title: Influence of soil properties on archaeal diversity and distribution in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

authors: Richter, Ingrid

subjects: Antarctic soils

abstract: Archaea are the least understood members of the microbial community in Antarctic mineral soils. Although their occurrence in Antarctic coastal soils has been previously documented, little is known about their distribution in soils across the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land. In this study, terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (t-RFLP) analysis and 454 pyrosequencing were coupled with a detailed analysis of soil physicochemical properties to characterize archaeal diversity and identify environmental factors that might shape and maintain archaeal communities in soils of the three southern most McMurdo Dry Valleys (Garwood, Marshall, and Miers Valley). Archaea were successfully detected in all inland and coastal mineral soils tested, revealing a low overall richness (mean of six operational taxonomic units [OTUs] per sample site). However, OTU richness was higher in some soils and this higher richness was positively correlated with soil water content, indicating water as a main driver of archaeal community richness. In total, 18 archaeal OTUs were detected, predominately Thaumarchaeota affiliated with Marine Group 1.1b (> 80% of all archaeal sequences recovered). Less abundant OTUs (2% of all archaeal sequences) were loosely related to members of the phylum Euryarchaeota. This is the first comprehensive study showing a widespread presence and distribution of Archaea in inland Antarctic soils.

text: Influence of soil properties on archaeal diversity and distribution in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica Archaea are the least understood members of the microbial community in Antarctic mineral soils. Although their occurrence in Antarctic coastal soils has been previously documented, little is known about their distribution in soils across the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land. In this study, terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (t-RFLP) analysis and 454 pyrosequencing were coupled with a detailed analysis of soil physicochemical properties to characterize archaeal diversity and identify environmental factors that might shape and maintain archaeal communities in soils of the three southern most McMurdo Dry Valleys (Garwood, Marshall, and Miers Valley). Archaea were successfully detected in all inland and coastal mineral soils tested, revealing a low overall richness (mean of six operational taxonomic units [OTUs] per sample site). However, OTU richness was higher in some soils and this higher richness was positively correlated with soil water content, indicating water as a main driver of archaeal community richness. In total, 18 archaeal OTUs were detected, predominately Thaumarchaeota affiliated with Marine Group 1.1b (> 80% of all archaeal sequences recovered). Less abundant OTUs (2% of all archaeal sequences) were loosely related to members of the phylum Euryarchaeota. This is the first comprehensive study showing a widespread presence and distribution of Archaea in inland Antarctic soils.

year: 2014

title: Using object biography metadata to create artefact interactions outside memory institutions

authors: Zhao, Can

subjects: Object biography

abstract: Artefacts are primarily experienced inside museums, and those with insufficient display and interpretation can be isolated and ignored. Mobile devices potentially allow the artefact interaction touchpoints to be moved into the wider environment beyond the physical boundaries of memory institutions. To achieve these interactions, one approach is to modify metadata from a typical descriptive catalogue entry to be object biography-centric. This thesis explores this opportunity and presents the creation of novel artefact-centric interactions outside museums embodied by a proof-of-concept mobile application prototype. 
We performed four studies to acquire object biography metadata, design and evaluate the interactions with biography-enhanced artefacts. Study one explored the potential contributions that the biographical approach can make in documenting artefacts. Study two acquired object biography metadata in a selection of places and conceptualised the metadata fields. Study three extracted five sets of sample metadata from the collection of a local museum. The final study was the design and user evaluation of the prototype, which indicated that the implementation supported the novelty and effectiveness of object biography-centric interactions. 
The current descriptive metadata of objects are not generally reusable for context-aware applications. Interactions designed on top of object biography metadata in the environment are a potential new approach for museum informatics and biographical intersections are a promising concept to focus user engagement.

text: Using object biography metadata to create artefact interactions outside memory institutions Artefacts are primarily experienced inside museums, and those with insufficient display and interpretation can be isolated and ignored. Mobile devices potentially allow the artefact interaction touchpoints to be moved into the wider environment beyond the physical boundaries of memory institutions. To achieve these interactions, one approach is to modify metadata from a typical descriptive catalogue entry to be object biography-centric. This thesis explores this opportunity and presents the creation of novel artefact-centric interactions outside museums embodied by a proof-of-concept mobile application prototype. 
We performed four studies to acquire object biography metadata, design and evaluate the interactions with biography-enhanced artefacts. Study one explored the potential contributions that the biographical approach can make in documenting artefacts. Study two acquired object biography metadata in a selection of places and conceptualised the metadata fields. Study three extracted five sets of sample metadata from the collection of a local museum. The final study was the design and user evaluation of the prototype, which indicated that the implementation supported the novelty and effectiveness of object biography-centric interactions. 
The current descriptive metadata of objects are not generally reusable for context-aware applications. Interactions designed on top of object biography metadata in the environment are a potential new approach for museum informatics and biographical intersections are a promising concept to focus user engagement.

