title: Phylogenetic analysis of actinobacterial populations associated with Antarctic Dry Valley mineral soils

authors: Babalola, Olubukola

subjects: phylogenetic analysis

abstract: Despite the apparent severity of the environmental conditions in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Eastern Antarctica, recent phylogenetic studies conducted on mineral soil samples have revealed the presence of a wide diversity of microorganisms, with actinobacteria representing one of the largest phylotypic groups. Previous metagenomic studies have shown that the majority of Antarctic actinobacterial populations are classified as 'uncultured'. In this study, we assessed the diversity of actinobacteria in Antarctic cold desert soils by complementing traditional culture-based techniques with a metagenomic study. Phylogenetic analysis of clones generated with actinobacterium- and streptomycete-specific PCR primers revealed that the majority of the phylotypes were most closely related to uncultured Pseudonocardia and Nocardioides species. Phylotypes most closely related to a number of rarer actinobacteria genera, including Geodermatophilus, Modestobacter and Sporichthya, were also identified. While complementary culture-dependent studies isolated a number of Nocardia and Pseudonocardia species, the majority of the cultured isolates (> 80%) were Streptomyces species – although phylotypes affiliated to the genus Streptomyces were detected at a low frequency in the metagenomic study. This study confirms that Antarctic Dry Valley desert soil harbours highly diverse actinobacterial communities and suggests that many of the phylotypes identified may represent novel, uncultured species.

text: Phylogenetic analysis of actinobacterial populations associated with Antarctic Dry Valley mineral soils Despite the apparent severity of the environmental conditions in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Eastern Antarctica, recent phylogenetic studies conducted on mineral soil samples have revealed the presence of a wide diversity of microorganisms, with actinobacteria representing one of the largest phylotypic groups. Previous metagenomic studies have shown that the majority of Antarctic actinobacterial populations are classified as 'uncultured'. In this study, we assessed the diversity of actinobacteria in Antarctic cold desert soils by complementing traditional culture-based techniques with a metagenomic study. Phylogenetic analysis of clones generated with actinobacterium- and streptomycete-specific PCR primers revealed that the majority of the phylotypes were most closely related to uncultured Pseudonocardia and Nocardioides species. Phylotypes most closely related to a number of rarer actinobacteria genera, including Geodermatophilus, Modestobacter and Sporichthya, were also identified. While complementary culture-dependent studies isolated a number of Nocardia and Pseudonocardia species, the majority of the cultured isolates (> 80%) were Streptomyces species – although phylotypes affiliated to the genus Streptomyces were detected at a low frequency in the metagenomic study. This study confirms that Antarctic Dry Valley desert soil harbours highly diverse actinobacterial communities and suggests that many of the phylotypes identified may represent novel, uncultured species.

year: 2009

title: Living a useful life: Physically disabled children in New Zealand 1935 - 1980s

authors: Pooley, Emma

abstract: This dissertation examines the history of physically disabled children in New Zealand between 1935 and the mid 1980s. It is designed to provide an insight into a dimension of history that has been missing from mainstream histories. It examines official and popular attitudes towards disabled people and the changes to these over the period discussed here.
Using a range of primary and secondary materials, this study indicates the ways the notion of 'social utility' has given way to discussions about equality with regards to the role of disabled children in New Zealand society. The dissertation introduces ideas and theories about the study of disability in a general sense and applies them in a New Zealand context. It also introduces ideas about childhood and applies these to disabled children in New Zealand. This dissertation explores events that have been pivotal in the study of disability, for example, the emergence of the Crippled Children Society (later CCS) and changes in the fields of rehabilitation and special education. Events such as the beginning of Social Security are discussed in the light of their impact upon childhood disability.
Other developments in the health sector such as the increase in orthopaedic practice have had an impact upon the lives of disabled children. This dissertation explores the relationship between the field of Orthopaedics and the Crippled Children Society which was the main agency providing for the needs of disabled children. A further area that is explored is the influence of visiting specialist Dr Earl Carlson as well as parental guides upon the treatment of disabled children. The final section looks at the changes in special education including ideas about inclusion and mainstreaming. It discusses the notion that education changed from a focus on utility to one of equality. It also explores the role of the family with regards to education.

