Plant composition of three woodland communities of variable condition in the western Riverina, New South Wales, Australia

We examined differences in floristics among three regionally-threatened woodland communities in the western Riverina: Blackbox (Eucalyptus largiflorens), Bimble box-Pine (Eucalyptus populnea-Callitris glaucophylla) and Boree (Acacia pendula) between 2001 and 2004. Our aim was to examine possible relationships between the diversity and biomass of groundstorey vegetation, and remnant condition and rainfall both among communities and across years. The three woodland communities varied widely in their plant species composition, with only 22% of the 358 species common to all communities. Seven species, mainly exotic grasses and forbs, contributed 25% of the total cover across all sites and times. Blackbox communities had the greatest number of exotic and annual species. There were poor relationships between condition and diversity, richness, evenness or abundance of groundstorey plant species within 400 m2 quadrats. Overall, sites in better condition tended to support a greater cover of native plants and a lower cover of exotic plants (Blackbox only). There were only weak relationships between rainfall and biomass. The marked variation in species diversity in relation to changing seasonal conditions and within similar condition classes highlights the difficulties of developing benchmarks for separating the effects of management, and seasonal and longer-term climate change

Independent regulation of P53 stabilisation and activation after Rb deletion in primary epithelial cells

We have previously reported that deletion of the retinoblastoma gene Rb leads to rapid but transient p53 stabilisation. We investigated here the pathways involved. We show that upon Rb-deletion dysregulated E2F activates p19(ARF) expression that localises in the nucleoli. There it interacts with MDM2, leading to P53 stabilisation. At the same time, ATR is activated, activating CHK1 that may phosphorylate P53 but also contribute to inhibition of MnSOD expression leading to accumulation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and subsequent DNA injury, which in turn maintains ATR/CHK1 activated. However, from 72 h after Rb deletion, NPM interacts with P19ARF and concomitantly the interaction between p19(ARF) and MDM2 decreases leading to a return to P53 degradation. This occurs despite the persistence of the DNA damage response pathways. We therefore observe in primary cells not subjected to exogenous gene expression or exogenous DNA damaging treatment, activation of 2 concomitant pathways of activation of P53 that are dealt with in independent manner: an oncogenic pathway with rapid activation of ARF which is 'switched off' downstream of p19(ARF) activation after 72 h of induction and a DNA damage response pathway keeping a low level of transcriptionally active P53 sufficient to deal with a physiological elevation of oxidative DNA injury. A possible connection between the two pathways is discussed.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Pencarrow

This submission is in two parts. The first, an exegesis, sets my creative work in its literary, stylistic and social context. The second and main part of this submission is the first draft of a novel, Pencarrow, which I wrote over the course of last year. The exegesis explores ideas of differing perspectives on grief and loss, shifting cultural and gender perspectives of the late 1960’s New Zealand, the idea of banishment and a unification of ancient beliefs of both Māori and Pakeha. It also discusses how these ideas are linked with an overarching emergence of identity and growth for the main characters. Explored in the exegesis is the presence from that ‘Other Place,’ in Pencarrow and how it is used to achieve some unity and depth to all of the ideas listed above. Discussed also is my a voyage of discovery as writer, gradually departing from my original intention to use magic realism as a tool for storytelling and moving toward an allegorical use of metaphor within a broader framework of what in literary fields is termed realism. The novel is set in New Zealand, predominantly in the year 1969, but with flashbacks to the previous year and earlier era’s in New Zealand’s history. The novel is written in third person subjective with shifting points of view

Error Analyses and the Cognitive or Linguistic Influences on Children’s Spelling: Comparisons Between First- and Second-Language Learners

