title: Parental leave and work-family balance among employed parents following childbirth: an exploratory investigation in Australia and New Zealand

authors: Brough, Paula

subjects: work-family balance

abstract: Although there has been considerable research internationally on the topic of work-family balance, one area largely overlooked concerns the acute demands experienced by employed parents in the period of time following the birth of a child. Using an exploratory (qualitative) design, we investigated the perceived effects of parental leave provisions, organisational and family support, and job changes on work-family balance among 81 Australian and New Zealand parents who had returned to paid employment after the birth of a child. Respondents with no or limited access to paid parental leave perceived an imperative to return quickly to full-time employment. This employment transition was generally perceived as premature and as having adverse personal consequences (e.g., personal health, child attachment, and breast-feeding) and organisational consequences (e.g., diminished job commitment and increased turnover intentions). Major determinants of work-family balance emerging in this research were access to paid parental leave, adequate leave duration, organisational support, and emotional reactions to returning to work while caring for an infant. Implications for the continued refinement of work-family policies and support in Australia and New Zealand are discussed.

text: Parental leave and work-family balance among employed parents following childbirth: an exploratory investigation in Australia and New Zealand Although there has been considerable research internationally on the topic of work-family balance, one area largely overlooked concerns the acute demands experienced by employed parents in the period of time following the birth of a child. Using an exploratory (qualitative) design, we investigated the perceived effects of parental leave provisions, organisational and family support, and job changes on work-family balance among 81 Australian and New Zealand parents who had returned to paid employment after the birth of a child. Respondents with no or limited access to paid parental leave perceived an imperative to return quickly to full-time employment. This employment transition was generally perceived as premature and as having adverse personal consequences (e.g., personal health, child attachment, and breast-feeding) and organisational consequences (e.g., diminished job commitment and increased turnover intentions). Major determinants of work-family balance emerging in this research were access to paid parental leave, adequate leave duration, organisational support, and emotional reactions to returning to work while caring for an infant. Implications for the continued refinement of work-family policies and support in Australia and New Zealand are discussed.

year: 2009

title: A whole cord model for the identification of mechanisms for the antivascular effects of DMXAA

authors: Moses, Kiriana Mihi

subjects: endothelial cells

abstract: Endothelial cells form the inner lining of a blood vessel and their structure and functional integrity are important in maintenance of the vessel wall and circulatory function.
These cells play key roles in immune and inflammatory reactions by regulating lymphocyte and leukocyte movement into tissues; they are also main targets for antivascular agents in cancer therapy.
Endothelial cell responses to different stimuli have been previously investigated using conventional approaches, 'HUVEC in vitro culture system'.
In this study an ex vivo perfusion model was constructed and utilized using whole human umbilical cords, in attempts to replicate a more accurate in vivo microenvironment.
Assessment of the proportion and duration of endothelial cell viability in the ex vivo model was undertaken using a  MTT 3, (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide viability assay. A time baseline was successfully established for all experimental perfusions.
Endothelial cell immune response was assessed through intravenous perfusion of the endotoxin, Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Gene expression profiles revealed a significant increase in expression levels of E-Selctin (E-Sel), Intracellular adhesion molecule (I-CAM) and Tissue Factor (TF) relative to the housekeeping gene Beta 2 Microglobulin. When LPS was administered in combination with Hypertonic Saline 
 

Solution (HSS), expression levels declined indicating HSS interferes with the activation pathway of LPS ultimately suppressing its effectiveness on endothelial cells.
HSS impact was also recognized from perfusion experiments on resting endothelial cells. All identified genes were suppressed by HSS apart from inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).
As a potential target for antivascular agents, HUVEC were then stimulated with DMXAA and gene responses of Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) was analysed.
DMXAA demonstrates excellent antivascular acivity in experimental tumours, so tumour conditioned media (TCM) was administered intravenously through umbilical cord segments to replicate a tumour microenvironment prior to DMXAA addition.
When cells were stimulated with Tumour conditioned media then administered DMXAA, TNF-α expression was significantly upregulated; relative to the housekeeping gene Human Proteosome subunit Y, however, when the cells were exposed to tumour conditioned media in absence of DMXAA gene expression significantly decreased. Thus, the antitumour action of DMXAA is capable of inhibiting the gene response of TNF-α replicated in a tumour environment.

