title: A new optical configuration for flow cytometric sorting of bovine spermatozoa by sex

authors: Sharpe, John C.

abstract: The orthogonal axes of illumination, flow, and detection in conventional sorting flow cytometers can limit accuracy or throughput when making fluorescence measurements on aspherical cells. We report a new radially symmetric optical configuration that has been designed to overcome these problems. This system has specifically been developed for high resolution DNA chromosome content measurement in cells with an ultimate goal to separate X- and Y-chromosome-bearing mammalian spermatozoa. 

The new optics design provides radially symmetric illumination and detection of asymmetric particles while retaining the sort capability of a jet-in-air (or cylindrical cuvette) design. A paraboloidal reflector, symmetrical about the sample stream flow axis, both focuses a laser excitation beam and collects cell scatter and fluorescence from the inspection point.

The performance of the new optical configuration has been tested and compared to that of a conventional (orthogonal optical geometry) flow cytometer for a variety of particles and cells. For fluorescence measurements on calibration microspheres the new system produces histograms with similar coefficients of variation to those obtained with the conventional cytometer. Optical artifacts apparent in measurements on flat cells, such as blood cells and mammalian sperm, using conventional optics are overcome by the new configuration. Analysis of chinchilla sperm yields a dual-peaked histogram population that has a coefficient of variation and X-Y split which matches that for a gated (oriented) fraction of the sample as measured by the orthogonal system. Bovine sperm, which are larger and flatter than chinchilla sperm, also produce a single population which, when low sample to sheath differential pressures are used, has coefficients of variation matching those for an oriented subpopulation as measured by conventional optics.

Further modifications to the radial optics system have been carried out to study the effect of cell orientation (with respect to the excitation source) on fluorescence. A ray tracing model has been developed to explain the optical artifacts associated with the measurement of aspherical cells in orthogonal flow systems. This model has been used to verify the experimental findings from our cell orientation studies.
 
The radially symmetric optics we have described can be used to overcome the optical artifacts which decrease the accuracy of optical measurements on aspherical cells. With an added electrostatic sort capability, this system provides the high speed sort rates of conventional jet in air flow cytometers. The system presents an alternative, orientation-independent technique for measuring aspherical cells independent of their orientation. This optical configuration may provide a means for increasing throughput and accuracy for sperm sexing and other applications which require high resolution measurement and sorting of aspherical particles or cells.

text: A new optical configuration for flow cytometric sorting of bovine spermatozoa by sex The orthogonal axes of illumination, flow, and detection in conventional sorting flow cytometers can limit accuracy or throughput when making fluorescence measurements on aspherical cells. We report a new radially symmetric optical configuration that has been designed to overcome these problems. This system has specifically been developed for high resolution DNA chromosome content measurement in cells with an ultimate goal to separate X- and Y-chromosome-bearing mammalian spermatozoa. 

The new optics design provides radially symmetric illumination and detection of asymmetric particles while retaining the sort capability of a jet-in-air (or cylindrical cuvette) design. A paraboloidal reflector, symmetrical about the sample stream flow axis, both focuses a laser excitation beam and collects cell scatter and fluorescence from the inspection point.

The performance of the new optical configuration has been tested and compared to that of a conventional (orthogonal optical geometry) flow cytometer for a variety of particles and cells. For fluorescence measurements on calibration microspheres the new system produces histograms with similar coefficients of variation to those obtained with the conventional cytometer. Optical artifacts apparent in measurements on flat cells, such as blood cells and mammalian sperm, using conventional optics are overcome by the new configuration. Analysis of chinchilla sperm yields a dual-peaked histogram population that has a coefficient of variation and X-Y split which matches that for a gated (oriented) fraction of the sample as measured by the orthogonal system. Bovine sperm, which are larger and flatter than chinchilla sperm, also produce a single population which, when low sample to sheath differential pressures are used, has coefficients of variation matching those for an oriented subpopulation as measured by conventional optics.

Further modifications to the radial optics system have been carried out to study the effect of cell orientation (with respect to the excitation source) on fluorescence. A ray tracing model has been developed to explain the optical artifacts associated with the measurement of aspherical cells in orthogonal flow systems. This model has been used to verify the experimental findings from our cell orientation studies.
 
