title: Learning in later life: Benefits and challenges for volunteers and agencies

authors: Findsen, Brian

subjects: age

abstract: This article explores the relationship between learning for older adults and volunteerism. It discusses how volunteerism among older adults may enhance their learning and the kinds of benefits and challenges they encounter in their work for employing authorities. Usually, this co-operative arrangement is based on a premise of a “win-win” situation in which the volunteer builds up further knowledge and skills at the same time as the goals of the agency are fulfilled. Yet there are opportunities and constraints which operate in dynamic workplaces wherein the role of volunteer can be marginalised. The article analyses some factors which function as enhancers or limitations for older volunteers in their work and learning.

text: Learning in later life: Benefits and challenges for volunteers and agencies This article explores the relationship between learning for older adults and volunteerism. It discusses how volunteerism among older adults may enhance their learning and the kinds of benefits and challenges they encounter in their work for employing authorities. Usually, this co-operative arrangement is based on a premise of a “win-win” situation in which the volunteer builds up further knowledge and skills at the same time as the goals of the agency are fulfilled. Yet there are opportunities and constraints which operate in dynamic workplaces wherein the role of volunteer can be marginalised. The article analyses some factors which function as enhancers or limitations for older volunteers in their work and learning.

year: 2016

title: Variable stiffness of metamaterial composite structure

authors: Yang, Fan

abstract: In recent years, numerous researchers have studied metamaterials because of their extraordinary mechanical properties that other materials do not possess. The concept of metamaterials has been widely introduced into the field of earthquake engineering. [1]
This thesis presents the results of research aimed at finding a metamaterial structure with adaptive stiffness that could be used in the design of isolators and protective barriers. Such a material would reduce impact force transmission experienced by a vehicle in the event of an accident, and could also protect people in buildings during an earthquake. The goal is to develop the concept of a metamaterial that would have non-linear stiffness, and offer higher resistance against small displacements (high stiffness) but lower resistance (low stiffness) in the event of sudden impacts experienced during large dynamic excitations, While deformation in the plastic zone also results in non-linearity, the metamaterial will have the advantage of being fully elastic, and it can be used repeatedly which is environmentally friendly and reduces maintenance costs. The reversible nonlinearity is obtained by using stiffness changes associated with change in geometry.
Theoretical analysis and numerical results show that it may be possible to develop such a metamaterial from cells which contain adaptive mechanisms embedded in a flexible matrix. Metamaterial can provide variable stiffness and enable significant reductions in the transmission of dynamic forces.

text: Variable stiffness of metamaterial composite structure In recent years, numerous researchers have studied metamaterials because of their extraordinary mechanical properties that other materials do not possess. The concept of metamaterials has been widely introduced into the field of earthquake engineering. [1]
This thesis presents the results of research aimed at finding a metamaterial structure with adaptive stiffness that could be used in the design of isolators and protective barriers. Such a material would reduce impact force transmission experienced by a vehicle in the event of an accident, and could also protect people in buildings during an earthquake. The goal is to develop the concept of a metamaterial that would have non-linear stiffness, and offer higher resistance against small displacements (high stiffness) but lower resistance (low stiffness) in the event of sudden impacts experienced during large dynamic excitations, While deformation in the plastic zone also results in non-linearity, the metamaterial will have the advantage of being fully elastic, and it can be used repeatedly which is environmentally friendly and reduces maintenance costs. The reversible nonlinearity is obtained by using stiffness changes associated with change in geometry.
Theoretical analysis and numerical results show that it may be possible to develop such a metamaterial from cells which contain adaptive mechanisms embedded in a flexible matrix. Metamaterial can provide variable stiffness and enable significant reductions in the transmission of dynamic forces.

year: 2022

title: He Pikinga Waiora: Supporting Maori health organisations to respond to pre-diabetes

authors: Beaton, Angela

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a common long-term condition affecting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders; one in every four New Zealanders is pre-diabetic. Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, are at an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and T2D and there are significant inequities between Māori and non-Māori for T2D complications. The purpose of this study was to explore the questions of how the strengths of Māori heath organisations may be leveraged, and how the barriers and constraints experienced by Māori health organisations may be negotiated, for the benefit of Māori; and from a systems perspective, to identify strategic opportunities that may be considered and applied by Māori health organisations, funders and policy makers to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes and reduce health inequities between Māori and non-Māori.

Methods
Utilising case study methodology, a range of data sources were triangulated including nine semi-structured interviews, documents, and a diabetes system map to identify possible strategic opportunities for key stakeholders to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes.

Results
Key themes and possible actions to improve health outcomes for Māori with pre-diabetes include: (1) Recognising Māori health organisations as conduits for the community voice and influential partners in the community to effect change; (2) Strengthened partnerships with Māori health organisations for community benefit and to support measurable, evidence-based change and service delivery, particularly when Māori knowledge systems are viewed alongside a Western scientific approach; and (3) Intersectoral integration of health and social services to support provision of whānau-centred care and influence the social determinants of health and local environment.
Conclusions
Māori health organisations are important actors in systems seeking to improve outcomes and eliminate health inequities. Support from funders and policy makers will be required to build on the strengths of these organisations and to overcome system challenges. To realise improved health outcomes for Māori, the value placed on whānau and community perspectives not only needs to be acknowledged in the implementation of health interventions, health and social policies and funding arrangements, but performance measures, service design and delivery must evolve to accommodate these perspectives in practice.

text: He Pikinga Waiora: Supporting Maori health organisations to respond to pre-diabetes Background
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a common long-term condition affecting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders; one in every four New Zealanders is pre-diabetic. Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, are at an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and T2D and there are significant inequities between Māori and non-Māori for T2D complications. The purpose of this study was to explore the questions of how the strengths of Māori heath organisations may be leveraged, and how the barriers and constraints experienced by Māori health organisations may be negotiated, for the benefit of Māori; and from a systems perspective, to identify strategic opportunities that may be considered and applied by Māori health organisations, funders and policy makers to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes and reduce health inequities between Māori and non-Māori.

Methods
Utilising case study methodology, a range of data sources were triangulated including nine semi-structured interviews, documents, and a diabetes system map to identify possible strategic opportunities for key stakeholders to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes.

Results
Key themes and possible actions to improve health outcomes for Māori with pre-diabetes include: (1) Recognising Māori health organisations as conduits for the community voice and influential partners in the community to effect change; (2) Strengthened partnerships with Māori health organisations for community benefit and to support measurable, evidence-based change and service delivery, particularly when Māori knowledge systems are viewed alongside a Western scientific approach; and (3) Intersectoral integration of health and social services to support provision of whānau-centred care and influence the social determinants of health and local environment.
Conclusions
Māori health organisations are important actors in systems seeking to improve outcomes and eliminate health inequities. Support from funders and policy makers will be required to build on the strengths of these organisations and to overcome system challenges. To realise improved health outcomes for Māori, the value placed on whānau and community perspectives not only needs to be acknowledged in the implementation of health interventions, health and social policies and funding arrangements, but performance measures, service design and delivery must evolve to accommodate these perspectives in practice.

year: 2019