A previously un-described filamentous non-heterocystous cyanobacterium was isolated from the South China Sea. Molecular phylogenetic analyses together with morphological observations suggested that this organism should be assigned a new specific epithet. It was designated as Leptolyngbya nodulosa Li et Brand. Filaments were enclosed in a sheath, and were unusual in their flattened appearance as seen in cross section and in the frequent occurrence of a void space (as seen by transmission electron microscopy) between the trichome and the sheath. A distinctive feature of L. nodulosa was the presence, under low light intensities, of previously un-described multicellular structures (nodules). A L. nodulosa nodule consists of a portion of a filament folded and twisted into a distinct unit surrounded by a firm continuous sheath. Nodules were highly variable in size and shape, and occurred at irregular intervals along the filament. They disappeared from filaments of cultures grown at relatively high light intensities. L. nodulosa cultures could be grown indefinitely in media devoid of any source of combined nitrogen. Acetylene reduction assays showed that L. nodulosa cultures fix dinitrogen in the dark period of a diurnal cycle under microoxygenic conditions. The addition of DCMU ([3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea], an inhibitor of Photosystem II) to a culture of L. nodulosa induced much higher rates of dinitrogenase activity and altered the cycle of activity such that most acetylene reduction occurred during the light. Measurements of dinitrogenase activity in the presence of chloramphenicol (an inhibitor of protein synthesis) indicated that dinitrogenase is synthesized in darkness and destroyed in the subsequent light period. In the presence of DCMU, a much higher dinitrogenase activity is measured, but in this case only in the light. Neither the dark-mediated dinitrogenase in the absence of DCMU nor the light-mediated activity in the presence of DCMU could be sustained for more than two days without a photoperiodic light/dark cycle. Dinitrogenase activity occurred only in non-axenic cultures of L. nodulosa. A single nifH gene, with an identical sequence in axenic and non-axenic cultures, was isolated. The requirement of heterotrophic bacteria for dinitrogenase activity in L. nodulosa is not yet understood.

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Graduate

Here, we describe saber-toothed cat remains from the early Early Pleistocene (~2.0Ma) of Yanliang Cave, Fusui County, Guangxi Province, South China. Specimens, including a complete left dentary and right m1, are identified as Megantereon based on mandibular and dental characters. The Yanliang Megantereon is the smallest representative of the genus from Asia. Overall size, p4 and m1 dental proportions, the disposition of the p3, and dentary measurements align it with characters attributed to Megantereon whitei, a taxon not recorded from eastern Asia or China. Megantereon whitei is thought to be the most derived member of the genus. If the remains are M.whitei, or a closely related form, this represents an early occurrence of the group outside Africa. Other Megantereon specimens from China, that are roughly the same geologic age, or even younger, are considered to have a more primitive dentition than M.whitei. The Yanliang Megantereon, and our review, further demonstrates uncertainty in the evolutionary history of the group, the overall need for tighter chronologic control, and a systematic revision of the genus that includes discrete morphological characters.

China and the South China Sea region will play an important role in global and US strategic policy for the foreseeable future. Because China is an upcoming global economic power, the US and other nations must become cognizant of China's motivations in the South China Sea in order to avoid conflict, which seems inevitable. The purpose of this thesis is to examine China's conflicts/tensions in the South China Sea, specifically the Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, Taiwan, ASEAN, and US Navy. Discussions on the evolution of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) will also provide additional insight to China's actions in the region. Understanding China's history, role, and claims in the region begins to paint a picture that the PLAN are operating under a principle very similar to the Monroe Doctrine, which allowed the US unfettered access to the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Lastly, the thesis will demonstrate that the Chinese version of the Monroe Doctrine as well the country's desire to establish dominance in the South China Sea, which she sees as her "lost territory", is derived from the fear of an encirclement strategy implemented by the US and a nascent US-backed collective security regime, ASEAN. / Master of Arts

