Thesis advisor: Mary Ann Hinsdale / The thesis of this dissertation is that the ecclesial reality of certain Protestant and Anglican communities cannot be adequately evaluated only in reference to the validity or invalidity of its Eucharist and ministry. The question this dissertation will address is whether recognition of some of these communities as "churches" in the theological sense might be possible using a different standard for understanding "church" and ecclesiality. This dissertation will pursue this question through an exploration of how amenable the writings of Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) and Cardinal Walter Kasper are to developing more adequate criteria for recognizing Protestant and Anglican communities as "churches" in the theological sense. The goal of this dissertation is to advance Catholic ecumenical ecclesiology beyond the current impasse over its inability to attribute the term "church" to those communities traditionally understood to possess an invalid Eucharist and ministry. This dissertation will draw on the theological works of both Joseph Ratzinger and Walter Kasper in order to develop a theology of "ecclesial fruitfulness" as a more adequate standard for understanding "church." It will suggest that "ecclesial fruitfulness" is theologically rooted primarily in pneumatology. The Spirit is both the inner fruitfulness of God--God as pure, abundant and overflowing love--and also the condition and possibility of God self-communicating this ecstatic love in history. Creation is therefore the outflow of God's love and a participation in God's being. As the world originates in love, so also then is the world ordered towards fulfillment in love. The mystery of God's salvation for humankind is to be drawn up into the fruitfulness of the trinitarian God through a transformation of sinful individuality into an existence of openness and love. This is made possible in Jesus Christ, who is God's self-communicating love in person, God's loving reign, and the meaning of all reality. In Christ's death and resurrection, he becomes fruitful or "communicable" through giving of himself in the Spirit, and this ability to give of himself through the centuries is itself a fruit of the Paschal Mystery. The church, therefore, is to serve as a sign and icon of the Spirit of the risen Christ, who is the fruitfulness of God in and to the world. The "fruitfulness" of the church is thus the Spirit effectively realizing the mystery of God's salvation given in Jesus Christ through the preaching of the Word, the celebration of the sacraments (particularly the Eucharist), and through fostering communion among all local churches and ecclesial communities. This dissertation will suggest that a Christian community that is "ecclesially fruitful" in the sense described here is theologically a "church." / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Theology.

‘Crimson Seedless’ (Vitis vinifera L.) is an attractive, late season, red, seedless cultivar, which is currently a very popular table grape cultivar. It is one of the most planted cultivars in South Africa and third in terms of total area of table grape vineyards in production. Mature ‘Crimson Seedless’ grapes are characterized by outstanding eating quality, good flavour, firm and crisp berries. One of the key factors affecting the yield of table grape cultivars is bud fruitfulness. Low fruitfulness can have a significant effect on the yield of table grape cultivars and ‘Crimson Seedless’ is characterized by a fruitfulness problem. Summer pruning, such as the removal of shoots after harvesting grapes, is a cultivation practice widely used by some table grape producers in the Orange River region of South Africa. The first hypothesis of this study stated that the removal of shoots after harvest will increase the transmitted PAR through the canopy, increase carbohydrate reserve levels in canes and improve bud fruitfulness of ‘Crimson Seedless’. A second hypothesis of this study stated that the cut back of all main shoots and shoots developing from spurs to the nearest lateral shoot and the removal of all unproductive shoots after berry set will result in fruitful shoots the following season. The third and final hypothesis of this study stated that the removal of shoots after harvest and berry set will improve the yield and quality of Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Crimson Seedless’. The study was conducted over three seasons (2010/11 to 2012/13) and aimed at investigating factors, including shoot removal, impacting bud fruitfulness of an 11-year-old commercial V. vinifera L. cv. ‘Crimson Seedless’ vineyard, grafted on ‘Ramsey’ (Vitis champinii) rootstocks in the Hex River Valley. The treatment design was a complete randomized design and involved five treatments, which included 33% shoot removal (S33) and 66% shoot removal (S66) after harvest, cutting of all main and lateral shoots developing from spurs to the nearest lateral shoot (LS), removal of all unproductive shoots (RSB) which was compared with the control, in which standard pruning practices were performed. The results obtained in this experiment showed that shoot removal after harvest and after berry set improves PAR transmission into the canopy, but there was no significant impact on bud fruitfulness. In addition, it was found that shoot removal reduced vegetative growth resulting