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Thesis (MSc (Botany and Zoology))--Unkiversity of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Phylogeographic genetic structure has been documented for a number of southern African terrestrial taxa. Information regarding geographic population genetic structuring in multiple taxa, with differing life histories, can provide insights into abiotic processes such as vicariance. A fragment of the cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA gene of a plains-dwelling species, Otomys unisulcatus, was sequenced and analysed. Two closely related geographic assemblages were found. The first assemblage (lowland group) contains populations from both the eastern and western parts of the species range, and the second comprises populations from the Little Karoo (central group). The lowland group was shown to be in a state of population expansion after a relatively recent mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) coalescence, while the genetic signature of the central assemblage was characterized by more genetic diversity indicative of an older lineage/genetic refuge. Areas of higher elevation (namely mountain ranges) appeared to be the main factor limiting gene flow between these two groups. Aridification cycles due to glacial maximum periods probably resulted in increased dispersal leading to the widespread distribution of common haplotypes throughout the lowland group. Morphological variation in skull shape and size has been shown to follow environmental clines in some rodents. Geometric morphometric analyses on the ventral and dorsal views of the craniums of O. unisulcatus were utilised to test whether the population groupings obtained in the genetic analyses would be recovered by morphometric analyses. In addition, it was also investigated which of the environmental factors investigated influenced skull shape and size. The genetic groupings were not recovered for either the cranial shape or size. Size variation in the females correlated positively with annual rainfall, and so by proxy with habitat productivity, indicating that females which inhabited areas with lower rainfall would be larger. The significant relationship between females’ centroid sizes and rainfall was thought to be as a result of the increased nutrient requirement by this gender in the production of offspring. The males did not show a significant correlation between any of the environmental variables and centroid size. There was a significant difference between the skull shapes of the genders, further verifying the sexual dimorphism in the species. Three major clusters were found (according to cranium shape) using a Two-Block Partial Least Squares Analysis (2B-PLS), which relate to the biome boundaries within the species’ range. Variations in shape were attributed to the varying needs for strong masticatory muscles resulting from differing diets. The skull shapes of specimens occurring along the escarpment were intermediate between the first two clusters. Cranial shape in the male dorsal view dataset was significantly correlated with the environmental variables block, possibly due to the much lower minimum temperature in the Sutherland population (a population which was not included in the female analyses). It was concluded that differing diets of individuals in the respective biomes influenced the shape of the cranium of both genders. The sexual dimorphism in the cranium shapes may be as a result of the females digging tunnels (using their teeth) underneath the stick nests. Otomys unisulcatus show high levels of phenotypic plasticity throughout the range and it thus appears that the species can adapt fast to the different environmental variables.

The incarceration rate in the United States has increased dramatically in the period since 1945. How did the United States move from having stable incarceration rates in line with global norms to the largest system of incarceration in the world? This study examines the political and intellectual aspects of incarceration and theories of criminal justice by looking at the contributions of journalists, intellectuals and policy makers to the debate on whether the purpose of the justice system is rehabilitation, vengeance, deterrence or incapacitation. This thesis finds that justice and the institution of the prison itself are not immutable facts of modern civilization, but are human institutions vulnerable to the influence of politics, culture and current events.

<p>The main research question of this thesis is how do grand strategies form. Grand strategy is defined as a state's coherent and consistent pattern of behavior over a long period of time in search of an overarching goal. The political science literature usually explains the formation of grand strategies by using a planning (or design) model. In this dissertation, I use primary sources, interviews with former government officials, and historical scholarship to show that the formation of grand strategy is better understood using a model of emergent learning imported from the business world. My two case studies examine the formation of American grand strategy during the Cold War and the post-Cold War eras. The dissertation concludes that in both these strategic eras the dominating grand strategies were formed primarily by emergent learning rather than flowing from advanced designs.</p> / Dissertation

Aujourd'hui la perte et la transformation des habitats sont les principales menaces qui causent la diminution de la diversité biologique. A Madagascar, 90% des espèces végétales sont endémiques de l’île et la plupart des formations végétales sont actuellement fortement dégradées ou remplacées par des formations secondaires résultant des activités humaines. Le bois de tapia, dominé par l’espèce endémique de Madagascar Uapaca bojeri, est une formation végétale sclérophylle limitée aux Hautes Terres de l’île. Cette formation, adaptée et résistante au régime de feu naturel de la région, est aujourd'hui fragmentée, couvrant une surface équivalente à 132 255 ha au total. Afin d’augmenter la protection du bois de tapia, une nouvelle aire protégée (NAP) a été établie sur le Massif d’Ibity. L’état actuel de la végétation de bois de tapia est le résultat de l’interaction de facteurs comme le type de sol, le climat, les pratiques humaines traditionnelles et le feu. Bien que le feu soit un des phénomènes qui fasse partie de la dynamique de cette végétation, le régime de feu actuel est également une des causes de sa dégradation. L’objectif de cette thèse est donc d’étudier le rôle du feu sur le cycle démographique et certains processus importants pour l’installation et le recrutement. Ainsi, la germination, la phénologie et la résistance des plantules au feu ont été étudiées. Cette recherche montre que le problème actuel du bois de tapia est 1) la réduction de la floraison et de la fructification par les fréquences de feu élevées ; 2) la réduction du pourcentage de germination après l’exposition des graines à de hautes températures, et 3) la mortalité élevée des plantules après le passage d’un feu, en particulier quand la quantité de combustible est élevée. Ainsi l’installation et le recrutement des espèces ligneuses sont limités par le feu, qui a un effet négatif sur la régénération naturelle. La gestion du feu autour de l’aire protégée est ainsi nécessaire pour sa conservation / Currently loss and transformation of habitats are the main threats which cause the decrease of biological diversity. In Madagascar, 90% of plants species are endemic of the island and most of the plant formations types are at present strongly degraded or replaced by secondary formations resulting from human activities. Tapia woodland, dominated by the endemic tree Uapaca bojeri, is a sclerophyllous vegetation type limited in the Malagasy highlands. This vegetation type, adapted and resistant to the natural fire regime, is very fragmented today, covering a surface equivalent to 132 255ha on the island. In order to increase the protection of tapia woodland, a new protected area was established on Ibity massif. The current state of the woody vegetation is the result of the interaction of some factors as soil type, climate, human traditional practices and fire. Although fire is one of the phenomena that determine the dynamics of this vegetation, the current fire regime is also one of the main causes of degradation. The objective of this thesis is to study the role of fire on the demographic cycle and on some main processes for installation and recruitment. Thus, germination, plant phenology and seedlings resistance after burnt were studied. This research shows that the current problem of tapia woodland are 1) the reduction of flowering and fruiting by high fire frequencies; 2) the reduction of germination percent after seed exposure with high temperatures, and 3) high seedlings mortality after burnt, in particular when the quantity of fuel is raised. Installation and recruitment of woody species are limited by fire, which has a negative effect on natural regeneration. Fire management around the protected area is thus necessary for its conservation

