title: Drying characteristics of New Zealand Chestnuts

authors: Biju Cletus, Anila

subjects: none

abstract: Chestnut is a relatively new nut crop to New Zealand and they do grow well in New Zealand conditions. Research to date in New Zealand indicated that New Zealand chestnuts present some unique features compared to chestnuts world wide. The two main unique problems with New Zealand chestnuts are the susceptibility to fungal disease Phomopsis (accounting for 40% loss of nuts at the wholesale markets) and the difficulty in the removal of the inner skin called the pellicle. No systematic drying trials had been performed on New Zealand chestnuts and therefore this research investigated the drying characteristics of New Zealand chestnuts to establish optimum drying conditions. The study also investigated the influence of the shell and pellicle on the drying process and the efficacy of shell and pellicle removal of New Zealand chestnuts under a range of moisture contents since the moisture content is a key factor which determines this efficiency.

The drying trials were carried out at a temperature of 30 C because preliminary studies indicated that higher temperatures resulted in extensive surface deterioration. Experimental drying curves are considered the only adequate preliminary step for determination of drying characteristics of a food material and the curves clearly indicated that there are two distinct falling rate periods. It was concluded that the first falling rate period corresponded to the period during which the surface of the nut reaches equilibrium moisture content and the second falling rate period occurred as the moisture movement from interior of the nut to the surface was the rate limiting factor. Hence a diffusion based model was used to estimate the apparent moisture diffusivity in chestnuts. The average apparent moisture diffusivity in chestnuts obtained at 30 C was 6.21x 10-11m2s-1. The study revealed that the pellicle is the most significant barrier to mass transfer; considerably more so than the shell. The shelling and peeling efficiency of New Zealand chestnuts were carried out at various moisture contents using a custom-made mechanical shelling machine. The mechanical shell removal of New Zealand chestnuts was accomplished with an efficiency of 94% at the desired storage moisture content of 40%. However mechanical pellicle removal of New Zealand chestnuts proved practically impossible although American varieties (Carolina and Revival) exhibited 100% peeling efficiency.

text: Drying characteristics of New Zealand Chestnuts Chestnut is a relatively new nut crop to New Zealand and they do grow well in New Zealand conditions. Research to date in New Zealand indicated that New Zealand chestnuts present some unique features compared to chestnuts world wide. The two main unique problems with New Zealand chestnuts are the susceptibility to fungal disease Phomopsis (accounting for 40% loss of nuts at the wholesale markets) and the difficulty in the removal of the inner skin called the pellicle. No systematic drying trials had been performed on New Zealand chestnuts and therefore this research investigated the drying characteristics of New Zealand chestnuts to establish optimum drying conditions. The study also investigated the influence of the shell and pellicle on the drying process and the efficacy of shell and pellicle removal of New Zealand chestnuts under a range of moisture contents since the moisture content is a key factor which determines this efficiency.

The drying trials were carried out at a temperature of 30 C because preliminary studies indicated that higher temperatures resulted in extensive surface deterioration. Experimental drying curves are considered the only adequate preliminary step for determination of drying characteristics of a food material and the curves clearly indicated that there are two distinct falling rate periods. It was concluded that the first falling rate period corresponded to the period during which the surface of the nut reaches equilibrium moisture content and the second falling rate period occurred as the moisture movement from interior of the nut to the surface was the rate limiting factor. Hence a diffusion based model was used to estimate the apparent moisture diffusivity in chestnuts. The average apparent moisture diffusivity in chestnuts obtained at 30 C was 6.21x 10-11m2s-1. The study revealed that the pellicle is the most significant barrier to mass transfer; considerably more so than the shell. The shelling and peeling efficiency of New Zealand chestnuts were carried out at various moisture contents using a custom-made mechanical shelling machine. The mechanical shell removal of New Zealand chestnuts was accomplished with an efficiency of 94% at the desired storage moisture content of 40%. However mechanical pellicle removal of New Zealand chestnuts proved practically impossible although American varieties (Carolina and Revival) exhibited 100% peeling efficiency.

