title: Development of Cu-bearing powder metallurgy Ti alloys for biomedical applications

authors: Bolzoni, Leandro

abstract: Cu-bearing Ti alloys could be used as structural biomedical materials where the releasing of Cu ions is beneficial to lower infection incidences associated with surgical implants. The manufacturing of these alloys via powder metallurgy techniques can lower the production costs. In this study three ternary Cu-bearing Ti-xAl-yCu alloys were produced using conventional powder metallurgy. The mechanical properties increase with the amount of alloying elements. Samples of each composition were also forged to clarify the effect of subjecting them to hot deformation. Forging the samples improved the strength of the alloys due to the reduction of porosity and the refinement of the microstructural features. It is found that Ti–2Al–1Cu is the most ductile, Ti–6Al–4Cu is the strongest and Ti–10Al–5Cu has a purely elastic behaviour. Some of these powder metallurgy Ti-xAl-yCu alloys have better overall mechanical behaviour than their cast counterparts and therefore are valuable alternative to produce medical and dental implants with improved properties and reduced cost.

text: Development of Cu-bearing powder metallurgy Ti alloys for biomedical applications Cu-bearing Ti alloys could be used as structural biomedical materials where the releasing of Cu ions is beneficial to lower infection incidences associated with surgical implants. The manufacturing of these alloys via powder metallurgy techniques can lower the production costs. In this study three ternary Cu-bearing Ti-xAl-yCu alloys were produced using conventional powder metallurgy. The mechanical properties increase with the amount of alloying elements. Samples of each composition were also forged to clarify the effect of subjecting them to hot deformation. Forging the samples improved the strength of the alloys due to the reduction of porosity and the refinement of the microstructural features. It is found that Ti–2Al–1Cu is the most ductile, Ti–6Al–4Cu is the strongest and Ti–10Al–5Cu has a purely elastic behaviour. Some of these powder metallurgy Ti-xAl-yCu alloys have better overall mechanical behaviour than their cast counterparts and therefore are valuable alternative to produce medical and dental implants with improved properties and reduced cost.

year: 2019

title: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain: An Evaluation of the Self-Help Book, Living Beyond Your Pain

authors: Johnston, Marnie Ruth

subjects: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

abstract: The current research was a randomised two group (control and treatment) study that evaluated the effectiveness of an ACT-based self-help book for people with chronic pain.  Over a 6-week period, 6 participants read the book and completed exercises from it with weekly telephone support while 8 others waited.  Five of these others began the intervention after a 6-week control period.  Participants completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires for acceptance, values illness, quality of life, satisfaction with life, depression, anxiety and pain.  Initial outcome data were collected for 8 control participants and 6 intervention participants.  A total of 11 participants completed pre- and post-intervention measures.  Participants' who read the book, rated the content of the book each week according to reading level and usefulness, and their comprehension of the content was also assessed.  Original group data showed statistically significant improvement in acceptance and quality of life for those who completed the intervention.  Once the data were pooled, statistically significant improvements in acceptance, quality of life, satisfaction with life, and values illness were found.  In general, using the self-help book did not result in reduced pain, depression or anxiety, although for some individuals gains were made in these areas.  Individual perceptions of the book components were varied but findings suggest that cognitive defusion and mindfulness were parts of the book that participants found hard.  The current findings support the hypothesis that using the self-help book would add value to the lives of people who experience chronic pain.  Thus, the book may be a useful tool for people who experience chronic pain.

text: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain: An Evaluation of the Self-Help Book, Living Beyond Your Pain The current research was a randomised two group (control and treatment) study that evaluated the effectiveness of an ACT-based self-help book for people with chronic pain.  Over a 6-week period, 6 participants read the book and completed exercises from it with weekly telephone support while 8 others waited.  Five of these others began the intervention after a 6-week control period.  Participants completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires for acceptance, values illness, quality of life, satisfaction with life, depression, anxiety and pain.  Initial outcome data were collected for 8 control participants and 6 intervention participants.  A total of 11 participants completed pre- and post-intervention measures.  Participants' who read the book, rated the content of the book each week according to reading level and usefulness, and their comprehension of the content was also assessed.  Original group data showed statistically significant improvement in acceptance and quality of life for those who completed the intervention.  Once the data were pooled, statistically significant improvements in acceptance, quality of life, satisfaction with life, and values illness were found.  In general, using the self-help book did not result in reduced pain, depression or anxiety, although for some individuals gains were made in these areas.  Individual perceptions of the book components were varied but findings suggest that cognitive defusion and mindfulness were parts of the book that participants found hard.  The current findings support the hypothesis that using the self-help book would add value to the lives of people who experience chronic pain.  Thus, the book may be a useful tool for people who experience chronic pain.

