Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on Jan. 14, 2010). A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science, [Department of] Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

1999 was the first year that Year 8 Maori immersion students were included in national monitoring in New Zealand. The thesis explores how bilingualism, being a second language learner, and culture impact on student performance. It details the National Education Monitoring Project�s (NEMP) efforts to create fair and valid cross-language and cross-culture assessment. The thesis looks at overseas research on the development, translation and administration of tasks and relates this to NEMP�s processes. Issues and problems that arose during the development, translation and administration of tasks are discussed. Several positions emerge from this thesis. Firstly, that despite the problems encountered, there were some clear �benefits�. Benefits lay primarily in: recognition of the complexity of cross-language and cross-cultural assessment, �improved� assessment and translation processes, professional development, new understanding and knowledge areas, identification of areas for future research and the accumulation of data (albeit in some instances problematic). Secondly, that NEMP went to great efforts to consult with and involve Maori. However, the relationship between NEMP and Maori was compromised in that some sectors within immersion education were ambivalent about participating in national monitoring. This ambivalence impacted in a number of ways on the project and the assessment of immersion students. Thirdly, that the inclusion of immersion students in national monitoring needs to be seen within the wider social, political and historical context of New Zealand. Assessment is not a neutral process. Assessment is a social and political activity that has the potential to advantage certain groups in society and disadvantage others. Fourthly, despite NEMP�s efforts to be fair, inclusive and thorough in its processes there were significant issues that compromised students� performance and the quality of the information gathered. Limited language skills of some students, cultural differences, translation and task administration problems at times worked to the disadvantage of immersion students and raise questions about the validity of some findings. Finally, I suggest that the inclusion of Maori immersion students in national monitoring is in some respects premature and unfair. In particular, questions need to be asked about the fairness and validity of making comparisons between bilingual, second language learners in Maori immersion settings and monolingual Maori students learning in English in the mainstream.

Phenotypic characterizations demonstrated that diversity among 19 naturalized North American and 5 commercial Kura clover ( Trifolium ambiguum M.B.) rhizobial strains was limited. Growth chamber and field evaluations indicated the superiority of North American isolates, increasing foliage accumulation by 30% when compared to commercial inoculant strains. Nitrogen fertilization, however, produced greater accumulations in all evaluations. Genetic diversity among 128 isolates from the lower Caucasus was significant. Nodulation specificity of rhizobia from the lower Caucasus was demonstrated to be more complex than what was reported in the literature, as plants of different ploidy levels and even of different species were, in some cases, nodulated by the same isolate. Specificity of a given rhizobial strain varied depending on the isolate. This study identified naturalized North American rhizobial isolates that are more efficient than currently used commercial strains and increased the genetic diversity of Kura clover rhizobia currently available.

1999 was the first year that Year 8 Maori immersion students were included in national monitoring in New Zealand. The thesis explores how bilingualism, being a second language learner, and culture impact on student performance. It details the National Education Monitoring Project�s (NEMP) efforts to create fair and valid cross-language and cross-culture assessment. The thesis looks at overseas research on the development, translation and administration of tasks and relates this to NEMP�s processes. Issues and problems that arose during the development, translation and administration of tasks are discussed. Several positions emerge from this thesis. Firstly, that despite the problems encountered, there were some clear �benefits�. Benefits lay primarily in: recognition of the complexity of cross-language and cross-cultural assessment, �improved� assessment and translation processes, professional development, new understanding and knowledge areas, identification of areas for future research and the accumulation of data (albeit in some instances problematic). Secondly, that NEMP went to great efforts to consult with and involve Maori. However, the relationship between NEMP and Maori was compromised in that some sectors within immersion education were ambivalent about participating in national monitoring. This ambivalence impacted in a number of ways on the project and the assessment of immersion students. Thirdly, that the inclusion of immersion students in national monitoring needs to be seen within the wider social, political and historical context of New Zealand. Assessment is not a neutral process. Assessment is a social and political activity that has the potential to advantage certain groups in society and disadvantage others. Fourthly, despite NEMP�s efforts to be fair, inclusive and thorough in its processes there were significant issues that compromised students� performance and the quality of the information gathered. Limited language skills of some students, cultural differences, translation and task administration problems at times worked to the disadvantage of immersion students and raise questions about the validity of some findings. Finally, I suggest that the inclusion of Maori immersion students in national monitoring is in some respects premature and unfair. In particular, questions need to be asked about the fairness and validity of making comparisons between bilingual, second language learners in Maori immersion settings and monolingual Maori students learning in English in the mainstream.

