The successful completion of this work is dedicated first to my grandparents for having always shown their unwavering love and encouragement in my journeys (most of which they kindly and politely only pretended to understand) and for having also served as life-long role models who upheld an unparalleled work ethic. To many whom I consider to be my chosen family, especially Ann Williams and Brittany Sears, who kept me laughing, but more importantly, kept my crazy train from derailing during these tumultuous years. To Wayne Price and Tom Jackman, who fostered the success of my career and are the epitome of patience and kindness. To DeAngelis, for the many hours of laughter, conversations, and adventuresome treks that further kindled my knowledge, love, and respect for Florida’s ecology. To family in Alabama who have either helped shape my brazen character or made this education possible. To Taego, the one to whom I am bound through so many of the stories that begin with, “Remember when…?” and who is often so kind and thoughtful though he still holds tightly to the stereotype of the selfish youngest sibling. Finally, to Fen for being my smiling, bright blue-eyed, spunky kid who has been on this journey with me from the get-go; for keeping me from getting too big for my britches; for your intrinsic fire that burns for equality, fairness, and friendship; and for inspiring me to be the best example of a mother that I can possibly be.

This thesis is concerned with both the dangers and opportunities of China’s relations with the contemporary world and with the U.S.-led West in particular. It takes an unconventional approach to these issues in critically examining mainstream Western studies of Chinese foreign policy as a particular kind of discourse. The thesis focuses, more specifically, on the two dominant Western perspectives on China, (neo)realism and (neo)-liberalism. In doing so, it engages the questions of how Western discursive practice has come to shape and dominate the ways we think of and deal with ‘China’ in international relations, and how, as a result, China has often come to formulate its foreign policy in line with the prescribed meaning given to it by Western-based China scholars. In this context, the thesis argues that to deconstruct the processes by which China is given particular ‘meanings’ by Western discourses—and by which those meanings are transformed into both Western and Chinese foreign policy—is the key to a more profound understanding of Sino-Western relations and, perhaps, a first step towards ameliorating its problems and realising its potential for long-term peace and mutual prosperity.

The overwhelming majority of plant species introduced into a new range never become invasive. Consequently, identification of factors allowing the small fraction of successful invaders to naturalize, increase in abundance, and displace resident species continues to be a key area of research in invasion biology. Of the considerable number of hypotheses that have been proposed to resolve why some plant species become noxious pests, the enemy release hypothesis (ERH) is one of the most commonly cited. The ERH maintains that invasive plants succeed in a new range because they are no longer regulated by their coevolved natural enemies, and this reduction in enemy pressure imparts a competitive advantage over native species, which continue to be negatively impacted by top-down processes. Alternatively, the ability of invasive plant species to outperform their counterparts, rather than escape from enemies, may be key in conferring invasion success. The importance of preadapted traits and release from natural enemies in successful invasion remains unclear, likely owing to a lack of empirical studies comparing their effects on relative performance and population growth of closely related species that differ in origin and invasiveness. A system of co-occurring native, introduced non-invasive, and invasive Eugenia congeners exists in south Florida, providing an opportunity to address deficiencies in our understanding of plant invasions by investigating the factors leading to invasion success for Eugenia uniflora. This approach is novel because very few studies have simultaneously incorporated both native and introduced non-invasive congeners into tests of these hypotheses, and no others have done so using this system of Eugenia congeners. The first study in this dissertation tested the ERH using an insect herbivore exclusion experiment in the field to compare the effects of natural enemies on the performance and population growth of Eugenia uniflora and its native congeners. The results showed that E. uniflora sustained more herbivore damage than its native counterparts, and that the effects of herbivores were sufficient to have negative impacts on performance and population growth. In sum, these findings contradict the ERH. Surprisingly, the vast majority of damage to E. uniflora was caused by the recently introduced Sri Lankan weevil (Myllocerus undatus), with which it shares no coevolutionary history. The second study compared seedling performance among native, introduced non-invasive, and invasive Eugenia congeners to determine if the success of E. uniflora can be attributed to superior performance traits. Invasive E. uniflora was found to outperform its native and introduced non-invasive counterparts in a number of seedling traits, including emergence, growth, and survival, in spite of sustaining higher levels of herbivore damage in the field. This result was consistent across years and sites, suggesting that superior performance may be an important factor in invasion success by E. uniflora. The final experiment investigated the role of enemy release on performance of native, introduced non-invasive, and introduced invasive Eugenia seedlings using an insect herbivore exclusion experiment in the field. In this study, the invasive E. uniflora was again found to sustain more damage by foliar herbivores compared to its native and introduced non-invasive counterparts. However, in spite of higher levels of herbivore damage, E. uniflora continued to outperform its congeners in terms of stem growth, and its congeners did not outperform E. uniflora in any attribute. Insect herbivores negatively affected survival of all species, but were found to have little effect on growth. In combination, the results of these studies indicate that the ability of E. uniflora to outperform its native and introduced congeners at the seedling stage, and not release from insect herbivores, may contribute to its success as an invader. Additionally, E. uniflora exhibits relatively low resistance to herbivory in the new range, and instead may possess an ability to tolerate moderate levels of damage. The implications of this study are that enemy release may not be important in determining invasion success in some systems, and that the accumulation of new enemies may mitigate the effects of invasive plants over time. The paucity of studies investigating interactions among invasive plants and herbivores that share no coevolutionary history warrants further research. Finally, this system of Eugenia congeners provides valuable opportunities to test additional hypotheses and to further explore factors leading to invasion success.

