title: Globalization of tephrochronology: new views from Australasia

authors: Lowe, David J.

subjects: tephrochronology

abstract: Tephra (or volcanic ash) studies, once confined largely to volcanic lands, have become increasingly practised in countries far removed from areas of active or recent volcanism – and Australia is no exception. At the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA) conference in Cairns in July/August 2007, Sarah E. Coulter (née Davies), now a postdoctoral ice-core tephrochronologist at Queen’s University Belfast, reportedthe first occurrence of an exotic tephra in Australia in a core from Lynch’s Crater, Atherton Tableland, Queensland (Figure 1). The distal tephra, manifest as a tiny concentration of glass shards, was probably derived from a Papua New Guinean eruption around 75,000–80,000 years ago (S.E. Davies et al., 2007). Its value lies in providing a precise chronostratigraphic marker that potentially allows correlation of other long palaeoenvironmental sequences over wide distances. Davies’ study is but one of a revolutionary development in tephrochronology now focused on detecting diminutive, distal tephras that are invisible in the field and referred to as cryptotephras. From the Greek word kryptein, meaning ‘to hide’ (Hunt, 1999a; Hunt and Hill, 2001; Lowe and Hunt, 2001), cryptotephras typically comprise fine-ashsized (< ~100 μm) glass shards sparsely preserved and ‘hidden’ in peats or in lake, marine or aeolian sediments, or in ice cores (Figure 2). The cryptotephra theme is continued in section III, but beforehand nomenclature associated with the term ‘tephra’, which can be confusing and which sometimes is used incorrectly, is outlined.

text: Globalization of tephrochronology: new views from Australasia Tephra (or volcanic ash) studies, once confined largely to volcanic lands, have become increasingly practised in countries far removed from areas of active or recent volcanism – and Australia is no exception. At the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA) conference in Cairns in July/August 2007, Sarah E. Coulter (née Davies), now a postdoctoral ice-core tephrochronologist at Queen’s University Belfast, reportedthe first occurrence of an exotic tephra in Australia in a core from Lynch’s Crater, Atherton Tableland, Queensland (Figure 1). The distal tephra, manifest as a tiny concentration of glass shards, was probably derived from a Papua New Guinean eruption around 75,000–80,000 years ago (S.E. Davies et al., 2007). Its value lies in providing a precise chronostratigraphic marker that potentially allows correlation of other long palaeoenvironmental sequences over wide distances. Davies’ study is but one of a revolutionary development in tephrochronology now focused on detecting diminutive, distal tephras that are invisible in the field and referred to as cryptotephras. From the Greek word kryptein, meaning ‘to hide’ (Hunt, 1999a; Hunt and Hill, 2001; Lowe and Hunt, 2001), cryptotephras typically comprise fine-ashsized (< ~100 μm) glass shards sparsely preserved and ‘hidden’ in peats or in lake, marine or aeolian sediments, or in ice cores (Figure 2). The cryptotephra theme is continued in section III, but beforehand nomenclature associated with the term ‘tephra’, which can be confusing and which sometimes is used incorrectly, is outlined.

year: 2008

title: The effects of food restriction on the perception of hunger, metabolic state and stress responsiveness in sheep

