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Four backpacks were evaluated for their desireability for use as school bags. Three of the four backpacks were specifically designed for school use based on previous research and ergonomic principles while the fourth (standard) backpack was chosen from two backpacks that their manufacturer considered to be the most likely to be used as a school bag. Twelve school students evaluated each of the backpacks firstly by examining them, again after donning them and again after walking with them on a treadmill by completing a questionnaire asking about the appearance, function and comfort of each backpack. On initial examination, the standard backpack was the most favoured but as functionality became increasingly important during the treadmill walk, the backpack which was designed specifically for school use and had two major compartments, substantial back padding and side compression straps became the most favoured. This particular design of backpack was reported as having the greatest practicality, being the least physically demanding and allowing the greatest balance and ease of walking. The results of this study suggest that school student's preference of backpack may change from when they first examine a prospective backpack to when they have used it. The study also shows that school students' preferred attributes in a backpack may shift over this time from 'style and image' to 'function and fit'. Keywords: Backpack; School; Design; Ergonomics

Aims: To understand the genetics involved in surface attachment and biofilm formation of Listeria monocytogenes. Methods and Results: An in vitro screen of a Himar1 transposon library of L. monocytogenes strain 15G01 identified three transposants that produced significantly different biofilm levels when compared to the wild‐type strain; two mutants exhibited enhanced biofilm formation and one produced less biofilm biomass than the wild‐type. The mutant 15G01 mprF::Himar1, which had a transposon insertion in the mprF gene, was selected for further analysis. The mutant produced a more densely populated biofilm on solid surfaces such as stainless steel and polystyrene, as determined using scanning electron and light microscopy. The 15G01 mprF::Himar1 mutant remained viable in biofilms, but showed an increase in sensitivity to the cationic antimicrobial gallidermin. The mutant also displayed reduced invasiveness in CaCo‐2 intestinal cells, suggesting virulence properties are compromised by the inactivation of mprF. Conclusions: Biofilm formation and gallidermin resistance of L. monocytogenes is influenced by mprF, but this trait is associated with a compromise in invasiveness. Significance and Impact of the Study: The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the food processing environment can cause a significant problem, especially when these microorganisms are established as biofilms. This study shows that the inactivation of the mprF gene results in enhanced biofilm formation and abiotic surface attachment of L. monocytogenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weights of schoolbags and factors affecting the use of schoolbags among secondary school students in five New Zealand schools are studied. This study reveals that students may be at a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms.

Breakdown of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) during post-harvest storage contributes significantly to loss of seafood quality. We surveyed 51 New Zealand commercial fish species and determined white muscle tissue concentrations of TMAO and the TMAO-derived spoilage indices: trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N). There were significant differences in the TMAO concentrations between fish of various genus and species. Values ranged between 8 and 789 mg/100 g for ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii), and 262 and 789 mg/100 g for cartilaginous fishes. The distribution of TMAO was similar to that of Northern Hemisphere fish species. Deep water species had the highest concentrations of TMAO. Seasonal effects in tarakihi (Nemadactylus macropterus) and red gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) were studied and TMAO declined significantly over the summer months. TMA-N was typically below 2 mg/100 g and TVB-N concentrations did not exceed the limits set by the European Community (EC) Commission Regulation No. 1022/2008. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is the most serious virus in New Zealand and South African vineyards. Its negative influence on berry development is reflected on wine quality, thus making GLRaV-3 control a priority. In red berry cultivars, changes in leaf colour could be useful for the visual identification of GLRaV-3-infected vines with a view to roguing (removing) such vines. We tested the efficacy of visual diagnosis as a potentially cost-effective alternative option to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that is usually used for this purpose. All the vines, or a subsection of vines, in multiple vineyards in New Zealand or South Africa where annual roguing was being performed, were evaluated with the two methods. Of the 114,782 vines assessed visually for symptoms and tested by ELISA, the two methods were in agreement for 114,701 (99.9%) vines, with only 81 vines showing differing results. In 11 of the 44 annual vineyard analyses, visual detection of symptoms was perfectly correlated with ELISA results (sensitivity 100%). The specificity of visual symptom identification compared with ELISA was higher than 99.7% in 43 of the 44 annual vineyard analyses. Symptoms as a predictor of negative ELISA proved to be above 97.5% in all 44 annual vineyard analyses but as a positive predictor, was 100% in 10 of 19 annual vineyard analyses where this could be determined. We conclude that for the red-berried cultivars in this study, visual assessment of foliar symptoms should be adopted as a cost-effective alternative to ELISA during implementation of roguing for GLRaV-3 control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major concern in potato and onion production worldwide is the sustainability of crop production systems using short-term rotations. Although rotation crops are known to influence soil microbial communities, few long-term field studies have investigated effects of potato and onion crop rotations on soil microflora and soilborne diseases. A long-term trial (10 years) was established in New Zealand in the 2004–05 season to determine changes in soil characteristics, soil biological communities, plant productivity and soilborne diseases resulting from different crop rotations. Six different crop rotation ‘treatments’ were used: three were onion-focused and three were potato-focused. For both the onion- and potato-focused rotations, one treatment was continual monoculture, one was biennial alternating onion and potato (‘conventional’ rotation, common local commercial practice) and one was a 4-year cycle where the onion or potato crops were grown every fourth season with different crops in the intervening seasons (‘sustainable’ rotation). The results of the rotations were evaluated at the end of 2012–13, nine growing seasons after the trial began. Soils from the three potato-focused rotations had similar microbial biomass carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), total C and N, and enzyme activity, but had different microbial activity parameters. Soils from the three onion rotations differed in organic matter content, total C and N, enzyme activity and carbohydrate utilization. The main factor correlated with potato diseases (stem canker, black scurf) and crop yields was the amount ofRhizoctoniainoculum in the soil. Onion yields in 2012–13 were correlated with the severity of pink root during the growing season. Total microbial activity in soil gave better relationships to soilborne disease incidence (Rhizoctonia stem canker of potato or pink root of onion) and to crop yields, than soil chemical parameters (pH, nutrient status, C:N ratio) or other microbiological parameters (microbial biomass, total culturable bacteria and fungi, and microbial diversity). This research has broadened understanding of effects of crop rotations on soil microbial community characteristics, soilborne diseases and crop productivity of potatoes and onions grown in a soil and an area where intensive vegetable production is common. This knowledge will assist growers to increase crop yields and reduce soilborne pathogens in a sustainable manner. Based on the results from this study, intensive potato and onion production should require these crops to be grown within 4-year crop rotations in order to foster sustainable yields and minimize soilborne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]