This dissertation examines the rhetorical strategy by which groups unite against common enemies as it appears in a series of judicial cases between 1878 and 1952 deciding whether petitioners for naturalization in the United States were "free white persons" as required by the United States naturalization act at the time. Beginning in 1870, the naturalization act limited racial eligibility for naturalization to "free white persons" and "aliens of African nativity and persons of African descent." Based on the conclusion that Asians were neither "white" nor African, many courts interpreted these provisions to reflect a policy of Asian exclusion. As the distinction between "white" and Asian became increasingly disputed, however, the racial eligibility requirements of the act raised difficult questions about the boundaries of whiteness. I examine the rhetorical strategies adopted in a series of these cases between World War I and the early cold war involving Asian Indian, Armenian, Kalmyk, and Tatar petitioners who were represented as political or religious refugees at risk of becoming stateless if they were denied racial eligibility for naturalization in the United States. I argue that by representing the petitioners in the cases as victims of persecution by the nation's adversaries, the cases reflect a rhetorical strategy of uniting against common enemies which is also prevalent in the legislative, executive, and judicial discourse surrounding the act. I argue that the prevalence of this rhetorical strategy in racial prerequisite discourse suggests that a martial ideal of citizenship often influenced racial classifications under the act and that by recognizing the ways in which this discourse adapted to the rapidly changing enmities of the early twentieth century, a rhetorical interpretation of the cases offers advantages over other interpretive approaches and highlights the value of a rhetoric of law. / text

