19366 research outputs found
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Utilisation of transposons to alter genomic and epigenomic diversity in crop plants
No full textPlant genetic improvement relies on the presence of a wide range of genetic variation in both form and function to deliver phenotypes of importance to agriculture and horticulture. Often, however, this pool of important allelic variation is constrained either through previous breeding efforts or a lack of suitable populations from which to draw allelic diversity to generate new phenotypes for key agronomic and quality traits.
With the democratisation of sequencing technologies and the concomitant drop in sequencing costs an ever growing range of plant genomes are being sequenced uncovering the underlying drivers of genetic variation. Among the many forms of genome variation contributing to phenotype, it is becoming clear that transposons are a key driver of genetic and phenotypic diversity in crop systems. Aside from obvious roles in loss-offunction mutation through insertion, transposons have also been shown to be potent manipulators of gene regulatory networks via genetic and epigenetic pathways.
Our work has focused on understanding the roles of transposons in 2 crop plants, grapevine (Vitis Vinifera), and Hops (Humulus lupulus) as well as Pilosella (Mendel’s Hawkweed) and the native Australian tobacco, Nicotiana benthamiana. We have recently shown transposons are the causative agent for parthenogenesis in Piosella. In addition we have proven it is possible to elevate and capture new transposable element activity in crop plants and are currently evaluating the impact of this activity in genetic, epigenetic and phenotypic contexts. We present a case for the importance of transposons in providing new and novel sources of (epi)genetic variation, which in combination with high throughput sequencing allows both the identification of novel insertions and their exploitation of insertions impacting phenotype, to drive genetic gain in a wide
range of plant species
Identifying barriers to industry-academia engagement - Evidence from Aotearoa, New Zealand’s tourism sector
No full textIt is known that research collaboration between industry and academia supports improvement in industry and enables industry relevant academic research. However, if academia fails to create knowledge that can solve industry problems, the industry will have less regard for the knowledge provided by the universities. In this research we examined the literature on industry-academia engagement to determine the barriers that exist. Additionally, we focused our literature review on the tourism sector due to the challenges this sector has faced since 2020. Our primary data collection was using a survey where we invited members of the Tourism Association Aotearoa. Through the results we were able to determine why the industry does not choose to engage with academia. Our findings revealed that the worlds of industry and academia seldom cross due to communication barriers and lack of practical orientation of academic solutions. However, there are opportunities for collaboration through better stakeholder engagement
Societal and economic implications: Antarctica: Environmental forecasting for Antarctic operations: Risks, challenges and practical solutions
No full textPresentation given at YOPP 2022
Water distribution in community irrigation using a multi-agent system
No full textInsufficient water for irrigation is a common problem in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand. Farmers have the option of applying for resource consent or joining a community irrigation scheme to take water. Water supply becomes more problematic during drought seasons as farmers must adhere to water restrictions imposed by the water authority. To deal with this problem, we developed an agent-based irrigation management system that can be used by farmers to calculate the ideal crop water needs on individual farms, which is particularly useful during periods of water scarcity. During water scarcity, most farms will have shortages of water. However, it is possible that there are farmers who will have excess water that could be distributed to those who need it. By doing this, farmers with excess water can make more profit and those who do not have enough water can purchase water to reduce their losses. In this work, we explore how auction-based negotiation in a multi-agent setting can be used to maximise water sharing within a community during periods of water scarcity. We evaluate various auction mechanisms that can be used to distribute excess water. In addition, we investigate the effect of various different agents' behaviours on water distribution and community profit
Narrowing urban–rural income gap in China: The role of the targeted poverty alleviation program
No full textThe Targeted Poverty Alleviation (TPA) program in China is widely regarded for its influence in eliminating extreme poverty of 70 million rural inhabitants. However, little is known about the extent to which the TPA program narrows the income gap between urban and rural households. Therefore, this study estimates the effect of the TPA program on the urban–rural income gap, measured by the Theil index. A difference-in-difference model with fixed-effects is used to estimate the panel dataset of 279 prefecture level cities during 2010–2020. The findings show that the TPA program significantly reduced the urban–rural income gap. We obtain robust results using urban rural income ratio as an income gap measure. Heterogeneous analysis reveals that the income gap reduction effects of the TPA program are largest in the underdeveloped western region, and the effect is smaller for households residing in the central and eastern regions. Effective targeting and a focus on capability building, following regional differences make the program a notable example in reducing poverty and inequality consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals
From hope to disappointment? Following the ‘taking place’ and ‘organisation’ of hope in ‘building back better’ from COVID-19
No full textRapid economic stimulus in response to COVID-19, typically based on ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure, has opened up new political spaces of hope to ‘Build Back Better’ and transform economies. This research seeks to link the public ‘taking place’ of hope, representing the aspirations of various groups for investment or change stimulated by this fund, with the less visible ways governments ‘organise’ hope, the expert, technical processes and rationalities that help determine which hopes become realised and why. Using the Aotearoa New Zealand ‘shovel-ready’ fund as a case study, and drawing upon press releases, media, Official Information requests, and Cabinet documents, we first provide a discourse analysis of the various government and non-government hopes that became attached to this stimulus. We then trace how these became translated into project proposals, before unpacking and analysing the urgent processes developed to assist political decision makers. While crises and hope can be positioned as having significant disruptive potential, we reveal how this was stifled by the technical processes and practices of the processual world enacted at the national scale, which was given significant power. Further, although public discourses reflected a plurality of multi-scalar and temporal hopes for investment, in practice the less visible organisation privileged a much more business-as-usual approach. Consequently, any government aspirations for transformation were rendered less likely due to the processes they themselves established. Overall, we emphasise the need for those committed to reform to bring technical processes and rational practices to greater prominence in order to reveal and challenge their power