The radially symmetric optics we have described can be used to overcome the optical artifacts which decrease the accuracy of optical measurements on aspherical cells. With an added electrostatic sort capability, this system provides the high speed sort rates of conventional jet in air flow cytometers. The system presents an alternative, orientation-independent technique for measuring aspherical cells independent of their orientation. This optical configuration may provide a means for increasing throughput and accuracy for sperm sexing and other applications which require high resolution measurement and sorting of aspherical particles or cells.

year: 1997

title: “Mate Ni Vula”, “Masina”, “Vaʻine Fakahēʻaho”, “Eikura” Pacific sports women’s knowledge and experiences of menstruation

authors: Gibbons, Agatha

abstract: Pacific women's interest and participation in sports have increased rapidly throughout the decades. Recently, many have become competitive across a range of sports at regional, national, and international levels. Yet very little research is focused on Pacific sportswomen’s experiences, or how their cultural identities shape their performance, health, and well-being needs. This thesis focuses on Pacific sportswomen’s experiences of menstruation, and in so doing, makes an important contribution to both literature on Pacific sportswomen, and research on menstruation in sport. Research on sportswomen’s experiences of menstruation has grown significantly over recent years, but most of this research is conducted by white women on white sportswomen, with findings then generalized to all sportswomen. This thesis identifies a gap in literature, and the risks of excluding sportswomen’s cultural identities, practices, and values from research, policy, and practices focused on menstruation in sport. 
Adopting a Masi methodology, this project included three methods: a survey of 206 Pacific sportswomen; Talanoa sessions with 21 Fijian sportswomen, and interviews with 16 Pacific sportswomen living in Aotearoa New Zealand.  This project aimed to listen to, learn from, and amplify sportswomen's experiences and their understandings of menstruation, cultural beliefs, and the taboos that influence their menstrual experiences. This is a thesis with publication; some chapters are published articles, and others are manuscripts undergoing review. First, the thesis systematically identifies the gap in the literature with a scoping review of research focused on menstruation in sport, that shows that % of research ignores women’s cultural or ethnic identities. This chapter identifies the need for more culturally responsive research methods and culturally safe practices from sports and health professionals working with sportswomen from diverse backgrounds. Following this, results from the survey are presented, highlighting the diversity of cultural knowledge and practices associated with menstruation across the Pacific the survey also reveals the different cultural stigmas, beliefs, taboos, traditions, menstrual health, and sports performance of elite Pacific sportswomen. The following two chapters focus on findings from Fijian sportswomen, and then Pacific sportswomen living in Aotearoa New Zealand, with both amplifying the voices and experiences of Pacific sportswomen and their challenges of gaining culturally informed menstrual health information and support in sporting environments. These chapters describe how culture intersects with gender and other key variables (i.e., socio-economic considerations), and how these influence sportswomen’s experiences of menstruation.  
Ultimately, this research makes an important contribution to research on menstruation in sport, highlighting the need for culturally responsive methodologies and approaches in research and practice. It provides new and current cultural knowledge that can be used to improve the health, performance, and social support structures for Pacific sportswomen. This knowledge can expand sports and health providers' understanding of Pacific sportswomen's culturally specific needs, knowledge, and values concerning menstruation. Finally, this research supports the development of sport in the Pacific by providing cultural knowledge on how to engage Pacific sportswomen in safe, respectful, and constructive conversations around menstruation in sport.

