Embryo metabolism : what does it really mean?

The study of early embryo metabolism has fascinated researchers in the field for nearly a century. Herein, we give a brief account of the general features of embryo metabolism and some consideration of the research performed to reach such conclusions. It is becoming increasingly obvious that metabolism informs many fate decisions and outcomes beyond ATP generation, such as DNA methylation, Reactive Oxygen Species generation and cell signaling. We discuss the reasons for studying metabolism in the face of our current knowledge of the effect that the culture environment on the developing embryo and the downstream effects that can cause. The study of in vitro embryo metabolism can also give us insight into developmental perturbations in vivo. The strengths and limitations of the methods we use to study metabolism are reviewed with reference to species-specific fundamental biology and plasticity and we discuss what the future holds for metabolic studies and the unanswered questions that remain

Investigating openability of rigid plastic containers with peelable lids : the link between human strength and grip and opening forces

As society ages there is a growing need to understand issues surrounding declining user capabilities. One such area has been accessibility of packaging by older people. To date much of the current research in this area has focused on measuring strength of older people and analysing the force needed to open various pack formats and has largely concentrated on accessibility of jam or sauce jars. However, a survey by 'Yours' magazine indicated that problems with thin film pack forms and peelable packaging was also an issue for older people. Hence the authors undertook a small-scale study to understand the issues surrounding accessing a rigid plastic container with a peelable lid. To that end the authors built a bespoke measuring device to measure container peeling forces, measured finger friction between pack and finger and undertook an observational analysis on 60 users accessing packaging of this type. Results indicated that the force needed to open containers of this type is lower than measured user forces including older people and it is therefore likely that the issues surrounding accessibility of this type of pack format are related to dexterity not strength. However, the authors also showed that this can be affected by context of use in that oily fingers could reduce the friction coefficient between finger and pack such that older people may not have sufficient strength to open packs of this type

A geometric characterization of a sharp Hardy inequality

In this paper, we prove that the distance function of an open connected set in $\mathbb R^{n+1}$ with a $C^{2}$ boundary is superharmonic in the distribution sense if and only if the boundary is {\em weakly mean convex}. We then prove that Hardy inequalities with a sharp constant hold on {weakly mean convex} $C^{2}$ domains. Moreover, we show that the {weakly mean convexity} condition cannot be weakened. We also prove various improved Hardy inequalities on mean convex domains along the line of Brezis-Marcus \cite{BM}.Comment: The results were improved to $C^2$ domain

Circular 73

An assessment of Growth of Infrastructure Booms have been a common element in the development of frontier areas in the 19th and 20th centuries. Most commonly, the booms have been associated with resource development such as the mineral booms of the western United States. Booms usually involve some type of dramatic short- term change which has wide-ranging implications (Gilmore, 1976). Since the arrival of the Russians in Alaska, six major booms have occurred: furs, whales, salmon, minerals, military, and petroleum. Each of these booms has, to some degree, created changes in the landscape of Alaska, in particular, the infrastructural base, which in turn has facilitated subsequent development, either another major boom, or a smaller development. For example, agricultural development has been enhanced by mineral, military, and petroleum booms in Alaska. The cumulative impact on infrastructure of more than one boom, or multibooms, as it is referred to here, is the focus of this paper. One problem encountered in studying booms is that there is no general agreement on what constitutes a boom. Detailed studies of booms in communities such as Dixon’s (1978) analysis of Fairbanks and Gilmore’s multi-community work in the Great Plains—Rocky •mountain regions, contained no specific definition of the term “boom”. Yet it was clear in each study that something dramatic had occurred. More general historical studies of the Western mineral bonanzas (Greever, 1963) or the Klondike gold rush (Berton, 1958) likewise suggest a number of factors such as population rise, influx of money, resource extraction, and infrastructure expansion. But in each case, there is no specific factor or define rate of something that specifically qualifies a time period as a boom. In this study, we are concerned with dramatic change of events which have had a major impact on the geographic landscape of an area, As a framework for the initial study, we review those events which have been given attention as boom-type activities in the historical literature of Alaska (Rogers, 1962; Naske and Slotnick, 1987)

Sediment accumulation and sedimentary diatom abundance on the continental shelf of central California

This thesis consists of two papers that examine the sedimentation history of the continental shelf of the Central California coast. The first paper is the outcome of a collaborative project between the U.S. Geological Survey and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. It examines the implications of sediment accumulation rates that are based on profiles of ²¹â°Pb and other short-lived radioisotopes that were measured in sediment cores. This first paper documents the rate of sediment accumulation on a 100-year time scale on the continental shelf, between Pacifica and Monterey. The second paper examines 150cm-long sediment core for evidence of changes in primary productivity in Monterey Bay. Findings from the first paper were used to choose the site of the core that is examined in the second paper. This core comes from a flat part of the shelf in the center of Monterey Bay, at a location where sedimentation is thought to be sufficiently rapid to preserve diatoms and photosynthetic pigments before they are destroyed diagenetically. In the second paper, the abundance of certain diatoms are examined along with supporting data in order to determine if diatom productivity in Monterey Bay has changed significantly over the last 170 years. The abundance of key diatoms such as Chaetoceros sp and Thalassionema nitzschioieds varies significantly with depth. Sedimentary concentrations of Phaeophorbide-a, a decay product of cholorophyll-a, vary significantly with depth in the core. Profiles of phaeophorbide-a and total diatom abundance are similar in shape. Profiles organic carbon and sediment texture show only minor variations. The Pb-210 profile of this core indicates an anomalous sedimentation history. Subsequently, the age control for this core is uncertain

