Thesis (master's)--Institute of Library Science, University of the Philippines, 1976. / "Celebration of the centennial of the Philippine revolution (1898-1998), the three institutions agreed to publish this volume in honor of Dr. Jose P. Laurel"--Pref. Includes index.

Thesis (M.D.)--University of Pennsylvania, 1802. / Microform version available in the Readex Early American Imprints series.

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Invasive species introductions, namely the chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) and hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), have permanently altered the overstory canopy of Appalachian forests by causing the dramatic die-offs of two ecologically significant tree species, American chestnut (Castanea dentata) and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). These canopy dominants once had significant roles in regulating understory communities. The loss of these trees, along with fire suppression, has driven two common evergreen shrubs, rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), to expand and proliferate in areas where they were once restricted. These two common shrubs are recognized agents of change in Appalachian forests because of their abilities to modify soil seed banks, regulate light, and alter the local soil chemistry. This study documented evergreen shrub expansion across the Coweeta Creek basin over the past 36 years analyzing changes in winter greenness using harmonized multi-decadal archives of Landsat imagery. We found the greatest change in winter greenness in relatively dry areas: higher elevations (1275–1300 m), steeper slopes (33°–35°), southward aspects, and far from streams (600–800 m). Historical field data collected in three unmanaged watersheds at Coweeta showed a simultaneous decrease in T. canadensis and increase in R. maximum. We also documented the decline of a xerophytic canopy tree species, pitch pine (Pinus rigida), and an associate understory shrub, K. latifolia. Our analysis of the influence of terrain variables on evergreen shrub expansion allowed us to determine which of the two species was expanding in various locations with reasonable certainty. This study provides spatially explicit data on the expansion of two evergreen shrub species at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory that could be used to pinpoint areas for future management interventions. / Master of Science / Forests in the eastern United States have changed substantially in response to the introduction of highly competitive invasive species. Some overstory tree species have been virtually eliminated from their functional role in regulating understory vegetation in many southern Appalachian ecosystems. Die-offs of these trees have allowed understory evergreen shrubs to expand into areas where they were once restricted. Shrubs that have expanded in response to overstory tree die-offs can alter the ecology of forests for the foreseeable future. Our work leveraged multi-decadal archives of wintertime satellite imagery to document the spread of understory evergreen shrubs in a watershed located in western North Carolina. We investigated the relationship of this spread to local environmental characteristics like elevation, steepness (slope), slope direction (north, south, east, west), and distance-from-stream. The greatest changes in evergreen vegetation were documented on terrain at relatively high elevations, locations farther from streams, on southerly aspects, and on relatively steep terrain. We included historical field data collected during the same time period that showed a simultaneous increase in two understory evergreen shrub species after the die-off of ecologically significant overstory tree species. This information will help forest managers by describing areas where substantial spread has occurred and potentially use this information to inform future management action.

Laurel, Mississippi, exemplifies the new southern development that occurred in the years following Reconstruction. Coinciding with continental rail building and the depletion of northern timber resources, Laurel emerged as one of Mississippi's great industrial centers. Laurel's survival after the early twentieth century timber boom predicated itself on the diversification of its industry coupled with the continued growth of its infrastructure. Although Laurel's industrial ascension is not unique in the annals of southern history, its duality regarding northern capitalistic impulses and southern labor and material serves as a successful industrial model in the era of "cut out and get out" sawmill and timber operations. Along with primary resources this study employs secondary source material to place Laurel, Mississippi in the scope of southern historiography. In addition to contextualizing Laurel's place in southern history, this essay also serves to highlight Laurel's social and economic development after the arrival of its northern benefactors.

This study is launched from the general understanding that History is a dialectical process comprised by the contributions of multiple actors, all of which interact in a contentious give-and-take. Keeping in mind this precept, ,I look at the novel La carga, by contemporary Equatoguinean author Juan Tomas Avila Laurel, as an alternative source of history, and assess that history as he has constructed it. This entails not only a detailed exploration of the world he creates within the novel, but a look at the intertextual bonds he establishes with such nineteenth-century writers as Manuel Iradier and Jose Marti. My analysis begins with the general notion that in Avila's granting of textual agency to natural elements one can begin to see the first inklings of a challenge to typical Eurocentric historiography. In the first major, section I look at what for all intents and purposes has been deemed the colonial dialectic, or the greater social dynamic that maintained colonial hegemony, as it is presented in the vignettes of 1940 Equatorial Guinea that we see in La carga. In the next section, I look at what Avila does with some of the discursive tenets of Spanish imperialism, especially those associated with the monolithic conception of Africa and Europe. And finally, I look at the way that relations between spatiality—mainly the geographic classifications inherent in colonial discourses—and subjectivity give way to Avila's commentary on modern-day Equatorial Guinea. I try to close with some speculation on the strategic formation of which Avila and La carga may form part, beginning with a look at his prefacio and concluding with a questioning of where the attitudes outlined in the prefacio may place him on the grand scale of African discourses of resistance.