authors: Verbeek, Else

subjects: Feeding motivation

abstract: Sheep in temperate regions may be exposed to periods of limited food availability and a range of environmental conditions. Insufficient dietary intake may change live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) resulting in an increase in hunger and alterations in metabolic state, which may influence the welfare of sheep. In Chapter 2, a behavioural demand methodology to measure feeding motivation was refined and improved; five different walking distances (costs) were used and the number of rewards consumed, the total distance walked, Pmax (maximum price) and Omax (maximum expenditure) were used as measures of motivation. Sixteen non-pregnant ewes were subjected to two feeding levels (24 h fasted and ad libitum fed control); fasted ewes consumed more rewards and walked a greater total distance compared to control ewes. The methodology provided good measures of feeding motivation and was a potential indicator of hunger. However, the range of costs used was too narrow for accurate assessment of Pmax and Omax. In Chapter 3, the effects of body condition score (BCS) on feeding motivation and endocrine and metabolic responses in twin-bearing ewes were investigated to identify and quantify indicators of hunger and to assess the metabolic state of twin-bearing ewes with different BCS. Twenty-two ewes were divided into low BCS (LBC), medium BCS (MBC) and high BCS (HBC) treatments. Feeding motivation was assessed between day 91 and 105 of pregnancy and blood samples were collected once every 2 weeks between day 35 and 133 of pregnancy. The number of rewards consumed and Omax were significantly lower in the HBC ewes compared to LBC and MBC ewes, while the MBC ewes tended to show a lower motivation compared to the LBC ewes. LBC ewes were in a metabolically catabolic state and had low plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1. In Chapter 4, it was investigated whether a fast loss in BCS would increase hunger and alter the metabolic state more compared to a slow loss in BCS. Twenty-six twin-bearing ewes were assigned to Slow Loss (1 BCS loss in 13 weeks, SL), Fast loss (1 BCS loss in 10 weeks, FL) or Control (maintain BCS) treatments. Feeding motivation was assessed between day 42 and 67 of pregnancy and blood samples were collected once every 2 weeks between day 35 and 140 of pregnancy. SL and FL ewes had not lost much BCS at the start of the motivation period and no effects on feeding motivation were found. SL ewes were in a similar metabolic state as Control ewes. However, FL ewes were in a catabolic state in mid-pregnancy. In Chapter 5, it was investigated whether BCS affects the ability to maintain energy homeostasis and induce adaptive metabolic and stress responses to an environmental challenge. Eighteen shorn single-bearing ewes were divided into low, medium and high BCS treatments. Ewes were exposed to a 6 h acute cold challenge between days 85-87 of pregnancy. LBC ewes were able to maintain body temperature, but were slower to mobilise energy substrates and had a delayed and reduced cortisol response compared to MBC and HBC ewes. In conclusion, feeding motivation appeared to be an indicator of hunger in ewes; fasting and a loss in BCS markedly increased hunger. A loss in BCS induced a metabolically catabolic state. However, ewes were metabolically better able to adapt to a slow than a fast loss in BCS. Finally, low BCS ewes may have a reduced ability to respond to acute stressors.

text: The effects of food restriction on the perception of hunger, metabolic state and stress responsiveness in sheep Sheep in temperate regions may be exposed to periods of limited food availability and a range of environmental conditions. Insufficient dietary intake may change live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) resulting in an increase in hunger and alterations in metabolic state, which may influence the welfare of sheep. In Chapter 2, a behavioural demand methodology to measure feeding motivation was refined and improved; five different walking distances (costs) were used and the number of rewards consumed, the total distance walked, Pmax (maximum price) and Omax (maximum expenditure) were used as measures of motivation. Sixteen non-pregnant ewes were subjected to two feeding levels (24 h fasted and ad libitum fed control); fasted ewes consumed more rewards and walked a greater total distance compared to control ewes. The methodology provided good measures of feeding motivation and was a potential indicator of hunger. However, the range of costs used was too narrow for accurate assessment of Pmax and Omax. In Chapter 3, the effects of body condition score (BCS) on feeding motivation and endocrine and metabolic responses in twin-bearing ewes were investigated to identify and quantify indicators of hunger and to assess the metabolic state of twin-bearing ewes with different BCS. Twenty-two ewes were divided into low BCS (LBC), medium BCS (MBC) and high BCS (HBC) treatments. Feeding motivation was assessed between day 91 and 105 of pregnancy and blood samples were collected once every 2 weeks between day 35 and 133 of pregnancy. The number of rewards consumed and Omax were significantly lower in the HBC ewes compared to LBC and MBC ewes, while the MBC ewes tended to show a lower motivation compared to the LBC ewes. LBC ewes were in a metabolically catabolic state and had low plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1. In Chapter 4, it was investigated whether a fast loss in BCS would increase hunger and alter the metabolic state more compared to a slow loss in BCS. Twenty-six twin-bearing ewes were assigned to Slow Loss (1 BCS loss in 13 weeks, SL), Fast loss (1 BCS loss in 10 weeks, FL) or Control (maintain BCS) treatments. Feeding motivation was assessed between day 42 and 67 of pregnancy and blood samples were collected once every 2 weeks between day 35 and 140 of pregnancy. SL and FL ewes had not lost much BCS at the start of the motivation period and no effects on feeding motivation were found. SL ewes were in a similar metabolic state as Control ewes. However, FL ewes were in a catabolic state in mid-pregnancy. In Chapter 5, it was investigated whether BCS affects the ability to maintain energy homeostasis and induce adaptive metabolic and stress responses to an environmental challenge. Eighteen shorn single-bearing ewes were divided into low, medium and high BCS treatments. Ewes were exposed to a 6 h acute cold challenge between days 85-87 of pregnancy. LBC ewes were able to maintain body temperature, but were slower to mobilise energy substrates and had a delayed and reduced cortisol response compared to MBC and HBC ewes. In conclusion, feeding motivation appeared to be an indicator of hunger in ewes; fasting and a loss in BCS markedly increased hunger. A loss in BCS induced a metabolically catabolic state. However, ewes were metabolically better able to adapt to a slow than a fast loss in BCS. Finally, low BCS ewes may have a reduced ability to respond to acute stressors.

year: 2010

title: Maori participation in higher education: Tainui graduates from the University of Waikato, 1992 to 1997

authors: Tiakiwai, Sarah-Jane

abstract: This thesis is an examination of what factors contribute to the success of Maori who participate in higher education. The thesis is informed by the experiences of nine Tainui tribal members who received scholarships from the Tainui Maori Trust Board and who graduated from the University of Waikato between 1992 and 1997. 

