title: The importance of culture in a New Zealand high school context: An exploration of whether the culture of overseas teachers is seen by students, in Years 12 and 13, to impact on the quality of their learning experiences.

authors: Mitchell, Iain

subjects: overseas teachers

abstract: New Zealand education has long been dependent on overseas teachers to fill vacancies in the secondary school system. Historically this supply of teachers tended to be from the UK, but as we move into the 21st century, the supply of teachers is now from a much wider group of countries. The focus of this work was to explore whether the multicultural nature of this workforce does have an impact on the learning experience of New Zealand students. The need for cultural responsiveness from both teachers and students is an important factor in classroom communication and teacher effectiveness. Although there is a large body of research on cultural responsiveness within New Zealand schools, there
has been little research on the student's perceptions of overseas teachers' levels of
cultural responsiveness. I believe that there is a need to study this aspect of the education system, given that the overseas teaching group make up a considerable percentage of teachers in the New Zealand secondary school system. The 30 students taking part in this study had experience of being taught by both New Zealand and overseas teachers and were from three high schools situated in a relatively isolated region of New Zealand. The questions asked of the students
were in the form of a taped, semi-structured group interview, undertaken at the students' respective schools. The interviews focused on the students' experiences and beliefs on the quality of their learning experience. Overall, the teacher's cultural responsiveness was found to be most important to the quality of the student-teacher relationship. A secondary factor emerging was the students report that clarity was the aspect that impacted the most on the quality
of individual lessons. The study adds to existing understanding of the importance of culture within the New Zealand classroom. While this study used students from the general student body rather than a specific ethnic group, the findings supported recent research undertaken with such specific ethnic groups.

text: The importance of culture in a New Zealand high school context: An exploration of whether the culture of overseas teachers is seen by students, in Years 12 and 13, to impact on the quality of their learning experiences. New Zealand education has long been dependent on overseas teachers to fill vacancies in the secondary school system. Historically this supply of teachers tended to be from the UK, but as we move into the 21st century, the supply of teachers is now from a much wider group of countries. The focus of this work was to explore whether the multicultural nature of this workforce does have an impact on the learning experience of New Zealand students. The need for cultural responsiveness from both teachers and students is an important factor in classroom communication and teacher effectiveness. Although there is a large body of research on cultural responsiveness within New Zealand schools, there
has been little research on the student's perceptions of overseas teachers' levels of
cultural responsiveness. I believe that there is a need to study this aspect of the education system, given that the overseas teaching group make up a considerable percentage of teachers in the New Zealand secondary school system. The 30 students taking part in this study had experience of being taught by both New Zealand and overseas teachers and were from three high schools situated in a relatively isolated region of New Zealand. The questions asked of the students
were in the form of a taped, semi-structured group interview, undertaken at the students' respective schools. The interviews focused on the students' experiences and beliefs on the quality of their learning experience. Overall, the teacher's cultural responsiveness was found to be most important to the quality of the student-teacher relationship. A secondary factor emerging was the students report that clarity was the aspect that impacted the most on the quality
of individual lessons. The study adds to existing understanding of the importance of culture within the New Zealand classroom. While this study used students from the general student body rather than a specific ethnic group, the findings supported recent research undertaken with such specific ethnic groups.

year: 2010

title: Gene expression profiles of 3D gene-edited bioprinted cells

authors: Turnbull, Catherine

subjects: Bioprinting

abstract: Cancer is the biggest cause of death in New Zealand each year and places a large economic strain on the health system. Previously, two-dimensional (2D) cell models have provided insight into the development of cancer but now, three-dimensional (3D) models provided more accurate information on how cell-cell interactions in the body affect the efficacy of different drug therapies. This research aims to investigate the gene expression profiles of 3D gene-edited bioprinted lung cancer cells to understand how mutations and the vital trace element Selenium (Se) affects gene expression. The human A549 lung cancer cell line was bioprinted into a set dome shape made of sodium alginate, gelatine, and cell media. The cells were then cultured for 21 days before a six-hour drug exposure with 2μM and 10μM Methylselenic Acid (MSA).
RNA was also extracted from 18 bioprints and the spectrophotometer data suggested high quality with a total RNA concentration range of 9 – 671μg/μL, respectively. The RNA integrity was further examined using the RNA tape station. The solvent control (n=2) and the 2μM MSA treatment (n=3) from the second independent experiment resulted in intact ribosomal bands. The protein concentration was determined using a Bradford assay and ranged from 0.1 – 3.42mg/mL. The electrophoresed protein showed a molecular weight size range from 120kDa – 10kDa. The protein was then transferred onto a western blot membrane and detected by two primary antibodies; (1) HSP70 - correctly fold proteins that are under cellular stress and (2) GAPDH – a loading control reference antibody. The HSP70 protein expression was measured for the drug-treated bioprints for three bioprinting experiment. We hypothesised an upregulation in HSP70 expression based on previous studies. However, the data set could not be replicated to conclusively downregulation in response to 2 and 10μM MSA. Thus, further optimisation into drug accessibility, cell and protein loading concentration is required.
Gene-editing using lipofectamine and CRISPR-Cas9 was attempted using A549 cells but no conclusive evidence that a mutation had been introduced into the Cyclin Dependent Kinase 4 (CDK4) gene was observed (n=5). Three research optimisations have been recommended for gene-editing and establishing a stable gene-edited cell line for future use in 3D bioprinting and gene expression analysis.