A criterion referenced analysis and evaluation of the processes involved in formulating a Māori language regeneration strategy for Whakamārama marae

The quality of the processes involved in language regeneration strategy formation is critical to the creation of an effective language regeneration strategy and this, in turn, is critical to the achievement of successful language regeneration outcomes. The overall aim of this research project was to evaluate, using a range of effectiveness criteria, the processes involved in the creation of a marae-based te reo Māori regeneration strategy in the hope that others involved in similar projects in the future would benefit and in the hope that the Whakamārama whānau will themselves derive benefit from it in reviewing what has already been achieved. In Chapter 1, the background to the research project and its rationale are outlined and the research questions and research methods are introduced. Chapter 2 provides a critical review of selected literature in the area of strategic planning aspects of language regeneration and relevant aspects of mātauranga Māori. Using an ethnographic approach, the processes and immediate outcomes (in terms of a survey report and a regeneration plan for Whakamārama marae) of the language regeneration project are outlined in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4, effectiveness criteria are derived on the basis of the literature review in Chapter 2. These include criteria relating to leadership, participation, Kaupapa Māori values, environmental analysis and outcomes. The criteria are then applied to the analysis and evaluation of the processes and outcomes outlined in Chapter 3 in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The overall conclusion is that Whakamārama's language regeneration activities to date can be regarded as successful in many ways, including the fact that they have resulted in the production of high quality documentation that is widely appreciated by the whānau in the form of a maraebased language survey and a marae-based te reo Māori regeneration plan. Working voluntarily and often under difficult circumstances, core group members demonstrated that they possessed the essential characteristics of commitment, motivation and determination, in addition to the willingness and ability to use existing skills and knowledge effectively and to develop further skills and knowledge as the project proceeded. Perhaps most important, they developed a caring and effective working culture. However, the weaknesses of the project included a lack of preparation and planning prior to the commencement of the project which resulted in a build up of work at a number of stages. This, in turn, lead to delays in producing outcomes and some loss of momentum. It also led, indirectly, to the views of two or three members of the core group being overrepresented in the reo plan goals. The information and analysis provided here have relevance to any language community involved in micro-level language regeneration activities of a similar type. It is hoped therefore that this thesis may help others to not only avoid the problems experienced by the Whakamārama whānau but also to benefit from their successes

Houseshold Finance Case: Statutory Review of Discretionary Power to License

The recent case of Household Finance Co. v. State involves judicial review of a discretionary power to issue small loan licenses; but the language used by the court is of such breadth that the entire field of judicial review of administrative licensing must be re-examined. The plaintiff (Household Finance Co.) desired to open small loan agencies in Seattle and Vancouver. In compliance with statute, it made application to the Supervisor of Banks for the necessary licenses, but the application was denied. In accordance with statutory procedure, the superior court of Thurston County held a trial de novo. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court decided that the only question on which a decision could be rendered was whether the Supervisor had been arbitrary and capricious in rejecting the application and sustained his denial of the license. In affirming the trial court, the Supreme Court held that the regulation of small loan agencies is a legislative exercise of the police power. The statute confers discretionary power on the Supervisor and it is within the limits of that discretionary power for him to refuse licenses when he finds that the local demand for service is insufficient. Therefore, review de novo of this function would be an unconstitutional exercise of legislative power by the judiciary. When the denial of a license is not arbitrary and capricious, the decision of the Supervisor must stand

The Application of Critical Discourse Theory: A Criterion-Referenced Analysis of Reports Relating to Language Revitalisation in Australia and New Zealand

The discipline of language policy and planning (LPP) is often proposed as a viable tool for language revitalisation. However, the conventional paradigm upon which LPP is based is inadequate for such an inherently political, contentious and problematic area of social policy, and does not address the hegemonic and counter-hegemonic discourse that is at the very core of language revitalisation efforts. It is therefore argued here that LPP needs to be explicitly underpinned by critical discourse theory (CDT) if it is to be of genuine use to those involved in language revitalisation efforts, particularly to grass roots language activists. Following an introductory chapter which provides a background to the research and a rationale for it (Chapter 1), there is a critical review of selected literature on LPP and CDT, a review which ends by proposing a list of criteria which, it is argued, can be used to determine the extent to which discourse that is intended to be counter-hegemonic adheres to the principles of effective counter-hegemonic discourse as outlined in the literature on CDT (Chapter 2). In the following three chapters (Chapters 3, 4 & 5), these criteria are applied to the analysis of three recent reports that have a direct bearing on indigenous language revitalisation in Australia (Our Land Our Languages) and New Zealand (Ko Aotearoa Tēnei and Te Reo Mauriora). The first of these reports is found to adhere very closely to the criteria; the second less so; the third almost not at all. The different ways in which each of these reports has been received would tend to support the hypothesis that, other things being equal, the more closely a text of this type conforms to the criteria - that is, the more closely it is aligned to the fundamental principles of effective counter-hegemonic discourse as outlined in CDT - the more likely it is to be positively received and, therefore, to represent an effective challenge to the existing hegemony. The overall conclusion is that CDT can not only assist language activists by providing a basis for determining how successful counter-hegemonic discourse is likely to be in achieving its aims but has the potential to provide LPP with a secure theoretical foundation (Chapter 6)