Food production, or the cultivation and processing of edible materials, is closely linked to both the physical environment and human social systems. This is especially true on the islands of Remote Oceania, where cultivation of plants introduced with colonization has always been a key component of survival. This project centers on the production systems of an island in the west central Pacific: Pohnpei, Micronesia. It addresses the fundamental question of how food production is related to changes in social and physical environments and also addresses the optimum ways to archaeologically study plant remains in tropical oceanic environments with poor preservation. In order to examine these questions, this project looks at human-environment interrelationships using historical ecology. A multi-pronged approach was used in this research. Archaeological survey was used to identify prehistoric and historic features on the landscape and to map the distribution of food production activities. Excavation of selected archaeological features, including breadfruit fermentation pits, yam enclosures, and cooking features, was conducted to examine formation patterns. Paleoethnobotanical analysis included collection and analysis of flotation samples for carbonized plant macroremain analysis and sediment samples for phytolith analysis. Finally, because a reference collection is key to all paleoethnobotanical research, plant specimens from multiple Pacific locations were collected and processed for phytolith reference. Botanical data show that phytolith analysis is very useful in the Pacific region, as many economically important taxa produce phytoliths. However, because of differential silica uptake, it should be used in conjunction with other methods. Archaeological phytolith analysis of the garden landscape shows disturbance caused by pigs, which were introduced historically, a change from the prehistoric phytolith record, which shows no major shifts. Combined analysis of plant macroremains and phytoliths from secure archaeological contexts shows the use of banana leaves in breadfruit cooking in the historic period, highlighting the importance of multi-method paleoethnobotanical study. These data point towards an anthropogenic environment and stable agricultural system that was present in late prehistoric Pohnpei. Major changes occurred in the historic period, although production of plant foods that were important for centuries continues to flourish today.

This thesis is an historical study of biopolitical relations between racism and biometric identification in Japan since the late nineteenth century to the present day. Adopting Foucault’s historical method, it challenges progressive accounts of the history of racism and that of biometrics. During the nineteenth century, practices of biometric identification emerged as constitutive of the knowledge of race wherein imperial power relations between superior and inferior races were enabled. Progressive accounts proclaim that colonial practices of biometrics were not scientific but politically intervened, which has since been discredited and replaced by a ‘true’ science of biometrics as individualisation. Contra progressivist claims on postraciality, the thesis concretely historicises the ways in which subjectification and control of race is conducted through the interplay between the epistemic construction of race and the technology of identification in each historical and geographical context. It analyses three modalities of racial government through biometrics in Japan: biometrics as a biological technology of inscribing race during Japanese colonialism; biometrics as a forensic technology of policing former colonial subjects in post-WWII Japan; and contemporary biometrics as an informatic technology of controlling a newly racialised immigrant population. The thesis concludes that despite a series of de-racialising reforms in the twentieth century, biometrics persist as a biopolitical technology of race. Neither racism nor biometrics as a technology of race is receding but they are continuously transforming in a way that a new mechanism of racial government is made possible. Race evolves, it is argued, not in the sense of social Darwinism but because the concept of race itself changes across time and space wherein a new model of racism is empowered. The thesis contributes to existing literature on the biopolitics of security and biometrics by extending the scope of analysis to a non-Western context, explicating historical relations between racism and biometrics, and problematising biometric rationality at the level of racialised mechanism of knowing and controlling (in)security. It also makes contributions to Foucaultian studies by advancing the analysis of biopolitical racism beyond Foucault’s original formulation and by offering a critique of rationality in the field of biometrics.