Understanding the factors which determine the distributions of species is challenging. In response to recent anthropogenic climate change species’ ranges are already changing, adding to the complexity of describing their ecological boundaries. The threat posed to species by climate change cannot be understated, and our ability to understand the drivers and mechanisms which underlie species’ responses is critical to our strategies to conserve them. The Ethiopian Bush-crow’s Zavattariornis stresemanni distribution was recently described by an envelope of cooler, drier climate than the surrounding area. This finding raised an intriguing possibility; could this abundant, generalist and charismatic species be limited to a tiny corner of the world by its response to climatic variables alone? That the White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis occurs in a near identical area only adds to this curiosity; how can two unrelated species be globally restricted to the same small area? I address the following questions. What are the effects of temperature on the distribution and local density of the Ethiopian Bush-crow and White-tailed Swallow? How is Bush-crow behaviour affected by temperature? What are the effects of temperature on the breeding success of the White-tailed Swallow? What are the consequences of climatic range-restriction for the conservation of the two species? I found that both species’ ranges are neatly described by distribution models, in which the most important variable was maximum temperature of the warmest month. Bush- crow local density declines as temperatures rise, and their foraging behaviour is negatively impacted by high temperatures, compared to two sympatric starling species. The White-tailed Swallow shows similar negative trends in abundance, and displays a reduction in breeding success as ambient temperatures increase during its breeding season. In both cases, wider-ranging sympatric species do not show the same negative responses to temperature. Both the Ethiopian Bush-crow and White-tailed Swallow are projected to lose a significant proportion of their range over the coming century, raising the level of conservation concern for the species.

My thesis gives insight on directing a main stage production at the collegiate level as a student. Specifically directing Tradin’ Paint, an original piece from playwright Catherine Bush a native of Abingdon Virginia, and a company playwright for the Barter Theatre. In the thesis I discuss how I arrived at different conclusions for my show through different research. I discuss the experience of being a director over professors, and my own peers, and how all of these challenges and discoveries eventually gave me a finished product to be proud of. If a director were to look at this work, they will find chapter two interesting, as it is my prompt book, with blocking and little notes on the script. This thesis is a great representation of a student directing thesis: Directing a Main stage Show.

Beginning with the first European colonists in the New World, captivity has been means of cultural exchange between whites and Native Americans. The narratives recounting the captives’ experiences became popular literature which inspired visual artists who reinterpreted the tales to coincide with their cultural needs. In the early twentieth century, progressive reformer, William Pryor Letchworth, hired artist Henry Kirke Bush-Brown to create a sculpture of captive Mary Jemison who, instead of returning to her natal culture, chose to stay among the Seneca becoming fully assimilated. Aligning with their progressive values, their perception of her character is reflected in the Mary Jemison Monument. The monument creates an image of the ideal woman, immigrant, and Native American who holds and practices white middle-class values of strength, independence, and determination. Exemplifying these American values, the sculpture accesses an American identity emphasizing the acceptance and practice of these supposedly American traits. Immigrants and Native Americans could become fully Americanized by adopting these characteristics and leaving their traditional ways behind. Contingent on their assimilation of white middle-class values, the perceived problems facing a diversified society could be eliminated. In so doing, a more harmonious America aligning with Letchworth’s beliefs could be created.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Americans have been at war against some form of terrorism both at home and abroad. This includes abuses of federal immigration laws and policies that relate to legal and illegal immigration with Mexico. It is easily substantiated that thousands of Americans have died at the hands of illegal immigrants from Mexico through criminal activity in the United States or through illegal drug trafficking. This thesis considers whether the immigration policies of Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were at fault for not properly securing the border prior to these attacks. Specifically, did the Bush administration effectively secure the border following 9/11? Furthermore, how does the substantial growth of illegal immigrants from 1995 to 2005 correlate to the failed policies passed during this era? This analysis shows that it should not have taken a catastrophic event like the terrorist attacks on 9/11 to realize the urgent need for stronger national security in the homeland. This work concludes with the argument that both administrations should have placed a greater priority on promoting stronger federal immigration laws and policies that would have resulted in better solutions to permanently secure America's southern border with Mexico.