Novel genetic engineering technology which increases leaf lipid content modifies the ensiling properties of perennial ryegrass : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Agricultural Science at Massey University, Palmerston North

A novel strategy to increase the metabolisable energy (ME) yield of pastures has been the development of a genetic engineering technology which increases the leaf lipid content and biomass production of perennial ryegrass (PRG). Outdoor plot/feeding trials of genetically engineered crops are prohibited under the current New Zealand (NZ) regulatory framework. However, this high lipid PRG may become available to farmers and eventually be used to make silage, which could fulfill an important role as a high ME, inexpensive, supplementary feed for livestock. Ensiling preserves a crop’s nutrients at a high moisture content and at a low pH, by microbial fermentation of plant sugars into lactic acid under anaerobic conditions. In a preliminary investigation into the ensiling biochemistry of this high lipid PRG, glasshouse-grown materials were wilted and inoculated, and then ensiled on a miniature scale. A series of method development ensiling experiments revealed that non-transgenic PRG grown in glasshouse conditions during the NZ spring/summer was very difficult to ensile naturally, due to its low water soluble sugar to buffering capacity ratio. In order to generate well-preserved silage in the main experiment, glucose was added (post-harvest) to a non-transgenic PRG genotype (WT) and two transgenic PRG genotypes containing ‘medium’ and ‘high’ leaf lipid levels (ML and HL). The HL plants produced 51% more dry biomass than WT during the regrowth period. Pre-ensiled HL had 31% higher fatty acid content, 70% higher nitrate content and a 17% lower water soluble sugar to crude protein ratio than WT. ML was intermediate. The glasshouse growth environment resulted in an atypical overall PRG nutritional composition. WT, ML and HL underwent a similar fermentation, and nutrients were well-preserved. The nutritional differences in the ensiled material largely reflected those in their fresh counterparts, although a longer wilt caused greater overall digestible nutrient losses in HL. In an in vitro rumen incubation experiment the fatty acids in HL silage exhibited less complete biohydrogenation than in fresh and ensiled WT. Experiments using a range of high lipid PRG lines grown in a range of environments will be needed to validate these results

Non-economic losses in the context of the UNFCCC work programme on loss

and damag

Field to Family Community Food Project

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a local food system in which farmers provide fresh food, fiber, and related products directly to the consumers in their area. The Field to Family Community Food Project began in 1997 and was intended to support the Magic Beanstalk CSA project by forming partnerships with other local organizations such as churches, social service organizations, Iowa State University, and other community groups

Data intensive scientific analysis with grid computing

At the end of September 2009, a new Italian GPS receiver for radio occultation was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center (Sriharikota, India) on the Indian Remote Sensing OCEANSAT-2 satellite. The Italian Space Agency has established a set of Italian universities and research centers to implement the overall processing radio occultation chain. After a brief description of the adopted algorithms, which can be used to characterize the temperature, pressure and humidity, the contribution will focus on a method for automatic processing these data, based on the use of a distributed architecture. This paper aims at being a possible application of grid computing for scientific research

The person-centered dermatology self-care index: a tool to measure education and support needs of patients with long-term skin conditions

Objective To validate the Person-Centered Dermatology Self-Care Index (PeDeSI) as a tool for clinical assessment and for potential use in research evaluation. Design To date, no validated assessment measures exist to identify the education and support needs of patients living with long-term dermatological conditions and to enable them to self-manage as effectively as possible. The PeDeSI assessment tool was developed to meet this need using the self-efficacy construct and a model of concordance within prescribing practice. In total, 200 copies of the PeDeSI were distributed for validation, and 145 (72.5%) were returned completed. Data were analyzed using statistical software. Frequency distributions of all items were examined, and internal consistency was summarized using Cronbach α. Exploratory factor analysis was used to disclose any underlying structure among the data items. Setting Three specialist dermatology centers in acute care hospitals. Participants Dermatology specialist nurses treating patients with chronic dermatoses. Intervention A PeDeSI was completed with each patient during his or her usual outpatient consultation. Main Outcome Measure Cronbach α. Results Cronbach α was 0.90, indicating good internal consistency. Eliminating individual items in turn made little difference in Cronbach α (range, 0.89-0.90). Item total correlations ranged from 0.44 to 0.76 (median, 0.68). Exploratory factor analysis extracted just one factor (eigenvalue, 5.37), with no other factors having eigenvalues exceeding 1.00. Factor loadings on individual items ranged from 0.47 to 0.80. Conclusion The PeDeSI is a valid, reliable, and clinically practical tool to systematically assess the education and support needs of patients with long-term dermatological conditions and to promote treatment concordance

An interpretive phenomenological analysis of interprofessional education; An investigation of the experiences of pre-registration healthcare students

This research study explores the way in which pre-registration healthcare students experience interprofessional education (IPE) using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The research involved four pre-registration healthcare students at CCCU from two year groups who experienced IPE delivered in different ways. Two participants were midwifery students, one participant was an occupational therapy student and one was an adult nursing student. Semi-structured interviews were held to facilitate a guided conversation. Each participant was interviewed on two separate occasions eight months apart. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed and emerging themes were identified and examined, with the researcher considering and reflecting on his own interpretation. New knowledge has emerged from this research with regard to the impact of how facilitators communicate with students during IPE, the extent to which IPE activities can impact on student’s self-awareness and the impact that race and diversity may have on the student experience of IPE. Findings from this study have also reinforced the findings of previous studies including how having contact with students and professionals from different groups positively affects how members of other professional groups may be perceived, can improve working relationships and that hierarchy exists both between professional groups and within professional groups. The recommendations from this research are considered to be of interest to both academic and clinical staff. Due to the idiographic nature of IPA, this research offered an insight into the local context and specific programmes. However, it is suggested that findings might be used to positively inform the development of IPE programmes and activities more broadly, as they highlight some of the issues associated with IPE that result in students having a positive, or conversely negative experience of IPE

Designing the Human-Powered Helicopter: A New Perspective

The concept of human-powered vertical flight was studied in great depth. Through the manipulation of preexisting theory and analytical methods, a collection of design tools was created to expediently conceptualize and then analyze virtually any rotor. The tools were then arranged as part of a complete helicopter rotor design process. The lessons learned as a result of studying this process—and the tools of which it consists—are presented in the following discussion. It is the belief of the author that by utilizing these tools, as well as the suggestions that accompany them, future engineers may someday build a human-powered helicopter capable of winning the Sikorsky Prize