title: Cross-institutional peer observation by online tutors: Sharing practice "outside the family'

authors: Walker, Richard

subjects: Social Sciences

abstract: Whilst increasingly widespread, teaching online can be a solo endeavour. In this paper, we consider how peer exchange between online tutors from different institutions may offer a solution to this professional isolation. We report on a cross-institutional peer observation and mentoring programme between the Universities of York (UK) and Waikato (New Zealand), designed to support tutors’ personal development through online peer exchange. Our findings reveal that tutors’ use of synchronous conferencing tools was influential in shaping the relationship between participants on the programme. Exposure to diversity served to challenge institutional pedagogical norms. We review the engagement strategies and emergent learning outcomes for participants, and discuss the necessary conditions of openness and commitment for effective peer exchange between online tutors from different cultural and institutional contexts.

text: Cross-institutional peer observation by online tutors: Sharing practice "outside the family' Whilst increasingly widespread, teaching online can be a solo endeavour. In this paper, we consider how peer exchange between online tutors from different institutions may offer a solution to this professional isolation. We report on a cross-institutional peer observation and mentoring programme between the Universities of York (UK) and Waikato (New Zealand), designed to support tutors’ personal development through online peer exchange. Our findings reveal that tutors’ use of synchronous conferencing tools was influential in shaping the relationship between participants on the programme. Exposure to diversity served to challenge institutional pedagogical norms. We review the engagement strategies and emergent learning outcomes for participants, and discuss the necessary conditions of openness and commitment for effective peer exchange between online tutors from different cultural and institutional contexts.

year: 2018

title: Development of low cost PM Ti alloys by thermomechanical processing of powder blends

authors: Raynova, Stiliana (Stella) Rousseva

abstract: This research focuses on the development of low cost powder metallurgy (PM) Ti alloys suitable for application in PM thermomechanical processing with mechanical properties comparable to those of wrought Ti6Al4V alloy. The alloy systems studied are Ti3Al2V, Ti5Fe and Ti3.2Fe1Cr0.6Ni0.1Mo (Ti5SS). The alloy mixtures were produced by blending Ti HDH powders with Al40V, 316SS master alloy powders or elemental Fe powder. The blended powders were further consolidated using various methods: high vacuum sintering (HVS), induction sintering (IS), powder compact forging (PCF) and powder compact extrusion (PCE). It is found that, PM Ti3Al2V and Ti5Fe alloy processed by PCE or PCF followed by recrystallization annealing (RA) achieved tensile properties comparable with wrought Ti6Al4V alloy. Tensile properties such as yield strength (YS) of 910MPa, UTS of 1010MPa and 15% elongation to fracture for Ti3Al2V alloy are reported. Ti5Fe alloy gives YS and UTS of 870MPa and 968MPa respectively, combined with 20.3% elongation to fracture. The tensile results are related to the microstructure developed during the consolidation processes. The oxygen contamination as a result of the high temperature processing is also reported.

text: Development of low cost PM Ti alloys by thermomechanical processing of powder blends This research focuses on the development of low cost powder metallurgy (PM) Ti alloys suitable for application in PM thermomechanical processing with mechanical properties comparable to those of wrought Ti6Al4V alloy. The alloy systems studied are Ti3Al2V, Ti5Fe and Ti3.2Fe1Cr0.6Ni0.1Mo (Ti5SS). The alloy mixtures were produced by blending Ti HDH powders with Al40V, 316SS master alloy powders or elemental Fe powder. The blended powders were further consolidated using various methods: high vacuum sintering (HVS), induction sintering (IS), powder compact forging (PCF) and powder compact extrusion (PCE). It is found that, PM Ti3Al2V and Ti5Fe alloy processed by PCE or PCF followed by recrystallization annealing (RA) achieved tensile properties comparable with wrought Ti6Al4V alloy. Tensile properties such as yield strength (YS) of 910MPa, UTS of 1010MPa and 15% elongation to fracture for Ti3Al2V alloy are reported. Ti5Fe alloy gives YS and UTS of 870MPa and 968MPa respectively, combined with 20.3% elongation to fracture. The tensile results are related to the microstructure developed during the consolidation processes. The oxygen contamination as a result of the high temperature processing is also reported.

year: 2016

title: Treatment and survival disparities by ethnicity in New Zealand women with stage I-III breast cancer tumour subtypes

authors: Lawrenson, Ross

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Purpose
This study aims to look at the distribution of different subtypes of stage I–III breast cancer in Māori and Pacific versus non-Māori/Pacific women, and to examine cancer outcomes by ethnicity within these different subtypes.

Method
This study included 9,015 women diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer between June 2000 and May 2013, recorded in the combined Waikato and Auckland Breast Cancer Registers, who had complete data on ER, PR and HER2 status. Five ER/PR/HER2 subtypes were defined. Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to examine ethnic disparities in breast cancer-specific survival.

Results
Of the 9,015 women, 891 were Māori, 548 were Pacific and 7,576 others. Both Māori and Pacific women were less likely to have triple negative breast cancer compared to others (8.6, 8.9 vs. 13.0%). Pacific women were more than twice as likely to have ER−, PR− and HER2+ cancer than Māori and others (14.2 vs. 6.0%, 6.7%). After adjustment for age, year of diagnosis, stage, grade and treatment, the hazard ratios of breast cancer-specific mortality for Māori and Pacific women with ER+, PR+ and HER2− were 1.52 (95% CI 1.06–2.18) and 1.55 (95% CI 1.04–2.31) compared to others, respectively. Māori women with HER2+ cancer were twice more likely to die of their cancer than others.

Conclusions
Outcomes for Māori and Pacific women could be improved by better treatment regimens especially for those with HER2+ breast cancer and for women with ER+, PR+ and HER2− breast cancer.

text: Treatment and survival disparities by ethnicity in New Zealand women with stage I-III breast cancer tumour subtypes Purpose
This study aims to look at the distribution of different subtypes of stage I–III breast cancer in Māori and Pacific versus non-Māori/Pacific women, and to examine cancer outcomes by ethnicity within these different subtypes.

Method
This study included 9,015 women diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer between June 2000 and May 2013, recorded in the combined Waikato and Auckland Breast Cancer Registers, who had complete data on ER, PR and HER2 status. Five ER/PR/HER2 subtypes were defined. Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to examine ethnic disparities in breast cancer-specific survival.

Results
Of the 9,015 women, 891 were Māori, 548 were Pacific and 7,576 others. Both Māori and Pacific women were less likely to have triple negative breast cancer compared to others (8.6, 8.9 vs. 13.0%). Pacific women were more than twice as likely to have ER−, PR− and HER2+ cancer than Māori and others (14.2 vs. 6.0%, 6.7%). After adjustment for age, year of diagnosis, stage, grade and treatment, the hazard ratios of breast cancer-specific mortality for Māori and Pacific women with ER+, PR+ and HER2− were 1.52 (95% CI 1.06–2.18) and 1.55 (95% CI 1.04–2.31) compared to others, respectively. Māori women with HER2+ cancer were twice more likely to die of their cancer than others.

Conclusions
Outcomes for Māori and Pacific women could be improved by better treatment regimens especially for those with HER2+ breast cancer and for women with ER+, PR+ and HER2− breast cancer.

year: 2017