Due to the rapid destruction of native orchid habitats it has become necessary to house many endangered orchid species in greenhouse environments where enhanced spread of viral disease occurs due to the close contact between plants. This research was concerned with the construction of a library of genes whose expression is induced in response to viral challenge. In uncovering the genes that are activated during plant-pathogen interactions, it may be possible to manipulate these pathways to develop virus resistant orchids. Furthermore, this research will contribute additional information for the existing framework of plant-pathogen interactions of all plant species.In order to construct a library of genes expressed in response to viral infection, suppression subtractive hybridization was performed using the PCR-Select cDNA Subtraction Kit (CLONTECH, Palo Alto, CA) on Sophrolaeliacattleya Ginny Champion 'Riverbend' clones. RNA was isolated from plants that had been inoculated with the Odontoglossum ringspot virus (ORSV) and from control plants that had not been inoculated with ORSV. Following reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) to obtain cDNA, cDNAs of the tester population (those cDNAs containing differentially expressed messages in response to ORSV) and the driver population (reference cDNAs from uninfected plants) were obtained. The two different cDNA populations are mixed together and hybridized. The sequences common to both populations were subtracted, leaving only the differentially expressed sequences available for PCR amplification.A library containing these genes was constructed, and one clone, chosen at random, was sequenced. Based on homology comparisons to known genes, we have cloned a gene that may contain a nucleotide binding site similar to that of the tobacco N gene, important for plant resistance to pathogens. In the near future, this clone will be used to construct probes for use in northern analysis to determine the timing and localization of the products of this gene. This information will aid in characterizing the function of the orchid N-gene and identifying other members of this signal cascade. In addition, many other clones await sequencing and similar characterization. / Department of Biology

The present thesis analyzes the Byzantine mosaic pavements of Phoenicia and Northern Palcatine from a socio-economic perspective, primarily by examining the laying of pavements including technical aspects and bedding, the quality of decoration, the distribution of pavements in time and space, as well as inscriptions which provide names of donors and artists as well as dates. The approach adopted represents a novel alternative and complement to typical interpretations of mosaic floor decoration which overwhelmingly focus on the development and diffusion of style, or provide an exegesis of figurative iconography. Key aspects discussed include the extent to which chronological patterns of mosaic floor laying may be used to gauge economic conditions; the factors which determined the quality and distribution of technique and decoration in different building types; as well as the social mechanisms of patronage. Close scrutiny of the regional mosaic Corpus (which includes the total number of pavements) suggests that mosaic pavements provide a reasonable indication of economic conditions, especially in association with other media (coins, pottery, inscriptions). Together these media paint a historical picture of the economy of the period. Having graded according to four Levels of Complexity all the geometric designs in the Corpus after their codification following the rules devised by the Association Internationale pour l'Etude de la Mosaïque Antique (AIEMA), and with the support of the written ancient sources, it is demonstrated that quality and distribution of technique and style were governed by a combination of factors, notably function, financial expenditure, social use and various socio-economic categories of patrons, liturgy and liturgical level of participation. By building on the methodologies followed and the conclusions reached by other mosaic scholars, this innovative approach has attempted to reintroduce the human element into a discipline focused since the late 1960s on codification and descriptive precision. Revealing the hidden costs underlying the laying of mosaic pavements has presented a new insight into mosaic pavements as tri-dimensional products of team work. Likewise, stripping the literary language of dedicatory formulas down to essential information has challenged the misinterpreting of epigraphic evidence regarding donations and donors. In-depth analysis of Christian mosaic inscriptions has strengthened the pattern of changes plotted by historians of the Early Byzantine period and suggested that Christian patronage of mosaic art is to be equated with the local initiatives of the Church, ecclesiatics and wealthy laymen (or women) as private donors, and more rarely entire village communities. By contrast, scrutiny of the Jewish and Samaritan mosaic inscriptions has highlighted the fact that benefaction emanated from rich and poor alike, and was far more family and community oriented.

Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) is an economically important pathogen with worldwide distribution. LMV infection in L. sativa can cause significant yield losses. Resistance to LMV in L. sativa is conferred by the recessive gene mo. We attempted to position the mo gene on the L. sativa map. The ultimate goal is a better understanding of plant-virus interactions. To do so, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were screened in the near isogenic lines (NILs) Vanguard and Vanguard 75. These NILs differ in the presence of the mo gene in Vanguard 75. Polymorphic markers were screened for linkage to mo in two F$ sb2$ populations segregating for resistance to LMV. The F$ sb2$ populations used were derived from 2 crosses, the first one between the L. sativa cultivars Dwarf 2 (resistant to LMV via the presence of mo) and Saffier and the second one between two breeding lines 87-25M-1 (momo) and 87-1090M-1 (MoMo). In order to develop a highly stringent antibody detection system to phenotype plants infected with LMV, a plasmid construct was developed which overproduces LMV coat protein. This construct will be used in the future to produce enough recombinant LMV coat protein for antibody production. To further characterize mo, a selection of cultivars resistant and susceptible to LMV according to the literature were subjected to various temperature changes to determine the environmental influences on virus movement.

In lettuce (Lactuca sativa), the dominant gene Tu confers resistance to turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) infection. In order to eventually clone and characterize the Tu gene using a map-based cloning strategy, the chromosome region in which Tu is located needs to be saturated with molecular markers. Random polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were screened using bulked segregant analysis. Nine new RAPD markers, UBC431$ rm sb{420}, UBC431 sb{940}, UBC434 sb{360}, UBC434 sb{1000}, UBC439 sb{520}, UBC448 sb{685:750}, UBC135 sb{240}, OP108 sb{410} and OP108 sb{1305},$ were identified as linked to Tu. Each marker was mapped relative to Tu using F$ sb2$ individuals previously known to be recombinant in the area surrounding the Tu locus. Three new markers, UBC431$ rm sb{420}, UBC439 sb{520} and UBC135 sb{240}$ are within a 5 cM area of Tu. As the number of DNA markers on the map increased map expansion and difficulties in determining a unique order were encountered. To increase the confidence in the estimate of genetic distances, a population of 500 F$ sb2$ plants was screened in order to identify more recombinant individuals around the Tu locus. The population was screened using markers UBC431$ sb{420}$ and UBC135$ sb{240}.$ Thirty-three recombinants were identified in an interval of 6.6 cM. Two markers, UBC346$ sb{1067}$ and OP108$ sb{634},$ tightly flanking Tu were converted to sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR 346 and SCAR L08). No polymorphism was detected among the SCARs generated. The area surrounding Tu now includes 24 RAPD markers in an interval of 44 cM.

Canadian ideology promotes the concept of a “cultural mosaic,” which encourages groups to maintain their unique cultural heritage in a pluralistic society. However, despite being a popular metaphor, to date, there are only two academic articles on the concept (Chao & Moon, 2005; Eilam, 1999), and the extent to which the cultural mosaic truly represents the Canadian society is undocumented. Furthermore, the challenge facing multicultural organizations is achieving a balance among cultures in the workplace that benefits both individuals and their organizations. To address this challenge for the workplace and work groups, I developed and explored the concept of the Cultural Mosaic—defined as a multicultural work group in which members’ distinct cultural heritages, values, and practices are mutually recognized and accepted by the group, and are leveraged in the group’s activities—and created the Cultural Mosaic Scale (CMS) to measure the construct. In three studies, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the factor structure of the CMS, and convergent and discriminant validity were demonstrated. The final components that make up the Cultural Mosaic are “Group Diversity,” “Culture Acceptance/Expression,” and “Culture Utilization.” Finally, limitations, future directions, and practical implications are discussed.

Interactions between plant and virus proteins play pivotal roles in many processes during the viral infection cycle. Analysis of protein-protein interactions is crucial for understanding virus and host protein functions and the molecular mechanisms underlying viral infection. Several interactions between virus-encoded proteins have been reported. However, few interactions between viral and plant proteins have been identified so far. To examine interactions between Turnip mosaic potyvirus (TuMV) proteins and plant proteins, recombinant proteins were produced and used in ELISA-type assays and in in vitro co-immunoprecipitation experiments. An interaction between TuMV P1 proteinase and wheat poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) was identified. An interaction between P1 protein and the plant Arabidopsis thaliana eukaryotic initiation factor (iso)4E [eIF(iso)4E] was also found. Finally, potential interactions between both TuMV CI and P1 proteins and between TuMV CI protein and eIF(iso)4E were identified.

