title: Music information retrieval research and its context at the University of Waikato

authors: Bainbridge, David

subjects: computer science

abstract: This article describes the digital music library work at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. At the heart of the project is a music information retrieval workbench for evaluating algorithms and performing experiments used in conjunction with four datasets of symbolic notation ranging from contemporary to classical pieces. The outcome of this experimentation is woven together with strands from our larger digital library project to form the Web-based music digital library MELDEX (short for melody index). An overview of the workbench software architecture is given along with a description of how this fits the larger digital library design, followed by several examples of MELDEX in use.

text: Music information retrieval research and its context at the University of Waikato This article describes the digital music library work at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. At the heart of the project is a music information retrieval workbench for evaluating algorithms and performing experiments used in conjunction with four datasets of symbolic notation ranging from contemporary to classical pieces. The outcome of this experimentation is woven together with strands from our larger digital library project to form the Web-based music digital library MELDEX (short for melody index). An overview of the workbench software architecture is given along with a description of how this fits the larger digital library design, followed by several examples of MELDEX in use.

year: 2004

title: Enhanced targeting of triplex forming oligonucleotides

authors: Peters, Linda M.

abstract: Oligonucleotides offer the potential to inhibit the expression of specific genes within living cells by binding to the major groove of the DNA helix in a sequence-specific manner to form a DNA triple helix. The ultimate application of such oligonucleotides is to act as selective therapeutic tools to suppress transcription, inhibit replication and induce site specific mutations in mammalian genes. However, to date, most triplex experiments have utilised simple in vitro systems and it has proved rather more difficult to demonstrate selective actions in vivo.

In this study, a series of psoralen-conjugated oligonucleotides (10-17 nt) were designed to target specific bovine repetitive sequences in the male Y chromosome. Repetitive Y chromosome sequences described by Reed et al., 1995 and Grobet et al., 1996 were investigated for efficient DNA triplex formation. The rationale in this approach was that the presence of several hundred copies rather than just one target per genome would greatly enhance the efficiency of DNA triplex formation in vivo. Psoralen-conjugated oligonucleotides designed to these sequences were screened by performing DNA triplex binding assays and analysing photoadduct formation by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA).

Six psoralen-conjugated oligonucleotides were found to selectively and efficiently intercalate to their bovine dsDNA target sequences (38-49 bp) in vitro after irradiation with UV light (360 nm), forming covalent DNA photoadducts. Stable photoadducts were also detected when these oligonucleotides were targeted to larger dsDNA targets, ranging from 0.1 to 3 Kb in size. In general, a small UV dose (0.03 J/cm²) was sufficient to form monoadducts, with crosslinks forming after fifteen minutes of UV irradiation (1 J/cm²). The efficiency of bovine monoadduct formation was similar to that in the well-publicised supF DNA triplex system.

PCR and Southern blot analyses also showed that the repetitive Y-chromosomal DNA region (100-400 bp) was indeed male specific and present in multiple copies. However, when Southern blot analyses were carried out using oligonucleotide probes (16-49 nt) which corresponded to the triplex target sequence within this region, relatively weak hybridisation was observed, suggesting that these specific sequences were not present in such high copies. Although this data indicates that the male specific repeat regions must contain segments of consensual rather than exact sequences, high quality non-degenerate DNA sequencing data in the triplex targeting region was obtained from the male specific PCR products. Clearly, the exact nature of these male specific repeats requires further investigation to establish the effects of targeting psoralen-conjugated oligonucleotides to male genomic DNA as opposed to female genomic DNA.

text: Enhanced targeting of triplex forming oligonucleotides Oligonucleotides offer the potential to inhibit the expression of specific genes within living cells by binding to the major groove of the DNA helix in a sequence-specific manner to form a DNA triple helix. The ultimate application of such oligonucleotides is to act as selective therapeutic tools to suppress transcription, inhibit replication and induce site specific mutations in mammalian genes. However, to date, most triplex experiments have utilised simple in vitro systems and it has proved rather more difficult to demonstrate selective actions in vivo.

