3,819 research outputs found
A∞-resolutions and Massey products on Koszul homology
No full textThis work presents a new approach to studying Massey products on Koszul homology and the Golod property using A∞-algebras. In the first part we study rooted monomial rings which includes monomial rings whose Lyubeznik resolution is minimal. We give a combinatorial characterization of the Golod property for this class of monomial rings. In the second part of this thesis we combine our approach with the power of algebraic Morse theory. In this way, we extend our approach to simplicially resolvable rings, that is, rings with minimal simplicial resolution. We show that for simplicially resolvable rings the Golod property is equivalent to the gcd condition. Lastly, we use our tools to give sufficient conditions for the existence of non-trivial Massey products in low degrees
Happy Hour with Robin Sacks
No full textRobin Sacks is the author of Get Off My Bus!: How to Get Clarity, Get in the Driver\u27s Seat, and Get Moving in Your Life! Introduction by Kristen Kuhlman, LSW, LHNA, MBA/HCM DHA Candidate
Huguenot poor relief in Hanoverian London : assistance to widows in the period 1735-1750 : a thesis submitted to the Department of History, Massey University for the degree of Master of Arts with Honours
No full textSome French throughout.By the end of the seventeenth century London's French Protestant community numbered over 20,000, constituting some five per cent of the capital's population.¹Robin D. Gwynn Huguenot Heritage: The History and Contribution of the Huguenots in Britain (London: Routledge, 1985) p.36 Many had come during the 1680s and 1690s, fleeing from religious persecution in Louis XIV's France and arriving destitute, thus creating extra demands for poor relief.²Poor relief provided to widows of this community (both newly-arrived and longer-established) during the period 1681-1695 has already been the focus of a previous study: Eileen Barrett "Poor Relief Provided to Huguenot Widows, 1681-1695, through the French Church of London: a Preliminary Study" (Unpublished BA Hons research essay, Massey Univ., 1996) The present research investigates what assistance was still needed some two generations later when the community might be thought to have settled down after the turmoil of the refugee period. Little work has so far been done on immigrant populations in eighteenth-century England, and the women of immigrant communities have received even less attention.³Anne Laurence Women in England 1500-1760: a Social History (London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1994) p.25 The category of widows is used as a sample for this study because they form an identifiable group of manageable size within the female Huguenot population. Widows also figure prominently as recipients of poor relief under the old English Poor Laws, so there is a rich store of comparative literature. [From Introduction
Evolutionary genetics and the major histocompatibility complex of New Zealand robins (Petricidae) : a thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular BioSciences at Massey University, New Zealand
No full textContent removed due to copyright:
Appendix D: manuscripts
1. Miller, H.C., Lambert, D. M., Millar, C.D., Robertson, B. C., & Minot, E.O. (2003).An evaluation of methods of blood preservation for RT-PCR from endangered species. Conservation Genetics, 4: 651-654
2. Miller, H.C., Lambert, D. M. (2003). Minisatellite DNA profiling detects lineages and parentage in the endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) despite low microsatellite DNA variation. Conservation Genetics, 4: 265-274The genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are highly polymorphic and play a direct role in disease resistance. Loss of variation at MHC loci may increase extinction risk in endangered species, due to an inability to combat a range of pathogens. In this thesis, the evolution of class II B MHC genes is investigated, and levels of variation at these loci are measured in two species of New Zealand robin, the endangered Chatham Island black robin (Petroica traversi), and the non-endangered South Island robin (Petroica australis australis). Transcribed class II B MHC loci from both black robin and South Island robin were characterised prior to analysis of MHC variation. To this end, a non-lethal protocol for isolation of transcribed sequences from blood using 3'RACE and RT-PCR was developed. Four class II B cDNA sequences were isolated from black robin, and eight sequences were isolated from the South Island robin, indicating there are at least four class II B loci. RFLP analysis indicated that all class II MHC loci were contained in a single linkage group. Analysis of 3'untranslated region sequences enabled orthologous loci to be identified in the two species, and indicated that multiple rounds of gene duplication have occurred. A partial genomic DNA sequence of a putative pseudogene was also isolated from the black robin. Evolution of MHC genes in New Zealand robins appears to be influenced by gene conversion and balancing selection, resulting in loss of orthologous relationships in the coding region, and a highly diverse peptide-binding region. In order to assess the effect of population bottlenecks on MHC variation, levels of variation in the extant black robin population, which is descended from a single breeding pair, were compared with artificially bottlenecked populations of South Island robin and their respective source populations. Both RFLP and sequence analysis indicated that the black robin is monomorphic at class II B loci, while both source and bottlenecked populations of South Island robin have retained moderate to high levels of variation. Comparison of MHC variation with minisatellite DNA variation in each population indicated that genetic drift was the predominant force determining MHC diversity in bottlenecked populations in the short-term. Despite its lack of MHC variation, the black robin population appears to be viable under existing conditions. The evolutionary history of New Zealand's Petroica species, investigated by phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences, is also discussed
Nutrient efficiency of some grasses and legumes in relation to environmental stress : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy at Massey University
