Phenotypic examination of variation occurring both among families and among genotypes within a T. repens x (T. ambiguum x T. occidentale) BC₁F₂ hybrid population : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Plant Breeding at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Development of white clover cultivars with increased vegetative persistence, particularly in dryland farming systems has been a major goal within breeding programmes, however little useful genetic variation for survival and growth in these environments has been found. Consequently, it has become necessary to look towards white clovers wild relatives as sources of genetic variation. T. repens x (T. ambiguum x T. occidentale) tri-species hybrids have been developed, however, their morphologies have not been evaluated, and little is known about optimal breeding strategies in these populations. An experiment was designed to characterise the magnitude of phenotypic variation for a range of root, shoot, and floral traits, and to ascertain optimal breeding strategies within a T. repens x (T. ambiguum x T. occidentale) BC1F2 hybrid plant population. The experiment was designed such that it could be analysed in two ways; a) Investigated levels of phenotypic variation occurring among hybrid families, compared to representatives of their F1 parents b) Investigated levels of phenotypic variation among individual hybrid genotypes, again compared to representatives of their F1 parents. Analysis (a) found a relative lack of among hybrid family variation. With significant (P<0.05) family variance components for 11 of the 18 traits measured, and generally only occurring between the upper and lower extremes. Repeatability estimates on a family mean basis were low (less than 0.51 for all traits). Analysis (b) found significant (P<0.05) genotypic variance components for all of the traits measured. Repeatability estimates ranged from 0.47-0.88, indicating a relatively high level of genetic determination for the majority of traits. Pattern analysis allowed the identification of hybrid genotypes showing the combined expression of key shoot, and root traits. These genotypes may provide a route to hybrid clover cultivars showing increased vegetative persistence via increased nodal and tap-root size, combined with good dry matter production

Digital Eyewear in Cardiology-Looking Forward

Non peer reviewedPublisher PD

Multimedia repositories in learning and teaching – lessons from the MIDESS Project

The MIDESS project brought together 4 UK universities to explore the management of digitised content through the development of a digital repository infrastructure. The project focused on multimedia materials in particular and looked at how support can be provided for their use in a learning and research context and how resources can be shared both within and between institutions. Three repositories were implemented, using Fedora, DSpace and Digitool respectively. Material suitable for ingest was identified and the dialogue with academic partners in each institution helped clarify not only the complexity of the interactions required but also the value of the repository in supporting learning, teaching and research. Having established a repository platform within each institution, the project then explored how multimedia content could be exchanged and shared between the repositories, using OAI-PMH and METS as transport mechanisms. This paper will summarise the project’s main findings. In particular, it will address how a multimedia repository might fit into the information architecture of the university, the likely requirements for integration into an inter-institutional or national framework and some of the obstacles which can impede such integration. Scenarios will be presented illustrating how student learning can benefit from such a repository within a research-intensive university and the relationship between the repository and the VLE will be discussed

Pharmacotherapeutic aspects of dementia care in Malta

Dementia is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of old age affecting one percent of the local general population. It is a major predictor of morbidity and mortality in the elderly, adding a significant burden on health and social care systems across Europe. The financial impact of caring for individuals with dementia is considerable and progressive loss of cognitive function does not only pose challenges to the patients but also adds significant strain on the well-being of caregivers and family members. Although no cure is available, disease progression can be delayed by early intervention and by the use of pharmacotherapeutic agents that interfere with central neurotransmitter systems involved in cognitive processes. This review presents current trends in pharmacotherapeutic intervention in dementia care together with caregiver perceptions on treatment expectations in Malta.peer-reviewe

Improved description and monitoring of near surface hazardous infiltrate complexes by shear waves for effective containment reponse

Among numerous causes of fluid releases and infiltration in near surface, resurgence in such anthropic activities associated with unconventional resource developments have brought about a resounding concern. Apart from the risk of an immediate chemical hazard, a long term possible recurrent geo-environmental risk since can also be envisaged as for various prevalent stake holders and broader initiatives. Urgency and exactness for spatiotemporal containment and remediation promotes the devising of efficient methods for monitoring near subsurface flow complexes caused by such spills. Swave (Shear waves) spectral imaging results, in relevant context, of a controlled immiscible fluid displacement monitoring experimental study are analysed and inferred. Against the prospective method as well evaluated, Swave diffraction associated spectral peculiarities are examined, importantly, given background medium characteristics definitions invoking fresh insights of microscale significance alongside macroscale potential

Persistence of UK Real Estate returns: a Markov chain analysis

The persistence of investment performance is a topic of perennial interest to investors. Efficient Markets theory tells us that past performance can not be used to predict future performance yet investors appear to be influenced by the historical performance in making their investment allocation decisions. The problem has been of particular interest to investors in real estate; not least because reported returns from investment in real estate are serially correlated thus implying some persistence in investment performance. This paper applies the established approach of Markov Chain analysis to investigate the relationship between past and present performance of UK real estate over the period 1981 to 1996. The data are analysed by sector, region and size. Furthermore some variations in investment performance classification are reported and the results are shown to be robust