Investigation of genetic changes in inoculant strains of Rhizobium trifolii isolated from the soil : a thesis presented in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Microbiology at Massey University

Information about the fate of plant inoculating strains of Rhizobium trifolii entering the soil environment is incomplete. It is known that inoculating strains must compete with existing adapted strains, if such are present. It is not known whether or not the introduced strains can adapt to soil conditions. Strains of the white clover (Trifolium repens) symbiont, R. trifolii, were isolated from plants growing as a result of sowing virgin soil with bacteria-coated seed. Rhizobium bacteria were isolated from one nodule on each randomly chosen plant at two and then six months after sowing. Three different methods were used to type the isolated strains because of the importance of distinguishing between derivatives of the inoculant (R. trifolii #2668) and adapted rhizobia immigrating from adjacent pastures. Gel diffusion identification of antigens showed that all strains reacted positively to anti-2668 serum, although the response was not identical for all strains. The determination of intrinsic antibiotic resistance patterns showed that low level resistances were accumulating in a non-random manner as time progressed. Initial isolates showed the same pattern as 2668. Restriction endonuclease analysis of the isolated strains showed them all to have a high degree of similarity to 2668, with a few being identical in pattern. This was despite alterations in numbers and sizes of plasmids (as compared to those in 2668) seen in these isolates. A nif gene probe of a plasmid profile showed that several strains had alterations in the size and number of bands which would hybridize, as compared to 2668. The field isolated strains had gained the ability to produce a broad range bacteriocin-like inhibitor. Conjugation experiments between R. trifolii #0/18 and E. coli HB101 showed that this inhibitor was transferable to and expressable by the E. coli, strain. This suggests the existence of a broad host range replicon in the field isolates which either carries or mobilizes this function

Unlocking the potential of public sector information with Semantic Web technology

Governments often hold very rich data and whilst much of this information is published and available for re-use by others, it is often trapped by poor data structures, locked up in legacy data formats or in fragmented databases. One of the great benefits that Semantic Web (SW) technology offers is facilitating the large scale integration and sharing of distributed data sources. At the heart of information policy in the UK, the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) is the part of the UK government charged with enabling the greater re-use of public sector information. This paper describes the actions, findings, and lessons learnt from a pilot study, involving several parts of government and the public sector. The aim was to show to government how they can adopt SW technology for the dissemination, sharing and use of its data

"The land with the midas touch": British perceptions of New Zealand, 1935-1979

For many British commentators, especially on the social democratic left, mid-century New Zealand, or at least its ‘settler’ population, was a society with much to admire – particularly in the field of social policy. British Labour Party leaders looked enviously at, for example, the Dominion’s 1938 Social Security Act, legislation which significantly added to the provision of state-backed health care and social security for New Zealanders. This was seen as building on earlier reforms which had established New Zealand’s reputation as a ‘social laboratory’, a key component of the Dominion’s sense of identity. In addition, the very fact of its Commonwealth membership made the potential transfer of its practices to the ‘motherland’ all the more viable. New Zealand was thus a key participant in the transnational exchange of ideas about social welfare which characterized the era. But after the Second World War doubts began to spread, both inside and outside of New Zealand. These were focused on, for instance, a purportedly ossified political system and concerns over the absence of a broadly-based intellectual culture. From being a ‘social laboratory’ which could be fruitfully emulated, New Zealand became an example of a society in which a lack of vision and foresight could prove highly problematic

A path-independent approach to integrated variance under the CEV model

In this paper, a closed form path-independent approximation of the fair variance strike for a variance swap under the constant elasticity of variance (CEV) model is obtained by applying the small disturbance asymptotic expansion. The realized variance is sampled continuously in a risk-neutral market environment. With the application of a Brownian bridge, we derive a theorem for the conditionally expected product of a Brownian motion at two different times for arbitrary powers. This theorem enables us to provide a conditional Monte-Carlo scheme for simulating the fair variance strike. Compared with results in the recent literature, the method outlined in our paper leads to a simplified approach for pricing variance swaps. The method may also be applied to other more sophisticated volatility derivatives. An empirical comparison of this model with the Heston model and a conditional Monte Carlo scheme is also presented using option data on the S&P 500

