title: AFOMP Policy Statement No. 4: Recommendations for continuing professional development systems for medical physicists in AFOMP countries

authors: Round, W. Howell

subjects: continuing professional development

abstract: This policy statement, which is the fourth of a series of documents being prepared by the Asia-Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics Committees Professional Development Committee, gives guidance on how member countries could develop a continuing professional development system for ensuring that its clinical medical physicists are up-to-date in their knowledge and practice. It is not intended to be prescriptive as there are already several CPD systems successfully operated by AFOMP member countries and elsewhere that vary considerably in scope and structure according to local culture, practice and legislation but all of which are capable of ensuring that physicists are up-to-date. It is intended to be advisory and set out options for member countries to develop their individual CPD systems.

text: AFOMP Policy Statement No. 4: Recommendations for continuing professional development systems for medical physicists in AFOMP countries This policy statement, which is the fourth of a series of documents being prepared by the Asia-Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics Committees Professional Development Committee, gives guidance on how member countries could develop a continuing professional development system for ensuring that its clinical medical physicists are up-to-date in their knowledge and practice. It is not intended to be prescriptive as there are already several CPD systems successfully operated by AFOMP member countries and elsewhere that vary considerably in scope and structure according to local culture, practice and legislation but all of which are capable of ensuring that physicists are up-to-date. It is intended to be advisory and set out options for member countries to develop their individual CPD systems.

year: 2012

title: Assaying activity and assessing thermostability of hyperthermophilic enzymes

authors: Daniel, Roy M.

subjects: enzymes

abstract: There is now a wide variety of intra- and extra-cellular enzymes available from organisms growing above 75°C, and having sufficient stability to allow assay well above this temperature.   For some of these enzymes, to assay below even 95°C will involve measurement below the optimal growth temperature for the organism.  The purpose of this chapter is to cover practical aspects of enzyme assay procedures that are specific to high temperatures.  Since by far the commonest routine assessment of enzyme stability is activity loss, and because it is always unwise to measure enzyme activity without being confident of its stability during the assay, we include an outline of procedures for measuring enzyme activity loss/stability at high temperatures.

text: Assaying activity and assessing thermostability of hyperthermophilic enzymes There is now a wide variety of intra- and extra-cellular enzymes available from organisms growing above 75°C, and having sufficient stability to allow assay well above this temperature.   For some of these enzymes, to assay below even 95°C will involve measurement below the optimal growth temperature for the organism.  The purpose of this chapter is to cover practical aspects of enzyme assay procedures that are specific to high temperatures.  Since by far the commonest routine assessment of enzyme stability is activity loss, and because it is always unwise to measure enzyme activity without being confident of its stability during the assay, we include an outline of procedures for measuring enzyme activity loss/stability at high temperatures.

