title: Molecular ecology techniques for the study of aerobic Methanotrophs

authors: McDonald, Ian R.

abstract: Methane oxidation can occur in both aerobic and anaerobic environments; however, these are completely different processes involving different groups of prokaryotes. Aerobic methane oxidation is carried out by aerobic methanotrophs, and anaerobic methane oxidizers, discovered recently, thrive under anaerobic conditions and use sulfate or nitrate as electron donors for methane oxidation. This review will focus on the aerobic oxidation of methane.

text: Molecular ecology techniques for the study of aerobic Methanotrophs Methane oxidation can occur in both aerobic and anaerobic environments; however, these are completely different processes involving different groups of prokaryotes. Aerobic methane oxidation is carried out by aerobic methanotrophs, and anaerobic methane oxidizers, discovered recently, thrive under anaerobic conditions and use sulfate or nitrate as electron donors for methane oxidation. This review will focus on the aerobic oxidation of methane.

year: 2008

title: Resistance to change: An effect of Differential reinforcement on persistance of behaviour

authors: Pushenko, Olga

abstract: Six (Experiment 1) and five (Experiment 2) Gallus domesticus hens responded under on a concurrent procedure which contained two independent keys. Two concurrent keys were made available to the subjects on VI schedules 24 reinforces/hr for the right key and 96 reinforces/hr on the left key. The study was designed to assess the effect of training an alternative and a target response in the same context compared to the effect of training these responses separately on the persistency of the target response. Behavioural Momentum theory explained an increase in persistence of the target response as an outcome of enriching the context with the alternative reinforcement and by enhancing Pavlovian relationships between the target response and the stimulus context.
The first experiment aimed to replicate Podlesnik’s (2015) findings demonstrating that reinforcing a target response in the same context as the alternative response (analog of the DRA procedure) reduced the target responding while increasing resistance to extinction of this responding compared to training target responding on its own. The results replicated Podlesnik’s (2015) findings, demonstrating a lower rate of responding and higher resistance to change of target responding in the DRA-like procedure relative to target responding training on its own. 
 The second experiment aimed to equalize reinforcement rates for the target and alternative responding to assess resistance to change of the target behaviour in DRA-like and Combined procedure. The results showed a lower rate of responding and higher resistance to change of target responding in the DRA-like procedure compared to target responding in the Combined procedure.

text: Resistance to change: An effect of Differential reinforcement on persistance of behaviour Six (Experiment 1) and five (Experiment 2) Gallus domesticus hens responded under on a concurrent procedure which contained two independent keys. Two concurrent keys were made available to the subjects on VI schedules 24 reinforces/hr for the right key and 96 reinforces/hr on the left key. The study was designed to assess the effect of training an alternative and a target response in the same context compared to the effect of training these responses separately on the persistency of the target response. Behavioural Momentum theory explained an increase in persistence of the target response as an outcome of enriching the context with the alternative reinforcement and by enhancing Pavlovian relationships between the target response and the stimulus context.
The first experiment aimed to replicate Podlesnik’s (2015) findings demonstrating that reinforcing a target response in the same context as the alternative response (analog of the DRA procedure) reduced the target responding while increasing resistance to extinction of this responding compared to training target responding on its own. The results replicated Podlesnik’s (2015) findings, demonstrating a lower rate of responding and higher resistance to change of target responding in the DRA-like procedure relative to target responding training on its own. 
 The second experiment aimed to equalize reinforcement rates for the target and alternative responding to assess resistance to change of the target behaviour in DRA-like and Combined procedure. The results showed a lower rate of responding and higher resistance to change of target responding in the DRA-like procedure compared to target responding in the Combined procedure.

year: 2017

title: The Oral Transmission of Mātauranga Māori in regard to Traditional Hokianga Stories and the Revitalization of Significant Place Names.

authors: Barnes, Maria

subjects: Hokianga

abstract: This thesis researched the oral transmission of mātauranga Māori from one generation to another with a particular focus on the significance of place names in the Hokianga area from Waimamaku through to Opononi. It also sought to understand the stories and history that accompany this area. Our oral traditions are critical in helping to define our identity as Māori, and our relationship with the land.

This thesis begins by looking at the ways in which we as Māori are connected to the land and some of our traditional values regarding cultural practices and the way our tūpuna lived.  It also shares an example of the way in which our oral traditions and histories were preserved and taught.  There is then a detailed section regarding the significance of Hokianga place names within the Waimamaku, Omapere and Opononi area of Hokianga.  This information has been provided orally from the generosity of kaumātua of our area.  Following this I have concluded by providing an overall statement about the significance of findings and outcomes of my research.

This kaupapa is important as more and more of these place names and their histories will continue to be lost if records are not kept and shared with future generations.  I also understand the importance of protecting this knowledge.  Through colonisation and over time the use of our traditional educational practices and our place names and their histories have been forgotten, watered down, and sometimes lost.  Our learning methods, histories and whakapapa constitute important elements of who we are as Māori. They recognise the past, help us to understand today and guide us into the future. 

The research strategy used in my thesis is collaborative storying co-constructed between myself the researcher and local kaumātua deemed to hold traditional knowledge of our area.  This has provided the opportunity to find out significant place names and our local histories. Prior to working on this thesis only a few names were known and understood.  However in the end we are able to get a more detailed picture of our history.  There are still plenty more place names to be found and understood.


We live and come from a beautiful place.

text: The Oral Transmission of Mātauranga Māori in regard to Traditional Hokianga Stories and the Revitalization of Significant Place Names. This thesis researched the oral transmission of mātauranga Māori from one generation to another with a particular focus on the significance of place names in the Hokianga area from Waimamaku through to Opononi. It also sought to understand the stories and history that accompany this area. Our oral traditions are critical in helping to define our identity as Māori, and our relationship with the land.

This thesis begins by looking at the ways in which we as Māori are connected to the land and some of our traditional values regarding cultural practices and the way our tūpuna lived.  It also shares an example of the way in which our oral traditions and histories were preserved and taught.  There is then a detailed section regarding the significance of Hokianga place names within the Waimamaku, Omapere and Opononi area of Hokianga.  This information has been provided orally from the generosity of kaumātua of our area.  Following this I have concluded by providing an overall statement about the significance of findings and outcomes of my research.

This kaupapa is important as more and more of these place names and their histories will continue to be lost if records are not kept and shared with future generations.  I also understand the importance of protecting this knowledge.  Through colonisation and over time the use of our traditional educational practices and our place names and their histories have been forgotten, watered down, and sometimes lost.  Our learning methods, histories and whakapapa constitute important elements of who we are as Māori. They recognise the past, help us to understand today and guide us into the future. 

The research strategy used in my thesis is collaborative storying co-constructed between myself the researcher and local kaumātua deemed to hold traditional knowledge of our area.  This has provided the opportunity to find out significant place names and our local histories. Prior to working on this thesis only a few names were known and understood.  However in the end we are able to get a more detailed picture of our history.  There are still plenty more place names to be found and understood.


We live and come from a beautiful place.

year: 2010