Understanding recent decades of coral community change has been hindered by a shortage of long-term monitoring and a lack of tools that provide a lasting record of benthic reef communities. To increase our understanding of Caribbean coral reef dynamics, this dissertation research developed and used innovative technologies involving landscape mosaic images and 3D reef models, to analyze a novel 40 year dataset of coral community health from Andros Island, Bahamas. Historical data from Andros Island (1968-2000) were provided as part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the University of Miami and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport. Long-term monitoring at Andros Island revealed that reef decline was a-typical over recent decades. Coral mortality and disease increased significantly between 1970 and 2000, whereas macroalgal cover did not. To complement studies of coral mortality and disease, the resilience and resistance of individual coral species at Andros were measured from 1972 to 2008. Of the 24 species studied, only three (Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea cavernosa, and Porites astreoides) were resistant to recent disturbance histories, whereas Porites porites was resilient. Further studies using 3D models explored relationships between coral population dynamics and spatial patterns of coral species. Results indicated that the arrangement of dominant coral species and the processes of recruitment, growth, and mortality were non-random over time. In summary, the application of mosaic images and 3D reef models to a previously un-published long-term coral health dataset led to improved understanding of factors controlling past reef communities.

Turnip yellow mosaic virus is a monopartite, plus sense RNA virus infecting the Cruciferae, and is a model system for the study of RNA virus replication. A cDNA clone (pTYMC) representing an infectious RNA genome of the European isolate of TYMV was constructed and used to assess the importance of virus genes in virus infectivity. Derivatives of pTYMC with alterations in open reading frame 69 (ORF- 69) were made. The mutations disrupted the expression of ORF-69 in vitro as predicted. Although the ORF-69 mutants were competent for replication in protoplasts, none of the mutants detectably infected turnip or Chinese cabbage plants, except where reversion mutations led to the restoration of an uninterrupted ORF-69. The data suggest a role for ORF-69 expression in the cell-to-cell movement of the virus. Mutant RNAs with a deletion or frameshift in the coat protein ORF infected protoplasts and plant leaves. No systemic infection symptoms were generated by these mutants, and no viral products were detected in young, expanding tissue of infected plants. When the coat protein deletion mutant and an ORF-69 mutant were co-inoculated onto plants, only a virus producing a coat protein of wild type size was detected in symptomatic, systemic tissue in these inoculations, emphasizing a requirement for the expression of native size coat protein for the systemic translocation of TYMV infection. The role of ORF-206 expression in TYMV replication was examined. Three classes of mutants were made in ORF-206: those affecting the synthesis of the 150 kDa protein, those affecting the synthesis of the 70 kDa protein, and those affecting the synthesis of both the 150 and the 70 kDa proteins. All ORF- 206 mutations eliminated RNA infectivity. Protoplast inoculations using mixtures of individual ORF-206 mutant RNAs and a helper genome demonstrated that co-replication of defective genomes could occur. Moreover, inoculations in which individual 150 kDa and 70 kDa protein mutant RNAs were combined showed that complementation between these two classes of mutants was possible. The data indicate that RNAs expressing wild type 150 kDa protein are favored replication substrates in mixed infections, and suggest that the 150 kDa protein functions preferentially in cis. / Graduation date: 1993

This thesis proposes the Poetics of Mosaic Narrative as a tool for theorising the creation and telling of cinematic stories in a digital environment. As such the Poetics of Mosaic Narrative is designed to assist creators of new media narrative to design dramatically compelling screen based stories by drawing from established theories of cinema and emerging theories of new media. In doing so it validates the crucial element of cinematic storytelling in the digital medium, which due to its fragmentary, variable and re-combinatory nature, affords the opportunity for audience interaction. The Poetics of Mosaic Narrative re-asserts the dramatic and cinematic nature of narrative in new media by drawing upon the dramatic theory of Aristotle’s Poetics, the cinematic theories of the 1920s Russian Film Theorists and contemporary Neo-Formalists, the narrative theories of the 1960s French Structuralists, and the scriptwriting theories of contemporary cinema. In particular it focuses on the theory and practice of the prominent new media theorist, Lev Manovich, as a means of investigating and creating a practical poetics. The key element of the Poetics of Mosaic Narrative is the expansion of the previously forgotten and undeveloped Russian Formalist concept of cinematurgy which is vital to the successful development of new media storytelling theory and practice. This concept, as originally proposed but not elaborated by Kazansky, encompasses the notion of the creation of cinematic new media narrative as a mosaic – integrally driven by the narrative systems of plot, as well as the cinematic systems of visual style created by the techniques of cinema- montage, cinematography and mise-en-scene.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves [102]-120). / 5, 120, [ca. 50] leaves, [3] leaves of plates : ill. ; 30 cm / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Studies the structure of the cucumber mosaic virus genome and the control of its expression. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Biochemistry, 1988