This thesis seeks to acknowledge and address the concerns that Maori people voice about research into their lives. The present study shows that Maori people are concerned that the power and control over research issues of initiation, benefits, representation, legitimation and accountability are addressed by the imposition of the researcher�s agenda, concerns and interests on the research process. Such dominance of a Western orientated discourse is being challenged by a pro-active, Kaupapa Maori research approach. This approach is part of the revitalisation of Maori cultural aspirations, preferences and practices as a philosophical and productive educational stance and resistance to the hegemony of the dominant discourse in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Kaupapa Maori research is collectivistic, and is orientated toward benefiting all the research participants and their collectively determined agendas. Kaupapa Maori Research is based on growing concensus that research involving Maori knowledge and people needs to be conducted in culturally appropriate ways, ways that fit Maori cultural preferences, practices and aspirations in order to develop and acknowledge existing culturally appropriate approaches in the method, practice and organisation of research. This thesis examines how a group of researchers have addressed the importance of devolving power and control in the research exercise in order to promote self-determination (tino Rangatiratanga) of Maori people. In the thesis I have talked with researchers who have accepted the challenge of positioning themselves within the discursive practice that is Kaupapa Maori. As a result, this thesis examines how such positionings challenge what constitutes a process of theory generation within the context of Aotearoa/New Zealand. This thesis further seeks to examine a way of knowing that reflects what meanings I can construct from my positioning within an experiential Kaupapa Maori research matrix. My position within this matrix resulted from critical reflections on my participation in a research group with an agreed-to agenda, my participation within the projects considered in the narratives in this thesis, my talking with other research participants in the form termed "interviews as chat" and from our constructing joint narratives about their/our attempts to address Maori concerns about research in their practice. The broad methodological framework used in the thesis is narrative inquiry for such an approach allows the research participants to select, recollect and reflect on stories within their own cultural context and language rather than in that chosen by the researcher. In other words, the story teller maintains the power to define what constitutes the story and the truth and the meaning it has for them. Further, this thesis seeks to investigate my own position as a researcher within a co-joint reflection on shared experiences and co-joint construction of meanings about these experiences, a position where the stories of the other research participants merged with my own to create new stories. Such collaborative stories go beyond an approach that simply focusses on the cooperative sharing of experiences and focusses on connectedness, engagement, and involvement with the other research participants within the cultural world view/discursive practice within which they function. This thesis seeks to identify what constitutes this engagement and what implications this has for promoting self determination/agency/voice in the research participants by examining concepts of participatory consciousness and connectedness within Maori discursive practice. Whakawhanaungatanga (establishing relationships in a Maori context), is used metaphorically to give voice to a culturally positioned means of collaboratively constructing research stories in a �culturally conscious and connected manner�. The thesis explains that there are three major overlapping implications of whakawhanaungatanga as a research strategy. The first is that establishing and maintaining relationships is a fundamental, often extensive and ongoing part of the research process. This involves the establishment of �whanau of interest� through a process of �spiral dicourse�. The second is that researchers understand themselves to be involved somatically in the research process; that is physically, ethically, morally and spiritually and not just as a �researcher� concerned with methodology. Such positionings are demonstrated in the language/metaphor used by the researchers in the stories described in this thesis. The third is that establishing relationships in a Maori context addresses the power and control issues fundamental to research, because it involves participatory research practices, in this context, termed �Participant Driven research�.

Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum) is a perennial legume species that has been found to have exceptional persistence in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. There are two challenges that impede the incorporation of Kura clover into pasture mixtures in Alberta. The first is the lack of available seed, and the second is poor establishment success in mixtures with highly competitive grass species. A series of experiments were conducted to (i) address the potential for seed production in a central Alberta environment and (ii) to determine alternative strategies for establishment in mixtures. Kura clover successfully flowered and produced seed under central Alberta growing conditions. Seed production was greater from the cultivar Endura than Cossack. Kura clover seed production was not affected by row spacing however, yield was greater when clover was planted at 3 or 6 kg/ha versus 9 or 12 kg/ha. Seed yield ranged from 80 kg/ha to 350 kg/ha. Establishing Kura clover with a cover crop reduced flowering and seed production. Corn (Zea mays) was the least competitive cover crop, followed by faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Canola (Brassica napus), peas (Pisum sativum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and triticale (X Tritosecale) reduced Kura clover seed yield and are not recommended as cover crops. Comparison of above and below ground competition between Kura clover and meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii), indicated that below ground competition has the greatest impact on Kura clover seedling growth. Altering seeding rate and delaying introduction of the grass species by up to two months significantly improved Kura clover establishment in mixtures. Kura clover survival in established pastures was higher with physical than chemical sod suppression of the standing forage. Dry matter yield of Kura clover was greatest when defoliated at 6 week intervals. Challenges still remain regarding seed production and establishment of Kura clover. However, we successfully addressed the major concerns regarding the potential of Kura clover in Alberta. / Plant Science

No description available.

