title: Speech intonation induces enhanced face perception in infants

authors: Sirri, Louah

abstract: Infants' preference for faces with direct compared to averted eye gaze, and for infant-directed over adult-directed speech, reflects early sensitivity to social communication. Here, we studied whether infant-directed speech (IDS), could affect the processing of a face with direct gaze in 4-month-olds. In a new ERP paradigm, the word 'hello' was uttered either in IDS or adult-direct speech (ADS) followed by an upright or inverted face. We show that the face-specific N290 ERP component was larger when faces were preceded by IDS relative to ADS. Crucially, this effect is specific to upright faces, whereas inverted faces preceded by IDS elicited larger attention-related P1 and Nc. These results suggest that IDS generates communicative expectations in infants. When such expectations are met by a following social stimulus - an upright face - infants are already prepared to process it. When the stimulus is a non-social one -inverted face - IDS merely increases general attention.

text: Speech intonation induces enhanced face perception in infants Infants' preference for faces with direct compared to averted eye gaze, and for infant-directed over adult-directed speech, reflects early sensitivity to social communication. Here, we studied whether infant-directed speech (IDS), could affect the processing of a face with direct gaze in 4-month-olds. In a new ERP paradigm, the word 'hello' was uttered either in IDS or adult-direct speech (ADS) followed by an upright or inverted face. We show that the face-specific N290 ERP component was larger when faces were preceded by IDS relative to ADS. Crucially, this effect is specific to upright faces, whereas inverted faces preceded by IDS elicited larger attention-related P1 and Nc. These results suggest that IDS generates communicative expectations in infants. When such expectations are met by a following social stimulus - an upright face - infants are already prepared to process it. When the stimulus is a non-social one -inverted face - IDS merely increases general attention.

year: 2020

title: Draft Genome Sequence of Venenivibrio stagnispumantis CP.B2T, Isolated from Champagne Pool, Waiotapu, Aotearoa-New Zealand

authors: Power, Jean Florence

abstract: Venenivibrio stagnispumantis strain CP.B2T is a thermophilic, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium from the family Hydrogenothermaceae (phylum Aquificota), isolated from Champagne Pool in the Waiotapu geothermal field, Aotearoa-New Zealand. The genome consists of 1.73 Mbp in 451 contigs with a 30.8 mol% G+C content.

text: Draft Genome Sequence of Venenivibrio stagnispumantis CP.B2T, Isolated from Champagne Pool, Waiotapu, Aotearoa-New Zealand Venenivibrio stagnispumantis strain CP.B2T is a thermophilic, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium from the family Hydrogenothermaceae (phylum Aquificota), isolated from Champagne Pool in the Waiotapu geothermal field, Aotearoa-New Zealand. The genome consists of 1.73 Mbp in 451 contigs with a 30.8 mol% G+C content.

year: 2023-02-16

title: Te Kahautu Maxwell on Te Kooti and Ringatu (Interviewed by Tama Muru)

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: In October 1869 musket fire erupted at Te Porere about sixty kilometres north of here, in the shadow of Mount Tongariro in the last major battle of the New Zealand wars. 

Armed constabulary and Maori fighters, clashed with the forces of the prophet Te Kooti Arikinui Te Turiki who had built an earth redoubt at Te Porere.  It was overwhelmed during the battle, but Te Kooti and his surviving followers escaped. 

Today the site is a tourist attraction but what also endured is the Ringatu Church, founded by Te Kooti. In 2018 it celebrated its 150th anniversary. 

Ringatu mixes the Bible with Maori custom and, like Matariki, follows annual cycles such as Te Huamata in June for planting and Te Pure, the harvest, each November. 

We spoke to Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell , a minister in the Ringatu Church and a senior academic in Maori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato.

text: Te Kahautu Maxwell on Te Kooti and Ringatu (Interviewed by Tama Muru) In October 1869 musket fire erupted at Te Porere about sixty kilometres north of here, in the shadow of Mount Tongariro in the last major battle of the New Zealand wars. 

Armed constabulary and Maori fighters, clashed with the forces of the prophet Te Kooti Arikinui Te Turiki who had built an earth redoubt at Te Porere.  It was overwhelmed during the battle, but Te Kooti and his surviving followers escaped. 

Today the site is a tourist attraction but what also endured is the Ringatu Church, founded by Te Kooti. In 2018 it celebrated its 150th anniversary. 

Ringatu mixes the Bible with Maori custom and, like Matariki, follows annual cycles such as Te Huamata in June for planting and Te Pure, the harvest, each November. 

We spoke to Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell , a minister in the Ringatu Church and a senior academic in Maori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato.

year: 2025