year: 2007

title: How can technological creativity be taught in the Saudi Arabian elementary school context?

authors: Alqarni, Abdullah Ali A.

abstract: Teaching technological creativity in the Saudi Arabian school context can support the inclusion of technology education in general education. To support this view, the thesis proposes that technological creativity be a topic taught in the elementary school context. The intention is to assist pupils aged six to twelve years to learn how to be creative through planning and carrying out activities. The thesis attempts to introduce the concept of technological creativity to gain insights that can help to enlighten pupils technologically in a way that aligns with Islamic culture. A Critical Interpretative Synthesis (CIS) methodological approach was conducted to identify, select, synthesise, and analyse integrated papers on teaching technological creativity at the elementary school level from 21 developed countries. Papers from a variety of sources, 135 altogether, were selected for the synthesis and to develop a synthesising argument (theoretical framework), derived from constructs generated in the papers included. The text of each of the papers was treated as data and objects of inquiry. This makes CIS different from meta-ethnography (ME) in that it does not aim only at aggregating or summarising findings from studies but rather at developing a clear argument around the chosen topic in order to produce a mid-range theory based on a large, diverse body of literature. The analyses were performed in two major stages: identification, inclusion, analysis and the appraisal of papers; and developing a synthesising argument derived from the synthetic constructs embedded in the integrated papers dealing with the question, how can technological creativity be taught in the Saudi Arabian elementary school context? The synthesising argument provides a new model of interpretation developed from the findings of CIS and the synthesis process. The thesis argues that a true understanding of the benefits of this topic can be achieved through a consideration of the findings of this thesis based on the critique of relevant papers drawn from the research literature of a number of developed countries. The research study seeks to encourage the education of pupils through teaching them creative processes and helping them both appreciate and enjoy technology education. Thus the aim includes developing their personality and sense of self-worth. It is also hoped that this research will be of interest to teachers in elementary education, curriculum developers, Saudi scholars and future researchers of technology education.

text: How can technological creativity be taught in the Saudi Arabian elementary school context? Teaching technological creativity in the Saudi Arabian school context can support the inclusion of technology education in general education. To support this view, the thesis proposes that technological creativity be a topic taught in the elementary school context. The intention is to assist pupils aged six to twelve years to learn how to be creative through planning and carrying out activities. The thesis attempts to introduce the concept of technological creativity to gain insights that can help to enlighten pupils technologically in a way that aligns with Islamic culture. A Critical Interpretative Synthesis (CIS) methodological approach was conducted to identify, select, synthesise, and analyse integrated papers on teaching technological creativity at the elementary school level from 21 developed countries. Papers from a variety of sources, 135 altogether, were selected for the synthesis and to develop a synthesising argument (theoretical framework), derived from constructs generated in the papers included. The text of each of the papers was treated as data and objects of inquiry. This makes CIS different from meta-ethnography (ME) in that it does not aim only at aggregating or summarising findings from studies but rather at developing a clear argument around the chosen topic in order to produce a mid-range theory based on a large, diverse body of literature. The analyses were performed in two major stages: identification, inclusion, analysis and the appraisal of papers; and developing a synthesising argument derived from the synthetic constructs embedded in the integrated papers dealing with the question, how can technological creativity be taught in the Saudi Arabian elementary school context? The synthesising argument provides a new model of interpretation developed from the findings of CIS and the synthesis process. The thesis argues that a true understanding of the benefits of this topic can be achieved through a consideration of the findings of this thesis based on the critique of relevant papers drawn from the research literature of a number of developed countries. The research study seeks to encourage the education of pupils through teaching them creative processes and helping them both appreciate and enjoy technology education. Thus the aim includes developing their personality and sense of self-worth. It is also hoped that this research will be of interest to teachers in elementary education, curriculum developers, Saudi scholars and future researchers of technology education.

