title: Influence of pumice and fines contents on the extent of particle crushing in pumiceous sand-silt mixtures during undrained cyclic triaxial loading

authors: Chaneva, Jordanka

abstract: Pumiceous particles have a distinct vesicular nature as well as a complex surface texture that makes them potentially vulnerable to crushing under cyclic loading. Pumiceous sand mixtures have received more scientific attention than pumiceous silts in this regard. Researchers have found the undrained cyclic behaviour of pumiceous sands to be significantly different from that of hard-grained sands because of the particle crushing that occurs during cyclic testing and/or sample reconstitution. The liquefaction resistance of pumiceous sands is also considered to be higher because of the pore-water pressure distribution in the sample that occurs during particle crushing. The undrained behaviour of pumiceous silt has only been studied once previously: such material did not crush during sample reconstitution and undrained cyclic testing, which was attributed to a cushioning effect taking place between silty, non-crushable particles and coarse sandy pumice particles. Whether there are thresholds of fines content and/or pumice content at which pumiceous soil mixtures start to behave more similarly to hard-grained soils are yet to be unravelled and remain relevant for engineers and scientists. This paper analyses particle crushing after sample reconstitution and undrained cyclic triaxial testing of three pumiceous natural soil mixtures (lacustrine tephra deposits) from northern New Zealand having fines (< 0.075mm) and pumice contents ranging between 20% and 70% and 30% and 51%, respectively. The results examine potential changes in (1) fines content, (2) pumice content, and (3) undrained cyclic behaviour by comparing both pore-water pressure and axial strain development of the pumiceous soils with other crushable and non-crushable soils.

text: Influence of pumice and fines contents on the extent of particle crushing in pumiceous sand-silt mixtures during undrained cyclic triaxial loading Pumiceous particles have a distinct vesicular nature as well as a complex surface texture that makes them potentially vulnerable to crushing under cyclic loading. Pumiceous sand mixtures have received more scientific attention than pumiceous silts in this regard. Researchers have found the undrained cyclic behaviour of pumiceous sands to be significantly different from that of hard-grained sands because of the particle crushing that occurs during cyclic testing and/or sample reconstitution. The liquefaction resistance of pumiceous sands is also considered to be higher because of the pore-water pressure distribution in the sample that occurs during particle crushing. The undrained behaviour of pumiceous silt has only been studied once previously: such material did not crush during sample reconstitution and undrained cyclic testing, which was attributed to a cushioning effect taking place between silty, non-crushable particles and coarse sandy pumice particles. Whether there are thresholds of fines content and/or pumice content at which pumiceous soil mixtures start to behave more similarly to hard-grained soils are yet to be unravelled and remain relevant for engineers and scientists. This paper analyses particle crushing after sample reconstitution and undrained cyclic triaxial testing of three pumiceous natural soil mixtures (lacustrine tephra deposits) from northern New Zealand having fines (< 0.075mm) and pumice contents ranging between 20% and 70% and 30% and 51%, respectively. The results examine potential changes in (1) fines content, (2) pumice content, and (3) undrained cyclic behaviour by comparing both pore-water pressure and axial strain development of the pumiceous soils with other crushable and non-crushable soils.

year: 2024-06-17

title: Health and wellbeing among lesbians, bisexual, and sexually diverse women in Aotearoa New Zealand: An exploratory study

authors: Ellis, Sonja J.

subjects: Lesbian

abstract: Introduction
Compared to other western, English-speaking, nations there is limited research on health outcomes in LGBTQ + people in New Zealand; particularly among women. This study set out to explore health and wellbeing in sexual minority women with particular reference to differences between subgroups (i.e., lesbians; bisexual women; sexually diverse women).

Methods
This study utilizes data from an online survey of participants recruited in NZ in 2022 as part of the Global Pride Project. The analysis reported here is based on the responses of 67 sexual minority women on measures of health and wellbeing (e.g., general health, depressive symptomatology, quality of life, social support, community engagement).

Results
A primary finding of the study was that while sexual identity was a significant predictor of general health it was not a predictor of other study outcomes. Community engagement and social support were found to be significant associations of depressive symptomatology. Social support was also found to be a significant predictor of quality of life. Age was also a predictor of quality of life, with younger sexual minority women reporting lower quality of life.

Conclusion
The findings suggest that community engagement and social support play an important role in wellbeing; especially for specific subgroups of sexual minority women, which may be potential targets to improve sexual minority women’s health and well-being. Additional research with larger sample sizes is needed.

