There was a trend (p = 0.054) for runners to choose different makes and models of shoes after viewing an educational video. In the laboratory-based RCT, runners preferred their own shoes over gait-matched and basic shoes, but rated subjective comfort, performance, and injury risk (p < 0.001, all measures) more favourably in gait-matched than basic shoes, while maintaining similar running biomechanics. 

Conclusion: Road runners that buy shoes from specialty stores rely on the recommendations of salespeople and other runners, despite the unknown quality of this advice. Salespeople build trust with runners through demonstrating expertise and using gait analysis to sell shoes and create future business. Runners in specialty stores focus on subjective factors derived from trying on shoes in-person, such as comfort and fit, with the main goal of reducing injury risk. The subjective perceptions of footwear of runners are manipulable, which further complicates choosing shoes based on desirable factors such as comfort or risk reduction. Additionally, runners typically buy shoes that are familiar to them despite interacting with scientific evidence that they believe influence their behaviours. Runners that think less consciously about their shoe choice are more satisfied with their shoe selection. Current practice of in-store gait analysis and shoe recommendation may not be effective in meeting runners’ desired goals or be evidence-based, with the most appropriate shoe recommendation practices for individuals a challenge to establish.

text: An investigation of factors that influence running footwear selection and subjective perceptions Background: Many runners consider shoes important to sport participation. Selecting running shoes requires runners to navigate marketing claims and anecdotal evidence to find shoes that meet their needs. Salespeople in running stores often guide runners in their footwear selection, with runners often selecting shoes based on their subjective perceptions of comfort, performance, and injury risk reduction. The validity of this approach is questionable as the advice from salespeople can lack evidence base and runners’ footwear perceptions may be biased. Although previous research identifies the importance of salespeople in shoe selection, little is known regarding how runners choose their shoes in store. Furthermore, it may be possible to influence runner behaviour through education-based interventions and salespeople recommendations, although the effects of education and recommendation on shoe choice are largely unknown. 

Aim: To explore the in-store running shoe selection process and the influence of education and expert recommendation on runners’ shoe selection and subjective perceptions. 

Methods: This Thesis is comprised of seven Chapters, five of which are formatted as academic papers suitable for peer-reviewed publication. First, a systematic review was conducted on factors that influence road running shoe selection. Secondly, 101 runners visiting specialty running stores were surveyed on their running shoe choice, running history, conscious behaviour, and perceived influence of salespeople on their shoe selection. Thirdly, a thematic analysis was used to evaluate how 38 salespeople perceived the salesperson-to-runner interactions. Fourthly, in a double-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT), 56 runners were randomly assigned to a control or educational video prior to purchasing new running shoes. Runners reported shoe selection behaviours, running history, consciousness during purchase, injuries, and subjective perceptions over three months using online surveys. Lastly, in a single-blind crossover RCT, 21 female runners underwent a clinical gait analysis process and ran on a treadmill at a self-selected pace using their own shoes and two experimental shoes with different product descriptions. One shoe was described as a basic running shoe, whereas the other as a shoe gait-matched to their running style. Subjective perceptions including comfort, performance, and injury risk were reported using visual analogue scales (VAS), and spatiotemporal parameters and resultant tibial acceleration were monitored during running trials. 

Results: Forty factors reported to influence running shoe selection were sourced from the seven studies included in the systematic review. These factors were thematically sub-grouped in five categories: subjective, shoe-specific characteristics, market features, peer evaluation, and runner characteristics. From the 101 runners surveyed in specialty running stores, over 43% of them primarily sought advice from running shoe stores (salespeople) and 25% sought advice from other runners (i.e., family, friends, and running clubs). Runners consistently prioritised fit, comfort, familiarity, and gait analysis during shoe selection. These priorities were aimed at reducing injury risk, with over 20% of surveyed runners in-store reporting sustaining a running-related injury in the previous six months. Based on the 38 interviews conducted, salespeople aimed to build relationships through demonstrating expertise to drive business by making a sale and creating future business. In the RCT providing evidence-based education to runners on shoes, runners that thought less about which shoes to buy were more satisfied at three months post-purchase (89.7 ± 11.2 mm versus 79.8 ± 25.7 mm, p = 0.023) and all runners reported increased subjective performance in new shoes compared to old ones (p = 0.006) based on VAS scores. There was a trend (p = 0.054) for runners to choose different makes and models of shoes after viewing an educational video. In the laboratory-based RCT, runners preferred their own shoes over gait-matched and basic shoes, but rated subjective comfort, performance, and injury risk (p < 0.001, all measures) more favourably in gait-matched than basic shoes, while maintaining similar running biomechanics. 

Conclusion: Road runners that buy shoes from specialty stores rely on the recommendations of salespeople and other runners, despite the unknown quality of this advice. Salespeople build trust with runners through demonstrating expertise and using gait analysis to sell shoes and create future business. Runners in specialty stores focus on subjective factors derived from trying on shoes in-person, such as comfort and fit, with the main goal of reducing injury risk. The subjective perceptions of footwear of runners are manipulable, which further complicates choosing shoes based on desirable factors such as comfort or risk reduction. Additionally, runners typically buy shoes that are familiar to them despite interacting with scientific evidence that they believe influence their behaviours. Runners that think less consciously about their shoe choice are more satisfied with their shoe selection. Current practice of in-store gait analysis and shoe recommendation may not be effective in meeting runners’ desired goals or be evidence-based, with the most appropriate shoe recommendation practices for individuals a challenge to establish.

year: 2024-12-17

title: Alum dosing of Waitangi Stream: Biomonitoring of aluminium 2021-2023

authors: Tempero, Grant Wayne

abstract: Continuous alum dosing of the Waitangi Stream at Lake Rotoehu commenced in 2011 to reduce concentrations of dissolved reactive phosphorus in this inflow to the lake and improve water quality. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council contracted the University of Waikato to undertake monitoring of biota in the Waitangi Stream for potential impacts due to alum dosing. Macroinvertebrate community analysis and tissue aluminium concentrations in kōura (Paranephrops planifrons) and goldfish (Carassius auratus) have been undertaken annually since 2013 to determine the impacts and bioaccumulation of aluminium.

text: Alum dosing of Waitangi Stream: Biomonitoring of aluminium 2021-2023 Continuous alum dosing of the Waitangi Stream at Lake Rotoehu commenced in 2011 to reduce concentrations of dissolved reactive phosphorus in this inflow to the lake and improve water quality. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council contracted the University of Waikato to undertake monitoring of biota in the Waitangi Stream for potential impacts due to alum dosing. Macroinvertebrate community analysis and tissue aluminium concentrations in kōura (Paranephrops planifrons) and goldfish (Carassius auratus) have been undertaken annually since 2013 to determine the impacts and bioaccumulation of aluminium.

year: 2024