title: The zoo as ecotourism attraction – visitor reactions, perceptions and management implications: the case of Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand

authors: Ryan, Chris

subjects: zoos

abstract: This paper reports results from a survey of 359 visitors to Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand. The questionnaire comprised items relating to motives for visiting the zoo, and evaluations of attributes, thereby permitting an importance-evaluation approach. The construction of the questionnaire was prompted by zoo management wishing to learn more about what motivated visits, and whether there were perceived deficiencies in visitors' experiences of the zoo. Like other studies (e.g. Turley, 2001) it was concluded that zoos represent an opportunity for family-based trips. However, while some opportunities exist for learning, on the whole visitors were not generally interested in acquiring detailed information about wildlife. Indeed, more importance was attached to the viewing of animals than to the recognition that possibly animals might require 'private places'. These findings prompt a discussion about the extent to which zoos might be able to replace or supplement trips to natural habitats as a means of viewing animals, and concludes that for this to happen significant changes in zoo layout would be required. Additionally, possible implications for zoo management are discussed.

text: The zoo as ecotourism attraction – visitor reactions, perceptions and management implications: the case of Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand This paper reports results from a survey of 359 visitors to Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand. The questionnaire comprised items relating to motives for visiting the zoo, and evaluations of attributes, thereby permitting an importance-evaluation approach. The construction of the questionnaire was prompted by zoo management wishing to learn more about what motivated visits, and whether there were perceived deficiencies in visitors' experiences of the zoo. Like other studies (e.g. Turley, 2001) it was concluded that zoos represent an opportunity for family-based trips. However, while some opportunities exist for learning, on the whole visitors were not generally interested in acquiring detailed information about wildlife. Indeed, more importance was attached to the viewing of animals than to the recognition that possibly animals might require 'private places'. These findings prompt a discussion about the extent to which zoos might be able to replace or supplement trips to natural habitats as a means of viewing animals, and concludes that for this to happen significant changes in zoo layout would be required. Additionally, possible implications for zoo management are discussed.

year: 2004

title: Review: Biomolecular stability and life at high temperatures

authors: Daniel, Roy M.

subjects: archaea

abstract: It is not clear what the upper temperature limit forlife is, or what specific factors will set this limit, but it is generally assumed that the limit will be dictated by molecular instability. In this review, we examine the thermal stability of two key groups of biological molecules: the intracellular small molecules/metabolites and the major classes of macromolecules. Certain small molecules/metabolites are unstable in vitro at the growth temperatures of the hyperthermophiles in which they are found. This instability appears to be dealt with in vivo by a range of mechanisms including rapid turnover, metabolic channelling and local stabilisation. Evidence to date suggests that proteins have the potential to be stable at substantially higher temperatures than those known to support life, but evidence concerning degradative reactions above 100p°C is slight. DNA duplex stability is apparently achieved at high temperature by elevated salt concentrations, polyamines, cationic proteins, and supercoiling rather than manipulation of C-G ratios. RNA stability seems dependent upon covalent modification, although secondary structure is probably also critical. The diether-linked lipids, which make up the monolayer membrane of most organisms growing above 85p°C are chemically very stable and seem potentially capable of maintaining membrane integrity at much higher temperatures. However, the in vivo implications of the in vitro instability of biomolecules are difficult to assess, and in vivo data are rare.

text: Review: Biomolecular stability and life at high temperatures It is not clear what the upper temperature limit forlife is, or what specific factors will set this limit, but it is generally assumed that the limit will be dictated by molecular instability. In this review, we examine the thermal stability of two key groups of biological molecules: the intracellular small molecules/metabolites and the major classes of macromolecules. Certain small molecules/metabolites are unstable in vitro at the growth temperatures of the hyperthermophiles in which they are found. This instability appears to be dealt with in vivo by a range of mechanisms including rapid turnover, metabolic channelling and local stabilisation. Evidence to date suggests that proteins have the potential to be stable at substantially higher temperatures than those known to support life, but evidence concerning degradative reactions above 100p°C is slight. DNA duplex stability is apparently achieved at high temperature by elevated salt concentrations, polyamines, cationic proteins, and supercoiling rather than manipulation of C-G ratios. RNA stability seems dependent upon covalent modification, although secondary structure is probably also critical. The diether-linked lipids, which make up the monolayer membrane of most organisms growing above 85p°C are chemically very stable and seem potentially capable of maintaining membrane integrity at much higher temperatures. However, the in vivo implications of the in vitro instability of biomolecules are difficult to assess, and in vivo data are rare.

year: 2000

title: Co-opting or valuing the indigenous voice through translation? A decision for research teams

authors: Kidd, Jacquie

subjects: Māori

abstract: Although te reo Māori is an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand, translation of research material such as information sheets, consent forms and questionnaires into te reo Māori remains highly variable. Translation tends to occur in research projects where Māori lead the work and that exclusively focus on Māori communities and topics. Translations are not offered or undertaken as a matter of course for all research. As a team of Māori and Indigenous researchers working within the health sector, we believe that there are important questions that need to be explored around the practice of using Indigenous languages, rich in similes and metaphors, to convey English/Western concepts/constructs/ideologies. In this paper, we draw on the story of one project to deconstruct and challenge the hegemonic terms through which translation of research material occurs. We explore the messages that translated material sends to potential research participants.
We contend that the choice about whether to translate research material into te reo Māori is one that should be undertaken within a robust decision-making framework that considers the reasons for a translation and its impact on the participants. Translation should not be undertaken primarily to attract Māori participants, but should reliably signal that the research is being undertaken in a way that honours a Māori worldview.

text: Co-opting or valuing the indigenous voice through translation? A decision for research teams Although te reo Māori is an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand, translation of research material such as information sheets, consent forms and questionnaires into te reo Māori remains highly variable. Translation tends to occur in research projects where Māori lead the work and that exclusively focus on Māori communities and topics. Translations are not offered or undertaken as a matter of course for all research. As a team of Māori and Indigenous researchers working within the health sector, we believe that there are important questions that need to be explored around the practice of using Indigenous languages, rich in similes and metaphors, to convey English/Western concepts/constructs/ideologies. In this paper, we draw on the story of one project to deconstruct and challenge the hegemonic terms through which translation of research material occurs. We explore the messages that translated material sends to potential research participants.
We contend that the choice about whether to translate research material into te reo Māori is one that should be undertaken within a robust decision-making framework that considers the reasons for a translation and its impact on the participants. Translation should not be undertaken primarily to attract Māori participants, but should reliably signal that the research is being undertaken in a way that honours a Māori worldview.

year: 2019