title: Comparison of prompting procedures: Assessing the efficacy of video modelling and text based prompting to teach technology skills to an elderly population

authors: Stenersen-Kain, Olivia Rose (Rosie)

abstract: With the rapid advancement of technology, older adults are falling further behind and thus contributing to the growing “grey” digital divide. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is well documented to reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness in older adults; however, the most effective way to teach technology skills in these populations is still debated. To investigate the most effective and efficient way to teach technology skills to older adults, one participant aged 72 years old was recruited to learn three iPad-based tasks: sending an email, downloading an application from the AppStore, and video calling (FaceTime). These tasks were taught using techniques based in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). The effects of text-based prompts and video modelling with accompanying picture prompts on skill acquisition were assessed via a three-phase alternating treatment experimental design with baseline probes and a final best intervention phase. Results show that video modelling with accompanying picture prompts was more effective than text-based prompts for technology-based skill acquisition in older adults. Potential limitations of the present study and future research are discussed.

text: Comparison of prompting procedures: Assessing the efficacy of video modelling and text based prompting to teach technology skills to an elderly population With the rapid advancement of technology, older adults are falling further behind and thus contributing to the growing “grey” digital divide. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is well documented to reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness in older adults; however, the most effective way to teach technology skills in these populations is still debated. To investigate the most effective and efficient way to teach technology skills to older adults, one participant aged 72 years old was recruited to learn three iPad-based tasks: sending an email, downloading an application from the AppStore, and video calling (FaceTime). These tasks were taught using techniques based in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). The effects of text-based prompts and video modelling with accompanying picture prompts on skill acquisition were assessed via a three-phase alternating treatment experimental design with baseline probes and a final best intervention phase. Results show that video modelling with accompanying picture prompts was more effective than text-based prompts for technology-based skill acquisition in older adults. Potential limitations of the present study and future research are discussed.

year: 2022

title: Development of 2nd Generation Proteinous Bioplastics

authors: van den Berg, Lisa E.

subjects: Bioplastic

abstract: Current environmental and economic concerns surrounding the use of petroleum-based plastics, has led to increased study of renewable natural polymers, such as proteins.  Bloodmeal (BM) is a by-product of the meat industry and large volumes is sold as a low-cost fertilizer or animal feed.  It contains 90 wt% proteins giving it the potential as a renewable precursor for bioplastic production.  The objective of this study was to investigate the use of BM for the production of bioplastics, focusing on the use of chemical additives to facilitate thermoplastic extrusion.
Literature revealed that bioplastics formation from proteins requires denaturation and unfolding using thermal and chemical means, allowing new interactions to form between chains.  Thermoplastic extrusion also requires sufficient chain mobilization, enabling flow through the barrel.  The proteins physiochemical characteristics, plasticizer content and chemical additives will govern its processing behavior, structural and material properties.
Bloodmeal powder was extruded and injection moulded using water, sodium sulfite, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and urea as additives.  The efficiency of these chemical additives was characterized by: 
 	Processability.  Temperatures between 100 and 125  C produced a successful material, above this excessive covalent cross-linking occurred which reduced chain mobilization.  Sodium sulfite was essential, breaking covalent bonding which allowed chain extension.  The plasticizer content also strongly influenced the processability, while water and urea were essential for improved processing.
 	Consolidation, water absorption and solubility.  It was found that SDS's influence on hydrophobic interactions in combination with sodium sulfites cleavage of covalent cross-links resulted in good consolidation, water absorption and solubility.  Increasing sodium sulfite increased water absorption, indicative of cross-link reduction.  However, high sodium sulfite at low water concentration resulted in a degraded material.  The degraded polymer showed an increase in ordered structures, due to the formation of helical conformations of the short peptide chains.
 	Protein conformation.  It was found that BM was already highly denatured, with considerable amounts of β-structures.  Successful processing with required increased chain mobilization through the reduction of inter- and intra-molecular interactions which led to less ordered structures.
 	Mechanical Properties.  Water was shown to be critical for processing, enhancing the action of sodium sulfite, SDS and urea.  During conditioning, water would evaporate, allowing new intermolecular forces between chains, often resulting in a brittle material.  SDS was essential for consolidation, but excessive amounts could restrict formation of new intermolecular forces during conditioning.  The highly plasticized proteins resulted in ductile materials after conditioning.  Lowering the water, sodium sulfite or urea concentration would result in a brittle material after conditioning.  
Successful processability, consolidation, water absorption, solubility, and mechanical properties were achieved using 3 pphbm sodium sulfite, 60 pphbm water, 3 pphbm SDS and 20 pphbm urea.  This optimal material resulted in increased unordered structures shown by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy.  The resulting bioplastic was ductile after conditioning and had a tensile strength of 9.6 MPa and a Young's modulus of 536 MPa, comparable to low-density polyethylene.