in thinner canes that also led to the improvement in PAR transmission. Furthermore, bunch number per shoot in the LS treated vines was reduced when compared with S33 treated vines, illustrating that shoot removal at berry set can reduce bunch number per shoot due to defoliation after berry set. The significant decrease in bud burst in the S33 treatments compared with the control was expected due to less shoots, resulting in a reduction in cane mass during the 2010/11 season. The significant effect of LS treatments after berry set on TSS and total red pigments compared with the S66 treatments and the control, respectively, clearly indicates that shoot removal after berry set improves grape colour. The positive effect of LS treatments on colour was supported by the significant improvement in class 4 bunches, representing an improvement in quality. Although shoot removal did not have a significant effect on the bunch mass per vine of ‘Crimson Seedless’, there was a significant reduction in total bunches for export and mass of the total export bunches in the LS treatments in the 2011/12 season. A link between carbohydrate concentration in canes and bud fruitfulness was not found in this study, as S33 and S66 treatments did not have a significant effect on carbohydrate content in canes during the 2011/12 season. The question therefore arises whether the treatments applied during the growing seasons are worthwhile, because there was no significant impact on bud fruitfulness of Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Crimson Seedless’. This study illustrates that growers need to decide whether it is worthwhile to utilize labour for this practice and they must manage grapevines not only for the current seasons crop, but also for the next season and this can be accomplished by maintaining sufficient carbohydrates for fruitfulness and yield from season to season. / Dissertation (MInst Agrar)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Plant Production and Soil Science / MInst Agrar / Unrestricted

O conhecimento da interferência do porta-enxerto no desenvolvimento da copa é muito importante, pois tais interações para cada combinação porta-enxerto e cultivar copa adotada pode variar. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a interferência dos porta-enxertos \'IAC 766\', \'IAC 572\', \'IAC 313\', \'IAC 571-6\' e \'Ripária do Traviú\', no desenvolvimento e fertilidade das gemas da cultivar copa \'Niagara Rosada\'. O estudo foi realizado em videira \'Niagara Rosada\' conduzida sob o sistema de espaldeira, na região de Jundiaí - SP. As avaliações foram realizadas em três ciclos de produção, destes, dois foram realizados no ciclo tradicional, em que a poda de produção é realizada no inverno e a colheita no fim da primavera e início de verão, e um foi realizado na denominada safrinha, em que a poda de produção ocorre no verão e a colheita no fim do outono e início do inverno. Para os ciclos de produção tradicionais avaliou-se a fertilidade da primeira até a quarta ou quinta gema, o número de brotação, o número de cacho e o comprimento final dos ramos em 2014 e 2015. No ciclo de produção safrinha avaliou-se a fertilidade da quinta até a oitava gema e os demais dados biométricos durante o cultivo. Nesse ciclo de produção avaliou-se a produção e qualidade de frutos da videira. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados em esquema de parcela subdividida para fertilidade de gemas, e em blocos casualizados para as demais variáveis. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise de variância, e quando significativo, os dados foram submetidos ao teste de comparação de médias Tukey a 0,05 de probabilidade. Não foi observado efeito dos diferentes porta-enxertos na fertilidade de gemas, no desenvolvimento da planta, na produção e qualidade dos frutos de videira \'Niagara Rosada\'. / The knowledge about rootstock interference in scion development is important, because these interactions can vary with the combination of rootstock and scion. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the interaction of the rootstocks \'IAC 766\', \'IAC 572\', \'IAC 313\', \'IAC 571-6\' e \'Ripária do Traviú\' to the development and bud fruitfulness of \'Niagara Rosada\' scion. This study was conducted in \'Niagara Rosada\' training by espalier system in Jundiaí - SP region. The experiment was performed in three crop seasons, two called traditional season, when the pruning is done in winter and the harvest in the end of spring and beginning of summer, and one non-traditional crop season, when pruning is performed in summer and the harvest in the end of fall or beginning of winter. In traditional crop season was evaluated the fruitfulness from first to fourth or fifth bud, the budburst, the number of cluster and the shoot length in 2014 and 2015. In non-traditional crop season was evaluated fruitfulness from fifth from eighth bud, likewise the biometric data. Furthermore, in this crop season was evaluated the yield and fruit quality of grapevine \'Niagara Rosada\'. The statistical design t was randomized blocks in split plot for fruitulness, and randomized blocks for the other trials. The data was submitted to analysis of variance, and the means were compared to Tukey test at 0,05 of probability. There was no effect of rootstock on fruitfulness, development of plant, yield and fruit quality of grape \'Niagara Rosada\'.

