title: Mapping the productivity of radiata pine

authors: Palmer, David John

abstract: Forest owners, investors and policy makers all want to know the spread and productivity of New Zealand’s current and future radiata plantation. David Palmer, a geo-spatial analyst at Scion, has combined advanced statistical techniques with mapping technology to predict radiata 300 Index and Site Index for any location in New Zealand. The 300 Index is an index of volume mean annual increment, and the Site Index is for height and growth. The map of Site Index and 300 Index was built using growth measurement data from trees in 1,146 radiata pine permanent sample plots, planted between 1975 and 2003. The data was combined with a number of climate, land use, terrain and environmental variables to predict forest productivity under a range of conditions.

text: Mapping the productivity of radiata pine Forest owners, investors and policy makers all want to know the spread and productivity of New Zealand’s current and future radiata plantation. David Palmer, a geo-spatial analyst at Scion, has combined advanced statistical techniques with mapping technology to predict radiata 300 Index and Site Index for any location in New Zealand. The 300 Index is an index of volume mean annual increment, and the Site Index is for height and growth. The map of Site Index and 300 Index was built using growth measurement data from trees in 1,146 radiata pine permanent sample plots, planted between 1975 and 2003. The data was combined with a number of climate, land use, terrain and environmental variables to predict forest productivity under a range of conditions.

year: 2010

title: Additive manufacturing of hygromorphic structures using regenerated cellulose/PLA biocomposites

authors: Gauss, Christian

abstract: Three-dimensional printing technologies are at the forefront of the current industrial revolution, enabling the production of complex shapes using a wide range of materials without relying on large production facilities. Increasing it further, 4D printing is a new concept in which printed objects respond to environmental stimuli and change shape or other characteristics with time in a controlled and predicted manner. However, the development of bio-based material alternatives that can be integrated into a circular economy is limited if compared with other non-renewable polymers traditionally used for these applications. Bioderived and/or biodegradable thermoplastics reinforced with bioderived fibres have compelling attributes in this context; they can be recycled, can be used in smart materials (4D printing), and, if necessary, can biodegrade at the end of their life cycle, leaving no harmful waste in the environment. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of PLA-based biocomposites with high content of regenerated cellulose fibres (lyocell) for 3D printed structures produced by fused deposition modelling (FDM) that change shape in response to moisture (hygromorphic). The main mechanism involved in this behaviour is related to the anisotropic swelling of the cellulose fibres that are preferentially aligned in the composite during printing. Using a bi-layered architecture of passive and active layers, we developed different prototypes with 2D to 3D transformation capability triggered by moisture with a high degree of shape change.

text: Additive manufacturing of hygromorphic structures using regenerated cellulose/PLA biocomposites Three-dimensional printing technologies are at the forefront of the current industrial revolution, enabling the production of complex shapes using a wide range of materials without relying on large production facilities. Increasing it further, 4D printing is a new concept in which printed objects respond to environmental stimuli and change shape or other characteristics with time in a controlled and predicted manner. However, the development of bio-based material alternatives that can be integrated into a circular economy is limited if compared with other non-renewable polymers traditionally used for these applications. Bioderived and/or biodegradable thermoplastics reinforced with bioderived fibres have compelling attributes in this context; they can be recycled, can be used in smart materials (4D printing), and, if necessary, can biodegrade at the end of their life cycle, leaving no harmful waste in the environment. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of PLA-based biocomposites with high content of regenerated cellulose fibres (lyocell) for 3D printed structures produced by fused deposition modelling (FDM) that change shape in response to moisture (hygromorphic). The main mechanism involved in this behaviour is related to the anisotropic swelling of the cellulose fibres that are preferentially aligned in the composite during printing. Using a bi-layered architecture of passive and active layers, we developed different prototypes with 2D to 3D transformation capability triggered by moisture with a high degree of shape change.

year: 2022

title: A walking stick in one hand and a chainsaw in the other: Patients’ perspectives of living with multimorbidity

authors: Signal, Louise

abstract: AIMS: Multimorbidity is common, yet there are major gaps in research, particularly among younger and indigenous populations. This research aimed to understand patients’ perspectives of living with multimorbidity. 

METHODS: A qualitative study of 61 people living with multimorbidity, 27 of whom were Māori and a third aged under 65, from urban and rural regions in New Zealand. Six focus groups and 14 interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed and analysed. 
RESULTS: For many participants, living with multimorbidity disrupted their ‘normal’ lives, posing challenges in everyday activities such as eating and toileting, working and managing medications. Dealing with the health system posed challenges such as accessing appointments and having enough time in consultations. Cultural competency, good communication and continuity of care from healthcare providers were all valued. Participants had many recommendations to improve management, including a professional single point of contact to coordinate all specialist care. 
CONCLUSIONS: Living with multimorbidity is often challenging requiring people to manage their conditions while continuing to live their lives. This research suggests changes are needed in the health system in New Zealand and elsewhere to better manage multimorbidity thus improving patient’s lives and reducing costs to the health sector and wider society.

text: A walking stick in one hand and a chainsaw in the other: Patients’ perspectives of living with multimorbidity AIMS: Multimorbidity is common, yet there are major gaps in research, particularly among younger and indigenous populations. This research aimed to understand patients’ perspectives of living with multimorbidity. 

METHODS: A qualitative study of 61 people living with multimorbidity, 27 of whom were Māori and a third aged under 65, from urban and rural regions in New Zealand. Six focus groups and 14 interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed and analysed. 
RESULTS: For many participants, living with multimorbidity disrupted their ‘normal’ lives, posing challenges in everyday activities such as eating and toileting, working and managing medications. Dealing with the health system posed challenges such as accessing appointments and having enough time in consultations. Cultural competency, good communication and continuity of care from healthcare providers were all valued. Participants had many recommendations to improve management, including a professional single point of contact to coordinate all specialist care. 
CONCLUSIONS: Living with multimorbidity is often challenging requiring people to manage their conditions while continuing to live their lives. This research suggests changes are needed in the health system in New Zealand and elsewhere to better manage multimorbidity thus improving patient’s lives and reducing costs to the health sector and wider society.

year: 2017