text: Development of 2nd Generation Proteinous Bioplastics Current environmental and economic concerns surrounding the use of petroleum-based plastics, has led to increased study of renewable natural polymers, such as proteins.  Bloodmeal (BM) is a by-product of the meat industry and large volumes is sold as a low-cost fertilizer or animal feed.  It contains 90 wt% proteins giving it the potential as a renewable precursor for bioplastic production.  The objective of this study was to investigate the use of BM for the production of bioplastics, focusing on the use of chemical additives to facilitate thermoplastic extrusion.
Literature revealed that bioplastics formation from proteins requires denaturation and unfolding using thermal and chemical means, allowing new interactions to form between chains.  Thermoplastic extrusion also requires sufficient chain mobilization, enabling flow through the barrel.  The proteins physiochemical characteristics, plasticizer content and chemical additives will govern its processing behavior, structural and material properties.
Bloodmeal powder was extruded and injection moulded using water, sodium sulfite, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and urea as additives.  The efficiency of these chemical additives was characterized by: 
 	Processability.  Temperatures between 100 and 125  C produced a successful material, above this excessive covalent cross-linking occurred which reduced chain mobilization.  Sodium sulfite was essential, breaking covalent bonding which allowed chain extension.  The plasticizer content also strongly influenced the processability, while water and urea were essential for improved processing.
 	Consolidation, water absorption and solubility.  It was found that SDS's influence on hydrophobic interactions in combination with sodium sulfites cleavage of covalent cross-links resulted in good consolidation, water absorption and solubility.  Increasing sodium sulfite increased water absorption, indicative of cross-link reduction.  However, high sodium sulfite at low water concentration resulted in a degraded material.  The degraded polymer showed an increase in ordered structures, due to the formation of helical conformations of the short peptide chains.
 	Protein conformation.  It was found that BM was already highly denatured, with considerable amounts of β-structures.  Successful processing with required increased chain mobilization through the reduction of inter- and intra-molecular interactions which led to less ordered structures.
 	Mechanical Properties.  Water was shown to be critical for processing, enhancing the action of sodium sulfite, SDS and urea.  During conditioning, water would evaporate, allowing new intermolecular forces between chains, often resulting in a brittle material.  SDS was essential for consolidation, but excessive amounts could restrict formation of new intermolecular forces during conditioning.  The highly plasticized proteins resulted in ductile materials after conditioning.  Lowering the water, sodium sulfite or urea concentration would result in a brittle material after conditioning.  
Successful processability, consolidation, water absorption, solubility, and mechanical properties were achieved using 3 pphbm sodium sulfite, 60 pphbm water, 3 pphbm SDS and 20 pphbm urea.  This optimal material resulted in increased unordered structures shown by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy.  The resulting bioplastic was ductile after conditioning and had a tensile strength of 9.6 MPa and a Young's modulus of 536 MPa, comparable to low-density polyethylene.

year: 2009

title: Kaitiakitanga o te Taiao - Reconciling Legislative Provisions and Outcomes for Māori

authors: Kennedy, Nathan Charles Karaua

subjects: Kaitiakitanga

abstract: The Resource Management Act (1991) (RMA) was heralded as internationally ground-breaking for its integrated approach, and for cementing 'sustainable management' as its overarching purpose. It was ground-breaking also for its recognition of First Nations’ rights and values. This includes directing decision-makers to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, waters and treasured resources, to have particular regard to Māori customary practices, and to take into account the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The RMA provides for councils to transfer or delegate functions and powers to Māori, and for joint management arrangements.
In 16 years as environment officer for my iwi, I witnessed the failure of the RMA to protect Māori values and interests. This experience prompted me to undertake research to thoroughly investigate outcomes of the operation of the RMA for Māori. Two questions framed my research; the first asking whether kaitiaki have been empowered by the Māori provisions in the RMA, and the second seeking to determine overall outcomes for Māori from the Act.
Assessing such outcomes required an understanding of Māori values and interests, evaluation of the law, of the statutory plans that govern council administration of the RMA, implementation of these by councils and the Crown, and their treatment by the courts. To answer the two questions I present in this thesis a geographically focused study of two take (causes or significant issues) at Whangamatā, the construction of a marina, and the removal of mangroves.
I compare Ngāti Whanaunga experiences with those of Māori nationally. By doing so I provide the evidence base for an 'overall broad judgement' (as the RMA requires) that despite apparent empowerment by the Act and its statutory plans, Māori have suffered widespread and significantly negative outcomes under the RMA. Rather than being empowered, Māori struggle to participate in planning processes, and see ancestral values and interests eroded by waves of resource consent processes, in which effects on Māori are little considered.

text: Kaitiakitanga o te Taiao - Reconciling Legislative Provisions and Outcomes for Māori The Resource Management Act (1991) (RMA) was heralded as internationally ground-breaking for its integrated approach, and for cementing 'sustainable management' as its overarching purpose. It was ground-breaking also for its recognition of First Nations’ rights and values. This includes directing decision-makers to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, waters and treasured resources, to have particular regard to Māori customary practices, and to take into account the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The RMA provides for councils to transfer or delegate functions and powers to Māori, and for joint management arrangements.
In 16 years as environment officer for my iwi, I witnessed the failure of the RMA to protect Māori values and interests. This experience prompted me to undertake research to thoroughly investigate outcomes of the operation of the RMA for Māori. Two questions framed my research; the first asking whether kaitiaki have been empowered by the Māori provisions in the RMA, and the second seeking to determine overall outcomes for Māori from the Act.
Assessing such outcomes required an understanding of Māori values and interests, evaluation of the law, of the statutory plans that govern council administration of the RMA, implementation of these by councils and the Crown, and their treatment by the courts. To answer the two questions I present in this thesis a geographically focused study of two take (causes or significant issues) at Whangamatā, the construction of a marina, and the removal of mangroves.
I compare Ngāti Whanaunga experiences with those of Māori nationally. By doing so I provide the evidence base for an 'overall broad judgement' (as the RMA requires) that despite apparent empowerment by the Act and its statutory plans, Māori have suffered widespread and significantly negative outcomes under the RMA. Rather than being empowered, Māori struggle to participate in planning processes, and see ancestral values and interests eroded by waves of resource consent processes, in which effects on Māori are little considered.

year: 2017