text: Gene expression profiles of 3D gene-edited bioprinted cells Cancer is the biggest cause of death in New Zealand each year and places a large economic strain on the health system. Previously, two-dimensional (2D) cell models have provided insight into the development of cancer but now, three-dimensional (3D) models provided more accurate information on how cell-cell interactions in the body affect the efficacy of different drug therapies. This research aims to investigate the gene expression profiles of 3D gene-edited bioprinted lung cancer cells to understand how mutations and the vital trace element Selenium (Se) affects gene expression. The human A549 lung cancer cell line was bioprinted into a set dome shape made of sodium alginate, gelatine, and cell media. The cells were then cultured for 21 days before a six-hour drug exposure with 2μM and 10μM Methylselenic Acid (MSA).
RNA was also extracted from 18 bioprints and the spectrophotometer data suggested high quality with a total RNA concentration range of 9 – 671μg/μL, respectively. The RNA integrity was further examined using the RNA tape station. The solvent control (n=2) and the 2μM MSA treatment (n=3) from the second independent experiment resulted in intact ribosomal bands. The protein concentration was determined using a Bradford assay and ranged from 0.1 – 3.42mg/mL. The electrophoresed protein showed a molecular weight size range from 120kDa – 10kDa. The protein was then transferred onto a western blot membrane and detected by two primary antibodies; (1) HSP70 - correctly fold proteins that are under cellular stress and (2) GAPDH – a loading control reference antibody. The HSP70 protein expression was measured for the drug-treated bioprints for three bioprinting experiment. We hypothesised an upregulation in HSP70 expression based on previous studies. However, the data set could not be replicated to conclusively downregulation in response to 2 and 10μM MSA. Thus, further optimisation into drug accessibility, cell and protein loading concentration is required.
Gene-editing using lipofectamine and CRISPR-Cas9 was attempted using A549 cells but no conclusive evidence that a mutation had been introduced into the Cyclin Dependent Kinase 4 (CDK4) gene was observed (n=5). Three research optimisations have been recommended for gene-editing and establishing a stable gene-edited cell line for future use in 3D bioprinting and gene expression analysis.

year: 2023

title: Mental health of people of diverse genders and sexualities in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Findings from the New Zealand Mental Health Monitor

authors: Tan, Kyle K. H.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Issues addressed: To examine mental health inequities, and social exclusion and isolation and protective factor differences between people of diverse genders and sexualities (lesbian/gay, bisexual, gender diverse, and takatāpui) and cisgender and heterosexual people in Aotearoa/New Zealand.  Methods: We employed data from the pooled probability sample of 2016 and 2018 New Zealand Mental Health Monitor. The sample comprised of 2,938 people at least 15 years old, of which 93 had diverse gender and sexuality identities. Generalised linear models were used to test for differences in mental health (current and lifetime mental distress, depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide), social exclusion and isolation, and friend and family support for people of diverse genders and sexualities. We also conducted exploratory linear regression analyses to examine whether mental health difficulties were associated with social exclusion and isolation and friend/family support.  Results: People of diverse genders and sexualities had high rates of mental health difficulties across all variables we examined. For example, people identifying as diverse genders and sexualities had three times the risk of considering self-harm and suicide than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts (22% vs 5%; RR = 3.12). People of diverse genders and sexualities also scored an average of 6.08 points higher on the 27-point PHQ-9 depression scale when they had experienced social isolation, and 4.01 points higher when they experienced social exclusion. Conclusion: Our results are consistent with current literature on the large mental health inequities faced by people of diverse genders and sexualities.  So what?: Policy makers and healthcare providers in Aotearoa/New Zealand should consider the negative mental health consequences of social exclusion and isolation for people of diverse genders and sexualities.

text: Mental health of people of diverse genders and sexualities in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Findings from the New Zealand Mental Health Monitor Issues addressed: To examine mental health inequities, and social exclusion and isolation and protective factor differences between people of diverse genders and sexualities (lesbian/gay, bisexual, gender diverse, and takatāpui) and cisgender and heterosexual people in Aotearoa/New Zealand.  Methods: We employed data from the pooled probability sample of 2016 and 2018 New Zealand Mental Health Monitor. The sample comprised of 2,938 people at least 15 years old, of which 93 had diverse gender and sexuality identities. Generalised linear models were used to test for differences in mental health (current and lifetime mental distress, depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide), social exclusion and isolation, and friend and family support for people of diverse genders and sexualities. We also conducted exploratory linear regression analyses to examine whether mental health difficulties were associated with social exclusion and isolation and friend/family support.  Results: People of diverse genders and sexualities had high rates of mental health difficulties across all variables we examined. For example, people identifying as diverse genders and sexualities had three times the risk of considering self-harm and suicide than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts (22% vs 5%; RR = 3.12). People of diverse genders and sexualities also scored an average of 6.08 points higher on the 27-point PHQ-9 depression scale when they had experienced social isolation, and 4.01 points higher when they experienced social exclusion. Conclusion: Our results are consistent with current literature on the large mental health inequities faced by people of diverse genders and sexualities.  So what?: Policy makers and healthcare providers in Aotearoa/New Zealand should consider the negative mental health consequences of social exclusion and isolation for people of diverse genders and sexualities.

year: 2021-10-03