This thesis seeks to acknowledge and address the concerns that Maori people voice about research into their lives. The present study shows that Maori people are concerned that the power and control over research issues of initiation, benefits, representation, legitimation and accountability are addressed by the imposition of the researcher�s agenda, concerns and interests on the research process. Such dominance of a Western orientated discourse is being challenged by a pro-active, Kaupapa Maori research approach. This approach is part of the revitalisation of Maori cultural aspirations, preferences and practices as a philosophical and productive educational stance and resistance to the hegemony of the dominant discourse in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Kaupapa Maori research is collectivistic, and is orientated toward benefiting all the research participants and their collectively determined agendas. Kaupapa Maori Research is based on growing concensus that research involving Maori knowledge and people needs to be conducted in culturally appropriate ways, ways that fit Maori cultural preferences, practices and aspirations in order to develop and acknowledge existing culturally appropriate approaches in the method, practice and organisation of research. This thesis examines how a group of researchers have addressed the importance of devolving power and control in the research exercise in order to promote self-determination (tino Rangatiratanga) of Maori people. In the thesis I have talked with researchers who have accepted the challenge of positioning themselves within the discursive practice that is Kaupapa Maori. As a result, this thesis examines how such positionings challenge what constitutes a process of theory generation within the context of Aotearoa/New Zealand. This thesis further seeks to examine a way of knowing that reflects what meanings I can construct from my positioning within an experiential Kaupapa Maori research matrix. My position within this matrix resulted from critical reflections on my participation in a research group with an agreed-to agenda, my participation within the projects considered in the narratives in this thesis, my talking with other research participants in the form termed "interviews as chat" and from our constructing joint narratives about their/our attempts to address Maori concerns about research in their practice. The broad methodological framework used in the thesis is narrative inquiry for such an approach allows the research participants to select, recollect and reflect on stories within their own cultural context and language rather than in that chosen by the researcher. In other words, the story teller maintains the power to define what constitutes the story and the truth and the meaning it has for them. Further, this thesis seeks to investigate my own position as a researcher within a co-joint reflection on shared experiences and co-joint construction of meanings about these experiences, a position where the stories of the other research participants merged with my own to create new stories. Such collaborative stories go beyond an approach that simply focusses on the cooperative sharing of experiences and focusses on connectedness, engagement, and involvement with the other research participants within the cultural world view/discursive practice within which they function. This thesis seeks to identify what constitutes this engagement and what implications this has for promoting self determination/agency/voice in the research participants by examining concepts of participatory consciousness and connectedness within Maori discursive practice. Whakawhanaungatanga (establishing relationships in a Maori context), is used metaphorically to give voice to a culturally positioned means of collaboratively constructing research stories in a �culturally conscious and connected manner�. The thesis explains that there are three major overlapping implications of whakawhanaungatanga as a research strategy. The first is that establishing and maintaining relationships is a fundamental, often extensive and ongoing part of the research process. This involves the establishment of �whanau of interest� through a process of �spiral dicourse�. The second is that researchers understand themselves to be involved somatically in the research process; that is physically, ethically, morally and spiritually and not just as a �researcher� concerned with methodology. Such positionings are demonstrated in the language/metaphor used by the researchers in the stories described in this thesis. The third is that establishing relationships in a Maori context addresses the power and control issues fundamental to research, because it involves participatory research practices, in this context, termed �Participant Driven research�.