text: Living a useful life: Physically disabled children in New Zealand 1935 - 1980s This dissertation examines the history of physically disabled children in New Zealand between 1935 and the mid 1980s. It is designed to provide an insight into a dimension of history that has been missing from mainstream histories. It examines official and popular attitudes towards disabled people and the changes to these over the period discussed here.
Using a range of primary and secondary materials, this study indicates the ways the notion of 'social utility' has given way to discussions about equality with regards to the role of disabled children in New Zealand society. The dissertation introduces ideas and theories about the study of disability in a general sense and applies them in a New Zealand context. It also introduces ideas about childhood and applies these to disabled children in New Zealand. This dissertation explores events that have been pivotal in the study of disability, for example, the emergence of the Crippled Children Society (later CCS) and changes in the fields of rehabilitation and special education. Events such as the beginning of Social Security are discussed in the light of their impact upon childhood disability.
Other developments in the health sector such as the increase in orthopaedic practice have had an impact upon the lives of disabled children. This dissertation explores the relationship between the field of Orthopaedics and the Crippled Children Society which was the main agency providing for the needs of disabled children. A further area that is explored is the influence of visiting specialist Dr Earl Carlson as well as parental guides upon the treatment of disabled children. The final section looks at the changes in special education including ideas about inclusion and mainstreaming. It discusses the notion that education changed from a focus on utility to one of equality. It also explores the role of the family with regards to education.

year: 2001

title: The “standard story” of anti-Māori talk in Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill submissions

authors: Black, Rose

abstract: AIM: To review some common patterns of race talk in a sample of submissions made to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill. This bill proposed a structural reform of the health system in Aotearoa New Zealand to address long-standing health inequities experienced by Māori, the Indigenous peoples, and other priority populations. METHOD: In a sample of 3,000 individual submissions made in late 2021, we found 2,536 explicit references to race. Utilising the “stan-dard story” frame of Pākehā/non-Maori race talk, five longer submissions that inferred that the Pae Ora bill was “racist” were analysed in detail. RESULTS: Many “standard story” race discourses were identified in the Pae Ora submissions. Three derived discourses included in this paper are: Pākehā as norm (monoculturalism or not seeing Pākehā as a culture), equality and the “Treaty” (equality for all to access healthcare), and one people (we are all New Zealanders). Sources such as the Waitangi Tribunal Wai 2575 Hauora report were drawn on to provide alternative discourses. CONCLUSION: Identifying Pākehā standard story discourses enables learning about language patterns systems draw on, and the development of tools and procedures to improve equity for Māori and eliminate institutional racism.

text: The “standard story” of anti-Māori talk in Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill submissions AIM: To review some common patterns of race talk in a sample of submissions made to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill. This bill proposed a structural reform of the health system in Aotearoa New Zealand to address long-standing health inequities experienced by Māori, the Indigenous peoples, and other priority populations. METHOD: In a sample of 3,000 individual submissions made in late 2021, we found 2,536 explicit references to race. Utilising the “stan-dard story” frame of Pākehā/non-Maori race talk, five longer submissions that inferred that the Pae Ora bill was “racist” were analysed in detail. RESULTS: Many “standard story” race discourses were identified in the Pae Ora submissions. Three derived discourses included in this paper are: Pākehā as norm (monoculturalism or not seeing Pākehā as a culture), equality and the “Treaty” (equality for all to access healthcare), and one people (we are all New Zealanders). Sources such as the Waitangi Tribunal Wai 2575 Hauora report were drawn on to provide alternative discourses. CONCLUSION: Identifying Pākehā standard story discourses enables learning about language patterns systems draw on, and the development of tools and procedures to improve equity for Māori and eliminate institutional racism.

year: 2023-07-21