title: Hypolithic microbial communities of quartz rocks from Miers Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

authors: Khan, Nuraan

subjects: Hypolith

abstract: The McMurdo Dry Valleys region of eastern Antarctica is a cold desert that presents extreme challenges to life. Hypolithic microbial colonisation of the subsoil surfaces of translucent quartz rocks represent a significant source of terrestrial biomass and productivity in this region. Previous studies have described hypoliths as dominated by cyanobacteria. However, hypoliths that occur in the lower Dry Valleys such as the Miers, Garwood and Marshall Valleys are unusual as they are not necessarily cyanobacteria-dominated. These hypoliths support significant eukaryal colonisation by fungi and mosses in addition to cyanobacteria- dominated bacterial assemblages and so have considerable ecological value in this barren landscape. Here, we characterise these novel hypoliths by analysis of environmental rRNA gene sequences. The hypolithic community was demonstrated to be distinct from the surrounding soil and non-translucent rocks. Hypoliths supported cyanobacterial signatures from the Oscillatoriales and Nostocales. Other heterotrophic bacterial signatures were also recovered, and these were phylogenetically diverse and spanned 8 other bacterial phyla. Archaeal phylotypes recovered were phylogenetically aYliated with the large group of unclassified, uncultured Crenarcheota. Eukaryal phylotypes indicated that free-living ascomycetous fungi, chlorophytes and mosses (Bryum sp.) were all supported by these hypoliths, and these are thought to be responsible for the extensive eukaryotic biomass that develops around quartz rocks.

text: Hypolithic microbial communities of quartz rocks from Miers Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica The McMurdo Dry Valleys region of eastern Antarctica is a cold desert that presents extreme challenges to life. Hypolithic microbial colonisation of the subsoil surfaces of translucent quartz rocks represent a significant source of terrestrial biomass and productivity in this region. Previous studies have described hypoliths as dominated by cyanobacteria. However, hypoliths that occur in the lower Dry Valleys such as the Miers, Garwood and Marshall Valleys are unusual as they are not necessarily cyanobacteria-dominated. These hypoliths support significant eukaryal colonisation by fungi and mosses in addition to cyanobacteria- dominated bacterial assemblages and so have considerable ecological value in this barren landscape. Here, we characterise these novel hypoliths by analysis of environmental rRNA gene sequences. The hypolithic community was demonstrated to be distinct from the surrounding soil and non-translucent rocks. Hypoliths supported cyanobacterial signatures from the Oscillatoriales and Nostocales. Other heterotrophic bacterial signatures were also recovered, and these were phylogenetically diverse and spanned 8 other bacterial phyla. Archaeal phylotypes recovered were phylogenetically aYliated with the large group of unclassified, uncultured Crenarcheota. Eukaryal phylotypes indicated that free-living ascomycetous fungi, chlorophytes and mosses (Bryum sp.) were all supported by these hypoliths, and these are thought to be responsible for the extensive eukaryotic biomass that develops around quartz rocks.

year: 2011

title: A qualitative analysis of parent's reminiscing with their child with autism: Motivations, enablers and barriers

authors: Wilson, Bryony

subjects: reminiscing

abstract: Parent-child reminiscing is a critical learning process associated with many cognitive developmental outcomes, including language acquisition, memory development and socio-emotional functioning (see Waters et al., 2019 for review). Many of these developmental outcomes are compromised for autistic children. However, only a few published studies have examined parent-child reminiscing for neurodiverse families (Faust, 2009; McDonnell et al., 2021; Raman, 2022). Moreover, none have qualitatively explored parents’ experience of and goals for reminiscing. Thus, we know little about how reminiscing might differ for children with autism or their parents. This study aimed to explore parents’ experiences of reminiscing with their child with autism, including their goals, motivations, and barriers and enablers to their participation in a three-session reminiscing intervention. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with five parent-child dyads before and after a three-session reminiscing intervention. All children had a prior diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used reflective thematic analysis (RTA) (Braun & Clarke, 2006, 2020) to explore and generate themes from pre- and post-
intervention interviews related to motivations, goals, challenges and benefits of reminiscing with a child on the autism spectrum. Findings highlight the significant influence of emotional states on conversation engagement, the challenges autistic children face in understanding conversational structure and narrative retelling, and the unique motivations parents have for reminiscing, including reminiscing as a tool for emotional regulation, preparing for and understanding social situations, and fostering a positive relationship. Participation in the intervention provided insights into the benefits and challenges of reminiscing, with parents emphasising the need for individualised support and flexibility. Our findings contribute to a small but growing body of research on parent-child reminiscing in autism, offering practical implications for future interventions. Our approach highlights the importance of aligning intervention goals with parents’ needs to enhance their effectiveness. Future research should explore parents’ motivations across larger, more diverse samples to inform autism-specific reminiscing interventions further.

