title: Microbial Biodiversity of Thermophilic Communities in Hot Mineral Soils of Tramway Ridge, Mt. Erebus, Antarctica

authors: Soo, Rochelle M.

subjects: Tramway Ridge

abstract: Only a few studies have looked at microbial biogeography in soils and whether microorganisms are endemic to an area is still debatable. Tramway Ridge, a geothermal area on Mount Erebus, Antarctica, provides a unique opportunity due to its isolation and extreme conditions to explore the possibilities of microbial endemism and to identify novel Bacteria and Archaea. This site was chosen for a culture-independent study with a preliminary culturing survey for bacterial communities along three temperature gradients (65 C - 2.5'C). In addition, a physico-chemical analysis was undertaken to identify which environmental factors were driving the different diversity along the transects. An automated rRNA intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) was used to assess the diversity across the transects using Bacteria and Cyanobacteria-specific primers and results showed that temperature and pH were the main drivers for these communities. Due to its unique physico-chemical and ARISA profile, a hot temperature site (T-3A, 65'C) was chosen for further investigation by bacterial and archaeal 16S rDNA clone libraries. Unique rDNA types among the 78 bacterial and 83 archaeal clones were identified by restriction fragment length polymophisms and 18 bacterial and 5 archaeal operational taxonomic units (gt97% identity) were observed. All of the bacterial sequences were deeply branching and loosely affiliated with other recognised bacterial divisions, with 40% of the sequences not affiliated to any genus. The archaeal clones were found to be deep-branching and sequences clustered together within the Crenarcaheota. In addition, two strains of Bacilli were isolated. The novel microorganisms show that the Tramway Ridge communities are unique from organisms found in other environments and show that quotEverything is (not) everywherequot.

text: Microbial Biodiversity of Thermophilic Communities in Hot Mineral Soils of Tramway Ridge, Mt. Erebus, Antarctica Only a few studies have looked at microbial biogeography in soils and whether microorganisms are endemic to an area is still debatable. Tramway Ridge, a geothermal area on Mount Erebus, Antarctica, provides a unique opportunity due to its isolation and extreme conditions to explore the possibilities of microbial endemism and to identify novel Bacteria and Archaea. This site was chosen for a culture-independent study with a preliminary culturing survey for bacterial communities along three temperature gradients (65 C - 2.5'C). In addition, a physico-chemical analysis was undertaken to identify which environmental factors were driving the different diversity along the transects. An automated rRNA intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) was used to assess the diversity across the transects using Bacteria and Cyanobacteria-specific primers and results showed that temperature and pH were the main drivers for these communities. Due to its unique physico-chemical and ARISA profile, a hot temperature site (T-3A, 65'C) was chosen for further investigation by bacterial and archaeal 16S rDNA clone libraries. Unique rDNA types among the 78 bacterial and 83 archaeal clones were identified by restriction fragment length polymophisms and 18 bacterial and 5 archaeal operational taxonomic units (gt97% identity) were observed. All of the bacterial sequences were deeply branching and loosely affiliated with other recognised bacterial divisions, with 40% of the sequences not affiliated to any genus. The archaeal clones were found to be deep-branching and sequences clustered together within the Crenarcaheota. In addition, two strains of Bacilli were isolated. The novel microorganisms show that the Tramway Ridge communities are unique from organisms found in other environments and show that quotEverything is (not) everywherequot.

year: 2007

title: Maximising the potential of ICT to provide authentic summative assessment opportunities

authors: Williams, P. John

subjects: ICT

abstract: This paper reports on elements of a study that was conducted in Western Australia to explore the potential of various forms of digitally based external assessments for senior secondary school courses. One problem that needed addressing was how to provide students with authentic assessment opportunities, particularly in subjects in which performance is an integral component. Traditionally, assessment in many of these subjects was by way of a three-hour paper examination. This established a dichotomy for teachers in which the pedagogy of the subject was very different from the method of assessment. In wanting to maximise their student’s potential for success, many teachers taught to the examination, consequently sacrificing a practical performance approach to the subject for a more theoretical form of delivery.

text: Maximising the potential of ICT to provide authentic summative assessment opportunities This paper reports on elements of a study that was conducted in Western Australia to explore the potential of various forms of digitally based external assessments for senior secondary school courses. One problem that needed addressing was how to provide students with authentic assessment opportunities, particularly in subjects in which performance is an integral component. Traditionally, assessment in many of these subjects was by way of a three-hour paper examination. This established a dichotomy for teachers in which the pedagogy of the subject was very different from the method of assessment. In wanting to maximise their student’s potential for success, many teachers taught to the examination, consequently sacrificing a practical performance approach to the subject for a more theoretical form of delivery.

year: 2012

title: Ki te kapu o taku ringa - In the palm of my hand [Photography exhibition at Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts]

authors: Hill, Rodrigo

subjects: Mātauranga Māori

abstract: (Exhibition catalogue)
The title Ki te kapu o taku ringa is taken from a line of
‘Maioha mō Waikato’ by Kīngi Tāwhiao. Ejected from their
homelands he and his Waikato brethren took refuge with
their Maniapoto relations in Te Nehenehenui. The maioha
was composed expressing Kīngi Tāwhiao’s love for his
homelands, and his solastalgic holding fast to those lands
‘... in the palm of his hand.’ The words from the song-poem
were used as guide to our research and photography practice.

text: Ki te kapu o taku ringa - In the palm of my hand [Photography exhibition at Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts] (Exhibition catalogue)
The title Ki te kapu o taku ringa is taken from a line of
‘Maioha mō Waikato’ by Kīngi Tāwhiao. Ejected from their
homelands he and his Waikato brethren took refuge with
their Maniapoto relations in Te Nehenehenui. The maioha
was composed expressing Kīngi Tāwhiao’s love for his
homelands, and his solastalgic holding fast to those lands
‘... in the palm of his hand.’ The words from the song-poem
were used as guide to our research and photography practice.

year: 2025