Thesis (Master of Military Studies)-Marine Corps Command and Staff College, 2008. / Title from title page of PDF document (viewed on: Jan 11, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:15:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ROBERTA KELIA B SILVA A.pdf: 784643 bytes, checksum: 092fd8f80edefb4e66110de6f8ed33b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-04-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The leafminer Liriomyza trifolii is nowadays the main pest of melon orchards in the region of Chapada do Apodi, Northeast of Brazil. In order of the high infestation level of this insect, the control based only in pesticides has not been plenty satisfactory. However, considerable parasitism levels occasioned by Opius sp. have been found in field, mainly in the beginning of the production. Because of this fact, the first studies with this parasitoid are been developed in the Entomology Laboratory of UFERSA. The present study had the objective of adapting a rearing technique to the parasitoid Opius sp. in laboratory conditions, and study the aspects of it s parasitism, aiming the future utilization of this parasitoid in the leafminer integrated management programs, in the Semi-Arid conditions of Rio Grande do Norte State. Initially, infested melon leaves with L. trifolii larvae were collected in field to obtain the parasitoids. From the first parasitoids obtained from field, a technique to multiply them in L. trifolii on melon plants was developed. In the observations of the parasitism aspects of Opius sp., was perceived that it prefer to oviposite in 2nd and 3rd instar larvae. In addition, was observed that females present the highest levels of parasitism in the first two days of life / A mosca-minadora Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae), é atualmente a principal praga do meloeiro Cucumis melo L., na região da Chapada do Apodi, nordeste brasileiro. Devido às altas infestações deste inseto, o controle baseado exclusivamente no uso de inseticidas não tem sido plenamente satisfatório. Por outro lado, índices consideráveis de parasitismo, ocasionados pelo parasitóide Opius sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), têm sido constatado em campo, principalmente no início da safra. Em função deste fato, estudos básicos com este parasitóide estão sendo realizados no Laboratório de Entomologia da UFERSA, Mossoró, RN. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho objetivou descrever uma técnica para criação de Opius sp., em condições de laboratório, e estudar aspectos de seu parasitismo, visando sua utilização em futuros programas de manejo integrado da mosca-minadora do meloeiro, nas condições do semi-árido do Rio Grande do Norte. Inicialmente, folhas de meloeiro infestadas com larvas da mosca-minadora foram coletadas em campo para obtenção dos parasitóides. A partir dos primeiros parasitóides obtidos foi adaptada uma técnica para multiplicação destes sobre L. trifolii em plantas de meloeiro. Nas observações sobre os aspectos do parasitismo do Opius sp., constatou-se que estes preferem ovipositar em larvas de 2º e 3º ínstar. Além disso, foi observado que as fêmeas do Opius sp. apresentam maiores índices de parasitismo nos primeiros dois dias de vida

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:18:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ROBERTA KELIA B SILVA A.pdf: 784643 bytes, checksum: 092fd8f80edefb4e66110de6f8ed33b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-04-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The leafminer Liriomyza trifolii is nowadays the main pest of melon orchards in the region of Chapada do Apodi, Northeast of Brazil. In order of the high infestation level of this insect, the control based only in pesticides has not been plenty satisfactory. However, considerable parasitism levels occasioned by Opius sp. have been found in field, mainly in the beginning of the production. Because of this fact, the first studies with this parasitoid are been developed in the Entomology Laboratory of UFERSA. The present study had the objective of adapting a rearing technique to the parasitoid Opius sp. in laboratory conditions, and study the aspects of it s parasitism, aiming the future utilization of this parasitoid in the leafminer integrated management programs, in the Semi-Arid conditions of Rio Grande do Norte State. Initially, infested melon leaves with L. trifolii larvae were collected in field to obtain the parasitoids. From the first parasitoids obtained from field, a technique to multiply them in L. trifolii on melon plants was developed. In the observations of the parasitism aspects of Opius sp., was perceived that it prefer to oviposite in 2nd and 3rd instar larvae. In addition, was observed that females present the highest levels of parasitism in the first two days of life / A mosca-minadora Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae), é atualmente a principal praga do meloeiro Cucumis melo L., na região da Chapada do Apodi, nordeste brasileiro. Devido às altas infestações deste inseto, o controle baseado exclusivamente no uso de inseticidas não tem sido plenamente satisfatório. Por outro lado, índices consideráveis de parasitismo, ocasionados pelo parasitóide Opius sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), têm sido constatado em campo, principalmente no início da safra. Em função deste fato, estudos básicos com este parasitóide estão sendo realizados no Laboratório de Entomologia da UFERSA, Mossoró, RN. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho objetivou descrever uma técnica para criação de Opius sp., em condições de laboratório, e estudar aspectos de seu parasitismo, visando sua utilização em futuros programas de manejo integrado da mosca-minadora do meloeiro, nas condições do semi-árido do Rio Grande do Norte. Inicialmente, folhas de meloeiro infestadas com larvas da mosca-minadora foram coletadas em campo para obtenção dos parasitóides. A partir dos primeiros parasitóides obtidos foi adaptada uma técnica para multiplicação destes sobre L. trifolii em plantas de meloeiro. Nas observações sobre os aspectos do parasitismo do Opius sp., constatou-se que estes preferem ovipositar em larvas de 2º e 3º ínstar. Além disso, foi observado que as fêmeas do Opius sp. apresentam maiores índices de parasitismo nos primeiros dois dias de vida

