title: Interfacial modification of hemp fiber reinforced composites using fungal and alkali treatment

authors: Pickering, Kim L.

subjects: natural fibers

abstract: Increasing worldwide environmental awareness is encouraging scientific research into developing cheaper, more sustainable materials. Industrial hemp fiber is one of the strongest and stiffest available natural fibers [K. L. Pickering, M. Priest, T. Watts, G. Beckermann, and S. N. Alam, J. Adv. Mater. 37, 15 (2005)] and therefore has great potential in composite materials. Incorporated into a thermoplastic matrix, it gives a structural material that is cheap, lightweight, and recyclable. However, natural fibers are commonly incompatible with common molding thermoplastics such as polypropylene, which limits the performance of the composites produced. The main objective of the current work was to investigate the use of fungi to treat hemp fiber to create better bonding characteristics in natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composites. X-ray diffraction (XRD), ζ-potential, lignin testing, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the effect of treatment on hemp fibers. A combined alkali and fungi treated fiber composite produced the highest tensile strength of 48.3 MPa, an increase of 32% compared to composites with untreated fiber.

text: Interfacial modification of hemp fiber reinforced composites using fungal and alkali treatment Increasing worldwide environmental awareness is encouraging scientific research into developing cheaper, more sustainable materials. Industrial hemp fiber is one of the strongest and stiffest available natural fibers [K. L. Pickering, M. Priest, T. Watts, G. Beckermann, and S. N. Alam, J. Adv. Mater. 37, 15 (2005)] and therefore has great potential in composite materials. Incorporated into a thermoplastic matrix, it gives a structural material that is cheap, lightweight, and recyclable. However, natural fibers are commonly incompatible with common molding thermoplastics such as polypropylene, which limits the performance of the composites produced. The main objective of the current work was to investigate the use of fungi to treat hemp fiber to create better bonding characteristics in natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composites. X-ray diffraction (XRD), ζ-potential, lignin testing, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the effect of treatment on hemp fibers. A combined alkali and fungi treated fiber composite produced the highest tensile strength of 48.3 MPa, an increase of 32% compared to composites with untreated fiber.

year: 2007

title: A formative evaluation of the Sistema Waikato programme: A technical report prepared for the Hamilton City Council and Sistema Waikato Steering Group

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: Sistema Waikato launched at Nawton Primary School in July 2015 and involved children from four West Hamilton schools (Rhode St Primary, Nawton Primary, Crawshaw, and Forest Lake). The intention of using music as a tool for positively transforming the lives of participating children, their families and wider communities was at the heart of its inception. Ann Shaffer and Rupert D’Cruze from the Hamilton Community Centre of Music approached Dr. Bridgette Masters-Awatere at the University of Waikato to conduct a formative evaluation of Sistema Waikato just prior to its launch. Under the supervision of Bridgette Masters-Awatere two students Juliana Brown and Makarita Tangitu-Joseph were given the opportunity to be a part of the research team and conduct the qualitative evaluation. The evaluation drew upon multiple methods: Survey, interview, photo voice, focus-group interviews and observations.

text: A formative evaluation of the Sistema Waikato programme: A technical report prepared for the Hamilton City Council and Sistema Waikato Steering Group Sistema Waikato launched at Nawton Primary School in July 2015 and involved children from four West Hamilton schools (Rhode St Primary, Nawton Primary, Crawshaw, and Forest Lake). The intention of using music as a tool for positively transforming the lives of participating children, their families and wider communities was at the heart of its inception. Ann Shaffer and Rupert D’Cruze from the Hamilton Community Centre of Music approached Dr. Bridgette Masters-Awatere at the University of Waikato to conduct a formative evaluation of Sistema Waikato just prior to its launch. Under the supervision of Bridgette Masters-Awatere two students Juliana Brown and Makarita Tangitu-Joseph were given the opportunity to be a part of the research team and conduct the qualitative evaluation. The evaluation drew upon multiple methods: Survey, interview, photo voice, focus-group interviews and observations.

year: 2016

title: Exploring inequity in access to medications for Type 2 Diabetes in primary care in the Waikato region: Final report

authors: Lawrenson, Ross

abstract: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing health issue in New Zealand (NZ) that disproportionately affects twice as many Māori as non-Māori and an increasing number of younger people. T2D is associated with a range of microvascular and macrovascular complications, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the latter being the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient group. However, complications are reduced in patients that have improved glycaemic control. To achieve optimal outcomes and reduce the chance of diabetes-related complications, patients should aim to have their glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measurement less than 53 mmol/mol if possible.

Diabetes is primarily managed in primary care, and a number of recent publications suggest that there is considerable inequity in the management of diabetes in New Zealand, particularly for Māori. In an earlier piece of work we have shown that Maori are significantly less likely than non-Maori to be prescribed metformin, but that once prescribed it they are equally likely to have the medication dispensed. This suggests that there may be issues that can be addressed within primary care that are influencing the use of diabetes medications.
Thus, the aim of this small piece of work was to characterise diabetes medication use in a Waikato primary care population, and to report on medication adherence and association with HbA1c levels.

text: Exploring inequity in access to medications for Type 2 Diabetes in primary care in the Waikato region: Final report Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing health issue in New Zealand (NZ) that disproportionately affects twice as many Māori as non-Māori and an increasing number of younger people. T2D is associated with a range of microvascular and macrovascular complications, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the latter being the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient group. However, complications are reduced in patients that have improved glycaemic control. To achieve optimal outcomes and reduce the chance of diabetes-related complications, patients should aim to have their glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measurement less than 53 mmol/mol if possible.

Diabetes is primarily managed in primary care, and a number of recent publications suggest that there is considerable inequity in the management of diabetes in New Zealand, particularly for Māori. In an earlier piece of work we have shown that Maori are significantly less likely than non-Maori to be prescribed metformin, but that once prescribed it they are equally likely to have the medication dispensed. This suggests that there may be issues that can be addressed within primary care that are influencing the use of diabetes medications.
Thus, the aim of this small piece of work was to characterise diabetes medication use in a Waikato primary care population, and to report on medication adherence and association with HbA1c levels.

year: 2021-08-17