title: 'Don't you perceive gender as different because of the chromosomes': Examining the Impact of Gender Discourses on Early Childhood Pre-Service Teachers?

authors: Lyall, Margaret Vida

subjects: gender

abstract: This thesis is a qualitative study located within the context of contemporary New Zealand early childhood education. It investigates the impact and implications on pedagogy resulting from the gender discourses held by pre-service early childhood teachers, each of whom had just begun the final semester of the 3rd year of their Bachelor of teaching early childhood education. Specifically, using data generated through focus groups, it investigates the participant’s location and framing of gender, gender development and the participant’s understandings of gender diversity. The research, which extensively used post-structural feminism and Foucault’s notion of discourse as a theoretical framework, identified the participant’s discourses around gender which were conflicting, uncontested and confused.

A series of influential discourses regarding gender were identified as potentially shaping pre-service teachers developing teacher subjectivity. I claim that the shaping of teacher subject, who are indifferent to gender, results, from a reduction of focus on gender in the early childhood sector in both professional practice and state policy. The increased dominance of the biological determinist discourse in lay society is keenly felt in these domains. The increased biologically determinist view inferring that gender difference is natural and therefore unchallengeable and the reduced focus on gender in professional and government fields decreases the importance placed on gender. As such, this thesis suggests that the importance placed on gender by the developing teacher subject may be inconsistent with the important role gender plays in the early years and may therefore inhibit pedagogy and practice.

This research has implications for policy and teacher education. The results identify early childhood teacher education as being in a unique position to attempt to mitigate such issues. Specifically this can be done by supporting the development of the reflexive skills needed for pre-service teachers to consider and challenge the gender discourses that influence them.

text: 'Don't you perceive gender as different because of the chromosomes': Examining the Impact of Gender Discourses on Early Childhood Pre-Service Teachers? This thesis is a qualitative study located within the context of contemporary New Zealand early childhood education. It investigates the impact and implications on pedagogy resulting from the gender discourses held by pre-service early childhood teachers, each of whom had just begun the final semester of the 3rd year of their Bachelor of teaching early childhood education. Specifically, using data generated through focus groups, it investigates the participant’s location and framing of gender, gender development and the participant’s understandings of gender diversity. The research, which extensively used post-structural feminism and Foucault’s notion of discourse as a theoretical framework, identified the participant’s discourses around gender which were conflicting, uncontested and confused.

A series of influential discourses regarding gender were identified as potentially shaping pre-service teachers developing teacher subjectivity. I claim that the shaping of teacher subject, who are indifferent to gender, results, from a reduction of focus on gender in the early childhood sector in both professional practice and state policy. The increased dominance of the biological determinist discourse in lay society is keenly felt in these domains. The increased biologically determinist view inferring that gender difference is natural and therefore unchallengeable and the reduced focus on gender in professional and government fields decreases the importance placed on gender. As such, this thesis suggests that the importance placed on gender by the developing teacher subject may be inconsistent with the important role gender plays in the early years and may therefore inhibit pedagogy and practice.

This research has implications for policy and teacher education. The results identify early childhood teacher education as being in a unique position to attempt to mitigate such issues. Specifically this can be done by supporting the development of the reflexive skills needed for pre-service teachers to consider and challenge the gender discourses that influence them.

year: 2013

title: The Development of a Novel Controlled Release Drug Delivery System

authors: Babu, Kavitha Mary Vadakkel

subjects: Controlled Release Drug Delivery

abstract: The aim of this research was to formulate, characterise and assess the feasibility of a novel drug delivery system known as the in situ gelling matrix (ISGM) where a hydrophilic polymer is suspended in a non-aqueous solvent that converts into a gel when injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly thus giving a controlled release matrix for a drug.  Although the concept has been patented with claims that this kind of drug delivery is achievable in theory for a wide variety of candidate substances, actual formulation studies for making a commercially viable product for this technology are completely lacking in practice.   The research embodied in this thesis addresses this lack.  Initial studies involved conducting a biocompatibility study using the HET-CAM (hens egg test - chorioallantoic membrane) test on a range of possible ingredients for the delivery system.  The materials deemed biocompatible were then carried through to a screening process where the physical stability of the hydrophilic polymers in non-aqueous solvents was monitored.  It was found that the hydrophilic polymers tested sedimented rapidly in the non-aqueous solvents indicating such a system was not physically stable.  Consequently, density-inducing or viscosity-inducing agents were added to the non-aqueous solvents to retard the sedimentation rate.  The addition of polycarbophil, a viscosity-inducing agent, clearly increased the viscosity of the system.  However, undesirable formation of polycarbophil globules occurred during the manufacturing process, which caused batch-to-batch variations in the viscosity of the continuous phase. Various manufacturing methods were tested before arriving at the optimum procedure to prevent globule formation using a high speed dispersion tool.  A final physical sedimentation analysis of candidate continuous phases and hydrophilic polymers was conducted for determining the ideal combination of ingredients to use in the system.  These investigations finally led to the adoption of an optimum mix of components consisting of 10% (w/w) hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (the hydrophilic polymer) suspended in a continuous phase of propylene glycol (the non-aqueous solvent) containing 0.67% (w/w) polycarbophil (the viscosity inducing agent).

