Certaines lignées de plantes tendent à rester dans le même biome au cours du temps (conservatisme de biome), tandis que d’autres semblent s’adapter plus facilement à de nouveaux biomes (changements de biome). Les ~396 espèces (14 genres) de la sous-famille des Cercidoideae se retrouvent dans plusieurs biomes à travers le monde, en particulier dans les régions tropicales de l’Amérique du Sud, de l’Asie et de l’Afrique. Ces espèces diffèrent aussi au niveau de leur port, pouvant être des arbres, arbustes, lianes ou herbacées. Après avoir établi une liste révisée d’espèces de la sous-famille, incluant tous les synonymes connus et leurs noms acceptés, des données d’occurrence ont été téléchargées depuis le Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) et d’autres bases de données d’herbiers. Après avoir nettoyé les données d’occurrences, des cartes de répartition des espèces ont été produites. Ces cartes ont été comparées avec des cartes publiées de biomes tropicaux afin d’attribuer chaque espèce à un biome et à un continent. Les biomes de forêt tropicale humide (179 espèces), de savane (117 espèces), succulent (65 espèces) et tempéré (7 espèces et sous-espèces) ont été identifiés comme importants pour décrire la répartition globale des Cercidoideae, avec plusieurs espèces se trouvant dans plus d’un biome. Après avoir reconstruit une phylogénie calibrée dans le temps, nous avons effectué des estimations de caractères ancestraux afin d’évaluer le nombre et la direction des changements de biome, de port et de continent. Les analyses suggèrent que plusieurs changements de biomes ont eu lieu dans l’histoire évolutive de la sous-famille, les changements du biome succulent à la forêt tropicale humide et de la forêt tropicale humide à la savane étant les plus communs, tandis qu’il n’y avait aucun changement depuis la savane. Sept changements de port ont eu lieu, dont trois qui sont associés à des changements de biome (un est caractéristique du genre Tylosema (Schweinf.) Torre & Hillc., un du genre Lysiphyllum (Benth.) de Wit et un de l’espèce Phanera retusa Benth.). Les analyses montrent aussi que les changements de biomes tendent à avoir lieu au sein d’un même continent et que les dispersions vers de nouveaux continents tendent à se produire au sein d’un même biome. Par contraste avec d’autres sous-familles de légumineuses plus conservées au niveau des biomes, les changements fréquents observés au sein des Cercidoideae suggèrent une capacité d’adaptation à des environnements significativement différents à travers le temps. / Some plant lineages remain within the same biome over time (biome conservatism), whereas others seem to adapt more easily to new biomes (biome shifts). The ~396 species (14 genera) in subfamily Cercidoideae of Leguminosae (Fabaceae) are found in many biomes around the world, particularly in the tropical regions of South America, Asia and Africa, and display a variety of habits/growth forms (small trees, shrubs, lianas and herbs). After establishing an updated expert-verified species list, including all known synonyms and their accepted names, we downloaded and cleaned occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and other herbarium databases to produce species distribution maps. These maps were compared with existing biome maps to attribute species to biomes and continents. Rainforest (179 species), savanna (117 species), succulent (65 species) and temperate (7 species and subspecies) biomes were found to be important in describing the global distribution of Cercidoideae, with many species occurring in multiple biomes. After reconstructing a time-calibrated phylogeny, we performed ancestral state reconstructions to evaluate the number and direction of shifts in biome, habit and continents. Analyses suggest multiple biome shifts throughout the phylogeny, shifts from succulent to rainforest and from rainforest to savanna being the most common, while no shifts were observed from the savanna. Seven shifts in habit occurred, of which at least three were associated with biome shifts (one subtends the genus Tylosema (Schweinf.) Torre & Hillc., one subtends the genus Lysiphyllum (Benth.) de Wit and one occurs in Phanera retusa Benth.). Analyses also show that biome shifts tend to occur within the same continent and that dispersals to new continents tend to occur within the same biome. In contrast to other more biome-conserved legume subfamilies, the frequent shifts observed in Cercidoideae suggest ability for adaptation to significantly different environments through time.