The thesis addresses two questions: what factors contributed to the success of Tainui graduates at the University of Waikato? What effect did programmes, policies and initiatives offered by the University of Waikato and the Tainui Maori Trust Board have on the academic success of Tainui graduates at the University of Waikato? 

There are three main components to the thesis: a brief history of the University of Waikato and an examination of three documents (University of Waikato Charter 1991; Paetawhiti, the strategic plan 1993; Academic Audit Unit report 1997) and how they pertain to Maori; a history of the Tainui Maori Trust Board and an examination of the Tainui Education Strategy (1986, 1991), its review (1993) and scholarship programmes; and a study and analysis of the experiences of nine Tainui graduates from the University of Waikato. 

Argued from an eclectic theoretical and methodological position, drawing from indigenous and western theories and research practices that emphasise a kaupapa Maori and tribal approach, the thesis identifies multiple factors that have contributed to the success of the Tainui graduates. These factors include family and parental support, mentoring, the role of finances, institutional support, and identity. 

The thesis finds through examination of the documents, that the policies, initiatives and programmes of the Tainui Maori Trust Board and the University of Waikato have ambiguous and at times conflicting aims and objectives in regard to Maori participation and graduation from higher education. The thesis also finds that the experiences of the graduates reveal that neither the Tainui Maori Trust Board nor policies relating to Maori at the University of Waikato played significant roles in the success of the Tainui graduates. Rather, the thesis finds that the success of the graduates is largely borne by their own efforts, which reflect western notions of success, but which also reinforce their identity as Maori, and as Tainui tribal members. 

The thesis suggests that both the Tainui Maori Trust Board and the University of Waikato review their relationships with their tribal and Maori members (respectively), and recommendations are made to help develop a greater awareness of the contribution that both organisations can make to the success of Maori university students.

text: Maori participation in higher education: Tainui graduates from the University of Waikato, 1992 to 1997 This thesis is an examination of what factors contribute to the success of Maori who participate in higher education. The thesis is informed by the experiences of nine Tainui tribal members who received scholarships from the Tainui Maori Trust Board and who graduated from the University of Waikato between 1992 and 1997. 

The thesis addresses two questions: what factors contributed to the success of Tainui graduates at the University of Waikato? What effect did programmes, policies and initiatives offered by the University of Waikato and the Tainui Maori Trust Board have on the academic success of Tainui graduates at the University of Waikato? 

There are three main components to the thesis: a brief history of the University of Waikato and an examination of three documents (University of Waikato Charter 1991; Paetawhiti, the strategic plan 1993; Academic Audit Unit report 1997) and how they pertain to Maori; a history of the Tainui Maori Trust Board and an examination of the Tainui Education Strategy (1986, 1991), its review (1993) and scholarship programmes; and a study and analysis of the experiences of nine Tainui graduates from the University of Waikato. 

Argued from an eclectic theoretical and methodological position, drawing from indigenous and western theories and research practices that emphasise a kaupapa Maori and tribal approach, the thesis identifies multiple factors that have contributed to the success of the Tainui graduates. These factors include family and parental support, mentoring, the role of finances, institutional support, and identity. 

The thesis finds through examination of the documents, that the policies, initiatives and programmes of the Tainui Maori Trust Board and the University of Waikato have ambiguous and at times conflicting aims and objectives in regard to Maori participation and graduation from higher education. The thesis also finds that the experiences of the graduates reveal that neither the Tainui Maori Trust Board nor policies relating to Maori at the University of Waikato played significant roles in the success of the Tainui graduates. Rather, the thesis finds that the success of the graduates is largely borne by their own efforts, which reflect western notions of success, but which also reinforce their identity as Maori, and as Tainui tribal members. 

The thesis suggests that both the Tainui Maori Trust Board and the University of Waikato review their relationships with their tribal and Maori members (respectively), and recommendations are made to help develop a greater awareness of the contribution that both organisations can make to the success of Maori university students.

year: 2001