Using this mix of components, the in situ gelling matrix system was then subjected to various characterisation studies including infrared (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry and redispersion studies.  The chemical stability of the hydrophilic polymer and the continuous phase (the non-aqueous solvent and polycarbophil) was monitored and were found to be chemically stable over a 9 month period.  

The feasibility of the in situ gelling matrix technology as a controlled release device was assessed using the drug propranolol.  In vitro drug release studies were conducted using a custom-built dissolution apparatus.  The effect of various parameters such as the concentration of the hydrophilic gelling agent on the drug release rate was investigated.  Increasing the concentration of the gelling agent in the formulation resulted in a slower rate of release.  The drug release data were modelled using the Higuchi relationship and a power law relationship to compare the effects of the various parameters on the release rate

Stability studies on the drug in the in situ gelling matrix system were carried out by storing samples in accelerated ageing conditions of 40 C / 75% relative humidity for 4 weeks.  During this time, the samples were analysed each week by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).  These demonstrated that no apparent drug degradation had occurred over the 4-week period. This indicates that the drug propranolol in the in situ gelling matrix system is stable under ambient conditions for at least 4 weeks.  

The results of this study demonstrated that the in situ gelling matrix technology is potentially viable as a drug delivery system and provide a practical methodology for the commercial development of such systems.

text: The Development of a Novel Controlled Release Drug Delivery System The aim of this research was to formulate, characterise and assess the feasibility of a novel drug delivery system known as the in situ gelling matrix (ISGM) where a hydrophilic polymer is suspended in a non-aqueous solvent that converts into a gel when injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly thus giving a controlled release matrix for a drug.  Although the concept has been patented with claims that this kind of drug delivery is achievable in theory for a wide variety of candidate substances, actual formulation studies for making a commercially viable product for this technology are completely lacking in practice.   The research embodied in this thesis addresses this lack.  Initial studies involved conducting a biocompatibility study using the HET-CAM (hens egg test - chorioallantoic membrane) test on a range of possible ingredients for the delivery system.  The materials deemed biocompatible were then carried through to a screening process where the physical stability of the hydrophilic polymers in non-aqueous solvents was monitored.  It was found that the hydrophilic polymers tested sedimented rapidly in the non-aqueous solvents indicating such a system was not physically stable.  Consequently, density-inducing or viscosity-inducing agents were added to the non-aqueous solvents to retard the sedimentation rate.  The addition of polycarbophil, a viscosity-inducing agent, clearly increased the viscosity of the system.  However, undesirable formation of polycarbophil globules occurred during the manufacturing process, which caused batch-to-batch variations in the viscosity of the continuous phase. Various manufacturing methods were tested before arriving at the optimum procedure to prevent globule formation using a high speed dispersion tool.  A final physical sedimentation analysis of candidate continuous phases and hydrophilic polymers was conducted for determining the ideal combination of ingredients to use in the system.  These investigations finally led to the adoption of an optimum mix of components consisting of 10% (w/w) hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (the hydrophilic polymer) suspended in a continuous phase of propylene glycol (the non-aqueous solvent) containing 0.67% (w/w) polycarbophil (the viscosity inducing agent).

Using this mix of components, the in situ gelling matrix system was then subjected to various characterisation studies including infrared (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry and redispersion studies.  The chemical stability of the hydrophilic polymer and the continuous phase (the non-aqueous solvent and polycarbophil) was monitored and were found to be chemically stable over a 9 month period.  

The feasibility of the in situ gelling matrix technology as a controlled release device was assessed using the drug propranolol.  In vitro drug release studies were conducted using a custom-built dissolution apparatus.  The effect of various parameters such as the concentration of the hydrophilic gelling agent on the drug release rate was investigated.  Increasing the concentration of the gelling agent in the formulation resulted in a slower rate of release.  The drug release data were modelled using the Higuchi relationship and a power law relationship to compare the effects of the various parameters on the release rate

Stability studies on the drug in the in situ gelling matrix system were carried out by storing samples in accelerated ageing conditions of 40 C / 75% relative humidity for 4 weeks.  During this time, the samples were analysed each week by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).  These demonstrated that no apparent drug degradation had occurred over the 4-week period. This indicates that the drug propranolol in the in situ gelling matrix system is stable under ambient conditions for at least 4 weeks.  

The results of this study demonstrated that the in situ gelling matrix technology is potentially viable as a drug delivery system and provide a practical methodology for the commercial development of such systems.

year: 2007

title: Moko – A Research Project

authors: Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia

subjects: Maori

abstract: Moko colours the lives, and the skins, of all the people involved in the making of this book “Mau Moko”, which began as the Marsden project, “Ta Moko – Culture, Body Modification, and the Psychology of Identity”, 2001-2005. We proposed to study the origins, significance, technology and practice of Ta Moko from the pre-contact period to contemporary times, and to explore how this important art form has become a dynamic and positive assertion of being Maori in our changing world.

text: Moko – A Research Project Moko colours the lives, and the skins, of all the people involved in the making of this book “Mau Moko”, which began as the Marsden project, “Ta Moko – Culture, Body Modification, and the Psychology of Identity”, 2001-2005. We proposed to study the origins, significance, technology and practice of Ta Moko from the pre-contact period to contemporary times, and to explore how this important art form has become a dynamic and positive assertion of being Maori in our changing world.

year: 2008