O gênero cosmopolita Rochinia A. Milne-Edwards, 1875, está atualmente constituído por 39 espécies que habitam profundidades de até 1.200 metros. Nove espécies ocorrem nas costas atlântica e pacífica das américas: R. confusa Tavares, 1991; R. cornuta (Rathbun, 1898); R. crassa (A. Milne-Edwards, 1879); R. gracilipes A. Milne-Edwards, 1875; R. hystrix (Stimpson, 1871); R. occidentalis (Faxon, 1893); R. tanneri (Smith, 1883); R. umbonata (Stimpson, 1871); R. vesicularis (Rathbun, 1907). Rochinia apresenta sérios problemas taxonômicos relacionados à heterogeneidade morfológica marcante de suas espécies. Parte dos problemas taxonômicos em Rochinia provém, igualmente, do parco conhecimento de sua espécie-tipo R. gracilipes A. Milne-Edwards, 1875, oriunda do Atlântico sul ocidental, descrita originalmente em nota de rodapé a partir de comentários extremamente vagos. Além da definição genérica imprecisa de Rochinia, cuja abordagem depende do estudo da totalidade das espécies atribuídas à Rochinia e da melhor compreensão dos gêneros afins, há problemas taxonômicos envolvendo as espécies americanas do gênero. Devido à grande variação ontogenética em R. crassa, jovens e adultos são extremamente diferentes entre si. Embora adultos de R. crassa sejam inconfundíveis, os jovens da espécie são muito semelhantes e facilmente confundidos com R. tanneri, com a qual R. crassa ocorre em simpatria. Similarmente, R. umbonata sofre profundas alterações morfológicas durante a ontogenia, de modo que jovens e adultos diferem fortemente um do outro. Esta situação levou à suspeita de que o holótipo de R. confusa seja um subadulto de R. umbonata. Jovens de R. hystrix e R. tanneri são facilmente confundidos entre si e adultos de R. hystrix e R. rissoana (do Atlântico oriental e Mediterrâneo) são semelhantes entre si, não havendo na literatura indicação sobre como separar as três espécies. É neste contexto de incertezas taxonômicas que se insere a presente revisão taxonômica preliminar das espécies americanas de Rochinia. A presente revisão possibilitou estabelecer com segurança a identidade das formas jovens de R. crassa, R. tanneri e R. hystrix; explicitar as diferenças morfológicas entre R. hystrix, R. tanneri e R. rissoana; demonstrar que Anamathia modesta Stimpson, 1871, tradicionalmente considerada como sinônimo de R. tanneri, é na realidade um sinônimo mais recente de R. umbonata (Stimpson, 1871); redescrever R. gracilipes, espécie tipo de Rochinia, como subsídio à melhor compreensão do gênero; descrever as grandes variações morfológicas que ocorrem durante a ontogenia de R. crassa e R. umbonata. Adicionalmente, é apresentada uma chave de identificação para as espécies americanas de Rochinia / The worldwide genus Rochinia A. Milne-Edwards, 1875, encompasses 39 species inhabiting depths to 1,200 m. Nine species occur in the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of America : R. confuse Tavares, 1991; R. cornuta (Rathbun, 1898); R. crassa (A. Milne-Edwards, 1879); R. gracilipes A. Milne-Edwards, 1875; R. hystrix (Stimpson, 1871); R. occidentalis (Faxon, 1893); R. tanneri (Smith, 1883); R. umbonata (Stimpson, 1871); R. vesicularis (Rathbun, 1907). Defining the genus Rochinia poses a number of taxonomical difficulties because of the remarkable morphologic heterogeneity of its species. Part of the taxonomic difficulties in defining Rochinia stems from the poor knowledge of its type species, R. gracilipes A. Milne-Edwards, 1875, originally described in a foot note. A better definition of Rochinia will only be achieved with the study of all species currently assigned to the genus and a better understanding of the related genera. Also, there is a number of taxonomical problems involving the American species of Rochinia. Because the strong ontogenetic changes in the morphology of R. crassa, adults and young forms are very different from each other. Although adults of R. crassa are unmistakable, youngs closely resemble R. tanneri, with which R. crassa occurs in sympatry. Adults and young forms of R. umbonata are also very different from each other as a result of very strong changes in morphology during ontogeny. The dramatic growth changes suggest that R. confuse might be a subadult of R. umbonata. Young forms of R. hystrix and R. tanneri are easily confounded with each other, and adults of R. hystrix and R. rissoana (from Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea) are very similar to each other. All these issues concerning the American species of Rochinia are dealt with in this preliminary taxonomic review. The taxonomic identity of the young forms of R. crassa, R. tanneri and R. hystrix has been fully resolved; the morphological differences among R. hystrix, R. tanneri and R. rissoana is addressed and elaborated; Anamathia modesta Stimpson, 1871, traditionally regarded as a synonym of R. tanneri, is shown to be a junior synonym of R. umbonata (Stimpson, 1871); R. gracilipes, type species of Rochinia, is redescribed; the strong changes in morphology during ontogeny are described for R. crassa and R. umbonata. Additionally, a key to the American species of Rochinia is given