O conhecimento da interferência do porta-enxerto no desenvolvimento da copa é muito importante, pois tais interações para cada combinação porta-enxerto e cultivar copa adotada pode variar. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a interferência dos porta-enxertos \'IAC 766\', \'IAC 572\', \'IAC 313\', \'IAC 571-6\' e \'Ripária do Traviú\', no desenvolvimento e fertilidade das gemas da cultivar copa \'Niagara Rosada\'. O estudo foi realizado em videira \'Niagara Rosada\' conduzida sob o sistema de espaldeira, na região de Jundiaí - SP. As avaliações foram realizadas em três ciclos de produção, destes, dois foram realizados no ciclo tradicional, em que a poda de produção é realizada no inverno e a colheita no fim da primavera e início de verão, e um foi realizado na denominada safrinha, em que a poda de produção ocorre no verão e a colheita no fim do outono e início do inverno. Para os ciclos de produção tradicionais avaliou-se a fertilidade da primeira até a quarta ou quinta gema, o número de brotação, o número de cacho e o comprimento final dos ramos em 2014 e 2015. No ciclo de produção safrinha avaliou-se a fertilidade da quinta até a oitava gema e os demais dados biométricos durante o cultivo. Nesse ciclo de produção avaliou-se a produção e qualidade de frutos da videira. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados em esquema de parcela subdividida para fertilidade de gemas, e em blocos casualizados para as demais variáveis. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise de variância, e quando significativo, os dados foram submetidos ao teste de comparação de médias Tukey a 0,05 de probabilidade. Não foi observado efeito dos diferentes porta-enxertos na fertilidade de gemas, no desenvolvimento da planta, na produção e qualidade dos frutos de videira \'Niagara Rosada\'. / The knowledge about rootstock interference in scion development is important, because these interactions can vary with the combination of rootstock and scion. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the interaction of the rootstocks \'IAC 766\', \'IAC 572\', \'IAC 313\', \'IAC 571-6\' e \'Ripária do Traviú\' to the development and bud fruitfulness of \'Niagara Rosada\' scion. This study was conducted in \'Niagara Rosada\' training by espalier system in Jundiaí - SP region. The experiment was performed in three crop seasons, two called traditional season, when the pruning is done in winter and the harvest in the end of spring and beginning of summer, and one non-traditional crop season, when pruning is performed in summer and the harvest in the end of fall or beginning of winter. In traditional crop season was evaluated the fruitfulness from first to fourth or fifth bud, the budburst, the number of cluster and the shoot length in 2014 and 2015. In non-traditional crop season was evaluated fruitfulness from fifth from eighth bud, likewise the biometric data. Furthermore, in this crop season was evaluated the yield and fruit quality of grapevine \'Niagara Rosada\'. The statistical design t was randomized blocks in split plot for fruitulness, and randomized blocks for the other trials. The data was submitted to analysis of variance, and the means were compared to Tukey test at 0,05 of probability. There was no effect of rootstock on fruitfulness, development of plant, yield and fruit quality of grape \'Niagara Rosada\'.