This study is the product, chiefly, of fieldwork, undertaken in Sierra Leone, which sought to interview and experience contemporary Limba religio-cultural practices. Using a systematic approach, the goal was to provide a broader understanding of Limba religion, as well as to discover the effect of Limba religiosity, and the tenacity with which the Limba hold to their culture and religion, on the National Pentecostal Limba Church (NPLC) over the past three decades. The study begins with an introduction, which outlines its objectives and structure, the research methods, and its general outline. This is followed by a basic introduction to the socio-history of the Limba people, their origin, environment, language, politics, economy and other socio-cultural characteristics, in order to provide an understanding of the background on which their religion is formed. The heart of the study is a detailed examination of Limba religious beliefs and their intersection with Christianity. It includes a definition of Limba religion and its components. This seeks to identify the current state of Limba religion amidst the changes it has experienced and continues to experience as a result of internal and external influences, and to provide a template for this study, an analysis of the Limba belief in a supreme creator God whom they call Kanu Masala, his epithets, attributes and activities, Limba worship and worship methods, the Limba understanding of the spirit world, humankind, sin and salvation, and the roles of sacred specialists. The study concludes with an examination of the causes of the tenacious loyalty with which some Limba Christians hold to their traditional religious beliefs and practices, their reluctance to part with them, and the effects of their dual religiosity on the NPLC, as well as the church's response, and the resulting reciprocal effects over the past three decades in Sierra Leone. This study fills a gap in the extant literature about the ethno-theological landscape of Sierra Leone, and provides a detailed study on the intersection of African Traditional Religion and Christianity. / Systematic Theology & Theological Ethics / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)

This study is the product, chiefly, of fieldwork, undertaken in Sierra Leone, which sought to interview and experience contemporary Limba religio-cultural practices. Using a systematic approach, the goal was to provide a broader understanding of Limba religion, as well as to discover the effect of Limba religiosity, and the tenacity with which the Limba hold to their culture and religion, on the National Pentecostal Limba Church (NPLC) over the past three decades. The study begins with an introduction, which outlines its objectives and structure, the research methods, and its general outline. This is followed by a basic introduction to the socio-history of the Limba people, their origin, environment, language, politics, economy and other socio-cultural characteristics, in order to provide an understanding of the background on which their religion is formed. The heart of the study is a detailed examination of Limba religious beliefs and their intersection with Christianity. It includes a definition of Limba religion and its components. This seeks to identify the current state of Limba religion amidst the changes it has experienced and continues to experience as a result of internal and external influences, and to provide a template for this study, an analysis of the Limba belief in a supreme creator God whom they call Kanu Masala, his epithets, attributes and activities, Limba worship and worship methods, the Limba understanding of the spirit world, humankind, sin and salvation, and the roles of sacred specialists. The study concludes with an examination of the causes of the tenacious loyalty with which some Limba Christians hold to their traditional religious beliefs and practices, their reluctance to part with them, and the effects of their dual religiosity on the NPLC, as well as the church's response, and the resulting reciprocal effects over the past three decades in Sierra Leone. This study fills a gap in the extant literature about the ethno-theological landscape of Sierra Leone, and provides a detailed study on the intersection of African Traditional Religion and Christianity. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)

Life is the common denominator for all beings. Unless individuals are taught to be careful about how they deal with it, great harm could be caused to the whole ontological order. Life therefore is a public property for which precepts had to be established to guard against any misuse. This guarantees that life and its processes are used to everyone's advantage. The Community has put itself in position as the monitor of the processes of life. To it belongs the right to distribute, regulate and even withdraw life as different situations would warrant. The community is both the promulgator and the judge over vital matters. The individuals are taught to be conscientious in dealing with life. In making choices the individuals have to be conscious of the historical experiences of the community and be disposed to being influenced by it. Hence the Community becomes the Conscience and Guide. / Religious Studies and Arabic / M.Th. (Religious Studies)