Zhang, Wei. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 184-203). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provide numerous services to their plant symbionts. Understanding the effects of climate change on AMF, and the resulting plant responses, is a crucial factor in predicting ecosystem responses on a global scale. We used a manipulative climate change experiment embedded within a natural climate gradient in Oregon and Washington to examine how the effects of future climate change on AMF-plant symbioses are mediated by soil water availability, soil nutrient availability, and vegetation dynamics. Using structural equation modeling, we found that the direct effect of increasing temperatures was to decrease AMF colonization. Indirect effects of temperature, mediated through other variables, canceled each other out. However, future shifts in these relationships could either exacerbate or mitigate the negative direct effect of temperature. As ecosystems in Mediterranean climates experience more intense droughts and heavier rains, decreases in AMF colonization could have substantial consequences for plant communities and ecosystem function.

Volcanicity in six stages is described from tee Plio/Pleistocene volcanoes on the north coast of Viti Levu, Fiji; the larger one at Vutukoula shown eruption in five stages of rocks of the alkaline olivine basalt — trachyte association and the smaller one at Vatia, six miles away.

<p> This communications study looks at gender-based self-reflexive theoretically guided practice, &ldquo;praxis,&rdquo; to explore the way in which a women's community media organization, femLINKpacific, pursues its goals of enhancing women's participation in governance structures and resiliency to extreme weather conditions. This study contributes to the nascent literature on mobile device and radio interaction by exploring the way in which women in rural Fiji utilize mobile devices to interact with femTALK, the community radio station of femLINKpacific. The study is based on the theoretical frameworks of inclusive innovation, post-development theory, and participatory communications theory in the context of gender-based ICT4D. Two main platforms, Mobile Suitcase Radio (MSR), a portable radio platform, and Women&rsquo;s Weather Watch (WWW), a mobile-phone based weather reporting network, and an additional non-mediated communication venue of monthly women&rsquo;s gatherings were explored through a 3-phase study, utilizing interviews and focus groups, with radio station staff and women leader&rsquo;s networks. </p><p> Main findings included the role of WWW to transmit information for preparedness for Tropical Cyclone Winston, and indigenous food practices shared through the various platforms, as well as the role of MSR, when used in conjunction with the issues shared at the monthly consultations, to bring greater awareness to the women&rsquo;s &ldquo;voice.&rdquo; This study extends to understanding the role of mutually supportive, systematic processes to enhance women's participation in governance structures, including the role and effectiveness of inter-ethnic groups in addressing community issues, and capacity building through incremental acclimatizing activities.</p><p>