Folklore as a Special Form of Creation

Papers. With an introduction by Felix J. Oinas

Quantum Light with Quantum Dots in III-V Photonic Integrated Circuits: Towards Scalable Quantum Computing Architectures

The work in this thesis is motivated by the goal of creating scalable quantum computers, and equally by the physical understanding that develops alongside and follows from this. The fields of physics and technology are symbiotic, and quantum information processing is a prime example. The field has the potential to test quantum mechanics in new and profound ways. Here we approach the technological problem by building upon the foundations laid by the semiconductor chip manufacturing industry. This architecture is based on the III-V semiconductors Gallium Arsenide and Indium Arsenide. Combining the two we can create chip-embedded atom-like light sources -- quantum dots -- that can produce quantum photonic states in lithographically etched nanoscale waveguides and cavities. We demonstrate the integration of quantum light sources and single-mode beam splitters in the same on-chip device. These are the two primary ingredients that are needed to produce the entangled states that are the basis of this type of quantum computing. Next we look at the quantum light source in more detail, showing that with cavity-enhancement we can significantly mitigate the detrimental dephasing associated with nanostructures. The source can be used as a means to produce coherently scattered photons in the waveguides. More importantly, the on-demand photons obtained from pulsed excitation are more indistinguishable and thus more suitable for quantum information carrying and processing. Through experiments and simulations, we investigate some aspects of single-photon sources under pulsed excitation, including emission rate, emission number probabilities, and indistinguishability. A new technique to measure very short lifetimes is demonstrated and examined theoretically. Finally we look at preliminary steps to extend the platform further. The inclusion of photonic crystals and superconducting nanowires provides on-chip filters and detectors, and etched diode structures enable electrical excitation and tunability of the circuit components. These show some clear paths that the work can continue to evolve along

A mixed methods study evaluating the perceptions of teacher educators in Myanmar of training that they have received which was funded by international development agencies - a postcolonial analysis.

A mixed methods study evaluating the perceptions of teacher educators in Myanmar of training that they have received which was funded by international development agencies - a Postcolonial analysis (Author: John O’Hara). The intention of this Mixed Methods study was to engage with teacher educators (TEs) in Myanmar to give them the opportunity to evaluate training that they received which was funded and provided within the Education and Development sector, using the English for Education College Trainers (EfECT) project as an instrumental case study, and to discuss these opinions using Postcolonial theory. Prior to the 2021 Coup, Myanmar was undergoing an era of educational reform. The Education and Development sector, which is underpinned by the theories of Human Capital Theory and Democratisation, had a significant influence in this reform (NESP 2015; Maber et al. 2019; UNESCO 2016; Borg et al. 2018). The educational context of Myanmar is one which is characterised by the historical Royal and Religious provision of education, an era of colonial rule, and a troubled era of independence, dominated by the military (Maber et al. 2019; Lwin 2000; Myanmar EGRESS 2015). In relation to teacher education colleges, this has led to a situation whereby classes are large, the infrastructure is inadequate, the dominant pedagogy is teacher centred and the conceptualisation of the relationship between teachers and learners is rigid and hierarchical (Borg et al. 2018; British Council 2015; Hardman et al. 2016). While, it seems that the underlying theories that underpin the Education and Development sector converged with the interests and opinions of the TEs e.g., in relation to making classes more engaging, and developing 21st century skills, there were also clear divergences, e.g., infrastructural, structural and historical/cultural obstacles and considerations. The purpose of this thesis is to explore these convergences and divergences

A public communication system

Report: 55, [6] p., digital fileA study of the use of the new communications technology by government to enhance citizen participation and increase program effectiveness.Government of Ontario, Committee on Government Productivity; Institute of Urban Studie