Text in English / Most Xhosa people experience the condition of feeling dislocated and confused when choosing a spiritual belief between Christianity and Xhosa ancestral traditions. This study uses the concept of diaspora to describe the mental dislocation that people whose culture has changed experience. This study is based on the phenomenon of diaspora as a state of identity in the contemporary cultural identity of amaXhosa, the people of the Eastern Cape Province, by exploring the interrelationship between the key concepts, namely, identity, culture, land, and home as they relate to ancestral worship and Christian practice. Two installation artworks by Bill Viola and Nicholas Hlobo were selected for a comparative analysis under the spectacle of Xhosa ancestral tradition. In this study, I seek to understand how identity is constructed within a particular geographical and ideological culture and how self-identity can be constituted through the construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction of cultural histories. Touching on notions of mediation, altar, and dislocation, this study uses Martin Buber’s concept of I AND THOU to weave the key concepts together. / Art History, Visual Arts & Musicology / M.A. (Visual Arts)

Visual pigments are light sensitive receptors in the eye that form the basis of sensory visual transduction. This thesis presents three studies that explore visual pigment proteins in vertebrates using a number of computational and experimental methods in an evolutionary framework. The objective is not only to identify, but also to experimentally investigate the functional consequences of genetic variation in vertebrate visual pigments. The focus is on great bowerbirds (Chlamydera nuchalis), which are a model system in visual ecology due to their spectacular behaviour of building and decorating courtship bowers. There are 4 chapters: Chapter 1 introduces background information on visual pigments and vision in birds. Among visual pigment types, the short-wavelength-sensitive (SWS1) pigments have garnered particular interest due to the broad spectral range among vertebrates and the importance of UV signals in communication. Chapter 2 investigates the evolutionary history of SWS1 in vertebrates with a view toward its utility as a phylogenetic marker. Chapter 3 investigates SWS1 evolution and short-wavelength vision in birds, with particular focus on C. nuchalis and its SWS1. The evolution of spectral tuning mechanisms mediating UV/violet vision in passerines and parrots is elucidated in this chapter using site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression, and phylogenetic recreation of ancestral opsins. While cone opsins mediate colour vision in bright light, the rhodopsin visual pigment contained in rod photoreceptors is critical for dim light vision. Detailed characterization of rhodopsin function has only been conducted on a few model systems. Chapter 4 examines C. nuchalis RH1 using a number of functional assays in addition to absorbance spectra, including hydroxylamine sensitivity and the rate of retinal release. This chapter includes an investigation into the role of amino acid mutations typical of dim-light adapted vertebrates, D83N and A292S, in regulating functional properties of bovine and avian RH1s using site-directed mutagenesis. Together these chapters describe naturally occurring mutations in visual pigments and explore the way they can influence visual perception. These represent one of the few investigations of visual pigments from a species that is not a model lab organism and form a significant contribution to the field of visual pigment biochemistry and evolution.

