title: A global database of lake surface temperatures collected by in situ and satellite methods from 1985–2009

authors: Sharma, Sapna

abstract: Global environmental change has influenced lake surface temperatures, a key driver of ecosystem structure and function. Recent studies have suggested significant warming of water temperatures in individual lakes across many different regions around the world. However, the spatial and temporal coherence associated with the magnitude of these trends remains unclear. Thus, a global data set of water temperature is required to understand and synthesize global, long-term trends in surface water temperatures of inland bodies of water. We assembled a database of summer lake surface temperatures for 291 lakes collected in situ and/or by satellites for the period 1985–2009. In addition, corresponding climatic drivers (air temperatures, solar radiation, and cloud cover) and geomorphometric characteristics (latitude, longitude, elevation, lake surface area, maximum depth, mean depth, and volume) that influence lake surface temperatures were compiled for each lake. This unique dataset offers an invaluable baseline perspective on global-scale lake thermal conditions as environmental change continues.

text: A global database of lake surface temperatures collected by in situ and satellite methods from 1985–2009 Global environmental change has influenced lake surface temperatures, a key driver of ecosystem structure and function. Recent studies have suggested significant warming of water temperatures in individual lakes across many different regions around the world. However, the spatial and temporal coherence associated with the magnitude of these trends remains unclear. Thus, a global data set of water temperature is required to understand and synthesize global, long-term trends in surface water temperatures of inland bodies of water. We assembled a database of summer lake surface temperatures for 291 lakes collected in situ and/or by satellites for the period 1985–2009. In addition, corresponding climatic drivers (air temperatures, solar radiation, and cloud cover) and geomorphometric characteristics (latitude, longitude, elevation, lake surface area, maximum depth, mean depth, and volume) that influence lake surface temperatures were compiled for each lake. This unique dataset offers an invaluable baseline perspective on global-scale lake thermal conditions as environmental change continues.

year: 2015-03-17

title: Development of a High Protein Frozen Dessert

authors: Nixon, Sean Christopher

subjects: Dessert

abstract: It was identified that there is a potential market for a low fat, low carbohydrate, high protein frozen dessert that has similar sensory attributes to ice cream. Such a product could be utilized by athletes, obesity sufferers and anyone seeking a healthy alternative to ice cream. Ingredients were sourced that could replace and replicate those found in traditional ice cream products. 

A key challenge in producing the dessert was identifying suitable ingredients to control the freezing point depression (FPD). Fructose, erythritol, xylitol and polydextrose were identified as being suitable options and 18 prototype formulae were generated using Design-Expert® V8 software to try and find the best combination of these four ingredients. Ingredients used in fixed amounts were water, whey protein isolate, Simplesse® 100, vanilla flavour, Novagel GP 3282, carboxy methyl cellulose and mono/di-glycerides. The prototype desserts were prepared using a Breville Ice Cream Wizz. The hardness and viscosity of each prototype was measured, and the internal structures of selected prototypes were analysed using cryo-SEM. The results were compared to regular ice cream products, and then the formulation was optimized accordingly using the software. 

The optimum prototype contained 11.6% protein, 14.3% carbohydrate and only 1.6% fat. It was estimated that if taken to market, the finished product could have a recommended retail price of $10.18 for 1L, placing it in the lower end of the premium ice cream products range. Using a 9-point hedonic scale, this optimised prototype received an overall appeal score of 7.18 ± 1.08 from a consumer panel, with a score of 7 corresponding to ‘Like Moderately’ and a score of 8 corresponding to ‘Like Very Much’. However it received a lower score than the regular ice cream control (8.35 ± 0.77), and the difference was found to be statistically significantly (p<0.05). Despite this, due to its high protein and low fat contents, this unique product could fill a niche in the market, particularly if its consumer appeal could be further increased.

Future work should study the effect of increasing the air content in order to produce a softer product with a more favourable texture. Carbohydrate content should be lowered as product becomes softer and efforts should be made to correlate the relationship between FPD, hardness and overrun.

text: Development of a High Protein Frozen Dessert It was identified that there is a potential market for a low fat, low carbohydrate, high protein frozen dessert that has similar sensory attributes to ice cream. Such a product could be utilized by athletes, obesity sufferers and anyone seeking a healthy alternative to ice cream. Ingredients were sourced that could replace and replicate those found in traditional ice cream products. 

A key challenge in producing the dessert was identifying suitable ingredients to control the freezing point depression (FPD). Fructose, erythritol, xylitol and polydextrose were identified as being suitable options and 18 prototype formulae were generated using Design-Expert® V8 software to try and find the best combination of these four ingredients. Ingredients used in fixed amounts were water, whey protein isolate, Simplesse® 100, vanilla flavour, Novagel GP 3282, carboxy methyl cellulose and mono/di-glycerides. The prototype desserts were prepared using a Breville Ice Cream Wizz. The hardness and viscosity of each prototype was measured, and the internal structures of selected prototypes were analysed using cryo-SEM. The results were compared to regular ice cream products, and then the formulation was optimized accordingly using the software. 

The optimum prototype contained 11.6% protein, 14.3% carbohydrate and only 1.6% fat. It was estimated that if taken to market, the finished product could have a recommended retail price of $10.18 for 1L, placing it in the lower end of the premium ice cream products range. Using a 9-point hedonic scale, this optimised prototype received an overall appeal score of 7.18 ± 1.08 from a consumer panel, with a score of 7 corresponding to ‘Like Moderately’ and a score of 8 corresponding to ‘Like Very Much’. However it received a lower score than the regular ice cream control (8.35 ± 0.77), and the difference was found to be statistically significantly (p<0.05). Despite this, due to its high protein and low fat contents, this unique product could fill a niche in the market, particularly if its consumer appeal could be further increased.

