title: Child poverty and mental health: A literature review (Commissioned for New Zealand Psychological Society and Child Poverty Action Group)

authors: Gibson, Kerry

abstract: Large numbers of children in New Zealand suffer from mental health problems, and large numbers of children suffer from poverty and hardship. This literature review provides information on the relationship between poverty experienced during childhood and the impact that poverty may have on the mental health of a child or young person, or later in their adulthood. It was found that:
• There is an accepted relationship between poverty experienced in childhood and a greater likelihood of mental health problems through the life span.
• Child poverty and its associated problems such as poor nutrition, inadequate housing, increased likelihood of adverse events and living in poor neighbourhoods put children at higher risk of having mental health problems.
• The evidence strongly suggests that the incidence of mental health conditions among children and adolescents can be reduced by addressing severe and persistent poverty, particularly during the early years of a child’s life.
• Intervention to address poverty and the effects of poverty on children is likely to prevent the perpetuation of inter-generational cycles of poverty and poor mental health.
• The prevalence of child poverty and mental health issues is likely to be higher for Māori and Pasifika than for other children and young people.
• While many Māori and Pasifika children are subject to inequities in material and socio-economic circumstances as well as institutional racism, they also experience the benefits of a rich cultural life and sense of belonging that is seldom accounted for in research reports that focus on deprivation.
The evidence strongly suggests that the incidence of mental health problems throughout the lifespan could be reduced through addressing the causes of child poverty and associated factors. Any mental health strategy for children should sit alongside a comprehensive programme to alleviate poverty.
Strategies aimed at addressing child poverty in Māori and Pasifika communities are more likely to be effective if these are well-resourced at an early stage and developed in a genuine partnership with local communities.

text: Child poverty and mental health: A literature review (Commissioned for New Zealand Psychological Society and Child Poverty Action Group) Large numbers of children in New Zealand suffer from mental health problems, and large numbers of children suffer from poverty and hardship. This literature review provides information on the relationship between poverty experienced during childhood and the impact that poverty may have on the mental health of a child or young person, or later in their adulthood. It was found that:
• There is an accepted relationship between poverty experienced in childhood and a greater likelihood of mental health problems through the life span.
• Child poverty and its associated problems such as poor nutrition, inadequate housing, increased likelihood of adverse events and living in poor neighbourhoods put children at higher risk of having mental health problems.
• The evidence strongly suggests that the incidence of mental health conditions among children and adolescents can be reduced by addressing severe and persistent poverty, particularly during the early years of a child’s life.
• Intervention to address poverty and the effects of poverty on children is likely to prevent the perpetuation of inter-generational cycles of poverty and poor mental health.
• The prevalence of child poverty and mental health issues is likely to be higher for Māori and Pasifika than for other children and young people.
• While many Māori and Pasifika children are subject to inequities in material and socio-economic circumstances as well as institutional racism, they also experience the benefits of a rich cultural life and sense of belonging that is seldom accounted for in research reports that focus on deprivation.
The evidence strongly suggests that the incidence of mental health problems throughout the lifespan could be reduced through addressing the causes of child poverty and associated factors. Any mental health strategy for children should sit alongside a comprehensive programme to alleviate poverty.
Strategies aimed at addressing child poverty in Māori and Pasifika communities are more likely to be effective if these are well-resourced at an early stage and developed in a genuine partnership with local communities.

year: 2017

title: Traditional New Zealand Māori instruments, composition and digital technology: some recent collaborations and processes

authors: Whalley, Ian

abstract: This paper examines the integration of traditional New Zealand Māori instruments with digital music technology, and the use of these instruments in making new works. The focus is on the work of performer/composers Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns, as well as recent collaborations that Richard Nunns has undertaken with some composers and musicians in genres other than Māori music. Aesthetic, practical and cultural considerations in the composition process are explored.

text: Traditional New Zealand Māori instruments, composition and digital technology: some recent collaborations and processes This paper examines the integration of traditional New Zealand Māori instruments with digital music technology, and the use of these instruments in making new works. The focus is on the work of performer/composers Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns, as well as recent collaborations that Richard Nunns has undertaken with some composers and musicians in genres other than Māori music. Aesthetic, practical and cultural considerations in the composition process are explored.

year: 2005

title: Design and demonstration in vitro of a mouse-specific Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation coil

authors: Khokhar, Farah Adeebah

abstract: Background. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a technique used to treat different neurological disorders non-invasively. A pulsed current to a coil generates a magnetic field (B-field) which induces an electric field (E-field). Underlying biophysical effects of TMS are unclear. Therefore, animal experiments are needed; however, making small TMS coils suitable for mice is difficult and their field strengths are typically much lower than for human sized coils. Objectives/Hypothesis. We aimed to design and demonstrate a mouse-specific coil that can generate high and focused E-field. Methods. We designed a tapered TMS coil of 50 turns of 0.2 mm diameter copper wire around a 5 mm diameter tapered powdered iron core and discharged a 220 μF capacitor at 50 V through it. We measured B-field with a Hall probe and induced E-field with a wire loop. We measured temperature rise with a thermocouple. We applied 1200 pulses of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to mouse brain slices and analysed how spontaneous electrical activity changed. Results. The coil gave maximum B-field of 685 mT at the base of the coil and 340 mT at 2 mm below the coil, and maximum E-field 2 mm below the coil of approximately 10 V/m, at 50 V power supply, with a temperature increase of 20 degrees after 1200 pulses of cTBS. We observed no changes in B-field with heating. cTBS reduced frequency of spontaneous population events in mouse brain slices up to 20 minutes after stimulation and iTBS increased frequency up to 20 minutes after stimulation. No frequency changes occurred after 20 minutes. No changes in amplitude of spontaneous events were found. Conclusion. The design generated fields strong enough to modulate brain activity in vitro.

text: Design and demonstration in vitro of a mouse-specific Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation coil Background. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a technique used to treat different neurological disorders non-invasively. A pulsed current to a coil generates a magnetic field (B-field) which induces an electric field (E-field). Underlying biophysical effects of TMS are unclear. Therefore, animal experiments are needed; however, making small TMS coils suitable for mice is difficult and their field strengths are typically much lower than for human sized coils. Objectives/Hypothesis. We aimed to design and demonstrate a mouse-specific coil that can generate high and focused E-field. Methods. We designed a tapered TMS coil of 50 turns of 0.2 mm diameter copper wire around a 5 mm diameter tapered powdered iron core and discharged a 220 μF capacitor at 50 V through it. We measured B-field with a Hall probe and induced E-field with a wire loop. We measured temperature rise with a thermocouple. We applied 1200 pulses of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to mouse brain slices and analysed how spontaneous electrical activity changed. Results. The coil gave maximum B-field of 685 mT at the base of the coil and 340 mT at 2 mm below the coil, and maximum E-field 2 mm below the coil of approximately 10 V/m, at 50 V power supply, with a temperature increase of 20 degrees after 1200 pulses of cTBS. We observed no changes in B-field with heating. cTBS reduced frequency of spontaneous population events in mouse brain slices up to 20 minutes after stimulation and iTBS increased frequency up to 20 minutes after stimulation. No frequency changes occurred after 20 minutes. No changes in amplitude of spontaneous events were found. Conclusion. The design generated fields strong enough to modulate brain activity in vitro.

year: 2021