A collection of cognitive, linguistic, and spelling measures were administered to third- grade English L1 and L2 learners. To capture formative assessments of children’s developing mental graphemic representations (MGRs), spelling errors in isolation were subjected to analysis across three metrics: (1) Phonological constrained; (2) Visual- Orthographic; and (3) Correct Letter Sequences. There were no group differences on the cognitive or spelling accuracy measures, but L1 learners achieved higher scores than L2 on linguistic measures of vocabulary and syntactic knowledge. Analyses across the spelling metrics indicated that both L1 and L2 learners drew more heavily on their knowledge of graphophonemic rules and positional constraints in pronunciation for spelling. However, the contribution of underlying cognitive and linguistic resources to spelling differed as a function of scoring system and language group. Across spelling metrics, linguistic predictors (vocabulary and syntactic knowledge) accounted for more variance in L1 than L2 learners. The results are discussed in relation to conceptualization of spelling as an integral link between oral and written language in literacy development.Une série de mesures cognitives, linguistiques et orthographiques ont été administrées à des élèves de troisième année qui étaient des monolingues anglais (L1) ou des apprenants de langue anglaise (L2). Afin de procéder à des évaluations formatives du développement des représentations graphémiques mentales (RGM) des enfants, les erreurs orthographiques isolées ont été analysées selon trois métriques : (1) contraintes phonologiques ; (2) visuelle-orthographique ; et (3) séquences de lettres correctes. Il n'y avait pas de différences entre les groupes concernant les mesures cognitives ainsi que les mesures de précision orthographique, mais les apprenants L1 ont obtenu des scores plus élevés que les L2 dans les mesures linguistiques du vocabulaire et des connaissances syntaxiques. Des analyses des métriques d'orthographe ont indiqué que les apprenants L1 et L2 s'appuyaient davantage sur leur connaissance des règles graphophonémiques et des contraintes positionnelles de la prononciation pour l'orthographe. Cependant, la contribution de ressources sous-jacentes cognitives et linguistiques à l’orthographe différait en fonction du système de notation et du groupe linguistique. Parmi toutes les métriques d’orthographe, les prédicteurs linguistiques (vocabulaire et connaissances syntaxiques) représentaient plus de variance chez les apprenants de L1 que chez les L2. Les résultats sont discutés en relation avec la conceptualisation de l'orthographe en tant que lien intégral entre le langage oral et écrit chez le développement de l'alphabétisation

Hepatitis B virus infection in the South Pacific : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Massey University

An exploratory study into the genetics of the hepatitis B virus and its human host in the South Pacific was undertaken to determine direction for future research. This virus is a serious health concern, especially for the indigenous people of this region. The DNA sequence of 14 complete and 2 partial virus genomes were obtained. The viral sequence mutations were investigated and compared with a collected database and current literature. Phylogenetic analysis of the viral sequences was carried out using version 4.64 of PAUP* and SplitsTree. Using the new sensitive method of sequence based typing, HLA-DPA1 allele's were typed in 51 unrelated Trobriand Islanders. The viral genomes displayed a great deal of variation with many interesting mutations. The results highlight the affect of quasi-species distribution within a host. Phylogenetic analysis identified two hepatitis B genotypes within the South Pacific, HBV-C and HBV-D. However, the genotype common in northern Europe (HBV-A) was not found. The phylogenetic analysis presented a pattern of evolution that resembled that of its human host. The Trobriand Islanders were found to be an extremely homogeneous population, with 86% homogenous for the HLA- DPA1*02022 allele. The study proved to be very informative, providing the directions of research we aimed for. The Hepatitis B samples demonstrated an interesting pattern of evolution that parallels that of its host supporting a co-evolutionary relationship between host and pathogen, thus hepatitis B appears to be indigenous in the South Pacific. We are presently establishing research to further investigate this pattern by analysing viral samples from Fiji. We have also established research that will investigate the rate of evolution of this virus. The sequenced based typing method proved to be very informative with the ability to detect new alleles. The allele frequency obtained from the Trobriand Islanders agreed with concurrent research and supports the fast-train model of migration into the Pacific. Further work in Fiji will continue with this theme of research as genetic analysis of Fiji has proved to be more complex

"Love is Eloquence": Richard Crashaw and the Development of a Discourse of Divine Love

My thesis takes as its subject the poetry of Richard Crashaw. Crashaw aims to represent a mutual relationship of love between God and humanity, which is modelled on the discourses of earthly, erotic love. However, such a relationship, and its expression is highly problematic. Love, and this kind of mutuality are best expressed through suffering. This paradox is central to my thesis. The dissertation falls into three parts which discuss the early , middle and late periods of his life and writing. Section One: Epigrammata Sacra. In these epigrams, Crashaw attempted to forge a language in which to express his love of God. He adapted the conventions of Latin erotic poetry to represent sacred love. The first two chapters discuss Ovid and Prudentius who were important influences on Crashaw since they both adapted the language of Classical Latin poetry for their own purposes. Ovid used the language of Augustan public rituals to write erotic poetry. Prudentius also strove to adapt the language of Roman poetry to the Christian purpose of celebrating the sufferings of the manyrs. Since Crashaw also explores the way in which wounding can aid communication between humanity and God, Prudentius was also an imponant model for this aspect of his poetry. Section Two: Steps to the Temple (1646). The first chapter concerns Counter Reformation meditational writers. Louis Manz contends that such writers were highly influential on English Renaissance poetry. This chapter investigates their views of divine love and how humanity may achieve it. In Steps to the Temple , Crashaw celebrates those who, like St. Teresa, have achieved communion with God, but seems himself to require an intermediate agency through which to communicate his love for the divine. The poems discussed in this section were probably written in the 1630s and 1640s, while Crashaw was resident in Cambridge. The final chapter discusses the political and religious debates of the 1640s and argues that what some critics perceive as Crashaw's 'foreign' sensibility may be a reflection of the views of the 'Beauty of Holiness' movement. Section Three: Steps to the Temple (1648) and Carmen Deo Nostro. Crashaw fled to Europe in 1643 and convened to Catholicism. The two later editions of his poetry, published after his exile from England, contain several new poems and revisions of earlier ones. Poems in hymn form , appear for the first time in the 1648 edition of Steps to the Temple. These are full of images of pain and wounding. The opening chapter compares Crashaw's discussions of religious suffering with those of contemporary poets. The work of his close friend and coUeague at Peterhouse, Joseph Beaumont, is particularly va1uable, since his language and style are very similar to Crashaw's. Beaumont's poetry also offers an insight into the life of Laudians who remained in England during the Interregnum. Hymns of the Church were associated with Catholic ritual. The second chapter considers whether there is any evidence that these poems were written after Crashaw's conversion, and whether they exhibit any change of sensibility as a result . An account of Crashaw's years of exile contends that he may have encountered Catholic thought while still in England. Critics have assumed that once he convened, and particularly once he anived in Rome, he was finally content and at peace with God. I argue, however, there is no evidence for this view, and that Crashaw remained an excluded exile whose sense of isolation found expression in his poetry

