Automation of pollen analysis using a computer microscope : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering at Massey University

The classification and counting of pollen is an important tool in the understanding of processes in agriculture, forestry, medicine and ecology. Current pollen analysis methods are manual, require expert operators, and are time consuming. Significant research has been carried out into the automation of pollen analysis, however that work has mostly been limited to the classification of pollen. This thesis considers the problem of automating the classification and counting of pollen from the image capture stage. Current pollen analysis methods use expensive and bulky conventional optical microscopes. Using a solid-state image sensor instead of the human eye removes many of the constraints on the design of an optical microscope. Initially the goal was to develop a single lens microscope for imaging pollen. In-depth investigation and experimentation has shown that this is not possible. Instead a computer microscope has been developed which uses only a standard microscope objective and an image sensor to image pollen. The prototype computer microscope produces images of comparable quality to an expensive compound microscope at a tenth of the cost. A segmentation system has been developed for transforming images of a pollen slide, which contain both pollen and detritus, into images of individual pollen suitable for classification. The segmentation system uses adaptive thresholds and edge detection to isolate the pollen in the images. The automated pollen analysis system illustrated in this thesis has been used to capture and analyse four pollen taxa with a 96% success rate in identification. Since the image capture and segmentation stages described here do not affect the classification stage it is anticipated that the system is capable of classifying 16 pollen taxa, as demonstrated in earlier research

The effects of berry juice on cognitive decline in older adults : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

This study examined the effects of blackcurrant and boysenberry juices on cognitive processes in older adults. Current research suggests that fruits such as these may be able to reverse some of the effects of ageing on cognition. The free radical theory of ageing proposes that individuals age because oxidative damage accumulates in cells and interferes with cell functions. The hardest working tissues such as the brain accumulate the most oxidative damage through respiration. Antioxidants can protect against free radical formation and damage. Anthocyanins can contribute to half of the antioxidant capacity of deeply coloured berry fruit. An increase in dietary antioxidants such as anthocyanins may help to alleviate free radical damage within the brain. Research has shown that oxidative damage within the brain can impair cognitive functioning. Working memory shows age-related decline, along with visuospatial abilities, word retrieval and sustained attention. Some of this decline is thought to be related to oxidative damage of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and areas of the brain such as the hippocampus. Past research with humans has shown that some antioxidants can affect cognitive functioning in an older population. Animal studies have also established that diets enriched with anthocyanins can improve memory, motor control and neurotransmitter functioning. The present study involved giving berry juice drinks to 52 older adults that had been assessed as having a mild impairment of cognitive function. The participants were divided into three groups and drank 200mL a day of either blackcurrant juice, boysenberry juice or a placebo for twelve weeks. The participants were assessed at three different times over the course of the experiment using the RBANS. The RBANS is sensitive to small changes in its tests of memory, visuospatial ability, language and attention. The results of this study did not support previous research on antioxidants and cognitive functioning. There were no significant interactions between berry juices and any of the cognitive domains assessed by the RBANS over the course of the experiment. Some of the limitations of the study may be responsible for a lack of effect. The experiment was short with a low dose of antioxidants, and there was little control over the participants altering their own diet after being informed of the reasoning behind the study

Examining 'window dressing' : the views of black police associations on recruitment and training

In a previous issue of this journal, Ellis Cashmore (2002 Cashmore, E. 2002. ‘Behind the window dressing: minority ethnic police perspectives on cultural diversity’. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 28(2): 327–41. [Taylor & Francis Online], [CSA], [Google Scholar] ) discussed two key issues currently confronting police constabularies in England and Wales: the recruitment of minority ethnic officers and civilian staff, and the impact of diversity training now in place for all police officers. Cashmore argued that not only are these policies ineffective in enhancing cultural diversity within constabularies, but that they are harmful, presenting a false outward image of effective action. This article examines Cashmore's arguments and develops them in light of findings from recent research on Black Police Associations (BPAs) in England and Wales. Our findings firstly suggest that, because of heavy involvement with these initiatives and the close relationship BPAs have developed with senior management (in comparison to non-BPA members), they must be considered in any discussion of minority ethnic recruitment and diversity training. In addition, the majority of the officers we interviewed were supportive of current recruitment and training programmes. Secondly, we argue that BPAs are helping to change the nature of the overall police culture to a certain extent. Many minority ethnic officers no longer feel they must downplay their ethnicity as members of constabularies