year: 2001

title: Ka hao te rangatahi: Rangatahi Māori experiences of climate change

authors: Areta, Ranginui Charlton

subjects: Rangatahi Māori

abstract: Ka pū te rūhā, ka hao te rangatahi - Climate change is well established as one of the earth’s most pressing global issues, whereby Māori and Indigenous communities are more vulnerable to its impacts. Internationally, youth have been participating in a range of climate activism, demanding rapid and adequate responses to climate change from decision makers; with Indigenous youth advocating for Indigenous rights to be centred in these responses. More often than not, research on youth involvement in climate change focusses on the general youth population and sidelines the experiences of minorities such as global Indigenous communities. Due to this inattention, there is a lack of research focussing on rangatahi Māori experiences and perceptions of climate change, leaving rangatahi Māori to advocate for their voices to be heard.
The purpose of this research is to amplify the voices of rangatahi Māori regarding climate change, beyond where rangatahi are already sharing their voices. It focusses on rangatahi perceptions of climate change, specifically exploring how being Māori, and youth, influence their experience. This includes investigating the role rangatahi have within climate change, and any challenges and supportive factors that rangatahi may experience related to climate change.
This thesis utilises Kaupapa Māori and its guiding principles to ground this research agenda, employing Pūrākau methodology to guide research methods. Specifically, semi-structured whakawhitinga kōrero were undertaken with five rangatahi Māori participants, who are passionate about climate change and the taiao, exploring each of their diverse experiences and understandings of climate change. Following a process involving thematic and Pūrākau methodology inspired analysis, key themes from each of the rangatahi whakawhitinga kōrero are presented within a case study, maintaining individual narratives for each rangatahi.
This research found that rangatahi experience is grounded in whakapapa, shaping connection to the taiao, motivations to care about climate change, and encompassed aspirations and hopes regarding climate change responses. These narratives highlight that the exclusion of rangatahi from research spaces leaves a gap in literature that explores youth understandings on climate change. Further findings established that the participants believe that being a rangatahi presents unique skills and perspective to offer to climate spaces. Lastly, through exploring participants experiences of specifically being a rangatahi Māori, the findings of this thesis offer tangible opportunities to support rangatahi in voicing their concerns regarding climate change, as this was an identified challenge.
Ultimately, exploring the rangatahi participants’ understandings contributes to: shaping the narratives of rangatahi Māori experience of climate change; further diversifying Māori understandings of climate change and responses; and amplifying the voices of Māori youth within the growing set of literature on youth engagement in climate change. This research lays a foundation for the voices of rangatahi Māori to be actively included in climate change research, and further contest Western misconceptions that rangatahi must gain more experience to contribute to changing the world.

text: Ka hao te rangatahi: Rangatahi Māori experiences of climate change Ka pū te rūhā, ka hao te rangatahi - Climate change is well established as one of the earth’s most pressing global issues, whereby Māori and Indigenous communities are more vulnerable to its impacts. Internationally, youth have been participating in a range of climate activism, demanding rapid and adequate responses to climate change from decision makers; with Indigenous youth advocating for Indigenous rights to be centred in these responses. More often than not, research on youth involvement in climate change focusses on the general youth population and sidelines the experiences of minorities such as global Indigenous communities. Due to this inattention, there is a lack of research focussing on rangatahi Māori experiences and perceptions of climate change, leaving rangatahi Māori to advocate for their voices to be heard.
The purpose of this research is to amplify the voices of rangatahi Māori regarding climate change, beyond where rangatahi are already sharing their voices. It focusses on rangatahi perceptions of climate change, specifically exploring how being Māori, and youth, influence their experience. This includes investigating the role rangatahi have within climate change, and any challenges and supportive factors that rangatahi may experience related to climate change.
This thesis utilises Kaupapa Māori and its guiding principles to ground this research agenda, employing Pūrākau methodology to guide research methods. Specifically, semi-structured whakawhitinga kōrero were undertaken with five rangatahi Māori participants, who are passionate about climate change and the taiao, exploring each of their diverse experiences and understandings of climate change. Following a process involving thematic and Pūrākau methodology inspired analysis, key themes from each of the rangatahi whakawhitinga kōrero are presented within a case study, maintaining individual narratives for each rangatahi.
This research found that rangatahi experience is grounded in whakapapa, shaping connection to the taiao, motivations to care about climate change, and encompassed aspirations and hopes regarding climate change responses. These narratives highlight that the exclusion of rangatahi from research spaces leaves a gap in literature that explores youth understandings on climate change. Further findings established that the participants believe that being a rangatahi presents unique skills and perspective to offer to climate spaces. Lastly, through exploring participants experiences of specifically being a rangatahi Māori, the findings of this thesis offer tangible opportunities to support rangatahi in voicing their concerns regarding climate change, as this was an identified challenge.
Ultimately, exploring the rangatahi participants’ understandings contributes to: shaping the narratives of rangatahi Māori experience of climate change; further diversifying Māori understandings of climate change and responses; and amplifying the voices of Māori youth within the growing set of literature on youth engagement in climate change. This research lays a foundation for the voices of rangatahi Māori to be actively included in climate change research, and further contest Western misconceptions that rangatahi must gain more experience to contribute to changing the world.

year: 2023