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No description available.

Pisolithus is an ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal genus that exists in native and plantation forests worldwide. Despite many aspects of the genus having been studied over the years, there is limited knowledge of the genetic population structure of Pisolithus spp. The major aim of this study was to begin to elucidate the genetic structure of populations of Pisolithus native to the eastern states of Australia. Initially, the number of species represented in the University of Western Sydney Pisolithus culture collection was investigated using ITS-RFLP and previously developed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. From these analyses, two clear groupings emerged with the RFLP groups corresponding to the SSR groups identified. To study genetic population structure, appropriate markers were required and SSR markers were considered to be most suited to this end. The developed SSR markers were successfully used to amplify P. microcarpus and P. albus DNA from ECM root tips and soil samples. Therefore, these markers will be a useful tool for future investigations into the population structure of above and below-ground structures of P. microcarpus and P. albus populations. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This thesis investigates the development of a machine which is termed as singly salient reluctance (SSR) motor and its drive system. The stator of SSR motor is identical to that of a conventional induction motor or any other ac machine. Its rotor has salient poles with internal flux barriers or flux guides. This research covers the detailed designs of the SSR motors and their magnetic circuit analysis using finite element method (FEM). The parameters which are important for designing the SSR motor are investigated. This investigation resulted in designs which have low manufacturing cost as well as high torque per ampere, efficiency and power factors. This thesis also researches the different drive system for the SSR motor. The SSR motor is tested as a variable speed drive with closed loop control and supplied with dc source. Therefore for this purpose a controller system is designed and built. In addition, the SSR motor supplied by ac source using open loop control is also tested for synchronous operation. Some of the proposed designs are built and their performance compared with their predicted analysis. The SSR motors showed a competitive performance compared with equivalent induction motor in both efficiency and power factor. However the validity of the theoretical designs is assessed by comparing them with experimental results. Quite good agreement between experimental and theoretical evaluations has been achieved. In addition, suggested further improvements for SSR motors and drive systems are discussed. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Molecular marker analysis of seven putative onion (Allium cepa) doubled haploid (DH) lines developed at Texas A&M University was conducted to verify genetic homozygosity. Analysis was also conducted on five equivalent conventional inbred lines, breeding lines developed from the same parental crosses as the DH lines, and the original parent lines. The markers have revealed polymorphisms within the parental lines and the conventional inbreds, but not in the DH lines. We can conclude therefore that these seven lines are true DH lines. Performance of these DH lines was tested in two field locations and compared to commercial check lines. Bulbs from the various crosses were evaluated for eight bulb traits: diameter, height, centers/bulb, ring thickness, number of rings/bulb, bulb weight, soluble solids content, and pungency. Some crosses were detected that yielded significantly greater bulb weight than the check lines. However, these lines also had significantly greater numbers of centers per bulb. To test how these lines would perform in a breeding program, two full diallel analyses were conducted according to Griffing’s Model I, Method 1. The first consisted of a four parent diallel cross using two red DH lines and two yellow DH lines. Bulbs from the various crosses were evaluated for the same eight bulb traits mentioned above. Significant variation was detected for genotypic, general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), reciprocal (REC), maternal (MAT), and nonmaternal (NMAT) effects for all traits except number of rings/bulb, soluble solids content, and pungency. Significant environmental effects were only detected with number of centers per bulb. The second diallel analysis, a four parent diallel with two DH lines and two inbred lines from the breeding program, showed significant variation for the same effects for all traits except soluble solids content. Generally, GCA effects were more important than SCA effects in explaining the variation observed between crosses. For all traits GCA and SCA were always larger than the reciprocal effects (divided into maternal and nonmaternal components).

The wild origin, early breeding history, and diversity of the China Rose group, including R. chinensis and its varieties, cultivars, and hybrids, are largely unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate the genetic diversity and relationships of the China Roses with related species and hybrids, including information in support of, or refuting, the hypothesis that these roses are the hybrid result of the wild R. chinensis var. spontanea and R. odorata var. gigantea. Ninety Rosa accessions, including China Roses, a Miscellaneous Old Garden Rose, Noisettes, early Polyanthas, Bourbons, Teas, and species from Sections Indicae and Synstylae were surveyed using 23 microsatellite primer pairs. The trnH-psbA chloroplast intergenic spacer was also sequenced for the China Roses, Misc. Old Garden Rose, and the species to look specifically at maternal relationships. A total of 291 alleles were scored for the 23 microsatellites, with alleles per locus ranging from 6-22 and averaging 12.65. A dendrogram based on Dice similarity and a three-dimensional Principle Coordinate Analysis (PCoorA) graph were plotted with the data. In the cluster analysis, the similarity coefficients ranged from ~0.15-0.99, with the cultivated roses forming well-defined groups at about 0.45 similarity. These groups generally reflected the American Rose Society horticultural classifications. A large number of sports and synonyms in the China Rose group were identified through this analysis as well. The PCoorA gave a better graphical representation of the relationships of the species and cultivars, and with the inclusion of the chloroplast sequence haplotypes, some maternal relationships could also be identified. This study shows that the cultivated China Roses are a closely related group and identified which accessions were likely Hybrid China Roses. The results also suggest that the China Roses were maternally derived from R. chinensis var. spontanea. Based on the microsatellites and chloroplast sequence haplotypes, the identity of the R. odorata var. gigantea accessions in this study are suspect, but the China Roses may also have this species in their background as the result of natural or artificial hybridization.

