title: Use of LA-ICP-MS to analyse dental enamel in order to locate the geographical origin of teeth

authors: Cameron, Nicola

subjects: enamel

abstract: The investigation reported here involved the analysis of possum tooth samples by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to determine whether or not the data obtained from the elemental composition of the dental enamel was sufficient to differentiate samples according to their geographical origin. The possum jaws were processed, and the teeth removed and cleaned and mounted on slides before analyses could be carried out. A LA-ICP-MS method was developed in order to obtain data for the tooth enamel. This involved optimising specific laser parameters, such as laser spot size, laser power, and acquisition time. It was also essential to determine the best calibration standard for the project, which proved to be NIST 612. Data was collected from samples from across ten different regions. The data was statistically analysed by Principal component analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). It was found that some regions overlapped in the PCA, meaning they could not be 100% separated however, many regions could be distinguished, and it was determined, by that using LDA, 75.75% of the samples could be correctly grouped into their regions of origin. A further analysis was conducted once several regions were removed (for historical or statistical reasons), which greatly improved the results. 82.9% of the samples could be placed into their region of origin.

text: Use of LA-ICP-MS to analyse dental enamel in order to locate the geographical origin of teeth The investigation reported here involved the analysis of possum tooth samples by Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to determine whether or not the data obtained from the elemental composition of the dental enamel was sufficient to differentiate samples according to their geographical origin. The possum jaws were processed, and the teeth removed and cleaned and mounted on slides before analyses could be carried out. A LA-ICP-MS method was developed in order to obtain data for the tooth enamel. This involved optimising specific laser parameters, such as laser spot size, laser power, and acquisition time. It was also essential to determine the best calibration standard for the project, which proved to be NIST 612. Data was collected from samples from across ten different regions. The data was statistically analysed by Principal component analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). It was found that some regions overlapped in the PCA, meaning they could not be 100% separated however, many regions could be distinguished, and it was determined, by that using LDA, 75.75% of the samples could be correctly grouped into their regions of origin. A further analysis was conducted once several regions were removed (for historical or statistical reasons), which greatly improved the results. 82.9% of the samples could be placed into their region of origin.

year: 2011

title: Impediments to Effective Enactment of Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Pedagogy in Tanzania: Issues and Experiences of Teachers in Urban and Rural Pre-Schools

authors: Mligo, Ignasia Renatus

subjects: Early childhood curriculum enactment

abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate experiences, possibilities, and issues encountered by teachers in the enactment of early childhood education and care curriculum and pedagogy in the Tanzanian context. Worldwide, the concept of early childhood education and care does not refer to a single entity; rather, the term covers a variety of programmes for young children between birth and eight years. It is theorised in the literature that improving human development in the early years in good quality early education, is definitely a way to break out of poverty because early investment has a very high economic rate of return.
The government of Tanzania formalised pre-school education for children aged 5 and 6 years old under the Tanzania’s Education and Training Policy in 1995 and placed it under the direction of the Ministry of Education. Having formalised pre-school education, the government in partnership with parents, community, and non-governmental organisations agreed to support this education. However, anecdotes suggested that all activities to implement the policy were left to parents, communities, and non-governmental organisations. Hence, it was suspected that there might be challenges, experiences, and possibilities arising when teachers enact the current pre-school education curriculum developed in 2005, and associated pedagogies in the classroom context.
This study within an interpretive paradigm took a case study approach to investigate participants’ views on the enactment of the Tanzanian pre-school education curriculum and associated pedagogies. Views on the curriculum enactment were elicited from 28 participants; six from government educational officials (national level) and 22 from the local level (six teachers, four parents, and 12 pre-school children) in the one rural and the one urban pre-school. Multi-methods were used to generate data through individual interviews, focus group discussions, classroom observations, documentary review, informal conversations, and the researcher’s reflective journal. Data were analysed thematically by NVivo 10 software developed by QSR International.
Ecological systems theory developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-2005), and sociocultural theories developed by Lev Semenovich Vygotsky (1896-1934) were used as lenses for framing the study, data analysis, interpretation of findings, and drawing conclusions.
The findings revealed that there was a mismatch between the intended pre-school education curriculum and the curriculum enacted by teachers in the field. The data analysis indicated that this ineffective enactment of the curriculum and associated pedagogies in the field was influenced by lack of clear policy guidelines as to how pre-school education would be funded and conducted (i.e. structural and quality aspects), limited human and physical resources, lack of involvement of the key users on curriculum development, lack of awareness of parents and community regarding the importance of early education investment, and detrimental cultural beliefs and traditions practiced in relation to young children. Hence, in public pre-school settings studied, parents and the community were not able to provide quality pre-school education. Quality pre-school education in the international literature indicates the importance of learner-centred pedagogy.
However, few studies conducted in the Tanzanian context have written on the importance of learner-centred pedagogy in teaching and learning. Moreover, those studies that have been carried out have not indicated how learner-centred pedagogy could be enacted in the Tanzanian context. So, this study has provided a number of suggestions to inform government policy makers of ways to implement learner-centred pedagogies for quality early childhood education and care.
To that end, the study concludes that for the better enactment of pre-school education curriculum and pedagogical practice, there is a need for the government to prioritise in early education. It needs to involve parents and community to work with qualified teachers and local experts to develop child-centred pedagogy. Together with this, the study contributes to knowledge by developing an early childhood education and care model aiming at promoting capacity building for parents, community volunteers, teachers, and children for quality early education provision.