year: 2021

title: Ko Tikanga Te Mātāmua:  ngā pūrākau, ngā pakiwaitara, me mihi, ka tika

authors: Carrucan, Edmond Thomas

subjects: Law

abstract: This study highlights pūrākau and pakiwaitara as legal precedents that can bring Tikanga to life in unique ways. Using Kaupapa Māori and Mana Tāne methodologies, I address two problems within a larger project towards further normalising Tikanga within the legal system and legal education.

The first problem is the key misconception that there are two primary sources of law: statutes and common law. My proposed solution involves reconceiving three primary sources of law: Tikanga, statutes and common law. The second problem is how to source from Tikanga in making legal arguments. My proposed solution encourages story analysis of pūrākau and pakiwaitara and the use of these legal precedents within legal submissions. Accordingly, this study has two purposes.

In embarking on my journey of storytelling, I address the first purpose which is to test whether Tikanga is the first law and supreme law of Aotearoa, as was the seminal proposition of Ani Mikaere. This addresses the key misconception referred to above, that there are only two primary sources of law. Through analysis of Tikanga jurists and Western jurists I conclude Mikaere was right. Tikanga is the supreme law of Aotearoa: Ko Tikanga Te Mātāmua. I propose a new model called Te Whānau Ture as a legal family of three primary law sources representing this finding.

This research then addresses the second purpose in showing how ngā pūrākau me ngā pakiwaitara make valuable contributions to the body of law: me mihi, ka tika. Here, this study proposes a new model called, Whai Matua o Te Ture Māori, a symbolic stingray comprised of fourteen objects of Māori law. Later, I propose a further model Ātea Whakaaro, to enable ethical legal story analysis.

This study responds to (a) indigenising legal education, (b) the inevitability of Tikanga test cases and (c) the current Ao Mārama model. The significance of pūrākau and pakiwaitara in legal settings emerges from this study and a reclaiming of a Māori Legal Method becomes inevitable.

text: Ko Tikanga Te Mātāmua:  ngā pūrākau, ngā pakiwaitara, me mihi, ka tika This study highlights pūrākau and pakiwaitara as legal precedents that can bring Tikanga to life in unique ways. Using Kaupapa Māori and Mana Tāne methodologies, I address two problems within a larger project towards further normalising Tikanga within the legal system and legal education.

The first problem is the key misconception that there are two primary sources of law: statutes and common law. My proposed solution involves reconceiving three primary sources of law: Tikanga, statutes and common law. The second problem is how to source from Tikanga in making legal arguments. My proposed solution encourages story analysis of pūrākau and pakiwaitara and the use of these legal precedents within legal submissions. Accordingly, this study has two purposes.

In embarking on my journey of storytelling, I address the first purpose which is to test whether Tikanga is the first law and supreme law of Aotearoa, as was the seminal proposition of Ani Mikaere. This addresses the key misconception referred to above, that there are only two primary sources of law. Through analysis of Tikanga jurists and Western jurists I conclude Mikaere was right. Tikanga is the supreme law of Aotearoa: Ko Tikanga Te Mātāmua. I propose a new model called Te Whānau Ture as a legal family of three primary law sources representing this finding.

This research then addresses the second purpose in showing how ngā pūrākau me ngā pakiwaitara make valuable contributions to the body of law: me mihi, ka tika. Here, this study proposes a new model called, Whai Matua o Te Ture Māori, a symbolic stingray comprised of fourteen objects of Māori law. Later, I propose a further model Ātea Whakaaro, to enable ethical legal story analysis.

This study responds to (a) indigenising legal education, (b) the inevitability of Tikanga test cases and (c) the current Ao Mārama model. The significance of pūrākau and pakiwaitara in legal settings emerges from this study and a reclaiming of a Māori Legal Method becomes inevitable.

year: 2021