Fertility lies at the heart of Life: it re-invigorates and regenerates. It is one of the most intimate areas of human existence. Worldwide, infertility is on the increase. However, advances in biomedical technologies, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) give hope to those who are suffering from infertility. At the same time it brings the question of moral responsibility into focus. The availability of donor sperm and eggs, coupled with greater recognition of the rights of lesbians and gays to become parents either by adoption, utilising donor material, or openly exercising their rights as already existing parents, have complicated previous more conservative understandings of what ‘family’ means. The epistemological point of departure of this research is described in Chapter 3 and is positioned within postfoundational practical theology, with an emphasis on critical emancipative feminism. The underlying research methodology is the narrative approach, embedded in social constructionism. The research explores the narratives of four couples. These co-researchers, affected by infertility and childlessness, share their stories of surrogacy, secondary infertility, gay parenting and miscarriage that are presented in Chapters 4 to 7. In Chapter 2 the researcher includes her story as someone living with infertility. Particular attention was paid to understand and develop insights concerning preferred lives of fruitfulness in spite of infertility and childlessness. The explored narratives revealed varying discourses that are introduced through out the thesis, but are specifically integrated in Chapter 8. In the final chapter the author reflects critically on the research and writing process as a whole. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Architecture for Black Africans would ask, “How can I live with my brother?”. How to live in peace and harmony with the other people with whom we share our African continent? It is architecture created by activities of Black African people. Fostering unity and friendship, reflecting the concept of 'ubuntu' [spirit of sharing]. Places and linkages are created by this architecture for the building of the African family and community. Freed from destructive ego of individualism, but enslaved to selfless life-giving service to Black African people’s needs. This is architecture that constructs a stage, where Black Africans may perform their activities. In so doing, it enables them to rise to their greatness. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / unrestricted

There have been a number of support initiatives rendered to the small-scale sugarcane farmers in Mpumalanga but the sugarcane production there has remained low. This raised some questions on the efficient use of available resources and the fruitfulness of the Producer Development Initiatives (PDIs). Justification for further assistance to the small-scale farmers requires empirical evidence of efficient resource use. This study employed the stochastic frontier production function to calculate the technical, allocative and cost efficiency. This study provides insight into three issues: the levels of technical, economic and allocative efficiencies of small-scale sugarcane farmers; the relationship between efficiency level and various farm/farmer specific factors; and implications of policy and strategies for improving small-scale sugarcane production. The technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of small-scale sugarcane farming were estimated in order to identify the potential increase in production without incurring additional costs. The study used data obtained from a field survey covering 231 small-scale sugarcane farmers in the Nkomazi region for the 2009/2010. sugarcane production season. According to the stochastic frontier production function using the Cobb-Douglas model, labour, herbicides and fertilizer showed significant positive effects on sugarcane production. The results also indicated that the small-scale sugarcane farmers suffer from considerable lack technical, allocative and cost efficiency. The mean technical, allocative and cost efficiency estimates are 68.5%, 61.5% and 41.8% respectively. A Tobit regression was used to analyse the impact of the farm/farmer characteristics on efficiency. The impact analysis revealed that age, level of education and gender are significant determinants of technical efficiency. On the other hand, level of education, off-farm income, land size and experience are significant determinants of allocative efficiency. In so far as cost efficiency is concerned, the significant determinants are level of education, land size and experience in sugarcane farming. The findings of the study justify the need for improved agricultural partnerships between the sugar mills and the sugarcane farmers. An example of such collaboration would be if millers were to not only give credit to the farmers, but also give technical guidance to small producers in return for the delivery of a specific quantity and quality of cane at a stipulated time. The collective efforts of these farmers and millers, once harmoniously co-ordinated, can enhance production efficiency and economic prosperity. Also, appropriate policy formulation and implementation is an effective instrument to improvement in farm efficiency and productivity which promotes overall growth of the economy. Therefore, there is need for all stakeholders (both private and public sector) to make combined efforts to remove the bottlenecks that have constrained effective policy implementation in, and its accrued benefits to, South African agriculture. / Dissertation MSc (Agric)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

