title: Selection and treatment of data for radiocarbon calibration: An update to the International Calibration (IntCal) criteria

authors: Reimer, Paula J.

abstract: High-quality data from appropriate archives are needed for the continuing improvement of radiocarbon calibration curves. We discuss here the basic assumptions behind 14C dating that necessitate calibration and the relative strengths and weaknesses of archives from which calibration data are obtained. We also highlight the procedures, problems, and uncertainties involved in determining atmospheric and surface ocean 14C/12C in these archives, including a discussion of the various methods used to derive an independent absolute timescale and uncertainty. The types of data required for the current IntCal database and calibration curve model are tabulated with examples.

text: Selection and treatment of data for radiocarbon calibration: An update to the International Calibration (IntCal) criteria High-quality data from appropriate archives are needed for the continuing improvement of radiocarbon calibration curves. We discuss here the basic assumptions behind 14C dating that necessitate calibration and the relative strengths and weaknesses of archives from which calibration data are obtained. We also highlight the procedures, problems, and uncertainties involved in determining atmospheric and surface ocean 14C/12C in these archives, including a discussion of the various methods used to derive an independent absolute timescale and uncertainty. The types of data required for the current IntCal database and calibration curve model are tabulated with examples.

year: 2013

title: The neuropsychosocial sequelae of multiple sclerosis and the impact for familial caregivers

authors: Brassington, Jan Christie

abstract: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease diagnosed in young adults. Many people live with the disease throughout their early, middle and late adulthood. It has far-reaching effects for individuals, families, and social networks. The study of its impact is an important precursor to the design of effective, efficient interventions for all concerned. This research sought to examine the physical, cognitive, and psychological effects of MS in a New Zealand community-based sample. Its impact on familial caregivers was also investigated. 

One hundred and two people with MS were assessed over a 14-month period. In comparisons with a demographically-matched control group, the cognitive performance of the MS sample was found to be impaired on psychometric measures of current intellectual functioning, learning, retention, delayed recall, recognition memory, and areas of attention/concentration and executive functioning. The MS sample also reported significantly more psychological difficulties than the control group. No statistically significant relationship was found between the cognitive functioning of the MS sample and their physical functioning, time since symptom onset, disease course, level of fatigue, or medication use. However, there was a statistically significant relationship between the sample’s cognitive functioning and both their psychological functioning and the time since their MS diagnosis. 

Analyses were undertaken with a subset of participants with MS whose cognitive performance was worse than the remainder of the MS sample in relation to the control group. This subset was found to require significantly more changes to their homes and more community services, and they experienced more social handicap than the rest of the MS sample. 
Familial caregivers of the participants with MS reported significantly more symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, significantly higher levels of burden, and significantly less satisfaction with the quality of social support that they received, compared to a demographically-matched control group. The caregivers’ appraisals of the functional impairments of their family members with MS made the most consistently significant unique contribution to the prediction of these areas of caregiver functioning. The significance of these results for people with MS, their familial caregivers, and society at large are discussed.

text: The neuropsychosocial sequelae of multiple sclerosis and the impact for familial caregivers Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease diagnosed in young adults. Many people live with the disease throughout their early, middle and late adulthood. It has far-reaching effects for individuals, families, and social networks. The study of its impact is an important precursor to the design of effective, efficient interventions for all concerned. This research sought to examine the physical, cognitive, and psychological effects of MS in a New Zealand community-based sample. Its impact on familial caregivers was also investigated. 

One hundred and two people with MS were assessed over a 14-month period. In comparisons with a demographically-matched control group, the cognitive performance of the MS sample was found to be impaired on psychometric measures of current intellectual functioning, learning, retention, delayed recall, recognition memory, and areas of attention/concentration and executive functioning. The MS sample also reported significantly more psychological difficulties than the control group. No statistically significant relationship was found between the cognitive functioning of the MS sample and their physical functioning, time since symptom onset, disease course, level of fatigue, or medication use. However, there was a statistically significant relationship between the sample’s cognitive functioning and both their psychological functioning and the time since their MS diagnosis. 

