An examination of the influences on health development post conflict : Angola-- in the transition : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa, New Zealand

This thesis examines the issues that influence health development post conflict. Its aim is to increase understanding of the current issues within the transitional post conflict phase through presenting the experiences of three communities in rural Angola. Having emerged from nearly 30 years of civil war, Angola remains in a challenging transitional period. This phase of rehabilitation, flanked by efforts of relief and development, is shown to be problematic. This thesis considers the process from conflict to peace and subsequent repatriation of population. It identifies the transitional phase between relief and development projects and the ambiguous linking of theory and practice within literature Discussion of appropriate health strategies for implementation shows the limitations of the primary health care (PHC) model. Concepts of community participation and empowerment are identified as difficult due to resettlement factors of time and planning. The methods of research include household surveys (181 completed), interviews, group discussions, and observations of three communities. Comparisons of the two groups of previously identified Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and Returned Refugees (RRs) are made throughout the thesis. A focus on the needs, wants, reality and use of health services reveals community participation and responsibility. The influences of identity (tribe, gender, IDP / RR) and past experiences of refuge, settlement, and education are recognised as impacting to varying degrees, knowledge, attitude and practice towards health services. The research concludes that the post conflict phase is impacted most strongly by community (identity), time and communication

A COMPUTATIONAL STUDY OF CURVATURE IN THE OUTFLOW GRAFT OF A CONTINUOUS FLOW LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an increasingly utilized therapy for end-stage heart failure. Thrombosis within the graft from the pump to the aorta has been documented, but is poorly researched. This study examines the effect of graft geometry, as measured by radius of curvature, bend angle, and diameter, on thrombogenic flow patterns within the graft for a range of flow conditions. It also examines the effect blood properties, including viscosity and density, on these flow patterns. The results indicated that radius of curvature had a powerful effect on thrombogenic flow patterns. Flowrate and bend angle were also influential. The results of this study offer insight on how graft geometry may interact with flow conditions and blood properties to produce regions of stagnation or recirculation within the outflow graft, which may precipitate thrombogenesis and pose a risk to patients

Improvisational Movement Practice: A Model For Collaborative Processes

My research explored the impact of movement improvisation on collaborative group projects and processes. I sought to discover how an improvisational movement practice impacts the group dynamic and energy, the relationship between the participants, and the daily lives of the individual participants outside of the project. I asked: If a group engages in a regularly scheduled improvisational practice, will the tools and mindsets instilled by improvisation aid in a shift from product-oriented work to process-oriented work and collaboration? Does this change engender a lower-stress environment? Does this change engender a higher satisfaction level?Undergraduate Research ScholarshipInternational Research GrantArts Undergraduate Research ScholarshipNo embargoAcademic Major: Danc

The Art of Community: Creativity at the Crossroads of Immigrant Cultures and Social Services

These are case studies that give credance to the belief that respect for one's own artistic traditions is critical to the acculturation process. The essays contained here offer clear and shining examples of how paying attention to culture and creativity can build self-confidence, nurture a productive and valuable citizenry, and even save a life. Through these stories, we begin to see that encouraging the practice of cultural traditions and participation in arts activities will help newcomers spread their wings and fly

Digitization, Recirculation and Reciprocity: Proactive Archiving for Community and Memory on the Gaspé Coast and Beyond

This article describes an ongoing archival project intended to recirculate home recordings in Douglastown (Gaspé), Québec. This project stems from the authors’ work on a CD featuring music from those home recordings, and is situated within a larger context of music- and research-based community collaborations. This article proposes a novel reimagining of proactive archiving (Edmondson 2004), founded on principles of dialogic community collaboration in the procurement and description of materials. The authors detail their archival protocol and use ethnographic methods to demonstrate the project’s potential for creating a shared resource for the community and its diaspora.Résumé : Cet article décrit un projet d’archivage en cours qui a pour finalité de remettre en circulation des enregistrements locaux à Douglastown (Côte-de-Gaspé), au Québec. Ce projet est issu d’un travail des auteurs sur un CD d’enregistrements de musique domestique, et se situe dans le cadre plus large d’une recherche sur les collaborations communautaires dans le domaine de la musique. Cet article propose une réinvention novatrice de l’archivage proactif (Edmondson 2004) se fondant sur les principes d’une collaboration communautaire dialogique dans la façon de se procurer et de décrire le matériau. Les auteurs exposent en détail leur protocole d’archivage et recourent à des méthodes ethnographiques pour démontrer le potentiel qu’a ce projet de créer une ressource partagée pour la communauté et sa diaspora

The role of BMPs in endothelial cell function and dysfunction

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family of proteins has a multitude of roles throughout the body. In embryonic development, BMPs promote endothelial specification and subsequent venous differentiation. The BMP pathway also plays important roles in the adult vascular endothelium, promoting angiogenesis and mediating shear and oxidative stress. The canonical BMP pathway functions through the Smad transcription factors; however, other intracellular signaling cascades can be activated, and receptor complexes beyond the traditional type I and type II receptors add additional layers of regulation. Dysregulated BMP signaling has been linked to vascular diseases, including pulmonary hypertension and atherosclerosis. This review addresses recent advances in the roles of BMP signaling in the endothelium and how BMPs affect endothelial dysfunction and human disease