text: Impediments to Effective Enactment of Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Pedagogy in Tanzania: Issues and Experiences of Teachers in Urban and Rural Pre-Schools The purpose of this study was to investigate experiences, possibilities, and issues encountered by teachers in the enactment of early childhood education and care curriculum and pedagogy in the Tanzanian context. Worldwide, the concept of early childhood education and care does not refer to a single entity; rather, the term covers a variety of programmes for young children between birth and eight years. It is theorised in the literature that improving human development in the early years in good quality early education, is definitely a way to break out of poverty because early investment has a very high economic rate of return.
The government of Tanzania formalised pre-school education for children aged 5 and 6 years old under the Tanzania’s Education and Training Policy in 1995 and placed it under the direction of the Ministry of Education. Having formalised pre-school education, the government in partnership with parents, community, and non-governmental organisations agreed to support this education. However, anecdotes suggested that all activities to implement the policy were left to parents, communities, and non-governmental organisations. Hence, it was suspected that there might be challenges, experiences, and possibilities arising when teachers enact the current pre-school education curriculum developed in 2005, and associated pedagogies in the classroom context.
This study within an interpretive paradigm took a case study approach to investigate participants’ views on the enactment of the Tanzanian pre-school education curriculum and associated pedagogies. Views on the curriculum enactment were elicited from 28 participants; six from government educational officials (national level) and 22 from the local level (six teachers, four parents, and 12 pre-school children) in the one rural and the one urban pre-school. Multi-methods were used to generate data through individual interviews, focus group discussions, classroom observations, documentary review, informal conversations, and the researcher’s reflective journal. Data were analysed thematically by NVivo 10 software developed by QSR International.
Ecological systems theory developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-2005), and sociocultural theories developed by Lev Semenovich Vygotsky (1896-1934) were used as lenses for framing the study, data analysis, interpretation of findings, and drawing conclusions.
The findings revealed that there was a mismatch between the intended pre-school education curriculum and the curriculum enacted by teachers in the field. The data analysis indicated that this ineffective enactment of the curriculum and associated pedagogies in the field was influenced by lack of clear policy guidelines as to how pre-school education would be funded and conducted (i.e. structural and quality aspects), limited human and physical resources, lack of involvement of the key users on curriculum development, lack of awareness of parents and community regarding the importance of early education investment, and detrimental cultural beliefs and traditions practiced in relation to young children. Hence, in public pre-school settings studied, parents and the community were not able to provide quality pre-school education. Quality pre-school education in the international literature indicates the importance of learner-centred pedagogy.
However, few studies conducted in the Tanzanian context have written on the importance of learner-centred pedagogy in teaching and learning. Moreover, those studies that have been carried out have not indicated how learner-centred pedagogy could be enacted in the Tanzanian context. So, this study has provided a number of suggestions to inform government policy makers of ways to implement learner-centred pedagogies for quality early childhood education and care.
To that end, the study concludes that for the better enactment of pre-school education curriculum and pedagogical practice, there is a need for the government to prioritise in early education. It needs to involve parents and community to work with qualified teachers and local experts to develop child-centred pedagogy. Together with this, the study contributes to knowledge by developing an early childhood education and care model aiming at promoting capacity building for parents, community volunteers, teachers, and children for quality early education provision.

year: 2015

title: Life history of fluvial and lacustrine land-locked koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) Günther (Pisces: galaxiidae) in the Tarawera lakes

authors: Young, Kim D.

abstract: Biological diversity in New Zealand has been seriously degraded as a result of human induced disturbances which include the introduction of many exotic species. Freshwater ecosystems have not escaped damage, with the introduction of primarily sports fish suspected to be a significant contributing factor in diminished native biological freshwater values. This is reflected by range and population reductions of several native fish species. 

One of these species is koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis), for which abundance in land-locked populations in the central North Island lakes has significantly declined. Koaro were once abundant in these lakes, and pre-European harvest in both its juvenile (whitebait) and adult (kokopu) form, comprised an important food resource for inland Maori. Since the introduction of recreational trout species to these lakes in the late 1880s, followed by the introduction of common smelt (Retropinna retropinna) in the early 1900s, the abundance of koaro has dramatically declined to the extent that, in these lakes, the species is now considered rare. 

To date, the interactions between recreational trout species, common smelt, and koaro populations have not been established, and the life-history of land-locked koaro is not fully understood. In particular, the extent of movement between lake and stream habitats remains unclear. However, a collaborative project between the indigenous people of the Rotorua Lakes (Te Arawa) and the Department of Conservation to restore a koaro population in one Rotorua lake, has driven a need to gain a better understanding of the biology and ecology of land-locked koaro. This includes identifying threats to important life-history stages and understanding the role of tributary streams.

