title: Environmental influences on Adelie penguin breeding schedules, endocrinology, and chick survival

authors: Ninnes, Calum Edward

subjects: Adelie penguin

abstract: To understand how the social and physical environment influences behaviour, reproduction and survival, studies of underlying hormonal processes are crucial; in particular, interactions between stress and reproductive responses may have critical influences on breeding schedules. Several authors have examined the timing of breeding in relation to environmental stimuli, while others have independently described endocrine profiles. However, few studies have simultaneously measured endocrine profiles, breeding behaviour, and offspring survival across seasons. We measured sex and stress hormone concentrations (oestrogens, testosterone, and corticosterone), timing of breeding, and chick survival, in Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at two colonies in two different years. Clutch initiation at Cape Bird South (CBS; year 1, 14,000 pairs) occurred later than at Cape Crozier East (CCE; year 2, 25,000 pairs); however, breeding was more synchronous at CBS. This pattern was probably generated by the persistence of extensive sea ice at CBS (year 1). Higher corticosterone metabolite and lower sex hormone concentrations at CBS correlated with later breeding and lower chick survival compared to at CCE – again, a likely consequence of sea ice conditions. Within colonies, sub-colony size (S, 50–100; M, 200–300; L, 500–600; XL, >1000 pairs) did not influence the onset or synchrony of breeding, chick survival, or hormone concentrations. We showed that the endocrine profiles of breeding Adelie penguins can differ markedly between years and/or colonies, and that combining measures of endocrinology, behaviour, and offspring survival can reveal the mechanisms and consequences that different environmental conditions can have on breeding ecology.

text: Environmental influences on Adelie penguin breeding schedules, endocrinology, and chick survival To understand how the social and physical environment influences behaviour, reproduction and survival, studies of underlying hormonal processes are crucial; in particular, interactions between stress and reproductive responses may have critical influences on breeding schedules. Several authors have examined the timing of breeding in relation to environmental stimuli, while others have independently described endocrine profiles. However, few studies have simultaneously measured endocrine profiles, breeding behaviour, and offspring survival across seasons. We measured sex and stress hormone concentrations (oestrogens, testosterone, and corticosterone), timing of breeding, and chick survival, in Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at two colonies in two different years. Clutch initiation at Cape Bird South (CBS; year 1, 14,000 pairs) occurred later than at Cape Crozier East (CCE; year 2, 25,000 pairs); however, breeding was more synchronous at CBS. This pattern was probably generated by the persistence of extensive sea ice at CBS (year 1). Higher corticosterone metabolite and lower sex hormone concentrations at CBS correlated with later breeding and lower chick survival compared to at CCE – again, a likely consequence of sea ice conditions. Within colonies, sub-colony size (S, 50–100; M, 200–300; L, 500–600; XL, >1000 pairs) did not influence the onset or synchrony of breeding, chick survival, or hormone concentrations. We showed that the endocrine profiles of breeding Adelie penguins can differ markedly between years and/or colonies, and that combining measures of endocrinology, behaviour, and offspring survival can reveal the mechanisms and consequences that different environmental conditions can have on breeding ecology.

year: 2011

title: Exploring different 'perspectives' in secondary geography: Professional development options

authors: Chalmers, Lex

subjects: education policy

abstract: Significant changes have occurred in the worlds of geography since 1973, and a substantial literature has emerged about these changes and their effects on the 'divide' between secondary and tertiary geographers. We suggest that while the divide has not had much effect on the content taught in secondary geography in New Zealand and Britain, exposure to a range of perspectives on this content is a neglected area of professional development. Post-Fordism and deep ecology are described as perspectives that are not widely used in delivering secondary geography content. We argue firstly that effective use of different perspectives needs to be based on professional, personal and social change, and secondly that the Internet is a powerful tool in the engineering of such change.

