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: Objective: This study aimed to describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's views of self?collection introduced in the renewed National Cervical Screening Program. Methods: A total of 79 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women (50 screened in previous five years, 29 under?screened) from five clinics across three Australian states/territories participated. Topics discussed were perceptions of self?collection, the instruction card and suggestions for implementing self?collection. We employed yarning (a qualitative method), which established relationships and trust between participants and researchers to facilitate culturally safe conversations. Transcripts were analysed thematically. Results: Most women were unaware of self?collection before the yarn but found it to be an acceptable way to participate in cervical screening. Women perceived self?collection would be convenient, provide a sense of control over the screening experience, and maintain privacy and comfort. The instructions were perceived to be simple and easy to follow. Women had concerns about collecting the sample correctly and the accuracy of the sample (compared to clinician?collected samples). Conclusions: Self?collection is acceptable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Implications for public health: Given the inequitable burden of cervical cancer experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, self?collection is likely to significantly improve participation and ultimately improve cervical cancer outcomes., Incidence and mortality rates from cervical cancer are two and four times higher, respectively, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women compared with non?Indigenous women, despite a nationally organised cervical [...]

With the looming prospect of fossil fuels increasing in price, recent attention has turned to the production of renewable, sustainable replacements for fossil fuels. One such fuel, ethanol, has also been commercially adopted as gasoline additive, and in some vehicles can replace gasoline entirely. Currently the majority of ethanol in North America is produced by the fermentation of corn (Zea mays). This is problematic because corn production, transportation, and fermentation relies heavily on fertilizer, diesel fuel and electricity, all of which are derived from fossil fuels. This research is focused on using kudzu (Pueraria montana) as an alternative feedstock for ethanol production. Kudzu grows quickly without any human inputs, contains up to 50% starch, and is an invasive plant in the southeastern United States. Previous research in our laboratory focused on converting the starch found in kudzu to ethanol, using 1H NMR spectroscopy to analyze the final ethanol concentration. The highest concentration of ethanol we were able to obtain in previous research was 3.5% v/v. In this research, different treatments of kudzu root were studied in order to optimize ethanol production. Kudzu was treated by pressure cooking prior to fermentation with a brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The kudzu root was also pretreated with various amylase enzymes to break the starches into fermentable sugars, and the temperature profile of the enzyme treatments was optimized. It is expected that by optimizing both fermentation and root pretreatment techniques, the ethanol produced will be at a high enough concentration to be commercially viable as a bioethanol feedstock., Acknowledgements YHC Quality Enhancement Plan Recommended Citation Authors Jordan T. Pandolph (*), Young Harris College Follow Suzanne E. Moore (*), Young Harris College Follow Charles D. Swor, Young Harris College [...]

Social capital refers to the nature of ties within a social unit, as well as the unit's external relationships. We draw from organizational sociology and political science, and also build upon existing insights in school board research, to offer an approach that address the effects of "bonding" (internal ties) and "bridging" (external ties) by board members. We hypothesize that these two sources of social capital are positively associated with financial and academic outcomes at the district level. Results, based on data from 175 Pennsylvania districts between 2004-05 and 2006-07, support our hypotheses. Implications for research and practice are discussed. (Contains 3 figures, 3 tables, and 12 notes.)

First Nations doulas offer an innovative approach for strengthening capacity and increasing the Australian First Nations maternity workforce to improve access to services that produce optimal outcomes. Currently, there is no published evidence on the training needs and health sector industry support for developing a First Nations doula workforce. In the context of the 'Top End,' Northern Territory, Australia, the aim of this article is to document Industry feedback on the training needs and support for developing a First Nations doula workforce. Ten purposively recruited Industry representatives participated in a facilitated workshop using the Kaospiolit Vision Backcasting education design tool. Participants identified and reached consensus on almost all the underpinning skills, knowledge, mindset, and attitudes required to work as a First Nations doula. Overall participants indicated strong Industry appetite and support for formally developing the doula role. There was participant consensus that accredited doula training would be a 'game-changer', addressing inadequacies and inequities in NT's reproductive and maternal health services for remote-living First Nations women. More research is required to explore First Nations doula practice in addressing perinatal inequities and workforce issues. Investigation is required to identify funding and appropriate workforce models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Includes results of the "Modern Language Journal's" annual survey of doctoral degrees granted in foreign languages, literatures, cultures, linguistics, and foreign language education in the United States. (Author/VWL)