During July 1999 to February 2001, lacustrine and fluvial koaro were studied in Lake Tarawera and Lake Okareka and their tributary streams. Both lakes are part of the Tarawera lakes group, a subgroup of the Rotorua lakes situated in the central North Island. Fyke netting was used to sample lacustrine koaro on a monthly basis from January 2000 to February 2001, and seasonal two-pass reduction electric fishing at five sites in the tributary streams took place in April, July and November 2000 and February 2001. All fish larger than 70 mm total length were tagged with a passive implant transponder. Spawning season and location, together with size and growth of lake and stream fish were determined. Movement of lake fish within the littoral zone was also investigated. 

The study found that lake and stream koaro may belong to two sub-populations indicated by differences in size, growth rate, spawning time and locality, and return of lake and stream koaro to natal habitats. The life-history of stream koaro has remained similar to that of its diadromous counterparts. Stream fish were found to spawn and hatch in stream environs, rear as larvae in the lake environs, and return to tributary streams as juvenile fish. Lake fish by contrast, most likely spawn in the lake itself, and results suggest that no juvenile migration of lake spawned fish to tributary streams occurs. Consequently, it was concluded that tributary streams may play little role in the life-history of lacustrine koaro.

Abundance of lacustrine koaro in both Lake Tarawera and Lake Okareka was low in comparison to lakes where trout species or common smelt are absent, and abundance of post-whitebait koaro (greater than 45 mm total length coloured and patterned) in both tributary streams studied was also low where rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were proportionally present in greater abundance. Important life-history stages were found to be subject to competition and predation by a combination of rainbow trout and common smelt in both lakes and streams.

Given the above, restoration programmes for land-locked koaro will need to be undertaken at the population level to enhance the survival of larval and juvenile life-history stages. This will need to occur at an ecosystem scale, and include the management of the combined effects of trout and common smelt in both lake and respective tributary stream environs.

text: Life history of fluvial and lacustrine land-locked koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) Günther (Pisces: galaxiidae) in the Tarawera lakes Biological diversity in New Zealand has been seriously degraded as a result of human induced disturbances which include the introduction of many exotic species. Freshwater ecosystems have not escaped damage, with the introduction of primarily sports fish suspected to be a significant contributing factor in diminished native biological freshwater values. This is reflected by range and population reductions of several native fish species. 

One of these species is koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis), for which abundance in land-locked populations in the central North Island lakes has significantly declined. Koaro were once abundant in these lakes, and pre-European harvest in both its juvenile (whitebait) and adult (kokopu) form, comprised an important food resource for inland Maori. Since the introduction of recreational trout species to these lakes in the late 1880s, followed by the introduction of common smelt (Retropinna retropinna) in the early 1900s, the abundance of koaro has dramatically declined to the extent that, in these lakes, the species is now considered rare. 

To date, the interactions between recreational trout species, common smelt, and koaro populations have not been established, and the life-history of land-locked koaro is not fully understood. In particular, the extent of movement between lake and stream habitats remains unclear. However, a collaborative project between the indigenous people of the Rotorua Lakes (Te Arawa) and the Department of Conservation to restore a koaro population in one Rotorua lake, has driven a need to gain a better understanding of the biology and ecology of land-locked koaro. This includes identifying threats to important life-history stages and understanding the role of tributary streams.

During July 1999 to February 2001, lacustrine and fluvial koaro were studied in Lake Tarawera and Lake Okareka and their tributary streams. Both lakes are part of the Tarawera lakes group, a subgroup of the Rotorua lakes situated in the central North Island. Fyke netting was used to sample lacustrine koaro on a monthly basis from January 2000 to February 2001, and seasonal two-pass reduction electric fishing at five sites in the tributary streams took place in April, July and November 2000 and February 2001. All fish larger than 70 mm total length were tagged with a passive implant transponder. Spawning season and location, together with size and growth of lake and stream fish were determined. Movement of lake fish within the littoral zone was also investigated. 

The study found that lake and stream koaro may belong to two sub-populations indicated by differences in size, growth rate, spawning time and locality, and return of lake and stream koaro to natal habitats. The life-history of stream koaro has remained similar to that of its diadromous counterparts. Stream fish were found to spawn and hatch in stream environs, rear as larvae in the lake environs, and return to tributary streams as juvenile fish. Lake fish by contrast, most likely spawn in the lake itself, and results suggest that no juvenile migration of lake spawned fish to tributary streams occurs. Consequently, it was concluded that tributary streams may play little role in the life-history of lacustrine koaro.

Abundance of lacustrine koaro in both Lake Tarawera and Lake Okareka was low in comparison to lakes where trout species or common smelt are absent, and abundance of post-whitebait koaro (greater than 45 mm total length coloured and patterned) in both tributary streams studied was also low where rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were proportionally present in greater abundance. Important life-history stages were found to be subject to competition and predation by a combination of rainbow trout and common smelt in both lakes and streams.

Given the above, restoration programmes for land-locked koaro will need to be undertaken at the population level to enhance the survival of larval and juvenile life-history stages. This will need to occur at an ecosystem scale, and include the management of the combined effects of trout and common smelt in both lake and respective tributary stream environs.

year: 2002