Social policy implications
The findings of this study underscore the need for sexual minority women to be specifically included in research, interventions and social policy aimed at ensuring health equity.

text: Health and wellbeing among lesbians, bisexual, and sexually diverse women in Aotearoa New Zealand: An exploratory study Introduction
Compared to other western, English-speaking, nations there is limited research on health outcomes in LGBTQ + people in New Zealand; particularly among women. This study set out to explore health and wellbeing in sexual minority women with particular reference to differences between subgroups (i.e., lesbians; bisexual women; sexually diverse women).

Methods
This study utilizes data from an online survey of participants recruited in NZ in 2022 as part of the Global Pride Project. The analysis reported here is based on the responses of 67 sexual minority women on measures of health and wellbeing (e.g., general health, depressive symptomatology, quality of life, social support, community engagement).

Results
A primary finding of the study was that while sexual identity was a significant predictor of general health it was not a predictor of other study outcomes. Community engagement and social support were found to be significant associations of depressive symptomatology. Social support was also found to be a significant predictor of quality of life. Age was also a predictor of quality of life, with younger sexual minority women reporting lower quality of life.

Conclusion
The findings suggest that community engagement and social support play an important role in wellbeing; especially for specific subgroups of sexual minority women, which may be potential targets to improve sexual minority women’s health and well-being. Additional research with larger sample sizes is needed.

Social policy implications
The findings of this study underscore the need for sexual minority women to be specifically included in research, interventions and social policy aimed at ensuring health equity.

year: 2026

title: Performing Femininity. Carmen - Good Ship Lollipop: A solo performance

authors: Fraser, Elroy

subjects: Performance

abstract: In the tradition of queer fringe theatre, Carmen - Good Ship Lollipop: a solo performance was written by a queer playwright, with a queer message for a queer audience.  The play was devised by drawing on Queer Theatre practice and methodology.
The following thesis details the process I undertook to create Carmen - Good Ship Lollipop: a solo performance. The story was created using biographical content already in the public arena. The play is about the public life of the late Carmen Rupe, New Zealand’s most famous transsexual. 
A historical perspective of men performing as women, or more fittingly, femininity performed by those other than female is presented by drawing on literature of this genre. The place of the solo performer and the combined roles of the actor, director, and producer are explored. Definitions of queer theatre and female impersonation are presented and issues of imitation, innovation and authenticity discussed.
The first methodology section details the choice of the particular playtext, the scriptwriting process, and dramaturgical analysis of Carmen – Good Ship Lollipop: a solo performance 
The second methodology section details the ‘script to stage’ production process. The development of the rehearsal script and the decision to limit the rehearsal period to one week is discussed. The plays evolution in terms of style and structure is presented.
The conclusion analyses the final product: to what extent Carmen - Good Ship Lollipop: a solo performance is faithful the Queer Theatre genre, successful as a performance piece, and reactive enough to be relevant. What further development could be applied in order to perform a future season.

text: Performing Femininity. Carmen - Good Ship Lollipop: A solo performance In the tradition of queer fringe theatre, Carmen - Good Ship Lollipop: a solo performance was written by a queer playwright, with a queer message for a queer audience.  The play was devised by drawing on Queer Theatre practice and methodology.
The following thesis details the process I undertook to create Carmen - Good Ship Lollipop: a solo performance. The story was created using biographical content already in the public arena. The play is about the public life of the late Carmen Rupe, New Zealand’s most famous transsexual. 
A historical perspective of men performing as women, or more fittingly, femininity performed by those other than female is presented by drawing on literature of this genre. The place of the solo performer and the combined roles of the actor, director, and producer are explored. Definitions of queer theatre and female impersonation are presented and issues of imitation, innovation and authenticity discussed.
The first methodology section details the choice of the particular playtext, the scriptwriting process, and dramaturgical analysis of Carmen – Good Ship Lollipop: a solo performance 
The second methodology section details the ‘script to stage’ production process. The development of the rehearsal script and the decision to limit the rehearsal period to one week is discussed. The plays evolution in terms of style and structure is presented.
The conclusion analyses the final product: to what extent Carmen - Good Ship Lollipop: a solo performance is faithful the Queer Theatre genre, successful as a performance piece, and reactive enough to be relevant. What further development could be applied in order to perform a future season.

year: 2013