This study investigates the song-based recognition of individual songbirds with the main focus on the chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) as a model species. The introductory part deals with vocalization-based recognition in birds in general.The following parts summarize our knowledge of individual recognition in songbirds based on song, namely the limitation of recognition ability caused by repertoire size or song sharing and how songbirds encode their identity in song. In the field study, we also proved the ability of the chiffchaff and willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) to recognise particular neighbours based on one particular song from their repertoire. Our findings are interesting because chiffchaff and willow warbler differ in repertoire size and song organisation. We also analysed the repertoire size of chiffchaff males and the potential for identity encoding by basic voice characteristics (timing and frequency). We have found that chiffchaff song is unstable from year to year and that basic voice characteristics are useful for identification only when the same song type is used in the short time period. The last part of the thesis answers the question of whether there are some general voice characteristics independent of song content that might represent the structure of the sound organ and thus carry the identity of a bird independently of song content. We used ASRNI (Automatic system for the recognition of bird individuals) to identify particular birds based on unprocessed (raw) recordings of song without song preparation or manual measurements. This method also allows work with the data as an open set, so that the number of birds analysed does not have to be known in advance. Based on the parameters automatically extracted, we were able to recognise individuals with satisfactory accuracy. Based on such findings, we proved the existence of individually specific voice qualities that are independent of voice content and which may be used by birds for recognition. By using ASRNI we also introduced an approach that has great potential to be used in the effective acoustic monitoring of bird populations.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-05-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:44:47Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 ferreirafilho_pj_dr_botfca.pdf: 1155400 bytes, checksum: 8e9b3a892a4bc9b6e2a50c148430127a (MD5) / O gênero Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) é originário da Austrália e hospeda várias espécies de insetos da família Psyllidae. Dentre elas, o psilídeo-de-concha Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), que é considerada uma das principais pragas introduzidas desta cultura no Brasil e em outros países. O parasitóide Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) é indicado como principal agente no controle biológico desta praga. Devido a sua importância econômica, esse trabalho objetivou estudar as populações de G. brimblecombei e de P. bliteus em floresta de Eucalyptus camaldulensis para determinação de sua distribuição espacial, flutuação populacional, a relação com fatores meteorológicos (temperatura e precipitação), e determinar o índice de parasitismo pós liberação de P. bliteus em campo. O estudo da dinâmica populacional do psilídeo-de-concha e do seu parasitóide foi realizado através da utilização de 53 armadilhas amarelas e da coleta de 53 ramos/avaliação em um talhão de 19 ha com E. camaldulensis em Luiz Antônio, SP, com 42 avaliações, entre janeiro de 2006 a janeiro de 2008. Concluiu-se que as populações de ambas espécies apresentaram distribuição espacial agregada, possuem correlação inversamente proporcional à temperatura, e a precipitação pluviométrica; ocorreu aumento no índice de parasitismo em todos os pontos de liberação de P. bliteus. no período avaliado / The genus Eucalyptus is originally from Australia and hosts several species of insects of the family Psylidae. Among them, the red gum lerp psyllid is considered one of the main pests of this crop introduced in Brazil and other countries. However, for the control of phytophagous hemiptera, the treatment with insecticides proved to be expensive and unsustainable. The psylllid specific parasitic wasp Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is indicated as the main biological control agent of this pest. Due to its economic importance, this study aimed to evaluate G. brimblecombei and P. bliteus population in Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations to determine their spatial distribution, population fluctuation with weather interactions (temperature and rainfall), and also to determine parasitism rates in the field after release of P. bliteus. The study of population dynamic of red gum lerp psyllid and its parasitoid (53 traps sampled and 53 branches sampled per sampling dates) was carried out on E. camaldulensis plantations in 19 ha area in Luiz Antônio municipality (SP, Brazil), from January 2006 to January 2008 (42 sampling dates). This research indicated that population of both species noticed especial aggregated distribution, inversely proportional subject to temperature. Besides, was found correlation between both species and rainfall. There was also at measured period an increase in the parasitism rate at all release points of P. bliteus

Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第18312号 / 農博第2037号 / 新制||農||1020(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H26||N4819(農学部図書室) / 31170 / 京都大学大学院農学研究科地域環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 天野 洋, 教授 田中 千尋, 教授 松浦 健二 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当