title: Hydraulic resistance of developing Actinidia fruit

authors: Mazzeo, Mariarosaria

subjects: Calcium concentration

abstract: Background and Aims Xylem flows into most fruits decline as the fruit develop, with important effects on mineral and carbohydrate accumulation. It has been hypothesized that an increase in xylem hydraulic resistance (RT) contributes to this process. This study examined changes in RT that occur during development of the berry of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa), identified the region within the fruit where changes were occurring, and tested whether a decrease in irradiance during fruit development caused an increase in RT, potentially contributing to decreased mineral accumulation in shaded fruit.

Methods RT was measured using pressure chamber and flow meter methods, the two methods were compared, and the flow meter was also used to partition RT between the pedicel, receptacle and proximal and distal portions of the berry. Dye was used as a tracer for xylem function. Artificial shading was used to test the effect of light on RT, dye entry and mineral accumulation.

Key Results RT decreased during the early phase of rapid fruit growth, but increased again as the fruit transitioned to a final period of slower growth. The most significant changes in resistance occurred in the receptacle, which initially contributed 20 % to RT, increasing to 90 % later in development. Dye also ceased moving beyond the receptacle from 70 d after anthesis. The two methods for measuring RT agreed in terms of the direction and timing of developmental changes in RT, but pressure chamber measurements were consistently higher than flow meter estimates of RT, prompting questions regarding which method is most appropriate for measuring fruit RT. Shading had no effect on berry growth but increased RT and decreased dye movement and calcium concentration.

Conclusions Increased RT in the receptacle zone coincides with slowing fresh weight growth, reduced transpiration and rapid starch accumulation by the fruit. Developmental changes in RT may be connected to changes in phloem functioning and the maintenance of water potential gradients between the stem and the fruit. The effect of shade on RT extends earlier reports that shading can affect fruit vascular differentiation, xylem flows and mineral accumulation independently of effects on transpiration.

text: Hydraulic resistance of developing Actinidia fruit Background and Aims Xylem flows into most fruits decline as the fruit develop, with important effects on mineral and carbohydrate accumulation. It has been hypothesized that an increase in xylem hydraulic resistance (RT) contributes to this process. This study examined changes in RT that occur during development of the berry of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa), identified the region within the fruit where changes were occurring, and tested whether a decrease in irradiance during fruit development caused an increase in RT, potentially contributing to decreased mineral accumulation in shaded fruit.

Methods RT was measured using pressure chamber and flow meter methods, the two methods were compared, and the flow meter was also used to partition RT between the pedicel, receptacle and proximal and distal portions of the berry. Dye was used as a tracer for xylem function. Artificial shading was used to test the effect of light on RT, dye entry and mineral accumulation.

Key Results RT decreased during the early phase of rapid fruit growth, but increased again as the fruit transitioned to a final period of slower growth. The most significant changes in resistance occurred in the receptacle, which initially contributed 20 % to RT, increasing to 90 % later in development. Dye also ceased moving beyond the receptacle from 70 d after anthesis. The two methods for measuring RT agreed in terms of the direction and timing of developmental changes in RT, but pressure chamber measurements were consistently higher than flow meter estimates of RT, prompting questions regarding which method is most appropriate for measuring fruit RT. Shading had no effect on berry growth but increased RT and decreased dye movement and calcium concentration.

Conclusions Increased RT in the receptacle zone coincides with slowing fresh weight growth, reduced transpiration and rapid starch accumulation by the fruit. Developmental changes in RT may be connected to changes in phloem functioning and the maintenance of water potential gradients between the stem and the fruit. The effect of shade on RT extends earlier reports that shading can affect fruit vascular differentiation, xylem flows and mineral accumulation independently of effects on transpiration.

year: 2013

title: Adding scientific rigour to qualitative data analysis: an illustrative example

authors: Samkin, Grant

subjects: accounting standards

abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how qualitative data may be analysed using a method that can be considered as rigorous/scientific as any statistical analysis of quantitative data. 

Design/methodology/approach – An artificial neural network programme CATPAC II™ was used to evaluate selected portions of two accounting standards: the Financial Reporting Standards Board of New Zealand's standard on consolidation; and the equivalent standard developed by the International Accounting Standards Committee and revised by the International Accounting Standards Board. 

Findings – The analysis of the concepts of control in the two standards identifies the differences that exist between the two standards. These differences are illuminated through the use of a hierarchical cluster analysis of 40 unique concepts in each of the two standards and 2D representation of the concepts. The extent of the differences in the concepts was established through a rotational analysis of the two datasets. 

