Investigations into Cambooya’s water supply pressure with respect to local contributing bores

The following document comprises of an in-depth report of how the thesis topic of “Investigations into Cambooya’s water supply system with respect to local contributing bores” was completed. The problem and the solution are outlined in the project aims and objectives are defined. After this, background information on the topic and available literature are discussed. The literature section includes discussions on modeling software, council data and papers written in similar fields that are applicable to this thesis. A methodology for this project has been included in section 3 and defines the processes involved in collecting the required data to complete the model and completing the physical data collection activities. After the methodology section, results, discussions, recommendations and conclusions have been made. Throughout these sections it was determined that Cambooya’s current water supply network is performing adequately in accordance with SEQ Water and Sewerage Guidelines. However, at periods where groundwater levels are peaking the water pressure exceeds that which is set out in these guidelines. It was recommended that a control system should be implemented to limit the George Street Bore when required, during periods of high groundwater levels

An investigation of the heterogeneity of isolates of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae using restriction endonuclease analysis : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Microbiology at Massey University

Previous studies of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae by Restriction Endonuclease Analysis (REA) (Mew, 1982) indicated that the species shows exceptional heterogeneity as compared to other species of pathogenic Mycoplasmas. This thesis further investigates this heterogeneity. To get confirmation of the heterogeneity of M. ovipneumoniae, sixty isolates derived from three sheep on each of twenty farms, were examined by REA. All twenty independant isolates (i.e. isolates originating from sheep on different farms) gave REA patterns that were markedly different, with at most, only 5% of bands in common. Isolates from sheep on the same farm were found to be either indistinguishable, similar (i.e. at least 95% of bands in common) or markedly different (i.e. less than 5% of bands in common). Having confirmed the heterogeneity of M. ovipneumoniae isolates from sheep on different farms further study was directed at providing an explanation for this heterogeneity. The stability of the M. ovipneumoniae genome was investigated by serial passage of a multiply cloned isolate in vitro. Three REA patterns, A, B and C (pattern A was the original pattern) were observed. These pattern changes were non-random in that they were reversible. Thus it appears that an internal rearrangement system is present in M. ovipneumoniae. No non-reversed REA pattern changes were seen. It was concluded that the pattern changes seen after serial in vitro passage were minimal, and that genomic instability could not explain the heterogeneity seen in M. ovipneumoniae. Changed REA patterns must represent DNA changes which in turn may mean changes in proteins. To attempt to detect protein changes, 3 clones which showed patterns A, B and C respectively were examined by SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of total cellular proteins. No differences were detected. There remains the possibility that antigenic changes occurred which might not be demonstrable by this method. A second possible explanation for the heterogeneity seen in M. ovipneumoniae is that frequent genetic interchange between initially distinct REA strains might result in the generation of many new REA types that differ markedly from both parental strains. Three approaches were taken to investigate this possibility: 1. "Classical crosses" detected by antibiotic resistance markers. 2. Mixtures of two cultures of M. ovipneumoniae with different REA patterns were mixed and propagated together. (a) Clones were selected from a mixed culture after it had been passaged for about 30 generations and examined by REA. (b) "Presumptive recombinants", i.e. clones of M. ovipneumoniae which were resistant to two antibiotics, recovered from mixtures of singly resistant clones were examined by REA. 3. M. ovipneumoniae was examined for the presence of extrachromosomal DNA which, if present, could facilitate genetic interchange. Using these three approaches, we were unable to demonstrate genetic interchange in M. ovipneumoniae so it is unlikely that genetic interchange accounts for the considerable heterogeneity seen in the species. It was concluded that the heterogeneity seen in the species is due to the presence of a large number of strains that are genetically stable with respect to REA, which have evolved over a long time period and which are independantly maintained. We estimated the minimum number of strains of M. ovipneumoniae that must exist in a population so that when 29 independent isolates are examined, all will be different. With 95% certainty, this minimum number is 150. The possibility that at least 150 M. ovipneumoniae strains could be maintained in New Zealand was discussed. By applying general epidemiological principles to M. ovipneumoniae, we concluded that many more than 150 could be independently maintained

A grounded theory of software process improvement model adoption

This study, using a grounded theory methodology, analyzed data collected from software developers and IT professionals on software process improvement (SPI) adoption. The study is presented within a backdrop of organizational change steps described by John P. Kotter in his 1996 book, Leading Change. Software quality problems and failures have caused many financial losses, injuries, and even deaths. In the mid 1980s, as a means of mitigating these problems, the Department of Defense (DoD) and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) began work on the Capability Maturity Model (CMMRTM) In 2001, the model was superseded by a more robust model, the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMIRTM) These models were designed to provide descriptive, key process improvement areas for organizations to achieve greater maturity in their software and systems development. Organizations could then be appraised at specific maturity levels. According to CMU, SPI improves quality and reliability of software products. The DoD and several organizations now require companies to be appraised at a certain maturity level prior to being awarded a contract. From the onset, there have been difficulties in the adoption of these SPI models. Some of these difficulties can be attributed to organizational change issues. Through grounded theory analysis, a substantive theory was developed, The Theory of Software Process Improvement Model Adoption. This theory contributes to the body of knowledge by providing data and analysis from numerous IT professionals and software developers. This study also provides suggested key organizational change concerns for better SPI adoption practices