Drawing upon theories concerning visuality, spectatorship, consumption, and the institutionalization of culture, this dissertation considers the ways that the art exhibition at the Panama Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) attempted to make modern art accessible and acceptable to a mass audience in America. The story of the exhibition in the Palace of Fine Arts demonstrates how the American artistic establishment incorporated modernism into the conservative idiom of a major international exposition by promoting a definition and understanding of "modern" art that was distinctly national, celebrated individual style over subject matter, and was even open to personal interpretation. Making use of lessons learned at the Armory Show, the PPIE Art Department provided visitors with clear instruction on how to experience the exhibition, how to contextualize it within the broader history of art, and how to subjectively engage with individual works. Through analysis of the exhibition's design, the didactic practices of the Art Department, and the commentary that ensued in the popular press, this project documents the PPIE as a significant institutional venue for the advancement of American art history, as well as the process and contradictions of creating a public for modern art. Chapter One provides an overview of the details of the exhibition's organization, its role within the larger structure of a vastly popular, commercial, and nationalistic enterprise, as well as a framework for defining modernism as it pertained to the PPIE. Chapter Two compares paintings in the art exhibition with other attractions that featured fine art as paid entertainment at the Fair, as a means of examining provincial and national anxieties about nudity, the Futurists, and the definition of high art. Chapter Three analyzes the fine art guidebooks and how they organized, controlled and encouraged certain kinds of viewing experiences of the art exhibition. Focusing on Sargent and Bellows as case studies in how Art Department officials attempted to create a genealogy for modern art, Chapter Four considers the relationship established between the more radical artists in the competition galleries and those canonized as major figures with galleries of their own. The conclusion discusses the lasting impact of the fair through sales and the establishment of a permanent museum for San Francisco.

The emergence of mobile money and other new forms of payment has changed the sovereign foundations of money. Starting as a DFID funded project in Kenya, mobile money has now spread to many countries including Malaŵi. This thesis looks at the regulatory issues that mobile money poses, and the risks that this alternative form of payment poses to the financial system. The thesis argues that the traditional regulatory architecture of supervising the financial services is ill-suited to supervise mobile money. There are essentially two models of mobile money: telco-led and bank-led. The first is an innovation by telecommunication operators and utilises the small messaging service. There is no requirement to own a bank account. The bank-led model is linked to a bank account. The regulatory approaches to these two models are different. Unlike the telco-led, the bank-led model is under prudential regulation. This has manifested itself in the way the services have developed. The telco-led model had thrived while the bank-led model has fizzled indicating that for mobile money, less regulation may be an enabler. Mobile money is now considered a key developmental tool to achieve financial inclusion among the poor, rural based, unbanked, and underbanked. As opposed to traditional additive forms of financial inclusion, mobile money, especially the telco-led, is transformative. It employs a different approach where the consumer does not have to have a bank account or even travel to a bank to access financial services. In Malaŵi, the financial regulatory framework largely embodies the command and control model. Mobile money, however has largely been regulated using light-touch, with regulation following innovation. This thesis proposes an approach based on the concept of really responsive regulation. This approach, is best suited to embrace mobile money as it passes through the different phases of its evolution.

Nigeria’s federal system of government is grossly problematic. It is characterized by an inordinate concentration of powers and fiscal resources in the central government. Not only is this centralist division of powers antithetical to the idea of federalism, it also fosters the dictatorship of the central government vis a vis the other levels of government. Furthermore, it indirectly entrenches the domination of the minority ethnic groups by the larger ones. So centralized is Nigeria’s ‘federal’ arrangement that it is, perhaps, better described as a unitary contraption designed to perpetually establish the hegemony of the central government. As we shall later see in this thesis, the existing division of powers among the levels of government in Nigeria has been the source of protracted acrimony, conflict, and rancour threatening to tear the federation apart. Through theoretical analysis, this thesis examines the suitability of the existing power allocation structure for a country like Nigeria. The thesis argues that the ethnically diverse character of the Nigerian federation and the age-long clamour for autonomy by the constituent units of the federation make the existing division of powers absolutely untenable and unsuitable for Nigeria. This thesis thus proposes a complete abrogation of the existing constitutional framework for the division of powers among the levels of government in Nigeria, and its replacement with a restructured federal framework that is popularly designed by the Nigerian people and cognizant of the country’s diversity. Further to this, the thesis advocates a division of powers that entrenches state and local government autonomy without compromising the unity of the Nigerian federation. It is argued that only a framework such as this will conduce to the federation’s peace and stability, and help to stem the secessionist tide currently rocking the country.