Analyses were undertaken with a subset of participants with MS whose cognitive performance was worse than the remainder of the MS sample in relation to the control group. This subset was found to require significantly more changes to their homes and more community services, and they experienced more social handicap than the rest of the MS sample. 
Familial caregivers of the participants with MS reported significantly more symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, significantly higher levels of burden, and significantly less satisfaction with the quality of social support that they received, compared to a demographically-matched control group. The caregivers’ appraisals of the functional impairments of their family members with MS made the most consistently significant unique contribution to the prediction of these areas of caregiver functioning. The significance of these results for people with MS, their familial caregivers, and society at large are discussed.

year: 2000

title: Ngā whakaaro o ngā ākonga: perspectives and experiences of Māori students in outdoor education in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Washbourn, Phil

subjects: Outdoor education

abstract: This study aims to develop an understanding of the perspectives and experiences of Māori students in a secondary school outdoor education programme in Aotearoa New Zealand. Lynch (2012) indicated that “there is a clear need, and wide scope, for research into: cultural elements of outdoor education programmes; cultural effects on participants; culturally appropriate research approaches and programme effects on, and experiences of, people who identify as Māori” (p.49). Outdoor education in Aotearoa New Zealand has been heavily influenced by ‘Eurocentric’ values and practices that contrast with those of Te Ao Māori. In line with a number of calls to re-envision the field, the perspectives and experiences of Māori and the incorporation of Te Ao Māori pedagogies are vital to the reconstruction of an integrated and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand expression of Outdoor Education for the 21st century.
This study, guided by culturally responsive research methodology, used focus groups to investigate the opinions, thoughts and expectations of Māori students of outdoor education. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the focus group data, and four major themes were identified: the importance of shared experience and relationships to positive experiences of outdoor education; the distinctive practices of outdoor education make learning enjoyable and engaging; the importance to students of making connections with Te Ao Māori through experience, stories of places and history; and the complexity of engaging Māori in participation in outdoor education, including factors such as affordability, the influence of friends and whānau and prioritising educational pathways. A range of practices and approaches from Te Ao Māori are considered and presented, based on the contribution of the student participants, including pedagogical principles from Te Ao Māori such as wānanga, whanaungatanga and tauira. Suggestions for practice include developing connections within the community and experiencing Te Ao Māori learning contexts such as waka ama, noho marae and mahinga kai.

text: Ngā whakaaro o ngā ākonga: perspectives and experiences of Māori students in outdoor education in Aotearoa New Zealand This study aims to develop an understanding of the perspectives and experiences of Māori students in a secondary school outdoor education programme in Aotearoa New Zealand. Lynch (2012) indicated that “there is a clear need, and wide scope, for research into: cultural elements of outdoor education programmes; cultural effects on participants; culturally appropriate research approaches and programme effects on, and experiences of, people who identify as Māori” (p.49). Outdoor education in Aotearoa New Zealand has been heavily influenced by ‘Eurocentric’ values and practices that contrast with those of Te Ao Māori. In line with a number of calls to re-envision the field, the perspectives and experiences of Māori and the incorporation of Te Ao Māori pedagogies are vital to the reconstruction of an integrated and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand expression of Outdoor Education for the 21st century.
This study, guided by culturally responsive research methodology, used focus groups to investigate the opinions, thoughts and expectations of Māori students of outdoor education. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the focus group data, and four major themes were identified: the importance of shared experience and relationships to positive experiences of outdoor education; the distinctive practices of outdoor education make learning enjoyable and engaging; the importance to students of making connections with Te Ao Māori through experience, stories of places and history; and the complexity of engaging Māori in participation in outdoor education, including factors such as affordability, the influence of friends and whānau and prioritising educational pathways. A range of practices and approaches from Te Ao Māori are considered and presented, based on the contribution of the student participants, including pedagogical principles from Te Ao Māori such as wānanga, whanaungatanga and tauira. Suggestions for practice include developing connections within the community and experiencing Te Ao Māori learning contexts such as waka ama, noho marae and mahinga kai.

year: 2018