year: 2008

title: Te mana o te wahine: Young mothers healthcare experiences in pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood

authors: Kolo, Mia Elaine

subjects: Health

abstract: In Aotearoa-New Zealand being a young mother is often associated with clinical and societal ‘risks.’ Younger women have higher rates of maternal depression and suicide, complications during birth, and their babies are more likely to be born preterm, and of smaller gestational age and weight (Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee, 2012; Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, 2023b, 2023a). Research also indicates that young mothers experience stigmatisation and discrimination that they attribute to their age and/or ethnicity (Adcock, 2016; Makowharemahihi et al., 2014; Rawiri, 2007; Ware, 2019).
In discussion with researchers, discrimination was the topic that young mothers at He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre wanted to talk about. They shared a strong desire to see change in the way that doctors, nurses, and midwives service young parents and were passionate about ensuring that future young mothers had more support. Thus, in responding to their call, 22 parents, including two fathers attending (or recent school-leavers of) He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre volunteered to participate in this study. This qualitative kaupapa Māori study employed a series of wānanga, individual kōrero, and an investigator-triangulation thematic analysis. The research questions explored both the positive and negative healthcare experiences of this cohort during pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood.
The aim of this study was to listen and learn about the experiences of these young parents and co-design informational and/or educational materials to help healthcare practitioners better understand and support young mothers/parents. To spread awareness of the experiences of these young parents, the co-design materials and findings of this study were disseminated via various healthcare seminars and meetings around the Waikato region. The findings of this study contribute to previous research that revealed over the last 20 years young parents have continued to report predominantly negative experiences in their maternity journey. Participants of this study reported experiences of unsolicited judgement and advice, a general lack of manaakitanga (care, empathy, respect), communication, and support from doctors, nurses, and midwives. The relatively small number of positive experiences shared in this study emphasises the importance of manaakitanga regardless of age. An unexpected finding was the impact that receptionists had on young parents’ healthcare experiences, as the face and entry point of healthcare services.

text: Te mana o te wahine: Young mothers healthcare experiences in pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood In Aotearoa-New Zealand being a young mother is often associated with clinical and societal ‘risks.’ Younger women have higher rates of maternal depression and suicide, complications during birth, and their babies are more likely to be born preterm, and of smaller gestational age and weight (Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee, 2012; Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, 2023b, 2023a). Research also indicates that young mothers experience stigmatisation and discrimination that they attribute to their age and/or ethnicity (Adcock, 2016; Makowharemahihi et al., 2014; Rawiri, 2007; Ware, 2019).
In discussion with researchers, discrimination was the topic that young mothers at He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre wanted to talk about. They shared a strong desire to see change in the way that doctors, nurses, and midwives service young parents and were passionate about ensuring that future young mothers had more support. Thus, in responding to their call, 22 parents, including two fathers attending (or recent school-leavers of) He Puaawai Teen Parent Centre volunteered to participate in this study. This qualitative kaupapa Māori study employed a series of wānanga, individual kōrero, and an investigator-triangulation thematic analysis. The research questions explored both the positive and negative healthcare experiences of this cohort during pregnancy, birth, and into motherhood.
The aim of this study was to listen and learn about the experiences of these young parents and co-design informational and/or educational materials to help healthcare practitioners better understand and support young mothers/parents. To spread awareness of the experiences of these young parents, the co-design materials and findings of this study were disseminated via various healthcare seminars and meetings around the Waikato region. The findings of this study contribute to previous research that revealed over the last 20 years young parents have continued to report predominantly negative experiences in their maternity journey. Participants of this study reported experiences of unsolicited judgement and advice, a general lack of manaakitanga (care, empathy, respect), communication, and support from doctors, nurses, and midwives. The relatively small number of positive experiences shared in this study emphasises the importance of manaakitanga regardless of age. An unexpected finding was the impact that receptionists had on young parents’ healthcare experiences, as the face and entry point of healthcare services.

year: 2024