Effect of vasopressin 1b receptor blockade on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal response of chronically stressed rats to a heterotypic stressor

Exposure to chronic restraint (CR) modifies the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis response to subsequent acute stressors with adaptation of the response to a homotypic and sensitization of the response to a heterotypic stressor. Since vasopressin (AVP) activity has been reported to change during chronic stress, we investigated whether this was an important factor in HPA facilitation. We therefore tested whether vasopressin 1b receptor (AVPR1B) blockade altered the ACTH and corticosterone response to heterotypic stressors following CR stress. Adult male rats were exposed to CR, single restraint, or were left undisturbed in the home cage. Twenty-four hours after the last restraint, rats were injected with either a AVPR1B antagonist (Org, 30 mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle (5% mulgofen in saline, 0.2/kg, s.c.) and then exposed to either restraint, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or white noise. CR resulted in the adaptation of the ACTH and corticosterone response to restraint and this effect was not prevented by pretreatment with Org. Although we found no effect of CR on LPS-induced ACTH and corticosterone secretion, both repeated and single episodes of restraint induced the sensitization of the ACTH, but not corticosterone response to acute noise. Pretreatment with Org reduced the exaggerated ACTH response to noise after both single and repeated exposure to restraint

Attentional windowing in David Foster Wallace’s ‘The Soul Is Not a Smithy’

is is the first book to present an account of literary meaning and effects drawing on our best understanding of mind and language in the form of a Cognitive Grammar. e contributors provide exemplary analyses of a range of literature from science fiction, dystopia, absurdism and graphic novels to the poetry of Wordsworth, Hopkins, Sassoon, Balassi, and Dylan omas, as well as Shakespeare, Chaucer, Barrett Browning, Whitman, Owen and others. e application of Cognitive Grammar allows the discussion of meaning, translation, ambience, action, reflection, multimodality, empathy, experience and literariness itself to be conducted in newly valid ways. With a Foreword by the creator of Cognitive Grammar, Ronald Langacker, and an Aerword by the cognitive scientist Todd Oakley, the book represents the latest advance in literary linguistics, cognitive poetics and literary critical practic

Breast cancer risk and imprinting methylation in blood

Date of Acceptance: 17/08/2015 Acknowledgements This study was supported by the Breast Cancer Campaign (2008MayPR46) and Fraserburgh Moonlight Prowl Breast Cancer Charity. PH, GH and GWH acknowledge the support of the Scottish Government. We would like to thank Val Bain and Michela Donnarumma for help with the data and sample collection.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Professional Identity of Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Students

Throughout the development of an individual, their identity, or how they see themselves, frequently changes. An important part of identity formation in adolescents is the development of professional identity, which is how they perceive themselves in a professional context. The establishment of a strong professional identity has been linked to life satisfaction, psychological well-being and success in one’s chosen career. The aim of this study was to identify the extent of professional identity development in second year undergraduate occupational therapy students. As part of an assessment task, students were asked to describe why they chose occupational therapy, how they saw themselves as occupational therapists, and to describe their role models. A thematic analysis of consenting students’ (n=59) responses was performed and each student ranked based on the strength of their professional identity. The results indicated that the stage of professional identity development of second year occupational therapy students varied considerably, despite them being at the same stage of their program. A quarter of students had advanced professional identity, while almost two-thirds were still developing. Students also provided detailed insights regarding the factors influencing their professional identity. Students with strong, positive influences regarding their choice to study occupational therapy were likely to have strong role models. Given its impact on well-being and career success, it is essential to identify students who may be at risk of poor professional identity. The methods developed here could be used to identify such students and to evaluate the success of educational interventions aimed at them