text: “Mate Ni Vula”, “Masina”, “Vaʻine Fakahēʻaho”, “Eikura” Pacific sports women’s knowledge and experiences of menstruation Pacific women's interest and participation in sports have increased rapidly throughout the decades. Recently, many have become competitive across a range of sports at regional, national, and international levels. Yet very little research is focused on Pacific sportswomen’s experiences, or how their cultural identities shape their performance, health, and well-being needs. This thesis focuses on Pacific sportswomen’s experiences of menstruation, and in so doing, makes an important contribution to both literature on Pacific sportswomen, and research on menstruation in sport. Research on sportswomen’s experiences of menstruation has grown significantly over recent years, but most of this research is conducted by white women on white sportswomen, with findings then generalized to all sportswomen. This thesis identifies a gap in literature, and the risks of excluding sportswomen’s cultural identities, practices, and values from research, policy, and practices focused on menstruation in sport. 
Adopting a Masi methodology, this project included three methods: a survey of 206 Pacific sportswomen; Talanoa sessions with 21 Fijian sportswomen, and interviews with 16 Pacific sportswomen living in Aotearoa New Zealand.  This project aimed to listen to, learn from, and amplify sportswomen's experiences and their understandings of menstruation, cultural beliefs, and the taboos that influence their menstrual experiences. This is a thesis with publication; some chapters are published articles, and others are manuscripts undergoing review. First, the thesis systematically identifies the gap in the literature with a scoping review of research focused on menstruation in sport, that shows that % of research ignores women’s cultural or ethnic identities. This chapter identifies the need for more culturally responsive research methods and culturally safe practices from sports and health professionals working with sportswomen from diverse backgrounds. Following this, results from the survey are presented, highlighting the diversity of cultural knowledge and practices associated with menstruation across the Pacific the survey also reveals the different cultural stigmas, beliefs, taboos, traditions, menstrual health, and sports performance of elite Pacific sportswomen. The following two chapters focus on findings from Fijian sportswomen, and then Pacific sportswomen living in Aotearoa New Zealand, with both amplifying the voices and experiences of Pacific sportswomen and their challenges of gaining culturally informed menstrual health information and support in sporting environments. These chapters describe how culture intersects with gender and other key variables (i.e., socio-economic considerations), and how these influence sportswomen’s experiences of menstruation.  
Ultimately, this research makes an important contribution to research on menstruation in sport, highlighting the need for culturally responsive methodologies and approaches in research and practice. It provides new and current cultural knowledge that can be used to improve the health, performance, and social support structures for Pacific sportswomen. This knowledge can expand sports and health providers' understanding of Pacific sportswomen's culturally specific needs, knowledge, and values concerning menstruation. Finally, this research supports the development of sport in the Pacific by providing cultural knowledge on how to engage Pacific sportswomen in safe, respectful, and constructive conversations around menstruation in sport.

year: 2025-08

title: Constructing strategies for sustainable development the communitarian way

authors: Arunachalam, Murugesh

subjects: communities

abstract: Purpose – The paper aims to draw on recommendations of Agenda 21 and communitarian theory to examine collaboration between local district community and local authorities to formulate strategies for the sustainable development of the Taupo district. 
Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts an interpretative methodology based on philosophical hermeneutic to understand collaboration between local community and local authorities in the Taupo district. Empirical data for this interpretive study comprise public documents, interview transcripts and minutes of meetings attended by the researchers. The paper begins interpretation of empirical data with pre-understanding of communitarian theory and Agenda 21. 
Findings – The findings indicate that historical and political factors and diversity of interests in the community affect processes and outcomes of collaboration. Local authorities play a crucial role in bringing together various groups in the Taupo community which are segregated by diversity of interests, especially between Maori and non-Maori community groups. Without local authority facilitation, the Taupo community may remain segregated; inhibited by lack of information; and not having the opportunity to participate in sustainable development. Community participation in the Taupo district is at an infancy stage and collaboration intended to empower communities may result in local authorities recentralising their positions. 
Originality/value – The paper integrates theory and practice and provides valuable insights for statutory agencies seeking to implement the recommendations of Agenda 21 regarding community participation in sustainable development.

text: Constructing strategies for sustainable development the communitarian way Purpose – The paper aims to draw on recommendations of Agenda 21 and communitarian theory to examine collaboration between local district community and local authorities to formulate strategies for the sustainable development of the Taupo district. 
Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts an interpretative methodology based on philosophical hermeneutic to understand collaboration between local community and local authorities in the Taupo district. Empirical data for this interpretive study comprise public documents, interview transcripts and minutes of meetings attended by the researchers. The paper begins interpretation of empirical data with pre-understanding of communitarian theory and Agenda 21. 
Findings – The findings indicate that historical and political factors and diversity of interests in the community affect processes and outcomes of collaboration. Local authorities play a crucial role in bringing together various groups in the Taupo community which are segregated by diversity of interests, especially between Maori and non-Maori community groups. Without local authority facilitation, the Taupo community may remain segregated; inhibited by lack of information; and not having the opportunity to participate in sustainable development. Community participation in the Taupo district is at an infancy stage and collaboration intended to empower communities may result in local authorities recentralising their positions. 
Originality/value – The paper integrates theory and practice and provides valuable insights for statutory agencies seeking to implement the recommendations of Agenda 21 regarding community participation in sustainable development.

year: 2010