title: Assay of the antioxidant capacity of foods using an iron(II)-catalysed lipid peroxidation model for greater nutritional relevance

authors: Brangoulo, Helene L.

subjects: antioxidants

abstract: The formation of free radicals by the iron-catalysed Fenton reaction is a major cause of oxidative damage in the body. Here a common assay of antioxidant capacity, inhibition of the β-carotene-linoleic acid model of lipid peroxidation, has been modified by the addition of ferrous iron (final concentration 36 μmol/l), which makes the rate of oxidation of the lipids occur twenty-five times faster. Such an assay can simulate the oxidative damage to membrane lipids and low density lipoproteins occurring in the body in the presence of free iron. It thus may be nutritionally more relevant than traditional chemical assays of antioxidant capacity, as it measures pre-emptive antioxidant activity, i.e. activity which prevents free radicals being formed in the first place. Pre-empting their formation is likely to be more protective than scavenging of free radicals. The relative antioxidant activity of some food products found using this new assay was very different from that found using a radical-scavenging assay. Vitamin C, at 280 mg/l, was found to be sixty times better than blackcurrant puree in scavenging free radicals, but only one eighth as good as the blackcurrant puree in preventing iron-catalysed lipid peroxidation.

text: Assay of the antioxidant capacity of foods using an iron(II)-catalysed lipid peroxidation model for greater nutritional relevance The formation of free radicals by the iron-catalysed Fenton reaction is a major cause of oxidative damage in the body. Here a common assay of antioxidant capacity, inhibition of the β-carotene-linoleic acid model of lipid peroxidation, has been modified by the addition of ferrous iron (final concentration 36 μmol/l), which makes the rate of oxidation of the lipids occur twenty-five times faster. Such an assay can simulate the oxidative damage to membrane lipids and low density lipoproteins occurring in the body in the presence of free iron. It thus may be nutritionally more relevant than traditional chemical assays of antioxidant capacity, as it measures pre-emptive antioxidant activity, i.e. activity which prevents free radicals being formed in the first place. Pre-empting their formation is likely to be more protective than scavenging of free radicals. The relative antioxidant activity of some food products found using this new assay was very different from that found using a radical-scavenging assay. Vitamin C, at 280 mg/l, was found to be sixty times better than blackcurrant puree in scavenging free radicals, but only one eighth as good as the blackcurrant puree in preventing iron-catalysed lipid peroxidation.

year: 2010

title: The prosecution of environmental offences in New Zealand

authors: Daya-Winterbottom, Trevor

subjects: law

abstract: This paper will examine the background law regarding environmental offences under the Resource Management Act 1991 (NZ), prosecution trends, sentencing for RMA offences (including principles of sentencing, sentencing discretion, legislative guidance, appellate guidance, guideline judgments, and tariffs), the use of costs in conjunction with sentencing, recent appeal judgments, and finally draw conclusions regarding consistency and sentencing in relation to environmental offences. Where relevant comparisons will be made with the Australian jurisdictions.

text: The prosecution of environmental offences in New Zealand This paper will examine the background law regarding environmental offences under the Resource Management Act 1991 (NZ), prosecution trends, sentencing for RMA offences (including principles of sentencing, sentencing discretion, legislative guidance, appellate guidance, guideline judgments, and tariffs), the use of costs in conjunction with sentencing, recent appeal judgments, and finally draw conclusions regarding consistency and sentencing in relation to environmental offences. Where relevant comparisons will be made with the Australian jurisdictions.

year: 2008

title: Māori social identities in New Zealand and Hawai'i

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori

abstract: This research is comprised of two narrative interview studies of Māori in two different settings, New Zealand (n=20) and Hawai'i (n=30).  The data was gathered over the 1994-1996 period.  The two settings have some commonalities and differences.  In both settings Māori are required to make decisions about the continuity of their ethnic Māori identities and hereditary cultural identities of iwi, hapu and whanau, and the part that they wish these identities to play in their daily lives.  The focus of this research was about how Māori create meaning in their lives and maintain their social identities across and within those contexts they move through. 

The findings of this research suggest that Māori in New Zealand continue to value and gain meaning and satisfaction from their cultural collectivities and the social identities derived from them.  However, the results tend to suggest that there are changes in the ways that individuals conceptualise these identities and concomitantly, how they see of themselves.
For New Zealand participants, conceptions of hapu and iwi appear to be converging with an increasing focus on the physicality of marae, its environment and symbolism, and the social events and relationships negotiated in that space.  New Zealand participants saw some hapu and iwi maintenance activities as more legitimate than others.  More value was placed on returning to hapu and iwi homelands however irregular these returns were.  In contrast, conceptions of hapu and iwi held by participants in Hawai'i seemed less intense.  There were few opportunities to engage with other hapu or iwi members.  Being Māori had greater meaning and was understood, probed and valued by others in the culturally plural context of Hawai'i.  For New Zealand participants, being Māori was enacted in the context of being a discriminated, negatively constructed minority.  All were aware of the defining effect that the presence of a dominant majority could have and countered these effects by engaging in social justice and in-group solidarity activities.

The changing identity conceptions held by members of Māori social groups will have implications for a sense of community and social cohesion, for tribal asset management, service delivery and crown settlement processes.  If Māori are redefining and renegotiating their social identities to achieve greater meaning and satisfaction then these changes are important to respond to and recognise.

text: Māori social identities in New Zealand and Hawai'i This research is comprised of two narrative interview studies of Māori in two different settings, New Zealand (n=20) and Hawai'i (n=30).  The data was gathered over the 1994-1996 period.  The two settings have some commonalities and differences.  In both settings Māori are required to make decisions about the continuity of their ethnic Māori identities and hereditary cultural identities of iwi, hapu and whanau, and the part that they wish these identities to play in their daily lives.  The focus of this research was about how Māori create meaning in their lives and maintain their social identities across and within those contexts they move through. 

The findings of this research suggest that Māori in New Zealand continue to value and gain meaning and satisfaction from their cultural collectivities and the social identities derived from them.  However, the results tend to suggest that there are changes in the ways that individuals conceptualise these identities and concomitantly, how they see of themselves.
For New Zealand participants, conceptions of hapu and iwi appear to be converging with an increasing focus on the physicality of marae, its environment and symbolism, and the social events and relationships negotiated in that space.  New Zealand participants saw some hapu and iwi maintenance activities as more legitimate than others.  More value was placed on returning to hapu and iwi homelands however irregular these returns were.  In contrast, conceptions of hapu and iwi held by participants in Hawai'i seemed less intense.  There were few opportunities to engage with other hapu or iwi members.  Being Māori had greater meaning and was understood, probed and valued by others in the culturally plural context of Hawai'i.  For New Zealand participants, being Māori was enacted in the context of being a discriminated, negatively constructed minority.  All were aware of the defining effect that the presence of a dominant majority could have and countered these effects by engaging in social justice and in-group solidarity activities.

The changing identity conceptions held by members of Māori social groups will have implications for a sense of community and social cohesion, for tribal asset management, service delivery and crown settlement processes.  If Māori are redefining and renegotiating their social identities to achieve greater meaning and satisfaction then these changes are important to respond to and recognise.

year: 2007