In this study, a series of psoralen-conjugated oligonucleotides (10-17 nt) were designed to target specific bovine repetitive sequences in the male Y chromosome. Repetitive Y chromosome sequences described by Reed et al., 1995 and Grobet et al., 1996 were investigated for efficient DNA triplex formation. The rationale in this approach was that the presence of several hundred copies rather than just one target per genome would greatly enhance the efficiency of DNA triplex formation in vivo. Psoralen-conjugated oligonucleotides designed to these sequences were screened by performing DNA triplex binding assays and analysing photoadduct formation by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA).

Six psoralen-conjugated oligonucleotides were found to selectively and efficiently intercalate to their bovine dsDNA target sequences (38-49 bp) in vitro after irradiation with UV light (360 nm), forming covalent DNA photoadducts. Stable photoadducts were also detected when these oligonucleotides were targeted to larger dsDNA targets, ranging from 0.1 to 3 Kb in size. In general, a small UV dose (0.03 J/cm²) was sufficient to form monoadducts, with crosslinks forming after fifteen minutes of UV irradiation (1 J/cm²). The efficiency of bovine monoadduct formation was similar to that in the well-publicised supF DNA triplex system.

PCR and Southern blot analyses also showed that the repetitive Y-chromosomal DNA region (100-400 bp) was indeed male specific and present in multiple copies. However, when Southern blot analyses were carried out using oligonucleotide probes (16-49 nt) which corresponded to the triplex target sequence within this region, relatively weak hybridisation was observed, suggesting that these specific sequences were not present in such high copies. Although this data indicates that the male specific repeat regions must contain segments of consensual rather than exact sequences, high quality non-degenerate DNA sequencing data in the triplex targeting region was obtained from the male specific PCR products. Clearly, the exact nature of these male specific repeats requires further investigation to establish the effects of targeting psoralen-conjugated oligonucleotides to male genomic DNA as opposed to female genomic DNA.

year: 1999

title: Problem based learning and New Zealand legal education

authors: Mackinnon, Jacquelin

subjects: law

abstract: The literature (and e-literature) on Problem Based Learning in Law suggests that this approach has been adopted with enthusiasm by some lecturers in the United Kingdom, Europe and Hong Kong. This article will explore the adoption of PBL approaches through the literature in order to draw some conclusions about the nature of PBL approaches in law and their relationship with institutional approaches to legal education. Problem Based Learning approaches are not visible in New Zealand. The article discusses the reasons for PBL's invisibility and PBL's appropriateness in the New Zealand legal education context now and in the future of legal work. Part of the New Zealand context is the participation of the indigenous people in legal education and consideration is given to whether PBL can benefit Māori law students. 
It is suggested that PBL approaches to learning law promote: 
	Contextualisation
	Interdisciplinarity
	Integration of prior personal and/or professional knowledge
	Collaboration
	Enquiry skills
	Reflection and transition
	Self directed learning and self assessment
	Praxis.

Problem Based Learning requires and fosters reflexive participants, who are sufficiently conceptually literate to read and critique key aspects of the social order and to understand their own, and others' status and role in it. Reflexivity contributes to humanist as well as legal solutions to complex human problems. PBL approaches are consistent with legal education in an increasingly global employment market.

text: Problem based learning and New Zealand legal education The literature (and e-literature) on Problem Based Learning in Law suggests that this approach has been adopted with enthusiasm by some lecturers in the United Kingdom, Europe and Hong Kong. This article will explore the adoption of PBL approaches through the literature in order to draw some conclusions about the nature of PBL approaches in law and their relationship with institutional approaches to legal education. Problem Based Learning approaches are not visible in New Zealand. The article discusses the reasons for PBL's invisibility and PBL's appropriateness in the New Zealand legal education context now and in the future of legal work. Part of the New Zealand context is the participation of the indigenous people in legal education and consideration is given to whether PBL can benefit Māori law students. 
It is suggested that PBL approaches to learning law promote: 
	Contextualisation
	Interdisciplinarity
	Integration of prior personal and/or professional knowledge
	Collaboration
	Enquiry skills
	Reflection and transition
	Self directed learning and self assessment
	Praxis.

Problem Based Learning requires and fosters reflexive participants, who are sufficiently conceptually literate to read and critique key aspects of the social order and to understand their own, and others' status and role in it. Reflexivity contributes to humanist as well as legal solutions to complex human problems. PBL approaches are consistent with legal education in an increasingly global employment market.

year: 2006-06-01