The objective of this work is to design a damping controller for a thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) to damp robustly inter-area oscillations in power systems with an immunity against sub-synchronous resonance (SSR) oscillations which may lead to torsional oscillations. The new control strategy has two main loops; an SSR mitigation loop and a bang-bang loop, the latter is designed with the aim of damping inter-area oscillations with a settling time 8-10 sec. The appropriate selection of the bang-bang series compensation component, ∆KC, is addressed by considering the Eigen analysis of the generators’ shafts and an impedance scan of the series compensated line for different compensation levels. The SSR mitigation loop is designed with the aim of providing a fine tune control signal to be added to the main value of the inserted series compensation (KC), to damp SSR oscillations and related torsional mode of oscillations. To address this issue, a new observer-based multiple model adaptive control algorithm is designed to control a multi-stage TCSC. The SSR modelling challenges associated with the load dynamics and with the insertion of the series compensation into the transmission system are overcome by a fine tuning control loop, which adjusts the resultant series compensation (KC). Considering the integration and coordination of oscillation damping and distance protection in the transmission system, a new adaptive technique must be designed to control the distance relay (DR) to prevent its mal operation (during the damping process). The new strategy is illustrated through an 11-bus 4-machine 2-area benchmark power system. The performance and advantages of the new algorithm are validated using time domain simulation via PSCAD software.

A genetic linkage map of mustard (Brassica juncea) was developed using two double haploid populations produced from crosses between a low erucic cultivar “ZEM1” and two moderate erucic acid lines “Vniimk351” and “Vniimk405” with the use of SSR and SRAP markers. The linkage map of the ZEM1xVniimk351 population included 13 linkage groups with an overall length of 791 cM with an average marker interval of 5.7 cM. The linkage map of the ZEM1xVniimk405 population also contained 13 linkage groups with a distance of 623 cM and an average marker interval of 4.6 cM. Using the linkage maps for the two populations, QTLs were detected for seed oil, protein and fatty acids. QTL analysis for fatty acids indentified QTLs on LG1, 7 and 12 for the ZEM1xVniimk351 population and LG1, 3 and 4 for the ZEM1xVniimk405 population. Analysis for the seed oil and protein content in the ZEM1xVniimk351 population identified 2 QTLs on LG1 and LG4 and 1 QTL on LG1 respectively. The QTL analysis ZEM1xVniimk405 of oil and protein content identified 1 QTL for oil and protein on LG1. The variation of fatty acids was shown to be the result of monogenic inheritance of the FAE1 gene in both populations.

Subsynchronous Resonance (SSR) is one of the major obstacles for the wide spread of high degrees (60% and higher) of series capacitor compensation. Recently, a new obstacle, namely Subsynchronous Interaction (SSI) has been added to the list after the Zorillo Gulf wind farm incident in Texas in October 2009. SSI is due to the interaction between large Doubly-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)-based wind farms and series capacitor compensated transmission systems. In integrated power systems incorporating series capacitor compensated transmission lines and high penetration of wind energy conversion systems, especially DFIG-based wind farms, SSR and SSI could occur concurrently as a result of some system contingences. Therefore, mitigating SSR and SSI is an important area of research and development targeting at developing practical and effective countermeasures. This thesis reports the results of digital time-domain simulation studies that are carried out to investigate the potential use of Full-Scale Frequency Converter (FFC) and DFIG-based wind farms for simultaneous mitigation of SSR and SSI. This is achieved through introducing supplemental control signals in the reactive power control loops of the grid side converters of the DFIG and/or the FFC wind turbines. In this context, two supplemental controls designated as Supplemental Controls 1 and 2 are examined. Supplemental Control 1 introduces a signal in the grid side converter of the FFC wind turbines to damp both SSR and SSI oscillations. On the other hand, Supplemental Control 2 introduces a signal in the grid side converter of the FFC wind turbines for damping SSR oscillations and another signal in the grid side converters of the DFIG wind turbines for damping SSI oscillations. Time-domain simulations are conducted on a benchmark model using the ElectroMagnetic Transients program (EMTP-RV). The results of the investigations have demonstrated that the presented two supplemental controls are very effective in mitigating the SSR and SSI phenomena at different system contingencies and operating conditions.

A genetic linkage map of mustard (Brassica juncea) was developed using two double haploid populations produced from crosses between a low erucic cultivar “ZEM1” and two moderate erucic acid lines “Vniimk351” and “Vniimk405” with the use of SSR and SRAP markers. The linkage map of the ZEM1xVniimk351 population included 13 linkage groups with an overall length of 791 cM with an average marker interval of 5.7 cM. The linkage map of the ZEM1xVniimk405 population also contained 13 linkage groups with a distance of 623 cM and an average marker interval of 4.6 cM. Using the linkage maps for the two populations, QTLs were detected for seed oil, protein and fatty acids. QTL analysis for fatty acids indentified QTLs on LG1, 7 and 12 for the ZEM1xVniimk351 population and LG1, 3 and 4 for the ZEM1xVniimk405 population. Analysis for the seed oil and protein content in the ZEM1xVniimk351 population identified 2 QTLs on LG1 and LG4 and 1 QTL on LG1 respectively. The QTL analysis ZEM1xVniimk405 of oil and protein content identified 1 QTL for oil and protein on LG1. The variation of fatty acids was shown to be the result of monogenic inheritance of the FAE1 gene in both populations.