Black Police Associations and the police occupational culture

In recent years, Black Police Associations (BPAs) have become key forces of change within the police service, involved in minority ethnic recruitment and retention initiatives, working closely with senior management, and also serving as mechanisms of support minority ethnic constabulary members and recruits. Most police services in England and Wales now have an officially recognised BPA, making it essential to consider the effect these groups have on the police occupational culture. Using data from our recent research project on BPAs, we explore issues such as the decreasing importance of rank and grading in the police culture; whether a parallel, ‘black’ occupational culture is emerging alongside the traditional ‘white’ one; the indirect influence BPAs have had as part of a wider process of change and the interplay between changing individuals and changing the institution as a whole

Stability of silicate minerals Final report, 1 Feb. 1966 - 1 Jun. 1968

Stability of silicate minerals as function of pressure, temperature, and oxygen fugacit

Corrigendum to "An equivalence of categories for graded modules over monomial algebras and path algebras of quivers" [J. Algebra, 353(1) (2012) 249-260]

Our published paper contains an incorrect statement of a result due to Artin and Zhang. This corrigendum gives the correct statement of their result and includes a new result that allows us to use their result to prove our main theorem. Thus the main theorem of our published paper is correct as stated but its proof must be modified

The Second Generation in New York City: A Demographic Overview

The study analyzes the forces leading to or impeding the assimilation of a 18-32 year olds from immigrant backgrounds that vary in terms of race, language, and the mix of skills and liabilities their parents brought to the United States. To make sure that what we find derives specifically from the immigrant experience, rather than simply being a young person in New York, we are also studying a "control group" of people from native born white, black, and Puerto Rican backgrounds. The main sample is drawn from the inner part of the region where the vast majority of immigrants and native born minority group members live and grow up. Our study groups make possible a number of interesting comparisons. Unlike many other immigrant groups, the West Indian first generation speaks English, but the dominant society racially classifies them as black. We are interested in ways that their experiences resemble or differ from native born African Americans. Dominicans and the Colombian-Peruvian-Ecuadoran population both speak Spanish, but live in different parts of New York, have different class backgrounds prior to immigration, and, quite often, different skin tones. We have compared them to Puerto Rican young people, who, along with their parents, have the benefit of citizenship. Chinese immigrants from the mainland tend to have little education, while young people with overseas Chinese parents come from families with higher incomes, more education, and more English fluency. According to the 1990 Census, the base year for looking at the first generation parents, these five groups accounted for 45 percent of the immigrants who had arrived in metropolitan New York since 1970. Our ability to compare these groups with native born whites, blacks and Puerto Ricans has permitted us to analyze the effects of nativity while controlling for race and language background

Insects of Vegetable Crops in Hawaii Today

Two years ago, almost to the day, Hawaii was attacked by Japan and the United States became actively involved in the war. The events which followed have forced on Hawaii the need for producing more of its food than it produced formerly—a necessity which has been accentuated by the increase in population through the influx of defense workers and service personnel. Because of these events, and because I have been activly engaged in advancing our knowledge of insects of food crops and their control, and in disseminating that knowledge to the public, it is perhaps natural that I should select for review "The present situation regarding insects of vegetable crops in Hawaii." The maritime strike of 1936 demonstrated the undue extent to which Hawaii was dependent on outside sources of foods. As a result the Hawaii Experiment Station at the University made a move to re-establish the positions of Plant Pathologist and Ent