This dissertation conducts a genealogy of freedom of the seas discourse in United States foreign policy in order to problematize the contemporary representation lying at the heart of American political-military strategy in the Western Pacific. This project aims to accomplish two goals. First, this project aims to show that freedom of the seas is not an enduring historical principle consistently championed by the United States, as is often claimed in contemporary governmental publications. Rather, it shows that the current understanding is a recent phenomenon that emerged after the Second World War. By highlighting the contingency of the contemporary understanding of freedom of the seas, this work seeks to show that such discourse is not a necessary foundation on which to place American political-military strategy. The second objective of this genealogical analysis is to show that the contemporary freedom of the seas discourse in U.S. foreign policy is not an altruistic principle championed on behalf of the global community, but rather facilitates American control over the global ocean space. By showing that freedom of the seas is a mechanism of sea control, this work aims to show that in an era of maritime great power competition, strategies predicated upon the discourse are more dangerous than would otherwise appear. Together, this genealogical analysis, and the two goals that are made possible by it, will make a substantive contribution to the critical strategic studies literature, in conjunction with the wider critical security studies literature, by showing that American political-military strategy in the South China Sea can and should be reconceptualized. / Doctor of Philosophy / Currently, the United States is locked in a fierce competition with China in the South China Sea. The United States believes that Chinese actions in the region, such as claiming large swaths of maritime territory, constructing militarized artificial islands, and deploying weaponry designed to endanger American forces operating in the region, violates the principle of freedom of the seas. The United States asserts that it has consistently championed the principle freedom of the seas because it is the essential foundation of international peace and prosperity. Due to this, the U.S. claims that it will continue to defend the principle of freedom of the seas against Chinese depredations. However, this dissertation argues that the United States' political-military strategy in the Western Pacific is misrepresenting the concept of freedom of the seas and therefore failing to see the dangers at stake in the regional confrontation. To show this, this work writes a history of how the concept of freedom of the seas has been used in U.S. foreign policy over the course of American history. Such a history shows that the concept of freedom of the seas has not been consistently championed by the United States and is not an altruistic principle defended on behalf of international peace and prosperity. Instead, this project shows that the concept of freedom of the seas is used by the United States to facilitate control over the world's oceans on behalf of U.S. interests. It is problematic to portray the pursuit of American national interests as a universal altruistic good because it does not leave room open for compromise. In a time where China is rapidly developing their military forces to control sea themselves, basing American political-military strategy on the concept of freedom of the seas is increasingly dangerous.

published_or_final_version / Comparative Asian Studies / Master / Master of Arts

published_or_final_version / abstract / Ecology and Biodiversity / Master / Master of Philosophy

This study seeks to analyze the differences in the U.S. and China's policies towards freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The South China Sea is one of the most important waterways in the world, linking the Middle East and Southeast Asia to the Pacific Ocean. It is of crucial interest to the United States for transit of energy and other resources as well as power projection via the American naval fleet. These waters are of interest to China as well, but for different reasons: the PRC claims an historic right to the area as a part of its territorial waters. The analysis uses declassified American Presidential correspondence and policy memoranda, U. S. Department of State publications, and the Congressional Record, among other first-degree sources, to discuss American policy; Chinese policy is explored through domestic law, official statements, government maps, and official news sources. After examining the relevant international law framework, history of the issues, and the work of other academics on the subject, this paper presents each side's individual policy towards freedom of navigation, the South China Sea, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Finally, the two policies are contrasted and recommendations are made for how conflict might be minimized. / This study seeks to analyze the differences in the U.S. and China's policies towards freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The South China Sea is one of the most important waterways in the world, linking the Middle East and Southeast Asia to the Pacific Ocean. It is of crucial interest to the United States for transit of energy and other resources as well as power projection via the American naval fleet. These waters are of interest to China as well, but for different reasons: the PRC claims an historic right to the area as a part of its territorial waters. The analysis uses declassified American Presidential correspondence and policy memoranda, U. S. Department of State publications, and the Congressional Record, among other first-degree sources, to discuss American policy; Chinese policy is explored through domestic law, official statements, government maps, and official news sources. After examining the relevant international law framework, history of the issues, and the work of other academics on the subject, this paper presents each side's individual policy towards freedom of navigation, the South China Sea, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Finally, the two policies are contrasted and recommendations are made for how conflict might be minimized.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is guided by a collection of principles known as the ASEAN Way, which emphasizes sovereignty and consensus. When external pressures have forced ASEAN to face contentious issues, internal divisions have torn at the group’s cohesion, and consensus has proved difficult to reach. When Myanmar’s military dictatorship was put on the fast track to ASEAN membership in the mid-1990s, democratic Thailand and the Philippines objected, and strong Western pressure to delay Burmese accession put the group in a difficult spot. Fifteen years later, territorial disputes in the South China Sea pitted ASEAN claimant states against non-claimant counterparts inclined to support an assertive and wealthy China’s point of view. In the first case, reaction against US attempts to sway ASEAN’s decision united the group in support of Myanmar’s admission; in the second case, China’s economic inducements succeeded in dividing the group, to the extent that a 2012 summit ended in disagreement and rancor. ASEAN will need to revise some aspects of the ASEAN Way, particularly sovereignty norms, and create greater binding force to generate the cohesion necessary to effectively deal with future regional problems.