1945年8月15日二次大戰結束至10月25日台灣「光復」之間，台灣究竟屬於何種狀態？過去戰後初期研究往往直接探討國民政府與台灣人之間的族群對立，以及二二八事件發生之社會因素等課題，並未探討日本戰敗對台灣帶來的涵義及此71日的「真空時期」。因此本論文將以戰爭結束前後至國民政府來台接收前為觀察範圍，探索當時的台灣社會與台灣人之動向。 戰爭結束前，在台灣總督府嚴密統制下，大部分台灣人無法獲知「開羅宣言」之存在，也對戰局趨勢並未持有正確的預見。因此台灣島內的台灣人於戰爭結束前並未有面對日本戰敗，以及台灣歸還中華民國之心理準備，直至1945年8月15日戰爭結束，台灣人依舊與日本的帝國主義政策聯繫著。戰爭結束當天，因為收聽廣播之環境相當有限，透過「玉音放送」獲知戰爭結束及日本戰敗的人並不多，甚至有部分人士將之誤解為天皇激勵繼續作戰之宣傳。 　　然而透過台灣總督府之公告、媒體報導以及人人口耳相傳，日本戰敗之消息終究得以傳達至台灣島內。戰爭結束後，一方面日本統治最高機關的台灣總督府以及約15-17萬的日本軍仍然留駐台灣，掌控台灣社會；但另一方面，隨著中國來台之消息遍及台灣，日本當局逐漸失去威信，在治安、經濟方面皆出現惡化趨勢。在如此狀況下，台灣知識份子憑藉各自思想與做法，為台灣未來四處奔走。如林獻堂，採取較為慎重態度，一方面與日本當局保持良好關係，一方面致力維持治安。吳新榮則對新時代懷有莫大期待，著手於三青團之組織，積極地展開迎接「祖國」之事宜。然而當時台灣人對中國懷有的「祖國認同」，並非具有現實經驗，也是未經理性思考的觀念。當他們實際與中國接觸時，難免顯露陌生與失望之感。儘管如此，強烈的「祖國認同」仍舊支撐著台灣人擁護中國的熱情。 　　以辜振甫、許丙為首的所謂「八‧一五獨立事件」，過去大部分研究皆認為其主因為日本軍煽動，少數研究則否定日本軍之參與。本論文使用私人日記、回憶錄、新聞報導等的資料，再次探討此事件之相關人物的言行及背後因素，並認為此事件實為日本軍與台灣人共謀的一場歷史事件。 　　台灣與日本、中國兩者之間的關係，無論於日治時期或戰爭結束後，皆對台灣命運具有相當深刻之影響。發生於時代轉換之際的「八‧一五獨立事件」，恰好表現其一端。透過本論文，筆者希望再度仔細探討台灣近代史的複雜性，以及對今日台灣境遇之影響。 / Between August 15, 1945-- the official end of World War II-- and October 25-- the date Taiwan underwent “retrocession” into China-- what was the political situation in Taiwan? Past post-war studies often discuss the ethical conflict between the Nationalist Government and native Taiwanese as well as the social reasons surrounding the the 2-28 Incident, but often fail to mention the meaning of Japan’s defeat for Taiwan and the 71-day “vacuum period” following the Japanese surrender. Therefore, the research period of this thesis is set between the end of World War II and the Nationalist Government takeover of Taiwan. It discusses Taiwanese society and the Taiwanese movement of this period. By the war’s end, most Taiwanese neither knew about the “Cairo Declarations,” due to the strict censorship of the Governor-General of Taiwan, nor could they foresee the results of the war. Consequently, most Taiwanese were completely unprepared for Japan’s defeat and Taiwan’s retrocession. Until the war was over on August 15, Taiwanese were completely subject to Japanese imperialist edicts. The day the war was over, because the broadcast system was so limited, few people heard news of Japan’s defeat through the “Jewel Voice Broadcast,” otherwise known as the “Gyokuon-hōsō.” Some people even mistook the broadcast as the emperor’s call to continue fighting. But finally, news of Japan’s defeat spread throughout the island via the Governor-General’s notice, news media reports, and word of mouth. And while the Governor-General and between 150,000 and 170,000 Japanese troops stayed in Taiwan to control Taiwanese society, as news of approaching Chinese troops spread, the Japanese authority gradually lost prestige. Public order and the economy began to deteriorate. Under such circumstances, the Taiwanese elite looked to their own ideas and methods for the future running of Taiwan. For example, Lin Xiantang (林獻堂) conservatively maintained good relations with the Japanese authority on one hand, but on the other hand, devoted himself to protecting social order. Wu Xinrong (吳新榮), eagerly anticipating the coming new era, started to organize the Youth League of the Three People’s Principals, aggressively preparing for the welcome of the “Motherland.” Nevertheless, the “ancestral identity” that Taiwanese felt toward China was, at the time, an idea lacking both experiential and rational bases. Therefore, those Taiwanese coming into contact with Chinese found it hard to avoid feelings of unfamiliarity and disappointment. However that may be, a strong idea of “ancestral identity” continued to prop up Taiwanese support and enthusiasm for China. Regarding the “8-15 Taiwanese Independence Incident,” which Gu Zhenfu (辜振甫) and Xu Bing (許丙) allegedly masterminded, most past studies consider this an intrigue stirred up by Japanese troops, while a smaller number of studies completely deny Japanese involvement. This dissertation uses private diaries, memoirs and news reports to examine the words and deeds of the players, and the background reasons for the incident, finding it to be an historical event in which Japanese troops and the Taiwanese elite conspired together. Whether during the period of Japanese rule or during the post-war period, the relationships between Taiwan and Japan, and Taiwan and China both have significant meanings for Taiwan’s fate. Occurring at the juncture of two political rules, the “8-15 Taiwanese Independence Incident” neatly reveals this point. Through this dissertation, the author hopes to examine in greater detail the complexity of Taiwan’s recent history and the effect this history has had on Taiwan’s current political situation.