text: A qualitative analysis of parent's reminiscing with their child with autism: Motivations, enablers and barriers Parent-child reminiscing is a critical learning process associated with many cognitive developmental outcomes, including language acquisition, memory development and socio-emotional functioning (see Waters et al., 2019 for review). Many of these developmental outcomes are compromised for autistic children. However, only a few published studies have examined parent-child reminiscing for neurodiverse families (Faust, 2009; McDonnell et al., 2021; Raman, 2022). Moreover, none have qualitatively explored parents’ experience of and goals for reminiscing. Thus, we know little about how reminiscing might differ for children with autism or their parents. This study aimed to explore parents’ experiences of reminiscing with their child with autism, including their goals, motivations, and barriers and enablers to their participation in a three-session reminiscing intervention. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with five parent-child dyads before and after a three-session reminiscing intervention. All children had a prior diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used reflective thematic analysis (RTA) (Braun & Clarke, 2006, 2020) to explore and generate themes from pre- and post-
intervention interviews related to motivations, goals, challenges and benefits of reminiscing with a child on the autism spectrum. Findings highlight the significant influence of emotional states on conversation engagement, the challenges autistic children face in understanding conversational structure and narrative retelling, and the unique motivations parents have for reminiscing, including reminiscing as a tool for emotional regulation, preparing for and understanding social situations, and fostering a positive relationship. Participation in the intervention provided insights into the benefits and challenges of reminiscing, with parents emphasising the need for individualised support and flexibility. Our findings contribute to a small but growing body of research on parent-child reminiscing in autism, offering practical implications for future interventions. Our approach highlights the importance of aligning intervention goals with parents’ needs to enhance their effectiveness. Future research should explore parents’ motivations across larger, more diverse samples to inform autism-specific reminiscing interventions further.

year: 2025

title: An old story, a new voice: Tertiary education in the Bay of Plenty region

authors: Amundsen, Diana Leigh

subjects: Bay of Plenty

abstract: In this article, I first critique neoliberal effects on the Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary education sector and then provide a close-up look at tertiary education in the Bay of Plenty region. Information is based on aspects of my doctoral research which was located across three tertiary education organisations comprising the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Education Partnership: The University of Waikato, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology and, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.  The findings of this research examine connections across the partnership, delving into relevant aspects of universities, polytechnics and wānanga. I evaluate the historical, geographical, political and socio-cultural context of all three institutions. Lastly, I discuss campus connections between the partnership organisations. The emerging picture reveals an old story of expansion and growth with a new voice of tension between collaboration and competition in the face of a neoliberal education context. This article offers timely implications for contemporary and future University of Waikato campus connections and may appeal to academics, graduate students, policymakers and the general public.

text: An old story, a new voice: Tertiary education in the Bay of Plenty region In this article, I first critique neoliberal effects on the Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary education sector and then provide a close-up look at tertiary education in the Bay of Plenty region. Information is based on aspects of my doctoral research which was located across three tertiary education organisations comprising the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Education Partnership: The University of Waikato, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology and, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.  The findings of this research examine connections across the partnership, delving into relevant aspects of universities, polytechnics and wānanga. I evaluate the historical, geographical, political and socio-cultural context of all three institutions. Lastly, I discuss campus connections between the partnership organisations. The emerging picture reveals an old story of expansion and growth with a new voice of tension between collaboration and competition in the face of a neoliberal education context. This article offers timely implications for contemporary and future University of Waikato campus connections and may appeal to academics, graduate students, policymakers and the general public.

year: 2019