year: 2013

title: Restoring the flow: Challenging the existing management frameworks to integrate Mātauranga Māori

authors: Hall, Tredegar Rangiātea

subjects: tangata whenua water management

abstract: Within the context of the current regimes of fresh water management in Aotearoa, this thesis is an exploration of the significance of freshwater to Māori; our rangatiratanga, Treaty rights and ownership. The Māori world view and the way this relates to fresh water is described and contrasted with the principles and practices of water management in the contemporary neo-liberal governance structures of this country. The impacts of the commodification of water through ownership rights, the limited monitoring capacity and the inability to provide a governance structure that will work across diverse environments are seen to threaten the sustainability of a critical part of our environment. The primary focus of on this research is on the relationship between the exclusion of tangata whenua from decision making in resource management and the degradation of the environment.
 
The thesis comments on the development of resource management legislation and actions of the state in Aotearoa, and uses post-colonial theory as a starting point to document the subordinate relationship of Māori within contemporary governance. This has privileged mono-cultural and neoliberal forms of water management that has scarred Papatūānuku and threatens human sustainability into the future.
    
The recent co-management agreement for the Waikato River is the specific case study against which a recent effort to reduce the alienation of Māori is viewed. A kaupapa Māori methodology is used to acquire and understand the importance of mātauranga Māori/ Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and what is required for these principles to enhance water management practices within the case study area. The original contribution of the work is drawn from interviews conducted with Māori and others who are involved in or informed by the commitment to explore co-management sustainable management options. These views are woven into a substantial and interpretative commentary on the role of Māori in future water governance.

The thesis argues that the best way to enhance water management and environmental protection is by inducing a planning paradigm shift where tangata whenua are given greater influence in environmental decision making that resembles an equal Treaty of Waitangi partnership, where the ethic of kaitiakitanga is empowered. Such a strategy would allow decision making regarding water and environmental management to be more focused on what is best for the resource and its survival rather than what most cost effective for some owners of water rights. Encouraging the acceptance of mātauranga Māori and incorporating more efficient and sustainable innovative technologies can restore the mauri of water in our place.

text: Restoring the flow: Challenging the existing management frameworks to integrate Mātauranga Māori Within the context of the current regimes of fresh water management in Aotearoa, this thesis is an exploration of the significance of freshwater to Māori; our rangatiratanga, Treaty rights and ownership. The Māori world view and the way this relates to fresh water is described and contrasted with the principles and practices of water management in the contemporary neo-liberal governance structures of this country. The impacts of the commodification of water through ownership rights, the limited monitoring capacity and the inability to provide a governance structure that will work across diverse environments are seen to threaten the sustainability of a critical part of our environment. The primary focus of on this research is on the relationship between the exclusion of tangata whenua from decision making in resource management and the degradation of the environment.
 
The thesis comments on the development of resource management legislation and actions of the state in Aotearoa, and uses post-colonial theory as a starting point to document the subordinate relationship of Māori within contemporary governance. This has privileged mono-cultural and neoliberal forms of water management that has scarred Papatūānuku and threatens human sustainability into the future.
    
The recent co-management agreement for the Waikato River is the specific case study against which a recent effort to reduce the alienation of Māori is viewed. A kaupapa Māori methodology is used to acquire and understand the importance of mātauranga Māori/ Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and what is required for these principles to enhance water management practices within the case study area. The original contribution of the work is drawn from interviews conducted with Māori and others who are involved in or informed by the commitment to explore co-management sustainable management options. These views are woven into a substantial and interpretative commentary on the role of Māori in future water governance.

The thesis argues that the best way to enhance water management and environmental protection is by inducing a planning paradigm shift where tangata whenua are given greater influence in environmental decision making that resembles an equal Treaty of Waitangi partnership, where the ethic of kaitiakitanga is empowered. Such a strategy would allow decision making regarding water and environmental management to be more focused on what is best for the resource and its survival rather than what most cost effective for some owners of water rights. Encouraging the acceptance of mātauranga Māori and incorporating more efficient and sustainable innovative technologies can restore the mauri of water in our place.

year: 2012