CEAZA mega board: An open-source data logger for scientists
No full textOver the last decade many researchers have taken advantage of the technology boom related to the launch of the Arduino platform to make their own datalogging devices. Many of these developments ended with the first functional prototypes in which multiple electronic boards are mixed by wiring/soldering and then used in datalogging activities. In this study we present a new, simple, robust, and expandable datalogger board based on maker’s community integrations. Our datalogger board extends previous work in this area as we designed an Arduino Mega 2560 derivative integrated board that is compatible with existing developments but was also designed and implemented considering requirements such as low power consumption, expandability, and integration. Different tests were made so reliability in low temperatures and low energy needs are satisfied. Is expected that the scientific community can add this board to their tool set, as this board solves the energy problem and present an easy transition from handmade logger integrations
Rice root Fe plaque enhances oxidation of microbially available organic carbon via Fe(III) reduction-coupled microbial respiration
No full textPoorly crystalline iron (Fe) oxides are commonly deposited on the surface of rice roots, forming an Fe plaque. This Fe plaque is an important area for Fe redox reactions because the poorly crystalline Fe is available for microbial transformations. However, it remains unclear what the mechanisms are that cause the root Fe plaque to affect CO₂ emissions from paddy soils. Thus, this study investigated the effects of Fe plaque on paddy soil CO₂ emissions and the associated mechanisms. Paddy soil with rice plant roots containing an Fe plaque-coating had 1.5-fold larger CO₂ emissions and higher expression levels of genes involved in soil carbon (C) degradation than Fe plaque-free roots, indicating that Fe plaque stimulated paddy soil derived CO₂ emissions. Fe plaque-coated rice roots, immersed in a ¹³C-labeled glucose solution, emitted more CO₂, with a higher abundance of ¹³CO₂, than the Fe plaque-free roots. These differences were not observed when the surfaces of the rice roots were sterilized. These results indicate that the Fe plaque-stimulated CO₂ emissions were due to soil microbial respiration, not autotrophic root respiration. Chelating the dissolved Fe on the root surface eliminated Fe plaque stimulation of CO₂ emissions, while Fe(III) supplementation correlated with enhanced CO₂ emissions. The stoichiometric mole ratio of the enhanced CO₂ emissions to the Fe(II) generated was comparable to the theoretical ratio of Fe(III) when used as an electron acceptor for organic C decomposition. These results showed that the Fe plaque enhancement of CO₂ emissions was coupled to Fe(III) reduction. Limiting the stimulating effects of Fe plaque on CO₂ emissions may be a potentially useful approach for mitigating organic C loss from paddy soils
Assessing the potential of invertebrate natural enemies of insect pests inhabiting Miscanthus x giganteus shelterbelts in pasture
No full textMiscanthus x giganteus (Miscanthus) grass shelterbelts can deliver multiple ecosystem services on New Zealand commercial dairy farms. However, there has been little investigation into how these shelterbelts contribute to insect pest management. Here, on a Canterbury dairy farm, we investigated what generalist surface-dwelling invertebrate natural enemies of insect pests inhabit three separate Miscanthus shelterbelts compared to three unmanipulated field margin plots. The potential contribution of these natural enemy assemblages to future biological control was also investigated. To measure this, live moth egg baits with associated pitfall trapping were deployed in autumn, winter and spring of 2015. Miscanthus and the field margin plots were found to have similar potential natural enemy richness but differed in their community composition. The potential predation rate of pests in Miscanthus was 85% higher than in the field margin. Infrared video and Sanger sequencing confirmed that the harvestman Phalangium opilio and the slug Deroceras reticulatum consumed the egg baits in Miscanthus. Conversely, no bait-consuming invertebrates were identified in the field margin. These preliminary results indicate potential natural enemies inhabit Miscanthus and may consume insect pest eggs on the soil-surface. However, to achieve any insect pest suppression, further habitat manipulation would be required
Protecting people from skin cancer – Exploring a practice-oriented assessment methodology for schoolyards in New Zealand
No full textOverexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) leads to significant adverse health effects globally, the most dangerous being skin cancer. Current approaches to reducing skin cancer rely on building public awareness of the dangers and individual sun protection measures (e.g., wearing hats and applying sunscreen), which has been found to be inadequate. While landscape design can help prevent overexposure, the focus has only been on shade provision. Studies indicate many people are not using shaded areas, and even if they do, they are not adequately protected from UVR exposure. For children to be protected in open spaces, based on existing research findings, the study proposes four key design objectives that need to be met: 1) protection from direct UVR overexposure, 2) protection from indirect UVR overexposure, 3) ensuring thermal comfort, and 4) providing attractive activities or play opportunities. Based on the four key objectives, the study intends to develop a more simplified and user-friendly methodology to make quick qualitative judgements that allow practitioners and decisionmakers to make strategic decisions—the study proceeds in three steps. First, to develop preliminary design guidelines by summarizing and synthesizing the latest evidence-based findings to identify critical design components affecting the four key objectives. Second, to establish suitability criteria for measuring the objectives. Third, using the overlay mapping method, developing factor maps based on inventory and 3-D modelling to determine landscape units that meet the suitability criteria established for the four key objectives. Using schoolyards in Christchurch, New Zealand, the proposed methodology is tested in a pilot study. The results of the pilot study are used to discuss the potential opportunities and constraints around developing and testing the methodology. Some preliminary findings identified the methodology to be effective in translating complex, inaccessible evidential data into comprehensible, applicable spatial forms. The overlay mapping provides a powerful visual and analytical method to identify the landscape units meeting/not meeting the suitability criteria. Clearly, we need to move toward embracing sun protection behaviour design for open spaces as the new norm if we are to ensure the health and welfare of our children, and such practice-oriented methodologies are essential to inform decisions where effective and efficient implementation is critical