No full textThis thesis provides a definition of relative nutrient efficiency (RNE) by which species and strains of pasture plants can be differentiated in a quantifiable manner according to the shape of their response surface to applied nutrients. Attention is drawn to the fact that RNE is under genetic control and to the probability that no single casual mechanism controls RNE because of the interdependence of plant physiological processes. Experiments are reported investigating the RNE of strains of Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Lotus pendunculatus Cav. (Syn L. uliginosis Schkuhr., L. major Sm.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L. ). Initial experiments examined a number of strains of each species for their RNE in response to N for the grasses and P for the legumes. Subsequent experiments compared strains of both grass species in response to N and legume species in response to P together with the effects of climate. Measurements were made of dry matter yields, shoot:root ratios, N absorption and utilization, and in addition for legumes their N fixing activity and P absorption and utilization. A final experiment examined climatic paramaters affecting RNE of two strains of white clover in response to P and their relative abilities to remobolize and re-utilize N and P in younger compared to older tissue. Results of all experiments showed differences in RNE among strains of each species. They also showed that RNE is dependent upon climate, with high RNE generally being expressed under conditions most favourable for maximum growth. A bred strain of Yorkshire fog - Massey Basyn, was found to provide high yields relative to others at low levels of N. This was attributed to its greater ability to absorb and utilize N. Among perennial ryegrasses Mangere strain possessed low RNE under a 15/10°C day/night temperature and 200 Wm2 light intensity due to its inability to absorb N through restricted root development. Comparison of the most efficient strains of Yorkshire fog and perennial ryegrass showed that they did not differ in RNE and it is concluded that the 'low fertility' classification of Yorkshire fog is unwarranted. The initial experiment with Lotus identified strains differing in RNE but this finding was not confirmed in the subsequent experiment. A strain of white clover from the Netherlands (Tamar) was found in two experiments to have high RNE through providing high yields at medium to high levels of P. In the final experiment where Tamar was compared with Huia white clover, its greater RNE was due to a greater ability to absorb and utilize N and P, to remobolize N and P from older to younger tissue and to mobolize soluble sugars from shoots to roots. Comparison of the most efficient strains of white clover and Lotus showed that the former responded better to high levels of P. It is concluded from this series of experiments that genetic variability exists among the species studied and that their differing RNE could be exploited to bring about economies in the use of fertilizers
Looking for a disappearing voice : place making, place-belongingness, and Naxi language vitality in Lijiang Ancient Town : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
No full textThis thesis aims to examine the vitality of Naxi language in Lijiang Ancient Town (LAT) after the town was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 and has since experienced rapid growth in tourism and significant social, cultural, and economic changes. To do this I explore the visibility of Naxi language in the Linguistic Landscape (LL) of LAT, the intersection between place-making efforts by government agencies and UNESCO and feelings of place-belongingness among the Naxi ethnic community, and perceptions of value towards the Naxi language among a range of stakeholders in the town.
The thesis is orientated by epistemological constructivism, and I utilise a case study approach with a mix of qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were undertaken via the LL data to identify the public visibility of Naxi language within LAT. Thirty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with a range of actors but predominately with Naxi people in order to explore their feelings, attitudes and relationship to LAT and the Naxi language. Through a series of field site visits, I also collected empirical data from observations within the town to supplement the LL analysis and interview data. Secondary textual analysis on laws and regulations was also employed to understand the place making initiatives and development trajectory of LAT through various governing bodies: China central and local government as well as UNESCO.
The findings highlight that there are a number of contradictions and tensions that exist between place-making efforts by government agencies and UNESCO, and feelings of place-belongingness among the Naxi ethnic community. These contradictions and tensions are evident in the dominant tourism economy in the town and the impacts of excessive
commercialisation, environmental degradation, out-migration of the Naxi population, marginalisation of the Naxi culture, interrupted social ties and declining language use. The study also reveals how in line with regulatory requirements and the promotion of LAT as a traditional Naxi homeland, the Naxi language is displayed within the LL. However, this is largely a decorative role. While it provides a visual reminder of the Naxi history and culture in LAT, it is a weak demonstration of Naxi identity and unlikely to genuinely contribute to the vitality of Naxi language. Furthermore, the value of the Naxi language and its usage in commerce and daily lives of the Naxi community relies on people’s subjective attitudes and feelings towards the language. These attitudes and feelings within the Naxi community have shifted in recent decades with the pervasion of Han culture and the predominance of Mandarin Chinese. They undermine perceptions of the positive value of the Naxi language and lead to an apathetic attitude to language learning. Place-making efforts by governing bodies and the growth of mass tourism have led to the production of an ‘inauthentic’ representation of Naxi language and culture within LAT and have interrupted the intergenerational transmission of Naxi language contributing to its state of endangerment. Naxi is a Disappearing Voice.
Key words: Language vitality, place making, place-belongingness, Linguistic Landscape, Lijiang Ancient Town, World Heritage site, touris
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