text: A whole cord model for the identification of mechanisms for the antivascular effects of DMXAA Endothelial cells form the inner lining of a blood vessel and their structure and functional integrity are important in maintenance of the vessel wall and circulatory function.
These cells play key roles in immune and inflammatory reactions by regulating lymphocyte and leukocyte movement into tissues; they are also main targets for antivascular agents in cancer therapy.
Endothelial cell responses to different stimuli have been previously investigated using conventional approaches, 'HUVEC in vitro culture system'.
In this study an ex vivo perfusion model was constructed and utilized using whole human umbilical cords, in attempts to replicate a more accurate in vivo microenvironment.
Assessment of the proportion and duration of endothelial cell viability in the ex vivo model was undertaken using a  MTT 3, (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide viability assay. A time baseline was successfully established for all experimental perfusions.
Endothelial cell immune response was assessed through intravenous perfusion of the endotoxin, Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Gene expression profiles revealed a significant increase in expression levels of E-Selctin (E-Sel), Intracellular adhesion molecule (I-CAM) and Tissue Factor (TF) relative to the housekeeping gene Beta 2 Microglobulin. When LPS was administered in combination with Hypertonic Saline 
 

Solution (HSS), expression levels declined indicating HSS interferes with the activation pathway of LPS ultimately suppressing its effectiveness on endothelial cells.
HSS impact was also recognized from perfusion experiments on resting endothelial cells. All identified genes were suppressed by HSS apart from inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).
As a potential target for antivascular agents, HUVEC were then stimulated with DMXAA and gene responses of Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) was analysed.
DMXAA demonstrates excellent antivascular acivity in experimental tumours, so tumour conditioned media (TCM) was administered intravenously through umbilical cord segments to replicate a tumour microenvironment prior to DMXAA addition.
When cells were stimulated with Tumour conditioned media then administered DMXAA, TNF-α expression was significantly upregulated; relative to the housekeeping gene Human Proteosome subunit Y, however, when the cells were exposed to tumour conditioned media in absence of DMXAA gene expression significantly decreased. Thus, the antitumour action of DMXAA is capable of inhibiting the gene response of TNF-α replicated in a tumour environment.

year: 2007

title: Waikirikiri Marae: Shared experiences of the wharemate

authors: Rua, Hare

subjects: Māori

abstract: In Te Urewera, wharemate (shelters in which the deceased receive their final farewells) have traditionally been temporary structures. In the 1980s, a new practice was introduced in the Ruātoki valley with the erection of permanent wharemate facilities. One was erected at Waikirikiri marae (tribal meeting grounds and associated buildings) in 1989. Knowledge and discussion regarding wharemate at Waikirikiri marae have changed over the years, and a whole generation has not been fortunate enough to experience tikanga (correct procedures, customary practices) that prevailed prior to the introduction of the permanent wharemate building that is there today. These changes are recorded in this paper through the shared stories of three kaumātua (elders) from Waikirikiri.

This paper is a summary of Hare Rua’s thesis study, the data for which was collected in 2009. This work forms part of the Tangi Research Programme, a collaboration between the School of Māori and Pacific Development and the Māori and Psychology Research Unit at The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

text: Waikirikiri Marae: Shared experiences of the wharemate In Te Urewera, wharemate (shelters in which the deceased receive their final farewells) have traditionally been temporary structures. In the 1980s, a new practice was introduced in the Ruātoki valley with the erection of permanent wharemate facilities. One was erected at Waikirikiri marae (tribal meeting grounds and associated buildings) in 1989. Knowledge and discussion regarding wharemate at Waikirikiri marae have changed over the years, and a whole generation has not been fortunate enough to experience tikanga (correct procedures, customary practices) that prevailed prior to the introduction of the permanent wharemate building that is there today. These changes are recorded in this paper through the shared stories of three kaumātua (elders) from Waikirikiri.

This paper is a summary of Hare Rua’s thesis study, the data for which was collected in 2009. This work forms part of the Tangi Research Programme, a collaboration between the School of Māori and Pacific Development and the Māori and Psychology Research Unit at The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

year: 2010