This study is launched from the general understanding that History is a dialectical process comprised by the contributions of multiple actors, all of which interact in a contentious give-and-take. Keeping in mind this precept, ,I look at the novel La carga, by contemporary Equatoguinean author Juan Tomas Avila Laurel, as an alternative source of history, and assess that history as he has constructed it. This entails not only a detailed exploration of the world he creates within the novel, but a look at the intertextual bonds he establishes with such nineteenth-century writers as Manuel Iradier and Jose Marti. My analysis begins with the general notion that in Avila's granting of textual agency to natural elements one can begin to see the first inklings of a challenge to typical Eurocentric historiography. In the first major, section I look at what for all intents and purposes has been deemed the colonial dialectic, or the greater social dynamic that maintained colonial hegemony, as it is presented in the vignettes of 1940 Equatorial Guinea that we see in La carga. In the next section, I look at what Avila does with some of the discursive tenets of Spanish imperialism, especially those associated with the monolithic conception of Africa and Europe. And finally, I look at the way that relations between spatiality—mainly the geographic classifications inherent in colonial discourses—and subjectivity give way to Avila's commentary on modern-day Equatorial Guinea. I try to close with some speculation on the strategic formation of which Avila and La carga may form part, beginning with a look at his prefacio and concluding with a questioning of where the attitudes outlined in the prefacio may place him on the grand scale of African discourses of resistance.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

This study is launched from the general understanding that History is a dialectical process comprised by the contributions of multiple actors, all of which interact in a contentious give-and-take. Keeping in mind this precept, ,I look at the novel La carga, by contemporary Equatoguinean author Juan Tomas Avila Laurel, as an alternative source of history, and assess that history as he has constructed it. This entails not only a detailed exploration of the world he creates within the novel, but a look at the intertextual bonds he establishes with such nineteenth-century writers as Manuel Iradier and Jose Marti. My analysis begins with the general notion that in Avila's granting of textual agency to natural elements one can begin to see the first inklings of a challenge to typical Eurocentric historiography. In the first major, section I look at what for all intents and purposes has been deemed the colonial dialectic, or the greater social dynamic that maintained colonial hegemony, as it is presented in the vignettes of 1940 Equatorial Guinea that we see in La carga. In the next section, I look at what Avila does with some of the discursive tenets of Spanish imperialism, especially those associated with the monolithic conception of Africa and Europe. And finally, I look at the way that relations between spatiality—mainly the geographic classifications inherent in colonial discourses—and subjectivity give way to Avila's commentary on modern-day Equatorial Guinea. I try to close with some speculation on the strategic formation of which Avila and La carga may form part, beginning with a look at his prefacio and concluding with a questioning of where the attitudes outlined in the prefacio may place him on the grand scale of African discourses of resistance. / Arts, Faculty of / French, Hispanic, and Italian Studies, Department of / Graduate

Several native species of Lauraceae (e.g. sassafras) in the southeastern United States are being eradicated by laurel wilt disease. Laurel wilt is caused by a highly invasive and cryptic ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, and its fungal symbiont. The symbiont pathogen is spread during colonization of native Lauraceae. Xyleborus glabratus and the pathogen are remarkably effective at colonizing and killing healthy populations of Lauraceae in a brief time period. Control methods have been unable to slow the spread of laurel wilt disease and X. glabratus populations have been spreading into northern latitudes. Presently, cold temperatures may be the only factor limiting establishment of the beetle in interior populations of sassafras. Empirically derived physiological data from this study were combined with climatic, microhabitat, and host data to model the invasive potential/hazard rate of X. glabratus and laurel wilt in sassafras forests of the United States. Sharing this model data will help land managers, forest health specialists, urban foresters, and landowners make informed proactive management decisions regarding laurel wilt disease.