Fruit modulation of the effects of fatigue on cognitive performance : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Cognitive fatigue hinders performance in social, academic and physical environments and has a profound effect on the ability of a person to function and make decisions. Research into reducing or eliminating cognitive fatigue and its effects have been largely inconclusive but an emerging area of research is focussing on phytochemicals effects on optimising cognition. The present study examined the effects of blackcurrant supplementation on cognitive fatigue and physical markers of performance. This required 11mg of freeze-dried blackcurrant powder and water mixture to be consumed by participants before completing a psychometric and exercise test. Blackcurrants are a high source of phytochemicals but are under-researched compared to other berry fruit, such as blueberries. Sixty participants completed two sessions which composed of a familiarisation session and an intervention session. Participants were randomly assigned to the blackcurrant supplementation or the control group. Each session consisted of six blocks of the Stroop test, a Standard VO2max test and followed by a post-exercise Stroop test. The purpose of the Standard VO2max test to exhaustion was to induce physical and cognitive fatigue. At the intervention session, participants ingested either a blackcurrant or sugar-controlled juice one hour before testing. Analyses demonstrated that the blackcurrant supplement had no effect on cognitive performance or physical markers. However, it was questionable as to whether the study had enough statically power to test for the small effect sizes due to participants being unable to complete testing and some data sets unable to be used. Future research should focus on larger sample sizes and high doses of anthocyanin to observe if blackcurrant can have cognitive and physiological effects

Flyover-noise measurement and prediction

Details are presented for the measurement and prediction of aircraft flyover noise to be used for certification, research and development, community noise surveys, airport monitors, and pass fail criteria. Test details presented are applicable to all types of aircraft, both large and small, and the use of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 36 (ref. 1) is emphasized. Accuracy of noise measurements is important. Thus, a pass-fail criterion should be used for all noise measurements. Finally, factors which influence the sound propagation and noise prediction procedures, such as atmospheric and ground effects, are also presented

Prediction of aircraft noise source and estimation of noise-level contours

Two computer programs aid aircraft designers who need to identify noise characteristics of various aircraft and engine configurations; calculated noise levels can then be compared with community goals for noise limitation

Is there any justice in being other than 'white' in Britain?

Over the past five years numerous headlines have deconstructed racism as a political event. There is no escape from the politics of these events in the media; for example, Racism on the Rise in Britain’ (Guardian, 2014); Immigrants make UK racist (The Independent, 2014); Cameron to hold football racism summit (Sunday Times, 2012); and, You can't ignore racism and raise anti-racist children (Guardian, 2015). Following Prime Minister John Major’s political rhetoric calling for policy [to] be colour blind (1997:7) and Blair’s commitment in the 1990s to address race inequities in schools (DfEE, 1997) there is a need for fresh thinking. Especially since behind such political rhetoric there was only superficial support to challenge racism (Gillborn, 2009). Indeed, on a wider horizon, despite education permeating the warp and weft of Western societies, the politics of ‘White supremacy’ (more commonly identified as racism) is so ingrained in institutional and political structures in the UK (Taylor, 2009), its grounding assumptions remain largely ignored