Future work should study the effect of increasing the air content in order to produce a softer product with a more favourable texture. Carbohydrate content should be lowered as product becomes softer and efforts should be made to correlate the relationship between FPD, hardness and overrun.

year: 2012

title: Ka hao te rangatahi: Rangatahi Māori experiences of climate change

authors: Areta, Ranginui Charlton

subjects: Rangatahi Māori

abstract: Ka pū te rūhā, ka hao te rangatahi - Climate change is well established as one of the earth’s most pressing global issues, whereby Māori and Indigenous communities are more vulnerable to its impacts. Internationally, youth have been participating in a range of climate activism, demanding rapid and adequate responses to climate change from decision makers; with Indigenous youth advocating for Indigenous rights to be centred in these responses. More often than not, research on youth involvement in climate change focusses on the general youth population and sidelines the experiences of minorities such as global Indigenous communities. Due to this inattention, there is a lack of research focussing on rangatahi Māori experiences and perceptions of climate change, leaving rangatahi Māori to advocate for their voices to be heard.
The purpose of this research is to amplify the voices of rangatahi Māori regarding climate change, beyond where rangatahi are already sharing their voices. It focusses on rangatahi perceptions of climate change, specifically exploring how being Māori, and youth, influence their experience. This includes investigating the role rangatahi have within climate change, and any challenges and supportive factors that rangatahi may experience related to climate change.
This thesis utilises Kaupapa Māori and its guiding principles to ground this research agenda, employing Pūrākau methodology to guide research methods. Specifically, semi-structured whakawhitinga kōrero were undertaken with five rangatahi Māori participants, who are passionate about climate change and the taiao, exploring each of their diverse experiences and understandings of climate change. Following a process involving thematic and Pūrākau methodology inspired analysis, key themes from each of the rangatahi whakawhitinga kōrero are presented within a case study, maintaining individual narratives for each rangatahi.
This research found that rangatahi experience is grounded in whakapapa, shaping connection to the taiao, motivations to care about climate change, and encompassed aspirations and hopes regarding climate change responses. These narratives highlight that the exclusion of rangatahi from research spaces leaves a gap in literature that explores youth understandings on climate change. Further findings established that the participants believe that being a rangatahi presents unique skills and perspective to offer to climate spaces. Lastly, through exploring participants experiences of specifically being a rangatahi Māori, the findings of this thesis offer tangible opportunities to support rangatahi in voicing their concerns regarding climate change, as this was an identified challenge.
Ultimately, exploring the rangatahi participants’ understandings contributes to: shaping the narratives of rangatahi Māori experience of climate change; further diversifying Māori understandings of climate change and responses; and amplifying the voices of Māori youth within the growing set of literature on youth engagement in climate change. This research lays a foundation for the voices of rangatahi Māori to be actively included in climate change research, and further contest Western misconceptions that rangatahi must gain more experience to contribute to changing the world.

text: Ka hao te rangatahi: Rangatahi Māori experiences of climate change Ka pū te rūhā, ka hao te rangatahi - Climate change is well established as one of the earth’s most pressing global issues, whereby Māori and Indigenous communities are more vulnerable to its impacts. Internationally, youth have been participating in a range of climate activism, demanding rapid and adequate responses to climate change from decision makers; with Indigenous youth advocating for Indigenous rights to be centred in these responses. More often than not, research on youth involvement in climate change focusses on the general youth population and sidelines the experiences of minorities such as global Indigenous communities. Due to this inattention, there is a lack of research focussing on rangatahi Māori experiences and perceptions of climate change, leaving rangatahi Māori to advocate for their voices to be heard.
The purpose of this research is to amplify the voices of rangatahi Māori regarding climate change, beyond where rangatahi are already sharing their voices. It focusses on rangatahi perceptions of climate change, specifically exploring how being Māori, and youth, influence their experience. This includes investigating the role rangatahi have within climate change, and any challenges and supportive factors that rangatahi may experience related to climate change.
This thesis utilises Kaupapa Māori and its guiding principles to ground this research agenda, employing Pūrākau methodology to guide research methods. Specifically, semi-structured whakawhitinga kōrero were undertaken with five rangatahi Māori participants, who are passionate about climate change and the taiao, exploring each of their diverse experiences and understandings of climate change. Following a process involving thematic and Pūrākau methodology inspired analysis, key themes from each of the rangatahi whakawhitinga kōrero are presented within a case study, maintaining individual narratives for each rangatahi.
This research found that rangatahi experience is grounded in whakapapa, shaping connection to the taiao, motivations to care about climate change, and encompassed aspirations and hopes regarding climate change responses. These narratives highlight that the exclusion of rangatahi from research spaces leaves a gap in literature that explores youth understandings on climate change. Further findings established that the participants believe that being a rangatahi presents unique skills and perspective to offer to climate spaces. Lastly, through exploring participants experiences of specifically being a rangatahi Māori, the findings of this thesis offer tangible opportunities to support rangatahi in voicing their concerns regarding climate change, as this was an identified challenge.
Ultimately, exploring the rangatahi participants’ understandings contributes to: shaping the narratives of rangatahi Māori experience of climate change; further diversifying Māori understandings of climate change and responses; and amplifying the voices of Māori youth within the growing set of literature on youth engagement in climate change. This research lays a foundation for the voices of rangatahi Māori to be actively included in climate change research, and further contest Western misconceptions that rangatahi must gain more experience to contribute to changing the world.

year: 2023