title: Epidemiology of ischaemic stroke and traumatic brain injury

authors: Feigin, Valery L.

subjects: ischaemic stroke

abstract: Acquired brain injury, including both Ischaemic stroke (IS) and Traumatic Brain injury (TBI), is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. Yet there are vast differences in our knowledge of their epidemiology. While the incidence, case-fatality and risk factors for stroke are well established, work needs to continue particularly in low-income countries, where these data remain sparse; and in relation to specific stroke subtypes such as IS. Similar data regarding the epidemiology of TBI are generally lacking. The majority of TBI incidence studies have focussed on hospital-based samples and there are no established criteria from which to design high quality epidemiological studies. The need to establish such criteria separate from those already available for stroke is suggested given the differing demographic profile of TBI as well as differences in seeking of medical attention for TBI. The immense burden of stroke can be reduced by prevention of modifiable risk factors particularly in developing countries where both changing lifestyle and lack of healthcare resources are contributing to rising stroke incidence and mortality. Similarly, studies to date indicate that TBI incidence can be reduced by addressing modifiable risk factors such as alcohol abuse, risk-taking behaviour and socioeconomic disparities.

text: Epidemiology of ischaemic stroke and traumatic brain injury Acquired brain injury, including both Ischaemic stroke (IS) and Traumatic Brain injury (TBI), is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. Yet there are vast differences in our knowledge of their epidemiology. While the incidence, case-fatality and risk factors for stroke are well established, work needs to continue particularly in low-income countries, where these data remain sparse; and in relation to specific stroke subtypes such as IS. Similar data regarding the epidemiology of TBI are generally lacking. The majority of TBI incidence studies have focussed on hospital-based samples and there are no established criteria from which to design high quality epidemiological studies. The need to establish such criteria separate from those already available for stroke is suggested given the differing demographic profile of TBI as well as differences in seeking of medical attention for TBI. The immense burden of stroke can be reduced by prevention of modifiable risk factors particularly in developing countries where both changing lifestyle and lack of healthcare resources are contributing to rising stroke incidence and mortality. Similarly, studies to date indicate that TBI incidence can be reduced by addressing modifiable risk factors such as alcohol abuse, risk-taking behaviour and socioeconomic disparities.

year: 2010

title: Low-dose alum application trialled as a management tool for internal nutrient loads in Lake Okaro, New Zealand

authors: Paul, Wendy J.

subjects: flocculation

abstract: Aluminium sulfate (alum) was applied to Lake Okaro, a eutrophic New Zealand lake with recurrent cyanobacterial blooms, to evaluate its suitability for reducing trophic status and bloom frequency. The dose yielded 0.6 g aluminium m–3 in the epilimnion. Before dosing, pH exceeded 8 in epilimnetic waters but was optimal for flocculation (6–8) below 4 m depth. After dosing, there was no significant change in water clarity, hypolimnetic pH decreased to 5.5, and soluble aluminium exceeded recommended guidelines for protection of freshwater organisms. Epilimnetic phosphate concentrations decreased from 40 to 5 mg m–3 and total nitrogen (TN):total phosphorus (TP) mass ratios increased from 7:1 to 37:1. The dominant phytoplankton species changed from Anabaena spp. before dosing, to Ceratium hirudinella , then Staurastrum sp. after dosing. Detection of effectiveness of dosing may have been limited by sampling duration and design, as well as the low alum dose. The decrease in hypolimnetic pH and epilimnetic TP, and increase in Al3+ and chlorophyll a, are attributed to the low alkalinity lake water and coincidence of alum dosing with a cyanobacterial bloom and high pH.

text: Low-dose alum application trialled as a management tool for internal nutrient loads in Lake Okaro, New Zealand Aluminium sulfate (alum) was applied to Lake Okaro, a eutrophic New Zealand lake with recurrent cyanobacterial blooms, to evaluate its suitability for reducing trophic status and bloom frequency. The dose yielded 0.6 g aluminium m–3 in the epilimnion. Before dosing, pH exceeded 8 in epilimnetic waters but was optimal for flocculation (6–8) below 4 m depth. After dosing, there was no significant change in water clarity, hypolimnetic pH decreased to 5.5, and soluble aluminium exceeded recommended guidelines for protection of freshwater organisms. Epilimnetic phosphate concentrations decreased from 40 to 5 mg m–3 and total nitrogen (TN):total phosphorus (TP) mass ratios increased from 7:1 to 37:1. The dominant phytoplankton species changed from Anabaena spp. before dosing, to Ceratium hirudinella , then Staurastrum sp. after dosing. Detection of effectiveness of dosing may have been limited by sampling duration and design, as well as the low alum dose. The decrease in hypolimnetic pH and epilimnetic TP, and increase in Al3+ and chlorophyll a, are attributed to the low alkalinity lake water and coincidence of alum dosing with a cyanobacterial bloom and high pH.

year: 2008

title: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Perspectives of Te Rau Puawai bursars

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori students

abstract: The Te Rau Puawai programme is an attempt to change the nature of the Maori
mental health workforce. To do this, Maori with aspirations to work, or to continue to
work in the mental health workforce, are supported, financially and academically, to
complete a tertiary qualification relevant to the field.
To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
The evaluation team set out to gather the experiences and perspectives of recipients of
Te Rau Puawai services by asking all bursars to complete a questionnaire and
volunteer for follow up interviews or focus groups. Sixty two bursars responded to
our questionnaire, and we complete focus group or individual follow up interviews
with 19 bursars.

text: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Perspectives of Te Rau Puawai bursars The Te Rau Puawai programme is an attempt to change the nature of the Maori
mental health workforce. To do this, Maori with aspirations to work, or to continue to
work in the mental health workforce, are supported, financially and academically, to
complete a tertiary qualification relevant to the field.
To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
The evaluation team set out to gather the experiences and perspectives of recipients of
Te Rau Puawai services by asking all bursars to complete a questionnaire and
volunteer for follow up interviews or focus groups. Sixty two bursars responded to
our questionnaire, and we complete focus group or individual follow up interviews
with 19 bursars.

year: 2002-05-01