title: Improving polypropylene matrix composites reinforced with aligned hemp fibre mats using high fibre contents

authors: Sunny, Tom

abstract: The main goal of this study was to improve the mechanical performance of polypropylene (PP) matrix composites through high hemp fibre content. In order to achieve high fibre content, the possibilities of different polymer sheet thicknesses and stacking arrangements were investigated. It was found that decreasing the overall thickness of fibre mats between two polymer sheets within the stacking arrangements of composites and so decreasing the distance the polymer needs to travel improved the fibre wetting and therefore improved the tensile properties. The strongest composite produced had a fibre content of about 60 wt%. At this fibre content, tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the composites were found to be 3.0 and 6.9 times, respectively, higher than the control samples (polymer only samples), while figures for flexural strength and flexural modulus were 3.4 and 3.6, respectively.

text: Improving polypropylene matrix composites reinforced with aligned hemp fibre mats using high fibre contents The main goal of this study was to improve the mechanical performance of polypropylene (PP) matrix composites through high hemp fibre content. In order to achieve high fibre content, the possibilities of different polymer sheet thicknesses and stacking arrangements were investigated. It was found that decreasing the overall thickness of fibre mats between two polymer sheets within the stacking arrangements of composites and so decreasing the distance the polymer needs to travel improved the fibre wetting and therefore improved the tensile properties. The strongest composite produced had a fibre content of about 60 wt%. At this fibre content, tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the composites were found to be 3.0 and 6.9 times, respectively, higher than the control samples (polymer only samples), while figures for flexural strength and flexural modulus were 3.4 and 3.6, respectively.

year: 2022

title: Not science as I know it

authors: Campbell, Alison

abstract: By accident I came across the curriculum document for Accelerated Christian Education (ACE), which provides teaching and learning materials to parents who are homeschooling their children. New Zealand students who complete the programme right through to Year 13 gain university entrance. Home Schooling NZ gives parents advice about the ACE programme, but makes it clear that HSNZ does not work for Accelerated Christian Education or sell their teaching and assessment materials. However, I was startled to see the following listed by HSNZ as one of the “distinctives” [sic] of the ACE programme: Each student is taught from a biblical perspective developing critical thinking skills that will enable them to discern what is truly “…the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

text: Not science as I know it By accident I came across the curriculum document for Accelerated Christian Education (ACE), which provides teaching and learning materials to parents who are homeschooling their children. New Zealand students who complete the programme right through to Year 13 gain university entrance. Home Schooling NZ gives parents advice about the ACE programme, but makes it clear that HSNZ does not work for Accelerated Christian Education or sell their teaching and assessment materials. However, I was startled to see the following listed by HSNZ as one of the “distinctives” [sic] of the ACE programme: Each student is taught from a biblical perspective developing critical thinking skills that will enable them to discern what is truly “…the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

year: 2014

title: Ethnic disparities in breast cancer survival in New Zealand: which factors contribute?

authors: Tin Tin, Sandar

subjects: Breast cancer

abstract: Background: New Zealand has major ethnic disparities in breast cancer survival with Maori (indigenous people) and Pacific women (immigrants or descended from immigrants from Pacific Islands) faring much worse than other ethnic groups. This paper identified underlying factors and assessed their relative contribution to this risk differential. 
Methods: This study involved all women who were diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer in two health regions, covering about 40% of the national population, between January 2000 and June 2014. Maori and Pacific patients were compared with other ethnic groups in terms of demographics, mode of diagnosis, disease factors and treatment factors. Cox regression modelling was performed with stepwise adjustments, and hazards of excess mortality from breast cancer for Maori and Pacific patients were assessed. 
Results: Of the 13,657 patients who were included in this analysis, 1281 (9.4%) were Maori, and 897 (6.6%) were Pacific women. Compared to other ethnic groups, they were younger, more likely to reside in deprived neighbourhoods and to have co-morbidities, and less likely to be diagnosed through screening and with early stage cancer, to be treated in a private care facility, to receive timely cancer treatment, and to receive breast conserving surgery. They had a higher risk of excess mortality from breast cancer (age and year of diagnosis adjusted hazard ratio: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.51-2.04 for Maori and 1.97; 95% CI: 1.67-2.32 for Pacific women), of which 75% and 99% respectively were explained by baseline differences. The most important contributor was late stage at diagnosis. Other contributors included neighbourhood deprivation, mode of diagnosis, type of health care facility where primary cancer treatment was undertaken and type of loco-regional therapy. 
Conclusions: Late diagnosis, deprivation and differential access to and quality of cancer care services were the key contributors to ethnic disparities in breast cancer survival in New Zealand. Our findings underscore the need for a greater equity focus along the breast cancer care pathway, with an emphasis on improving access to early diagnosis for Maori and Pacific women.

text: Ethnic disparities in breast cancer survival in New Zealand: which factors contribute? Background: New Zealand has major ethnic disparities in breast cancer survival with Maori (indigenous people) and Pacific women (immigrants or descended from immigrants from Pacific Islands) faring much worse than other ethnic groups. This paper identified underlying factors and assessed their relative contribution to this risk differential. 
Methods: This study involved all women who were diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer in two health regions, covering about 40% of the national population, between January 2000 and June 2014. Maori and Pacific patients were compared with other ethnic groups in terms of demographics, mode of diagnosis, disease factors and treatment factors. Cox regression modelling was performed with stepwise adjustments, and hazards of excess mortality from breast cancer for Maori and Pacific patients were assessed. 
Results: Of the 13,657 patients who were included in this analysis, 1281 (9.4%) were Maori, and 897 (6.6%) were Pacific women. Compared to other ethnic groups, they were younger, more likely to reside in deprived neighbourhoods and to have co-morbidities, and less likely to be diagnosed through screening and with early stage cancer, to be treated in a private care facility, to receive timely cancer treatment, and to receive breast conserving surgery. They had a higher risk of excess mortality from breast cancer (age and year of diagnosis adjusted hazard ratio: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.51-2.04 for Maori and 1.97; 95% CI: 1.67-2.32 for Pacific women), of which 75% and 99% respectively were explained by baseline differences. The most important contributor was late stage at diagnosis. Other contributors included neighbourhood deprivation, mode of diagnosis, type of health care facility where primary cancer treatment was undertaken and type of loco-regional therapy. 
Conclusions: Late diagnosis, deprivation and differential access to and quality of cancer care services were the key contributors to ethnic disparities in breast cancer survival in New Zealand. Our findings underscore the need for a greater equity focus along the breast cancer care pathway, with an emphasis on improving access to early diagnosis for Maori and Pacific women.

year: 2018