text: Exploring different 'perspectives' in secondary geography: Professional development options Significant changes have occurred in the worlds of geography since 1973, and a substantial literature has emerged about these changes and their effects on the 'divide' between secondary and tertiary geographers. We suggest that while the divide has not had much effect on the content taught in secondary geography in New Zealand and Britain, exposure to a range of perspectives on this content is a neglected area of professional development. Post-Fordism and deep ecology are described as perspectives that are not widely used in delivering secondary geography content. We argue firstly that effective use of different perspectives needs to be based on professional, personal and social change, and secondly that the Internet is a powerful tool in the engineering of such change.

year: 2002

title: Ha ora: Improving access to early diagnosis of lung cancer for Maori and rural communities. Understanding patient experiences in General Practice

authors: Lawrenson, Ross

abstract: There were two main objectives for this report. The first was to identify the barriers to early diagnosis of lung cancer experienced by Māori lung cancer patients and whānau. Second was to co-design a multi-pronged intervention alongside rural Māori communities to improve early diagnosis of lung cancer for whānau in their localities.
The team worked in the Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti districts of the Midland Region. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 23 Māori lung cancer patients and whānau recruited through respiratory or cancer nurse specialists (CNSs) based at the hospitals of each district. Nine community hui (focus groups) and nine primary healthcare provider hui were carried out in five rural localities: Te Kuiti, Opōtiki, Te Kaha, Rotorua and Gisborne. Community hui included cancer patients, whānau, and other community members. Healthcare provider hui comprised staff members at the local primary healthcare centre, including General Practitioners and nurses. Study data were thematically analysed.
Findings of the study highlight:
1. Barriers in primary care, including symptom ambiguity, accumulating costs, barriers and enablers relating to GP – patient relationships
2. Barriers in secondary care, including a lack of access to diagnostic tests, long waiting times, barriers and enablers relating to communication between HCPs and patients.
3. The importance of whānau as carers and advocates for Māori patients on their lung cancer journey.
The interventions co-designed with each community included a Hā Ora website, a series of lung cancer awareness videos (entitled ‘wharo wharo wharo’), a kaiawhina training programme and a ‘pou pupuru oranga’ (cancer navigator).
We suggest strategies that aim to improve early diagnosis of lung cancer for rural Māori communities. We welcome your feedback to us regarding these recommendations.

text: Ha ora: Improving access to early diagnosis of lung cancer for Maori and rural communities. Understanding patient experiences in General Practice There were two main objectives for this report. The first was to identify the barriers to early diagnosis of lung cancer experienced by Māori lung cancer patients and whānau. Second was to co-design a multi-pronged intervention alongside rural Māori communities to improve early diagnosis of lung cancer for whānau in their localities.
The team worked in the Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti districts of the Midland Region. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 23 Māori lung cancer patients and whānau recruited through respiratory or cancer nurse specialists (CNSs) based at the hospitals of each district. Nine community hui (focus groups) and nine primary healthcare provider hui were carried out in five rural localities: Te Kuiti, Opōtiki, Te Kaha, Rotorua and Gisborne. Community hui included cancer patients, whānau, and other community members. Healthcare provider hui comprised staff members at the local primary healthcare centre, including General Practitioners and nurses. Study data were thematically analysed.
Findings of the study highlight:
1. Barriers in primary care, including symptom ambiguity, accumulating costs, barriers and enablers relating to GP – patient relationships
2. Barriers in secondary care, including a lack of access to diagnostic tests, long waiting times, barriers and enablers relating to communication between HCPs and patients.
3. The importance of whānau as carers and advocates for Māori patients on their lung cancer journey.
The interventions co-designed with each community included a Hā Ora website, a series of lung cancer awareness videos (entitled ‘wharo wharo wharo’), a kaiawhina training programme and a ‘pou pupuru oranga’ (cancer navigator).
We suggest strategies that aim to improve early diagnosis of lung cancer for rural Māori communities. We welcome your feedback to us regarding these recommendations.

year: 2021