Research limitations/implications – This research is limited to the analysis of the concept of control and associated commentary paragraphs and supporting documents associated with two accounting standards. Different results may have been obtained had the whole standard been analysed. 

Practical implications – Artificial neural network software can be used to support the intuitive textual understanding of the differences that exist in qualitative data. In this paper, the differences identified in the concepts of control may result in different interpretations being taken by the accounting standard users when determining what reporting entities to include in consolidated financial statements. Some additional uses for artificial neural network software in accounting research are also identified. 

Originality/value – This paper is the first in the discipline to use artificial neural network software to analyse and compare different texts.

text: Adding scientific rigour to qualitative data analysis: an illustrative example Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how qualitative data may be analysed using a method that can be considered as rigorous/scientific as any statistical analysis of quantitative data. 

Design/methodology/approach – An artificial neural network programme CATPAC II™ was used to evaluate selected portions of two accounting standards: the Financial Reporting Standards Board of New Zealand's standard on consolidation; and the equivalent standard developed by the International Accounting Standards Committee and revised by the International Accounting Standards Board. 

Findings – The analysis of the concepts of control in the two standards identifies the differences that exist between the two standards. These differences are illuminated through the use of a hierarchical cluster analysis of 40 unique concepts in each of the two standards and 2D representation of the concepts. The extent of the differences in the concepts was established through a rotational analysis of the two datasets. 

Research limitations/implications – This research is limited to the analysis of the concept of control and associated commentary paragraphs and supporting documents associated with two accounting standards. Different results may have been obtained had the whole standard been analysed. 

Practical implications – Artificial neural network software can be used to support the intuitive textual understanding of the differences that exist in qualitative data. In this paper, the differences identified in the concepts of control may result in different interpretations being taken by the accounting standard users when determining what reporting entities to include in consolidated financial statements. Some additional uses for artificial neural network software in accounting research are also identified. 

Originality/value – This paper is the first in the discipline to use artificial neural network software to analyse and compare different texts.

year: 2008

title: Inter-propositional semantic relations and semantic relational encoding in written discourse in Maori: an investigation

authors: Houia, Waldo

subjects: Maori

abstract: This thesis is an investigation of the various ways in which relationships of meaning between propositions (such as reason-result and temporal overlap) are encoded (as clauses, sentences and groups of sentences) and signalled in Maori.
In Chapter 1, the overall research topic and research questions are outlined.
Chapter 2 locates the research on inter-propositional semantic relations with reference to the concept of cohesion which is central to inter-propositional relational signalling and encoding. Here, reference is made to a number of relevant publications in the area.
Chapter 3 provides an introductory examination of the role of cohesion in the encoding and signalling of inter-propositional semantic relations in Maori.
Chapter 4 introduces a corpus of written texts and examines that corpus in terms of the ways in which inter-propositional semantic relations are encoded.
Chapter 5 examines a number of textbooks designed for learners of both English and Maori in terms of the extent to which they draw upon insights relating to the operation of inter-propositional semantic relations.
In Chapter 6, the research findings are summarised and their implications for aspects of the teaching and learning of Maori are discussed. In addition, suggestions are made in relation to future research possibilities.
Overall, the conclusion reached is that the study of semantic relational encoding and signalling in Maori texts reveals a number of aspects of language that appear not to be commonly taught and suggests the need for further studies of this type.

text: Inter-propositional semantic relations and semantic relational encoding in written discourse in Maori: an investigation This thesis is an investigation of the various ways in which relationships of meaning between propositions (such as reason-result and temporal overlap) are encoded (as clauses, sentences and groups of sentences) and signalled in Maori.
In Chapter 1, the overall research topic and research questions are outlined.
Chapter 2 locates the research on inter-propositional semantic relations with reference to the concept of cohesion which is central to inter-propositional relational signalling and encoding. Here, reference is made to a number of relevant publications in the area.
Chapter 3 provides an introductory examination of the role of cohesion in the encoding and signalling of inter-propositional semantic relations in Maori.
Chapter 4 introduces a corpus of written texts and examines that corpus in terms of the ways in which inter-propositional semantic relations are encoded.
Chapter 5 examines a number of textbooks designed for learners of both English and Maori in terms of the extent to which they draw upon insights relating to the operation of inter-propositional semantic relations.
In Chapter 6, the research findings are summarised and their implications for aspects of the teaching and learning of Maori are discussed. In addition, suggestions are made in relation to future research possibilities.
Overall, the conclusion reached is that the study of semantic relational encoding and signalling in Maori texts reveals a number of aspects of language that appear not to be commonly taught and suggests the need for further studies of this type.

year: 2001