Speciation and phylogeography: coalescent-based models applied to the Cape plant genus Pauridia

The Cape (CFR) is an exceptional centre plant This diversity is concentrated in a profusion geographically restricted endemic species within a The CFR is a rich and dynamic for the molecular study of speciation, but until recently studies have focused on factors influencing diversification of whole lineages, than on details the speciation process within and between species pairs

Speciation and phylogeography: coalescent-based models applied to the Cape plant genus Pauridia

The Cape (CFR) is an exceptional centre plant This diversity is concentrated in a profusion geographically restricted endemic species within a The CFR is a rich and dynamic for the molecular study of speciation, but until recently studies have focused on factors influencing diversification of whole lineages, than on details the speciation process within and between species pairs

No time to waste: applying social psychological methods and theories to household food waste reduction

The amount of food thrown away by UK households is substantial and, to a large extent, avoidable. Despite the obvious imperative for research to identify key factors that motivate, enable or prevent household food waste reduction, little research to date has directly addressed this objective. The research presented in this thesis had two clear aims: (1) to investigate antecedents of household food waste reduction and barriers to change, and (2) to explore whether self-affirmation techniques can increase motivation to reduce household food waste. Four empirical studies were conducted. The first study qualitatively explored thoughts, feelings and experiences of 15 UK household food purchasers. Analysis revealed seven core categories representing both motivations and barriers to household food waste reduction. The second study (N = 279) applied an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model to predict household food waste reduction intention and behaviour. Results revealed that the extended TPB variables predicted 64.55% of intention to reduce household food waste and 5.03% of the variance in household food waste behaviour. Studies 3 and 4 explored whether self-affirmation techniques would promote openness to information detailing the negative consequences of household food waste. Study 3 (N = 224) found that self-affirmed participants reported more positive cognitions towards household food waste reduction on a number of outcomes compared to their nonaffirmed counterparts. However, there was no impact of the self-affirmation manipulation on behaviour at follow-up. Study 4 (N = 362) failed to replicate the impact of selfaffirmation on cognitions. However, self-affirmed participants reported that they threw away less household food waste at follow-up. Further research in the context of selfaffirmation on food waste reduction behaviour is required

Glowing felt textile

We demonstrate a new technology-a combination of side glowing (or side emitting) plastic optical fibers with seamless felting technology-that addresses the challenges of smart textiles related to cutting and stitching together with the ability to be washed. The technology was explored for the development of a collection of dresses called "Deep Sea Life" that exhibit versatile designs and styles and so can advance modern fashion design

Development of dilated cardiomyopathy and impaired calcium homeostasis with cardiac-specific deletion of ESRRβ.

Mechanisms underlying the development of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remain poorly understood. Using transcription factor expression profiling, we identified estrogen-related receptor-β (ESRRβ), a member of the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors, as highly expressed in murine hearts and other highly oxidative striated muscle beds. Mice bearing cardiac-specific deletion of ESRRβ (MHC-ERRB KO) develop DCM and sudden death at ~10 mo of age. Isolated adult cardiomyocytes from the MHC-ERRB KO mice showed an increase in calcium sensitivity and impaired cardiomyocyte contractility, which preceded echocardiographic cardiac remodeling and dysfunction by several months. Histological analyses of myocardial biopsies from patients with various cardiomyopathies revealed that ESRRβ protein is absent from the nucleus of cardiomyocytes from patients with DCM but not other forms of cardiomyopathy (ischemic, hypertrophic, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy). Taken together these observations suggest that ESRRβ is a critical component in the onset of DCM by affecting contractility and calcium balance.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Estrogen-related receptor-β (ESRRβ) is highly expressed in the heart and cardiac-specific deletion results in the development of a dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). ESRRβ is mislocalized in human myocardium samples with DCM, suggesting a possible role for ESRRβ in the pathogenesis of DCM in humans

Identifying motivations and barriers to minimising household food waste

The amount of food discarded by UK households is substantial and, to a large extent, avoidable. Furthermore, such food waste has serious environmental consequences. If household food waste reduction initiatives are to be successful they will need to be informed by people's motivations and barriers to minimising household food waste. This paper reports a qualitative study of the thoughts, feelings and experiences of 15 UK household food purchasers, based on semi-structured interviews. Two core categories of motives to minimise household food waste were identified: (1) waste concerns and (2) doing the ‘right’ thing. A third core category illustrated the importance of food management skills in empowering people to keep household food waste to a minimum. Four core categories of barriers to minimising food waste were also identified: (1) a ‘good’ provider identity; (2) minimising inconvenience; (3) lack of priority; and (4) exemption from responsibility. The wish to avoid experiencing negative emotions (such as guilt, frustration, annoyance, embarrassment or regret) underpinned both the motivations and the barriers to minimising food waste. Findings thus reveal potentially conflicting personal goals which may hinder existing food waste reduction attempts

Non-Detection of Polarized, Scattered Light from the HD 189733b Hot Jupiter

Using the POLISH instrument, I am unable to reproduce the large-amplitude polarimetric observations of Berdyugina et al. (2008) to the >99.99% confidence level. I observe no significant polarimetric variability in the HD 189733 system, and the upper limit to variability from the exoplanet is Delta_P < 7.9 x 10^(-5) with 99% confidence in the 400 nm to 675 nm wavelength range. Berdyugina et al. (2008) report polarized, scattered light from the atmosphere of the HD 189733b hot Jupiter with an amplitude of two parts in 10^4. Such a large amplitude is over an order of magnitude larger than expected given a geometric albedo similar to other hot Jupiters. However, my non-detection of polarimetric variability phase-locked to the orbital period of the exoplanet, and the lack of any significant variability, shows that the polarimetric modulation reported by Berdyugina et al. (2008) cannot be due to the exoplanet.Comment: 24 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Sheep Updates 2014

This session covers nine papers from different authors: Genetic Research: A brave new world of opportunities 1. China\u27s Appetite - The implications for WA, James Kynge, Chairman, FT Confidential Research, Emerging Markets Editor, Financial Times, London. 2. The genetics warm-up - the secret language of genetic research and its impacts on WA\u27s sheep flock, Professor David Lindsay, University of Western Australia, Perth WA The strength of genetic data: is it really valuable? 3. Genetic research in Western Australia - What have the compromises in production been? Johan Greeff, Senior Geneticist, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia 4. Show me the money - the case for genetic selection, John Young, Farming Systems Analysis Service, Kojonup WA 5. Using ASBVs and Indexes, Luke Stephen, Project Officer MERINOSELECT, Sheep Genetics, Armidale NSW Concurrent 6. New traits for the sheep industry, Dr Graham Gardner, Associate Professor in Biochemistry, Toxicology and Nutrition at Murdoch University, WA 7. Genomics and DNA testing: new tools for ram breeders to accelerate gain Dr Stephen Lee, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, SA 8. Producer case study: using genetic data and tools to make a better product, Bindi Murray, Livestock Manager, Kunmallup Pastoral Co, Woodanilling WA. 9. New Sheep CRC - vision for future genetic progress, James Rowe, CEO, Sheep CRC, UNE, Armidale NS