Visual pigments are light sensitive receptors in the eye that form the basis of sensory visual transduction. This thesis presents three studies that explore visual pigment proteins in vertebrates using a number of computational and experimental methods in an evolutionary framework. The objective is not only to identify, but also to experimentally investigate the functional consequences of genetic variation in vertebrate visual pigments. The focus is on great bowerbirds (Chlamydera nuchalis), which are a model system in visual ecology due to their spectacular behaviour of building and decorating courtship bowers. There are 4 chapters: Chapter 1 introduces background information on visual pigments and vision in birds. Among visual pigment types, the short-wavelength-sensitive (SWS1) pigments have garnered particular interest due to the broad spectral range among vertebrates and the importance of UV signals in communication. Chapter 2 investigates the evolutionary history of SWS1 in vertebrates with a view toward its utility as a phylogenetic marker. Chapter 3 investigates SWS1 evolution and short-wavelength vision in birds, with particular focus on C. nuchalis and its SWS1. The evolution of spectral tuning mechanisms mediating UV/violet vision in passerines and parrots is elucidated in this chapter using site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression, and phylogenetic recreation of ancestral opsins. While cone opsins mediate colour vision in bright light, the rhodopsin visual pigment contained in rod photoreceptors is critical for dim light vision. Detailed characterization of rhodopsin function has only been conducted on a few model systems. Chapter 4 examines C. nuchalis RH1 using a number of functional assays in addition to absorbance spectra, including hydroxylamine sensitivity and the rate of retinal release. This chapter includes an investigation into the role of amino acid mutations typical of dim-light adapted vertebrates, D83N and A292S, in regulating functional properties of bovine and avian RH1s using site-directed mutagenesis. Together these chapters describe naturally occurring mutations in visual pigments and explore the way they can influence visual perception. These represent one of the few investigations of visual pigments from a species that is not a model lab organism and form a significant contribution to the field of visual pigment biochemistry and evolution.

Life is the common denominator for all beings. Unless individuals are taught to be careful about how they deal with it, great harm could be caused to the whole ontological order. Life therefore is a public property for which precepts had to be established to guard against any misuse. This guarantees that life and its processes are used to everyone's advantage. The Community has put itself in position as the monitor of the processes of life. To it belongs the right to distribute, regulate and even withdraw life as different situations would warrant. The community is both the promulgator and the judge over vital matters. The individuals are taught to be conscientious in dealing with life. In making choices the individuals have to be conscious of the historical experiences of the community and be disposed to being influenced by it. Hence the Community becomes the Conscience and Guide. / Religious Studies and Arabic / M.Th. (Religious Studies)

Text in English / Most Xhosa people experience the condition of feeling dislocated and confused when choosing a spiritual belief between Christianity and Xhosa ancestral traditions. This study uses the concept of diaspora to describe the mental dislocation that people whose culture has changed experience. This study is based on the phenomenon of diaspora as a state of identity in the contemporary cultural identity of amaXhosa, the people of the Eastern Cape Province, by exploring the interrelationship between the key concepts, namely, identity, culture, land, and home as they relate to ancestral worship and Christian practice. Two installation artworks by Bill Viola and Nicholas Hlobo were selected for a comparative analysis under the spectacle of Xhosa ancestral tradition. In this study, I seek to understand how identity is constructed within a particular geographical and ideological culture and how self-identity can be constituted through the construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction of cultural histories. Touching on notions of mediation, altar, and dislocation, this study uses Martin Buber’s concept of I AND THOU to weave the key concepts together. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / M.A. (Visual Arts)