This thesis contends that the pastoral role is significant to the effective functioning and well-being of the church. Therefore, the initial selection of a pastor is a vital component and contributes to those desirable outcomes. The question being considered within this thesis is: What are the factors within a church hiring process which may play a role in successful or unsuccessful pastoral ministry? As there are many variables even within this process, the scope of this thesis is limited to the identification and selection of pastoral leadership from the perspective of the pastoral participants. This perspective is drawn from one denominational association in Ontario —the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptists (FEB hereafter) within the Central region of Canada. In examining this question, an empirical, mixed-methodology is used. The triangulation of a literature review, surveys, personal interviews and a biblical, theological treatment allowed for the most comprehensive perspective and treatment of the research question (Leedy, 2010, p. 99). There is a significant amount of inductive reasoning included, based upon personal interactions within cultural contexts and experiences. This is due to the inadequacy or lack of current theories and available literature relative to the question being studied. This motivates me towards the inclusion of a grounded theory methodology as a component of this study (Leedy, 2010, p. 142). Hiring the right pastor is a challenge at the best of times. As the church struggles to respond to a rapidly changing and diverse culture it presents greater challenges. Rates of pastoral turnover are high and the general duration of pastoral ministry is low. This, in turn, impacts ministry effectiveness. This study of hiring practices and pastoral experiences begins to identify elements as to why some pastors are successful and others are not. It allows for the reflection and consideration of whether the church is, what I have termed, “Equipping the Called, or Calling the Equipped”. There is cause for hope, as there always is within God’s church. This thesis identifies concerns, as well as some positive practices and experiences that can be helpful to inform practice and potential change. As Osmer acknowledges, “observing good practice in other congregations is a powerful source of normative guidance” (Osmer, 2008, p. 152). / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This thesis contends that the pastoral role is significant to the effective functioning and well-being of the church. Therefore, the initial selection of a pastor is a vital component and contributes to those desirable outcomes. The question being considered within this thesis is: What are the factors within a church hiring process which may play a role in successful or unsuccessful pastoral ministry? As there are many variables even within this process, the scope of this thesis is limited to the identification and selection of pastoral leadership from the perspective of the pastoral participants. This perspective is drawn from one denominational association in Ontario —the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptists (FEB hereafter) within the Central region of Canada. In examining this question, an empirical, mixed-methodology is used. The triangulation of a literature review, surveys, personal interviews and a biblical, theological treatment allowed for the most comprehensive perspective and treatment of the research question (Leedy, 2010, p. 99). There is a significant amount of inductive reasoning included, based upon personal interactions within cultural contexts and experiences. This is due to the inadequacy or lack of current theories and available literature relative to the question being studied. This motivates me towards the inclusion of a grounded theory methodology as a component of this study (Leedy, 2010, p. 142). Hiring the right pastor is a challenge at the best of times. As the church struggles to respond to a rapidly changing and diverse culture it presents greater challenges. Rates of pastoral turnover are high and the general duration of pastoral ministry is low. This, in turn, impacts ministry effectiveness. This study of hiring practices and pastoral experiences begins to identify elements as to why some pastors are successful and others are not. It allows for the reflection and consideration of whether the church is, what I have termed, “Equipping the Called, or Calling the Equipped”. There is cause for hope, as there always is within God’s church. This thesis identifies concerns, as well as some positive practices and experiences that can be helpful to inform practice and potential change. As Osmer acknowledges, “observing good practice in other congregations is a powerful source of normative guidance” (Osmer, 2008, p. 152). / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)