Les restes humains et les pratiques funéraires allant du Néolithique à la fin de la culture Kura-Araxe (6ème au 3ème millénaire) n’avaient jusqu’à aujourd’hui fait l’objet d’études approfondies. Afin de contribuer à une meilleure connaissance des pratiques funéraires et des caractéristiques biologiques de ces populations il a été entrepris de réévaluer les données publiées, de réexaminer les restes humains issus de fouilles anciennes et de mettre à profit l’apport de données issues des fouilles récentes dans la région, cela au travers d’un nouveau regard, celui de l’archéothanatologie. L’analyse détaillée des gestes funéraires a été mise en relation avec une analyse du recrutement funéraire, mais également avec une analyse anthropologique incorporant divers paramétres (morphologie et morphométrie, variations anatomiques non métriques, indicateurs de stress et pathologies).Sur l’ensemble du Sud Caucase, 132 sites où la présence de sépultures est attestée : cinq pour le Néolithique, 21 pour le Chalcolithique et 111 pour la culture Kura-Araxe. La réévaluation des anciennes données a permis de répartir les sépultures en sept catégories: les tombes en fosses, les inhumations dans les contenants en céramique, les tombes construites de formes variables, les tombe en fer à cheval, les cistes, les kourganes et les tombes surmontées en surface d’un amas de pierres. Les tombes néolithiques sont rares : il s’agit de tombes en fosse associées à l’habitat, dans lesquelles les individus sont en position fléchie sur l’un des côtés. Les sépultures chalcolithiques sont un légèrement nombreuses qu’à la période précédente. Trois nouveaux types de tombes apparaissent : les inhumations dans un contenant en céramique, les kourganes et les tombes surmontées d’un amas de pierres. Les tombes en fosse demeurent les plus nombreuses, et toujours en lien avec l’habitat ; les défunts sont le plus souvent inhumés en position fléchie sur l’un des côtés. Par ailleurs, les inhumations dans un contenant en céramique semblent destinées à accueillir les très jeunes immatures. Le kourgane marque les débuts de la dissociation entre le lieu d’inhumation et le lieu d’habitat, qui débute à la fin du Chalcolithique, se poursuit dans la seconde moitié du 4ème millénaire et semble se généraliser à partir de la première moitié du 3ème millénaire. Le signalement des tombes en surface apparaît lui aussi au cours du Chalcolithique, traduisant un changement des mentalités. On assiste au cours de la culture Kura-Araxe à une augmentation frappante du nombre de sites où la présence de sépultures est attestée. Les types de tombe se diversifient : outre les tombes en fosses, les kourganes et les tombes surmontées en surface d’un amas de pierres, qui perdurent, trois autres types de tombe apparaissent : les tombes de formes variables, les cistes et les tombes en fer à cheval. Cette diversification illustre une multiplicité des pratiques. En revanche, la diversité observée au niveau des types de tombe s’oppose à une grande homogénéité dans le positionnement des individus : la position fléchie sur l’un des deux côtés domine clairement. Des cartes de répartition des sites ont été établies en fonction des différents types de tombes identifiés et des modes de dépôt des défunts. Enfin, les méthodes de l’archéothanatologie ont permis de mieux appréhender les modes de dépôts et de mettre en évidence des gestes insoupçonnés (position assise, lien de contention, contenant en matière périssable). Cette recherche offre la possibilité d’avoir un regard d’ensemble sur les populations vivant au cours de ces périodes dans le Sud Caucase. Des gestes et des pratiques funéraires jusque là insoupçonnés ont été mis en lumière grâce à l’emploi des méthodes de l’archéothanatologie. / Human remains and funerary practices of the Neolithic period to the end of the Kura-Araxe’s culture (6th to 3rd millennium) in the Southern Caucasus have not been thus far the subject of bio-anthropological studies. In order to contribute to a better understanding of funeral practices and the biological characteristics of southern Caucasus populations, a reassessment of published data related to human remains recorded from ancient excavations and new approaches of analyses, archaeothanatology, of new data from recent excavations in the region has been undertaken. A detailed study is conducted based on funeral gestures reconstruction, burial type’s analyses, and various anthropological aspects (morphology and Morphometry, non metric anatomic variations, stress indicators and pathology). 132 sites incorporating graves are attested in the Southern Caucasus: five Neolithic sites, 21 chalcolithic sites and 111 sites of Kura-Araxe’s culture. The review of the old data revealed seven categories of burials: pit grave, burial in ceramic container, Constructed tomb with various shapes, horseshoe grave, cist burial, kurgans and stones covered graves. The Neolithic tombs are rare. It comprises pit burials located within settlement area with inhumation of individuals in flexed position on one side. Chalcolithic graves are slightly more recurrent than earlier period. Three new types of tombs are used: burials in ceramic container, kurgans and stones covered tombs. Pit burials remained the most numerous, and regularly associated with settlement area. The deceased are usually buried in flexed position on one side. Furthermore, burials in ceramic container appeared to be designed especially for immature young deceased. At the end of Chalcolithic, Kurgan marked the beginnings of the partition between the burial area and the settlement area. The Kurgan practices continued in the second half of the 4th millennium and appear to be wide and commonly spread around the first half of the 3rd millennium. In addition, stone covered burials started to be used during the Chalcolithic period. This shift between underground burials and constructed marks to locate burials reflects a change of society’s mentalities. During the Kura-Araxes culture, a striking increase in the number of sites with burials is attested. Tomb types are diversified. In addition to pit burials, the Kurgans and stone covered burials continued to be practiced meanwhile, three other types of Tomb appeared: the Constructed tombs of various shapes, the cists burials and horseshoe graves. This diversification demonstrates a multiplicity of practices. On the other hand, the analyses of inhumation position revealed more regular customs: the flexed position on one side is clearly the most used. Distribution maps of burial sites are established on the basis of the variability of identified grave types and deceased position. Finally, the archaeothanatology methods allowed better understanding of deposits patterns and highlighted the practice of unexpected gestures (seating, use of tie, perishable container). This research offers the possibility to have an overall view of the Southern Caucasus living population between the 6th and the 3rd millennium BC. Some mortuary gestures and funerary practices until now unsuspected have been revealed once applying the archeothanatology methods