Predicting violent recidivism of treated violent offenders using the psychopathy checklist-revised and the violence risk scale

The present study compared the ability to predict violent recidivism using the PCL-R (Psychopathy Checklist-Revised) and the VRS (Violence Risk Scale). The study examined post treatment violent convictions of 60 federal offenders who had participated in a high intensity violence reduction correctional treatment program. The prediction of presence or absence of violent recidivism, and the cumulative number and rate of violent convictions at 1,2,3,4, and 5 years follow up was investigated. VRS ratings of change in risk after treatment were not found to provide a predictive improvement over VRS pre treatment ratings. Correlational, simple regression, and ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) analysis indicated that the PCL-R demonstrated a stable relationship to violent recidivism, while the VRS provided a stronger prediction of risk in the short term (i.e., 2-3 years follow up) but was generally unrelated to violent recidivism at a longer follow up period (i.e., 4-5 years follow up). It is suggested that these results reflect the static and dynamic theoretical approaches of the PCL-R and VRS, respectively. Implications of this study indicate that comprehensive file information may be necessary to assess changes in risk accurately. In addition, the differences in the predictive ability of the VRS over length of follow up suggests caution for comparison of static and dynamic risk measures in future research

Pensions, Savings and Housing: A Life-cycle Framework with Policy Simulations

The objective of the paper is to explore the saving and consumption responses of a representative household to a range of policy interventions such as changes in taxes and pension settings. To achieve this, it develops a two-period life-cycle model. The representative household maximises lifetime utility through its choice of optimal levels of consumption, housing and saving. A key feature of the approach is modelling the consumption of housing services as a separate good in retirement along with the implications for saving. Importantly, the model incorporates a government budget constraint involving a pay-as-you-go universal pension. In addition, the model allows for a compulsory private retirement savings scheme. Particular attention in the simulations is given to the potential impact on household saving rates of a range of policy changes. Typically the effect on saving rates is modest. In most instances, it would take very substantial changes in existing policy settings to induce significant increases in household saving rates

Quality Adjusting Education Sector Productivity

This article examines how quality-adjusted productivity indices for the education sector may be constructed and proposes methods for making such adjustments to basic measures of labour and multifactor productivity growth. Results highlight the need for careful measurement, showing that measures unadjusted for quality are unlikely to provide sufficiently robust signals about changes in productivity performance in the education sector on which policy advice could be built. Our evidence suggests that quality adjustment to both inputs and outputs can make substantial differences to conclusions about productivity growth trends over 2000–15 compared with unadjusted indices

Addressing Cancer Disparities Among American Indians through Innovative Technologies and Patient Navigation: The Walking Forward Experience

Purpose/Objective(s): American Indians (AIs) present with more advanced stages of cancer and, therefore, suffer from higher cancer mortality rates compared to non-AIs. Under the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Disparities Research Partnership (CDRP) Program, we have been researching methods of improving cancer treatment and outcomes since 2002, for AIs in Western South Dakota, through the Walking Forward (WF) Program. Materials/Methods: This program consists of (a) a culturally tailored patient navigation program that facilitated access to innovative clinical trials in conjunction with a comprehensive educational program encouraging screening and early detection, (b), surveys to evaluate barriers to access, (c) clinical trials focusing on reducing treatment length to facilitate enhanced participation using brachytherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for breast and prostate cancer, as AIs live a median of 140 miles from the cancer center, and (d) a molecular study (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) to address whether there is a specific profile that increases toxicity risks. Results: We describe the design and implementation of this program, summary of previously published results, and ongoing research to influence stage at presentation. Some of the critical outcomes include the successful implementation of a community-based research program, development of trust within tribal communities, identification of barriers, analysis of nearly 400 navigated cancer patients, clinical trial accrual rate of 10%, and total enrollment of nearly 2,500 AIs on WF research studies. Conclusion: This NCI funded pilot program has achieved some initial measures of success. A research infrastructure has been created in a community setting to address new research questions and interventions. Efforts underway to promote cancer education and screening are presented, as well as applications of the lessons learned to other health disparity populations – both nationally and internationally

Decision rules for the automated generation of storage strategies in data management systems

Thesis. 1975. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Alfred P. Sloan School of Management.Bibliography: leaves 152-155.by Grant N Smith.M.S

Calculation of Effective Coulomb Interaction for Pr3+Pr^{3+}, U4+U^{4+}, and UPt3UPt_3

In this paper, the Slater integrals for a screened Coulomb interaction of the the Yukawa form are calculated and by fitting the Thomas-Fermi wavevector, good agreement is obtained with experiment for the multiplet spectra of $Pr^{3+}$ and $U^{4+}$ ions. Moreover, a predicted multiplet spectrum for the heavy fermion superconductor $UPt_3$ is shown with a calculated Coulomb U of 1.6 eV. These effective Coulomb interactions, which are quite simple to calculate, should be useful inputs to further many-body calculations in correlated electron metals.Comment: 8 pages, revtex, 3 uuencoded postscript figure