title: Are women-who-have-sex-with-women an 'at-risk' group for cervical cancer? An exploratory study of women in Aotearoa New Zealand.

authors: Ellis, Sonja J.

abstract: Background. International research consistently indicates that women-who-have-sex-with-women (WSW) are less likely to engage in cervical screening than heterosexual women. In the main, studies have explored rates of engagement and highlighted some reasons for non-engagement. This study extends on this work by exploring perceptions among sexual minority women (WSW) for lower rates of engagement among WSW more generally and is the first study on this topic undertaken in Aotearoa New Zealand. Methods. A sample of 177 self-identified WSW domiciled in New Zealand completed an online survey about their engagement in cervical screening, reasons for engaging (or not) in cervical screening, and perceptions of why SMW might be less likely to engage in cervical screening. Results. Fewer than half of participants had engaged in cervical screening every 3 years as recommended, with women who had only ever had sex with other women being significantly less likely to have engaged in screening. A lack of clear information about risk relative to sexual history, heteronormativity, and the invasive nature of screening were the dominant reasons for lower engagement among WSW. Conclusions. A legacy of misinformation, and endemic heteronormativity in public health messaging around cervical screening is a significant barrier to engagement in screening for WSW. To increase engagement in screening among WSW, public health information needs to specifically address the needs of WSW.

text: Are women-who-have-sex-with-women an 'at-risk' group for cervical cancer? An exploratory study of women in Aotearoa New Zealand. Background. International research consistently indicates that women-who-have-sex-with-women (WSW) are less likely to engage in cervical screening than heterosexual women. In the main, studies have explored rates of engagement and highlighted some reasons for non-engagement. This study extends on this work by exploring perceptions among sexual minority women (WSW) for lower rates of engagement among WSW more generally and is the first study on this topic undertaken in Aotearoa New Zealand. Methods. A sample of 177 self-identified WSW domiciled in New Zealand completed an online survey about their engagement in cervical screening, reasons for engaging (or not) in cervical screening, and perceptions of why SMW might be less likely to engage in cervical screening. Results. Fewer than half of participants had engaged in cervical screening every 3 years as recommended, with women who had only ever had sex with other women being significantly less likely to have engaged in screening. A lack of clear information about risk relative to sexual history, heteronormativity, and the invasive nature of screening were the dominant reasons for lower engagement among WSW. Conclusions. A legacy of misinformation, and endemic heteronormativity in public health messaging around cervical screening is a significant barrier to engagement in screening for WSW. To increase engagement in screening among WSW, public health information needs to specifically address the needs of WSW.

year: 2023-12-01

title: New ternary powder metallurgy Ti alloys via eutectoid and isomorphous beta stabilisers additions

authors: Paul, Manpreet

subjects: Mechanical engineering

abstract: A group of new ternary Ti alloys bearing eutectoid and isomorphous beta stabilising elements was created to be manufactured through the conventional powder metallurgy route. The effect of the simultaneous addition of the same amount of Mn and Nb on the manufacturability, properties, and hardening behaviour was investigated. The ternary alloys are composed of the α-Ti and β-Ti phases and have a lamellar microstructure resulting from the slow cooling upon sintering. However, the size of the equiaxed α grains and of the α + β lamellae is monotonically reduced, especially the interlamellar spacing, as the amount of alloying elements increases. Due to their physical properties, Mn enhances and Nb hinders densification during sintering resulting in a decreasing trend of the relative density with the alloying elements content. Consequently, the resistance to plastic deformation increases (UTS, 514–726 MPa), the ductility decreases (elongation, 13.2–2.6%), and the fracture mode changes from intergranular to transgranular. The new ternary alloys share the same hardening mechanism, but the amount of deformation after necking is, generally, higher for lower amounts of Mn and Nb.

text: New ternary powder metallurgy Ti alloys via eutectoid and isomorphous beta stabilisers additions A group of new ternary Ti alloys bearing eutectoid and isomorphous beta stabilising elements was created to be manufactured through the conventional powder metallurgy route. The effect of the simultaneous addition of the same amount of Mn and Nb on the manufacturability, properties, and hardening behaviour was investigated. The ternary alloys are composed of the α-Ti and β-Ti phases and have a lamellar microstructure resulting from the slow cooling upon sintering. However, the size of the equiaxed α grains and of the α + β lamellae is monotonically reduced, especially the interlamellar spacing, as the amount of alloying elements increases. Due to their physical properties, Mn enhances and Nb hinders densification during sintering resulting in a decreasing trend of the relative density with the alloying elements content. Consequently, the resistance to plastic deformation increases (UTS, 514–726 MPa), the ductility decreases (elongation, 13.2–2.6%), and the fracture mode changes from intergranular to transgranular. The new ternary alloys share the same hardening mechanism, but the amount of deformation after necking is, generally, higher for lower amounts of Mn and Nb.

year: 2023-01-20

title: Māori academic success: Why the deficit perspectives?

authors: Aporosa, S. 'Apo'

subjects: Māori

abstract: Academics have long discussed the power of communication to both motivate and discourage. Concerning education, Paulo Freire (1997) had explained the dialogical learning process and the empowerment that comes from the inclusion of student knowledge. Alternatively, Carlson & Dimitriadis (2003) describe disempowerment and underachievement among Afro-American students resulting from societal expectations that they will fail. In a recent education environment scan focused on the Waikato-Tainui rohe, 28 kaupapa Māori education providers were identified as sites of high educational success, with one described as “outshining private schools and bucking national trends” (Carson, 2013). This aside, perceptions of generalized educational failure among Māori are commonplace in Aotearoa New Zealand. These impressions are fed by the media, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and in some cases, academic publications. This paper discusses the power of deficit models and counter-narratives to academic underachievement. This will be juxtaposed with commentary on why some students and their education providers within the Waikato-Tainui rohe appear to be unaffected by these counter- narratives and deficit theorizing.

text: Māori academic success: Why the deficit perspectives? Academics have long discussed the power of communication to both motivate and discourage. Concerning education, Paulo Freire (1997) had explained the dialogical learning process and the empowerment that comes from the inclusion of student knowledge. Alternatively, Carlson & Dimitriadis (2003) describe disempowerment and underachievement among Afro-American students resulting from societal expectations that they will fail. In a recent education environment scan focused on the Waikato-Tainui rohe, 28 kaupapa Māori education providers were identified as sites of high educational success, with one described as “outshining private schools and bucking national trends” (Carson, 2013). This aside, perceptions of generalized educational failure among Māori are commonplace in Aotearoa New Zealand. These impressions are fed by the media, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and in some cases, academic publications. This paper discusses the power of deficit models and counter-narratives to academic underachievement. This will be juxtaposed with commentary on why some students and their education providers within the Waikato-Tainui rohe appear to be unaffected by these counter- narratives and deficit theorizing.

year: 2016